Our AAO 2024 coverage kicks off with a host of selected sessions from Subspecialty Day, including the latest developments in state of the art treatments for nAMD
The sun is (surprisingly) out here in the Windy City for Day 1 of the 128th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO 2024), and we’re bringing you our first round of coverage for the largest event of the ophthalmology calendar.
Today, we’re bringing you a whole host of content from the annual meeting’s perennial Subspecialty Day, including two highlight sessions and a load of updates from across the eye care world.
Our first highlight session covers the latest in neovascular AMD (nAMD) from the retina program here on Day 1. Stars from across the retinal world, including Dr. Judy Kim (USA) and Prof. Gemmy Cheung (Singapore), broke down the current landscape in nAMD, including imaging, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and more. Check out the full write-up on the bright future for treating this devastating family of diseases!
Named lectures and awards represent some of the most gripping sessions in any eye care conference, and we’re bringing you as many as humanly possible here from Chicago.
On Day 1, we start with our rundown of the Leonard Apt Lecture, delivered by Dr. Rosario Gomez De Liaño (Spain). Her award lecture, The Transition to Topical Anesthesia in Strabismus Surgery, delivered a critical account of one of ophthalmology’s biggest under-the-radar developments. Check it out here!
Awards season continues with our coverage of the Troutman Prize, this year awarded to Jason Betz at the refractive surgery portion of Subspecialty Day. Mr. Betz, currently a third-year medical student, was awarded the prize for his work on pain after refractive surgery. Seeking to answer which patients experience pain issues after vision correction procedures—and more importantly, why—Mr. Betz’s presentation is full of fascinating take-homes for refractive surgeons around the world. Read now for the full story!
This concludes what we’re covering on Day 1, but AAO 2024 is just getting started here in Chicago. Tune in tomorrow for more up-to-date action from the Windy City!
In the news:
Alcon will be giving a first look at its Voyager DSLT (direct selective laser trabeculoplasty) device, as well as pivotal trial data for its dry eye candidate, AR-15512 (acoltremon ophthalmic solution 0.003%).
ZEISS is continuing its US rollout of the hand-held MICOR 700 crystalline lens extractor. In combination with the ZEISS NULEX procedure, the device allows for crystalline lens extraction without ultrasound, consoles or foot pedals. The company is also showcasing its VisioGen AI solutions for refractive surgery patient communication and surgical planning, its VISULAS combi and green therapeutic laser, and an expanded Retinal Workflow suite with the latest from recent acquisition DORC included.
Alkeus Pharmaceuticals presented topline results of its SAGA study on its ALK-001 (oral gildeuretinol acetate) candidate for geographic atrophy. The company reported a 0.25 sq mm/year reduction in legion growth rate vs. placebo at 24 months, along with a statistically significant reduction in low luminance visual acuity.
Glaukos announced new data for its confirmatory pivotal trial for Epioxa, its non-invasive, epi-on corneal cross-linking candidate. The company reported a clinically relevant and statistically significant improvement in corneal curvature at 12 months from baseline, meeting the study’s primary endpoint. The company hopes to submit an NDA with the FDA by the end of the year.
Rayner has named Scott Corning as the firm’s new vice president for the Americas.
Regeneron will be announcing new three-year data from its Phase III pivotal clinical trial in diabetic macular edema.
Genentech unveiled promising Phase IV data from its ELEVATUM study on faricimab and its efficacy in under-represented populations who identify as African American, Black, Hispanic, and Latino. The data showed that after one year, participants in these diabetes-prone populations gained an additional 12.3 letters on average.
Another gene therapy candidate, Ocugen’s OCU400, showed promising safety and efficacy in Leber congenital amaurosis and retinitis pigmentosa, according to lead investigator Dr. Byron L. Lam of the University of Miami’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.
The world’s first AI in Geographic Atrophy summit will take place on Oct 19, 2024 from 18:00-20:30 (UTC-5). Luminaries including Dr. Arshad Khanani, Prof. Anat Loewenstein and Dr. Peter Kaiser will be joined by a star-studded lineup of global experts to discuss the future of the field. The event will be both in-person and online. More information can be found here.
Johnson & Johnson is bringing its Vision Simulator to Chicago, which allows participants to experience retinal disease through the eyes of patients. The company is also presenting new research on a range of innovations across its cataract and refractive portfolio, including its new TECNIS Odyssey full-range-of-vision presbyopia-correcting IOL.
Editor’s Note: Reporting for this story took place during the 128th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO 2024) from 18-21 October in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
