ASRS’s Journal of Vitreoretinal Diseases (JVRD) Author’s Forum

On this episode of the JVRD Author’s Forum podcast, retina specialist Lisa J. Faia, MD, of Associated Retinal Consultants, discusses her case report, “Bilateral Peripheral Neovascularization in Hemoglobin C Trait Retinopathy,” published in JVRD.

Host Timothy G. Murray, MD, MBA, speaks with Dr. Faia about the evaluation of an asymptomatic 84-year-old patient referred for a suspected retinal tear, ultimately found to have bilateral peripheral neovascularization. The discussion highlights the diagnostic process, including a broad inflammatory and systemic workup, and the importance of considering hemoglobinopathies—even in older patients with atypical presentations.

Dr. Faia shares that in this case, careful observation was favored given the patient’s age, lack of symptoms, and stable findings. The conversation also explores how management decisions may differ in younger patients, the role of imaging in guiding care, and the importance of maintaining a broad differential diagnosis to identify unexpected but clinically meaningful findings in retina practice. 

For more information, visit www.ASRS.org/JVRDForum.

Welcome to ASRS’s Journal of Vitreoretinal Diseases (JVRD) Author’s Forum. As the official peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS), JVRD delivers rigorous, clinically meaningful research that informs and advances retina care worldwide. Join Editor-in-Chief Dr. Timothy Murray as he engages leading investigators in thoughtful discussions about the latest studies published in JVRD — highlighting practical insights, clinical pearls, and the real-world impact of emerging innovations in our field.

On this episode of the JVRD Author’s Forum podcast, retina specialist Sunir Garg, MD, FACS, FASRS, of Mid-Atlantic Retina and Wills Eye Hospital, discusses his study, “Short-Term Changes in Intraocular Pressure Following Intravitreal Injection of Pegcetacoplan,” published in JVRD.

Host Timothy G. Murray, MD, MBA, speaks with Dr. Garg about his team’s evaluation of short-term intraocular pressure (IOP) changes following higher-volume intravitreal injections and the implications for real-world clinical practice. The study examines the magnitude and duration of post-injection IOP elevations and whether routine monitoring is necessary in busy clinic settings.

Dr. Garg shares that while most patients experience transient IOP elevations that return to baseline relatively quickly, patients with preexisting glaucoma or ocular hypertension are more likely to experience higher and more prolonged pressure spikes. The discussion also highlights variability in injection techniques, considerations around post-injection monitoring and paracentesis, and the importance of identifying higher-risk patients to guide more tailored management strategies in retina care.

For more information, visit www.ASRS.org/JVRDForum.

Welcome to ASRS’s Journal of Vitreoretinal Diseases (JVRD) Author’s Forum. As the official peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS), JVRD delivers rigorous, clinically meaningful research that informs and advances retina care worldwide. Join Editor-in-Chief Dr. Timothy Murray as he engages leading investigators in thoughtful discussions about the latest studies published in JVRD — highlighting practical insights, clinical pearls, and the real-world impact of emerging innovations in our field.

On this episode of the JVRD Author’s Forum podcast, retina specialist Dr. Sabin Dang of the Retina Institute in St. Louis discusses his study, “Economic Impact of Anti–Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Prior Authorization Process From a Large Electronic Database,” published in JVRD. 

Host Dr. Timothy Murray speaks with Dr. Dang about his team’s large database analysis examining the real-world burden of prior authorization for anti-VEGF injections. The study evaluated approval rates, treatment delays, and the broader economic consequences for patients, caregivers, practices, employers, and insurers.

Dr. Dang shares that although 97.7% of prior authorizations were ultimately approved, nearly all approved cases experienced delays — with a median delay of approximately five days — potentially affecting the timely delivery of vision-saving care. The discussion also highlights the growing prevalence of chronic retinal diseases requiring lifelong treatment, the compounding impact of repeated administrative hurdles over time, and the need for data-driven advocacy to support meaningful policy reform that prioritizes timely patient care.

For more information, visit www.ASRS.org/JVRDForum.

Welcome to ASRS’s Journal of Vitreoretinal Diseases (JVRD) Author’s Forum. As the official peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS), JVRD delivers rigorous, clinically meaningful research that informs and advances retina care worldwide. Join Editor-in-Chief Dr. Timothy Murray as he engages leading investigators in thoughtful discussions about the latest studies published in JVRD — highlighting practical insights, clinical pearls, and the real-world impact of emerging innovations in our field.

