Retina/Vitreous

The 40th World Ophthalmology Congress (WOC2026) will take place at the Prague Congress Centre, Czech Republic, from June 26–29, 2026, bringing together ophthalmologists and eye care professionals from across the world

Robotic assistance is emerging as one of the most promising frontiers in vitreoretinal surgery, where procedures often require micron-level precision beyond the natural limits of human dexterity. As retinal therapies become more advanced, from subretinal gene delivery to vascular cannulation, robotic platforms may help improve stability, precision and reproducibility in some of the most delicate surgical tasks. We spoke with Dr Hashem Abu Serhan (Department of Ophthalmology at Hamad Medical Corporation in Doha, Qatar) about where robotic vitreoretinal surgery is already showing clinical promise, which applications remain experimental, and what will be needed before these technologies become part of everyday retina practice.

Two ARVO 2026 abstracts highlight the continuing shift in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) care, with longer-term trial data supporting the durability of intravitreal aflibercept and real-world registry data showing increasing national adoption of anti-VEGF therapy. Together, the findings suggest that anti-VEGF therapy is becoming an increasingly important part of ROP management, while reinforcing the need for structured follow-up and continued training in both injection-based and laser approaches.

This week in ophthalmology: a new ranibizumab biosimilar approval, smartphone-based artificial intelligence (AI) for ocular surface malignancy detection, an update on corneal allogenic intrastromal ring segments in keratoconus, diabetic eye disease data from ADA 2026 and FDA designations for a potential neurotrophic keratitis therapy. Here are five stories to catch up on this week.

New data presented at ADA 2026 explored diabetic retinopathy risk, incretin therapy safety, AI-based screening, real-world DME outcomes and a potential new oral approach to retinal vascular disease.

This week in ophthalmology: new phase 2/3 data in metastatic uveal melanoma, clinically relevant updates from the European Glaucoma Society (EGS) Congress, phase 3 results for a topical diabetic macular edema (DME) candidate, a bevacizumab resubmission for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and a link between dermatitis and retinal detachment risk. Here are five stories to catch up on this week.

New data presented at the ARVO 2026 Annual Meeting highlighted how the treatment landscape for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) continues to evolve beyond conventional anti-VEGF therapy. Across gene therapy, sustained-release drug delivery platforms and next-generation anti-VEGF strategies, investigators focused on a common challenge: how to maintain long-term visual and anatomical outcomes while reducing the burden of frequent intravitreal injections.

At the ARVO 2026 Annual Meeting, DME remained a major focus, with multiple studies exploring how clinicians may extend treatment intervals, improve outcomes in suboptimal responders and target inflammatory pathways beyond VEGF. Across phase 2 and phase 3 trials, as well as real-world observational studies, key themes included long-term durability with faricimab, sustained-delivery approaches, and growing evidence supporting dual-pathway strategies that may help address the heterogeneity of DME in routine practice.

A session at the ARVO Annual Meeting 2026 explored the evolving role of AI in Age-related Macular Degeneration clinical trials, highlighting both the transformative potential of automated imaging analysis and the practical barriers that continue to limit broader implementation. Central to this discussion was the CLEAR study, an initiative led through the International Retinal Imaging Society that aims to establish a standardized validation framework for AI tools used in clinical-trial decision-making. In this Q&A, Dr Omer Trivizki (Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and Tel Aviv Medical Center) discusses how these same principles of standardization, transparency and clinically meaningful interpretation extend beyond imaging algorithms to emerging large language models. Drawing on his work at the Israeli GA Research Center and through CLEAR, he reflects on the risks of incomplete yet highly convincing AI-generated patient advice, particularly in rare inherited retinal diseases, and why clinical judgment, critical thinking and human connection must remain at the center of patient education and trial decision-making.