EW Weekly, November 6, 2020

- FDA approves new green laser photocoagulator
- Phase 3 clinical trial started for presbyopia-correcting eye drop
- Phase 2b trial initiated for dry eye disease drop
- Phase 2/3 clinical trial for DED drop did not achieve clinical significance in primary endpoint
- Novartis acquires company with platform for AAV-based gene delivery
- ASCRS Foundation grant applications closing soon
- 20/Happy in 2020: ASCRS continues master class
- Research Highlight
- An ancillary study of the Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial (VITAL) evaluated how these supplements affected development or progression of AMD. The research published in JAMA Ophthalmology included 25,871 U.S. adults who were randomized to take daily vitamin D3, 2000 IU, and marine omega-3 fatty acids, 1 g, or placebo. The researchers found that in a median of 5.3 years, this supplementation did not have an effect on the total AMD events, which was a composite of AMD incidents and progression to advanced AMD.
- Topical and peribulbar anesthesia for phacoemulsification were compared in a prospective, randomized, comparative observational study of 110 eyes. Researchers found in inter-group comparisons that anterior chamber depth was greater in the group that received peribulbar anesthesia. Postop refractive outcomes were better for those under topical anesthesia. The results are published in Clinical Ophthalmology.
- SMILE, as approved by the FDA, is contraindicated in eyes with a central corneal thickness less than 500 µm. Researchers at the Beyoglu Eye Training and Research Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, evaluated SMILE’s safety and efficacy in 55 eyes of 39 patients with central corneal thicknesses of less than 500 µm. The mean preop UCDVA was 1.3±1.5 logMAR and postop was 0.05±0.80 logMAR. At the last postop visit, higher order aberrations (coma, secondary astigmatism, spherical aberration, and RMS) increased from baseline. There were no sight-threatening complications or ectasia after at least 24 months of follow-up. The study authors concluded that SMILE, even in thinner corneas, can be safe and effective. They noted that candidates should have normal preop corneal topography. This study is published in the journal Eye.
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
For sponsorship opportunities or membership information, contact: ASCRS • 4000 Legato Rd. • Suite 700 • Fairfax, VA 22033 • Phone: 703-591-2220 • Fax: 703-591-0614 • Email: ASCRS Opinions expressed in EyeWorld Weekly do not necessarily reflect those of ASCRS. Mention of products or services does not constitute an endorsement by ASCRS.
Click here to view our Legal Notice.
Copyright 2021, EyeWorld News Service, a division of ASCRSMedia. All rights reserved.