Looking at ocriplasmin as a new option in eye disease

Vitreomacular traction (VMT) syndrome and macular hole (MH) are disease processes that are caused by anomalous separation of the vitreous from the macula. Until now, management of these conditions has involved vitreoretinal surgery. Clinical trials have shown that a single intravitreal microplasmin (ocriplasmin) injection can induce separation of the vitreous from the macular surface and thereby relieve the tractional changes that contribute to vision loss from VMT and MH. Herein, we summarize the results of these trials which demonstrate that a significant number of intravitreal ocriplasmin-treated patients have resolution of their vitreoretinal interface abnormalities without the need for vitreoretinal surgery.