Eye Health Research Review - August 2026

The latest issue of Eye Health Research Review was published in August 2026. In this issue, an exciting study describes a subretinal gene therapy for X-linked retinoschisis in 12 children. All treated eyes had complete closure of the macular schisis cavity, and treated eyes gained a mean of 10.8 letters at one year compared with 2.4 letters in untreated eyes. I look forward to the phase 3 results.

You can find the pdf here, and if you would like to subscribe, please click here.

Some of the other highlights in this review include:

• Worse visual acuity at 4 years with stereotactic radiotherapy for neovascular AMD in the STAR trial
• Increased risk of non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy with semaglutide in type 2 diabetes, with a low absolute risk
• Higher risk of cataract surgery at 10 years in eyes given anti-VEGF injections

I hope you find these and the other selected studies interesting and of clinical value, and look forward to bringing you more updates throughout 2026.

About Dr Leo Sheck

Book your appointment now to see Dr Sheck

Dr Sheck is a RANZCO-qualified, internationally trained ophthalmologist and runs a popular and respected practice in Auckland. He combined his initial training in New Zealand with a two-year advanced fellowship in Moorfield Eye Hospital, London. He also holds a Doctorate in Ocular Genetics from the University of Auckland and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Cambridge. He specialises in medical retina diseases (injection therapy), cataract surgery, ocular genetics, uveitis and electrodiagnostics.