FDA Updates: Retina Trials and Regulatory Pathways - Summary - MDSpire
Conference News

FDA Updates: Retina Trials and Regulatory Pathways

William M. Boyd, MD, director of the FDA’s Division of Ophthalmology, discussed the agency’s evolving approaches to clinical evidence, trial design, and expedited regulatory pathways at the 2026 Retina World Congress meeting.

  • By

  • Matthew Solan, senior writer

  • May 14, 2026

  • 6 min

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At the 2026 Retina World Congress, Dr. William Boyd of the FDA's Division of Ophthalmology addressed the evolving landscape of clinical evidence and regulation in retinal therapeutics. He emphasized critical aspects including the importance of minimizing bias in sham procedures, the role of artificial intelligence in FDA reviews without replacing scientific judgment, and initiatives like the Real-Time Clinical Trials program and the Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher Pilot Program aimed at expediting drug reviews. Additionally, he discussed efforts for rare diseases and the evidentiary requirements for drug approvals, encouraging early FDA engagement for trial design considerations.

Original Source(s)

FDA Updates: Retina Trials and Regulatory Pathways

  • by Matthew Solan, senior writer

  • May 14, 2026

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