One-Year and 18-Month Outcomes in nAMD Patient Eyes Switched to Brolucizumab Alone versus to Brolucizumab Alternating with Other Anti-VEGF Agents.

Objective: Retrospective, real-world study to evaluate visual acuity (VA), anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injection intervals, and central macular thickness (CMT) in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) eyes switched to brolucizumab only or to brolucizumab alternating with another anti-VEGF.

Methods: The overall study population comprised eyes that were given ≥1 brolucizumab injection between 1 October 2019 and 30 November 2021. The brolucizumab-only (BRO) cohort consisted of prior anti-VEGF-treated eyes treated exclusively with ≥3 brolucizumab injections over ≥12 or ≥18 months; the alternating brolucizumab (ALT) cohort comprised prior anti-VEGF-treated eyes treated with ≥2 brolucizumab injections and ≥1 other anti-VEGF over ≥12 or ≥18 months.

Switching to brolucizumab: injection intervals and visual, anatomical and safety outcomes at 12 and 18 months in real-world eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Background: The anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injection interval influences treatment burden and compliance in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). This real-world study investigates visual acuity (VA), injection-interval extension, central macular thickness (CMT) and safety in nAMD eyes switched to the anti-VEGF agent brolucizumab and followed for up to 18 months.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients with nAMD who were switched from other anti-VEGF agents to brolucizumab only.

A Smart Mobile Application to Monitor Visual Function in Diabetic Retinopathy and Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The CLEAR Study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if a mobile application, the Checkup Vision Assessment System, could reliably monitor visual acuity (VA) and metamorphopsia remotely versus standard VA reference tests in the clinic. With the current COVID-19 pandemic, an even greater need for remote monitoring exists. Mobile tools enhance the ability to monitor patients virtually by enabling remote monitoring of VA and Amsler grid findings.

Complement C3 Inhibitor Pegcetacoplan for Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Randomized Phase 2 Trial.

Purpose: Geographic atrophy (GA), a late stage of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a major cause of blindness. Even while central visual acuity remains relatively well preserved, GA often causes considerable compromise of visual function and quality of life. No treatment currently exists.

Effect of Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor on Retinal Neurodegeneration in Patients with Macular Telangiectasia Type 2: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Purpose: To test the effects of an encapsulated cell-based delivery of a neuroprotective agent, ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), on progression of macular telangiectasia type 2, a neurodegenerative disease with no proven effective therapy.

Design: Randomized sham-controlled clinical trial.

Participants: Ninety-nine study eyes of 67 eligible participants were enrolled.

Macula Society Collaborative Retrospective Study of Ocriplasmin for Symptomatic Vitreomacular Adhesion.

Purpose: To assess anatomic and visual outcomes of ocriplasmin use for symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (VMA).

Design: Retrospective chart review.

Methods: Macula Society members were surveyed online to collect data on ocriplasmin for symptomatic VMA.

Investigation of oral fenretinide for treatment of geographic atrophy in age-related macular degeneration.

Background: Excessive accumulation of retinol-based toxins has been implicated in the pathogenesis of geographic atrophy (GA). Fenretinide, an orally available drug that reduces retinol delivery to the eye through antagonism of serum retinol-binding protein (RBP), was used in a 2-year trial to determine whether retinol reduction would be effective in the management of geographic atrophy.

Methods: The efficacy of fenretinide (100 and 300 mg daily, orally) to slow lesion growth in geographic atrophy patients was examined in a 2-year, placebo-controlled double-masked trial that enrolled 246 patients at 30 clinical sites in the United States.

Detection of new-onset choroidal neovascularization using optical coherence tomography: the AMD DOC Study.

Purpose: To determine the sensitivity of time domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in detecting conversion to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in eyes at high risk for choroidal neovascularization (CNV), compared with detection using fluorescein angiography (FA) as the gold standard.

Design: Prospective, multicenter, observational study.

Participants: Individuals aged ≥50 years with nonneovascular AMD at high risk of progressing to CNV in the study eye and evidence of neovascular AMD in the fellow eye.

A randomized trial comparing the efficacy and safety of intravitreal triamcinolone with standard care to treat vision loss associated with macular Edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion: the Standard Care vs Corticosteroid for Retinal Vein Occlusion (SCORE) study report 6.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of 1-mg and 4-mg doses of preservative-free intravitreal triamcinolone with standard care (grid photocoagulation in eyes without dense macular hemorrhage and deferral of photocoagulation until hemorrhage clears in eyes with dense macular hemorrhage) for eyes with vision loss associated with macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).

