Dr Paul Hahn Highlights Emerging Technologies in Ophthalmology

It is an exciting time in the field of retina for emerging technologies, said Paul Hahn, MD, vitreoretinal surgeon at NJRetina.

Transcript

Were there any emerging technologies that ophthalmologists are most interested in based on the results of the ASRS Preferences and Trends survey?

So, this is a very exciting field in retina. We have a lot of emerging technologies that have come and are coming. Over the past year, we've had the FDA approval of a new surgical option for treatment of wet macular degeneration. Interestingly, despite this really being a revolutionary approach, the feelings by retina specialists appear to be mixed. Some are very excited about it, and some are quite lukewarm. In my opinion, I think this device has an important place in our armamentarium, but I think the boundaries of that place still need to be defined by the retina community.

Upcoming, there is the prospect of something called home OCT [optical coherence tomography]. OCT imaging is an imaging modality which has really revolutionized the in-office treatment of retinal diseases, and there's moves to deliver this imaging device in people's homes to monitor their retinal status while at home and not just in the office. Very exciting, has the potential to really change the way we treat patients. I think, currently, this device is not yet FDA approved, and according to the survey, I think the place for this device has yet to be fully understood by retina specialists. Retina specialists also expressed some concern about accessibility.

I think that’s the main rub with technologies: that they are great, but sometimes they may not be accessible. Over the past several years, we’ve had intraoperative OCT imaging—that same type of imaging modality but in the operating room—as well as 3D-viewing systems for surgery, which are fantastic—really changed the way we can potentially do surgery. But I think they’re probably too cost prohibitive to be accessible to most retina specialists.