EW Weekly, October 9, 2020

- ASCRS mourns loss of Alan S. Crandall, MD
- Data from Phase 2a, 2b clinical trials for treatment of Demodex blepharitis
- Preliminary results from Phase 1/2 trial of new treatment for primary Sjogren’s syndrome
- Proof-of-concept for novel uveitis treatment
- Survey reveals patient perception and adherence to annual eye exams
- 20/Happy in 2020: ASCRS continues master class
- Research highlights
- Product news
- A retrospective chart review evaluated 10-year results of using an intravitreal dexamethasone implant in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO), diabetic macular edema (DME), or uveitis. Three hundred and fifteen eyes that received a total of 1,216 dexamethasone implants for these indications over a period of 63.9±4.6 weeks were included in the review—90 had RVO, 59 central RVO, 62 DME, and 154 uveitis. BCVA improved significantly in those with RVO, central RVO, and DME. Those with uveitis who received dexamethasone implants did not see significant changes in BCVA overall, except those who were younger, had prior vitrectomy, and no history of glaucoma. IOP and patients needing glaucoma medications increased significantly. Cataract progression or having cataract surgery occurred in 58.8% of phakic eyes in the study; BCVA was significantly improved in the eyes that had surgery. The authors of the review published in Clinical Ophthalmology concluded that repeat dexamethasone implants for these indications can result in “significant anatomic benefits,” though visual benefits were only observed in RVO, DME, and select uveitis patients.
- Nine patients with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy had DSAEK in one eye and DMEK in the other and long-term corneal changes were compared in a study published in Cornea. OCT tomography, Scheimpflug imaging, and in vivo confocal microscopy through focusing was assessed with time between imaging and the DSAEK and DMEK procedures being 76±22 and 37±9 months, respectively. The investigators found a lower rate of higher order aberrations in the posterior cornea and lower total stromal backscattering (haze) in the DMEK group, which they concluded could contribute to superior visual outcomes of DMEK. DSAEK, they wrote, inherently has more stromal backscattering (haze) because of the stromal tissue that’s included.
- John Weiss & Son launched the Merilas 810 shortpulse laser in the U.K.
- Beovu (brolucizumab, Novartis) is now available in Canada to treat wet AMD.
- TearRestore launched a new warm compress-like therapy in the form of reusable heat packs placed in a mask that still allows the patient to see.
This issue of EyeWorld Weekly was edited by Stacy Jablonski and Vanessa Caceres.
EyeWorld Weekly (ISSN 1089-0319), a digital publication of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), is published every Friday, distributed by email, and posted live on Friday.
Medical Editors: Eric Donnenfeld, MD, Chief Medical Editor; Rosa Braga-Mele, MD, Cataract Editor; Clara Chan, MD, Cornea Editor; Nathan Radcliffe, MD, Glaucoma Editor; and Vance Thompson, MD, Refractive Editor
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