Top five ophthalmology stories of December

The most-read stories on Healio.com/OSN in December included an FDA approval and news from recent journal articles.

Here are the month’s top five ophthalmology stories:

1. Aerie Pharmaceuticals announces FDA approval of Rhopressa

Rhopressa (netarsudil ophthalmic solution 0.02%) is a once-daily eye drop designed to lower IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Read more.

2. NovaTears+Omega-3 for evaporative dry eye approved in Europe

The first eye drop to have high concentrations of omega-3 (0.2%) ethyl ester of plant origin, NovaTears+Omega-3 stabilizes the lipid layer of the tear film and reduces evaporation of the underlying water phase of the tear film, supplementing the lipid layer with omega-3 fatty acids. Read more.

3. Cataract surgery shifting to ASCs

Most patients who underwent cataract surgery from 2001 to 2014 did so at an ASC compared with a hospital outpatient department, according to a study. Read more.

4. FDA accepts supplemental biologics license application for 12-week dosing of Eylea

The FDA has accepted a supplemental biologics license application from Regeneron for a 12-week dosing interval of Eylea for patients with wet age-related macular degeneration. Read more.

5. Cataract surgery can be ‘greener’

According to waste audit observations, Aravind averaged 250 g of waste and nearly 6 kg of carbon dioxide-equivalents per phacoemulsification, equating to approximately 5% of the carbon footprint for phacoemulsification in the United Kingdom — with similar outcomes. Read more.