Visual outcomes after cataract surgery in monocular compared to binocular patients: a case-control study.

PURPOSE: We aimed to identify ocular comorbidities and reasons of blindness in monocular patients and to compare visual outcomes of cataract surgery between monocular and binocular patients. METHODS: A single-center case-control study was conducted between November 2011 and May 2019 to compare consecutive series of patients needing cataract surgery in Strasbourg University Hospitals, France. Cases were patients with permanent monocular vision loss. Controls were binocularly sighted patients. All patients underwent cataract surgery using phacoemulsification technique. Chart analysis included demographic data, medical history, and surgical determinants data. Student's t tests and Fisher's exact tests were the main methods used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Each group included 80 patients. The mean age at the time of surgery was significantly higher in monocular than binocular patients (77 vs. 71 years, p < 0.001). Thirty-two monocular patients (40%) had ocular comorbidities, compared to only 19 (23%) in the control group (p < 0.05). The leading cause of monocular status was amblyopia caused by strabismus (22 patients, 27.5%). Age-related macular degeneration, open-angle glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy were the three main ocular comorbidities that were observed in the monocular group. Monocular patients had significantly lower visual acuity than the control group (p < 0.01) before and after cataract surgery. Conversely, improvement in visual acuity after surgery was not statistically different between groups (p = 0.054). There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of surgical complications between groups (p = 0.622). CONCLUSIONS: This study illustrates that cataract surgery in monocular patients is not more complicated than in binocular patients, but that it is significantly delayed.

Could internal limiting membrane peeling before Voretigen neparvovec-ryzl subretinal injection prevent focal chorioretinal atrophy?

Purpose: To report the effect of internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling prior to Voretigen Neparvovec-ryzl (VN) subretinal injection on focal chorioretinal atrophy development in patients presenting with RPE65-mediated Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). Design: Retrospective case series. Methods: Three patients who underwent bilateral subretinal VN injection for RPE65-mediated LCA were followed up for 18-24 months. ILM peeling was performed unilaterally in patients 1 and 2 and bilaterally in patient 3. Chorioretinal atrophy was identified on fundus biomicroscopy, non-mydriatic retinography and/or ultrawide field fundus imaging. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), visual fields, full-field stimulus threshold (FST) and visual functioning questionnaire score (NEI-VFQ-25) were reported. Outcome measures were changes in BCVA, visual fields, FST, NEI-VFQ-25, and chorioretinal atrophy location. Results: Chorioretinal atrophy at the injection site exclusively developed in eyes which did not undergo prior ILM peeling. In patient 3, bilateral pre-operative nummular chorioretinal alterations progressed toward epithelial atrophic patches in the mid and extreme retinal periphery 18 months after VN injection. BCVA and visual fields improved bilaterally. NEI_VFQ 25 remained stable in patient 1 and improved in patient 2 and 3. FST test improved bilaterally in patient 3. Conclusions: ILM peeling prior to VN injection seems to be a smoother and safer technique to administer VN treatment and may prevent secondary focal atrophy development at the injection site. However, another type of more extended chorioretinal atrophy might exist and could be related to LCA evolution or to incompletely understood adverse effect of VN product.

Infectious keratitis following corneal transplantation: A long-term cohort study.

