The Retina Channel Podcast

Dr. Nina Ahuja (@docsleadership) discusses her newly published booked titled "Stress in Medicine, Lessons Learned Through my Years as a Surgeon, from Med School to Residency, and Beyond". In an intimate account of her journey through her medical career, Dr. Ahuja discusses some of hardships and difficulties that she has gone through with the goal of bringing more transparency to the medical education and breaking the culture of silence. The book is available through Amazon and Apple Books.

Dr. Sridhar (host of the Straight from the Cutter's Mouth podcast) discusses his recent article on the trends of women's representation in VR meetings in the US between 2015 and 2019. The discusses article: Sridhar J, Kuriyan AE, Yonekawa Y, Berrocal A, Khan MA, Chan RVP, Haller JA. Representation of Women in Vitreoretinal Meeting Faculty Roles from 2015 through 2019. Am J Ophthalmol. 2021 Jan;221:131-136. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2020.09.001. Epub 2020 Sep 9. PMID: 32918901; PMCID: PMC7736466.

Dr. Pereira speaks about his group's report on retinal findings in patients with severe COVID-19 infections who were admitted in the ICU. Discussed article: Pereira LA, Soares LCM, Nascimento PA, et al. Br J Ophthalmol Epub ahead of print: [please include Day Month Year]. doi:10.1136/bjophthalmol- 2020-317576

Dr. Zicarelli discusses his group's 10-yr retrospective analysis on the prognostic factors associated with Peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinpathy. Discussed article: Zicarelli F, Preziosa C, Staurenghi G, Pellegrini M. Peripheral exudative haemorrhagic chorioretinopathy: a widefield imaging study. Br J Ophthalmol. 2020 Sep 3:bjophthalmol-2020-317083. doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2020-317083. PMID: 32883656

Dr. Niffenegger discusses a case series of secondary macular hole treatment with topical therapy. Discussed article: Niffenegger JH, Fong DS, Wong KL, Modjtahedi BS. Treatment of Secondary Full-Thickness Macular Holes with Topical Therapy. Ophthalmol Retina. 2020 Jul;4(7):695-699. doi: 10.1016/j.oret.2020.01.014. Epub 2020 Jan 28. PMID: 32284268.

Dr. Baumal discusses features and outcomes of eyes with retinal vasculitis and intraocular inflammation after intravitreal injection of brolucizumab for treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Discussed article: Baumal CR, Spaide RF, Vajzovic L, et al. Retinal Vasculitis and Intraocular Inflammation after Intravitreal Injection of Brolucizumab [published online ahead of print, 2020 Apr 25]. Ophthalmology. 2020;S0161-6420(20)30371-7. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2020.04.017

Dr. Koh from Singapore National University Hospital discusses his team's simulation study on aerosol transmission through slit lamp shields and face masks. Discussed article: Chuan OS, Bin Razali MA, Shaffiee L, Xing YJ, Yin Fei TT, Chee LS, Koh V, Do slit lamp shields and face masks protect ophthalmologists amidst COVID-19?, Ophthalmology (2020), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2020.06.031.

Drs. Lee and Apte discuss their recent paper on our current understanding of using retinal imaging biomarkers to evaluate Alzheimer's disease. Discussed article: Lee CS, Apte RS, Retinal Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease, American Journal of Ophthalmology (2020), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2020.04.040.

Dr. Gupta discusses findings of this large retrospective study on the risk and associations of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment after intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. Discussed article: Storey PP, Pancholy M, Wibbelsman TD, et al. Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment after Intravitreal Injection of Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor. Ophthalmology. 2019;126(10):1424‐1431. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2019.04.037

In a panel discussion with Dr. Koushan, Drs. Daniel Ting, Olivia Li and Steven Yeh discuss the preparedness of ophthalmologists in the COVID-19 crisis. The discussion is based on the most recent Ophthalmology editorial: Preparedness among Ophthalmologists: During and Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic. Olivia Li, Ji-PengWong, Tien Y.Wong, Edmund Y.Mehta, JodLin, HaotianLin, XiaofengStrouthidis, Nicholas G.Park, Ki HoFung, Adrian T.McLeod, Stephen D.Busin, MassimoParke, David W.Holland, Gary N.Chodosh, JamesYeh, StevenTing, Daniel S.W. et al. Ophthalmology, Volume 127, Issue 5, 569 - 572

Dr. Leffler discusses his team's analysis of the country-wide mortality from COVID-19 pandemic and its correlation with mask usage by the public. Full reference: Leffler CT, Ing E, McKeown CA, Pratt D, Grzybowski A. Final Country-wide Mortality from the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic and Notes Regarding Mask Usage by the Public. April 4, 2020. Available from: researchgate.net.

