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The study compared visual, refractive, and patient-reported outcomes following implantation of enVista Envy and the enVista monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) in cataract surgery patients.

Study assessing Bausch + Lomb's enVista Envy IOLs meets all primary end points

The lens will be available to order on September 17 in the US.

HOYA launches VisuPro lenses for younger presbyopes

The lesion area growth was reduced by more than 50% in its first human clinical trial of K8.

Inflammasome inhibitor found to reduce GA lesion area growth in clinical study

The beauty of this conference is its collaborative and comprehensive nature. 

EyeCon 2025: A comprehensive tour of the eye for the comprehensive ophthalmologist/optometrist

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Abnormalities in the amygdala causing eye contact avoidance, and dorsal visual stream dysfunction remain some of the theories regarding autism and poor eye tracking.

Autism and poor eye tracking: Theories and recommendations for optometrists

Recently reported results showed that longer-term use of atropine to treat myopia in schoolchildren was associated with a higher risk of development of ocular complications. The study, led by first author Yao-Lin Liu, MD, noted that this risk may be confounded by myopia severity and warrants further investigation. Liu is associated with the Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, and the Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, both in Taipei, Taiwan.

The investigators published their findings in 

Because of the increasing prevalence of myopia, investigators worldwide are searching for ways to control the vision-threatening epidemic.

Liu and colleagues commented, “Slowing myopia progression by just 1 diopter might reduce the likelihood of developing myopic maculopathy by 40%,

 underscoring the potential importance of preventive strategies.

 Atropine has been shown to reduce the risk of myopic progression in some studies but not others."

In addition, the drug’s long-term safety is uncertain without studies with relatively long durations of follow-up, and a gap remains between clinical trials and practice.

The researchers conducted a retrospective, population-based cohort study using longitudinal data from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database (2000-2021). They collected data on the prescription of atropine.

The study included children aged 8 to 15 years with newly diagnosed myopia; the study also included matched children without myopia in the period between 2001 and 2015.

The goal was to determine the ocular risks associated with atropine prescription in clinical practice for myopia control in Taiwanese children. The children were categorized by the cumulative duration and dose of the drug.

The main outcomes were the diagnoses of cataracts, primary open-angle glaucoma, and maculopathy during the observation period. The incidence rates of ocular complications after a minimum 5-year follow-up period were reported.

This large study included 1,213,846 Taiwanese children (mean ± standard deviation) age at myopia diagnosis, 10.4 ± 1.9 years; 633,440 [52.2%] female). Of them, 606,923 children had myopia, and 406,383 (67.0%) were prescribed atropine.

“The incidence of ocular complications (cataracts, glaucoma, and maculopathy) was higher in the myopia group (1.54/10,000 person-years) compared with the nonmyopia group (0.96/10,000 person-years; adjusted HR [aHR], 1.49; 95% CI, 1.36-1.64),” they reported.

A comparison of the incidence of ocular complications between children with myopia who were treated with atropine and those who were not showed no difference between the users and nonusers (both 1.54/10,000 person-year; aHR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.93-1.18).

The investigators did see an increased risk of development of ocular complications in children who used atropine for longer than 3 years (aHR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.17-1.94). However, they pointed out, this trend was not present in children with high myopia (aHR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.56-2.19). No increased risk was found among children with the highest quartile of cumulative atropine dose (aHR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.89-1.25).

Liu and colleagues concluded, “This study found that longer-term atropine prescription for myopia control was associated with an increased risk of ocular complications among school-aged children; however, this risk may be confounded primarily by myopia severity and warrants further investigation. Notably, this study did not find an association of cumulative doses of atropine with an increased incidence of ocular complications. The risk of ocular complications from myopia may exceed that associated with long-term atropine use. These findings support monitoring of children receiving atropine for myopia treatment if these results are confirmed by future studies that address the limitations of this investigation.”

Liu Y-L, Tsai J-T, Chiu K-Y, et al. Ocular risks of topical atropine prescriptions among Taiwanese children. 

 2025; published online September 11. doi: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2025.3090

Bullimore MA, Brennan NA. Myopia control: why each diopter matters. 

Bullimore MA, Ritchey ER, Shah S, Leveziel N, Bourne RRA, Flitcroft DI. The risks and benefits of myopia control. 

