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The topics of special interest to retina specialists during 2015 include optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and screening for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Important research is taking place to determine the etiology of angiogenesis, possibly leading to targeting therapies in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), ROP, and diabetic retinopathy.

The presence of subretinal fluid following successful macular hole surgery appears to be common, and may be associated with delayed visual recovery, although not with the final result. Smaller holes and vitreofoveal traction are significant risk factors associated with increased rates of postoperative foveal detachment.

Studies of the efficacy of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), gene therapies, and slow-release drug delivery systems took center stage among treatments for retinal disorders in 2015. In addition to studies already under way, others are about to begin.

The safety and feasibility of intravitreal autologous CD34+ bone marrow cells as a potential therapy for retinal disease were evaluated in a pilot study. Preliminary findings demonstrated the treatment was feasible and researchers intend to pursue a larger, prospective study with longer follow-up.

The hottest stories in surgery this year included news about cataract surgery by a charity-run Indian camp cost at least 24 elderly people their eyesight, how to correct RK, and how to identify and manage dysphotopsia after cataract surgery.

A novel ophthalmic micropump system, implanted through minimally invasive surgery, is able to deliver the appropriate amount of drug needed at determined intervals, according to Mark S. Humayun, MD, PhD.

“Retinoblastoma is a remarkable ophthalmology success story in which the efforts of ophthalmologists, ophthalmic pathologists, and research scientists have led to understanding of the basic mechanisms of cancer and targeted therapies that are able to cure a once incurable tumor,” said Hans E. Grossniklaus, MD, MBA. He was honored as the recipient of the 71st Jackson Memorial Lecture Award in the opening session of the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Nanomedicine that targets activated microglia and neuro-inflammation may one day be a potential therapy for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and other eye diseases, said Rangaramanujam Kannan, PhD.

ALG-1001 is the first of a new class of drugs, integrin peptide therapy, now going through clinical trials for patients with age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, and vitreomacular traction.

NIDEK’s optical coherence tomography system-the RS-3000 Advance-has received FDA clearance.

Ongoing research at the University of Washington-St. Louis suggests that degeneration of the vitreous is implicated, not only in retinal conditions, but in cataract and glaucoma as well.