Dr. Shildkrot discusses progression of glaucomatous changes in 28 eyes that were receiving anti-VEGF injections. Discussed article: Effects of Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Therapy on Glaucoma-like Progression in Susceptible Eyes, Du, Jeanette MD; Patrie, James T ; Prum, Bruce E.; Netland, Peter A.; Shildkrot, Yevgeniy (Eugene) MD, Journal of Glaucoma: December 2019 - Volume 28 - Issue 12 - p 1035-1040 doi: 10.1097/IJG.0000000000001382

Dr. Philip Hykin discusses the LEAVO trial which was a large prospective trial comparing the efficacy of three main anti-VEGF intravitreal injections (bevacizumab, ranibizumab and aflibercept) for treating macular edema secondary to Central Retinal Vein Occlusion. The discussed article: Clinical Effectiveness of Intravitreal Therapy With Ranibizumab vs Aflibercept vs Bevacizumab for Macular Edema Secondary to Central Retinal Vein Occlusion: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Hykin P, Prevost AT, Vasconcelos JC, Murphy C, Kelly J, Ramu J, Hounsome B, Yang Y, Harding SP, Lotery A, Chakravarthy U, Sivaprasad S; LEAVO Study Group. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2019 Aug 29. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2019.3305.

Dr. Vander from Wills Eye Hospital discusses the effect of vitreous tap on the management of 60 cases of endophthalmitis post intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. The discussed article: Changes in Management Based on Vitreous Culture in Endophthalmitis After Intravitreal Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Injection. Patel SN, Storey PP, Pancholy M, Obeid A, Wibbelsman TD, Levin H, Hsu J, Garg SJ, Dunn JP, Vander JF. Am J Ophthalmol. 2019 Nov;207:224-231. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2019.06.008. Epub 2019 Jun 13

Dr. Guymer discusses the results of the FLUID study which investigated whether some residual sub retinal fluid can be tolerated in neovascular macular degeneration. Full reference: Tolerating Subretinal Fluid in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treated with Ranibizumab Using a Treat-and-Extend Regimen. Guymer, Robyn H.Chang, Andrew et al. Ophthalmology, Volume 126, Issue 5, 723 - 734

Dr. Soliman discusses his team's analysis of clinical predictors of low histopathology in eyes that were enucleated because of retinoblastoma. The goal of the study is to find clinical indicators in retinoblastoma that could be used to salvage eyes via eye-preserving treatment methods instead of enucleation.

Drs. Muni and Juncal discuss their case series on the level of anti-VEGF drugs and VEGF-A levels on lactating mothers who had received intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. Reference for the article: Ranibizumab and Aflibercept Levels in Breast Milk after Intravitreal Injection; Verena R. Juncal,Quratulain Paracha,Motaz Bamakrid, ,Carolina L.M. Francisconi, Julia Farah, Amin Kherani ,Rajeev H. Muni; Ophthalmology, published on line Sep.11, 2019 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2019.08.022

Dr. Dugel discusses 1 and 2 year results of HAWK and HARRIER on Brolucizumab for neovascular AMD. Full reference: Dugel, P. U., Koh, A., Ogura, Y., Jaffe, G. J., Schmidt-Erfurth, U., Brown, D. M., . . . Investigators, H. S. (2019). HAWK and HARRIER: Phase 3, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Masked Trials of Brolucizumab for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Ophthalmology. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2019.04.017

Dr. Sun discusses Protocol V results that investigated efficacy of 3 treatment approaches for DME in eyes with vision of 20/25 or better: aflibercept injections, focal laser, or observation. Reference to the publication: Baker CW, Glassman AR, Beaulieu WT, Antoszyk AN, Browning DJ, Chalam KV, Grover S, Jampol LM, Jhaveri CD8, Melia M, Stockdale CR, Martin DF, Sun JK; DRCR Retina Network. Effect of Initial Management With Aflibercept vs Laser Photocoagulation vs Observation on Vision Loss Among Patients With Diabetic Macular Edema Involving the Center of the Macula and Good Visual Acuity: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2019 Apr 29. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.5790.

