A Phase I, Single Ascending Dose Study of GEM103 (Recombinant Human Complement Factor H) in Patients with Geographic Atrophy.

Purpose: To establish the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of an intravitreal injection of recombinant human complement factor H (CFH), GEM103, in individuals with genetically defined age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and geographic atrophy (GA).

Design: Phase I single ascending-dose, open-label clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT04246866).

Interprofessional Electronic Consultations for the Diagnosis and Management of Neuro-Ophthalmic Conditions.

Background: Interprofessional electronic consultation (eConsult) is a telemedicine modality in which consulting providers review outside records and provide recommendations without in-person consultation. The purpose of this study was to describe the utilization of eConsults in the management of neuro-ophthalmic conditions.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of all patients who received an eConsult for a neuro-ophthalmic condition at a single quaternary referral center from 2018 to 2020.

Tele-Neuro-Ophthalmology Utilization, Availability, and Attitudes: Update 1 Year Into the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

Background: Telehealth was rapidly adopted early in the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to provide medical care while reducing risk of SARS-CoV2 transmission. Since then, telehealth utilization has evolved differentially according to subspecialty. This study assessed changes in neuro-ophthalmology during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Molecular Genetic Mechanisms in Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is among the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. In addition to environmental risk factors, such as tobacco use and diet, genetic background has long been established as a major risk factor for the development of AMD. However, our ability to predict disease risk and personalize treatment remains limited by our nascent understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying AMD pathogenesis.

Corrigendum: Yoga, Meditation and Mind-Body Health: Increased BDNF, Cortisol Awakening Response, and Altered Inflammatory Marker Expression After a 3-Month Yoga and Meditation Retreat.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.

Sustained release glaucoma therapies: Novel modalities for overcoming key treatment barriers associated with topical medications.

Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy and a leading cause of irreversible blindness. The disease has conventionally been characterized by an elevated intraocular pressure (IOP); however, recent research has built the consensus that glaucoma is not only dependent on IOP but rather represents a multifactorial optic neuropathy. Although many risk factors have been identified ranging from demographics to co-morbidities to ocular structural predispositions, IOP is currently the only modifiable risk factor, most often treated by topical IOP-lowering medications.

Disease progression pathways of wet AMD: opportunities for new target discovery.

Introduction: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness among people age 60 years or older in developed countries. Current standard-of-care anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy, which inhibits angiogenesis and vascular permeability, has been shown to stabilize choroidal neovascularization and increase visual acuity in neovascular AMD. However, therapeutic limitations of anti-VEGF therapy include limited durability with consequent need for frequent intravitreal injections, and a ceiling of efficacy.

Characterization and Utility of Remote Interpretation of Visual Field Diagnostic Testing in an Academic Center.

Background: The use of remote interpretation of data has risen in neuro-ophthalmology to increase efficiency and maintain social distancing due to the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study is to characterize the use and efficiency of remote interpretation of visual fields (VFs) in an academic center and to determine how often the VF interpretation was consistent with the patient's clinical history and imaging at the time of the consult.

Methods: This is a retrospective study at a single academic center that enrolled all patients receiving a remote interpretation of VF from January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2012.

Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis, central retinal artery occlusion and optic neuropathy: A new association.

Purpose: To report a patient with chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) complicated by optic neuropathy and central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO).

Observations: CRMO is a noninfectious, inflammatory bone disorder. It is thought to be an autoimmune condition related to an imbalance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Genetics of Diabetic Retinopathy, a Leading Cause of Irreversible Blindness in the Industrialized World.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a chronic complication of diabetes and a leading cause of blindness in the industrialized world. Traditional risk factors, such as glycemic control and duration of diabetes, are unable to explain why some individuals remain protected while others progress to a more severe form of the disease. Differences are also observed in DR heritability as well as the response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment.

Glaucoma Heritability: Molecular Mechanisms of Disease.

Glaucoma is one of the world's leading causes of irreversible blindness. A complex, multifactorial disease, the underlying pathogenesis and reasons for disease progression are not fully understood. The most common form of glaucoma, primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), was traditionally understood to be the result of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), leading to optic nerve damage and functional vision loss.

Challenges of Cost-Effectiveness Analyses of Novel Therapeutics for Inherited Retinal Diseases.

Purpose: To investigate the challenges and potential improvement strategies of cost-effectiveness analyses performed for therapeutics targeting inherited retinal diseases (IRDs).

Design: Perspective.

Methods: A literature review was conducted with discussion of current limitations and improvement recommendations.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Neuro-Ophthalmology Office Visits and Adoption of Telemedicine Services.