Shih YF, Chen CH, Chou AC, Ho TC, Lin LLK, Hung PT. Effects of different concentrations of atropine on controlling myopia in myopic children. 

Chua WH, Balakrishnan V, Chan YH, et al. Atropine for the treatment of childhood myopia. 

Chia A, Chua WH, Cheung YB, et al. Atropine for the treatment of childhood myopia: safety and efficacy of 0.5%, 0.1%, and 0.01% doses (Atropine for the Treatment of Myopia 2). 

Chia A, Lu QS, Tan D. Five-year clinical trial on Atropine for the Treatment of Myopia 2: myopia control with atropine 0.01% eyedrops. 

Repka MX, Weise KK, Chandler DL, et al; Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group. Low-dose 0.01% atropine eye drops vs placebo for myopia control: a randomized clinical trial. 

Zadnik K, Schulman E, Flitcroft I, et al; CHAMP Trial Group Investigators. Efficacy and safety of 0.01% and 0.02% atropine for the treatment of pediatric myopia progression over 3 years: a randomized clinical trial.

Zhang XJ, Zhang Y, Yip BHK, et al. Five-year clinical trial of the Low-Concentration Atropine for Myopia Progression (LAMP) study: phase 4 report. 

Loughman J, Lingham G, Nkansah EK, Kobia-Acquah E, Flitcroft DI. Efficacy and safety of different atropine regimens for the treatment of myopia in children: three-year results of the MOSAIC randomized clinical trial. 

Long-term atropine use to treat myopia associated with increased risk of ocular complication in schoolchildren in Taiwan

New research from The Vision Council was published in part of a 2-part report that combined a global analysis of pediatric myopia treatment strategies with a survey of US eye care providers.

 The report, Focused inSights 2025: Myopia Management, reported that the majority of providers value proactive screening and adopting myopia management into their practice to combat myopia, according to a news release.

“This dual-format report provides both a global and a local lens on myopia management,” said Alysse Henkel, vice president of Research and inSights at The Vision Council, in the release. “It’s clear from the survey that US eyecare providers take myopia seriously, but they also face challenges in making care affordable and ensuring families understand the importance of treatment. By also including an international analysis of treatment options and regulatory environments, this report offers a comprehensive view of where childhood myopia care stands today, and where it is headed.”

The report also unveiled how treatment options may differ across regions, how regulatory environments shape access, and how US clinicians are approaching diagnosis, management, and patient education. Additionally, a total of 293 optometrists, practice owners, and managers were involved in the survey from June 16 to July 4, 2026, in order to assess how myopia management is implemented in US practices.

In examining regulatory approvals and product availability across the US, Canada, the UK, and the EU, 4 treatment categories were developed in the form of low-dose atropine drops, myopia control spectacle lenses, multifocal or dual-focus daily soft contact lenses, and orthokeratology.

 “The study highlights uneven adoption across markets, recent milestones such as the EU’s approval of Ryjunea atropine drops, and France’s move to fully reimburse myopia control spectacle lenses,” the release stated.

As for the US providers, 91% reported that they recommend myopia screenings at least once a year, with approximately 70% stating that they offer myopia management for children in their practice. In the US, MiSight contact lenses were the most frequently prescribed for myopia management at 81%, with motivations for treatment being slowing the progression of myopia (78%), reducing complication risks (78%), and improving long-term eye health (71%).

Additionally, risk factors identified by eye care providers include excessive screen time (82%), genetics (82%), and limited outdoor activity (77%). Challenges in treatment were cost (86%), parental understanding (56%), and patient adherence (49%).

The Vision Council releases new report on myopia treatment trends. News release. The Vision Council. September 9, 2025. Accessed September 11, 2025. 

https://thevisioncouncil.org/blog/vision-council-releases-new-report-myopia-treatment-trends

A total of 293 optometrists, practice owners, and managers were involved in the survey.

Myopia treatment trends outlined in The Vision Council's recent report

A new study tackled the topic of drusen regression without accompanying atrophy and forwarded the “drusen ooze” hypothesis to explain this phenomenon (ie, that the content of the drusen moves to the subretinal space through defects in the retinal pigment epithelium [RPE]), which may explain 

 reported Jordi Monés, MD, PhD. He is affiliated with the Institut de la Macula, Centro Medico Teknon, and the Barcelona Macula Foundation, both in Barcelona, and the John A Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City.

