Opportunity Cost of Vitreoretinal Surgeries.

Purpose: To compare physician reimbursements for vitreoretinal surgeries with office-based patient care. Methods: A theoretical model was performed comparing physician work reimbursements for the 10 most common vitreoretinal surgeries with office-based work relative value units (wRVUs) that could have been generated during the same global time period. The reference physician was modeled at 40 patients per 8-hour workday. A lower volume physician and higher volume physician were modeled at 30 patients/day and 50 patients/day, respectively. The reimbursement rates and allocated times for surgery were based on the 2021 values set by Medicare, and the average wRVU per office visit was based on 2021 real-world data from the Vestrum Retinal Healthcare Database. Results: In the reference case, performing any of the 10 most common vitreoretinal surgeries was associated with an opportunity cost with a weighted mean of 49% (range, 40%-68%) relative to lost office productivity. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) allocated a weighted mean intraservice time of 73 minutes; however, the reference physician would have to complete the surgery with a weighted average of 5 minutes (range, -31-12 minutes) for surgical wRVUs to equal office-based reimbursements. Performing these 10 surgeries was associated with a 25% opportunity cost even for the lower volume physician and 61% for the higher volume physician. Probability sensitivity analysis with a range of conditions identified opportunity costs from surgery in over 99% of simulated scenarios. Conclusions: Medicare reimbursements for the physician work component of vitreoretinal surgeries represented a significant opportunity cost for the physician relative to office-based patient care of equivalent time, especially for busier physicians. The model did not explore practice overhead and professional liability insurance, which are factored separately by CMS and may influence the opportunity cost depending on utilization. The average threshold surgery times for surgical reimbursements to equal office-based reimbursements may be difficult to achieve.

Progression of Pentosan-Polysulfate Sodium-Associated Retinopathy: Intermediate Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To compare the risk factors for the development and progression of pigmentary retinopathy in patients exposed to pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of patients exposed to PPS with at least two follow-up visits with multimodal imaging. RESULTS: A total of 97 patients were included (33 with PPS-associated retinopathy and 64 without). The average follow-up was 29.4 months, overall cumulative dose was 1,220 ± 910 g (1,730 ± 870 vs 959 ± 910; P < 0.0001), and total PPS duration was 12.1 ± 7.1 years (16.0.2 ± 6.1 vs 10.1 ± 6.9; P < 0.0001). The best-corrected visual acuity remained stable during follow-up. At presentation, the average area of the retinopathy in the worse eye was 54.1 ± 50 mm2 in the PPS-retinopathy group, worsening at a rate of 6.10 ± 10 mm2/year. Patients who developed choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVMs) had faster rates of retinopathy progression (11.6 ± 12 vs 3.53 ± 7.6 mm2/year, P = 0.036). No patient had the exact same gene mutation. CONCLUSION: PPS-associated pigmentary retinopathy can continue to progress over time, even after discontinuing the medication. CNVM development may be associated with faster rates of retinopathy progression. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2023;54:388-394.].

Initial Real-World Experience with Faricimab in Treatment-Resistant Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: To evaluate the initial efficacy and safety of intravitreal faricimab in eyes previously treated for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nARMD). Patients and methods: A retrospective review of all patients with nARMD previously treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections who received at least 3 intravitreal faricimab injections with at least 3 months of follow-up. Results: A total of 190 eyes were included. Patients received a mean of 34.2±23 anti-VEGF injections over 182.41±128 weeks prior to switching to faricimab. Patients then received a mean of 6.99±2.3 faricimab injections with an average 34.88±8.2 weeks of follow-up. The mean best corrected visual acuities improved from 0.33±0.32 logMAR ≈20/43 to 0.27±0.32 logMAR ≈20/37 (P=0.0022). The central subfield thickness (CST) improved from 312±87µm to 287±71µm (P<0.0001). At the last clinical visit, 24% had no subretinal fluid or intraretinal fluid on optical coherence tomography. The mean dosing interval between the last two consecutive faricimab injections (7.64±6.2 weeks) was significantly longer than that for ranibizumab (5.16±2.0 weeks, P<0.001) or aflibercept (5.57±3.6 weeks, P<0.001). No patients developed idiopathic intraocular inflammation. Conclusion: Intravitreal faricimab was associated with improved vision and CSTs, even in treatment-resistant nARMD eyes. The mean last dosing interval for faricimab was longer than for ranibizumab or aflibercept. No significant adverse events were directly attributed to faricimab during the study.

Ocular and Systemic Complications of COVID-19: Impact on Patients and Healthcare.