Dr. Tamer Mahmoud discusses an innovative surgical method for closure of refractory macular holes using autologous retinal transplants. Full reference of the discusses article: Grewal, D. S., Charles, S., Parolini, B., Kadonosono, K., & Mahmoud, T. H. (2019). Autologous Retinal Transplant for Refractory Macular Holes: Multicenter International Collaborative Study Group. Ophthalmology. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2019.01.027

Dr. Mark Gillies from Sydney, Australia discusses 2-year results of the RIVAL Study which investigated rates of geographic atrophy and visual acuity changes in patients with wet AMD. Full reference: Gillies, M. C., Hunyor, A. P., Arnold, J. J., Guymer, R. H., Wolf, S., Ng, P., . . . McAllister, I. L. (2019). Effect of Ranibizumab and Aflibercept on Best-Corrected Visual Acuity in Treat-and-Extend for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2018.6776

Dr. Richard Rosen discusses a review of perfusion density changes (measured by OCT-Angiography) as measured before and immediately after intravitreal injections. Full reference of the article: Barash, A., Chui, T. Y. P., Garcia, P., & Rosen, R. B. (2019). Acute Macular and Peripapillary Angiographic Changes with Intravitreal Injections. Retina. doi:10.1097/IAE.0000000000002433

Dr. Peter Kertes discusses the publication of the first year results of the CANTREAT study that investigates monthly vs treat-and-extend dosing of ranibizumab for wet AMD. Full reference: Kertes, P. J., Galic, I. J., Greve, M., Williams, R. G., Rampakakis, E., Scarino, A., & Sheidow, T. (2019). Canadian Treat and Extend Analysis Trial with Ranibizumab in Patients with Neovascular Age-related Macular Disease: 1-Year Results of the Randomized CANTREAT Study. Ophthalmology. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2019.01.013

Dr. Schrag discusses his publication on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in patients who present with Central Retinal Artery Occlusion. Discussed article: Lavin, P., Patrylo, M., Hollar, M., Espaillat, K. B., Kirshner, H., & Schrag, M. (2018). Stroke Risk and Risk Factors in Patients With Central Retinal Artery Occlusion. Am J Ophthalmol, 196, 96-100. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2018.08.027

Dr. Jason Hsu discusses the review of patients with PDR who were lost to followup after limited anti-VEGF or PRP treatment and returned for treatment after at least 6 mo. Full reference: Obeid, A., Su, D., Patel, S. N., Uhr, J. H., Borkar, D., Gao, X., . . . Hsu, J. (2018). Outcomes of Eyes Lost to Follow-up with Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy That Received Panretinal Photocoagulation versus Intravitreal Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor. Ophthalmology. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2018.07.027

Drs. Muni and Hillier discuss the results of the PIVOT study that prospectively compared results of pneumatic retinopexy vs. pars plana vitrectomy for repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. This podcast episode is simulcast with the online appearance of the article. Full reference: Hillier, R. J., Felfeli, T., Berger, A. R., Wong, D. T., Altomare, F., Dai, D., . . . Muni, R. H. (2018). The Pneumatic Retinopexy versus Vitrectomy for the Management of Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Outcomes Randomized Trial (PIVOT). Ophthalmology. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2018.11.014

Professor Robyn Guymer from Melbourne, Australia discusses results of the LEAD trial that investigated the use of nanopulase laser for dry AMD. Full reference of the article: Guymer, R. H., Wu, Z., Hodgson, L. A. B., Caruso, E., Brassington, K. H., Tindill, N., . . . Laser Intervention in Early Stages of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Study, G. (2018). Subthreshold Nanosecond Laser Intervention in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The LEAD Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Ophthalmology. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2018.09.015

Dr. Ozkok describes his publication on the association of Red Blood Cells Distribution Width (RDW) and vision in patients with Central or Branch Retina Vein Occlusion. Full Reference of the article: Ozkok, A., Nesmith, B. L. W., & Schaal, S. (2018). Association of Red Cell Distribution Width Values with Vision Potential in Retinal Vein Occlusion. Ophthalmology Retina, 2(6), 582-586. doi:10.1016/j.oret.2017.09.018

Dr. Jennifer Sun discusses 5-year results of DRCR.net Protocol S that investigated outcomes of treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy using traditional PRP laser vs intravitreal ranibizumab injections. Full reference: Gross, J. G., Glassman, A. R., Liu, D., Sun, J. K., Antoszyk, A. N., Baker, C. W., . . . Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research, N. (2018). Five-Year Outcomes of Panretinal Photocoagulation vs Intravitreous Ranibizumab for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2018.3255 Please leave your comments in iTunes or send them to [email protected]

