Recent advances have driven the development of stem cell-derived, self-organizing, three-dimensional miniature organs, termed organoids, which mimic different eye tissues including the retina, cornea, and lens. Organoids and engineered microfluidic organ-on-chips (organ chips) are transformative technologies that show promise in simulating the architectural and functional complexity of native organs. Accordingly, they enable exploration of facets of human disease and development not accurately recapitulated by animal models. Together, these technologies will increase our understanding of the basic physiology of different eye structures, enable us to interrogate unknown aspects of ophthalmic disease pathogenesis, and serve as clinically-relevant surrogates for the evaluation of ocular therapeutics. Both the burden and prevalence of monogenic and multifactorial ophthalmic diseases, which can cause visual impairment or blindness, in the human population warrants a paradigm shift towards organoids and organ chips that can provide sensitive, quantitative, and scalable phenotypic assays. In this article, we review the current situation of organoids and organ chips in ophthalmology and discuss how they can be leveraged for translational applications.

Dry eye disease (DED) is among the most common ocular disorders affecting tens of millions of individuals worldwide; however, the condition remains incompletely understood and treated. Valuable insights have emerged from multidisciplinary approaches, including immunometabolic analyses, microbiome analyses, and bioengineering. Furthermore, we have seen new developments in clinical assessment approaches and treatment strategies in the recent past. Here, we review the emerging frontiers in the pathobiology and clinical management of DED.

To evaluate the long-term quantitative and qualitative optical outcomes of 1-step transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) to correct myopia and astigmatism. Bina Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Prospective interventional case series. Eyes with myopia with or without astigmatism were evaluated. One-step transepithelial PRK was performed with an aberration-free aspheric optimized profile and the Amaris 500 laser. Eighteen-month follow-up results for refraction, visual acuities, vector analysis, higher-order aberrations, contrast sensitivity, postoperative pain, and haze grade were assessed. The study enrolled 146 eyes (74 patients). At the end of follow-up, 93.84% of eyes had an uncorrected distance visual acuity of 20/20 or better and 97.94% of eyes were within ±0.5 diopter of the targeted spherical refraction. On vector analysis, the mean correction index value was close to 1 and the mean index of success and magnitude of error values were close to 0. The achieved correction vector was on an axis counterclockwise to the axis of the intended correction. Photopic and mesopic contrast sensitivities and ocular and corneal spherical, cylindrical, and corneal coma aberrations significantly improved (all P < .001). A slight amount of trefoil aberration was induced (P < .001, ocular aberration; P < .01, corneal aberration). No eye lost more than 1 line of corrected distance visual acuity. No eye had a haze grade of 2+ degrees or higher throughout the follow-up. Eighteen-month results indicate the efficacy and safety of transepithelial PRK to correct myopia and astigmatism. It improved refraction and quality of vision. None of the authors has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

To evaluate 8-year results of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopia in terms of safety, efficacy, stability, and late complications. From 371 myopic eyes of 203 patients who underwent PRK using NIDEK EC-5000 excimer laser with 5.5- to 6-mm ablation zones in Basir Eye Center, Tehran, Iran, during 1997-1998, data of 179 myopic eyes of 98 patients, who participated in annual examinations, were analyzed. Treated eyes were divided into 3 groups according to preoperative refraction: low myopia [-10.00 D). The main outcome measures were safety, efficacy, stability, and postoperative complications. Eight years after PRK, 69.64%, 44.44%, and 45.65% of the low, moderate, and high myopic groups were within +/-0.5 D of emmetropia. Sixteen eyes (4.31% of original cases) underwent retreatment mainly because of regression. Although a small myopic shift occurred up to 8 years after surgery, changes in myopic regression stabilized in all myopic groups within 24 months. Four eyes (2.06%) lost 2 lines of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (1 eye for corneal haze and other 3 for problems not related to refractive surgery). Corneal haze occurred in 11.34% especially in medium and high myopic groups, but it cleared within 2 years in 68.2% of cases. Based on our study, PRK seems to be a safe, efficient, and stable surgical procedure, and if patients obtain a good result with the initial treatment, then their results are relatively stable over time.