Current Debates in Retina

In conjunction with the 17th Annual Congress on Controversies in Ophthalmology (COPHY), Frontiers in Ophthalmology presents this research topic focused on current debates shaping the field of retinal disease.Advances in pharmacotherapy, sustained drug delivery, gene therapy, imaging, artificial intelligence, and surgical techniques have transformed retinal care. At the same time, these developments have raised fundamental questions regarding optimal patient selection, treatment strategies, long-term outcomes, and clinical decision-making. This research topic aims to provide a forum for critical appraisal of these controversies, encouraging evidence-based discussion and forward-looking perspectives.This Research Topic welcomes all article types accepted by Frontiers in Ophthalmology that address the following questions:Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Geographic Atrophy1. Should cataract surgery be delayed in patients with non-neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD)?2. Can premium intraocular lenses be considered for patients with macular disease?3. Can anti-VEGF therapy be safely discontinued in patients with neovascular AMD who remain inactive with treatment at the maximum injection interval?4. Will sustained drug delivery become the preferred therapeutic approach for neovascular AMD?5. Will complement inhibition remain central to the management of geographic atrophy?6. Can deep learning algorithms reliably predict geographic atrophy progression and guide personalized treatment decisions?7. Is photobiomodulation an effective treatment strategy for intermediate dry AMD?Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetic Macular Edema1. Can artificial intelligence safely replace human graders in diabetic retinopathy screening programs?2. Will treat-and-extend strategies remain relevant in the era of sustained drug delivery?3. Are novel topical steroids a viable therapeutic option for diabetic macular edema?4. Can sustained drug delivery platforms provide effective long-term management of diabetic macular edema?5. Should preoperative intravitreal anti-VEGF injections be routinely used prior to surgery for diabetic tractional retinal detachment to reduce complications and improve outcomes?Retinal Vascular Disease1. Is retinal vein occlusion best managed using new long-acting anti-VEGF agents?2. Is retinal vein occlusion optimally treated with injections of novel long-acting anti-VEGF drugs?3. Gene Therapy and Emerging Biological Treatments4. Will gene therapy play a central role in the future management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration?5. Is gene therapy the optimal treatment option for inherited retinal diseases?Surgical Retina: Indications, Techniques, and Outcomes1. In vitrectomy surgery for epiretinal membranes, is internal limiting membrane peeling essential to maximize visual improvement and limit recurrence?2. Are intravitreal methotrexate injections necessary to improve outcomes in proliferative vitreoretinopathy?3. Is pars plana vitrectomy safe and effective for the management of symptomatic vitreous floaters?4. Has heads-up digital imaging meaningfully improved visual and anatomic outcomes in vitreoretinal surgery?Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies in Retina1. What is the current and future role of artificial intelligence in screening, diagnosing, and managing retinal diseases?2. Should deep learning and AI-driven tools be used to guide individualized treatment decisions in retinal disorders?Cataract Surgery in Patients With Retinal Disease1. Is femtosecond laser–assisted cataract surgery advantageous, particularly in patients with underlying retinal disease?This research topic aims to capture diverse perspectives, highlight areas of uncertainty, and stimulate discussion that may inform future research directions and clinical practice in retina.Conflict of interest declaration:Topic Editor Anat Loewenstein is a consultant for DMT, Abbvie, Adverum, Astellas, Aviceda, Bayer, Boeringer Ingelheim, Eyepoint, Ocular Therapeutix, Oculis, Ocuphire, Opthea, Roche, and Voiant. She is also a board member of Beyeonics, NotalVision, and Revenio. Topic editors: Anat Loewenstein, Jakub Kaluzny Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78172/current-debates-in-retina