All posts by David Weinberg

David Weinberg is a full-time academic vitreoretinal surgeon, and professor of ophthalmology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. His interest in the less-than-science-based aspects of medicine was sparked by inquiries from his patients. Investigation their questions led to his discovery of numerous grandiose claims for implausible, unproven treatments of potentially blinding eye diseases. All opinions expressed by Dr. Weinberg are his alone, and do not represent those of his employer or any other organization with which he is affiliated.

Macular degeneration

Pegcetacoplan (Syfovre™) for macular degeneration: an update

SBM's guest contributor and ophthalmologist, Dr. David Weinberg, provides an update on the phase 3 trials of pegcetacoplan for macular degeneration. The results are still disappointing.

/ January 11, 2024

Pegcetacoplan, a new treatment for macular degeneration

FDA approves a new treatment for macular degeneration: the good, the bad, and the disappointing.

/ June 6, 2023

The Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study (SCOTS): Part 2

Today we continue an analysis of a dubious stem cell clinical trial, with an examination of the clinic and personnel involved.

/ March 26, 2022

The Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study

In this study we have 300 patients with 47 different diseases subject to 7 experimental treatments among 3 treatment groups and no control group. What could possibly go right?

/ December 27, 2021

Hydroxychloroquine, retinal toxicity, and COVID-19

Hydroxychloroquine is being promoted as a treatment or prevention for COVID-19 based on questionable evidence. The long-term impact of hydroxychloroquine on the retina introduces another reason to be cautious about its use outside of clinical trials.

/ May 1, 2020

The p-hackers toolkit

P-hacking is a common and persistent problem in research, with impacts on the scientific literature, reporting, and practice in medicine. But what is it, really?

/ April 30, 2020

Patients Blinded by Stem Cell Therapy: FDA (and consumers) win a legal victory!

The Food and Drug Administration just won a court case supporting the agency's ability to regulate stem cell clinics that rely on client-derived adipose tissues. This is a win for consumer protection, though too late to help those already harmed.

/ June 10, 2019

Patients blinded by stem cell therapy: an update

An update on the tragic results of unproven stem cell treatments to treat macular degeneration.

/ May 10, 2019

Macular Degeneration, Genes, and Grandma’s Vitamins: To test or not to test?

Is genetic testing necessary to optimize treatment for patients with a potentially blinding eye disease? The stakes are high and the answer depends on which of the two feuding, financially-conflicted groups you believe. In the end, the best evidence wins!

/ March 30, 2018

Patients blinded by stem cell therapy: more egregious than you imagined

Three patients were treated with a slurry of stem cells and blood products, in both eyes, on the same day. Could the outcome, three patients becoming legally blind, have been foreseen? Probably.

/ April 15, 2017