There is increasing information available about the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on the systemic and ocular health of patients, as well as the effects of delayed health care. This mini-review summarizes the potential complications and treatments of COVID-19. Systemic findings include respiratory illness, risk of thromboembolic events, and neurologic findings. Some patients may develop persistent symptoms even after the infection resolves. Effective treatment options include glucocorticoids, antivirals, interleukin-6 antagonists, monoclonal antibodies, Janus kinase inhibitors and vaccines. Potential ocular findings of COVID-19 include conjunctivitis, cranial nerve palsies, and microvascular changes in the retina; most symptoms resolved over time. During the lockdown periods, teleophthalmology was utilized to triage non-urgent issues; patients who did present to emergency departments tended to have more severe disease with worse visual prognoses. While transient delays in outpatient ophthalmic care may be tolerated in some patients, others experienced significant vision loss with interruptions in treatments. Resumption of ophthalmic care as soon as possible may help mitigate the effects of delayed care due to the pandemic.

Opportunity Cost of Retinal Detachment Surgery vs Office-Based Patient Care.

Purpose: This work compares physician reimbursements for retinal detachment (RD) surgery with office-based patient care. Methods: A theoretical model was constructed from the physician's perspective for performing a 90-minute uncomplicated RD surgery with its associated perioperative work in the global period (Current Procedural Terminology code 67108) compared with managing 40 patients per 8-hour clinic day in the equivalent time period. The reimbursement rates were based on the 2019 values set by the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Sensitivity analyses were performed varying the perioperative times, clinical productivity, and postoperative visits. Results: The CMS physician reimbursement rate for 67108 surgery was 17.13 work relative value units (wRVUs); meanwhile, the physician in the reference case could have generated 40.89 wRVUs in the office. CMS reimbursement therefore represented a 58% opportunity cost relative to lost office productivity for the physician. A significant disparity was still present even when modeling 30 patients per day. In sensitivity analyses, clinical productivity exceeded surgical compensation in 99% of modeled scenarios. In threshold analyses, the surgeon in the reference case would have to complete the surgery and all immediate perioperative care within 18 minutes to equal the total CMS valuation. Conclusions: CMS reimbursement for RD surgery resulted in a significant opportunity cost for the physician relative to office-based patient care, which was more pronounced for more efficient clinicians in the office. The sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of the model. Reductions in surgery reimbursements relative to office-based patient care might disincentivize busy clinicians.

Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium-Associated Pigmentary Retinopathy: Risk Factors and Fundus Findings.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the risk factors and fundus findings of patients with potential PPS-associated retinopathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of patients exposed to PPS who had a dilated fundus examination at a large retina-only practice from 2018-21. Multimodal images were evaluated by masked reviewers. RESULTS: A total of 148 patients were included, of whom 33 (22%) had PPS-associated retinopathy, and 115 (78%) did not. The mean age was 60.3 years old, and the mean follow-up was 11.8 months. The PPS-associated retinopathy group had higher mean cumulative doses of PPS (1600g±849 vs 864g±852, P < 0.0001, Mann-Whitney test) and longer duration of PPS use (13.6 years vs 7.48, P < 0.0001). There was no statistically significant difference based on a history of kidney or liver disease or the dosage per day for the weight, body mass index, body surface area, or lean body weight. Of the patients with PPS-associated retinopathy whose genetic results were available, 15 of 16 (93%) were heterozygous for variants of uncertain significance. CONCLUSION: A longer duration of PPS use and higher cumulative dosage of PPS were associated with an increased risk of developing PPS-associated pigmentary retinopathy. The role of genetic mutations in patients exposed to PPS is still to be determined.

