Reducing the Global Burden of Myopia by Delaying the Onset of Myopia and Reducing Myopic Progression in Children: The Academy's Task Force on Myopia.

In 2019, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) created the Task Force on Myopia in recognition of the substantial global increases in myopia prevalence and its associated complications. The Task Force, led by Richard L. Abbott, MD, and Donald Tan, MD, comprised recognized experts in myopia prevention and treatment, public health experts from around the world, and organization representatives from the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Optometry, and American Academy of Pediatrics. The Academy's Board of Trustees believes that myopia is a high-priority cause of visual impairment, warranting a timely evaluation and synthesis of the scientific literature and formulation of an action plan to address the issue from different perspectives. This includes education of physicians and other health care providers, patients and their families, schools, and local and national public health agencies; defining health policies to ameliorate patients' access to appropriate therapy and to promote effective public health interventions; and fostering promising avenues of research.

The Asia Cornea Society Infectious Keratitis Study: A Prospective Multicenter Study of Infectious Keratitis in Asia.

PURPOSE: To survey the demographics, risk factors, microbiology, and outcomes for infectious keratitis in Asia. DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized clinical study. METHODS: Thirteen study centers and 30 sub-centers recruited consecutive subjects over 12-18 months, and performed standardized data collection. A microbiological protocol standardized the processing and reporting of all isolates. Treatment of the infectious keratitis was decided by the managing ophthalmologist. Subjects were observed for up to 6 months. Main outcome measures were final visual acuity and the need for surgery during infection. RESULTS: A total of 6626 eyes of 6563 subjects were studied. The majority of subjects were male (n = 3992). Trauma (n = 2279, 34.7%) and contact lens wear (n = 704, 10.7%) were the commonest risk factors. Overall, bacterial keratitis was diagnosed in 2521 eyes (38.0%) and fungal keratitis in 2166 eyes (32.7%). Of the 2831 microorganisms isolated, the most common were Fusarium species (n = 518, 18.3%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 302, 10.7%), and Aspergillus flavus (n = 236, 8.3%). Cornea transplantation was performed in 628 eyes to manage ongoing infection, but 289 grafts (46%) had failed by the end of the study. Moderate visual impairment (Snellen vision less than 20/60) was documented in 3478 eyes (53.6%). CONCLUSION: Demographic and risk factors for infection vary by country, but infections occur predominantly in male subjects and are frequently related to trauma. Overall, a similar percentage of bacterial and fungal infections were diagnosed in this study. Visual recovery after infectious keratitis is guarded, and corneal transplantation for active infection is associated with a high failure rate.

Retinopathy of prematurity malpractice claims: the Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company experience.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the causes of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) malpractice claims filed with the Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company. METHODS: All closed ROP malpractice claims were reviewed. RESULTS: Eight cases involved failure of transfer of care on patient discharge from the hospital, 3 cases demonstrated inappropriately long periods between follow-up examinations, 1 case was due to failure of outpatient referral from screening to the treating ophthalmologist, and 1 case concerned unsupervised resident provision of ROP care. CONCLUSIONS: Many preventable factors can be addressed to improve ROP care. It is essential to ensure that ophthalmologists, neonatologists, pediatricians, and families are updated on current guidelines for ROP screening and treatment and to facilitate follow-up appointments before patient discharge from the hospital. Doing so can help avoid future malpractice claims and patient harm.

Informed consent in cataract surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: With the introduction of several new intraocular lenses into the US ophthalmology market over the past several years, the importance of the informed consent process has significantly increased for all cataract surgeons. Managing unrealistic patient expectations is paramount in reducing the medico-legal risk associated with these procedures. RECENT FINDINGS: Increased emphasis on the informed consent process is intended to promote patient safety and reduce liability exposure when performing cataract or refractive lens exchange surgery. Particular attention to preoperative counseling, careful patient selection, and timing of the informed consent process are key elements in successfully managing the medico-legal risk associated with these surgical procedures. SUMMARY: The new intraocular lens options for correcting both near and distant vision through cataract surgery raise important risk management and informed consent issues for the ophthalmologist. As long as the informed consent process has been performed appropriately and is well documented in the medical record and the risk/benefit ratio of the specific procedure for a given patient is favorable, the decision to proceed with surgery should be considered sound.

