Predictors of Ophthalmology Resident Performance From Medical Student Application Materials.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether elements in ophthalmology residency applications are predictors of future resident performance. DESIGN: This multi-institutional, cross-sectional, observational study retrospectively reviewed the residency application materials of ophthalmology residents who graduated from residency from 2006 through 2018. Resident performance was scored by 2 faculty reviewers in 4 domains (clinical, surgical, academic, and global performance). Correlation between specific elements of the residency application and resident performance was assessed by Spearman correlation coefficients (univariate) and linear regression (multivariate) for continuous variables and logistic regression (multivariate) for categorical variables. SETTING: Seven ophthalmology residency programs in the US. PARTICIPANTS: Ophthalmology residents who graduated from their residency program. RESULTS: High-performing residents were a diverse group, in terms of sex, ethnicity, visa status, and educational background. Residents with United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 scores higher than the national average for that year had significantly higher scores in all 4 performance domains than those who scored at or below the mean (all domains P < 0.05). Residents who had honors in at least 4 core clerkships and who were members of Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society also had higher scores in all 4 performance domains (all domains P ≤ 0.04). Step 1 score (ρ=0.26, P < 0.001) and the difference between Step 1 score and the national average for that year (ρ=0.19, P = 0.009) positively correlated with total resident performance scores. Residents who passed the American Board of Ophthalmology Written Qualifying Examination or Oral Examination on their first attempt had significantly higher Step 1/2 scores (P ≤ 0.005), Ophthalmology Knowledge Assessment Program scores (P = 0.001), and resident performance scores (P ≤ 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: In this new landscape of increasing numbers of applicants to residency programs and changing of the Step 1 score to pass/fail, our findings may help guide selection committees as they holistically review applicants to select exceptional future residents in ophthalmology.

Ultrafast laser ablation, intrinsic threshold, and nanopatterning of monolayer molybdenum disulfide.

Laser direct writing is an attractive method for patterning 2D materials without contamination. Literature shows that the ultrafast ablation threshold of graphene across substrates varies by an order of magnitude. Some attribute it to the thermal coupling to the substrates, but it remains by and large an open question. For the first time the effect of substrates on the femtosecond ablation of 2D materials is studied using MoS2 as an example. We show unambiguously that femtosecond ablation of MoS2 is an adiabatic process with negligible heat transfer to the substrates. The observed threshold variation is due to the etalon effect which was not identified before for the laser ablation of 2D materials. Subsequently, an intrinsic ablation threshold is proposed as a true threshold parameter for 2D materials. Additionally, we demonstrate for the first time femtosecond laser patterning of monolayer MoS2 with sub-micron resolution and mm/s speed. Moreover, engineered substrates are shown to enhance the ablation efficiency, enabling patterning with low-power ultrafast oscillators. Finally, a zero-thickness approximation is introduced to predict the field enhancement with simple analytical expressions. Our work clarifies the role of substrates on ablation and firmly establishes ultrafast laser ablation as a viable route to pattern 2D materials.

Distracted pedestrian sustains orbital fracture while on cell phone.

Use of cell phones in the general population has become increasingly commonplace. The distracting effects of cell phones among automobile drivers are well established, and legislation prohibits the use of handheld cell phones while driving in several states. Recent research has focused on the similar distracting effects of cell phones in the pedestrian population. In this report, an older gentleman suffered extensive facial trauma requiring surgery as a direct effect of cell phone use at the time the trauma occurred. This case highlights the role that portable electronic devices can play as a cause of ocular trauma.

Bungee cord-induced corneal lacerations correcting for myopic astigmatism.

We present a patient with a refractive error of -3.00 -0.25x150 in the right eye and -3.50 -1.50x170 in the left eye who experienced bungee-cord-related corneal lacerations in the left eye. Slitlamp examination revealed a large radial corneal laceration in the vertical meridian and several smaller lacerations in the periphery. Corneal topography showed more central flattening in the left eye than in the right eye. Posttraumatic visual acuity in the left eye was 20/20 with a -1.50 diopter corrective lens. Myopic correction was a surprising outcome of a traumatic corneal laceration that produced a radial-keratotomy-like effect.