News

News from The American Academy of Ophthalmology

• Fish Skin Grafts May Be a Substitute for Other Skin Grafts Following Mohs Surgery
  Acellular fish skin grafts (FSGs), created from the minimally processed skin of the Atlantic cod, are a type of xenograft, a biologic scaffold that can aid in wound healing. These FSGs may be a novel alternative for repairing periocular skin defects following Mohs surgery.
• Use of Ripasudil Does Not Appear to Increase Post-Trabeculectomy Surgical Success
  This study looked at the use of ripasudil, a Rho-associated protein kinase inhibitor approved in Japan, for antifibrosis following trabeculectomy, with the ultimate goal of preventing scarring of the bleb.
• Men and Women Appear to Have Similar Rates of Ocular Pathology After Orbital Fracture
  A retrospective study evaluated sex-based clinical differences in the characteristics and outcomes of orbital fracture due to trauma.
• Week in Review: Diabetic Retinopathy and Cardiovascular Disease, Visual Field Defects in Children With Brain Tumors, Good Ergonomic Habits for Residents
  An increased risk of cardiovascular disease is seen in patients with background diabetic retinopathy, children with brain tumors are prone to visual field defects, and ophthalmology residents have the chance to learn good ergonomic habits while they're still in training.
• When Patients Lose Financial Assistance, Retinal Disease Management Suffers
  Two presentations at the ASRS 2025 Annual Meeting discussed the findings from ASRS-based studies on the effects of underfunding of Good Days, a nonprofit providing financial assistance to Medicare patients, on retinal disease management.
• Plasma Exchange for Optic Neuritis Is Becoming More Popular in the United States
  A population-level study saw increasing usage of plasma exchange (PLEX) therapy for optic neuritis in the US over the last 20 years, particularly for severe cases of the disease.
• Low-Dose Atropine May Provide Some Symptomatic Relief From Vitreous Floaters
  Dr. Mohsin Ali, MD, spoke at ASRS 2025, sharing his early research investigating the novel use of low-dose atropine eye drops as a therapeutic option for vitreous floaters.
• Weekly Journal Update — August 6, 2025
  Risk factors for retinal detachment after cataract surgery, GLP-1 RA for obesity may reduce glaucoma risk, ILM flaps vs peels for macular hole closure, imprinting device for corneal epithelial diseases, tocilizumab may reduce relapses of noninfectious uveitis.
• Human Amniotic Membrane Expands Horizons in Vitreoretinal Surgery
  At ASRS 2025, Dr. Stanislao Rizzo presented “Amniotic Membrane in Vitreoretinal Surgery: When and How,” describing the evolution of human amniotic membrane in vitreoretinal surgery.
• Dead Bag Syndrome Is One Cause of Late IOL Decentration
  This prospective interventional case series assessed risk factors for and outcomes following intraocular lens exchange for late decentration in cases of dead bag syndrome.