Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system characterized by relapses and autoimmunity caused by antibodies against the astrocyte water channel protein aquaporin-4. Over the past decade, there have been significant advances in the biologic knowledge of NMOSD, which resulted in the IDENTIFICATION of variable disease phenotypes, biomarkers, and complex inflammatory cascades involved in disease pathogenesis. Ongoing clinical trials are looking at new treatments targeting NMOSD relapses. This review aims to provide an update on recent studies regarding issues related to NMOSD, including the pathophysiology of the disease, the potential use of serum and cerebrospinal fluid cytokines as disease biomarkers, the clinical utilization of ocular coherence tomography, and the comparison of different animal models of NMOSD.

Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a useful treatment for intraocular pressure (IOP) control. However, there are only a few reports which compare the outcomes of SLT between primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). We compared the efficacy of SLT for patients with PACG following phacoemulsification with POAG receiving maximal medical therapy (MMT). Consecutive glaucoma patients followed up for at least 1 year after SLT were retrospectively evaluated and IOP reductions at 6 months and 12 months were analyzed. Seventy-six patients were included in the analyses. The baseline IOPs in the POAG and PACG group were 18.5 ± 3.3 mmHg and 16.9 ± 2.5 mmHg, respectively, with 2.8 ± 0.9 and 2.7 ± 0.8 types of IOP lowering medication. The average IOP at the 6-month and 12-month follow-up after SLT was significantly decreased and comparable in both the POAG and PACG groups. For those with a low baseline IOP, the effect of SLT on IOP reduction at 12 months was significantly better in the PACG than in the POAG group (p = 0.003). IOP reduction at 6 and 12 months after SLT was significantly greater in those with a high baseline IOP than those with a low baseline IOP (p < 0.0065). In summary, the one-year efficacy of SLT was equivalent in POAG and pseudophakic PACG patients receiving MMT; however, SLT was more effective in eyes with PACG than eyes with POAG when focusing on those with a lower baseline IOP.

Background and Objectives: Our study compared the visual and anatomical outcomes of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) patients receiving intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) with or without photodynamic therapy (PDT) over 12 months. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was performed for 60 eyes from 60 patients with treatment-naïve PCV. Thirty eyes were treated using IVA monotherapy (IVA group), and thirty eyes were treated using a combination of IVA with PDT (IVA/PDT group). The baseline characteristics, treatment outcomes, and retreatment rates were compared between the two groups over a one-year follow-up period. Results: The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was found to have improved significantly in the IVA/PDT group at every 3-month visit. However, no significant BCVA improvement was observed in the IVA group. A significantly lower retreatment rate and higher dry macula rate were found in the IVA/PDT group than that in the IVA group. In the entire population of the study, a better baseline vision and younger age were associated with better final visual outcomes. Retreatment was associated with poor baseline BCVA and IVA monotherapy. Conclusions: The combination of IVA and PDT may offer superior visual improvement and a higher dry macula rate compared to IVA monotherapy in the treatment of PCV patients while requiring fewer retreatments over 12 months.

Purpose: To compare the two-year visual and anatomical outcomes of combination therapy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) or intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) for patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), and to investigate the clinical factors with final visual outcome and retreatment. Methods: A retrospective medical chart review was performed for 55 eyes from 55 patients with PCV treated by a combination therapy of prompt PDT with either IVA (n = 30) or IVR (n = 25). Baseline data and treatment outcomes during the 24-month follow-up were compared between the two groups. Primary outcomes were the changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the rate of complete polyp regression. Secondary outcomes were the changes in central retinal thickness (CRT) and the rate of dry macula. Retreatment was administered in cases with persistent or recurrent submacular or intramacular fluid. Results: The BCVA significantly improved in the IVA/PDT group at every 6-month visit compared to the baseline. In the IVR/PDT group, there was a significant improvement of BCVA only at 6-months and 12-months, but not at 18-months and 24-months compared to the baseline. There were no significant differences in the BCVA change or CRT change between the two groups at every 6-month visit. A complete polyp regression rate at 3-months was 53.3% in IVA/PDT, and 52.0% in IVR/PDT. Significantly higher dry macula rate in Month 6 and 18 in the IVA/PDT group than in IVR/PDT group. Retreatment was performed in 26.7% patients in IVA/PDT, and in 60.0% patients in the IVR/PDT group. There were significantly lower retreatment rates in the IVA/PDT group than those in the IVR/PDT group. Better final BCVA was associated with better baseline BCVA and a younger age. Retreatment was associated with complete polyp regression at 3-months. Conclusions: Significant visual improvement was demonstrated in the IVA/PDT group at every 6-month visit, but only at a 6-month and a 12-month follow-up in the IVR/PDT group. Although changes of the BCVA/CRT and complete polyp regression rate were comparable between two groups, the IVA/PDT group required less retreatment and attained more dry macula results. Better baseline BCVA and younger age were associated with a better visual outcome.

