April 6, 2007

Subject: The Science of Vision: Physician Presents History of the Eye in New Book
Orlando, FL — PRNewswire/ -- Saad Shaikh, M.D., explores the wonders of the eye and delves into the medical discoveries and fascinating history of vision in his new book, "Eyes on Ice & No Blind Mice: Visions of Science from the Science of Vision" (now available through AuthorHouse).

The book introduces readers to the complex science of this organ that is so valuable in everyday life, including the various afflictions and treatments of the eye throughout history, as well as in modern-day practice. "Concepts are discussed in light of the modern age of medicine and, at times, the not- so-modern ages of medicine past, from the medicine of botanicals and 'Signatures' to that of genetics, stem cells and nanoscience," says Shaikh. "Historical references and allusions provide insight into times when surgery and medical therapy of the eye, not to mention medicine in general, were quite different."

Shaikh shares moving anecdotes both from history and his own modern medical practice that entertain and educate readers about astonishing and little-known facts of the eye. He discusses the historical progress of medical treatments for the eye, the development of eyesight in the brain, the role eyeglasses played in the development of America's democracy, the narrowing gap between technology and biology and the chain of events that led to the development of retinal laser therapy, beginning with Einstein's seminal conception of laser theory to the nuclear explosions at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

"From beginning to end, readers are introduced to a part of the eye, and a view of it, that they could hardly have ever imagined," says Shaikh. "A reader who reads this book will first of all enjoy himself, but at the same time come away with an understanding of the many afflictions of the eye, the history of medicine and surgery ... but most importantly, how to preserve their vision as they age."

Shaikh is a practicing physician and eye specialist in Orlando, Fla., specializing in ophthalmology, retinal diseases and surgery. He attended medical school at the University of California and was trained in ophthalmology at the Stanford University School of Medicine. He specialized in retinal surgery at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich. Shaikh is also an assistant professor at the University of South Florida. This is his first book, but he has previously written several book chapters, short stories and articles for scientific medical journals and daily newspapers. More information can be found at www.eyesoniceandnoblindmice.com and www.saadshaikh.com.

AuthorHouse is the premier publishing house for emerging authors and new voices in literature. For more information, please visit www.authorhouse.com.

EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact: Promotional Services Department Tel: 888-728-8467 Fax: 812-961-3133 Email: pressreleases@authorhouse.com (When requesting a review copy, please provide a street address.) This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit www.ereleases.com

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Lucentis improves eyesight, but it's expensive and not the only option

Florida Today - July 18, 2006
By SUSAN JENKS

A newly approved drug for a leading cause of blindness in the United States packs a "wow factor" when it comes to improving patients' vision, according to several eye doctors."The average person's vision gets better with Lucentis," said Dr. Adrian Lavina, a West Palm Beach ophthalmologist and retina specialist, referring to the Genentech drug, which gained marketing approval for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in June."And the safety profile is excellent," said Lavina, whose group, Retina Care Specialists, took part in early research studies.But Lucentis also carries a relatively high price tag - $1950 per injection - $950 more than Macugen, a competing drug, and nearly six times more than Avastin, another Genentech drug doctors use primarily to treat colon cancers, but also sometimes use "off-label" for advanced stages of the incurable eye disease.Off-label usage refers to another medical use other than approved by the federal agency - a common practice in health care today."Nothing prevents us from using Avastin in the eye off-label," said Doctor John Olson, an eye doctor with Orlando-based Central Florida Retina, with a Rockledge office. "The difference is now we have hard evidence Lucentis works, while it's more anecdotal that Avastin works in the eye."Recent clinical research studies, Olson and others said, show Lucentis brings measurable vision improvement for the first time to some patients with age related macular degeneration. After treatment, 35 percent to 40 percent of patients could read at least three additional lines on the eye chart, the studies found, while 90 percent to 95 percent saw stabilization of their disease.With other eye drugs, Olson said, "we showed vision loss did not occur as quickly, but there was no real vision improvement, either."Doctors diagnose an estimated 200,000 Americans annually with age-related macular degeneration, which, as its name suggests, strikes mostly individuals 60 or older.The disease occurs when abnormal blood vessels form at the back of the eye, distorting and scarring a tiny sliver of tissue at the center of the retina, which controls central vision and fine-detail tasks, such as reading, driving, watching television or telling time.As these fragile blood vessels multiply and grow, the eye disease turns from "dry" to "wet," an advanced form, occurring in about 10 percent of patients.

