Ocriplasmin opens up new avenues in the therapy of vitreomacular traction

Abstract

Until now, the only treatment available for severe symptomatic vitreomacular traction, has been pars-plana-vitrectomy. Now, there is evidence for a new minimally invasive surgical therapy: the results of two Phase III studies show that an intravitreal injection of ocriplasmin allows an enzymatic vitreolysis.

Keywords::

• enzymatic vitreolysis
• intravitreal injection
• macular holes
• minimal invasive surgery
• ocriplasmin
• pars-plana-vitrectomy
• plasmin
• posterior vitreous detachment
• recombinant protease
• vitreomacular adhesion
• vitreomacular traction
• vitreous body

Financial & competing interests disclosure

AJ Augustin is consultant to Alcon and received speaker's honorary from Alcon. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Key issues

• • Ocriplasmin is the only approved drug to treat vitreomacular traction and small macular holes.

• • It is administered intravitreally.

• • Ocular and systemic safety has been documented.

Notes