He and his colleagues explained that although great strides have been made in the understanding of the biologic processes that precede the development of atrophy of RPE and photoreceptors, they recognized a subset of atrophy that results from the collapse of soft drusen, marking a crucial stage in disease progression.

“Although considerable attention has been focused on elucidating the mechanisms underlying drusen collapse and subsequent atrophy, a curious phenomenon has been poorly explained: drusen regression without accompanying atrophy. Despite its well-documented occurrence, it lacks a comprehensive explanation,

They conducted this study to determine how often and why spontaneous soft drusen regresses without atrophy (DRwoA) in patients who had intermediate or atrophic age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The investigators retrospectively reviewed images from 640 consecutive eyes of 320 patients who had been followed for 2 years or longer. Among these, 427 eyes of 262 patients were identified who had intermediate or atrophic AMD and no present or past exudative AMD.

The main outcome measures were DRwoA with integrity of the RPE and repositioning over Bruch membrane; DCwA in the same area simultaneously referred to as “sentinel” DCwA; and the reversibility of features of incomplete RPE, outer retinal atrophy (iRORA), and the areas (“halos”) of DRwoA around the sentinel drusen.

Evaluation of the images obtained from the 427 eyes identified 53 occurrences of DRwoA, representing 24.17% of the eyes with soft drusen. In 50 of the cases (94.33%), a nearby sentinel DCwA was seen. In 58% of the cases, a well-identifiable halo of drusen disappearance around the sentinel DCwA was clearly visible, the investigators reported.

A previous study theorized that “drusen formation and reabsorption are dynamic processes that can occur concurrently in the macula.

In addition, the potential prognostic implications of drusen regression and its therapeutic implications for macular alteration have been pointed out."

Monés and colleagues explained that the most accepted hypothesis for the disappearance of drusen material during drusen regression “is reduced secretion by altered RPE, especially when it dies, causing it to stop producing drusen material and leading to the collapse of the drusen."

Those authors reported in a separate study that “RPE cells on the drusen apex either migrate into the retina or die, and the drusen collapses because the RPE is not present to maintain it.”

However, Monés and colleagues countered that the hypothesis does not explain drusen regression with the disappearance of drusen material with normal underlying RPE.

In the study under discussion, they identified a clear spatial and time relationship with DRwoA and DCwA, with at least 96% of the DRwoA having a close DCwA, and they occurred simultaneously, they said, indicating that both phenomena are related.

They explained further that in small soft drusen the connection may occur via a thin layer of drusen material, making the passage of material between drusen plausible, especially in low-density soft drusen, which has high fluid content, as represented by the drusenoid pigment epithelium detachment (PED) formed by coalescing drusen and accompanying surrounding soft drusen.

“The DRwoA around a collapsing drusenoid PED with atrophy is a typical phenomenon that can be observed in almost every case in daily practice to some extent. In drusen that will undergo DCwA, there invariably is an RPE defect at the apex of the drusen. This defect is a constant preceding stage in which hyperreflective dots are seen.

 On the other hand, this RPE defect allows the connection between the sub-RPE drusen material and the subretinal space and the inner retina circulation. A plausible pathway for this material could be via the deep vascular complex of the retina, especially given the way-out challenges of the thickened Bruch's membrane.”

Monés and colleagues previously reported features suggesting movement of drusen material into the subretinal space through defects in the RPE above the drusen, which they referred to as “drusen ooze.” Both the presence of the same isoreflective material on both sides of the RPE, through the RPE defects accompanying the hyperreflective dots, and heterogeneous hyperreflectivity in the drusen, suggested the movement of material from the drusen to the subretinal space.

Although they advised that the drusen ooze hypothesis is not intended to replace established mechanisms such as RPE cell death, macrophage involvement, and glial activation, it presents a complementary perspective, especially in cases with high fluid, low-density soft drusen.

Monés J, Pagani F, Santamaria JF, et al. Spontaneous soft drusen regression without atrophy and the drusen ooze. 

https://www.ophthalmologyretina.org/article/S2468-6530(25)00093-4/fulltext

Klein R, Klein BE, Tomany SC, et al. Ten-year incidence and progression of age-related maculopathy: the Beaver Dam eye study. 

Bressler NM, Munoz B, Maguire MG, et al. Five-year incidence and disappearance of drusen and retinal pigment epithelial abnormalities. Waterman study. 