Traumatic Retinal Detachment in Patients with Self-Injurious Behavior: An International Multicenter Study.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical characteristics, surgical outcomes, and management recommendations in patients with traumatic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) resulting from self-injurious behavior (SIB). DESIGN: International, multicenter, retrospective, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with SIB from 23 centers with RRD in at least 1 eye. METHODS: Clinical histories, preoperative assessment, surgical details, postoperative management, behavioral intervention, and follow-up examination findings were reviewed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The rate of single-surgery anatomic success (SSAS) was the primary outcome. Other outcomes included new RRD in formerly attached eyes, final retinal reattachment, and final visual acuity. RESULTS: One hundred seven eyes with RRDs were included from 78 patients. Fifty-four percent of patients had bilateral RRD or phthisis bulbi in the fellow eye at final follow-up. The most common systemic diagnoses were autism spectrum disorder (35.9%) and trisomy 21 (21.8%) and the most common behavior was face hitting (74.4%). The average follow-up time was 3.3 ± 2.8 years, and surgical outcomes for operable eyes were restricted to patients with at least 3 months of follow-up (81 eyes). Primary initial surgeries were vitrectomy alone (33.3%), primary scleral buckle (SB; 26.9%), and vitrectomy with SB (39.7%), and 5 prophylactic SBs were placed. Twenty-three eyes (21.5%) with RRDs were inoperable. The SSAS was 23.1% without tamponade (37.2% if including silicone oil), and final reattachment was attained in 80% (36.3% without silicone oil tamponade). Funnel-configured RRD (P = 0.006) and the presence of grade C proliferative vitreoretinopathy (P = 0.002) correlated with re-detachment. The use of an SB predicted the final attachment rate during the initial surgery (P = 0.005) or at any surgery (P = 0.008. These associations held if restricting to 64 patients with ≥12 months followup. Anatomic reattachment correlated with better visual acuity (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: RRD resulting from SIB poses therapeutic challenges because of limited patient cooperation, bilateral involvement, chronicity, and ongoing trauma in vulnerable and neglected patients. The surgical success rates were some of the lowest in the modern retinal detachment literature. The use of an SB may result in better outcomes, and visual function can be restored in some patients.

Microcornea and Thickened Lens in Angle Closure following Nonsurgical Treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity.

PURPOSE: To characterize the clinical features in young patients with angle closure and to determine the characteristics associated with acquired anterior segment abnormality following retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) treatment. METHODS: We performed two retrospective case-control series. In the first series, we identified consecutive young angle closure patients without prior surgeries, with and without a history of ROP treatment; in the second series we identified consecutive patients who underwent ROP treatment, without and without anterior segment changes. RESULTS: In the first series, 25 eyes of 14 consecutive angle closure patients were included: 19 eyes (11 patients, 78.6%) had a history of treated ROP, while 6 eyes (3 patients) belonged to full-term patients. The treated ROP eyes had significantly shallower anterior chambers (1.77 ± 0.17 mm vs 2.72 ± 0.18 mm, P < 0.0001) and thicker lenses (5.20 ± 0.54 mm vs 3.98 ± 0.20 mm, P = 0.0002) compared to the full-term controls. In the second series, 79 eyes of 40 patients were included, with median gestational age of 24.6 weeks. Acquired iridocorneal adhesion was noted in the eight eyes (10.1%) at a mean age of 4.7 years and was associated with prior zone 1 and plus disease (P = 0.0013), a history of initial intravitreal bevacizumab treatment (IVB, P = 0.0477) and a history of requiring additional IVB after initial treatment (P = 0.0337). CONCLUSIONS: Many young angle closure patients may have a history of treated ROP and may present with the triad of increased lens thickness, microcornea, and angle closure.

Cost-Effectiveness of Preoperative OCT in Cataract Evaluation for Multifocal Intraocular Lens.

PURPOSE: To determine the cost effectiveness of an adjunctive screening OCT during the preoperative evaluation of a patient considering cataract surgery with a multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. DESIGN: Cost-effectiveness analysis. PARTICIPANTS: A 67-year-old man with 20/60 vision undergoing evaluation for first-eye cataract surgery. METHODS: The cost-effectiveness analysis of the reference patient undergoing a preoperative cataract examination with and without a screening OCT was performed, evaluating for vitreoretinal diseases including an epiretinal membrane, age-related macular degeneration, vitreomacular traction, and cystoid macular edema. It was assumed that patients with macular pathologies detected before surgery would receive a monofocal IOL and be referred to a retina specialist for evaluation and management. The Medicare reimbursable cost of an OCT was $41.81. All costs and benefits were adjusted for inflation to 2019 United States dollars and discounted 3% per annum over a 16-year time horizon. Probability sensitivity analyses and 1-way deterministic sensitivity analyses were performed to assess for uncertainty. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio and incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) measured in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). RESULTS: Approximately 20.5% of patients undergoing cataract surgery may have macular pathologies, of which 11% may not be detected on the initial clinical examination. In the base case, an adjunctive preoperative OCT was cost effective from a third-party payer and societal perspective in the United States. In the probability sensitivity analyses, the ICURs were within the societal willingness-to-pay threshold of $50 000/QALY in approximately 64.4% of the clinical scenarios. CONCLUSIONS: A preoperative screening OCT during the evaluation of a patient considering a multifocal IOL added to the costs of the cataract surgery, but the OCT increased the detection of macular pathologies and improved the QALYs over time. An adjunctive screening OCT can be cost effective from a third-party payer and societal perspective.

