Ophthalmology

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) that occurs in preterm babies can progress fast, which requires quick decisions early about treatment, explained Darius M. Moshfeghi, MD, chief, Retina Division, and professor at the Horngren Family Vitreoretinal Center, Byers Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine.

Perfluorohexyloctane (NOV03) was able to reduce the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) when compared with hypotonic saline control and was well tolerated.

While there are benefits of gene therapy, some patients will continue to need anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), said Charles C. Wykoff, MD, PhD, of Retina Consultants of Texas and the Blanton Eye Institute at Houston Methodist Hospital.

Treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME) for a single year was found to be lowest when using bevacizumab.

The Protocol AC study analyzed visual acuity gains and cost if patients with diabetic macular edema started on bevacizumab, which costs less, and switched to aflibercept later, explained Jennifer K. Sun, MD, MPH, associate professor of ophthalmology and chief of the Center for Clinical Eye Research and Trials, Harvard Medical School; and chair, DRCR Retina Network.

In their closing thoughts, the expert panelists discuss the future of the disease state and treatment options, and how they expect provider, patient, and payer value perception to change in the future.

The panelists discuss how payers can best engage with the retinal disease community on a provider and patient level.

The first FDA-approved therapy for geographic atrophy, pegcetacoplan, slows disease progression but does not reverse it, which means providers need to intervene early before there is too much irreversible damage, explained Eleonora Lad, MD, PhD, associate professor of ophthalmology, Duke University.

Dr Sheth discusses the evolution of access to treatment for AMD/DME over the past few years and initiatives to expand treatment access.

Joseph Coney, MD, FASRS, FACS, discusses switching anti-VEGF agents in the treatment of wet AMD and what payers should consider when switching anti-VEGF therapies.

American Indians and Alaska Native individuals had lower estimates of incidence of diabetic retinopathy than had been reported.

Veeral Sheth, MD, MBA, FACS, Joseph Coney, MD, FASRS, FACS, and Caesar Luo, MD, FASRS, FACS discuss their experience with utilization management strategies.

Caesar Luo, MD, FASRS, FACS discusses the biggest barriers for patients with wet AMD and DME to receiving optimal treatment and his strategies to overcome these barriers.

A systematic review found that there were currently a limited number of clinical trials evaluating treatment for dry eye disease (DED) that is associated with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

Ganglion cell/inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) and circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL) thinning were both associated with a higher risk of developing perimetric glaucoma.

A panel of medical experts discuss diagnostic imaging surrounding DME and wet AMD.

Drs Coney, Luo, and Sheth discuss potential novel treatment mechanisms or options that we could see in the future with wet AMD and DME.

Pegcetacoplan was approved by the FDA to treat geographic atrophy (GA), providing a treatment option for patients who previously had none, explained Eleonora Lad, MD, PhD, associate professor of ophthalmology, Duke University.

Veeral Sheth, MD, MBA, FACS discusses re-treatment in patients with wet AMD who have previously failed an anti-VEGF therapy.

Dr Coney expands on the role and impact of approved label dosing of faricimab.

A recent review found that the performance of the Amsler grid test was not at a level that was recommended for detecting early or dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group collected data on children who had lensectomy prior to age 13 years in a 5-year span.

Richard Allen, MD, PhD, FACS, professor at Baylor College of Medicine, reviewed the challenges of oculoplastic surgery in pediatric patients.

Key opinion leaders discuss faricimab, its impact on the treatment landscape for wet AMD/DME, and what payers should look for when considering formulary positioning or utilization-management strategies.

Dr Coney discusses the variability of frequency dosing with anti-VEGF therapy in patients with wet AMD and DME, and Dr Sheth expands on Ang-2 and its contribution to the development of vascular instability in wet AMD.