Dr. Camiel Boon from Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) and Amsterdam University Medical Centers in Amsterdam discusses the results of his research work on the comparison of half-dose PDT vs micropulse laser to treat central serous chorioretinopathy. Full reference of the discussed article: van Dijk, E. H. C., Fauser, S., Breukink, M. B., Blanco-Garavito, R., Groenewoud, J. M. M., Keunen, J. E. E., . . . Boon, C. J. F. (2018). Half-Dose Photodynamic Therapy versus High-Density Subthreshold Micropulse Laser Treatment in Patients with Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy: The PLACE Trial. Ophthalmology. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2018.04.021

Dr. Chakravarthy from Belfast, UK discusses a secondary analysis of the IVAN Trial to compare effects of intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy on serum VEGF levels with possible trends in system adverse events in the context of wet AMD. Full reference: Chris A.Rogers, Lauren J.Scott, Barnaby C.Reeves, Susan Downes, Andrew J.Lotery, Andrew D.Dick, Usha Chakravarthy for IVAN trial investigators, Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Levels in the IVAN Trial; Relationships with Drug, Dosing, and Systemic Serious Adverse Events, Ophthalmology Retina, Feb. 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.oret.2017.05.015

Dr. Charles Wykoff discusses results of DRCR protocol T ancillary study on plasma free VEGF concentrations after different intravitreal anti-VEGF injections for diabetic macular edema. Full reference of the discussed article: Jampol, L. M., A. R. Glassman, D. Liu, L. P. Aiello, N. M. Bressler, E. J. Duh, S. Quaggin, et al. "Plasma Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Concentrations after Intravitreous Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapy for Diabetic Macular Edema." Ophthalmology (Mar 7 2018).

Dr. Sean Adrean discusses his retrospective analysis of patients with wet AMD who had over 50 anti-VEGF injections. Full reference of the discussed article: Adrean, S. D., S. Chaili, H. Ramkumar, A. Pirouz, and S. Grant. "Consistent Long-Term Therapy of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Managed by 50 or More Anti-Vegf Injections Using a Treat-Extend-Stop Protocol." Ophthalmology (Feb 10 2018).

Dr. Mark Humayun discusses the results of his team's work on implantation of RPE stems cells placed on a bioengineered surface for dry AMD. Full reference of the article: Kashani, A. H., Lebkowski, J. S., Rahhal, F. M., Avery, R. L., Salehi-Had, H., Dang, W., . . . Humayun, M. S. (2018). A bioengineered retinal pigment epithelial monolayer for advanced, dry age-related macular degeneration. Sci Transl Med, 10(435). doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.aao4097

Dr. David Almeida discusses the result of his group's large retrospective analysis of management and outcomes of 40 cases of endophthalmitis from over 258,000 intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. Full reference: Xu, K., Chin, E. K., Bennett, S. R., Williams, D. F., Ryan, E. H., Dev, S., . . . Almeida, D. R. P. (2018). Endophthalmitis after Intravitreal Injection of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Inhibitors: Management and Visual Outcomes. Ophthalmology. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2018.01.022

Dr. Rajeev Muni describes the results of his research on the correlation of cytokine levels (VEGF, ICAM, etc) and the anatomical response to intravitreal ranibizumab for the treatment of diabetic macular edema. Full reference of the article: Hillier, R. J., Ojaimi, E., Wong, D. T., Mak, M. Y. K., Berger, A. R., Kohly, R. P., . . . Muni, R. H. (2018). Aqueous Humor Cytokine Levels and Anatomic Response to Intravitreal Ranibizumab in Diabetic Macular Edema. JAMA Ophthalmol. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2018.0179 Please send leave your comments in iTunes or send to [email protected]

Dr. SriniVas Sadda discusses development of macular atrophy in an analysis of HARBOR Study which investigated treatment of wet AMD using 0.5 mg and 2.0 mg of Ranibizumab dosing. Full reference of the discussed article: Sadda, S. R., Tuomi, L. L., Ding, B., Fung, A. E., & Hopkins, J. J. (2018). Macular Atrophy in the HARBOR Study for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Ophthalmology. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2017.12.026

Dr. David Brown discusses his recent article in Ophthalmology about the role of targeted peripheral retinal laser photocoagulation to lower the treatment burden for diabetic macular edema. Full reference of the article: Brown, D. M., Ou, W. C., Wong, T. P., Kim, R. Y., Croft, D. E., Wykoff, C. C., & Group, D. S. (2018). Targeted Retinal Photocoagulation for Diabetic Macular Edema with Peripheral Retinal Nonperfusion: Three-Year Randomized DAVE Trial. Ophthalmology. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2017.11.026

