Objective:

The article examines the objective, findings, and clinical context described in NYU Langone Highlights Ophthalmic Advances at AAO 2026.

Approach:

• Ripasudil after DSO: A phase 2 randomized trial at 38 sites in five countries enrolled 65 patients with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy undergoing Descemet stripping only (DSO).
• Corneal neovascularization: An international retrospective series assessed mitomycin intravascular chemoembolization (MICE) in 100 eyes with treatment-resistant corneal neovascularization.
• Vitamin A deficiency: A retrospective series examined 17 adults with laboratory-confirmed vitamin A deficiency and severe corneal disease.
• Whole-eye transplantation: A presentation reviewed progress in optic nerve regeneration, ocular preservation, and immunomodulation, including work through the federally funded VISION program.

Key Findings:

• After DSO, central endothelial cell density was 531 cells/mm² with ripasudil versus 228 cells/mm² with placebo; corneal edema resolved completely in 81% versus 9%, respectively.
• Rescue corneal transplantation was required in 10% of ripasudil-treated patients and 27% of placebo recipients.
• In the MICE series, approximately 81% of cases had full or partial vessel regression at six to 12 months, with a mean 56% reduction in vessel area.
• Among the 17 adults with vitamin A deficiency, nine developed descemetocele or corneal perforation and eight required tectonic keratoplasty; classical xerophthalmia signs were absent.
• NYU Langone is participating in the $56 million VISION initiative to investigate technologies and surgical approaches for whole-eye transplantation.

Interpretation:

NYU Langone presenters reported trial and retrospective-series findings on corneal treatments and disease, alongside ongoing research into whole-eye transplantation.

Limitations:

• The MICE and vitamin A deficiency findings came from retrospective series.
• The context does not provide detailed study methods or follow-up beyond the reported six-to-12-month period for MICE.
• The whole-eye transplantation work is described as research toward viability; no clinical outcomes from the VISION program are reported.

Sources:

• NYU Langone Health