Retina World Congress 2026: RVO as a window into systemic vascular health

Katherine Talcott, MD, a retinal surgeon at the Cole Eye Institute Institute at Cleveland Clinic, sat down with Modern Retina for the 2026 Retina World Congress (RWC), held May 14–17, at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Talcott discussed the systemic implications of retinal vein occlusions (RVOs), noting that while classic risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and glaucoma are well recognized, her research has taken a forward-looking approach—examining what systemic events patients may be at risk for after an RVO diagnosis, rather than focusing solely on etiology. She emphasized that RVOs should be viewed as potential indicators of broader vascular disease that can affect overall mortality.

Talcott addressed the challenge of bridging the gap between retina specialists and other clinicians managing systemic disease, noting that ophthalmologists are often the first to identify systemic risk factors, particularly in patients who lack consistent primary care. Working within a large academic system like Cleveland Clinic facilitates care coordination, though she acknowledged that retina specialists should be cautious about independently ordering systemic workups without the infrastructure to act on those results. She recommended ensuring all RVO patients are established with a primary care physician or cardiologist, and using frequent injection visits as built-in touch points to reinforce the importance of systemic follow-up.

Regarding anti-VEGF therapy, Talcott expressed confidence in its overall safety profile, noting that while some studies suggest a modestly elevated risk of stroke or myocardial infarction, the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks—particularly given that this patient population already carries elevated baseline cardiovascular risk. Talcott closed by stressing that the single most important action a retina specialist can take beyond treating the eye is identifying systemic risk factors and ensuring appropriate follow-up—because, as she put it, those are the conditions that can ultimately affect a patient's life.