Ophthalmology

UBE2E3 variants linked to glucocorticoid-induced IOP rise

In GC-exposed eyes from FAME and an external cohort, GWAS identified variants in the UBE2E3 locus associated with maximal IOP increase within six months. Meta-analysis across FAME and MEE/RHC supported the UBE2E3 signal and colocalization implicates regulatory effects on UBE2E3 expression. WES gene-burden analysis nominated MSTO1 after FDR correction in FAME but it did not reach genome-wide significance in combined analyses. These genetic signals suggest potential pharmacogenetic risk markers for GC-IOP, but clinical genotyping is not yet validated for routine care. 1

Modifiable exposures strongly increase AK and FK risk in contact lens wearers

In a Netherlands case-control study of 220 AK/FK cases versus 1020 controls, prior eye injury had OR 16.0 for infection acquisition. Surface water contact had OR 9.1, and cleaning lenses with tap water had OR 3.3 for AK/FK. Treatment failure occurred in 47% of AK and 66% of FK cases; age >42, hard lenses, prior topical corticosteroids, and ring infiltrate predicted worse outcomes. Emphasize avoidance of tap-water lens cleaning, water exposure, and inappropriate corticosteroid use in symptomatic contact lens patients. 2

Aflibercept + reduced‑fluence PDT yields greater early BNN VD reduction in PCV

In a randomized trial of 55 treatment‑naïve PCV eyes, combination therapy produced greater BNN vessel‑density (VD) reduction at week 12 (-10±15% vs -3±12%, p=0.02). Both arms showed decreased BNN area at week 12 with sustained reduction at week 52, while total lesion area rebounded toward baseline by week 52. Greater early BNN VD reduction independently predicted polypoidal lesion closure at week 52 (OR 0.62, p=0.03). OCTA vascular changes are promising noninvasive biomarkers but should not yet replace multimodal imaging or clinical endpoints. 3