Publications

Albert Y. Wu, MD, PhD, FACS
Director of Oculoplastics Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford School of Medicine (2017 - Present)

Publications

  • Association of ocular adverse events with varenicline solution use: a population-based study. Expert opinion on drug safety Lakhani, M., Kwan, A. T., Nguyen, A. X., Popovic, M. M., McIntyre, R. S., Wu, A. Y. 2025: 1-9

    Abstract

    Approved by the FDA in 2021, varenicline solution is the first nasal spray specifically designed to enhance basal tear film production for treating dry eye disease (DED). However, there is a lack of data comprehensively comparing its safety profile to conventional DED therapies. Herein, we assess whether ocular adverse events (AEs) are disproportionately reported with the real-world use of varenicline solution.This observational, population-based pharmacovigilance study analyzed the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) data (inception-April 2024) using reporting odds ratio (ROR), with significance defined as a 95% CI lower bound > 1.0. Nasal saline and systane were the controls.A total of 1,125 AE reports were associated with varenicline solution. No disproportionate reporting of specific ocular AEs was observed when comparing varenicline solution with nasal saline. However, when compared with systane, varenicline solution showed higher odds of lacrimation (ROR = 2.18, 95%CI = 1.46-3.26, p < 0.0001), visual impairment (ROR = 2.27, 95%CI = 1.24-4.16, p = 0.0085), and photophobia (ROR = 7.50, 95%CI = 3.68-15.27, p < 0.0001).Although a direct causal relationship for higher RORs cannot be established for varenicline solution compared to systane, our findings provide evidence for potential risk signals and highlight the crucial role of post-marketing pharmacovigilance in monitoring long-term safety.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/14740338.2025.2460454

    View details for PubMedID 39921610

  • Endoplasmic reticulum protein TXNDC5 modulates thyroid eye disease TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast transdifferentiation. BMJ open ophthalmology Chiu, H. I., Wu, S. B., Wu, A. Y., Tsai, C. C. 2024; 9 (1)

    Abstract

    There remain limited therapies to treat thyroid eye disease (TED) orbital fibrosis, highlighting the urgency to develop novel targets. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced myofibroblast transdifferentiation from orbital fibroblasts are important pathogenetic factor of TED. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress may play a role in TED pathogenesis since it has been linked to liver, kidney, heart and lung fibrotic remodelling. We would evaluate the role of thioredoxin domain containing 5 (TXNDC5), a fibroblast-enriched ER protein, in TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast transdifferentiation from TED orbital fibroblasts.Orbital fibroblasts from patients with TED were treated with TGF-β1 to investigate ER stress-relative gene expression especially for TXNDC5. To determine if TXNDC5 is involved in TGF-β1-induced fibrosis, we transfected TED orbital fibroblasts by lentivirus with a small hairpin RNA of pLKO-TXNDC5 gene (shTXNDC5) to knockdown TXNDC5 protein expression levels. After transfection of shTXNDC5 in TED orbital fibroblast followed by TGF-β1 treatment, we analysed TGF-β1-induced fibrosis protein expression.We measured increased TXNDC5 gene and protein expression in primary TED orbital fibroblasts. TXNDC5 protein levels were increased in TED orbital fibroblasts under TGF-β1 stimulation (2.5, 5, 10 and 20 ng/mL). Moreover, TXNDC5 knockdown of attenuated TGFβ1 (5 ng/mL)-induced myofibroblast transdifferentiation and extracellular matrix protein upregulation whereas increasing TXNDC5 expression by a recombinant protein of TXNDC5 (rhTXNDC5) addition increased alpha smooth muscle actin, fibronectin and connective tissue growth factor protein expression.In conclusion, targeting TXNDC5 may be a novel therapeutic approach against TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast transdifferentiation in TED orbital fibroblasts.

    View details for DOI 10.1136/bmjophth-2024-001693

    View details for PubMedID 39721966

  • Adverse Ocular Impact and Emerging Therapeutic Potential of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: A Narrative Review. Clinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.) Bondok, M., Nguyen, A. X., Lando, L., Wu, A. Y. 2024; 18: 3529-3556

    Abstract

    Cannabis is the most used drug worldwide with an estimated 219 million users. This narrative review aims to explore the adverse effects and therapeutic applications of cannabis and cannabinoids on the eye, given its growing clinical and non-clinical uses. The current literature reports several adverse ocular effects of cannabis and cannabinoids, including eyelid tremor, ptosis, reduced corneal endothelial cell density, dry eyes, red eyes, and neuro-retinal dysfunction. Cannabinoids may transiently impair night vision, depth perception, binocular and monocular contrast sensitivity, and dynamic visual acuity. Cannabinoids are not currently considered a first-line treatment option for any ocular conditions. Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol been shown to result in short-term intraocular pressure reduction, but insufficient evidence to support its use in treating glaucoma exists. Potential therapeutic applications of cannabinoids include their use as a second-line agent for treatment-refractory blepharospasm, for dry eye disease given corneal anti-inflammatory properties, and for suppression of pendular nystagmus in individuals with multiple sclerosis, which all necessitate further research for informed clinical practices.

