Development of a Semi-automated Computer-based Tool for the Quantification of Vascular Tortuosity in the Murine Retina.

Purpose: The murine oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model is one of the most widely used animal models of ischemic retinopathy, mimicking hallmark pathophysiology of initial vaso-obliteration (VO) resulting in ischemia that drives neovascularization (NV). In addition to NV and VO, human ischemic retinopathies, including retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), are characterized by increased vascular tortuosity. Vascular tortuosity is an indicator of disease severity, need to treat, and treatment response in ROP. Current literature investigating novel therapeutics in the OIR model often report their effects on NV and VO, and measurements of vascular tortuosity are less commonly performed. No standardized quantification of vascular tortuosity exists to date despite this metric's relevance to human disease. This proof-of-concept study aimed to apply a previously published semi-automated computer-based image analysis approach (iROP-Assist) to develop a new tool to quantify vascular tortuosity in mouse models. Design: Experimental study. Subjects: C57BL/6J mice subjected to the OIR model. Methods: In a pilot study, vasculature was manually segmented on flat-mount images of OIR and normoxic (NOX) mice retinas and segmentations were analyzed with iROP-Assist to quantify vascular tortuosity metrics. In a large cohort of age-matched (postnatal day 12 [P12], P17, P25) NOX and OIR mice retinas, NV, VO, and vascular tortuosity were quantified and compared. In a third experiment, vascular tortuosity in OIR mice retinas was quantified on P17 following intravitreal injection with anti-VEGF (aflibercept) or Immunoglobulin G isotype control on P12. Main Outcome Measures: Vascular tortuosity. Results: Cumulative tortuosity index was the best metric produced by iROP-Assist for discriminating between OIR mice and NOX controls. Increased vascular tortuosity correlated with disease activity in OIR. Treatment of OIR mice with aflibercept rescued vascular tortuosity. Conclusions: Vascular tortuosity is a quantifiable feature of the OIR model that correlates with disease severity and may be quickly and accurately quantified using the iROP-Assist algorithm. Financial Disclosures: Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Noninfectious Endophthalmitis Following Intraoperative Indocyanine Green.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to describe a cluster of four cases of severe postoperative inflammation in eyes that received intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) from the same lot. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of patients from a single-center, retina-only group practice. The ICG lot associated with the inflammatory events was identified and analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography with UV spectroscopy. RESULTS: Four patients presented on postoperative day 1 with severe inflammation. The first patient was treated with aqueous biopsy and injection of intravitreal antibiotics, followed by topical steroid and antibiotic drops. The subsequent three patients were treated with topical steroid and antibiotic drops. All patients had resolution of inflammation by postoperative day 14 (range 10 to 14 days). High-performance liquid chromatography with UV spectroscopy failed to identify a contaminant. CONCLUSIONS: The use of intravitreal ICG dye as a surgical adjuvant may uncommonly be associated with severe postoperative inflammation. This inflammation may resolve within weeks after topical corticosteroid and antibiotic treatment. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2022;53:148-151.].

Characterization of More Than a Third of a Million Toy-Related Fractures.

INTRODUCTION: The toy industry has grown substantially over time, with billions of dollars of toys sold each year in the United States alone. Even after safety considerations, injuries can result. This study examined toy-related fractures in the US Emergency Departments (ED). METHODS: The 1999 to 2018 National Electronic Injury Surveillance System from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission was examined data for fractures involving a toy-related injury. The incidence, trends, and anatomic locations for such fractures were assessed. RESULTS: In total, 347,135 toy-related fractures were identified, of which 237,754 (68%) were in patients younger than 18 years, 182,516 (53%) were sustained by male subjects, and a 95% yearly incidence increase was observed over the years of the study. Anatomically, 37% were shoulder/arm/elbow, 24% wrist/hand/finger, 19% ankle/toe/foot, 10% leg/knee, 6% face/neck/head, and 4% trunk/pubic region. DISCUSSION: Despite safety considerations with toy design, more than a third of toy-related fractures were seen in the ED, with a nearly doubling yearly incidence over the study period. This could be contributed to by increased production and prevalence of toys and/or rougher play and increased overall violence. These results are important not only for patient safety but also for orthopaedic surgeons, EDs, toy manufacturers, and policymakers.

