Retina Global

02/19/2026

Forty people in have been diagnosed with a rare sight-threatening condition connected to tattoos that can lead to permanent blindness, representing a significant surge in cases of the little-known ailment.

The condition, called tattoo-associated uveitis, results from a presumed immune reaction to .

The 40 cases identified in Australia represent double the number of cases recorded globally in 2010.

https://bit.ly/4rrg0eQ

Pic (c) ABC

12/09/2025

Researchers from Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California and USC Roski Eye Institute, studying the the long-term impact of social determinants of health on diabetic retinopathy ( ) incidence, complications, and management in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus ( ), have found that social deprivation, regardless of documented treatment adherence, was found to increase DR incidence and complications.

The authors state that targeted interventions are needed to address persistent disparities and reduce DR burden, by implementing targeted strategies that integrate SDOH into DR care, including enhanced screening, timely intervention, and cross-specialty coordination.

https://bit.ly/491xibG

Pic (c) AAO

11/20/2025

In a study led by DRCR Retina Network / Jaeb Center for Health Research in patients with diabetic macular edema ( ), it was found that patients with older age demonstrated less improvement from baseline and greater likelihood of weak treatment response in vision and central sub threshold thickness (CST) on OCT.

At 2 years, the average improvement from baseline decreased with older age for VA (youngest to oldest: +17.9 to +9.0 letters; P < 0.001) and CST (-183 μm to -158 μm; P = 0.02). The cumulative proportion of weak response in VA (60% to 84%; P < 0.001) and CST (42% to 62%; P = 0.009) increased with older age. These trends were present in all anti- subgroups.

These findings may help refine expectations of treatment outcomes when initiating anti-VEGF therapy for DME.



https://bit.ly/4iuLTjj

Representative pic of DME (c) AAO

11/14/2025

💙 World Diabetes Day 💙

Diabetes can affect more than your blood sugar—it can impact your eyes too. Early detection and regular check-ups are key to preventing vision problems. 👁️✨

Take care of your health, stay informed, and protect your vision.

11/14/2025

In a study published by authors from Wills Eye Hospital, Kaiser Permanente and Genentech, it was found that at 2 years, black and white patients who received for the treatment of diabetic macular edema achieved similar levels of best corrected visual acuity.

The meta-analysis also found that black patients had better BCVA at baseline, although their average improvement at 24 months was lower than in white patients.

A meta-analysis of five randomized clinical trials of Lucentis ( ) in DME included a total of 181 black and 928 white participants treated with either 0.3 mg or 0.5 mg ranibizumab. The primary outcome was the average change in BCVA at month 24, evaluated separately in white and black participants.

Compared with white participants, black participants had better BCVA at baseline (66.7 mean ETDRS letters vs. 62) but similar BCVA as white patients at month 24 (72.8 mean ETDRS letters vs. 72.2). Vision of 20/40 or better was achieved by 74% of black participants and 66.4% of white participants at month 24.
White participants had a greater average BCVA change from baseline after adjustment for baseline BCVA, with an increase of 9.9 ETDRS letters vs. 7.7.

Authors: Dr. M Ali Khan; Lauren Hill; Dr. Ivaylo Stoilov; and Dr. A Haller.

This study was published in JAMA Ophthalmology.

At 2 years, Black and white patients who received Lucentis for the treatment of diabetic macular edema achieved similar levels of best corrected visual acuity, according to a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology. The meta-analysis also found that Black patients had better BCVA at baseline, although...

10/29/2025

Two new studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology offer mixed results: one found GLP-1 drugs can increase the risk of and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy ( ), while another study suggests the drug may offer protection against dry age-related macular degeneration ( ).

Researchers in an international collaboration across the University of Ottawa Eye Institute, University of Toronto, McMaster University, and Doheny Eye Institute UCLA conducted one of the largest global studies on the topic to date. Using data from the World Health Organization (WHO)'s global database of drug safety reports, the authors analyzed data on 117,173 patients with taking (GLP-1 drugs), , , , or .

Results showed that people using GLP-1 drugs were 68.6 times more likely to develop NAION and eight times more likely to develop diabetic retinopathy than those taking empagliflozin, exenatide, insulin or metformin.

The analysis found no significant association between tirzepatide (the active ingredient in other GLP-1 medications including and ) and NAION or diabetic retinopathy.

In a separate study, researchers at Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute evaluated the effect of GLP-1 drugs on the risk of developing AMD.

Researchers looked at data from more than 430,000 patients aged 50 and older who took either a GLP-1, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), or insulin to manage their diabetes for at least two years at a single ophthalmic center. The 7,319 patients taking a GLP-1 for 5 years showed a significantly lower risk of developing dry AMD: 63 percent lower than patients on metformin, 58 percent lower risk than patients on insulin, and 54 percent lower risk than those taking a SGLT2i. The protective effect increased among patients followed for up to five years. The analysis showed no significant protection against the wet form of AMD.

