Retina

A UK health data research hub containing vast numbers of fundus and OCT images opens the door to improved screening and diagnoses of eye diseases and even ‘oculomic’ services for systemic health.

Study shows routine use may improve patient management, guide procedure planning

Visual cortical prosthesis intended to create artificial form of useful vision for blind individuals

Ongoing study aims to clarify patient selection for endpoint management

Increasingly, UWF imaging is becoming standard practice in diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion, as well as providing important insights into the management of retinopathy of prematurity and rare hereditary retinal vascular conditions.

As another year comes to an end, five members of Ophthalmology Times Europe’s Editorial Advisory Board reflect and share their perspectives on the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for ophthalmologists in 2018, whilst also considering the potential challenges.

The European Commission has granted marketing authorisation for cenegermin eye drops (Oxervate, Dompé) for the treatment of moderate to severe neurotrophic keratitis.

Most ocular structures become luminescent for a short time when exposed to a light source of appropriate wavelength; this phenomenon is known as autofluorescence (AF). AF is due to the presence of fluorescent substances called fluorophores.

Researchers have injected their first patient with a virus engineered to remodel the gene responsible for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP).

Failure to follow-up after ophthalmology appointments can damage patients’ health, a new study suggests. “In our view, national consideration should be given to create targets for reporting how well providers are managing follow-up patients,” reported A Davis and colleagues in the journal Eye.

The global epidemic in type 2 diabetes mellitus is of unprecedented proportions. In absolute numbers, it probably exceeds any previous epidemic in the history of mankind. There are now more than 400 million people with diabetes in the world, and the number is projected to exceed 600 million by 2030.

Electronic retina implants can restore enough vision for some patients to pursue tasks of daily living, according to RE MacLaren, part of a team testing the devices.

Ocriplasmin (Jetrea, ThromboGenics) may achieve lower macular hole closure rates than in trials, new British and Irish data suggests. Also, “the incidence of adverse events was greater than previously reported,” wrote RJ Haynes of Bristol Eye Hospital in Bristol, United Kingdom, and colleagues in the journal Eye.

Serum and aqueous levels of Klotho levels are reduced in pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXF) and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEG) while Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is increased, researchers say.

Millions of adults around the world run the risk of losing their eyesight because of inattention to complications of diabetes, according to a team of international researchers. “A quarter of people with diabetes surveyed are not discussing eye complications with their health care professional, with many presenting when vision problems have already occurred,” the report said.

Optical services chains in the United Kingdom are misleading customers about filters to screen out blue light from electronic devices, according to the BBC. Boots Opticians and Vision Express both claim that the filters protect against retinal damage despite a lack of evidence, the news service said in a recent press release.

The Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a study of two Portuguese populations.

Accumulating evidence suggests that multiple treatments can help people with amblyopia, according to a review of the literature.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expediting its review of a new potential treatment for giant cell arteritis, a rare inflammatory disease that can cause permanent vision loss, Roche has announced.

Work is progressing on contact lenses that can monitor biomarkers in tear film for intraocular pressure, diabetes mellitus, and other health conditions.

Patients treated for diabetic macular oedema with ranibizumab in the UK National Health Service (NHS) are getting benefits similar to those seen in clinical trials, according to a new study