Medical professional liability insurance and its relation to medical error and healthcare risk management for the practicing physician.

PURPOSE: To review the history and current issues surrounding medical professional liability insurance and its relationship to medical error and healthcare risk management. DESIGN: Focused literature review and authors' experience. METHODS: Medical professional liability insurance issues are reviewed in association with the occurrence of medical error and the role of healthcare risk management. RESULTS: The rising frequency and severity of claims and lawsuits incurred by physicians, as well as escalating defense costs, have dramatically increased over the past several years and have resulted in accelerated efforts to reduce medical errors and control practice risk for physicians. Medical error reduction and improved patient outcomes are closely linked to the goals of the medical risk manager by reducing exposure to adverse medical events. Management of professional liability risk by the physician-led malpractice insurance company not only protects the economic viability of physicians, but also addresses patient safety concerns. CONCLUSIONS: Physician-owned malpractice liability insurance companies will continue to be the dominant providers of insurance for practicing physicians and will serve as the primary source for loss prevention and risk management services. To succeed in the marketplace, the emergence and importance of the risk manager and incorporation of risk management principles throughout the professional liability company has become crucial to the financial stability and success of the insurance company. The risk manager provides the necessary advice and support requested by physicians to minimize medical liability risk in their daily practice.

Primary graft failure associated with epithelial downgrowth: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Epithelial downgrowth is a rare complication of ocular surgery. While the features of epithelial downgrowth following corneal transplantation are well described, its association with primary graft failure has only been reported once previously. We report a case of primary corneal graft failure (PGF) associated with retrocorneal epithelial cell ingrowth. CASE PRESENTATION: A 59 year-old male underwent an uncomplicated penetrating keratoplasty for Fuchs' corneal dystrophy. The patient developed PGF, and a second transplant was performed 5 weeks after the initial surgery. The initial host corneal button and the failed corneal graft were examined with light microscopy. Histopathologic examination of the excised corneal button demonstrated multilaminar epithelial cells on the posterior corneal surface and absence of endothelial cells. DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA was performed on the failed corneal graft. Polymerase chain reaction performed on the failed corneal graft was negative for HSV DNA, which has been implicated in selected cases of PGF. Three years following repeat penetrating keratoplasty, there was no evidence of recurrent epithelial ingrowth. CONCLUSION: This is only the second report of PGF associated with epithelialization of the posterior corneal button, which most likely developed subsequent to, instead of causing, the diffuse endothelial cell loss and primary graft failure.

Medical malpractice predictors and risk factors for ophthalmologists performing LASIK and photorefractive keratectomy surgery.

PURPOSE: To identify physician predictors in LASIK and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) surgery that correlate with a higher risk for malpractice liability claims and lawsuits. DESIGN: Retrospective, longitudinal, cohort study. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A comparison of physician demographic and practice pattern data of 100 consecutive Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company (OMIC) LASIK and PRK claims and lawsuits with demographic and practice pattern data for all active refractive surgeons insured by OMIC between 1996 to 2002 was made. Background information and data were obtained from OMIC underwriting applications, a physician practice pattern survey, and claims file records. Using an outcome of whether or not a physician had a history of a claim or lawsuit, logistic regression analyses were used separately for each predictor as well as controlling for refractive surgery volume. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Malpractice claim or lawsuit for performance of PRK or LASIK surgery. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the most important predictor of filing a claim was surgical volume, with those performing more surgery having a greater risk of incurring a claim (odds ratio [OR] = 31.4 for >1000 surgeries/year versus 0-20 surgeries/year, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 7.9-125, P = 0.0001). Having one or more prior claim was the only other predictor examined that remained statistically significant after controlling for patient volume (OR = 6.4, 95% CI = 2.5-16.4, P = 0.0001). Physician gender, advertising use, preoperative time spent with patient, and comanagement seemed to be strong predictors in multivariate analyses when surgical volume was greater than 100 cases per year. CONCLUSION: The chances for incurring a malpractice claim or lawsuit for PRK or LASIK correlate significantly with higher surgical volume and a history of a claim or lawsuit. Additional risk factors that increase in importance with higher surgical volume include physician gender, advertising use, preoperative time spent with the patient, and comanagement with optometrists. These findings may be used in the future to help improve the quality of care for patients undergoing refractive surgery and to provide data for underwriting criteria and risk management protocols to manage proactively and perhaps reduce the risk for claims and lawsuits against refractive surgeons.

