Review of findings presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) annual meeting was held November 12 to 15 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Centre in New Orleans, Louisiana. The event included Subspecialty Days and a virtual component for remote participation.

Paediatrics

Study reports that optic nerve pallor is prevalent in ZIKA virus patients

Dr Denise Freitas reported that the ocular findings in infants with congenital Zika virus syndrome were similar among the affected infants and occurred frequently. The most prevalent of the findings was optic nerve pallor.

Cataract & Refractive

Presbyopia-correcting drops provide hope for frustrated patients

Dr Cathleen McCabe describes how VUITY, the first and only FDA-approved eye drop to treat age-related blurry near vision, provides opportunities for patients looking for spectacle independence.

Cornea

Mitomycin C associated with increase in corneal haze after corneal crosslinking

Dr Shady Awwad pointed out that the application of mitomycin C after corneal crosslinking does not prevent development of corneal haze after the procedure and instead contributes to development of more corneal haze.

Glaucoma

Study of bimatoprost implant reports IOP reduction for 2 years or more

Dr Felipe Medeiros noted that a phase 3 clinical extension study of the bimatoprost implant found that patients’ IOP was lowered and stayed low with no additional treatment or changes in their visual fields.

Inflammation & Infection

Though rare, ocular surface tumours often prove deadly

Nathan Hall pointed out that an epidemiologic analysis of malignant ocular surface tumours found significant differences in geographic prevalence rates in the United States.

Retina

Study proves intra-arterial tissue plasminogen activator beneficial for treatment of central retinal artery occlusion

Intra-arterial tPA treatment could provide benefits for patients with central retinal artery occlusion.

AMD & Anti-VEGF

Universal face masking reduces endophthalmitis incidence during anti-VEGF injections

Dr Sunir J. Garg speaks on the influence of COVID-19 universal face masking on the risk of endophthalmitis following intravitreal anti-VEGF injections.

Dosing variability with pre-filled syringes of aflibercept presents risk of overdose

Dr Roger A. Goldberg noted that small misalignments in the plunger can lead to possible overdosing.

Plasma metabolomic profiles could predict AMD progression

Dr Ines Lains explained that the mechanisms of AMD progression currently remain poorly understood and the tools to predict and halt progression are limited.

Drug delivery to retina via port delivery system is efficient for patients with wet AMD

In a poster presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology 2021 annual meeting in New Orleans, Dr Mark Wieland noted that the port delivery system with ranibizumab provides drug delivery over an extended period.

Diabetic Eye Disease

Central subfield thickness changes linked to worse visual outcomes in DMO

Dr Ajay Kuriyan discusses his poster at AAO, "Fluctuations in central subfield thickness associated with worse visual outcomes in patients with diabetic macular oedema in clinical trial setting."

DMO treatment: Brolucizumab proves noninferior to aflibercept, requires fewer injections

Dr Dilsher Dhoot reported the results of the KESTREL and KITE in which brolucizumab was compared with aflibercept for treating diabetic macular oedema.

DMO: Study finds faricimab provides sustained retinal stability

Dr Veeral Sheth presented research that found faricimab, a bispecific monoclonal antibody, provided sustained retinal stability in patients with diabetic macular oedema (DMO) compared with other retinal treatments.

Corporate Updates

President John Saharek on the ImprimisRx pipeline, details 3 products

ImprimisRx President John Saharek shares an update on a few of the company's latest products during AAO 2021.

Focal Points

Though rare, ocular surface tumours often prove deadly

Nathan Hall pointed out that an epidemiologic analysis of malignant ocular surface tumours found significant differences in geographic prevalence rates in the United States.

Related Content: Additional AAO content | Retina | Paediatrics