The authors of both studies conclude that more long-term studies are required to determine the effect of GLP-1 drugs on eye health.

So what do physicians and patients do at this time? Based on recommendations from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the North American Neuro Ophthalmology Society (NANOS), patients who develop NAION while on GLP-1 drugs should engage in a shared decision-making process with their physicians, including their ophthalmologist, neurologist, primary care physician, or endocrinologist. This discussion should consider the individual's overall health, risk factors, and therapeutic options to make an informed decision about whether to continue or discontinue GLP-1 drugs.

https://bit.ly/4qRco6j

Pic (c) Retina Today

10/22/2025

Type 2 diabetes mellitus ( ) patients on GLP-1 receptor agonists and fenofibrates were seen to experience a lower risk of diagnosis of diabetic macular edema ( ), suggesting a possible protective effect against DME development in patients with T2DM, whereas those on calcium channel blockers ( ) experienced an increased risk.

These findings suggest that systemic medications may influence DME outcomes either way.

This paper has been published in Ophthalmology Retina with the following authors: Jawad Muayad, Asad Loya, Zain Hussain, Debora Lee, Muhammad Chauhan, Andrew Lee, Asadolah Movahedan, and Sami S Dahr. These authors represent various institutions, including Texas A&M University; Baylor College of Medicine; University of Medicine and Health Sciences, New York; University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Houston; University of Arkansas School for Medical Sciences; Houston Methodist Hospital; Weill Cornell Medicine; University of Texas, Galveston; MD Anderson Cancer Center; University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics; and The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

https://bit.ly/4o8CDTO

Pic (c) AAO

10/12/2025

In a systematic review and meta-analysis of over 53,800 vitrectomized eyes across 40 studies by ophthalmologists from Italy, UK and Nepal, pars plana vitrectomy was found to be associated with clinically meaningful risk of ocular hypertension (OHT) and glaucoma, especially in pseudophakic eyes.

Pseudophakic eyes were found to have threefold higher odds of OHT compared to phakic eyes and nearly twelvefold higher odds of glaucoma.

The study is published in the journal Ophthalmology.

https://bit.ly/4n72vy5



Picture (c) Nature

10/09/2025

Today is World Sight Day.

Nearly everyone on the planet will experience an eye health issue in their lifetime, yet over a billion people still lack access to the services and treatments they need.

This day aims to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining healthy vision.

Please support the work that organizations around the world, including the world that organizations such as Orange County Eye Project, are involved in.

#

10/09/2025

A new method of taking microscopic images of the retina will allow researchers to record the reaction of brain cells to disease and treatment.

The Kobe University development is more easily applicable than previous methods and promises to advance research on and treatment of vision-related diseases.

In the journal PNAS, the researchers report that their newly developed method allowed them to identify that microglia start to move more actively in diabetic mice, indicating increased monitoring activity, long before tissue damage is noticeable.

https://bit.ly/46I7dNU

A new method of taking microscopic images of a live mouse's retina through the eye allows researchers to record the reaction of brain cells to disease and treatment. The Kobe University development is more easily applicable than previous methods and promises to advance research on and treatment of v...

10/06/2025

Emerging evidence suggests that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, commonly used for type 2 and , may possess anti-inflammatory properties.

In a retrospective study from , including at such institutions as Cleveland Clinic; Case Western Reserve University; Lerner College of Medicine and MetroHealth, it was found that GLP-1 prescriptions were associated with a lower risk of compared with controls. These findings suggest potential anti-inflammatory benefits beyond glycemic control. This protective effect was found across subgroups of patients with and without diabetes, and across different subtypes of noninfectious uveitis.

The paper was published in Ophthalmology and authored by Drs. Nitesh Mohan; Sunil Srivastava, Matthew Schulgit, Amy Nowacki; David Kaelber; and Sumit Sharma.

https://bit.ly/46GL42o & https://bit.ly/42nRBww

Pic 1 (c) Retina Today; Pic (2) Cleveland Clinic

09/30/2025

A research team in has investigated the potential of to mitigate neovascularization (NV) and treat retinal diseases such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

The vaccine targets leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG1), a protein specifically expressed in pathological NV, inducing anti-LRG1 antibody responses in mice.

In a laser-induced NV model, the LRG1 mRNA vaccine reduced NV area and leakage while inhibiting microglial cell infiltration.

Histological analysis showed no adverse effects on retinal architecture or glial cell activation.

Additionally, in Vldlr knockout mice, LRG1 mRNA administration suppresses ongoing NV and downregulates key angiogenic mediators.

These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of LRG1 mRNA vaccine as a novel strategy for NV-associated ocular diseases.

http://bit.ly/3ID1bVy