Sparrow JM, Dickinson AJ, Duke AM, et al. Seven year follow-up of age-related maculopathy in an elderly British population. 

Sallo FB, Rechtman E, Peto T, et al. Functional aspects of drusen regression in age-related macular degeneration. 

Yehoshua Z, Wang F, Rosenfeld PJ, et al. Natural history of drusen morphology in age-related macular degeneration using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. 

Curcio CA. Soft drusen in age-related macular degeneration: biology and targeting via the oil spill strategies. 

Curcio CA, Zanzottera EC, Ach T, et al. Activated retinal pigment epithelium, an optical coherence tomography biomarker for progression in age-related macular degeneration. 

Schuman SG, Koreishi AF, Farsiu S, et al. Photoreceptor layer thinning over drusen in eyes with age-related macular degeneration imaged in vivo with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. 

Ouyang Y, Heussen FM, Hariri A, et al. Optical coherence tomography-based observation of the natural history of drusenoid lesion in eyes with dry age-related macular degeneration. 

Researchers conducted this study to determine how often and why spontaneous soft drusen regresses without atrophy in patients who had intermediate or atrophic age-related macular degeneration.

New study examines soft drusen regression without atrophy and drusen ooze

Panelists discuss how to perform corneal sensitivity testing using methods ranging from cotton swabs to the more quantitative Brill esthesiometer, emphasizing that testing should become routine practice.

Assessing NK Corneal Sensitivity

Video content above is prompted by the following: 

Multiple approaches exist for assessing corneal sensitivity, ranging from simple qualitative methods to sophisticated quantitative instruments. Francis Mah, MD, advocates for the cotton-tipped applicator (Q-tip) method due to its universal availability and ease of use, making it accessible in any clinical setting. Although this approach provides qualitative rather than quantitative results, its simplicity ensures that practitioners can consistently incorporate sensitivity testing into their routine examinations without requiring specialized equipment.

Lauren McLoughlin, OD, utilizes both traditional cotton swab testing and the more advanced Brill noncontact esthesiometer, which offers 5 distinct sensitivity levels. The quantitative instrument provides value in detecting early NK through its ability to identify hypersensitive patients (those feeling level 1, which normal patients shouldn't detect) and definitively diagnose desensitization (patients not feeling levels 4 or 5). This graduated approach allows for more precise staging and monitoring of NK progression over time.

The critical message transcends the specific method chosen: The importance lies in consistently thinking about and performing corneal sensitivity testing. Whether using cotton swabs, dental floss, or sophisticated instruments, the key is establishing a routine practice of sensitivity assessment. This systematic approach enables early detection of NK, which significantly improves patient outcomes through timely intervention and appropriate treatment selection.

Video Series

A team of professors and researchers at the University of Houston has recently been awarded over $3.6 million by the National Institutes of Health’s National Eye Institute to investigate a gene in the eye that is crucial for normal vision but, when mutated, can cause retinal diseases that often lead to blindness. The gene, peripherin 2, has more than 300 variants when mutated as 

, which can cause diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and macula-predominant disorders, including pattern dystrophy, cone-rod dystrophy, and several forms of macular degeneration, according to a news release.

When functioning properly, peripherin 2 is known to provide instructions for making a protein that shapes the outer segment of photoreceptor cells in the retina.

“We want to understand how defects with the 

gene lead to eye diseases,” said Muna Naash, PhD, John S. Dunn Endowed Professor of Biomedical Engineering, in the release. “Our main objective is to uncover the mechanisms underlying 

-associated pathology, with a focus on its roles in rods and cones, the 2 types of photoreceptor cells in the retina.”

Naash will be working alongside Muayyad Al-Ubaidi, MD, John & Rebecca Moores Professor of Biomedical Engineering. “We will also examine how these cells are built and organized, and how proteins are transported to their outer segments,” said Naash in the release.

The release also noted that the underlying mechanisms of PRPH2 are not currently well understood. Additionally, with so many mutations of the gene linked to eye diseases, 

is a research topic of concern for developing gene therapy.

“Despite considerable scientific advancement, there are still no clinically viable therapeutic options for 

retinal diseases,” Al-Ubaidi said in the release. “Gaining a thorough grasp of the mechanisms associated with 

diseases is crucial for designing effective therapies.”