'Superb results'

In Brevard County, several local eye doctors indicated they are not adverse to using Lucentis, although it has not yet arrived in their offices. But they said they have used Avastin off-label for at least a year, with impressive results.And it's cheaper, they claim, because eye treatments require one-500th of the dose needed for cancer, thus stretching out supplies over time."I'm using Avastin like it's aspirin for a multitude of (retinal) treatments," including diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, said Dr. Paul Befanis, medical director of Brevard Eye Center in Melbourne. "And we are seeing superb results."Befanis said one patient he recently treated now reads six additional lines on an eye chart, while others show similarly dramatic improvements.Dr. Gary Ganiban, an ophthalmologist at the Eye Institute for Medicine and Surgery in Melbourne, described Avastin as "the best drug yet."Of 300 eye patients treated in the past year, he said, 90 percent have stable vision, and - like Lucentis - 35 percent to 40 percent have improved vision."They can read again," Ganiban said. "Using it has made my job more enjoyable."But while "Lucentis went through vigorous FDA approval for the eye, nobody has looked at Avastin this way," he conceded, so the problem becomes - in theory, at least - what if something goes wrong?

Drug similarities

According to Dawn Kalmar, a spokeswoman for California based Genentech, Lucentis and Avastin are different drugs and not, as widely reported, one drug derived from another.Lucentis is "not a fragment of Avastin," she said, even though the drugs work similarly to block high levels of a protein that stimulates abnormal blood vessel growth."Avastin was approved as an intravenous drug," she said, designed to stay longer in the body to disrupt the blood supply of tumors, while Lucentis works as an "ophthalmic drug," which must be administered repeatedly to do its job."We anticipate will need five to seven treatments," she said, although doctors say they tailor injections to individual patient need.As to costs, Kalmar said, the $1,950 price tag per injection applies only to physicians' wholesale costs, which Medicare and other insurers began covering, once Lucentis gained approval for marketing.And patients' out-of-pocket expense, on average, she said, should run about $50 per treatment, comparable to Avastin's in the eye, with those needing financial helpable to get it through the companies patient assistance program.However, Medicare spokeswoman Lee Millman said Medicare coverage is neither legally required or automatic after FDA approval of a drug, and there has been no national decision on whether or not to cover Lucentis.She suggested consumers call 800-633-2272 or contact their health care provider to see whether federal insurance is available.

Patient response

For Micco resident Rita Uterstaedt, no matter what Lucentis' future price, she will find some way to pay for it, she said."I've come this far, so I'll continue," she said. "Otherwise, I would lose my quality of life."Ever since participating in a two-year research study of Lucentis, Uterstaedt said, her vision has improved so much she can read, drive and even do word puzzles, which she loves.And the monthly injections at Lavina's West Palm Beach office - one of 100 test sites nationally - never bothered her."When your eyesight is so bad - as bad as mine - you don't even see the needle coming," the 68-year-old Uterstaedt said with a laugh. "Years ago, there was no hope. I was just delighted to get this."Josephine Artemik, treated by Olson in Orlando just last week, also found the experience "terrific."

Although improved visual acuity probably won't kick in for several weeks, she was told the procedure appeared to go well and, "except for a little bite," she barely felt the needle as it pierced her eye.

"I'm glad doctors train to do these things for all us oldies," the 83-year-old St. Cloud resident said. "I'm game to try anything that might work."

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The Eyes Have It—The Human Eye’s Biggest Advocate

August 2007 - Barbes Publishing, Inc.
By Priscilla Goudreau-Santos

Combining history and humor, retinal surgeon Saad Shaikh, M.D., describes the advances in science and technology against a backdrop of culture and society in his new book, “Eyes On Ice & No Blind Mice.”

His collection of essays explores a spectrum of events, discoveries, and individuals who continue to shape the medicine and science of vision. Famous figures like Ronald Reagan, Albert Einstein, Teddy Roosevelt, and sports greats like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods are mentioned throughout the narrative as are new technologies that include vision saving lasers, “bubbleology,” and nanoscience.

