Week in review: Educating about uveitis, retinal vasculitis linked to Syfovre, diabetic keratopathy biomarker

A weekly roundup of ophthalmic news from around the web.

Online videos can help educate children with uveitis about their condition. This was the finding of a collaborative project between the UK’s Childhood Uveitis Studies steering group, which includes 3 children with uveitis and 3 parents of children with uveitis, and the Great Ormond Street Hospital Generation R Young People’s Advisory Group. Videos providing an overview of uveitis, current treatments, and research were developed and posted online, and a group of 43 children were given a survey before and after watching the videos. Scores related to self-reported uveitis knowledge and objective knowledge significantly improved after watching the videos, and 65% of participants said that they learned something new from the videos. Eye (London)

Six cases of inflammation and vasculitis are linked to Syfovre injection. In a news bulletin issued to members of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS), the ASRS Research and Safety in Therapeutics committee reported that 6 cases of occlusive retinal vasculitis linked to Syfovre (pegcetacoplan injection) have been identified. The reports also mentioned instances of intraocular inflammation (varying levels of severity) and retinal vasculitis. This continues to be a developing situation, and ASRS members are encouraged to visit the website for updates and to report any adverse events noted after administering Syfovre. Ophthalmology Times; American Society of Retina Specialists

A potential biomarker for diabetes-related corneal disease is identified. The signaling protein Wnt-5a, which helps in wound healing, is altered in patients with diabetic keratopathy and thus may be a biomarker for the condition, according to new research. DNA methylation profiles were extracted from the limbal epithelial cells (LEC) of donor corneas from people with and without diabetes. Hypermethylation of the WNT5A gene of the diabetic LECs translated into reduced Wnt-5a levels in these corneas compared with those in the nondiabetic corneal LECs. The authors conclude that “Wnt-5a has emerged as a new diabetic corneal marker regulating wound healing and stem cell function.” Diabetologia