5 interviews from AAO 2024 you don’t want to miss

The annual American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting was held in October in Chicago, Illinois. Every year, this conference brings together leaders in the ophthalmology space, especially retina, to discuss current treatments, real-world data, clinical trials, and practical advice for working in the field today.

With so many exciting announcements, discussions, and articles posted over the course of the event, there’s a lot to catch up on. That’s why we are highlighting 5 interviews from the 2024 AAO conference that you don’t want to miss.

1. Preventing and managing complications following vitreoretinal surgery

Vaidehi S. Dedania, MD, an associate professor of ophthalmology at NYU Langone Health, discussed the prevention and management of endophthalmitis following vitreoretinal surgery. She highlighted key risk factors, including hypotony and wound leaks, and shared methods for preventing and addressing these issues.

The course during the event also covered managing patients with penicillin or betadine allergies, advising testing by an allergist if necessary. One essential takeaway is the concept of being a "second look surgeon," checking for complications like gas bubbles or leaks after surgery and ensuring proper closure of surgical sites. Dedania emphasized the importance of proactive care and patient management.

2. Aging in the ophthalmology profession

Alfredo Sudun, MD, chief of Ophthalmology at the Doheny Eye Institute, discussed the challenges of aging clinicians in the medical field, particularly within ophthalmology. With 40% of the field's members over 60, he highlighted the issue of declining cognitive and physical abilities with age.

During the presentation, Sudun shared a case of an aging surgeon who faced cognitive decline, leading to legal and ethical complications. He stressed the importance of collegiality and self-reflection, with colleagues often helping to address issues before they escalate. Sudun also recommended the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) for ophthalmologists as a strategy to maintain skills and reduce malpractice risk.

3. Fundus photography/OCT expediates care in the emergency department

Valerie Biousse, MD, a neuro-ophthalmologist at Emory University, advocated for the use of non-mydriatic fundus cameras in emergency departments (ED). These cameras, integrated into the ED workflow, allow for remote interpretation of ocular images by ophthalmologists, improving diagnosis efficiency. They enable quick responses to conditions like acute central retinal artery occlusion, triggering stroke alerts without the need for in-person consultations.

Additionally, the cameras help rule out papilledema in headache patients, cutting ED length of stay by 50%. Biousse emphasized that these cameras, operated by trained ED staff, are crucial for addressing the growing shortage of ophthalmologists and improving care.

4. Energy drinks and central retinal vein occlusions

Jonathan Brugger, MD, a vitreoretinal surgeon in Charleston, discussed a cohort of young adults presenting with central retinal vein occlusions (CRVO) and branch retinal vein occlusions (BRVO) without clear causes.

Upon further investigation, he found that these individuals had been consuming large amounts of energy drinks, such as Red Bull and Monster, often 2-4 servings per day prior to their retinal issues. Brugger is expanding his study to include patients with retinal micro and macro aneurysms, exploring the possible link between energy drink consumption and retinal hemorrhaging. He is also considering whether older patients may be affected as well.

5. Approaching pregnant women across the ophthalmic subspecialties

Sruthi Arepalli, MD, discussed her course on managing eye conditions specific to pregnancy and postpartum, focusing on retinal and uveitis diseases. She highlighted challenges in treating conditions like diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, and posterior uveitis, especially when standard treatments, such as anti-VEGF injections, are not well-studied for pregnant patients.

Arepalli also addressed complex cases, such as retinal detachment during pregnancy, which require collaboration between specialists. Additionally, she touched on gestational diabetes, which can complicate diabetic conditions and vision loss. The course included input from multiple subspecialists and aims to provide practical insights for managing these conditions safely.

Note: A portion of this article was written with the assistance of AI tools. The content has been verified for accuracy by Modern Retina's editorial team.