BACKGROUND: To assess the long-term incidence and risk factors for post-keratoplasty infectious keratitis (IK), associated ocular pathogens, and antibiotic resistance profiles. METHODS: Cohort study including 2553 consecutive penetrating, endothelial, and anterior lamellar keratoplasties performed between 1992 and 2020. Medical and microbiological records of patients clinically diagnosed with IK were retrospectively reviewed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: cumulative incidence of IK, infectious agent species, and antibiotics resistance profiles. RESULTS: The average follow-up time after transplantation was 112 ± 96 months. Eighty-nine IK episodes were recorded; microbiological tests were positive in 55/89 (62%). The cumulated incidence of postoperative IK was 5.50%/10.25% at 10/20 years. The occurrence of at least one episode of IK after transplantation was associated with lower graft survival in the long term (p < 0.0001). Rejection risk (adjusted Hazard Ratio, 2.29) and postoperative epithelial complications (HR, 3.44) were significantly and independently associated with a higher incidence of postoperative IK. Infectious agents included 41 bacteria, 10 HSV, 6 fungi, and 1 Acanthamoeba. The rate of antibiotic resistance was 0% for vancomycin, 13% for fluoroquinolones, 20% for rifamycin, 59% for aminoglycosides, and 73% for ticarcillin. In 41% of cases, patients were under prophylactic topical antibiotics before the infectious episode. Topical antibiotics were significantly associated with increased resistance to penicillin, carbapenems, and aminoglycosides. CONCLUSION: IK (mainly bacterial) is a frequent complication of corneal transplantation in the long term. Vancomycin and fluoroquinolones can be considered as first-line treatments. Prolonged postoperative antibiotic preventive treatment is not advisable as it may increase antibiotic resistance.

Retinal microvascular changes in unilateral functional amblyopia detected by oct-angiography and follow-up during treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the macular microvascular changes using optical coherence tomographic angiography (OCT-A) in children with unilateral amblyopia and their reversibility during treatment. METHODS: Patients with unilateral strabismic or anisometropic amblyopia or residual amblyopia from early congenital cataract surgery, examined between October 2019 and March 2021, were included. Vessel density and perfusion density in the superficial capillary plexus and area, perimeter and circularity of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) were analysed using OCT-A in amblyopic eyes, contralateral eyes and control group healthy eyes. Correlation analyses between the microvascular parameters and the visual acuity were performed. In a pilot study on a few patients from the amblyopic cohort, longitudinal follow-up during treatment was also performed. RESULTS: A total of 128 eyes of 64 patients were included: 32 amblyopic eyes compared with 32 contralateral eyes and 64 control eyes. Vessel density and perfusion density in the superficial capillary plexus were significantly lower in amblyopic eyes compared to control eyes in 6 × 6 mm (p < 0.02) and 3 × 3 mm (p < 0.01) scans. Correlation analyses showed a linear decrease in vessel density and perfusion density with decreasing visual acuity. The microvascular changes observed were reversible with the occlusion treatment of amblyopia (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The study found a decrease in vessel density and perfusion density in the macula of children with unilateral functional amblyopia. These microvascular changes were correlated with visual acuity and appeared to be reversible with treatment of amblyopia. On the whole, OCT-A appears to be a relevant complementary examination when it comes to diagnosing and monitoring functional amblyopia.

Cataract surgical training in Europe: European Board of Ophthalmology survey.

PURPOSE: To survey recently graduated European ophthalmologists concerning cataract surgery (CS) training opportunities. SETTING: Countries affiliated to the European Board of Ophthalmology (EBO). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of anonymous survey results. METHODS: A 23-question online survey was emailed to candidates who sat the EBO Diploma Examination as residents between 2018 and 2022. RESULTS: 821 ophthalmologists from 30 countries completed the survey. The mean residency duration was 4.73 (SD 0.9) years. The mean reported number of entire CS procedures performed was 80.7 (SD 100.6) at the end of residency, but more than 25% of respondents (n = 210) had received no live CS training during their residency. The self-confidence (scale, 1 to 10) to perform a simple case or challenging case, manage posterior capsular rupture, and realize a corneal stitch were rated 4.1, 3.2, 4.2, 2.4, respectively. We observed extensive variation in clinical exposure to CS and self-reported confidence to perform CS between European trainees. Females reported a mean of 18% fewer entire procedures than their male colleagues and were also less confident in their surgical skills (P < .05). Trainees in residency programs longer than 5 years performed fewer procedures and were less confident than trainees in residences of shorter duration (P < .001). The importance of fellowships to complete surgical education was rated 7.7 out of 10. CONCLUSIONS: CS training across European countries lacks harmony. Female ophthalmology trainees continue, as in other specialties, to experience apparent gender bias. European level recommendations seem necessary to raise and harmonize competency-based CS training programs and promote post-residency fellowship training programs.

