Welcome to the latest edition of touchREVIEWS in Ophthalmology, which aims to provide a forum for doctors and healthcare professionals to find the most recent advances in all areas of ophthalmology and visual sciences. We begin with two editorials; John Meyer explores a potential new treatment option for demodex blepharitis, TP-03 (lotilaner ophthalmic solution, 0.25%), which has shown promise in the recent Saturn-1 clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04475432). In the second editorial, Ashish Sharma et al. discuss the future potential of biosimilars and biobetters in ophthalmology.
Combined cataract-vitreoretinal surgery, consisting of pars planavitrectomy (PPV), phacoemulsification and implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL), has a number of advantages but also limitations. Le et al. discuss which patients are most likely to benefit from a combined surgical approach, and in whom it is contraindicated. Corneal cross-linking (CXL) has transformed the management of cross-linking thin corneas. Hafezi et al. review CXL protocols from their origins 25 years ago to the latest procedures, which can cross-link corneas as thin as 200 μm. Since the COVID-19 pandemic has restricted face-to-face consultations, ophthalmologists have needed reliable methods of examining and diagnosing patients remotely. Biran et al. present a literature review of existing telemedicine technologies in ophthalmology and consider the barriers to their widespread implementation.
Although the treatment of glaucoma focusses primarily on the lowering of intraocular pressure, other risk factors are known to be involved in its pathophysiology. Ahmad et al. review the role of dietary modification in the management of glaucoma. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in developed countries and is the focus of two review articles. In the first, Arrigo and Bandello provide an overview of current and emerging therapies for both wet and dry AMD. In the second, Ewing et al. review the current status of clinical development of avacincaptad pegol, a complement C5 inhibitor that is being investigated as a potential therapy for geographic atrophy secondary to AMD.
The prevalence of sleep apnoea is increasing in the USA, leading to a growing use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ventilation or other nasal mask therapy devices. However, the use of such devices is associated with secondary ocular disorders. Cynthia Matossian reviews data showing the correlation between CPAP use and dry eye disease,
and highlights the need for further research. Blepharoptosis is a common complication following eye removal. Kwan et al. provide a review of the pathophysiology and treatment of anophthalmic blepharoptosis and describe the use of a template prosthesis for surgical repair of blepharoptosis.
We conclude this issue with a report of two cases of Descemet membrane detachment (DMD) following gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT), highlighting the fact that DMD is a potential complication of GATT in cases of previous anti-VEGF treatment and the need for close patient monitoring after surgery.
touchREVIEWS in Ophthalmology would like to thank everyone who contributed and provided their expertise in this edition, and to all of our authors, editorial board members and partners. We hope you’ll find something of interest in this issue, and we look forward to continuing to share new and exciting content.
Elizabeth Yeu, MD
Dr Yeu earned her medical degree through the combined undergraduate/medical school programme at the University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA. She completed her ophthalmology residency at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, where she served as Chief Resident (2006–7). Dr Yeu continued to complete a fellowship in Cornea, Anterior Segment and Refractive surgery at the Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA (2007–8), where she served as an Assistant Professor. Dr Yeu joined Virginia Eye Consultants in 2013 and is an Assistant Professor at the Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA. She is the Medical Director of CVP Mid-Atlantic Surgery Center, and also sits on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Eye Foundation. Dr Yeu is an examiner for the American Board of Ophthalmology, President-elect of the Executive Board of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), the Chair of the Cataract Section of Ophthalmic News & Education (ONE) Network for the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the Chair of the AAO Annual Meeting Refractive Surgery Sub-committee. Dr Yeu has authored numerous articles and is a frequent lecturer in the areas of refractive cataract surgery, anterior segment reconstruction, ocular surface disease management and surgical management of astigmatism.
