Study: protein patterns in tears predict postop pain

Research recently published in the Journal of Proteome Research sought to better understand why some patients experience persistent pain after refractive surgery. The authors studied proteins in patient tears 3 months after LASIK and PRK and found a subset of proteins were associated with continued pain at this point after surgery. The authors, according to a news article from Oregon Health & Science University, found that protein patterns of 3–4 proteins were more predictive of the patient experiencing persistent pain, rather than single proteins. This information could someday be used to give patients considering refractive surgery a better idea of their risk for postop pain and/or lead to development of therapies to target these proteins and treat the pain.

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Tentative approval for generic glaucoma drug

Gland Pharma announced tentative approval from the FDA for generic latanoprostene bunod ophthalmic solution, 0.024%, indicated for IOP lowering in patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The company described their product as a therapeutic and bioequivalent to Vyzulta (Bausch + Lomb).

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Nanodrug recovers optic nerve in glaucoma animal model

NurExone Biologic announced preliminary results about its nanodrug ExoPTEN, reporting that it demonstrated optic nerve recovery in a rat model for glaucoma. According to the company’s press release, optic nerve damage, simulating glaucoma, in the rat model was treated with ExoPTEN administered via suprachoroidal injection and compared to controls. The control eyes had a decline in retinal function while the treated group showed some indications of recovery of retinal response.

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Acquisition news

Bausch + Lomb has acquired Trukera Medical, which produces ScoutPro, a portable point-of-care diagnostic device for osmolarity.

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ASCRS news and events

• ASCRS Business of Refractive Cataract Surgery Summit: This new course will help practices gain the navigational tools needed to increase advanced-technology IOL adoption and lead patients on their refractive surgery journey. Learn more.
• ASCRS Live! This educational dinner series is heading to nine cities across the U.S. Registration is open for events in Minneapolis, Minnesota, August 15 and Cleveland, Ohio, September 12.
• ASCRS Annual Meeting: The call for abstract submissions is now open for the 2025 ASCRS Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, California, April 25–28, 2025.
• ASCRS Foundation: Residents, fellows, and surgeons within their first 5 years of practice with an interest in global eyecare are encouraged to apply for the Young Eye Surgeons International Service Grant. Learn more here.
• ASCRS 50th Anniversary: ASCRS members from the 50 states are sending in their perspectives on the Society, its impact on their career, and its influence on the specialty as a whole. Stay tuned each week through April 2025 for a new video.

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Research highlights

• The first in-human clinical performance of a non-cavitating handheld lensectomy system for mild, moderate, and severe cataract cases was reported in study published in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery. The retrospective consecutive case series included 665 consecutive eyes that had cataract surgery by 12 surgeons who used the miCOR non-cavitating lensectomy system (Carl Zeiss Meditec) for fragmentation and extraction. Of these, 6% were grade 1 cataracts, 70% grade 2, 19% grade 3, and 5% grade 4. Nuclear fragmentation, lens extraction, and cortical removal with the system was achieved in all eyes. Nuclear fragmentation and extraction time was 70.1 seconds, 100.3 seconds, 132.6 seconds, and 287.9 seconds for grades 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Irrigation and aspiration cortical removal times were 64.1 seconds, 51.1 seconds, 48.5 seconds, and 59.0 seconds, respectively. Capsular tear occurred in 3 cases (0.45%), and there were no other adverse surgical events. The authors concluded that the “miCOR handheld non-cavitating lensectomy system demonstrated nuclear fragmentation and extraction in the absence of intraocular cavitation across all grades of nuclear densities.”
• Combined cataract extraction via phacoemulsification and MIGS (iStent [Glaukos], endocyclodestruction, Kahook Dual Blade [New World Medical], Hydrus Microstent [Alcon], or a combination of these) was assessed for patients with severe glaucoma. The retrospective review published in Clinical Ophthalmology included 71 patients for a total of 327 clinical visits. Mean preop IOP was 16.7 ± 5.8 mm Hg, and patients were on 2.3 ± 1.9 medications overall. According to the paper, 12 months postop, the patients who had combined phaco/MIGS saw significant IOP and medication reductions. Mean IOP at 12 months was 13.5 ± 3.1 mm Hg, and patients were on a mean of 1.8 ± 1.7 medications. Patients who had more than one MIGS procedure along with cataract surgery had a higher reduction in IOP, but combined vs. single MIGS had a similar medication pattern. The authors wrote that these findings “may serve as a stepping stone in severe glaucoma patients with visually significant cataract before proceeding with more invasive glaucoma surgery. This effect may be potentiated by the combination effect of [combined] MIGS.”

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