A new mutation (Leu569Arg) within exon 13 of the TGFBI (BIGH3) gene causes lattice corneal dystrophy type I.

PURPOSE: To describe an American family with lattice corneal dystrophy type I, which associates with a novel mutation, Leu569Arg, of the TGFBI (BIGH3) gene. DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from buccal epithelial cells of four affected members of an American family with lattice corneal dystrophy type I. All 17 exons of the TGFBI gene were evaluated by PCR amplification and direct sequencing. Clinical and histologic data were also collected. RESULTS: Three generations of this family have been positively diagnosed with lattice corneal dystrophy, indicating autosomal dominant inheritance. We identified a heterozygous point mutation that associates with the disease phenotype. The single base-pair substitution (T1753G) results in an amino acid substitution (Leu569Arg) in exon 13 of the TGFBI gene. CONCLUSIONS: Substitution of arginine for leucine at position 569 of the TGFBI gene results in a form of lattice corneal dystrophy that is phenotypically similar to other genetically distinct forms of type I disease. This is the first report of disease correlated with changes in exon 13 of the TGFBI gene.

Spontaneous corneal hydrops and perforation in keratoconus and pellucid marginal degeneration.

PURPOSE: To report two cases of pellucid marginal degeneration and one case of keratoconus associated with spontaneous corneal hydrops leading either to perforation or imminent perforation, requiring urgent keratoplasty. METHOD: Retrospective interventional case series of three patients with noninflammatory peripheral corneal degenerations. A retrospective review was done of the clinical courses, surgical interventions, and pathologic specimens, development of spontaneous hydrops, perforation, need for surgical intervention, and final visual outcome. RESULTS: Two patients with pellucid marginal degeneration and one with keratoconus developed spontaneous hydrops followed by aqueous leakage through markedly thinned anterior stroma. In one case, the leak site was successfully sealed after three separate applications of tissue adhesive, although the remaining two cases required penetrating keratoplasty. CONCLUSIONS: These cases document the very unusual occurrence of corneal hydrops leading to spontaneous corneal perforation in patients with keratoconus and pellucid marginal degeneration.

Medical malpractice predictors and risk factors for ophthalmologists performing LASIK and PRK surgery.

PURPOSE: To identify physician predictors in laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) surgery that correlate with a higher risk for malpractice liability claims and lawsuits. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective, longitudinal, cohort study comparing physician characteristics of 100 consecutive Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company (OMIC) LASIK and PRK claims and suits to demographic and practice pattern data for all active refractive surgeons insured by OMIC between 1996 and 2002. Background information and data were obtained from OMIC underwriting applications, a physician practice pattern survey, and claims file records. Using an outcome of whether or not a physician had a prior history of a claim or suit, logistic regression analyses were used separately for each predictor as well as controlling for refractive surgery volume. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the most important predictor of filing a claim was surgical volume, with those performing more surgery having a greater risk of incurring a claim (odds ratio [OR], 31.4 for >1,000/year versus 0 to 20/year; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.9 - 125; P = .0001). Having one or more prior claims was the only other predictor examined that remained statistically significant after controlling for patient volume (OR, 6.4; 95% CI 2.5 - 16.4; P = .0001). Physician gender, advertising, preoperative time spent with patient, and comanagement appeared to be strong predictors in multivariate analyses when surgical volume was greater than 100 cases per year. CONCLUSION: The chances of incurring a malpractice claim or suit for PRK or LASIK correlates significantly with higher surgical volume and a history of a prior claim or suit. Additional risk factors that increase in importance with higher surgical volume include gender, advertising, preoperative time spent with patient, and comanagement with optometrists. These findings may be used in the future to help improve the quality of care for patients undergoing refractive surgery and provide data for underwriting criteria and risk management protocols to proactively manage and reduce the risk of claims and lawsuits against refractive surgeons.

