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

On this episode of the JVRD Author’s Forum podcast, retina specialist Miguel A. Busquets, MD, FACS, FASRS, discusses the article, “A Comparative Time-Based Profit Analysis of Retinal and Cataract Surgery in Ambulatory Surgery Centers,” published in the Journal of VitreoRetinal Diseases. 
Host Dr. Timothy Murray speaks with Dr. Busquets about the study’s examination of the financial dynamics of retinal and cataract surgery in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and how those economics may contribute to growing challenges in accessing operating room time for urgent retinal procedures. The study used time-driven activity-based costing to compare reimbursement, costs, operative time, and profitability for more than 18,000 retinal surgeries and 880,000 cataract surgeries performed from 2021 through 2024. 
The discussion explores the study’s finding that although retinal surgery generates greater reimbursement and profit on a per-case basis, its substantially longer operative time results in much lower profitability per minute than cataract surgery. Dr. Busquets discusses how these financial pressures may influence ASC scheduling decisions, potentially contributing to delays in access to sight-saving retinal surgery, as well as the need for reimbursement approaches that better account for surgical time, complexity, and urgency.  
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 Hong-Uyen Hua, MD, discusses the article, “A Newborn With Down-Klinefelter Syndrome and Bilateral Congenital Cataracts Harboring a Novel MAPKAPK3 Mutation,” published in the Journal of VitreoRetinal Diseases.

Host Dr. Timothy Murray speaks with Dr. Hua about the rare case of a 2-month-old infant with genetically confirmed Down-Klinefelter syndrome who presented with bilateral congenital posterior polar cataracts and was also found to have a novel MAPKAPK3 mutation. The discussion highlights the importance of early recognition of an abnormal red reflex, prompt referral, and comprehensive evaluation of both the lens and retina in infants with congenital cataracts.

Dr. Hua also discusses the role of genetic testing in children with atypical presentations and why an established chromosomal diagnosis should not preclude further genetic evaluation. The conversation explores surgical management of bilateral congenital cataracts, considerations surrounding intraocular lens implantation in infants, and the importance of multidisciplinary care and long-term follow-up for these patients.

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 Karen Wai, MD, discusses the article, “Recurrent Macular Edema Associated With Belzutifan Therapy for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma,” published in the Journal of VitreoRetinal Diseases.
Host Dr. Timothy Murray speaks with Dr. Wai about a case of recurrent cystoid macular edema in a patient receiving belzutifan for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. After developing blurred vision and macular edema shortly after beginning therapy, the patient experienced improvement following discontinuation of the drug. When belzutifan was restarted at a lower dose, the macular edema recurred, further supporting a potential association between the medication and the ocular findings.
The discussion explores the challenges of identifying ocular side effects associated with newer cancer therapies and the importance of collaboration among patients, oncologists, and retina specialists when balancing cancer treatment with vision-related concerns. Dr. Wai also discusses dose reduction as a potential strategy for managing ocular side effects and the need for greater awareness as belzutifan is used more widely.
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 Talisa E. de Carlo Forest, MD, discusses the article, “Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Conversion From Intermediate to Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration,” published in the Journal of VitreoRetinal Diseases.
Host Dr. Timothy Murray speaks with Dr. Forest about the study’s investigation of whether menopausal hormone therapy is associated with progression from intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to advanced disease. The study followed female patients with intermediate AMD and evaluated conversion to both advanced non-neovascular AMD and neovascular AMD.
The discussion explores the potential role of hormonal factors in AMD and the study’s finding that a history of menopausal hormone therapy use was not associated with an increased risk of progression to either form of advanced AMD. Dr. Forest also discusses the importance of studying sex-specific factors in AMD and how further research may help clarify the complex relationship between hormones and disease progression.
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 Manjot K. Gill, MD, MS, discusses her article, “Patients at Elevated Risk for Heart Failure Exhibit Reduced Retinal Perfusion,” published in the Journal of VitreoRetinal Diseases. 
Host Dr. Timothy Murray speaks with Dr. Gill about the emerging field of oculomics and the potential for retinal imaging to detect systemic disease before clinical symptoms develop. Using OCT angiography (OCTA), the study evaluated patients at elevated 10-year risk for heart failure and found reduced retinal perfusion compared with age-matched controls. 
The discussion highlights how retinal imaging may offer a noninvasive biomarker for identifying patients with subclinical cardiovascular disease, supporting earlier intervention and more personalized risk assessment. Dr. Gill also explores how advances in OCTA and artificial intelligence are expanding the role of the retina in understanding systemic health and disease.
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.