Telangiectatic capillaries causing persistent diabetic macular edema successfully treated by photodynamic therapy.

PURPOSE: To report two cases of persistent macular edema caused by the exudation of diabetic telangiectatic capillaries (TelCaps) which have been successfully treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT). METHODS: review of data from two patients suffering from persistent macular edema caused by parafoveolar TelCaps. In both cases, conventional laser was impossible, because TelCaps were to close from foveal center. RESULTS: The use of focal PDT on perifoveolar TelCaps permitted to reduce persistent macular edema and to avoid inefficient intra-vitreal anti-vascular epithelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) or steroid injections. In both cases, visual acuity was fully restored four to six months after PDT. Central Macular Thickness was also normalized in the first case and significantly reduced in the second case. In both cases, visual gain was sustained throughout the whole follow-up period (2 and 1 year respectively). CONCLUSION: PDT can be helpful to treat diabetic macular edema caused by TelCaps non-responding to approved intravitreal therapy or for which conventional laser is contraindicated.

Keratoconus and the Impact of Treatment on Patients' Quality of Life: A Qualitative Study.

INTRODUCTION: Keratoconus has a significant impact on patients' quality of life (QoL), from diagnosis to the advanced stages of the disease. The aim of this research was to identify domains of QoL affected by this disease and its treatment. METHODS: Phone interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide, with patients with keratoconus stratified according to their current treatment. A board of keratoconus experts helped identify the guide's main themes. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients (rigid contact lenses, n = 9; cross-linking, n = 9; corneal ring implants, n = 8; and corneal transplantation, n = 9) were interviewed by qualitative researchers. Phone interviews revealed several QoL domains affected by the disease and its treatments: "psychological", "social life", "professional life", "financial costs" and "student life". All domains were impacted, independently of the treatment history. Few differences were found between treatment regimens and keratoconus stages. Qualitative analysis enabled the development of a conceptual framework based on Wilson and Cleary's model for patient outcomes common to all patients. This conceptual model describes the relationship between patients' characteristics, their symptoms, their environment, their functional visual impairment and the impact on their QoL. CONCLUSIONS: These qualitative findings supported the generation of a questionnaire to evaluate the impact of keratoconus and its treatment on patients' QoL. Cognitive debriefings confirmed its content validity. The questionnaire is applicable for all stages of keratoconus and treatments and may help tracking change over time in regular clinical settings. Psychometric validation is yet to be performed before its use in research and clinical practices.

Binocular visual function improvement after pars plana vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane.

PURPOSE: To report binocular visual function changes after pars plana vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane (ERM) and the related outcomes. METHODS: Twenty-three eyes of 23 patients operated on for ERM were included in a retrospective study. Clinical data, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity and binocular visual function were assessed pre- and 1 and 3 months post-operatively. Binocular visual function assessment included the evaluation of fusional amplitudes (i.e., vergences) by the synoptophore, far distance stereopsis using polarized glasses and near stereopsis using Randot and TNO tests. Central macular thickness (CMT) was measured on Spectral Domain - Optical Coherence Tomography. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 67 years. Mean BCVA and contrast sensitivity significantly improved post-operatively at one (p = 0.0006 and p = 0.0022, respectively) and 3 months (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively), while CMT significantly decreased after 1-3 months (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Fusional amplitudes improved after 3 months (p < 0.0001). Far distance and near stereopsis significantly improved after 3 months (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0007 for Randot test, and p < 0.0001 for TNO test, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Pars plana vitrectomy for ERM surgery leads to an improvement of monocular and binocular visual functions (i.e., binocular fusion, near and far distance stereopsis), within 3 months post-operatively.

