The Present and Future of Optic Pathway Glioma Therapy.

Optic pathway gliomas (OPGs) encompass two distinct categories: benign pediatric gliomas, which are characterized by favorable prognosis, and malignant adult gliomas, which are aggressive cancers associated with a poor outcome. Our review aims to explore the established standards of care for both types of tumors, highlight the emerging therapeutic strategies for OPG treatment, and propose potential alternative therapies that, while originally studied in a broader glioma context, may hold promise for OPGs pending further investigation. These potential therapies encompass immunotherapy approaches, molecular-targeted therapy, modulation of the tumor microenvironment, nanotechnologies, magnetic hyperthermia therapy, cyberKnife, cannabinoids, and the ketogenic diet. Restoring visual function is a significant challenge in cases where optic nerve damage has occurred due to the tumor or its therapeutic interventions. Numerous approaches, particularly those involving stem cells, are currently being investigated as potential facilitators of visual recovery in these patients.

State-of-the art pharmacotherapy for non-neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

INTRODUCTION: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of blindness among the elderly in the industrialized world. While effective treatment is available for neovascular AMD, no therapy is successful for the non-neovascular form. Herein, the authors report the current knowledge on non-neovascular AMD pathogenesis and the promising research on treatments. AREAS COVERED: In the present review, the authors summarize the most recent advances in the treatment of non-neovascular AMD and provide an update on current treatment strategies. Evidence available from preclinical and clinical studies and from a selective literature search is reported. EXPERT OPINION: When investigating AMD, numerous pathological cascades and alterations of physiological processes have been investigated. It is well-known that AMD is a multifactorial disease, with environmental causes and genetics playing a role. Perturbations in multiple pathogenic pathways have been identified and this led to the development of several molecules directed at specific therapeutic targets. However, despite the huge research effort, the only proven approach so far is oral antioxidant supplementation. We believe that, in addition to successful advancement of promising drugs, further research should be directed at tailoring therapy to specific patient groups, eventually employing a combinational therapy strategy.

A case of CRB1-negative Coats-like retinitis pigmentosa.

Retinitis pigmentosa is a heterogeneous group of ocular diseases that causes progressive degeneration of the photoreceptor cells mainly affecting the rods of the peripheral retina. The association between retinitis pigmentosa and exudative retinopathy was first described in 1956 and has been called "Coats-like retinitis pigmentosa." Mutations in the Crumbs homolog 1 (CRB1) gene have been reported as a risk factor for developing Coats-like changes in patients with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa. We report the case of a 15-year-old girl affected by CRB1 gene-negative retinitis pigmentosa and Coats-like exudative vasculopathy who was successfully treated with laser photocoagulation.