Features
New Treatments for Sickle Cell Disease
Imaging advances and systemic therapies are redefining care for sickle cell retinopathy.
By Jason Dossantos, BS, Mirataollah Salabati, MD, Jessica D. Randolph, MD
Gene Therapies for Inherited Retinal Diseases
Augmentation, RNA editing, and gene-agnostic approaches offer hope for patients with RP, Stargardt disease, LCA, and XLRS.
By Christine Nichols Kay, MD
Novel Therapies for Stargardt Disease
Both gene-targeted and gene-agnostic treatments have been shown to restore ABCA4 function and impact broader retinal processes.
By Cesar Estrada-Puente, MD, Paula C. Morales, MD, Ramiro S. Maldonado, MD
Counseling Patients About Gene Therapy
Tips for setting realistic expectations about eligibility, outcomes, and treatment barriers.
By Kari Branham, MS, CGC, Michelle Alabek, MS, CGC, Dana Schlegel, MS, MPH, CGC
Navigating MacTel From Diagnosis to Therapy
Encelto offers new hope to patients, but optimizing this therapy will depend on early recognition of the disease along with informed counseling.
By David A. Eichenbaum, MD
Web Exclusives
Navigating Optogenetics in the IRD Pipeline
This type of gene therapy offers a mutation-agnostic and disease-agnostic approach for patients with advanced retinal disease.
By Kenneth C. Fan, MD, MBA
Departments
Looking Forward to AAO
Upfront: This issue features articles on inherited retinal diseases and gene therapy.
By Diana V. Do, MD
Avoiding Billing and Documentation Pitfalls in IRD Coding
Coding: What retina practices need to know about billing for inherited retinal diseases and upcoming genetic treatments.
By Elizabeth Cifers, MBA, MSW, CHC, CPC
Clinical Trial Update October 2025
Access Retinal Physician's listing of all active clinical trials in AMD, DME, RVO, and uveitis.
News
Long-Term Data Support Early GA Intervention
New data from the GATHER2 open-label extension, presented during retina subspecialty day at AAO, emphasizes the value of starting treatment early to preserve retinal tissue.
By Arshad M. Khanani, MD, MA, FASRS, Diana V. Do, MD
Intravitreal Methotrexate Formulation Lowers Postoperative Complications
GUARD trial data presented at AAO show that adjunctive ADX-2191 is linked to reduced rates of hypotony and cystoid macular edema in PVR surgery.
By Jim Gallagher, senior managing editor
Avoiding Radiation in Uveal Melanoma
Findings presented at AAO 2025 demonstrated that treatment with ablation and anti-VEGF injections allowed patients to avoid radiation-related damage, with most maintaining 20/40 vision or better.
By Timothy G. Murray, MD, MBA, FACS
Sura Vec Shows Promise in NPDR
Two-year ALTITUDE data presented during AAO’s retina subspecialty day showed that the suprachoroidal anti-VEGF gene therapy achieved sustained DRSS gains with acceptable safety.
By Charles C. Wykoff, MD, PhD
The Utility of Home OCT
During retina subspecialty day at AAO 2025, Anat Loewenstein, MD, outlined practical applications of home OCT.
By Anat Loewenstein, MD, MHA, Diana V. Do, MD
No More Tech Neck: Ergonomics That Work for Retinal Surgeons
At AAO 2025, Christina Y. Weng, MD, MBA, shared practical strategies to reduce neck, back, and upper-body strain for retina specialists.
By Christina Y. Weng, MD, MBA, Diana V. Do, MD
What Retina Specialists Should Know About Neuro-Ophthalmology
At AAO 2025, Andrew Lee, MD, reviewed clinical and imaging strategies to differentiate retinal pathology from diseases affecting the optic nerve and visual pathway.
By Jim Gallagher, senior managing editor
The Evolving Treatment Landscape for Wet AMD
During retina subspecialty day, Jennifer I. Lim, MD, reviewed extension study data for Vabysmo, Eylea HD, and Susvimo, and previewed several promising investigational agents.
By Jennifer I. Lim, MD, FARVO, FASRS, Diana V. Do, MD
Optogenetic Therapy Offers Renewed Hope in Retinitis Pigmentosa
Allen C. Ho, MD, FACS, discusses 3-year data from Nanoscope Therapeutics’ MCO-010 program in RP, as well as the potential of this optogenetic approach to treat a broad range of retinal degenerative diseases.
By Allen C. Ho, MD
Less Burn, Less Bacteria in IVT Prep
Data from the STERILE and RELIEF trials, presented at AAO, suggest a novel antiseptic may improve the patient experience without compromising infection prevention.
By David Brown, MD, Diana V. Do, MD
Tiespectus Improves Vision and Retinal Thickness in BRVO
Part one of the RIOJA trial reports no serious adverse events or dose-limiting toxicity.
By Jim Gallagher, senior managing editor
ELARA 24-Week Data Show Improvements in Wet AMD and DME
Data presented for the first time at AAO 2025 highlight vision gains and reduced retinal thickness in previously treated eyes using flexible aflibercept 8 mg dosing.
By Diana V. Do, MD
Navigate AAO Like a Pro
ASRS president-elect Gaurav Shah shares advice for early career retina specialists attending subspecialty day at AAO or other large meetings in ophthalmology.
By Gaurav K. Shah, MD, Diana V. Do, MD
IRIS Registry Analysis Shows Vision Gains With Aflibercept 8 mg
Data presented at AAO demonstrated longer injection intervals and improved visual outcomes in both treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients with wet AMD and DME.
By Diana V. Do, MD
Video: Prevent Blindness in ROP
Practical guidance for retina specialists on monitoring and treatment of retinopathy of prematurity.
By Darius M. Moshfeghi, MD, Diana V. Do, MD