Advances in Ophthalmology: Dr Béchet at the ICOOR and FloRetina Congress in Florence

Key topics discussed at the congress:

• Surgery for retinal diseases: The congress highlighted the latest surgical techniques for treating retinal diseases such as:
  • The epimacular membrane: a thin membrane that forms on the surface of the macula (the central area of the retina responsible for sharp vision) and can cause distortion and a decrease in visual acuity. Vitrectomy, a surgical procedure that involves removing the vitreous gel from the eye and the membrane, is an effective technique for restoring vision.
  • Macular hole: an opening in the macula that leads to a loss of central vision. Vitrectomy with gas or fluid injection is the standard treatment to allow the hole to close. In some more complex cases, techniques such as the internal limiting membrane flap or amniotic membrane graft may be used.
  • Retinal detachment: a retinal emergency that occurs when the retina detaches from the wall of the eye. The surgical technique is adapted depending on the type and severity of the detachment.
• Macular haemorrhage: A macular haemorrhage is a serious complication of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It is characterised by bleeding in the macula, leading to a sudden loss of central vision. A surgical procedure may be offered to move the haemorrhage and limit the damage.
• Live surgeries: Live surgical procedures allowed participants to observe the latest techniques in ophthalmological surgery, including diabetic eye surgery (treatment of diabetic eye complications) and chorioretinal tumor resection (malignant eye tumor).
• Treatment of macular edema: Macular edema is swelling of the macula, which can affect central vision. New therapeutic approaches for macular edema associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or diabetic retinopathy have been presented:
  • New, long-acting anti-VEGF drugs: Anti-VEGF drugs (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor) are medications that block the development of new abnormal blood vessels in the eye, which are responsible for macular edema. New molecules such as Vabysmo, Beovu, and Eylea 8mg allow for a reduction in the frequency of intravitreal injections.
  • Gene therapy: Gene therapy aims to introduce genes into retinal cells to correct genetic abnormalities that cause certain eye diseases.
  • PDS implant (Port Delivery System): A surgically implanted reservoir in the eye that continuously releases an anti-VEGF, thereby reducing the frequency of injections.
• Diagnostic innovation: Multimodal imaging combines different imaging techniques to provide a more comprehensive analysis of the retina. Artificial intelligence is used to analyse images and assist in the early diagnosis of eye conditions.