Controversies, Consensuses and Guidelines on Etiology, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Future Developments of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration (nAMD) by the Asia-Pacific Vitreo-retina Society (APVRS), the Asia-Pacific Ocular Imaging Society (APOIS) and the Academy of the Asia-Pacific Professors of Ophthalmology (AAPPO).

Neovascular age-related degeneration (nAMD) is one of the leading causes of visual impairment in older populations in the developed world. With the aging population, the incidence of nAMD is growing globally. Despite advancements in diagnostic investigations and treatment modalities over the past three decades, there remains considerable controversies in the pathogenesis, classification and optimal management strategies.

Treatment of central serous chorioretinopathy: new options for an old disease.

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a common ocular disease that causes vision loss, particularly in people of working age. Although it was first described over a century ago, research has expanded in recent years, transforming the understanding and management of this complex condition. Here, we propose clinical recommendations for the treatment and management of CSC, based on evidence from the published literature and the consensus of an international group of retinal experts.

Comparison of intraocular pressure elevation following intravitreal injection of 70 µl aflibercept 8 mg.

Purpose: To assess the effect of increased injection volume on intraocular pressure (IOP) following intravitreal injections of aflibercept 8 mg (70 µl) compared to conventional anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs.

Study Design: Retrospective observational study METHODS: This retrospective observational study included eyes treated with 50 µl of either aflibercept 2 mg or faricimab 6 mg, followed by a switch to 70 µl of aflibercept 8 mg. IOP was measured before and 30 minutes after intravitreal injections.

Factors predictive of treatment outcomes in submacular hemorrhage secondary to age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To identify predictors for visual outcomes of eyes with submacular hemorrhage (SMH) secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Study Design: Retrospective observational study.

Methods: Clinical data from patients diagnosed with SMH secondary to nAMD and treated with pneumatic displacement were collected.

Analysis of Serum microRNAs During the Development of Experimental Autoimmune Uveoretinitis in Rats.

Purpose: To investigate alterations in circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in the development of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) in rats.

Methods: Lewis rats were immunized with interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP) peptide (R14) and EAU clinical scores were assessed on day 0 (baseline), and days 7, 14, and 21 after immunization. Total RNA was isolated from serum at the same timepoints and used for microarray analysis.

A post-hoc analysis of intravitreal aflibercept-treated nAMD patients from ARIES & ALTAIR: predicting treatment intervals and frequency for aflibercept treat-and-extend therapy regimen using machine learning.

Purpose: To predict potential treatment need during treat-and-extend (T&E) anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) using an artificial intelligence (AI) model trained using transfer learning.

Methods: ARIES and ALTAIR were randomized controlled Phase 3b/4 trials assessing intravitreal aflibercept (IVT-AFL) in patients with nAMD. Following treatment initiation with three monthly injections of IVT-AFL, treatment intervals were re-assessed continuously during the study based on prespecified criteria.

Demographic Features, Diagnoses and Real-World Clinical Management of Uveitis in Japan.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate demographic features, diagnoses of uveitis (intraocular inflammation), and real-world clinical practice in the use of local and systemic therapies for patients with uveitis in Tokyo, Japan.

Methods: Clinical records of 1,174 consecutive new patients (480 males, 694 females) referred to the Kyorin Eye Center, Kyorin University Hospital between January 2011 and December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Mean age at presentation was 52.

FACTORS PREDICTIVE OF PERSISTENT SUBRETINAL FLUID IN ACUTE CENTRAL SEROUS CHORIORETINOPATHY.

Purpose: To identify the clinical parameters predictive of persistent subretinal fluid in acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).

Methods: Clinical data of consecutive eyes diagnosed with first-time, acute, treatment-naïve CSC followed up for at least 6 months from symptom onset were evaluated retrospectively. Acute CSC was defined as CSC in which symptoms were noticed within 3 months of presentation.

Treatment regimens for optimising outcomes in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Practice patterns for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) have evolved from the landmark registration trials of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors. Non-monthly regimens like treat-and-extend (T&E) have become popular due to their effectiveness in clinical practice. T&E regimens attempt to limit the burden of visits and treatments by allowing progressively longer treatment intervals, but in so doing, are potentially associated with the expense of treating quiescent disease.

One-year outcomes and safety assessment of faricimab in treatment-naïve patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration in Japan.

This multicentre retrospective study evaluated the 1-year outcomes and safety profile of faricimab in treatment-naïve patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Fifty-five patients (57 eyes) underwent loading therapy comprising three monthly faricimab injections. If dryness was achieved by the third month, subsequent treat-and-extend (TAE) follow-up continued at a minimum 8-week interval thereafter.

