Top 5 Most-Read Ophthalmology Articles of 2025

The top read ophthalmology articles of 2025 focused on a variety of topics within the field, including links between semaglutide and ophthalmic complications, the FDA approval of the ranibizumab implant for diabetic macular edema (DME), and how antioxidant index may play a role in lowered odds of cataracts.

These are the top articles of 2025.

5. FDA Approves Ranibizumab Implant in Treatment of DME

The FDA approved ranibizumab implants in February 2025 to be used to treat DME, which affects more than 29 million individuals across the globe. The implant can be surgically inserted into the eye and is refillable, which is a difference from the previously approved intravitreal ranibizumab injections. The approval came after the phase 3 Pagoda study found that those who had the implant refilled every 24 weeks had non-inferior best-corrected visual acuity compared with those who took the injection every 4 weeks. Patients reported that they preferred the implant due to the fewer treatments needed to maintain efficacy. This approval can make treatment for DME more accessible for those who do not have the time to receive the injection every month.

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4. Case Series Shows Possible Link Between Semaglutide, Ophthalmic Complications

The rapid correction of hyperglycemia, brought on by patients using semaglutide or tirzepatide, could be related to ophthalmic complications, according to a case series published in JAMA Ophthalmology. Across 9 patients included in the case series who had a mean (SD) age of 57.4 (11.6) years, 7 of the participants developed cases of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy when they had no previous experience with any drug associated with optic neuropathies or retinopathies within a year of developing their symptoms. The researchers theorized that the association was not due to a toxic effect of the drugs themselves but rather the rapid correction of hyperglycemia. A causal link could not be established.

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3. Reproxalap Receives Complete Response Letter From FDA for Use in Dry Eye Disease

The FDA did not approve the use of reproxlap for dry eye and a complete response letter (CRL) was delivered to Aldeyra Therapeutics. The CRL came after a resubmission of data after the original CRL was delivered in October 2024. Reproxlap at a 0.25% dose would be used for dry eye. A phase 3 study that included 132 patients met its primary end point as patients found it statistically superior to the placebo for relieving discomfort in the eyes. Participants tested the efficacy by receiving the placebo before and during exposure to a dry eye chamber before being randomized into the placebo or reproxlap before and during a separate exposure to a dry eye chamber. Aldeyra intends to resubmit their drug application pending positive results of ongoing clinical trials.

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2. Enhanced Monofocal Lenses May Provide Alternative in Glaucoma Treatment

Patients saw no significant difference in outcomes between standard and enhanced monofocal intraocular lenses to treat glaucoma. Patients aged 40 years and older with previously diagnosed glaucoma or suspected glaucoma took part in the study. All participants had either enhanced or standard monofocal intraocular lenses implanted for the study. There were significant improvements in best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, mean deviation, and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, and the improvements were not significantly different between the groups. The researchers determined that enhanced monofocal intraocular lenses could be used as an alternative to standard monofocal intraocular lenses and may provide better intermediate vision.

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1. Lower Odds of Cataract Associated With Antioxidant Index

Patients had lower odds of developing cataracts when they had higher composite dietary antioxidant index measurements. The study of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database included 5814 patients with a mean (SD) age of 66.28 (10.08) years. A negative correlation was found between the probability of developing cataracts and the composite dietary antioxidant index. Zinc, magnesium, and vitamin E also had a negative association with the odds of cataracts. The researchers recommended that antioxidant dietary patterns should be recommended for cataract prevention, but further studies would need to be conducted to examine daily diet and cataract risk.

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