Abstract: This disclosure features chemical entities (e.g., a compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt and/or hydrate and/or prodrug of the compound) that that generates cross-linking in the cornea in response to exposure to an electromagnetic irradiation. This disclosure also features compositions containing the same as well as other methods of using and making the same. The chemical entities are useful, e.g., for treating a subject (e.g., a human) having a disease, disorder, or condition in which in which abnormal shaping of the cornea (e.g., thinning of the cornea, e.g., bilateral thinning of the cornea, e.g., bilateral thinning of the central, paracentral, or peripheral cornea; or steepening (e.g., bulging) of the cornea) contributes to the pathology and/or symptoms and/or progression of the disease, disorder, or condition.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and compositions generate cross-linking activity for treatment of eye disorders. Various agents, additives, buffers, etc., may be employed in formulations with a cross-linking agent to enhance treatment. For example, a composition for applying treatment to a cornea of an eye includes a cross-linking agent that generates cross-linking activity in the cornea in response to exposure to a photo-activating light. The composition also includes an iron additive and citrate buffer. In some cases, the cross-linking agent may include riboflavin. In other cases, the iron additive may include FeSO4. In further cases, the iron additive may be dissolved in the citrate buffer.

Abstract: Devices and approaches for monitoring time based photo active agent delivery or photo active marker presence in an eye. A monitoring system is provided for measuring the presence of a photo active marker by illuminating the eye so as to excite the photo-active marker and then observing characteristic emission from the photo active marker. Example systems incorporate Scheimpflug optical systems or slit lamp optical systems to observe cross sectional images of an eye to monitor instantaneous distribution, diffusion pattern, and rate of uptake of a photo active agent applied to an eye. Systems and methods further allow for utilizing the monitored distribution of photo active agent in the eye as feedback for a cross-linking system.

Abstract: A method for controlling activation of Riboflavin applied to an eye includes applying the Riboflavin to a selected region of a cornea of the eye and initiating cross-linking activity in the selected region by activating the Riboflavin with pulsed light illumination. The pulsed light illumination has an irradiance, dose, and an on/off duty cycle. The irradiance, the dose, and the on/off duty cycle are adjusted in response to a determination of photochemical kinetic pathways for Riboflavin cross-linking activity and to control photochemical efficiency.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and compositions generate cross-linking activity for treatment of eye disorders. Various agents, additives, buffers, etc., may be employed in formulations with a cross-linking agent to enhance treatment. For example, a composition for applying treatment to a cornea of an eye includes a cross-linking agent that generates cross-linking activity in the cornea in response to exposure to a photo-activating light. The composition also includes an iron additive and citrate buffer. In some cases, the cross-linking agent may include riboflavin. In other cases, the iron additive may include FeSO4. In further cases, the iron additive may be dissolved in the citrate buffer.

Abstract: Devices and approaches for monitoring time based photo active agent delivery or photo active marker presence in an eye. A monitoring system is provided for measuring the presence of a photo active marker by illuminating the eye so as to excite the photo-active marker and then observing characteristic emission from the photo active marker. Example systems incorporate Scheimpflug optical systems or slit lamp optical systems to observe cross sectional images of an eye to monitor instantaneous distribution, diffusion pattern, and rate of uptake of a photo active agent applied to an eye. Systems and methods further allow for utilizing the monitored distribution of photo active agent in the eye as feedback for a cross-linking system.

Abstract: Devices and approaches for monitoring time based photo active agent delivery or photo active marker presence in an eye. A monitoring system is provided for measuring the presence of a photo active marker by illuminating the eye so as to excite the photo-active marker and then observing characteristic emission from the photo active marker. Example systems incorporate Scheimpflug optical systems or slit lamp optical systems to observe cross sectional images of an eye to monitor instantaneous distribution, diffusion pattern, and rate of uptake of a photo active agent applied to an eye. Systems and methods further allow for utilizing the monitored distribution of photo active agent in the eye as feedback for a cross-linking system.

Abstract: Various agents and additives for cross-linking treatments are identified in disclosed studies. The characteristics of the various agents and additives may be advantageously employed in formulations applied in cross-linking treatments of the eye. In some embodiments, riboflavin is combined with Iron(II) to enhance the cross-linking activity generated by the riboflavin. In other embodiments, cross-linking treatments employ an Iron(II) solution in combination with a hydrogen peroxide pre-soak. In yet other embodiments, 2,3-butanedione is employed to increase the efficacy of corneal cross-linking with a photosensitizer, such as riboflavin. In further embodiments, folic acid is employed in combination with a photosensitizer, such as riboflavin, to enhance cross-linking activity. In yet further embodiments, 2,3-butanedione, folic acid, a quinoxaline, a quinoline, dibucaine, Methotrexate, menadione, or a derivative thereof is applied as a cross-linking agent.

Abstract: A method for controlling activation of a cross-linking agent applied to an eye includes applying the cross-linking agent to a selected region of a cornea of the eye and initiating cross-linking activity in the selected region by activating the cross-linking agent with pulsed light illumination. The pulsed light illumination has a selectable wavelength, irradiance, dose, and on/off duty cycle. The wavelength, the irradiance, the dose, and the on/off duty cycle are adjusted in response to a determination of photochemical kinetic pathways for cross-linking activity and to control photochemical efficiency, depth of cross-linking, and density of cross-linking.