Background: The COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) has significantly changed medical practice in the United States, including an increase in the utilization of telemedicine. Here, we characterize change in neuro-ophthalmic care delivery during the early COVID-19 PHE, including a comparison of care delivered via telemedicine and in office.

Methods: Neuro-ophthalmology outpatient encounters from 3 practices in the United States (4 providers) were studied during the early COVID-19 PHE (March 15, 2020-June 15, 2020) and during the same dates 1 year prior.

Diabetic Retinopathy in the Aging Population: A Perspective of Pathogenesis and Treatment.

The elderly population in the United States is projected to almost double by the year 2050. In addition, the numbers of diabetics are rising, along with its most common complication, diabetic retinopathy (DR). To effectively treat DR within the elderly population, it is essential first to consider the retinal changes that occur due to aging, such as decreased blood flow, retinal thinning, and microglial changes, and understand that these changes can render the retina more vulnerable to oxidative and ischemic damage.

Phase 1 Study of THR-687, a Novel, Highly Potent Integrin Antagonist for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of THR-687 in patients with center-involved diabetic macular edema (DME).

Design: Phase 1, open-label, multicenter, 3 + 3 dose-escalation study with 3-month follow-up.

Participants: Patients 18 years of age or older with visual impairment resulting from DME.

Physics-based modeling of Age-related Macular Degeneration-A theoretical approach to quantify retinal and choroidal contributions to macular oxygenation.

We developed a mathematical model to characterize how macular oxygenation may be affected by abnormalities in the retinal and choroidal oxygen supplies. The macular region is modeled as a layered structure including: ganglion cell and nerve fiber layers, inner plexiform layer, inner nuclear layer, outer plexiform layer, outer nuclear layer, inner segment of photoreceptors layer and retinal pigmented epithelium. Each layer is characterized by specific levels of oxygen consumption.

Pneumatic Vitreolysis with Perfluoropropane for Vitreomacular Traction with and without Macular Hole: DRCR Retina Network Protocols AG and AH.

Purpose: To evaluate pneumatic vitreolysis (PVL) in eyes with vitreomacular traction (VMT) with and without full-thickness macular hole (FTMH).

Design: Two multicenter (28 sites) studies: a randomized clinical trial comparing PVL with observation (sham injection) for VMT without FTMH (Protocol AG) and a single-arm study assessing PVL for FTMH (Protocol AH).

Participants: Participants were adults with central VMT (vitreomacular adhesion was ≤3000 μm).

Effect of Intravitreous Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor vs Sham Treatment for Prevention of Vision-Threatening Complications of Diabetic Retinopathy: The Protocol W Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The role of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections for the management of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) without center-involved diabetic macular edema (CI-DME) has not been clearly established.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of intravitreous aflibercept injections compared with sham treatment in preventing potentially vision-threatening complications in eyes with moderate to severe NPDR.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Data for this study were collected between January 15, 2016, and May 28, 2020, from the ongoing DRCR Retina Network Protocol W randomized clinical trial, conducted at 64 US and Canadian sites among 328 adults (399 eyes) with moderate to severe NPDR (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study severity level, 43-53), without CI-DME.

Extension study of the safety and efficacy of CLS-TA for treatment of macular oedema associated with non-infectious uveitis (MAGNOLIA).

Purpose: To assess the extended efficacy and safety of suprachoroidal triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension (CLS-TA) among patients with macular oedema (ME) secondary to non-infectious uveitis (NIU).

Methods: Patients with uveitic ME were treated with suprachoroidal CLS-TA at baseline and week 12 of the Efficacy and Safety of Suprachoroidal CLS-TA for Macular Edema Secondary to Noninfectious Uveitis: Phase 3 Randomized Trial (PEACHTREE) study. Time to rescue was evaluated over 24 additional weeks for MAGNOLIA.

Intravitreal sirolimus for persistent, exudative age-related macular degeneration: a Pilot Study.

Background And Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal sirolimus for persistent, exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: This institutional review board approved, registered (NCT02357342), prospective, subject-masked, single center, randomized controlled trial in subjects with persistent, exudative Age-related macular degeneration compared intravitreal sirolimus monotherapy (every 2 months) versus monthly anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) over six months.

Results: 20 subjects were randomized to each arm of the trial.

Suprachoroidal CLS-TA for non-infectious uveitis: an open-label, safety trial (AZALEA).

Purpose: To evaluate local and systemic safety of suprachoroidal (SC) triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension (CLS-TA) injections in subjects with non-infectious uveitis (NIU).

Design: Open-label, prospective multicentre safety study.

Participants: Thirty-eight subjects with NIU, with and without macular oedema (MO).