Pediatrics Strabismus News

There may be a rationale for using anti-VEGFs in cases of severe retinopathy of prematurity to prevent neovascularization, but concerns exist about the possible detrimental effects of VEGF suppression on the organogenesis and neurodevelopment of preterm infants.

Retinopathy of prematurity is a disease in premature infants who today, secondary to advanced neonatal intensive care units, are surviving at ever lower birth weights and weeks of gestation. These infants almost universally require oxygen supplementation, and both excess oxygen and hypoxia can contribute to the disease.

This issue’s cover story focuses on the evolving role of anti-VEGF drugs for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity. In the developed world, these compounds hold immense promise, with cautions, for better control of a disease that used to uniformly blind children born before 31 weeks of gestation or at less than 1,250 g weight.

Cellceutix has received rare pediatric disease designation from the FDA for Kevetrin to treat retinoblastoma, according to a press release.

LAS VEGAS — A low-dose formulation of atropine slowed the progression of myopia in a 5-year clinical trial, a speaker told colleagues at the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting here.

NEW YORK — At OSN New York 2015, Rudy Wagner, MD, discusses the benefits of minimally invasive strabismus surgery.

At the annual American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus meeting in New Orleans, OSN Pediatrics/Strabismus Section Editor Robert S. Gold, MD, led a round table discussion on preferences for treating amblyopia. Panelists revealed their rationale and biases for treating with glasses only, patching and atropine penalization.

Various factors must be considered to decide the next step in the management of progression after treatment for type 1 ROP: type of primary treatment, zone and stage of disease. If there is persistent plus disease and no retinal detachment in an eye treated with laser for zone 2 ROP, treatment of skipped areas should be done. If adequate treatment was given (near confluent spots in all the avascular area), the use of an intravitreal anti-VEGF drug is advisable.

There may be a rationale for using anti-VEGFs in cases of severe retinopathy of prematurity to prevent neovascularization, but concerns exist about the possible detrimental effects of VEGF suppression on the organogenesis and neurodevelopment of preterm infants.

In our globalized world, the only way we can deliver the best care to our patients is by sharing ideas and practices across different centers of excellence. Formalizing part of our training at a center abroad helps to achieve this, and as Giulia Corradetti tells us, it can be an inspirational and life-changing process.