The Lens Newsletter: November 19, 2025

Too busy to read the Lens? Listen to our weekly summary here! In this week’s episode we discuss...Antiviral therapy can significantly reduce the high recurrence rates of cytomegalovirus-associated anterior uveitisRates of undiagnosed age-related eye diseases are relatively high among the elderly population in Singapore and associated with poorer outcomesA new study shows that antidepressants are associated with a decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration onset and progressionSPP1+ cells’ interaction with macrophages may reveal a key to understanding uveal melanoma metastasisSocial determinants of health impact the likelihood of obtaining a yearly eye examination in the United States

Too busy to read the Lens? Listen to our weekly summary here! In this week’s episode we discuss...Nearly half of childhood glaucoma surgeries in a new IRIS analysis failed, with younger age, higher IOP, poorer visual acuity, active uveitis, and heavier medication use as predictors for failure.Diabetes does not impair endothelial outcomes at one year, supporting greater inclusion of transplant donors with diabetes and widening the pool of corneal tissue availability.Statins may be beneficial in slowing age related macular degeneration progression in type 2 diabetics with dyslipidemia.Anti-mRNA-184 in vivo and vitro models reveal significantly faster corneal epithelial wound healing, turnover, and migration.

Too busy to read the Lens? Listen to our weekly summary here! In this week’s episode we discuss:The risk of postoperative endophthalmitis after cataract surgery is significantly greater in eyes with uveitis, corticosteroid use, and immunosuppressant use.Pediatric patients who undergo lensectomy for traumatic cataracts have low likelihood of achieving age-normal visual acuity, with nearly 50% requiring a secondary surgery for visual axis opacification. Fishing-related ocular injuries are on the decline, however they continue to be a large cause of corneal abrasions, contusions, and intraocular foreign bodies. Fishhooks and lures are the most common culprits.

Too busy to read the Lens? Listen to our weekly summary here! In this week’s episode we discuss:The incidence of sports-related orbital fractures in the U.S. has remained stable over the past decade, with baseball, cycling, and softball as leading causes.GLP-1 receptor agonist use in non-diabetic patients who are overweight or obese reduces risk of developing dry AMD.Changes in cup-to-disc ratio alone are unreliable for predicting glaucoma progression.Metformin protects against developing primary open-angle glaucoma in adults aged 40 years and older with diabetes.

Too busy to read the Lens? Listen to our weekly summary here! In this week’s episode we discuss:Pre-exposure prophylaxis nucleoside and nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors found to be associated with an increased risk of primary open angle glaucoma.New study finds additional systemic drugs that could increase patient risk of macular toxicity.Retinopathy of prematurity is found to have a place-based association with a child’s neighborhood as measured by the childhood opportunity index.

Too busy to read the Lens? Listen to our weekly summary here! In this week’s episode we discuss…Corticosteroids and DMARDs together were found to be superior to corticosteroids alone in treating non-anterior sarcoid uveitis. Thousands of Americans have come to the ED over the past few years for pickleball-related ocular traumas, suggesting eye protection could be beneficial in this sport. Glaucoma is associated with sleep-wake and Circadian rhythm disorders, likely secondary to damage to the RGCs and optic nerve causing irregular regulation of sleep-wake physiology.Novel statin nanoparticles injected intravenously can preserve and even double cone photoreceptors in retinitis pigmentosa mouse models by reducing inflammation.

Too busy to read the Lens? Listen to our weekly summary here! In this week’s episode we discuss…A cohort study of NASA astronauts found that those who developed spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome during one long-duration mission were highly likely to develop it again on subsequent missions.Strabismus surgery is undervalued by Medicare, as evidenced by a surgical cost analysis underscoring the need for fair compensation to address the growing shortage of strabismus surgeons and ensure patient access to care.For acute acquired comitant esotropia, augmented medial rectus recession surgery achieved significantly better long-term eye alignment, fusion, and quality-of-life outcomes than botulinum toxin A injection.

In this episode, Dr. Sandra Lora Cremers joins us to explore the rising prevalence of dry eye disease and its impact on patients. We discuss how modern lifestyles and screen use are changing ocular surface health, the early warning signs not to overlook, simple and effective prevention strategies, and the innovative treatments shaping the future of dry eye care.

Too busy to read the Lens? Listen to our weekly summary here! In this week’s episode we discuss:Cultured corneal endothelial cell transplants maintained clear corneas and vision for up to 10 years, offering a scalable alternative to donor tissue.Long-term atropine use for myopia control showed no increased risk of cataract, glaucoma, or maculopathy in a nationwide cohort.Patients with giant cell arteritis had higher 5-year risks of aortic aneurysm and carotid stenosis, especially those with visual symptoms.Higher omega-3 fatty acid levels were linked to a significantly lower risk of developing primary open-angle glaucoma.

In this episode, Dr. David J Palmer, MD joins us as we dive into the topic of sustainability in ophthalmology. We explore three of the most environmentally pressing issues in ophthalmology today and hear about various studies, organizations, and resources that support efforts to make ophthalmology greener.