Late-onset traumatic flap dislocation and diffuse lamellar inflammation after laser in situ keratomileusis.

PURPOSE: To report a case of traumatic flap partial dislocation and subsequent diffuse lamellar inflammation 14 months after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) retreatment. METHODS: Case report of a late flap dislocation that occurred during routine recreational activity (struck with a finger in the right eye while playing basketball). RESULTS: The partially dislocated LASIK flap was reflected nasally, and the stromal surfaces of the flap and bed were thoroughly scraped to remove debris and epithelial cells. The flap was repositioned, and a bandage contact lens was placed. Diffuse lamellar inflammation, which developed on post-trauma day number two, was successfully treated with frequent topical steroids. Three weeks after the injury, the patient had regained 20/20 uncorrected visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Patients should be appropriately warned of the possibility of late flap dislocation with traumatic forces encountered during routine recreational activities. Full visual recovery is possible if the dislocation is promptly diagnosed and appropriately managed.

Alteraçöes topográficas da área central da córnea após cirurgia de descolamento de retina / Central corneal topographic changes after retinal detachment surgery

Objetivo: Analisar alteraçöes corneais precoces induzidas por cirurgia de cerclagem, para melhor entender sua influência sobre a curvatura corneal e a reabilitaçäo visual. Método: Doze pacientes com deslocamento de retina regmatogênico periférico sem envolvimento macular foram avaliados quanto à acuidade visual melhor corrigida, biomicroscopia, tonometria, fundoscopia, cumprimento axial por ultrassonografia e topografia de córnea, tanto no periódo pré-operatório. Testes t parteados foram usados para comparar valores pré e pós-operatórios. Resultado Encontramos aplanamento central significante estatisticamente em 11 dos 12 pacientes com média de 1,22 Dioptrias mais ou menmos 1,73 (p <0,05). Houve mínima alteraçäo no comprimento axial, sem significância estatística. Conclusäo: Alteraçöes refrativas após procedimento de cerclagem säo fregüentes e desempenham importante papel na acuidade visual final, especialmente em pacientes que näo apresentaram comprometimento macular. A natureza destas alteraçöes dependem aparentemente do tipo de procedimento feito.

Sterile corneal epithelial defect associated with hypopyon

Noninfectious epithelial defect is characterized by absence of stromal cellular infiltration. Hypopyon is usually associated with stromal infiltration (bacterial, viral and fungal ulcers). Noninfectious hypopyon may occur in uveitis (e.g. Behcet's Syndrome) without epithelial defect. We repost 6 cases of corneal epithelial defect with hypopyon irydocyclitis: 3 related with bullous keratopathy, 2 with contact lenses and 1 with neurotrophic keratopathy. Studies have been done suggesting that the persistence of an epithelial defect increases the regular secretion of tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) from the focal contacts of the basal cell surfaces at the edge of the epithelial sheet. The resulting increased secretion of tPA, instead of promotion epithelial healing, promotes delay or nonhealing of the defect and according to our study, the development of stromal ulceration and hypopyon. With this studies, we hope to emphasize that hypopyon can be seen in any patient with sterile corneal epithelial defect, whatever the etiology is, as the level of tPA is increased when a corneal epithelial defect is present. Patching and/or a bandage contact lens are often helpful, inducing a prompt epithelial healing.