Multiple metrics assessment method for a reliable evaluation of corneal suturing skills.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of a multiple metrics assessment method to differentiate between surgeons of differing experience while performing a corneal suturing task. Volunteer ophthalmologists were assigned to three groups (senior [SG], junior [JG] and novice [NG]) according to their experience in corneal suturing. All participants performed three sessions of corneal wound closure by three stitches. Suturing and participant posture were recorded with cameras, and assessed by two blind assessors for stitch quality (using Zhang score) and ergonomics (using Rapid Upper Limb Assessment [RULA] score). Task duration was recorded. Objective analyses of stitches geometry and instrument position were carried out. We included 24 participants: 5 in the SG, 8 in the JG and 11 in the NG. Stitch quality was significantly better and time to perform the procedure significantly lower in more experienced groups (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). SG participants better respected regular distance and parallelism between stitches compared to others (p = 0.01). Instrument position was similar between groups, although SG participants minimized their back-and-forth movements compared to NG participants. Ergonomics assessment was similar. Multiple metrics assessment efficiently determined how to differentiate between novices and experienced surgeons on corneal suturing skills, providing hints for future training studies.

Practice patterns in the management of bacterial keratitis: a five-continent survey.

PURPOSE: To assess the current diagnostic and therapeutic practice patterns in early management of bacterial keratitis over five continents. METHODS: Between March and August 2019, we distributed an online survey including two clinical scenarios of bacterial keratitis, namely, a mild case and severe case, to 2936 ophthalmologists from 144 countries around the world. The survey consisted of 29 questions. We performed descriptive statistics and a comparative analysis of the answers according to the participants' continent of practice, practice setting, seniority, and subspecialty. RESULTS: We received 237 surveys from 54 countries (8% response rate). The proportion of respondents performing microbiological investigations was higher in North America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania than Africa and South America (p < 0.05). This ratio was also higher among ocular surface specialists than for other ophthalmologists (p < 0.001). For mild cases, fluoroquinolone monotherapy and a combination of two or more antibiotics were prescribed by 46% and 41% respondents, respectively. For severe cases, fluoroquinolone monotherapy and a combination of antibiotics were prescribed by 20% and 78% respondents, respectively. Fluoroquinolone monotherapy was the most commonly prescribed treatment in South America, Africa, and Oceania. A combination of two antibiotics was preferentially prescribed in the rest of the world. Topical steroids were prescribed in both circumstances, respectively, in 72% and 75% of cases. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight essential geographical disparities in the current management of bacterial keratitis over five continents.

The effect of strabismus surgery on the learning abilities of school-aged children.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether strabismus surgery improves the learning performance - calculation, reading and drawing - of school-aged children. METHODS: In a case-control study, patients between the ages of 7 and 10 years with horizontal strabismus, recommended for surgical correction, were prospectively included. Reading, calculating and drawing abilities were evaluated before and 3 months after corrective strabismus surgery using standardized tests. Cases were compared to control patients: patients with a surgical indication postponed due to the COVID lockdown. RESULTS: Forty-two operated patients and 42 controls between the ages of 7 and 10 years with horizontal strabismus were included. The average reading speed was 65.8 words per minute pre-operatively compared to 80.6 words per minute post-operatively (p = 0.0038). The average drawing score was 71.1 pre-operatively compared to 84.3 post-operatively (p = 0.012). The average calculation score was 3.2 pre-operatively compared to 3.4 post-operatively (p = 0.363). Improvement given by strabismus surgery was confirmed avoiding the learning effect by comparison with the control group. The improvements observed were more significant in the youngest patients and esotropia. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights that strabismus surgery significantly improved the children's reading fluency and drawing task execution. These encouraging data should be taken into account when considering the indications for strabismus surgery.

LONG-TERM MICROVASCULAR REMODELING AND CYSTIC CHANGES AFTER RETINAL DETACHMENT TREATED WITH SILICON OIL TAMPONADE.