Methods: Multicenter, randomized clinical trial of 411 participants. Main Outcome Measure Gain in visual acuity letter score of 15 or more from baseline to month 12.

A randomized trial comparing the efficacy and safety of intravitreal triamcinolone with observation to treat vision loss associated with macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion: the Standard Care vs Corticosteroid for Retinal Vein Occlusion (SCORE) study report 5.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of 1-mg and 4-mg doses of preservative-free intravitreal triamcinolone with observation for eyes with vision loss associated with macular edema secondary to perfused central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).

Methods: Multicenter, randomized, clinical trial of 271 participants.

Main Outcome Measure: Gain in visual acuity letter score of 15 or more from baseline to month 12.

Endogenous nocardial chorioretinitis in an immunocompetent patient.

Purpose: To describe the presentation and management of an immunocompetent patient with endogenous Nocardia chorioretinitis.

Methods: A previously healthy 55-year-old woman presented with reduced vision and metamorphopsia after accidental inhalation of Nocardia organisms from planting soil. She developed systemic nocardiosis with pulmonary and cerebellar involvement as well as bilateral chorioretinitis.

Implantable telescope for end-stage age-related macular degeneration: long-term visual acuity and safety outcomes.

Purpose: To evaluate long-term safety and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) results of a telescope prosthesis in patients with end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Design: Prospective, open-label clinical trial with fellow-eye controls.

Methods: Patients with end-stage AMD (bilateral geographic atrophy or disciform scars; BCVA, 20/80 to 20/800) received the telescope prosthesis at 28 centers.

A phase II randomized clinical trial of intravitreal bevacizumab for diabetic macular edema.

Objective: To provide data on the short-term effect of intravitreal bevacizumab for diabetic macular edema (DME).

Design: Randomized phase II clinical trial.

Participants: One hundred twenty-one eyes of 121 subjects (109 eligible for analysis) with DME and Snellen acuity equivalent ranging from 20/32 to 20/320.

Vision loss in younger patients: a review of choroidal neovascularization.

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a common cause of vision loss in patients <50 years of age. In these patients, CNV is often the result of pathologic myopia, ocular histoplasmosis syndrome, angioid streaks, or idiopathic causes. Rarely, CNV is seen in children, usually in association with inherited macular dystrophies such as Best's disease (vitelliform macular dystrophy) or drusen of the optic nerve.

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration: roundtable.

Several recent developments may provide an opportunity to improve outcome in individuals who develop neovascular age-related maculopathy (age-related macular degeneration [ARMD]). Concurrent with progress in isolating clinically relevant subtypes of neovascular ARMD, several therapies have been introduced that show promise for halting progression of this disorder. However, data from controlled clinical trials to test the relative efficacy of different management strategies across these subtypes of disease presentation remain limited.

Verteporfin therapy of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in pathologic myopia: 2-year results of a randomized clinical trial--VIP report no. 3.

Purpose: To report 24-month vision and fluorescein angiographic outcomes from trials evaluating photodynamic therapy with verteporfin in patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) caused by pathologic myopia.

Design And Setting: Multicenter, double-masked, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial at 28 ophthalmology practices in Europe and North America.

Participants: Patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascular lesions caused by pathologic myopia measuring no more than 5400 micro m and best-corrected visual acuity (approximate Snellen equivalent) of 20/100 or better.

Verteporfin therapy for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration: three-year results of an open-label extension of 2 randomized clinical trials--TAP Report no. 5.

Objective: To report vision and safety outcomes from an extension of a 2-year investigation evaluating verteporfin photodynamic therapy in patients with age-related macular degeneration with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

Design And Setting: Open-label extension of selected patients from 2 multicenter, double-masked, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials, the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration With Photodynamic Therapy (TAP) Investigation, at 22 ophthalmology practices in Europe and North America.

Participants: Patients enrolled in the TAP Investigation and followed up for at least 24 months in whom verteporfin therapy to CNV might reduce the risk of further vision loss.

Recent advances in the management of age-related macular degeneration.

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can cause rapid and severe central vision loss in many older people. Until recently, the only treatment proven beneficial was thermal laser photocoagulation, which was applicable to only a small subset of patients. Furthermore, the thermal laser damaged the retina overlying the CNV, which is especially problematic for lesions involving the foveal center.