Efficacy, durability, and safety of faricimab up to every 16 weeks in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration: 2-year results from the Japan subgroup of the phase III TENAYA trial.

Purpose: To evaluate 2-year efficacy, durability, and safety of faricimab in the TENAYA Japan subgroup and pooled global TENAYA/LUCERNE cohort of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Methods: Subgroup analysis of TENAYA/LUCERNE (NCT03823287/NCT03823300): phase III, multicentre, randomised, active comparator-controlled, double-masked, non-inferiority trials. Treatment-naïve patients aged ≥ 50 years with nAMD were randomised (1:1) to intravitreal faricimab (6.

INCIDENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF INTRAOCULAR INFLAMMATION AFTER BROLUCIZUMAB TREATMENT IN JAPAN: A Multicenter Age-Related Macular Degeneration Study.

Purpose: To investigate the incidence of intraocular inflammation (IOI) and its risk factors following intravitreal injections of brolucizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration in Japan.

Methods: A total of 1,351 Japanese consecutive patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration who were treated with brolucizumab from May 2020 to May 2022 at 14 institutions were examined. The variables analyzed were the number of brolucizumab injections, time to onset of IOI, and risk factors.

Six-month outcomes of switching from aflibercept to faricimab in refractory cases of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To assess 6-month outcomes of switching from aflibercept to faricimab in eyes with refractory neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) previously requiring monthly injections.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective study examined nAMD eyes receiving monthly aflibercept injections switched to faricimab administered monthly up to 4 injections followed by injections at a minimum of 2-month intervals as per drug labeling. Data regarding age, sex, number of previous injections, treatment intervals, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were collected.

Three-month outcomes of faricimab loading therapy for wet age-related macular degeneration in Japan.

This multicenter study aimed to assess the short-term effectiveness and safety of faricimab in treatment-naïve patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) in Japan. We retrospectively reviewed 63 eyes of 61 patients with wAMD, including types 1, 2, and 3 macular neovascularization as well as polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Patients received three consecutive monthly intravitreal injections of faricimab as loading therapy.

COVID Vaccine-Associated Uveitis.

Purpose: Following the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, different vaccines were developed and approved by the main medical authorities under emergency protocol regulations. Although highly effective and well-tolerated in most patients, vaccines can uncommonly cause ocular adverse effects. In this article, the current evidence related to vaccine-associated uveitis is reviewed.

Efficacy, durability, and safety of faricimab up to every 16 weeks in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration: 1-year results from the Japan subgroup of the phase 3 TENAYA trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the 1-year efficacy, durability, and safety of faricimab versus aflibercept in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) enrolled in the Japan subgroup of the TENAYA trial.

Study Design: TENAYA (NCT03823287) was a global, phase 3, multicenter, randomized, active comparator-controlled, double-masked, noninferiority, parallel-group, 112-week trial. After completion of global enrollment, additional patients were enrolled in the Japan extension of TENAYA.

Automated Quantitative Analysis of Anterior Segment Inflammation Using Swept-Source Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography: A Pilot Study.

Background: The aim of this study is to develop an automated evaluation of anterior chamber (AC) cells in uveitis using anterior segment (AS) optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. Methods: We analyzed AS swept-source (SS)-OCT (CASIA 2) images of 31 patients (51 eyes) with uveitis using image analysis software (Python). An automated algorithm was developed to detect cellular spots corresponding to hyper-reflective spots in the AC, and the correlation with Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature (SUN) grading AC cells score was evaluated.

Use of systemic corticosteroids in patients newly registered at a claims database with a diagnosis of non-infectious uveitis: results from a real-world claims database analysis.

Purpose: To investigate the real-world dose of systemic corticosteroids in the treatment of non-infectious uveitis (NIU) in Japan.

Study Design: A retrospective, observational study.

Methods: Patients newly registered at the Japan Medical Data Center health insurance claims database with a diagnosis of NIU who received systemic corticosteroids were identified, and their systemic corticosteroid dose (prednisolone equivalent) was assessed over 12 months of treatment (data extraction period: January 2008 to May 2017).

Clinical features and visual outcomes of ocular sarcoidosis at a tertiary referral center in Tokyo.

Background: To analyze clinical features, treatment, complications, and visual outcomes of ocular sarcoidosis at a tertiary center in Tokyo.

Methods: Clinical records of 53 patients with ocular sarcoidosis ("definite" or "presumed") presenting between 2013 and 2018 to the Kyorin Eye Center were retrospectively reviewed. Diagnosis was based on the revised criteria of the International Workshop on Ocular Sarcoidosis.