Abstract: A system for performing quasi-elastic light scattering and fluorescent ligand scanning on a subject's eye includes a light source configured to transmit light toward the subject's eye, a lens configured to focus light sent from the source and scattered by the subject's eye, a measurement reflector disposed to receive at least a portion of the focused light and configured to reflect a first portion of the received light, a camera configured and disposed to receive the first portion of the received light and configured to provide indicia of an image corresponding to the first portion of the received light, and a processor coupled to the camera and configured to analyze intensities of light in the image to determine a location of a reference point corresponding to an interface of a portion of the eye.

Abstract: Devices and approaches for monitoring time based photo active agent delivery or photo active marker presence in an eye. A monitoring system is provided for measuring the presence of a photo active marker by illuminating the eye so as to excite the photo-active marker and then observing characteristic emission from the photo active marker. Example systems incorporate Scheimpflug optical systems or slit lamp optical systems to observe cross sectional images of an eye to monitor instantaneous distribution, diffusion pattern, and rate of uptake of a photo active agent applied to an eye. Systems and methods further allow for utilizing the monitored distribution of photo active agent in the eye as feedback for a cross-linking system.

Abstract: A system for performing quasi-elastic light scattering and fluorescent ligand scanning on a subject's eye includes a light source configured to transmit light toward the subject's eye, a lens configured to focus light sent from the source and scattered by the subject's eye, a measurement reflector disposed to receive at least a portion of the focused light and configured to reflect a first portion of the received light, a camera configured and disposed to receive the first portion of the received light and configured to provide indicia of an image corresponding to the first portion of the received light, and a processor coupled to the camera and configured to analyze intensities of light in the image to determine a location of a reference point corresponding to an interface of a portion of the eye.

Abstract: A system for performing quasi-elastic light scattering and fluorescent ligand scanning on a subject's eye includes a light source configured to transmit light toward the subject's eye, a lens configured to focus light sent from the source and scattered by the subject's eye, a measurement reflector disposed to receive at least a portion of the focused light and configured to reflect a first portion of the received light, a camera configured and disposed to receive the first portion of the received light and configured to provide indicia of an image corresponding to the first portion of the received light, and a processor coupled to the camera and configured to analyze intensities of light in the image to determine a location of a reference point corresponding to an interface of a portion of the eye.

Abstract: The invention provides ophthalmic formulations of Amyloid-? contrast agents. Also provided are methods of using such formulations in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease or a predisposition thereto as well as methods for the prognosis of Alzheimer's Disease.

Abstract: A system for performing quasi-elastic light scattering and fluorescent ligand scanning on a subject's eye includes a light source configured to transmit light toward the subject's eye, a lens configured to focus light sent from the source and scattered by the subject's eye, a measurement reflector disposed to receive at least a portion of the focused light and configured to reflect a first portion of the received light, a camera configured and disposed to receive the first portion of the received light and configured to provide indicia of an image corresponding to the first portion of the received light, and a processor coupled to the camera and configured to analyze intensities of light in the image to determine a location of a reference point corresponding to an interface of a portion of the eye.

Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment of Barrett's esophagus, including: an inflatable balloon for insertion into the esophagus, an endoscope for passing inside the balloon on a distal end thereof, a laser fiber apparatus for insertion within the balloon in the esophagus, and a balloon inflation/deflation means in fluid communication with the balloon for inflating and emptying the balloon into and out of contact with the walls of the esophagus to be treated. The balloon may occlude the stomach from the esophagus during treatment.

Abstract: Lasers capable of lasing at at least two wavelengths are provided having a lasing medium which is capable of lasing at a first wavelength and at a second wavelength. An output coupler is positioned along a longitudinal axis at a first end of the lasing medium and a first mirror, movable beam block shutter and second mirror are positioned sequentially along the longitudinal axis of the lasing medium at a second end of the lasing medium. The first mirror is highly reflective at a first wavelength, and the second mirror is highly reflective at a second wavelength while being transparent at the first wavelength. The beam block shutter is movable between a first position along the longitudinal axis of the lasing medium and between the first and second mirrors and a second position away from the longitudinal axis of the lasing medium.

Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment of Barrett's esophagus, including: an inflatable balloon for insertion into the esophagus, an endoscope for passing inside the balloon on a distal end thereof, a laser fiber apparatus for insertion within the balloon in the esophagus, and a balloon inflation/deflation means in fluid communication with the balloon for inflating and emptying the balloon into and out of contact with the walls of the esophagus to be treated. The balloon may occlude the stomach from the esophagus during treatment.

Abstract: The invention features improvements in PRK procedures that relate to preventing non-uniform removal of material from the corneal surface. It has been realized that photoablation by-products resulting during the PRK procedure can affect the accuracy and the predictability of the procedure. Under certain conditions, the plume of photoablation by-products that have left the corneal surface can non-uniformly redeposit onto the ablation area and thus affect the uniformity of subsequent material removal. The plume of photoablation by-products, in the space above the corneal surface, can also non-uniformly affect the escape of further photoablation products from the surface. In addition to the plume effects, it has been realized that the hydration level of the corneal tissue during the PRK procedure can vary over the ablation area and likewise non-uniformly affect the PRK procedure.