On this episode of the JVRD Author’s Forum podcast, retina specialist Dr. Joseph Coney, Managing Partner of Retina Associates of Cleveland, discusses his study, “Real-World Clinical Outcomes After Sustained Delivery of the 0.19-mg Fluocinolone Acetonide Implant for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema,” published in JVRD. 

Host Dr. Timothy Murray speaks with Dr. Coney about his retrospective real-world analysis of patients with chronic, refractory diabetic macular edema treated with the fluocinolone acetonide implant. The study evaluated visual acuity, anatomic outcomes, treatment burden, and safety outside the clinical trial setting. 

Dr. Coney shares that patients experienced durable visual stability and significant OCT improvement, along with a meaningful reduction in treatment burden — with some patients requiring no supplemental therapy for extended periods. The discussion also explores the importance of long-term disease stability over short-term visual gains, strategies to address injection fatigue, and the role of careful patient selection and steroid challenge testing in maintaining a predictable safety profile. 

For more information, visit www.ASRS.org/JVRDForum.

Welcome to ASRS’s Journal of Vitreoretinal Diseases (JVRD) Author’s Forum. As the official peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS), JVRD delivers rigorous, clinically meaningful research that informs and advances retina care worldwide. Join Editor-in-Chief Dr. Timothy Murray as he engages leading investigators in thoughtful discussions about the latest studies published in JVRD — highlighting practical insights, clinical pearls, and the real-world impact of emerging innovations in our field.

On this episode of the JVRD Author’s Forum podcast, retina specialist Dr. Avni Finn, Associate Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute in Nashville, discusses her study, “Risk Factors for Macular Hole Development After Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment,” published in the November/December 2025 issue of JVRD.

Host Dr. Timothy Murray, Editor-in-Chief of JVRD, speaks with Dr. Finn about identifying clinical and surgical risk factors for macular hole formation following retinal detachment repair.  Their discussion emphasizes the importance of preoperative and postoperative OCT imaging, the association between postoperative cystoid macular edema and macular hole formation, and clinical considerations following vitrectomy. 

For more information, visit www.ASRS.org/JVRDForum.

Welcome to ASRS’s Journal of Vitreoretinal Diseases (JVRD) Author’s Forum. JVRD is the official scientific peer-reviewed journal of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS), offering the highest quality and most impactful research and clinical information in the field. Join host Dr. Timothy Murray, Editor-in-Chief of JVRD, as he discusses cutting-edge developments featured in JVRD with the lead authors, who share clinical pearls and explore their significance in advancing patient care.

On this episode of the JVRD Author’s Forum podcast, retina specialist Dr. Steven Yeh, Stanley Truhlsen Jr. Chair in Ophthalmology at the Truhlsen Eye Institute in Omaha, Nebraska, discusses his case report, “Resolution of Vitreomacular Traction Following a Commercial Flight Simulator Experience,” published in the November/December 2025 issue of JVRD.

Host Dr. Timothy Murray, Editor-in-Chief of JVRD, speaks with Dr. Yeh about a patient with symptomatic vitreomacular traction who was hesitant to undergo surgery and experienced spontaneous resolution following a commercial flight simulator experience. The discussion highlights high-resolution imaging, vitreous dynamics, and clinical considerations in managing vitreomacular traction. 

For more information, visit www.ASRS.org/JVRDForum.

Welcome to ASRS’s Journal of Vitreoretinal Diseases (JVRD) Author’s Forum. JVRD is the official scientific peer-reviewed journal of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS), offering the highest quality and most impactful research and clinical information in the field. Join host Dr. Timothy Murray, Editor-in-Chief of JVRD, as he discusses cutting-edge developments featured in JVRD with the lead authors, who share clinical pearls and explore their significance in advancing patient care.

On this episode of the JVRD Author’s Forum podcast, Dr. Matthew Starr, Associate Professor and Residency Program Director at the Mayo Clinic, discusses “Approach to Ophthalmic Surgery Involving the Anterior Vitreous: A Clinical Practice Update from the American Society of Retina Specialists," published in the November/December 2025 issue of the Journal of VitreoRetinal Diseases.

Host Dr. Timothy Murray and Dr. Starr explore this multidisciplinary practice update developed by ASRS and how it aims to support surgeons across ophthalmology subspecialties who encounter the anterior vitreous during complex cataract procedures, secondary lens placement, glaucoma surgeries, and other situations where the vitreous may be compromised. Their discussion highlights the nuances of vitreous management, the differences between anterior vitrectomy platforms and pars plana systems, and the importance of understanding the risks associated with working near the vitreous base and peripheral retina.