Al-Ubaidi and Naash will be conducting their research by developing experimental models and various therapeutic platforms that will allow for the evaluation of disease mechanisms and test therapeutic strategies for 

“Our focus is to further explore the biochemical properties of 

 and its key binding partner, retinal OS membrane protein 1,” said Naash in the release. “This will aid our understanding of the precise mechanisms governing 

's involvement in rod and cone outer segment rim formation, an elusive goal that has long hindered the development of effective therapies.”

Fickman L. University of Houston Biomedical Engineering researchers awarded $3.6 million to examine retinal diseases and blindness. University of Houston. September 10, 2025. Accessed September 10, 2025. 

https://www.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2025/september/09102025-biomedical-research-grant.php

Researchers will investigate a gene in the eye that is crucial for normal vision, but can cause retinal diseases when mutated that often lead to blindness.

University of Houston researchers receive $3.6 million to examine retinal diseases 

Alcon has announced its launch of the first fully personalized LASIK treatment, wavelight plus, in the US and Canada.

 The new treatment utilizes ray tracing technology through the Sightmap diagnostic device, which considers a patient’s individual eye shape and vision needs, according to a news release.

wavelight plus was first launched in China, with several European and Asia-Pacific markets following suit. The commercial launch in Canada is late 2025.

“wavelight plus marks an exciting new chapter in Alcon’s journey to provide personalized precision in laser eye surgery,” said Sergio Duplan, Alcon senior vice president and president, Americas, in the release. “For the first time, surgeons in the US and Canada will have the opportunity to deliver a fully tailored refractive treatment that takes into account the unique features of each patient’s eyes.”

By using over 100,000 data points, wavelight plus works to create a 3D model, or “Digital Eye Twin,” of each patient’s eyes with a combination of ocular wavefront, biometry, and corneal tomography measurements. The 3D model then guides a highly personalized procedure with the goal of improving visual acuity and correcting more complex vision problems, according to Alcon. Additionally, the measurements are completed without nomogram input, which streamlines planning time.

“Patients come to my practice with increasingly high expectations for their vision after surgery. With wavelight plus, I can now offer a premium, personalized treatment with a high probability of achieving visual outcomes surpassing 20/20 vision, and even pushing the boundary of visual possibilities,” said Mark Lobanoff, MD, refractive surgeon and CEO of OVO LASIK + LENS in St Louis Park, Minnesota, in the release. “This not only benefits my patients but also provides my colleagues and me with streamlined surgical planning and exceptional diagnostics through the Sightmap.”

Real-world clinical evidence supports the efficacy of the new treatment, with 200 patients undergoing wavelight plus LASIK involved in the study. Specific findings reported 100% of myopic eyes achieving uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/20 at 3 months, 89% of myopic eyes achieving postoperative UDVA of 20/16, and 50% achieving 20/12.5 at 3 months. Additionally, 98% of eyes achieved postoperative UDVA within 1 line of their preoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) by 3 months, and 94% achieved the same or better CDVA than their preoperative CDVA by 3 months.

“I’m excited to offer my patients ray tracing LASIK, a significant advancement in refractive technology that delivers better results than standard LASIK,” said Raymond Stein, MD, FRCSC, DABO, medical director of the Bochner Eye Institute and professor of ophthalmology at the University of Toronto, in the release. “With this next-generation technology, I can deliver highly personalized refractive surgery, precisely tailored to the unique optical system of each individual. It’s incredibly rewarding to help my patients achieve the lifestyle they want while advancing my practice to the forefront of ophthalmic care.”

Alcon announces first fully personalized LASIK treatment with wavelight plus in the US and Canada. News release. Alcon. September 9, 2025. Accessed September 10, 2025. 

https://www.alcon.com/media-release/alcon-announces-first-fully-personalized-lasik-treatment-wavelight-plus-us-and-canada/

He G, Bala C. Ray-tracing-guided myopic LASIK: real-world clinical outcomes. 

Kanellopoulos AJ, Maus M, Bala C, et al. International multicenter, myopic and myopic Astigmatism femto LASIK, customized by automated ray-tracing ablation profile calculation: A post market study. 

wavelight plus was first launched in China, with several European and Asia-Pacific markets following suit.

Maureen Oyaide-Ofenor, OD, MSc, PVT

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