Researchers from NYU Langone Health presented new findings on corneal disease management, vitamin A deficiency, and whole-eye transplantation at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) 2026 meeting and Cornea and Eye Banking Forum, held Oct. 9-12 in New Orleans.
Among the highlights was a phase 2 randomized trial investigating ripasudil, a topical Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, following Descemet stripping only (DSO) surgery for Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy.
The multicenter study enrolled 65 patients across 38 sites in five countries. Patients receiving ripasudil achieved a central endothelial cell density of 531 cells/mm², compared with 228 cells/mm² in the placebo group. Complete resolution of corneal edema occurred in 81 percent of treated patients versus 9 percent receiving placebo. Additionally, 10 percent of ripasudil-treated patients required rescue corneal transplantation, compared with 27 percent in the placebo group.
"This trial provides high-quality evidence that a simple eye drop can do exactly that after DSO," said Kathryn A. Colby, chair of NYU Langone's Department of Ophthalmology, referring to improved visual recovery and transplant avoidance.
Elsewhere, Mohammad H. Dastjerdi presented findings on mitomycin intravascular chemoembolization (MICE) for treatment-resistant corneal neovascularization. An international retrospective series involving 100 eyes demonstrated full or partial vessel regression in approximately 81 percent of cases at six to 12 months, with a mean 56 percent reduction in vessel area.
Dastjerdi also highlighted a retrospective series of 17 adults with laboratory-confirmed vitamin A deficiency presenting with severe corneal disease despite lacking classical signs of xerophthalmia. Nine patients developed descemetocele or corneal perforation, while eight required tectonic keratoplasty.
The findings underscore the importance of considering vitamin A deficiency in patients with unexplained corneal breakdown, particularly alongside systemic nutritional abnormalities.
Of the study, Dastjerdi said: “These patients did not look like the textbook picture of vitamin A deficiency, and that is precisely why the diagnosis is missed until the cornea has already melted. When an adult has unexplained corneal breakdown or ulcer alongside low albumin, anemia, or low magnesium, that combination should prompt a serum vitamin A level.”
Finally, Vaidehi S. Dedania, associate professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, discussed progress toward whole-eye allotransplantation, including developments in optic nerve regeneration, ocular preservation, and immunomodulation. Dedania contributed to NYU Langone's landmark whole-eye and partial-face transplant in 2023.
The institution is now participating in a $56 million federally funded initiative investigating technologies and surgical approaches that could help make whole-eye transplantation a viable treatment for irreversible blindness: the Viability, Imaging, Surgical, Immunomodulation, Ocular Preservation and Neuroregeneration (VISION): Strategies for Whole Eye Transplant program.
Source: NYU Langone Health.
