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15 November 2021 | Issue #3
Hot Topics Session Provides Spicy Ophthalmology Takes by Andrew Sweeney
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ew Orleans is famous for its food, whether that be jambalaya, gumbo, or something else, it’s a place where if you like food, you’re going to fit right in. At Media MICE, we like our food hot — and we also like hot topics in ophthalmology, so fiery debates keep our intellectual palates salivating for more. On Day 3 of the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s (AAO 2021) annual meeting, we got exactly what we were hoping for, a spicy session of hot takes in ophthalmology. Hot Topics 2021 brought us the best “dishes” ophthalmology has to offer on a number of exciting and crucial issues. Covering everything from artificial intelligence in medicine, to corneal neurotization, and the use of telemedicine technology for glaucoma monitoring, this
is one session you don’t want to miss on demand. Just make sure you’ve got a side of sugar on hand to tone down the spice. Corneal neurotization just sounds really cool, but that’s not why we want to draw your attention to this presentation by Dr. Ilya Leyngold, an associate professor at the Duke University Eye Centre (Durham, North Carolina). Rather, it was because of the doctor’s highly insightful information on the efficacy of his presentation topic, noting that 92% improvement in visual acuity can be observed after the application of neurotization. He also noted that it’s durable, with one patient experiencing 18 years of corneal improvement and stabilization. Plus his report had some seriously fantastic surgical footage, kudos!
Another standout from this spiciest of sessions was about glaucoma monitoring at the home, presented by Dr. Oluwatosin U. Smith, an ophthalmologist at Glaucoma Associates of Texas (Dallas). We have all become more familiar with telemedicine since the COVID-19 pandemic began and Dr. Smith made some good arguments as to why domestic monitoring is beneficial to patients and clinicians, alike. Her hot takes included her position that at-home monitoring allows for the identification of rapid progressors and it identifies spikes and fluctuations in intraocular pressure, although she admitted that pricing issues still need to be considered. Spicy! We know that you can handle the heat, so make sure you check out this session on AAO’s on-demand platform and spice up your ophthalmological life with more hot takes. The other speakers of the session also have their own peppery presentations, which you will no doubt find perfectly suited for your palate. Let us know what you think, and remember, if you can’t handle the heat, stay out of the clinic.