Dr. Shaikh includes quotes from literature and poetry, as well, reflecting ways we have seen our eyes over the ages. He hopes readers will have an insight into their eyes and eye disease, along with the technology, science, and innovation behind the treatment paths.

Readers will be fascinated to find that modern corneal transplants are possible because of a corneal transplant originally performed more than 100 years ago on a Czech farmer, and that not only did legendary Boston Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams have ‘super vision,’ but that golf great Tiger Woods’ LASIK surgery improved his vision to 20/15 without glasses or contacts and boosted his winning percentage. “I used to tell these stories to my patients and they seemed to like them so much that I wrote the book for those with no general knowledge of eye treatment and care,” Dr. Shaikh said. “Most people, for example, don’t understand where these treatments come from and many don’t realize that defense spending sometimes leads to medical innovations.”

Dr. Shaikh is referring to former President Reagan’s multimillion dollar defense weaponry that has to date, he writes, never shot down a single enemy missile. But, the technology did lead to cutting-edge medical advances in eye care like adaptive optics and an ocular aberrometer, a device that provides doctors with the very sharpest views of the retina.

“People often criticize Reagan for spending all this money on the ‘Star Wars’ initiative, but it has saved many people’s eyesight — lasers are now so small and portable that we can take them into a neonatal care center to correct the vision of a newborn,” he said. Speaking with excitement and passion, Dr. Shaikh, who is one of only about 2,500 retinal specialists in the world, says he began writing his book two years ago, and with the aid of his wife Naazli, who is a cornea surgeon and sometimes book editor, the book was published in February.

“Medicine is a blend of science and humanity, because, basically, you’re given the tools and knowledge of science and then you can apply it to treat and relate to human beings,” he said. “And, the book lets me relate to my patients and show them a window into the world of ophthalmology.” That “window” reveals to the reader how events in history, especially on the political front, led to medical breakthroughs in eye care and vision, preserving sight for millions of people who otherwise would have gone blind. “To me the eye represents the cutting-edge of medicine,” he says. “As a physician, you’re able to take these great technological advances and treat the eyes… it’s very rewarding to help those with eye disease because you can save their vision.” And saving vision, as Dr. Shaikh explains, impacts everyone. He suggests in his book, for example, that a pair of glasses quite possibly preserved democracy — and Teddy Roosevelt’s life.

“I have a passion for medicine and history, and it all relates to the eye,” Dr. Shaikh says. “The book’s written for my patients and for anyone who wants to pick it up — patients love it the most because they’ve had eye treatments and they can relate to it.”

Patient Robert Michaud has himself benefited from procedures discussed in the book and was so captivated he purchased five books and sent them to friends and family who “either have an eye problem or who are interested in science,” he says.

“Dr. Shaikh writes in such a way that it’s [the science of eye treatment and care] very entertaining and interesting. The medical and technical advances are so impressive, especially about how much and how rapidly things have changed in eye care and treatment,” Michaud said. “It was like reading a novel about health and technical information.”

As a retired software development manager for IBM, Michaud has an appreciation for technological advances, but he says his wife, Elinor, who doesn’t have a technical background, found the book just as interesting. “I think it’s remarkable that a person as expert as he is in his field could write a technical discussion of eye care that was so interesting and so informational, and I also like the fact that he mentioned famous people,” Michaud said.

For patients like Michaud, the book is quite helpful, retinal surgeon and colleague John Olson, M.D., says. “The book is very interesting and helpful in the fact that it bridges the gap between eye care treatment and patient understanding,” Dr. Olson said. “Most doctors don’t have the same take on historical aspects or think to mix the fine arts and the healing arts.”>

From the modern age of molecular biology and genetics to a future of stem cells and nanoscience, “Eyes On Ice & No Blind Mice” gives readers a “bird’s eye” view of medicine and the science of vision, sprinkled with tasty tidbits about the events, discoveries, and individuals that continue to shape the field. “The whole point of the book is to introduce everybody to a fascinating world of vision in an easily accessible and understandable format, but with an artistic slant. I enjoyed writing it,” Dr. Shaikh said. “The eye has played a prominent role in our culture for the ages.”

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