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

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

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.

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

Video: Innovation in Ocular Oncology

Investigational technologies and Protocol AL may help redefine what’s possible for patients with intraocular tumors, says Prithvi Mruthyunjaya, MD, MHS.

By Diana V. Do, MD, Prithvi Mruthyunjaya, MD, MHS

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

Exploring GLP-1RA Effects on the Retina

During retina subspecialty day, Aleksandra V. Rachitskaya, MD, presented on the role of GLP-1 receptor agonists in diabetic retinopathy, as well as other diseases like glaucoma and AMD.

By Aleksandra V. Rachitskaya, MD, FASRS, Diana V. Do, MD

Retina Surgery Has a Place in the ASC

Surgeons say efficiency and innovation can align quality care with financial sustainability.

By Jim Gallagher, senior managing editor

Video: Vitrectomy Innovation in Focus

Audina M. Berrocal, MD, discusses how innovations in cutters and fluidics are transforming retinal surgery.

By Diana V. Do, MD, Audina M. Berrocal, MD

Video: Avoiding Mistakes in Posterior Uveitis Care

Quan Dong Nguyen, MD, discusses how retina specialists can refine diagnostic accuracy, simplify testing, and use systemic therapies safely.

By Diana V. Do, MD, Quan Dong Nguyen, MD

Artificial Intelligence in Retina: Predicting nAMD Conversion Biomarkers Now and Future Potential

Hyperreflective foci volume, inner retinal thickness, retinal pigment epithelium to drusen complex thickness, and presence of subretinal drusenoid deposits stand out as significant predictors of conversion to nAMD

By David A. Eichenbaum, MD, Michael A. Singer, MD