Ophthalmology

Take-home: Evidence is accumulating documenting that intraoperative OCT improves surgeon decision-making and outcomes of patients undergoing vitreoretinal procedures.

Ultra-widefield retinal imaging is a user- and patient-friendly technique that is showing promise for improving clinical care.

New findings about a genetic mutation could lead to better clinical management and genetic counselling of families susceptible to retinitis pigmentosa, researchers said.

Diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema are both increasing in Spain, especially among relatively young people, researchers said.

Diabetes mellitus is a common health problem in developed countries, with diabetic macular oedema (DMO) being a major cause of visual loss. A variety of treatment modalities for DMO are available including laser, steroid and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents.

Kimberly Drenser, MD, PhD, explains that there is hope for treating these patients with the advent of viral-mediated, gene replacement therapy and new synthetic replacement molecules for inherited retinal degenerations.

Surgeons are urged to take a more cautious approach to cataract surgery when a new, pre-existing rupture of the posterior capsule surfaces.

Ensuring correct alignment between the syringe and the cap during silicone oil injection can prevent complications during vitrectomy, said Jay M. Stewart, MD, (San Francisco) presenting during the Retina Subspecialty Day of the 2015 American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting.

Nutritional supplements continue to be a viable prevention strategy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), said Emily Chew, MD.

A variety of newer drug delivery approaches may change how patients with age-related macular degeneration are treated.

Treatment with fluocinolone acetonide 0.2 µg/day significantly reduced progression to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in patients who were part of the FAME trials1,2 and had visual acuity loss due to diabetic macular edema (DME), according to Charles C. Wykoff, MD, PhD.

The advent of smartphone devices and applications is transforming the practice of ophthalmology, especially in regard to ophthalmic diagnosis and monitoring.

Retinal specialists discuss the role of “heads-up” surgery.

Giant retinal tears pose outsize challenges for physicians, including the risks of hemorrhage, heavy fluid droplets, and macular holes, according to Gerardo Ledesma-Gil, MD, who was challenged with both of these complications in a recent case.

A new fundus perimetry device could provide reduced test-retest variability, increased sensitivity, higher accuracy, and simultaneous structure-function assessment.

Retina surgeons considered 2015 to be an exciting time in the subspecialty in all areas and pointed to the availability and increased use of 27-gauge instrumentation as one of the real highlights of surgical retina.

The topics of special interest to retina specialists during 2015 include optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and screening for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Important research is taking place to determine the etiology of angiogenesis, possibly leading to targeting therapies in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), ROP, and diabetic retinopathy.

The presence of subretinal fluid following successful macular hole surgery appears to be common, and may be associated with delayed visual recovery, although not with the final result. Smaller holes and vitreofoveal traction are significant risk factors associated with increased rates of postoperative foveal detachment.

Studies of the efficacy of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), gene therapies, and slow-release drug delivery systems took center stage among treatments for retinal disorders in 2015. In addition to studies already under way, others are about to begin.

Diopsys Inc. introduced a tabletop version of its electroretinography (ERG) and visual evoked potential (VEP) testing technology (ARGOS).

Diopsys Inc. introduced a tabletop version of its electroretinography (ERG) and visual evoked potential (VEP) testing technology (ARGOS).

At least 40 new treatments for inherited retinal diseases are being developed, but only two are currently commercially available, according to the authors of a new review.

A comparison of small-gauge instrumentation reveals some subtle differences in surgical technique.

Data show that the combination of navigated laser and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) compares favorably with anti-VEGF monotherapy.

A modified vitreous cutter blade design has been found to allow surgeons a much higher flow while doubling cute rate.

Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) has been linked to a higher risk of undiagnosed cardiovascular problems than previously believed, according to a recent German study.

The safety and feasibility of intravitreal autologous CD34+ bone marrow cells as a potential therapy for retinal disease were evaluated in a pilot study. Preliminary findings demonstrated the treatment was feasible and researchers intend to pursue a larger, prospective study with longer follow-up.

European retinal surgeons have been shifting to the use of pars plana vitrectomy for the repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, but scleral buckle surgery is still a viable choice in young and uncomplicated cases.