Dr. M. Ali Khan describes his article on the long term outcomes of 27-gauge vitrectomy for 390 eyes. Full reference of the articles is: Khan, M. A., Kuley, A., Riemann, C. D., Berrocal, M. H., Lakhanpal, R. R., Hsu, J., . . . Regillo, C. D. (2017). Long-Term Visual Outcomes and Safety Profile of 27-Gauge Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Posterior Segment Disease. Ophthalmology. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2017.09.013 Please leave your comments on iTunes or via [email protected]

Dr. Chirag Shah discusses his pilot randomized clinical trial on the application of YAG Vitreolysis to reduce symptoms of floaters associated with Weiss ring. The full reference of the discussed article is: Shah, C. P., & Heier, J. S. (2017). YAG Laser Vitreolysis vs Sham YAG Vitreolysis for Symptomatic Vitreous Floaters: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Ophthalmol, 135(9), 918-923. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2017.2388 Please leave your feedback and comments in iTunes or via [email protected].

Dr. Raj Maturi from DRCR.net discusses final results of the DRCR.net protocol U, which investigated addition of Dexamethasone implant to ranibizumab for the treatment of persistent diabetic macular edema. The full reference of the article is: Maturi, R. K., Glassman, A. R., Liu, D., Beck, R. W., Bhavsar, A. R., Bressler, N. M., . . . Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research, N. (2017). Effect of Adding Dexamethasone to Continued Ranibizumab Treatment in Patients With Persistent Diabetic Macular Edema: A DRCR Network Phase 2 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2017.4914 Please send your comments to [email protected]

Dr. Charlie Wykoff describes the treat-and-extend (TREX) approach for the treatment of wet AMD. He then explains the study design and the 3-year results of the TREX-AMD trial. The full reference of the article is: Wykoff, C. C., Ou, W. C., Croft, D. E., Payne, J. F., Brown, D. M., Clark, W. L., . . . Group, T.-A. S. (2017). Neovascular age-related macular degeneration management in the third year: final results from the TREX-AMD randomised trial. Br J Ophthalmol. doi:10.1136/bjophthalmol-2017-310822 Please leave your comments in the iTunes show description or email to: [email protected]

Dr. Robert Devenyi discusses the 5-year safety and performance results of the Argus II retinal prosthesis implant. He also share his own experience with the device including surgical steps and patient outcomes. The episode logo reflects the retinal images of the 11 devices that he has implanted so far. The full reference of the article is: da Cruz, L., et al. (2016). "Five-Year Safety and Performance Results from the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System Clinical Trial." Ophthalmology 123(10): 2248-2254. Please send your comments to: [email protected].

Dr. Brian Ballios uses his expertise to talk about the article titled "Autologous Induced Stem-Cell–Derived Retinal Cells for Macular Degeneration" by Mandai et al. The article reports use of induced pluripotent stems to culture and transplant Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells in a patient with advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration. The full reference to the article: Autologous Induced Stem-Cell–Derived Retinal Cells for Macular Degeneration, Mandai M, Watanabe A, Kurimoto Y, Hirami Y, Morinaga C, Daimon T, Fujihara M, Akimaru H, Sakai N, Shibata Y, Terada M, Nomiya Y, Tanishima S, Nakamura M, Kamao H, Sugita S, Onishi A, Ito T, Fujita K, Kawamata S, Go MJ, Shinohara C, Hata KI, Sawada M, Yamamoto M, Ohta S, Ohara Y, Yoshida K, Kuwahara J, Kitano Y, Amano N, Umekage M, Kitaoka F, Tanaka A, Okada C, Takasu N, Ogawa S, Yamanaka S, Takahashi M., N Engl J Med. 2017 Mar 16;376(11):1038-1046. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1608368. I would appreciate all comments and suggestions: [email protected]

Dr. Amin Kherani discusses the Clarity study which compares use of intravitreal aflibercept injections versus PRP laser for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. We also briefly discuss DRCR.net protocol S results that compare intravitreal ranibizumab versus PRP laser for the same indication. Full reference of the Clarity article: Clinical efficacy of intravitreal aflibercept versus panretinal photocoagulation for best corrected visual acuity in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy at 52 weeks (CLARITY): a multicentre, single-blinded, randomised, controlled, phase 2b, non-inferiority trial. Sivaprasad, SobhaBhatnagar, A et al. The Lancet , Volume 389 , Issue 10085 , 2193 - 2203 DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(17)31193-5