“As we close the door on 2025 and turn toward 2026, the theme of this EyeWorld issue—'Opening doors—redefining what’s possible’—seems like a great philosophy to embrace as we approach the new year,” said Mitchell Weikert, MD, before introducing the articles in the Cataract section.
The performance of a pars plana anterior vitrectomy can be an essential skill in select circumstances. Two physicians discussed when this approach may best be utilized, benefits of it, and other nuances.
Karolinne Rocha, MD, PhD, shared what readers can expect in the Refractive section of this issue and provided some of her own thoughts on the topics.
Nailing outcomes with presbyopia-correcting IOLs is important for many reasons—one of them being patient expectations, as they are paying out of pocket for an advanced-technology lens. But even when you’ve had an excellent surgery, postop complaints can trickle in, and the possible causes for the dissatisfaction are diverse.
For patients, vision loss can feel like the closing of a door to independence. Ophthalmologists often stand at the threshold of this life-altering moment, particularly when caring for patients with degenerative conditions such as glaucoma. Opening the door to mental healthcare unlocks an important dimension of support.
EyeWorld Chief Medical Editor Sumit “Sam” Garg, MD, discussed recent innovations that he’s excited about and shared some of the topics that this issue delves into.
Patients with disabilities can experience unique challenges when in need of cataract surgery, but some ophthalmologists say the challenge for these patients begins before they ever sit in an exam chair. This vulnerable patient population can face ethical, logistical, and systemic barriers to care.
Dysfunctional lens syndrome has evolved from a theoretical framework to a clinically validated tool that’s reshaping patient education and surgical decision making. The dysfunctional lens staging system now plays a role in identifying the right intervention at the right time, particularly in the growing field of custom lens replacement.
Ophthalmologists, particularly corneal specialists, may encounter a variety of pathogens that can cause infectious keratitis. Two of these specialists went into detail on some of the infections, including those that may be considered “atypical,” and how to identify and diagnose them.
Surgeons who routinely perform cataract surgery could better help patients by learning basic glaucoma procedures and incorporating them into cataract surgery, according to two glaucoma surgeons who spoke to EyeWorld. They discussed how cataract surgeons can gain experience with glaucoma procedures and when it makes sense to incorporate them.