Ophthalmology Breaking News: Weekly Roundup (Sep 9, 2025)

Alcon Completes LumiThera Acquisition to Expand Dry AMD Portfolio

📢 Alcon has finalized its acquisition of LumiThera, bringing the Valeda® Photobiomodulation (PBM) system under its umbrella to advance treatment options for early and intermediate dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Valeda is the first and only approved device using non-phototoxic light therapy for early and intermediate dry AMD and non-central geographic atrophy. It applies three specific light wavelengths to enhance mitochondrial activity and retinal cellular health. Clinical evidence from the LIGHTSITE I, II, and III trials demonstrated significant improvements in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, with an average one-line gain in ETDRS visual acuity over two years and a 97% patient comfort rate.

Commenting on the acquisition, Ian Bell, SVP and COO at Alcon, said:

“As we welcome LumiThera and Valeda PBM to Alcon, we move into the retina clinic and the dry AMD space. We look forward to broadening access and availability to Valeda PBM so more dry AMD patients can benefit from early intervention.”

Currently available in the U.S., Europe, and Latin America, Alcon plans to expand Valeda’s reach with new regulatory submissions and global market entries starting in 2026.

🔗 Explore how Alcon’s latest move could reshape early intervention in dry AMD care.

Contivue Port Delivery System Receives CE Mark for Neovascular AMD

📢 Roche’s Contivue port delivery platform, containing Susvimo (ranibizumab injection) 100 mg/mL, has received the CE mark for treating neovascular AMD, marking a key step toward broader European market access.

Contivue features an ocular implant and supporting surgical tools for drug administration, enabling continuous delivery of ranibizumab with reduced injection frequency. Phase 3 Archway trial data showed equivalent outcomes to monthly intravitreal injections, while long-term LADDER study results presented at EURETINA 2025 demonstrated sustained visual function with minimal BCVA decline over seven years.

Carl C. Awh, MD, FASR, Tennessee Retina, emphasized:

“These seven-year results from the LADDER study powerfully demonstrate the long-term outcomes delivered by Contivue with Susvimo.”

Roche CMO Levi Garraway, MD, PhD, added:

“Susvimo offers people living with nAMD the opportunity to maintain their vision with as few as two treatments per year.”

With durability sustained in 95% of implants, Contivue could offer an impactful alternative to conventional injection regimens for patients with nAMD.

🔗 Read more on how long-term delivery platforms like Contivue may redefine maintenance therapy in nAMD.

Barti Software Raises $12M to Drive AI-Powered Innovation in Eye Care EHRs

📢 Barti Software has secured $12 million in Series A funding to expand its AI-powered electronic health record (EHR) platform designed specifically for eye care professionals.

Founded by optometrist Kelly Cai, OD, Barti offers a unified platform combining clinical, operational, and financial workflows. Its standout features include an AI scribe tool tailored to eye care, integrated VoIP, and website management. Barti is also the first EHR company backed by AOAExcel, the business arm of the American Optometric Association.

“As an optometrist, I’ve seen how software can get in the way of patient care. We built Barti to change that,” said Cai.

Co-founder and CEO Colton Calandrella noted the broader vision:

“Instead of waiting a decade for modern tools to trickle in, providers using Barti now have access to the latest developments in AI… By 2027, most practices will adopt voice-driven workflows that significantly reduce repetitive manual processes.”

The company aims to automate over 80% of administrative tasks, allowing providers to focus more on patient interaction and less on documentation.

🔗 See how AI-driven EHRs like Barti are transforming clinical efficiency in optometry and ophthalmology.

Opus Genetics Doses First Patient in Pivotal Phase 3 Night Vision Trial

📢 Opus Genetics has initiated dosing in its LYNX-3 Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating phentolamine ophthalmic solution 0.75% for chronic night driving impairment after keratorefractive surgery.

The trial builds on positive results from the LYNX-2 Phase 3 study and is conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) and Fast Track designation by the U.S. FDA. The formulation targets common low-light visual symptoms such as glare, halos, and starbursts by moderately reducing pupil size in dim conditions while preserving retinal contrast sensitivity.

George Magrath, MD, CEO of Opus Genetics, stated:

“These advancements underscore the opportunity to address a critical unmet need for patients who struggle with night vision after refractive surgery.”

Phentolamine is already approved for reversing drug-induced mydriasis and has shown potential in treating presbyopia. LYNX-3 now explores its role in addressing visual disturbances that affect real-world performance in low-light environments.

🔗 Learn more about the evolving role of pupil-modulating therapies in enhancing post-surgical visual function.

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