American journal of ophthalmology
Audio Summaries

Genotype-phenotype correlations in RPGRIP1-associated retinal dystrophy in a nationwide Japanese cohort

May 8, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate genotype-phenotype correlations in patients with RPGRIP1-associated retinal dystrophy within a nationwide Japanese cohort. Their findings revealed distinct clinical phenotypes—Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) and achromatopsia (ACHM)—associated with specific genetic variants, particularly the prevalent exon 18 deletion. These results enhance understanding of the disease's clinical spectrum and have implications for diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Have Deprivation Amblyopia Outcomes Improved for Infants with Unilateral Cataracts?

May 8, 2026

The authors investigate whether treatment outcomes for monocular deprivation amblyopia due to congenital cataracts have improved over the past few decades. Their study, which included 80 children, found that visual acuity outcomes remain disappointing, with no significant differences in corrected distance visual acuity across three time periods. Additionally, a high prevalence of strabismus and the need for multiple subsequent surgeries highlight ongoing challenges in managing this condition.

Tubercular Retinitis: Clinical Spectrum and Multimodal Imaging Features of an Insufficiently Characterized Entity

May 7, 2026

This study aims to characterize tubercular retinitis (TBR), a rare form of ocular tuberculosis, by defining its clinical spectrum, multimodal imaging features, and natural course, while differentiating it from similar chorioretinal lesions. The authors found that TBR lesions predominantly present as purely retinal inflammation without choroidal involvement, and they exhibit distinct imaging characteristics compared to tubercular retinochoroiditis (TBRC). The findings suggest that multimodal imaging is crucial for diagnosing and distinguishing between these entities in patients with ocular tuberculosis.

Risk of non-infectious uveitis associated with disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis

May 7, 2026

The authors aimed to determine whether disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis (MS) influence the risk of developing non-infectious uveitis (NIU). Their study found that certain DMT classes, particularly nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors/S1P modulators and fumarates, are associated with a reduced incidence of NIU compared to glatiramer acetate, suggesting potential for personalized MS treatment and repurposing these therapies for NIU in other populations.

Imaging Biomarkers for Early Differentiation of Candida and Aspergillus Endogenous Fungal Endophthalmitis: Multicenter Optical Coherence Tomography-Based Analysis

May 5, 2026

The study aimed to differentiate between Candida and Aspergillus species in cases of endogenous fungal endophthalmitis (EFE) associated with retinochoroiditis by analyzing clinical characteristics and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings. The authors found distinct morphological and OCT features that could reliably distinguish the two fungal etiologies, achieving approximately 85% accuracy in species differentiation using machine-learning classification. These findings suggest that OCT-based biomarkers can aid in early, organism-specific management of EFE while awaiting microbiological confirmation.

AUTO MACHINE LEARNING FOR DIABETIC RETINOPATHY SCREENING: A HEAD-TO-HEAD MULTI-PLATFORM COMPARISON AGAINST HUMAN GRADERS AND IDX-DR

May 4, 2026

The authors aimed to benchmark various automated machine learning (AutoML) platforms for diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening against human graders and the FDA-approved IDX-DR system. They found that Amazon SageMaker Canvas and AutoGluon exhibited the strongest performance, particularly in detecting sight-threatening DR, while highlighting the variability in effectiveness across different platforms and thresholds. The study underscores the potential of AutoML in clinical settings, emphasizing the need for external validation and calibration of decision thresholds.

Unsuccessful Clinical Trials in Retina: Lessons Learned

May 4, 2026

The authors aim to analyze the patterns and reasons behind the non-success of phase 2 and 3 interventional retinal clinical trials conducted in the U.S. from 2015 to 2025. They found that high attrition rates were prevalent, particularly in trials for diabetic macular edema and neovascular age-related macular degeneration, with factors such as endpoint selection and operational challenges contributing to these failures. The study highlights the need for better alignment of biological rationale and operational feasibility to improve the translation of early-stage findings into successful late-phase outcomes in retinal drug development.

Implantable polypropylene capsular hook(s) for managing subluxated lenses: a prospective study

May 1, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of using implantable polypropylene capsular hooks for the intrascleral fixation of intraocular lenses (IOLs) in patients with subluxated lenses. The study found that this technique resulted in stable IOL positioning and significant improvements in best-corrected visual acuity, with manageable postoperative complications, suggesting it is a feasible and safe approach for this condition.

Incidence of Strabismus in Children with Retinopathy of Prematurity

May 1, 2026

The authors aimed to estimate the cumulative incidence of strabismus in children diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Their findings revealed that treated ROP patients had a significantly higher incidence of strabismus at 5 years (34.78%) compared to untreated patients (22.14%), with treatment exposure being independently associated with an increased risk. Additionally, the study identified amblyopia and nystagmus as other factors contributing to the heightened risk of developing strabismus in this population.

Association between retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome: A UK Biobank cohort study

Apr 30, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate the relationship between retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and the severity of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome in a large cohort from the UK Biobank. Their findings indicate that thinner RNFL is significantly associated with advanced stages of CKM syndrome, suggesting that RNFL thickness could serve as a potential marker for monitoring CKM syndrome severity. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and validate RNFL as a prognostic indicator in larger populations.