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Top 5 Most-Read Ophthalmology Articles of 2023
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The top read ophthalmology articles of 2023 included news on FDA approvals and the link between smoking and ocular symptoms, including age-related macular degeneration.
The link between smokeless tobacco and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), FDA approvals for treatment of geographic atrophy (GA), and the reasons for discontinuation of amblyopia therapy were among the topics of interest on AJMC.com last year.
Here are the most-read ophthalmology articles of 2023.
5. Failure to Attend Follow-Up Is the Main Reason for Discontinuation of Amblyopia Therapy
About 69% of pediatric patients had discontinued amblyopia therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study. The primary reason for discontinuation of the therapy was a failure to visit the hospital for a follow-up. Parents of the pediatric patients reported that 76% of them were adherent to the treatment during the therapy period but 69% were not currently receiving treatment. A total of 35% reported that the main reason for discontinued treatment was a failure to follow up with a clinical practitioner.
4. FDA Approves New Treatment for Geographic Atrophy
Avacincaptad pegol was approved for the treatment of GA in August by the FDA. The therapy was the first to show a statistically significant reduction in the progression of GA in 12 months. Patients saw up to a 35% reduction in progression after 1 year of using avacincaptad pegol, which is a complement C5 inhibitor. The most common adverse event was conjunctival hemorrhage, which occurred in 13% of participants. The treatment was 1 of 2 treatments approved by the FDA in 2023 that targeted GA.
3. E-Cigarette, Cigarette Users Have Higher Likelihood of Ocular Symptoms
Adolescents and young adults who used cigarettes or e-cigarettes within the past 7 days had a higher likelihood of severe and frequent ocular symptoms. Severe ocular burning/stinging was more frequently reported in participants who had regular use of cigarettes (adjusted OR [aOR], 2.68; 95% CI, 1.56-4.62); blurry vision was also frequently reported in participants who smoked (aOR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.41-5.17). Ophthalmic discomfort, burning, blurry vision, and headaches were more common in participants who had used both cigarettes and e-cigarettes in the previous 7 days.
2. FDA Approves First Treatment for Geographic Atrophy
The first treatment for GA was approved in February, with pegcetacoplan used for GA that was secondary to AMD. The approval came from a pair of phase 3 trials that compared pegcetacoplan to sham injections. The monthly injection was able to reduce the growth of lesions by 22% compared with 18% when the injection was given bimonthly in the OAKS trial. The DERBY trial found similar results, with monthly injections reducing growth rate by 18% compared with 17% when used bimonthly.
1. Smokeless Tobacco More Likely to Cause AMD, Study Suggests
A poster that was presented at the American Society of Retina Specialists 2023 found that a higher likelihood of AMD was found in individuals who used smokeless tobacco. Adults who were exposed to e-cigarette use were also more likely to develop AMD (adjusted OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.73-1.60) compared with those who had never used e-cigarettes. Adults who used smokeless tobacco were 10 times more likely to have AMD compared with those who didn’t use smokeless tobacco (OR, 9.96; 95% CI, 0.68-1.36).