Rather than prescribing what surgeons should or should not do, the update provides practical guidance to improve decision-making, encourage timely collaboration with vitreoretinal specialists, and ultimately help safeguard patient outcomes in challenging surgical scenarios.

For more information, visit www.ASRS.org/JVRDForum

Welcome to ASRS’s Journal of Vitreoretinal Diseases (JVRD) Author’s Forum. JVRD is the official scientific peer-reviewed journal of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS), offering the highest quality and most impactful research and clinical information in the field. Join host Dr. Timothy Murray, Editor-in-Chief of JVRD, as he discusses cutting-edge developments featured in JVRD with the lead authors, who share clinical pearls and explore their significance in advancing patient care.

On this episode of the JVRD Author’s Forum podcast, vitreoretinal specialists Drs. Jeanette Du and Mohsin Ali of the Retina Group of Washington discuss their study, “Low-Dose Atropine Drops for Symptomatic Vitreous Floaters: A Non-invasive, Safe, and Effective Therapeutic Option,” published in the November/December 2025 issue of JVRD. 

Host Dr. Timothy Murray speaks with Drs. Du and Ali discuss how their clinical experiences treating patients with persistent, symptomatic floaters led them to explore low-dose atropine as a conservative alternative to more invasive options such as vitrectomy or YAG vitreolysis.

Their research shows that 0.01% atropine may help reduce the perception of floaters for a meaningful subset of patients, offering a safe, non-invasive option that can be used long-term or as a temporizing measure before considering procedural treatment.

For more information, visit www.ASRS.org/JVRDForum.

Welcome to ASRS’s Journal of Vitreoretinal Diseases (JVRD) Author’s Forum. JVRD is the official scientific peer-reviewed journal of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS), offering the highest quality and most impactful research and clinical information in the field. Join host Dr. Timothy Murray, Editor-in-Chief of JVRD, as he discusses cutting-edge developments featured in JVRD with the lead authors, who share clinical pearls and explore their significance in advancing patient care.

 On this episode of the JVRD Author's Forum podcast, Dr. Ivan Suñer of Retina Associates of Florida discusses "Coring of Intravitreal Medication Vial Stoppers: A Report from the REST Committee," published in the September/October 2025 issue of the Journal of VitreoRetinal Diseases. 

Host Dr. Timothy Murray and Dr. Suñer review how vigilant ASRS members reported unusual black material in medication vials that was initially suspected to be fungal contamination but was identified as rubber stopper fragments—a phenomenon known as coring. Hear how factors like blunt needles, large bore sizes, and thick rubber stoppers increase coring risk, why this issue is well-documented in anesthesia literature but new to ophthalmology, and what preventive measures—including visual inspection of vials before and after drawing medication, using filter needles, and preferring prefilled syringes—can protect patient safety during intravitreal injections. 

For more information, visit www.ASRS.org/JVRDForum.

Welcome to ASRS’s Journal of Vitreoretinal Diseases (JVRD) Author’s Forum. JVRD is the official scientific peer-reviewed journal of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS), offering the highest quality and most impactful research and clinical information in the field. Join host Dr. Timothy Murray, Editor-in-Chief of JVRD, as he discusses cutting-edge developments featured in JVRD with the lead authors, who share clinical pearls and explore their significance in advancing patient care.

On this episode of the JVRD Author's Forum podcast, Dr. Jennifer Lim of the University of Illinois at Chicago discusses "The Influence of Ultra-Widefield Fluorescein Angiography on the Diagnosis and Management of Diabetic Retinopathy," published in the September/October 2025 issue of the Journal of VitreoRetinal Diseases. 

Host Dr. Timothy Murray and Dr. Lim explore how incorporating ultra-wide-field fluorescein angiography can enhance diagnostic accuracy, clinician confidence, and treatment decisions in diabetic retinopathy. They also discuss how emerging technologies such as wide-field OCTA and AI-based analysis could further advance diabetic eye care.

 Discover how new imaging tools are reshaping the way retina specialists evaluate disease progression and make treatment decisions—offering a broader view of the retina and new insights that may change the standard of care. 

For more information, visit www.ASRS.org/JVRDForum.

Welcome to ASRS’s Journal of Vitreoretinal Diseases (JVRD) Author’s Forum. JVRD is the official scientific peer-reviewed journal of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS), offering the highest quality and most impactful research and clinical information in the field. Join host Dr. Timothy Murray, Editor-in-Chief of JVRD, as he discusses cutting-edge developments featured in JVRD with the lead authors, who share clinical pearls and explore their significance in advancing patient care.