touchREVIEWS in Ophthalmology – Volume 16, Issue 1

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 […]

Demodex blepharitis is a highly prevalent lid margin disease that is commonly missed or misdiagnosed by eye care professionals. The disease is caused by an infestation of Demodex mites – tiny parasites that live in the eyelash follicles and feed on oily sebum. When present in small numbers, the effects of these mites are subclinical and are likely […]

A biosimilar is a biologic medical product that is an almost identical copy of an original product manufactured by a different company.1 Biosimilars are officially approved versions of original “innovator” products and can only be manufactured in a well-equipped research and development facility when the original product’s patent expires.1 A biosimilar must demonstrate no clinically meaningful differences […]

Combined cataract-vitreoretinal surgery (also known as phacovitrectomy) consists of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), phacoemulsification and implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL). Phacovitrectomy can be performed by a single vitreoretinal surgeon or by an anterior segment surgeon working in tandem with a vitreoretinal surgeon. Combined surgery can be advantageous in certain patients as it overcomes some […]

Keratoconus is the most common corneal ectasia. It disproportionally affects children and adolescents and involves a focal weakening of the biomechanical integrity of the cornea.1 The disease typically manifests as a progressive thinning and bulging of the cornea, which causes the characteristic cone-like protrusions, resulting in increasing myopia, irregular astigmatism and ever-worsening quality of vision.1–3 Historically, the […]

The common definition of telemedicine in general is the ability to remotely gain information about patients’ health by means of technological devices in order to determine the need for medical intervention.1 Publications regarding the possible role of telemedicine in diagnosis and follow-up of ophthalmic pathologies have been the subject of extensive discussion in professional literature prior […]

Glaucoma is a chronic, disabling eye disease. It is characterized by the loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and/or their axons, and tissue remodelling involving the optic nerve head and the retina.1 Glaucoma has been known for millennia, and considerable money, time and effort have been spent finding an effective and universal cure. However, despite our […]

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision impairment and legal blindness in developed countries, with a projected estimate of 288 million cases in 2040.1 AMD can be classified as exudative or non-exudative. The early AMD-related lesion is represented by drusen, which are subretinal lipofuscin accumulations caused by an impaired clearance function of the […]

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is characterized by age-associated thinning of the macula and formation of drusen. It has substantial global prevalence, especially in the older population, and it is the primary cause of permanent loss of vision in individuals 50 years and older in developd countries.1 Degeneration in the early and intermediate stages is known as […]

The prevalence of both dry eye disease and sleep apnoea has steadily increased in the USA.1 Importantly, new research reveals the need for multispecialty collaboration based on evidence that patients may be at risk for eye irritation secondary to airflow from mask leakage or retrograde nasolacrimal air escape.2 Sleep apnoea and ocular disorders Sleep apnoea is […]

Blepharoptosis is a common complication following eye removal.1 Blepharoptosis in acquired anophthalmia can exacerbate a pre-existing sense of facial deformity and dissatisfaction.2 In many patients, a favourable cosmetic outcome can be achieved without further surgery. Augmentation of the superior aspect of the prosthesis can mechanically elevate or vault the upper eyelid. However, this may be limited by […]

Descemet membrane detachment (DMD) is a well-described complication following a wide range of intraocular surgeries and is most commonly reported following cataract surgery.1 DMD has been observed after vitrectomy, penetrating keratoplasty and trabeculectomy procedures, among others.2 Several cases of DMD have also been described following use of intracameral viscoelastic injections for hypotony after trabeculectomy and glaucoma tube […]