The FDA has approved Susvimo (Genentech), a refillable permanent ocular implant containing the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor ranibizumab, for treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in patients who have previously responded to at least two intravitreal injections of a VEGF inhibitor. Ranibizumab intravitreal injection (Lucentis) has been available since 2006 for monthly treatment of nAMD. The FDA has approved ranibizumab-nuna (Byooviz), a biosimilar of Lucentis and the first ophthalmologic biosimilar; it will be available in June...

Yutiq (Eyepoint), an intravitreal implant containing the corticosteroid fluocinolone acetonide, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of chronic noninfectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye. It is the third fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant to be approved in the US; Retisert, which is approved for the same indication as Yutiq, and Iluvien, which is approved for treatment of diabetic macular edema, were approved earlier. A dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex) is approved by the FDA for treatment of noninfectious uveitis and macular...

Tyrvaya (Oyster Point), a nasal spray formulation of the cholinergic agonist varenicline, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of dry eye disease. It is the first nasal spray to be approved in the US for this indication. An oral formulation of varenicline (Chantix, and generics) has been available for years for smoking cessation.

The FDA has approved a 0.25% ophthalmic solution of the ectoparasiticide lotilaner (Xdemvy – Tarsus) for treatment of Demodex blepharitis. Lotilaner is the first drug to be approved in the US for this indication.

The FDA has approved perfluorohexyloctane ophthalmic solution (Miebo – Bausch+Lomb) for treatment of dry eye disease. Available only by prescription, Miebo is the first ophthalmic product to be approved in the US that specifically targets tear evaporation caused by meibomian gland dysfunction. An ophthalmic solution with a similar name, Meibo Tears (Vista), which contains 0.6% propylene glycol, is available over the counter for dry eye relief.

The FDA has approved the complement C5 inhibitor avacincaptad pegol (Izervay – Iveric) for intravitreal treatment of geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Avacincaptad pegol is the second complement inhibitor to be approved in the US for this indication; pegcetacoplan (Syfovre), a complement C3 and C3b inhibitor, was approved earlier.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has two major forms: dry or non-neovascular (~90% of patients) and wet or neovascular (~10% of patients).

Disruption of tear-film homeostasis (altered composition, reduced production, rapid evaporation) and resulting ocular surface inflammation cause the discomfort and blurred vision of dry eye disease. Many cases are caused by tear evaporation due to meibomian gland dysfunction. Other precipitating factors can include lacrimal gland dysfunction, poor eyelid function, environmental factors, extended screen time, inflammatory conditions such as Sjögren's syndrome, and use of some ocular or systemic drugs such as antihistamines, retinoids, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors...

The FDA has approved a 0.75% ophthalmic solution of the alpha-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine (Ryzumvi – Viatris) for treatment of mydriasis produced by adrenergic agonists such as phenylephrine or parasympatholytic agents such as tropicamide in patients ≥3 years old. Ryzumvi is the first drug to be approved in the US for reversal of pharmacologically induced mydriasis.

The oral kinase inhibitor pemigatinib (Pemazyre – Incyte) has been approved by the FDA for treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory myeloid/lymphoid neoplasms (MLNs) with fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) rearrangements. It is the first targeted therapy to be approved in the US for this indication. The drug received accelerated approval from the FDA in 2020 for treatment of adults with previously treated, unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with FGFR2 fusions or other rearrangements.