The year in eye care: 5 top stories from Modern Retina in 2023

The past year in the retina space, and in ophthalmology overall, has been full of news. Stories ranged from FDA approvals for new treatments to new research unlocking our understanding of complex conditions.

Please enjoy the top retina care stories of 2023, contributed by our partner publication Modern Retina. Image credit: ©Анна Ковальчук – stock.adobe.com

To end our week of top stories from within the Eye Care Network, our colleagues at Modern Retina looked back on 2023. They have highlighted 5 of Modern Retina’s top articles, listed below, to make certain that you didn’t miss them.

Gene therapy: What's to come?

First up, from the Fall Issue, is a deep dive into the current progress in 2 diseases: Stargardt disease and retinitis pigmentosa (RP). In the article, author Sydney Crago takes a look at the research in gene therapy treatments is bringing forward new solutions for Stargardt and RP patients. With encouraging results so far, we look to 2024 to bring these solutions closer to the finish line and into retina practices across the country.

Read the full story about the groundbreaking treatments.

Two stories show why 2023 was "The year of GA"

Of course, 2023 may be known as the year of geography atrophy with 2 treatments approved by the FDA for the treatment of this form of advanced AMD. The FDA approved intravitreal pegcetacoplan by Apellis in February of 2023, bringing the first GA treatment to those affected by the condition and empowering retina specialists with a new tool to combat the disease. Iveric Bio’s avacincaptad pegol joined the treatment options in August, when it was approved by the FDA. As we approach the new year, ophthalmologists will continue to treat GA patients with these medications to preserve vision.

Read about the FDA’s approval of pegcetacoplan for GA here.

Then, read about the FDA’s approval of avacincaptad pegol for GA at this link.

Results from the DOVETAIL study for uveitic macular oedema

Uveitic macular oedema, the most common vision-threatening complication associated with noninfectious uveitis, occurs in one-third of patients with uveitis. So, studies to treat this condition are key to preserving vision in these patients. In our Summer issue, Sumit Sharma, MD, shared details from the DOVETAIL study for treatment of this condition.

See the details from this study's research data.

Case study: A successful treatment for BDUMP

In our final issue of the year, we shared a case report on the successful treatment of bilateral diffuse uveal melanocytic proliueration with plasmapheresis (BDUMP). In this case of BDUMP, ophthalmologists treated the patient, who was a A 49-year-old female, diagnosed with ovarian cancer 2 months prior, presented with metamorphopsias and blurry vision.

Read their report and see the figures from this fascinating case.