Reference Library
What is the Reference Library?
Keeping current with the retina literature is, for most, an ongoing, futile effort. New journals are constantly being introduced, and existing journals keep getting thicker and thicker. Researching a topic on PubMed doesn’t allow you to spot key references or quickly digest what’s new globally on a topic of interest. And remembering what you’ve read a few weeks later (or even after you’ve turned the page to the next article) is a struggle.
To address these concerns, we pull key clinical references from 24 major ophthalmic and retinal journals each month (click here for the journal list). Although we can’t provide the journal article PDF due to copyright issues, we provide a single-line citation with a brief summary of the article’s main points. Our goal is to capture all major clinically relevant references.
Please contact us if we’re missing any key references or if any reference is mis-summarized or cited.
Want to Automatically Receive Our Monthly Journal Article Summaries?
That’s easy! Just subscribe to the Retina World Congress’s monthly email blast here.
How is the Reference Library integrated into the Image Library?
At the top of most Image Library folders is a ___References Word document containing the annotated bibliography for that topic. Every month, we file key articles into the appropriate Retina Rocks folder(s) and update this file. Key articles are located at the top of the list. This allows for a rapid snapshot and review of the literature while also looking through our multimedia images. Some seemingly unrelated references are included in each folder to aid in differential diagnosis or to learn about similar findings in other disorders.
Key Retina Journal Articles of the Month
Here is the current month's snapshot of key retina journal articles
Monthly Archives
Comparative incidence of endophthalmitis after intravitreal dexamethasone implant versus anti-VEGF injections: a retrospective study
Int J Retina Vitreous. 2026 Feb 23;12(1):50. doi: 10.1186/s40942-026-00824-3.
Post-injection endophthalmitis is more common with Ozurdex (1.25 per 1000) vs anti-VEGF (0.33 per 1000). Retrospective single-center, 330,572 injections.
Idiopathic macular telangiectasia type 1: Clinical, multimodal imaging features and response to treatment
Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2026 Apr;264(4):1111-1119. doi: 10.1007/s00417-025-07042-x.
Ozurdex more effective than anti-VEGF in Idiopathic MacTel1. Retrospective, 10 eyes.
The role of LHEP in spontaneous closure of full-thickness macular holes
Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2026 Apr;264(4):1177-1179. doi: 10.1007/s00417-025-07043-w.
Spontaneous closure of FTMH more common with lamellar-hole associated epiretinal proliferation (LHEP). Retrospective, 20 eyes.
Impact Of Sleep Apnea On Retinal Vein Occlusion In Individuals 55 And Younger: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Retina. 2026 Apr 1;46(4):587-592. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000004739.
Sleep apnea increased risk of BRVO in 55YO and younger. Retrospective, TriNetX database.
Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment in Stickler Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Ophthalmol Retina. 2026 Apr;10(4):420-441. doi: 10.1016/j.oret.2025.10.008.
Prophylactic retinopexy lowers RD risk in Stickler Syndrome (reduced RD odds by 92%), whereas surgery remains effective.
Postoperative Dynamics of Full-Thickness Macular Holes: Insights from High-Resolution OCT Under Gas Tamponade
Ophthalmol Sci. 2026 Jan 19;6(4):101078. doi: 10.1016/j.xops.2026.101078.
PPV MH hole closed in 67% by day 1 on high-resolution SS-OCT. Early intraretinal hyperreflectivity correlated with successful closure. ELM regeneration correlated with better VA. Prospective, 32 eyes.
Surgical and Observational Outcomes in Optic Pit Maculopathy: A Comparative Analysis of Pediatric and Adult Populations
Ophthalmol Retina. 2026 Apr;10(4):442-451. doi: 10.1016/j.oret.2025.12.006.
Surgical management of OPM achieves similar good anatomic and VA results in pediatric and adult populations. Retrospective, 58 eyes.
One-year Real-world Outcomes With Faricimab in Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2026 Apr;57(4):242-250. doi: 10.3928/23258160-20260302-02.
Outcomes with Vabysmo over 1-year support effectiveness and extended durability in nAMD, FARETINA-AMD. Retrospective, IRIS Registry.
Levodopa and Dopamine Agonists in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the Sight Outcomes Research Collaborative Database
Ophthalmol Retina. 2026 Apr;10(4):353-361. doi: 10.1016/j.oret.2025.12.004.
