I am so honored to be the guest editor of the current issue of Ophthalmology Management. This issue, which is focused on retina, is incredibly timely as this field has recently been transformed by a series of new innovations.

For nearly a decade, retina specialists have had the same tools to treat our patients with. However, over the last year there have been advances in technology such that we not only have new drugs, but we also have new imaging modalities, new delivery systems and new types of gene therapies.

WE HAVE THE INNOVATIONS COVERED

I have asked some of my dear friends and colleagues to highlight these recent advances for this issue.

In terms of imaging, Dr. Rishi Singh of Cleveland Clinic and Christopher M. Maatouk give a thorough overview of the benefits of OCT angiography, which will help us better understand the deeper surfaces of the retina and choroid. Dr. Luke Mein of San Antonio, Texas, highlights widefield imaging, including the differences between currently available systems.

We also have a number of new retina therapies. Dr. Carl Danzig of Deerfield Beach, Fla., provides an overview of faricimab (Vabysmo, Genentech), which is not only an anti-VEGF medicine but has an anti-angiopoietin-2 component as well. Dr. Mark R. Barakat of Phoenix, Ariz., discusses Xipere (Bausch + Lomb), the first FDA-approved medicine for the suprachoroidal space, as well as other medicines coming soon targeting this space. Dr. Margaret A. Chang of Sacramento, Calif., shares insights about the port delivery system (Susvimo, Genentech), which is a surgically administered pump that secretes a high dose of ranibizumab over a 6-month period.

Also, Dr. Christine Kay of Gainesville, Fla., has written about gene therapy for inherited retinal diseases. These therapies have the potential not only to slow disease progression but to help restore vision in these low-vision patients.

A NEW LEVEL OF CARE

All these new devices and therapies make me so grateful to be a retina specialist in 2022. I am so honored to be able to share these discussions of new technologies with you.

While my colleagues and I will greatly benefit from these new advances, the greatest beneficiaries will be our patients. Thanks to these innovations, we will be able to provide them with a higher level of care than ever before.

I hope you enjoy reading this issue of Ophthalmology Management. OM

Michael Singer, MD, is clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas, and the director of clinical research at Medical Center Ophthalmology in South Texas. In 2018, he was inducted into the Retina Hall of Fame. Disclosures: Dr. Singer reported relationships with Aerie, Allegro, Allergan, DRCR, Eyepoint, Genentech, Icon, Ionis, Kalvista, Kodiak, Mallinckrodt, Novartis, Opthea, Optos, Regeneron, Santen, Senju, Spark and Sydnexis.