Browse articles from EyeWorld.org related to medication. EyeWorld is the award-winning member publication of ASCRS. The magazine provides news and updates from the Society as well as clinical features in the areas of cataract, refractive, cornea, glaucoma, and practice management. It publishes quarterly with editorial direction from its medical editorial board and staff.
When considering patients with dry eye, it is imperative for physicians to understand the types of dry eye disease in order to best address a patient’s issues and choose an appropriate treatment. Two specialists discussed in depth dry eye sub-types and their identification.
Antibody drug conjugates, an emerging area in cancer therapy, can pose a risk to the eye and cause adverse ocular events. Several experts discussed the research, what they’ve seen in terms of side effects, and considerations for patients taking these drugs and the eyecare providers monitoring them.
Results from the Zoster Eye Disease Study (ZEDS) were first presented last year. This randomized clinical trial looked at the use of low dose valacyclovir for reducing complications with herpes zoster ophthalmicus. Two cornea specialists spoke to EyeWorld about the results, highlighting recently published papers on findings from the study.
For about 7 years, there has been one FDA approved treatment for neurotrophic keratitis (NK): Oxervate (cenegermin-bkbj, Dompe). Before that, there was nothing. Now pharmaceutical options for NK—and persistent epithelial corneal defect (PCED) more generally—in the pipeline number about a half dozen.
With dry eye presenting as an increasingly common issue, many companies are exploring options to treat these patients. New products in development are seeking to address different aspects of dry eye, with various amechanisms of action. Three specialists discussed some of these.
While glaucoma treatment is shifting toward a more interventional approach, two physicians said the use of drop therapy is alive and well. It is trending toward being an adjunctive therapy as more ophthalmologists are beginning to figure out what pharmaceutical and procedural combinations best suit their patients.
While ophthalmologists agree that glaucoma drops are not likely to go extinct as part of glaucoma management, recent innovation continues to shift their place in many physicians’ glaucoma treatment algorithm. One of these disruptive innovations is sustained drug delivery. Two experts weighed in on the topic.
While true allergies to materials used during cataract surgery are uncommon, this is a topic that physicians may need to discuss with patients. Two physicians highlighted some of the key concerns they hear from patients and how they approach these to identify real allergies versus intolerances.
Many patients use drops to help with a variety of ophthalmic issues, however, one thing to consider is the formulation of these products, specifically if they have preservatives. Three ophthalmologists discussed the precautions with preservatives and shared the importance of monitoring for toxicity and potentially finding alternative treatment options.
In December 2020, the FDA issued “Dry Eye: Developing Drugs for Treatment Guidance for Industry” as a draft for public comment. William Boyd, MD, Deputy Division Director with the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, shared with EyeWorld that the administration hopes to issue its final guidance soon.