PURPOSE: To determine the long-term microvascular alterations associated with macular cystic changes after retinal detachment surgery with silicone oil tamponade. METHODS: The results of two optical coherence tomography angiographies performed at 11 months and 38 months after silicone removal were retrospectively analyzed for 30 eyes. The data were compared between both measurements and between eyes with macular cysts (MC+) and without macular cysts (MC-). Two patterns of cysts were identified and compared: cysts exclusively involving the inner nuclear layer (INLc) and cysts present in all retinal layers. RESULTS: At both end points, 20 eyes (67%) presented with macular cysts, 12 of them (40%) had INLc. At the first end point, vascular density of superficial capillary plexus was higher and superficial foveal avascular zone was smaller in MC+ eyes than in MC- eyes (P = 0.04 and P = 0.017, respectively). At the second end point, vascular density of superficial capillary plexus significantly decreased in MC+ eyes as compared with the first end point (P < 0.001) and superficial foveal avascular zone enlarged (P < 0.001). Macular central thickness decreased between follow-ups only in eyes with INLc (P < 0.01). The final best-corrected visual acuity was better in eyes with INLc than in eyes with cysts present in all retinal layers (P < 0.01). There was no difference between the final best-corrected visual acuity in eyes with INLc and MC- eyes. CONCLUSION: Macular cysts are a common finding long after silicon removal. Vascular remodeling seems characterized by an initial increase of the vascular density of superficial capillary plexus in eyes with cysts, which is followed by its progressive decrease. The INLc is the most common pattern of cysts. They are associated with a progressive decrease of the central macular thickness without visual impairment.

Objective Evaluation of Clock Face Suture Using the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skill (OSATS) Checklist.

Objective: Assessment of the quality of the final product (QFP) is critical in simulation training, such as the clock face suture (CFS) exercise that is used to assess trainees' needle handling and suturing accuracy. Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skill (OSATS) scores are the gold standard for the evaluation of trainees. The aim was to investigate variability in the use of OSATS checklists and to evaluate a semi-automatic method of suture analysis vs. OSATS scores. Methods: Details of 287 CFSs performed by trainees during Fundamentals in Vascular Surgery examinations were collected. All were rated according to a seven item OSATS checklist, including QFP score and an overall score by one or two expert surgeons immediately after completion. Interassessor variability was assessed for the CFS that were assessed by two assessors.In order to assess intra- and interassessor variability, 50 CFS pictures were chosen randomly and submitted to three expert surgeons to rate the QFP twice and to carry out a semi-automatic image analysis of each CFS and the estimated cumulative error (CE; mm) recorded. It was hypothesised that the CE correlates to OSATS checklist items or overall score. Variables were compared for correlation with OSATS results using a linear regression. A Pearson's test was used to confirm the proposed hypothesis. Results: Mean ± standard deviation overall score for the OSATS checklist was 20.61 ± 6.33. Inter- and intra-assessor correlation were statistically significant regarding OSATS checklist items. Both correlations presented a low coefficient of determination, indicating variability. The mean CE was 16.07 ± 4.84 mm, and the correlation between the QFP and CE was statistically significant, proving that CE is an objective metric by which to assess the QFP. Conclusion: OSATS score demonstrated intra- and interassessor variability, although there was a significant correlation between scores. CE is an objective metric that is not subject to assessor subjectivity or interassessor variability and is correlated with the gold standard of evaluation.

Efficacy and Safety of 0.1% Cyclosporine versus 2% Cyclosporine in the Treatment of Severe Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis in Children.