Background and Objectives: Myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) is a vision-threatening complication of pathologic myopia. While anti-VEGF monotherapy is the current standard of care, recurrence and suboptimal responses remain challenges. Faricimab is a novel bispecific antibody that targets both vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) to improve vascular stability. This study aims to evaluate the short-term efficacy and safety of a single intravitreal faricimab injection in eyes with active mCNV. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, single-center study included 27 eyes from 24 patients with active mCNV, including both treatment-naïve and previously treated cases. All eyes received a single intravitreal injection of faricimab (6.0 mg/0.05 mL). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in logMAR and central retinal thickness (CRT) via spectral-domain optical coherence tomography were assessed at baseline and one month post injection. Statistical significance was determined using paired and independent t-tests (p < 0.05). Results: The study population (mean age 55.5 ± 13.9 years; mean axial length 29.3 ± 1.6 mm) showed significant improvements at one month. Mean BCVA improved from 0.77 ± 0.71 logMAR to 0.51 ± 0.52 logMAR (p < 0.005). Mean CRT decreased from 290.2 ± 66.0 μm to 242.5 ± 45.7 μm (p < 0.005). No ocular adverse events, such as intraocular inflammation, retinal detachment, or endophthalmitis, were observed. Conclusions: A single intravitreal injection of faricimab provides significant short-term functional and anatomical improvement in this small retrospective series. Dual inhibition of VEGF-A and Ang-2 appears to be a safe and effective approach for stabilizing retinal vasculature in patients with high myopia. Larger, long-term prospective studies are needed to determine optimal treatment intervals for mCNV.

Background and Objectives: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), including typical nAMD (tAMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), is a leading cause of visual impairment. This study investigated the real-world short-term outcomes of faricimab, a bispecific antibody targeting Ang-2 and VEGF-A, in patients with treatment-naïve or -refractory nAMD. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed treatment-naïve or -refractory nAMD eyes receiving one, two, or three monthly intravitreal faricimab injections. Primary outcomes were changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central foveal thickness (CFT) one month after the last injection. Secondary outcomes included the dry macula rate (absence of subretinal and intraretinal fluid) and subgroup comparisons between tAMD and PCV. Results: After a single injection, both treatment-naïve (n = 76) and -refractory (n = 44) eyes showed significant CFT reduction (p < 0.0001) but no significant BCVA improvement (p > 0.05). Dry macula was achieved in 63.2% of treatment-naïve and 71.4% of treatment-refractory eyes. In 38 treatment-naïve eyes receiving three injections, both CFT and BCVA significantly improved from baseline (p < 0.001 and p = 0.02, respectively), with a 94.7% dry macula rate. Subgroup analysis of those receiving three injections revealed that PCV eyes exhibited significant visual improvement, whereas tAMD eyes did not. No serious systemic or ocular adverse events were observed over the short-term follow-up period. Conclusions: Intravitreal faricimab is effective for both treatment-naïve and -refractory nAMD in the short term. While anatomical improvements were comparable between subtypes, the PCV subgroup showed a trend toward greater visual improvement in this small cohort; however, this may be influenced by the significantly younger age of PCV patients. These findings are exploratory and require validation in larger, age-matched prospective studies.