30-Second Takeaway
- Modern hyperopic LASIK platforms deliver high effectiveness, predictability, and stability with very low vision loss rates.
- Adding a DEX implant to anti-VEGF for DME dries the macula more but does not improve vision and increases AEs.
- NAION progression usually occurs within the first 3 weeks and is mainly associated with prior fellow-eye NAION, not vascular risks.
Week ending January 24, 2026
Practical updates in refractive, glaucoma, retinal, neuro‑ophthalmic, dry eye, and neonatal imaging
AAO evidence review: hyperopic LASIK with modern lasers is effective, predictable, and stable
This AAO assessment included 20 studies (25 cohorts) of hyperopic LASIK with graded evidence levels I–III. At least 80% of eyes in all 18 effectiveness cohorts achieved UDVA 20/40 or better, and most cohorts had ≥50% reaching 20/20. In predictability cohorts, over 60% of eyes were typically within ±0.50 D and over 90% within ±1.00 D of target. Vision loss was uncommon; most cohorts had ≤3% of eyes losing ≥2 CDVA lines, with safety indices around 1.0.
DEX implant plus anti-VEGF in DME improves CMT but not vision and increases adverse events
This meta-analysis pooled 8 studies (597 eyes) comparing DEX implant plus anti-VEGF vs anti-VEGF monotherapy for DME. Combination therapy produced a significantly greater CMT reduction than monotherapy, indicating superior anatomic drying. However, BCVA did not differ significantly between groups, suggesting no functional advantage to adding DEX in these cohorts. The incidence of adverse events was significantly higher with combination therapy, consistent with added steroid-related risk.
NAION vision loss progresses early and is driven mainly by prior fellow-eye involvement
This secondary analysis evaluated 599 untreated NAION eyes from a multicenter randomized trial. Within the ~2.5-day interval from screening to Day 1, 7.3% of eyes lost ≥10 ETDRS letters and 4.1% lost ≥15 letters. By Month 2, about one-fifth of sham eyes had ≥10-letter loss, with over 90% of progression occurring within 22 days of symptom onset. Diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and other cardiovascular risks did not increase progression risk.
Topical TRPV1 antagonist SJP-0132 is safe and rapidly improves dry eye signs and symptoms
This randomized, double-masked phase 1/2 study enrolled 89 adults with symptomatic dry eye disease after a placebo run-in. Single and multiple ascending doses of SJP-0132 were well tolerated, with only mild treatment-emergent adverse events. Plasma concentrations rose dose dependently, supporting on-target exposure with topical dosing. Eye dryness VAS scores improved as early as 30 minutes at higher concentrations, and benefits persisted over the 4-week dosing period.
References
Numbered in order of appearance. Click any reference to view details.
Additional Reads
Optional additional studies from this edition.