Introduction: Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is an inflammatory condition in children that can cause severe eye complications. Treatment is based on corticosteroid therapy during flare-ups, then antihistamines and cyclosporine in calmer periods. The dosage and posology of cyclosporine are subject to debate. Methods: The aim of the study is to compare the evolution in symptomatic and clinical scores, and need for topical corticosteroid treatment in a population of children with severe VKC treated with two dosages of cyclosporine treatment (0.1% and 2%). Data were compiled on inclusion then every three months from March, with a total follow-up duration of 12 months. Data concerning patient evolutions and complications were collected for the two treatment groups. Results: The mean age of the 46 children was 8.8 ±2.4 years with age at onset of symptoms of 5.1 ± 0.9 years. The cohort was predominantly (65%) male. Corticosteroid dependence on inclusion was present in 52% of the children included. A significant improvement in the various symptomatic and clinical scores was observed following treatment with cyclosporine (0.1% and 2%). Use of topical corticosteroid treatment reduced from 19 drops per month on inclusion to 4 drops per month at 12 months. Safety was comparable for the two groups. Conclusion: Treatments with cyclosporine 0.1% and 2% lead to a favourable evolution in clinical and symptomatic scores and reduced corticosteroid use. Cyclosporine 0.1% is an interesting alternative to the 2% dosage, particularly due to its availability and ease of handling.

Risk Factors Leading to Anti-TNF Alpha Therapies in Pediatric Severe Uveitis.

Purpose: Pediatric uveitis is the leading cause of acquired child blindness, due to unremitting inflammation and long-term steroid exposition. Biotherapies with anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNFα) are effective in controlling inflammation for severe pediatric uveitis in recent studies. Major concern of anti-TNFα prescription is the balance between the severity of the disease and side effects of the drug. The aim of the present study is to describe a cohort of children with severe uveitis and to highlight the risk factors for a pejorative development that led to the prescription of anti-TNFα drugs. Method: A retrospective case-control study was carried out on children with uveitis associated with systemic inflammatory disease or idiopathic uveitis, with a minimum follow-up of 5 years. Anti-TNFα-treated patients (case) were studied and compared with patients who were not requiring anti-TNFα (control). Univariate logistic regression analyses were performed to compare both groups and determine the risk factors for anti-TNFα therapy. Results: Seventy-three cases of pediatric uveitis were included, 13 cases and 60 controls. The risk factors associated with increased odds of anti-TNFα therapy were initial systemic disorder associated with uveitis [OR = 11.22 (1.37-91.85), p = 0.0241), family history of autoimmune diseases [OR = 9.43 (2.27-39.15), p = 0.0020], uveitis diagnosis before the age of 6 [OR = 4.05 (1.16-14.13), p = 0.0284], eye surgery [OR = 26.22 (2.63-261.77), p = 0.0054], ocular complications at the first slit lamp exam [OR = 67.11 (3.78-1191.69), p = 0.0042], low visual acuity at diagnosis (≥0.3 logMAR) [OR = 11.76 (2.91-47.62), p = 0.0005] and especially low binocular acuity at diagnosis (≥0.3 logMAR) [OR = 8.75 (1.93-39.57), p = 0.0048], panuveitis [OR = 9.17 (2.23-37.60), p = 0.0021], having positive ANA [OR = 3.89 (1.07-14.11), p = 0.0391], and positive HLA B27 [OR = 9.43 (2.27-39.16), p = 0.0020]. Conclusion: Those risk factors could be used to establish a new follow-up and treatment schedule for severe uncontrolled uveitis. This could help to better predict the best time to start anti-TNF therapy.

Xray Exposure Time in Dedicated Academic Simulation Programs Is Realistic of Patient Procedures.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain whether simulated endovascular procedures are comparable to real life operating room (OR) procedures, particularly with regard to irradiation time. METHODS: This was a retrospective study comparing simulation with clinical data. Fluoroscopy time and overall operation time were compared between simulated abdominal aortic endovascular repair (EVAR) and iliac procedures that were performed, respectively, from 2016 to 2019 and from 2015 to 2019, and clinical EVAR and iliac procedures performed in the OR between January 2018 and November 2021. RESULTS: Within the defined periods, 171 simulated procedures (91 EVAR, 80 iliac) and 199 clinical procedures (111 EVAR, 88 iliac) were performed. For both EVAR and iliac procedures, median total procedure time was much longer during real surgery (p < .001). However, median total fluoroscopy time remained the same, whether the procedure was real surgery or performed on the simulator, for iliac procedures (8.47 minutes in the OR, 8.35 minutes on the simulator, p = .61) and for EVAR procedures (14.80 minutes in the OR, 15.00 minutes on the simulator p = .474). CONCLUSION: Simulated endovascular procedures are comparable with real life OR procedures, particularly with regard to irradiation time when integrated in a dedicated curriculum.