Cost-Effectiveness of Antifungal Supplementation of Corneal Cold Storage Media.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of supplementing hypothermic cold storage media (CSM) with antifungal therapy. DESIGN: Cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA). PARTICIPANT: Base case of a patient with Fuch's endothelial dystrophy undergoing a first eye keratoplasty. METHODS: Cost-effective analysis of the base case with corneal tissue stored in CSM or CSM supplemented with antifungal therapy over a 16-year time horizon. Multiple clinical scenarios were considered, including endothelial keratoplasty (EK) and penetrating keratoplasty (PK); amphotericin B, voriconazole, caspofungin, and combination therapy; and third-party payer and societal perspectives. The incidences were derived from PubMed literature searches and average wholesale prices of medications; all costs were discounted 3% per annum and adjusted for inflation to 2019 US dollars. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). RESULTS: In the reference case, a corneal endothelial graft stored in amphotericin B-supplemented CSM was the most cost-effective approach from a third-party payer and societal perspective. Probability sensitivity analysis (PSA) of the societal model for the EK was robust, with 93.5% being below an arbitrary willingness-to-pay threshold (WTP) of $20 000 per fungal infection averted. Voriconazole, caspofungin, and combination antifungals were less cost-effective than amphotericin B. The main factors influencing the CEA were the incidences of postkeratoplasty fungal infections, potential increases in graft failures, and antifungal costs. For grafts intended for PKs, antifungal supplementation was less cost-effective than for EKs. CONCLUSIONS: Antifungal supplementation with amphotericin B for EK grafts was the most cost-effective approach of the studied antifungals; however, the CEA was sensitive to potential changes in graft failure rates, underlining the importance of long-term safety studies. For full-thickness corneal grafts, antifungal supplementation was less cost-effective.

Antibiotics and antifungals in silicone oil.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobials may be injected into silicone oil-filled eyes with endophthalmitis, but the interaction with oil is unclear. The purpose of the experiment is to determine whether vancomycin, amikacin, and amphotericin B mix with silicone oil. METHODS: Using the relative proportions of the human eye, 4 ml of 1000 centistokes silicone oil was centrifuged with 0.1 ml of vancomycin 1 mg/0.1 ml, amikacin 0.4 mg/0.1 ml, or amphotericin B 5 µg/0.1 ml in vitro and eluted. The aqueous was immediately analyzed with a liquid chromatographer/mass spectrometer and after 24 h. RESULTS: Within 24 h, a mean of 26.9 µmol/L of vancomycin, 0 nmol/L of amikacin, and 0 nmol/L of amphotericin B were recovered. When the concentrations of amikacin and amphotericin B were increased 100-fold, 0 nmol/L of amikacin and 75.7 µmol/L of amphotericin B were recovered. CONCLUSIONS: Vancomycin and amphotericin B partially mixed with the silicone oil. Amikacin was not recovered from the antibiotic-silicone oil mixture.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty Versus Descemet's Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty in the United States.

PURPOSE: To determine the cost-effectiveness of Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) compared with Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) in the United States. DESIGN: Cost-effectiveness analysis in a surgical center in the United States. PARTICIPANTS: Binocular adult patient undergoing endothelial keratoplasty. METHODS: A base case of a 70-year-old man undergoing his first endothelial keratoplasty for bilateral Fuchs endothelial dystrophy. The cost-effectiveness of DMEK was compared with DSAEK over a 15-year time horizon. The incidences and costs of complications were derived from PubMed English literature searches, Medicare reimbursements, and average wholesale prices. All costs were discounted 3% per annum and adjusted for inflation to 2018 U.S. dollars. Uncertainty was evaluated using deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios and incremental cost-utility ratios, measured in cost per quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). RESULTS: Performing a DMEK instead of a DSAEK generated an extra 0.4 QALYs over a 15-year period. From a societal and third-party payer perspective, DMEK was cost-saving when compared with DSAEK in improving visual acuity in the base case. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses with variations in the costs and rebubble rates revealed that DMEK was cost-saving compared with DSAEK in 38% of iterations and was within a societal willingness-to-pay threshold of $50 000 in 98% of models. CONCLUSIONS: From the societal and third-party payer perspectives in the United States, DMEK generated greater utilities and was less costly than DSAEK. Therefore, DMEK was the dominant procedure and was cost-saving with respect to DSAEK. The economic model was robust based on sensitivity analyses.