Levodopa exposure reduced conversion from non-exudative AMD to nAMD. Suggests that RCT should be considered. Retrospective, SOURCE database.
Telangiectatic capillaries remodel over time in eyes with persistent diabetic macular edema
Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2026 Apr;264(4):955-961. doi: 10.1007/s00417-025-07080-5.
DME TelCaps dynamically remodel over time, and DME may persist after 1 year despite anti-VEGF or steroids. TelCaps may serve as a biomarker for chronic DME.
Association Between Antibiotic Prophylaxis And Endophthalmitis After Intravitreal Injection: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis
Retina. 2026 Apr 1;46(4):566-574. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000004687.
Systematic review and meta-analysis. Topical antibiotics didn’t reduce risk or change VA outcomes in post-intravitreal injection endophthalmitis.
Risk Factors and Systemic Outcomes in Patients with Retinal Artery Occlusion
Ophthalmol Retina. 2026 Apr;10(4):385-393. doi: 10.1016/j.oret.2025.11.003.
The rate of CVA or MI around the time of RAO was low (1.5% at 1 week). No difference in CVA, MI, or death if stroke protocol in ER or outpatient. Cleveland Clinic retrospective of 596 patients.
Beyond placoid: diverse clinical presentations and functional outcomes of acute syphilitic posterior placoid chorioretinopathy
Eye (Lond). 2026 Apr;40(6):859-867. doi: 10.1038/s41433-026-04272-z.
Placoid syphilis clinical spectrum often includes multifocal lesions (often occult but seen on FAF). Retrospective 33 eyes.
Special AAO Report: Recommendations on Screening for Hydroxychloroquine Retinopathy (2025 Revision)
Ophthalmology. 2026 Apr;133(4):439-450. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2025.11.001.
Revised hydroxychloroquine screening recommendations, including baseline photos, FAF, and OCT, then annual exams. Ok to start at year 5 if low-risk. AAO 2025 Revision.
Progression of Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) Occurs Early and Is Unassociated With Modifiable Risk Factors
Am J Ophthalmol 2026 Apr:284:181-195. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2026.01.012.
NAION Progression occurs early and is not associated with cardiovascular risk factors. Prospective QUARK NAION Study group 599 eyes.
Incidence and enlargement rate of myopic macular neovascularization-related atrophy in highly myopic eyes
Retina 2026 Apr 1;46(4):622-629. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000004731.
Myopic MNV with anti-VEGF atrophy develops in one-third within 2 years. Retrospective 44 eyes.
Noncancerous Monogenic Mimics of Noninfectious Posterior Uveitis
Am J Ophthalmol 2026 Apr:284:171-180. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2026.01.003.
Misdiagnosis of IRD as noninfectious posterior uveitis. Multimodal imaging and targeted genetic testing are helpful. Consensus review.
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Use and Risk of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration in a National Cohort Study
Ophthalmol Retina 2026 Apr;10(4):362-372. doi: 10.1016/j.oret.2025.10.020.
GLP1 inhibitors may be protective against non-exudative AMD. No increased risk for nAMD. Retrospective TriNetX database.
En Face Optical Coherence Tomography and OCT Angiography in the Pathoanatomy of Inflammatory Macular Disease
Am J Ophthalmol 2026 Apr:284:110-122. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2025.12.031.
En face OCT and OCTA in pathoanatomy of inflammatory macular disease, including MEWDS, MFC, AZOOR, APMPPE, syphilis, serpiginous, and VK.
Resilience and vision-related quality of life in advanced age-related macular degeneration: a brief clinical report
Eye (Lond) 2026 Apr;40(5):733-734. doi: 10.1038/s41433-026-04239-0
Advanced AMD increased psychological resilience is a key determinant in better vision-related quality of life 85 consecutive patients.
Comparative Analysis of Ocular Adverse Events between Aflibercept 8 mg and Faricimab: A Global Population-Based Study across 65 Countries
Ophthalmol Retina. 2026 Apr;10(4):373-384. doi: 10.1016/j.oret.2025.10.019.
Vabysmo AE’s (IOI, vasculitis, endophthalmitis) more common than with Eylea 8mg. Retrospective, global, 65 country database.