Efficacy of N-acetyl aspartyl glutamic acid versus fluorometholone for treating allergic conjunctivitis in an environmental exposure chamber.

BACKGROUND: Topical mast cell stabilizers were previously shown to treat the signs and symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis safely and effectively in active and placebo-controlled trials. However, mast cell stabilizers have not been compared to topical corticosteroids for efficacy. We tested the non-inferiority of a topical mast cell stabilizer, N-acetyl aspartyl glutamic acid (4.9%, NAAGA), compared to fluorometholone (0.1%, FM) during controlled exposures to the airborne birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1, in an environmental exposure chamber (EEC). METHODS: This randomized, cross-over, investigator-blinded study included 24 patients with a history of birch pollen allergic conjunctivitis. Patients were randomized to 5 days of treatment with NAAGA, then FM (n = 12) or FM, then NAAGA (n = 12). After each treatment, patients were exposed to a fixed airborne concentration of Bet v 1 in ALYATEC EEC. The primary endpoint was the amount of allergen required to trigger a conjunctival response (Abelson score ≥5). Groups were compared with a linear model for cross-over studies. Non-inferiority was assumed, when the lower bound of the risk ratio confidence interval (CI) was >0.5. RESULTS: At screening, the mean time-to-conjunctival response was 72.5 ± 35.9 min. NAAGA and FM extended the response time to 114.8 ± 55.0 and 116.6 ± 51.5 min respectively. The mean amounts of allergen required to trigger a conjunctival response were 1.165 ng after NAAGA and 1.193 ng after FM treatment. The risk ratio for the conjunctival response was 0.977 (95% CI: 0.812; 1.174), which indicated non-inferiority. Adverse events occurred less frequently with NAAGA (29.2%) than with FM (58.3%). CONCLUSION: In patients with allergic conjunctivitis to birch pollen, NAAGA was non-inferior to FM in exposures to airborne Bet v 1. The EEC was a good model for simulating real-life airborne allergen exposure and for demonstrating the efficacy and safety of eye drops for treating allergic conjunctivitis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not registered.

National Health Care data system analysis of glaucoma surgery activity in France in 2016.

PURPOSE: To describe the glaucoma surgery offer in France in 2016. METHODS: We used the French National Health Care System database to identify all medical procedures carried out in 2016. The study investigated the entire population aged 30 years and older that had undergone glaucoma surgery, alone or combined with another surgery. We calculated the incidence of surgeries per 100 000 inhabitants 30 years of age and older performed by ophthalmologists carrying out at least 50 procedures annually, the number of surgeons doing these surgeries, the mean age of these practitioners, and the number of surgeons older than 55 years. RESULTS: In 2016, 16 854 glaucoma surgeries were performed in patients aged 30 years and older, for an incidence of 40.8 per 100 000 inhabitants aged 30 years and older. The most frequent procedure performed was trabeculectomy followed by non-penetrating deep sclerectomy (16.7 and 11.7, respectively, per 100 000 inhabitants 30 years of age and older). Private practice glaucoma surgery accounted for 47% of the activity of surgeons performing at least 50 surgeries per year and 60% of the total surgical activity. Of the private practice ophthalmologists performing at least 50 glaucoma surgery procedures per year, 58.5% were over 55 years of age, and 23.5% of public hospital ophthalmologists were over 55 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that surgeons performing glaucoma surgeries are often older. It is necessary to take note of the country's educational capacity to ensure that the number of ophthalmological surgeons remains adapted to demand.