The Lens Pod

Too busy to read The Lens? Listen to our weekly summary here! In this week’s episode we discuss: * Implantable devices such as EYEMATE-SC show promise in safely and accurately measuring intraocular pressure without the assistance of a clinician.  * There is promise in using machine learning algorithms in glaucoma risk assessment as an objective tool for measuring retinal nerve fiber layer thickness from optic disc images. * Hormonal contraceptive use confers a higher relative risk of retinal vein occlusion, though the relative risk of retinal vein occlusions is low.

Too busy to read the Lens? Listen to our weekly summary here! In this week's episode we discuss... * Certain systemic medications for T2DM may increase DME risk, while others are protective, suggesting medication choice impacts retinal health. * Daily low-dose valacyclovir reduces herpes zoster ophthalmicus-related recurrence at 18 months, supporting utility in long-term suppression. * RVO incidence rose during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea among middle-aged adults, while RAO rates remained stable.  * Nanopore sequencing shows promise for uveitis diagnosis, detecting herpes viruses with up to 75% sensitivity and 100% specificity.

Too busy to read the Lens? Listen to our weekly summary here! In this week’s episode we discuss… * Pathogenic mismatch repair gene variants commonly linked to Lynch syndrome were found in a subset of uveal melanoma patients. * Glaucoma is linked with circadian rhythm sleep disorders and other sleep-wake disturbances. * Physical activity acutely increases IOP in glaucoma patients, returning near baseline during recovery, with IOP closely tracking blood pressure and heart rate changes.

Too busy to read the Lens? Listen to our weekly summary here! In this week’s episode we discuss: * Thickening of the retinal pigment epithelium-Bruch (brook) membrane is associated with both age-related macular degeneration progression and higher genetic risk scores.  * Early glaucoma diagnosis may increase emotional distress in patients, even without noticeable vision loss. * Patients with diabetes may not be at increased risk of postoperative endophthalmitis after cataract surgery, regardless of A1C levels. * High cholesterol in the aging lens may help protect against cataract formation by preventing protein-membrane interactions. * A multi-task artificial intelligence platform used ultra-wide-field fundus images to accurately detect and triage multiple retinal diseases—including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma suspect, and age-related macular degeneration—with high area under curves and interpretability features, offering a scalable solution for real-world screening.

Too busy to read the Lens? Listen to our weekly summary here! In this week’s episode we discuss: * Male sex, worse high contrast visual acuity, and older age at presentation for acute optic neuritis were associated with worse visual outcomes at 6 months. * Individuals with >6 months of GLP-1 agonist use had increased incidence of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. * Female ophthalmologists send more and longer virtual patient messages compared to male counterparts. * Tocilizumab reduced relapse rates and glucocorticoid use in pediatric patients with non-infectious uveitis.