Retina Vitreous Associates Medical Group

SummaryBackgroundStargardt disease (SD) is an inherited degenerative retinal disease affecting rod and cone photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, leading to severe and irreversible vision loss. Optogenetics is a promising approach to restoring vision by photosensitizing spared healthy retinal neurons.MethodsThe STARLIGHT phase 2 open-label study (NCT05417126) was conducted over 48-weeks at two US sites to assess the safety and efficacy of MCO-010 administered via a single intravitreal injection in the worse-seeing eye of SD patients. The study began on July 5, 2022, and was completed on September 28, 2023. MCO-010 targets bipolar cells rather than retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) to utilize more abundant cells that respond to ambient light while preserving natural visual processing pathways after treatment. Six adults (mean age 50 years, range 32–71 years, four males and two females) received 1.2E11 genome copies (gc)/eye of MCO-010. The primary outcome was the incidence, nature, severity of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), serious adverse events (SAEs), intraocular inflammation, retinal thickness, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and lesion size. Secondary endpoints included change in BCVA, vision-guided mobility, and shape determination accuracy. Visual field perimetry and Michigan Retinal Degeneration Questionnaire (MRDQ) were exploratory endpoints.FindingsAll six participants had at least one ocular TEAE; non-ocular TEAEs occurred in three participants. The most common TEAEs were conjunctival hemorrhage, ocular hypertension, and vitreous cells (two subjects). There were no deaths, hospitalization, loss of eye, retinal detachment, endophthalmitis, or TEAEs leading to study discontinuation. The BCVA (mean ± SD) of the six treated eyes at baseline and 48-week follow-up was 22.8 ± 9.87 (range 9–35), and 28.3 ± 13.28 (range 4–42) ETDRS letters, respectively. The BCVA change from baseline was 7.2 ± 11.74, 4.2 ± 14.81, and 5.5 ± 12.29 at 12, 24, and 48 weeks, respectively. With a wearable magnifier (low-vision glasses), the BCVA change was 17.8 ± 13.35, 15.7 ± 17.37, 13.3 ± 21.37 at 12, 24, and 48 weeks, respectively. The improvement in mean defect in visual field perimetry was 1.02 ± 3.54, 2.47 ± 5.00, and 2.63 ± 5.26 dB at 12, 24, and 48 weeks, respectively. Specific improvements were noted in reading, and color, and contrast domains of the MRDQ.InterpretationMCO-010 optogenetic phase 2 results support further investigation for treatment SD. To our knowledge, this is the first report of improving on(eye)-chart vision of SD participants utilizing optogenetics.FundingNanoscope Therapeutics Inc.

Photobiomodulation (PBM) targets mitochondrial signalling systems to improve cellular bioenergetic processes. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) shows mitochondrial dysfunction contributing to disease pathology. Multiwavelength PBM improved clinical and anatomical outcomes in early-intermediate nonexudative (dry) AMD. PBM offers a novel treatment with a unique mechanism and mode of delivery for dry AMD.

Purpose: To review the first Research and Safety in Therapeutics (ReST) Committee webinar and summarize the most current recommendations regarding diagnosis and management. Methods: The ReST Committee is comprised of members of the American Society of Retina Surgeons (ASRS). At regular internal meetings, safety issue reports from the website are reviewed. A webinar series was started in 2021 to update members on multiple relevant potential safety events. Results: Topics reviewed in the webinar included pentosan polysulfate sodium (Elmiron) maculopathy, intraocular pressure elevation reported with the aflibercept prefilled syringe (PFS), and brolucizumab-associated inflammation with occlusive retinal vasculitis. Retinal toxicity related to intraoperative medications was reviewed, including hemorrhagic occlusive retinal vasculitis after intraocular vancomycin, dilution errors with intravitreal aminoglycosides, inadvertent overdoses of cefuroxime after cataract surgery, and toxic posterior segment syndrome after dropless cataract surgery using compounded triamcinolone-moxifloxacin. Indocyanine green toxicity has been reported after its use as an adjuvant during macular hole surgery. Conclusions: The past decade has seen advances in retinal pharmaceuticals and drug-delivery devices. The ASRS ReST Committee collects data from its website reporting system to inform members about up-to-date pharmaceutical and device safety concerns. Recently, a webinar was used to inform members of pigmentary maculopathy associated with pentosan polysulfate sodium, safety regarding the aflibercept PFS, intraocular inflammation and occlusive retinal vasculitis secondary to brolucizumab, and retinal toxicity from intraoperative ocular medications.

Recent reports of retinal vasculitis (some cases were also occlusive) after brolucizumab injection has ignited a poorly understood immunogenicity alert in the form of intraocular inflammation and r...

Diagnosis and management of non-infectious uveitis (NIU), a major cause of blindness worldwide, are challenging. Corticosteroids, the cornerstone of therapy, are not appropriate for long-term use, and while non-biologic and biologic immunomodulators may be used for some patients, data on their efficacy and safety in this population are limited. Repository corticotropin injection (RCI), believed to affect uveitis by multiple mechanisms, has received regulatory approval for treatment of ophthalmic diseases including posterior uveitis, but is not widely used or discussed in guidelines for the management of uveitis and ocular inflammatory diseases. The index study employed a modified Delphi process with a panel of 14 US-based ophthalmologists. Consensus recommendations were developed through a series of three questionnaires. Panellists rated statements on a Likert scale from -5 (strongly disagree) to +5 (strongly agree). The Delphi panel provided consensus recommendations on examinations and testing needed for diagnosis, treatment goals, and the use of corticosteroids, as well as the use of non-biologic and biologic immunomodulators. The panel reached consensus that RCI may be considered for posterior and pan-uveitis, and dosing should be individualized for each patient. Dose reduction/discontinuation should be considered for excessive RCI-related toxicity, hyperglycaemia and/or diabetic complications, excessive costs, or remission≥2years. Patients should be weaned from RCI if uveitis is stable and well controlled. Adverse events during RCI therapy can be managed by appropriate interventions, with dose reduction/discontinuation considered if events are severe or recurrent. Expert consensus suggests RCI may be an appropriate treatment option for some patients with uveitis when other therapies are ineffective or intolerable.