    View details for DOI 10.2147/OPTH.S501494

    View details for PubMedID 39629058

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC11613704

  • Single-cell transcriptomics in thyroid eye disease. Taiwan journal of ophthalmology Ahsanuddin, S., Wu, A. Y. 2024; 14 (4): 554-564

    Abstract

    Thyroid eye disease (TED) is a poorly understood autoimmune condition affecting the retroorbital tissue. Tissue inflammation, expansion, and fibrosis can potentially lead to debilitating sequelae such as vision loss, painful eye movement, proptosis, and eyelid retraction. Current treatment modalities for TED include systemic glucocorticoids, thioamides, methimazole, teprotumumab, beta-blockers, and radioactive iodine; however, it has been reported that up to 10%-20% of TED patients relapse after treatment withdrawal and 20%-30% are unresponsive to mainstay therapy for reasons that have yet to be more clearly elucidated. In the past 4 years, vision researchers have harnessed high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing to elucidate the diversity of cell types and molecular mechanisms driving the pathogenesis of TED at single-cell resolution. Such studies have provided unprecedented insight regarding novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in TED. This timely review summarizes recent breakthroughs and emerging opportunities for using single-cell and single-nuclei transcriptomic data to characterize this highly complex disease state. We also provide an overview of current challenges and future applications of this technology to potentially improve patient quality of life and facilitate reversal of disease endpoints.

    View details for DOI 10.4103/tjo.TJO-D-23-00096

    View details for PubMedID 39803402

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC11717346

  • Comparative analysis of medical treatments for long-term control of normal tension glaucoma: A systematic review and model-based network meta-analysis. Clinical & experimental ophthalmology Yang, T. K., Kuo, H. T., Ju, Y. J., Chen, C. Y., Chen, W. H., Wu, A. Y., Lin, C. J., Lee, C. C., Ho, J. H. 2024

    Abstract

    To evaluate and compare the long-term efficacy of medical treatments for normal tension glaucoma (NTG) in controlling intraocular pressure (IOP), and establish a hierarchical ranking based on their effectiveness. 'Long-term' is defined as a treatment duration of over 12 weeks in randomised controlled trials (RCTs).This systematic review and model-based network meta-analysis (MBNMA) collected data of 795 patients with 997 eyes from RCTs. Patients with NTG were selected based on strict inclusion/exclusion criteria, with randomsation procedures and masking as reported in the individual trials. Eight different medications were compared, including prostaglandin analogues, beta-blockers, brimonidine, unoprostone isopropyl, brovincamine, and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). Notably, PEA is an oral medication, while other drugs are topical agents.Primary outcome is the long-term efficacy of IOP control across medications with different follow-up durations. Among the eight medications, PEA demonstrates the highest efficacy (Surface under the cumulative ranking, SUCRA = 7.46%), followed by two prostaglandin analogues: travoprost (SUCRA = 6.86%) and latanoprost (SUCRA = 6.76%), then two beta-blockers: nipradilol (SUCRA = 4.90%) and timolol (SUCRA = 4.89%). Both brimonidine and unoprostone isopropyl have SUCRA scores below 4.0%, indicating modest but limited efficacy. Brovincamine has the lowest SUCRA score (1.32%), reflecting minimal effectiveness.This study revealed PEA as a promising agent for long-term IOP control in NTG patients, suggesting potential use as primary or adjunctive therapy. The outcomes call for PEA's consideration in clinical practice and highlight the need for further research into its long-term efficacy and safety for NTG.

    View details for DOI 10.1111/ceo.14447

    View details for PubMedID 39385332

  • Gender and personalized profile information influence online ratings of Canadian academic ophthalmologists. Canadian journal of ophthalmology. Journal canadien d'ophtalmologie Bondok, M., Nguyen, A. X., Tanya, S. M., Youn, G. M., Lando, L., Wu, A. Y. 2024