MACULAR HOLE CLOSURE WITH TOPICAL STEROIDS.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To report the outcomes of topical difluprednate 0.05% use in the closure of full-thickness macular holes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 4 patients with full-thickness macular holes who received difluprednate drops 4 times daily for a minimum of 12 weeks. Main outcome measures were macular hole status assessed with optical coherence tomography, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and complications of treatment. RESULTS: All patients had macular hole closure within 12 weeks of difluprednate exposure. Mean time to macular hole closure was 5 weeks (range, 2-12 weeks). Visual acuity improved with macular hole closure. Average baseline visual acuity was 20/42. Average visual acuity after macular hole closure was 20/26 (P = 0.14). Two patients experienced increased intraocular pressure with topical steroid use. CONCLUSION: Exposure to difluprednate in this cohort of patients with full-thickness macular holes was associated with reduced macular edema, macular hole closure, and visual improvement.

Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression Among Medical Students During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: The Covid-19 pandemic is a public health emergency with both physical and mental health risks. Medical students have baseline elevated rates of anxiety, depression and burnout. As such, they may be especially susceptible to the psychological stresses of Covid-19. The current study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety and depression among United States medical students during the Covid-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional, survey-based study collected demographic data as well as the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to assess anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively. The survey was administered from April 13, 2020 to April 28, 2020 amidst the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. RESULTS: A total of 1,428 students from 40 US medical schools completed the survey. From those surveyed, 30.6% and 24.3% of respondents screened positive for anxiety and depression, respectively. Median GAD-7 scores were higher among females (7.0 vs 5.0, P < .00001), pre-clinical students (7.0 vs 6.0, P < .00004), and those with a friend or relative diagnosed with Covid-19 (7.0 vs 6.0, P=.001). Median PHQ-9 scores were higher among females (6.0 vs 4.0, P < .00001) and pre-clinical students (6.0 vs 4.0, P < .00001). CONCLUSION: When compared to previous medical student studies, these results are 61% higher for anxiety and 70% higher for depression during the Covid-19 era. The current study suggests that there should be a heightened awareness of and sensitivity to student's mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic with certain cohorts at greater potential risk.

Variability in Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Interpretation in a Cohort of Retina Specialists.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To investigate the variability in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) image interpretation in a cohort of retina specialists. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A survey consisting of a study set of images from 12 eyes examined by OCTA was created. Eight multiple-choice answers were provided as response options for each case. The survey was sent to 100 retina specialists, with instructions to complete the survey only if they had facility with the interpretation of OCTA images. Thirty-eight physicians completed the survey. Data generated were subsequently analyzed and interpreted. RESULTS: Krippendorff's alpha coefficients of agreement and their associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were utilized for statistical analyses. For the overall data, the estimated alpha coefficient was 0.366 (95% CI, 0.31-0.47). Although the estimated alpha coefficient is significant, the level of significance is considered low, as it is far from unity (0.366). Therefore, although statistically significant, the overall data did not demonstrate either high reliability or agreement in interpretation. Additional analyses evaluating the influence of years and location of practice, and frequency of OCTA use did not demonstrate a significant effect on reliability measures. CONCLUSIONS: Significant variability exists in the interpretation of OCTA images in this cohort of retina specialists. The overall data did not demonstrate high reliability or agreement in interpretation of images, suggesting the need for additional study of this nascent technology. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2019;50:344-353.].

A Novel Approach to In-Office Air-Fluid Exchange Utilizing a 27-Gauge Valved Trocar Cannula.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To describe a new approach for in-office air-fluid exchange. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This manuscript describes a procedural technique. A retrospective chart review of three patients on whom the procedure was performed is presented. RESULTS: The authors have performed this novel procedure on three eyes of three patients. All patients were followed for at least 3 months after the procedure. No short-term complications occurred, and no secondary procedures were required to achieve a near-complete air-fluid exchange. CONCLUSION: This novel technique is a reliable and reproducible procedure that allows for in-office air-fluid exchange with good results in this small cohort of patients. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:799-801.].