    Abstract

    To determine the characteristics associated with higher online ratings of academic ophthalmologists in Canada.Retrospective cross-sectional study.All ophthalmologists affiliated with Canadian ophthalmology departments were queried in March 2023 using WebMDs. Online ratings and physician profile details were extracted and descriptively analyzed using nonparametric tests with significance at p < 0.05. Subgroup analysis was conducted using ≥ 4-star rated profiles.Eight hundred and ninety-nine department faculty from 15 institutions were considered, and 660 ophthalmologists with active, rated profiles were included. A total of 27,823 online ratings with a median of 4.14 stars (out of 5) were observed. Most profiles were of men (74.1%). Women received lower overall ratings compared to men (median = 4.08 vs. 4.20; p = 0.021), and lower number of reviews (median = 23 vs. 34; p < 0.001). Most profiles included office addresses (87.9%), private practice affiliation (79.8%), and contact information (51.1%). There was a positive correlations between higher ratings and profiles that included biographies (rho = 0.13; p = 0.001), languages spoken (rho = 0.15; p < 0.001), educational background (rho = 0.13; p < 0.001), areas of expertise (rho = 0.10; p = 0.010), awards (rho = 0.12; p = 0.002), and among physicians indicating they accept new patients (rho = 0.15; p < 0.001) and accommodate virtual visits (rho = 0.09; p = 0.020).Canadian ophthalmologists having certain personal information on their online profiles tended to have higher ratings, despite weak associations, possibly due to wider public outreach. Women had fewer and lower overall ratings compared to men. Further research about online ratings' influence on physician selection and physician career satisfaction is needed.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jcjo.2024.09.002

    View details for PubMedID 39374903

  • Single-cell transcriptomics in thyroid eye disease TAIWAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY Ahsanuddin, S., Wu, A. Y. 2024; 14 (4)
  • RGD-Modified Hydrogel Maintains Cell Growth in Mechanically-Induced Limbal Stem Cell Deficient Mouse Model Esmaeilkhanian, H., Swarup, A., Eckman, N., Dhowre, H., Ercal, O., Shadmani, A., Appel, E., Wu, A. Y. ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC. 2024

Other Lab Members

Kim JY, Park J, Kim DH, Gardner B, Jenkins S, McGahan PJ, Chen JL. Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Tibial Tunnel First Graft Sizing Technique. Arthrosc Tech. 2021 Nov 29;10(12):e2797-e2803. doi:10.1016/j.eats.2021.08.017

Kim JY, Park HY, Del Sol SR, Bryant S, Gardner B, Chakrabarti MO, Perinovic S, McGahan PJ, Chen JL. Arthroscopic Single Portal, Single Anchor Knotless Subscapularis Repair with Concomitant Tenodesis of the Long Head of the Biceps Tendon. Arthrosc Tech. 2021 Mar 22;10(4):e1117-e1123. doi: 10.1016/j.eats.2021.01.002. PMID: 33981559; PMCID: PMC8085439.

Kim JY, Park HY, Bryant S, Gardner B, Chakrabarti M, McGahan P, Chen JL. Combined Coracoclavicular and Acromioclavicular Joint Reconstruction with Allograft Using a Cerclage Tensioning System. Arthrosc Tech. 2021 Jan 16;10(2):e317-e323. doi: 10.1016/j.eats.2020.10.013. PMID: 33680762; PMCID: PMC7917031.

Kim JY, Bryant S, Gardner B, Park HY, Tse W, Chakrabarti M, McGahan P, Chen JL. Distal Clavicle Excision for Acromioclavicular Joint Osteoarthritis Using a Fluoroscopic Kirschner Wire Guide. Arthrosc Tech. 2021 Jan 16;10(2):e359-e365. doi: 10.1016/j.eats.2020.10.010. PMID: 33680767; PMCID: PMC7917026.

Park HY, Gardner B, Kim JY, Bryant S, Chakrabarti M, McGahan P, Chen JL. Four-Strand Hamstring Diamond Braid Technique for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Arthrosc Tech. 2021 Mar 22;10(4):e1173-e1177. doi: 10.1016/j.eats.2021.01.011. PMID: 33981567; PMCID: PMC8085571.

Bryant SA, Trang G, Nash HM, Gardner BB, Kim JY, Park HY, Chakrabarti M, McGahan P, Chen JL. Mini-Open Achilles Repair With a Flat Braided Suture in a Low-Profile Configuration. Arthrosc Tech. 2021 Jan 16;10(2):e451-e455. doi: 10.1016/j.eats.2020.10.019. PMID: 33680778; PMCID: PMC791708

Nguyen AX, Ratan S, Biyani A, Trinh XV, Saleh S, Sun Y, Wu AY. Gender of Award Recipients in Major Ophthalmology Societies. Am J Ophthalmol. 2021 Nov;231:120-133. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2021.05.021. Epub 2021 Jun 6. PMID: 34102152; PMCID: PMC8608693.

Nguyen AX, Yoffe L, Li A, Trinh XV, Kurian J, Moss HE, Wu AY. Gender Gap in Neurology Research Authorship (1946-2020). Front Neurol. 2021 Aug 23;12:715428. 

Sanyam Ratan, Anne Xuan-Lan Nguyen, Ankita Biyani, Xuan-Vi Trinh, Yang Sun, Solin Saleh, Albert Y. Wu; Gender Gap in the Award Recipients of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2021;62(8):65.