Using a Capsular Tension Ring (CTR) Inserter for CTR Explantation in Cases of Posteriorly Dislocated Intraocular Lens-CTR-Capsule Complex.

PURPOSE: Explantation of a dislocated capsular tension ring (CTR) from the vitreous cavity can be challenging, typically requiring a bimanual hand-shake technique or cutting the CTR into segments. We present three cases of dislocated intraocular lens (IOL)-CTR-capsule complexes in which CTRs were explanted efficiently and safely by using a CTR inserter (CTR-I) through a clear corneal incision. METHODS: Retrospective case series. RESULTS: Capsular tension rings were successfully explanted by freeing the eyelet of the CTR from the capsule, engaging it with the CTR-I hook and retracting the CTR into the device's shaft while maintaining the entire IOL-CTR-capsule complex in a safe position behind the iris plane. No complications of the procedure were observed in all three cases. All patients had subsequent uneventful IOL exchange through sutureless scleral fixation during the same surgery. CONCLUSION: The CTR inserter provides a simple and efficient approach to CTR removal from IOL-CTR-capsule complexes dislocated into the vitreous cavity. Greater awareness of this technique among providers is needed.

THE EFFECT OF ELECTIVE CATARACT EXTRACTION BY PHACOEMULSIFICATION IN EYES WITH VITREOMACULAR TRACTION SYNDROME.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of cataract extraction (CE) by phacoemulsification on the vitreomacular interface (VMI) of eyes with preexisting vitreomacular traction (VMT). METHODS: Retrospective, observational case series. Patients with VMT who elected to proceed with CE, before any vitreoretinal intervention, were studied. Eyes with at least a 12-month follow-up period were included. The status of the vitreomacular adhesion at different time points was assessed using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. The best-corrected visual acuity was recorded at different time points. Other macular and systemic comorbidities were documented. RESULTS: Fifteen eyes from 15 phakic patients with symptomatic VMT were included. Six of them were male subjects. Seven patients had diabetes mellitus and two of them also had nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. The preoperative macular comorbidities included macular hole in six eyes (Stage 1 in 3 eyes and Stage 2 or 3 in another 3 eyes), epiretinal membrane in five eyes, and cystoid macular edema in four eyes. After uncomplicated CE, the VMT was released in 5 eyes, whereas in 10 eyes, CE did not significantly change the status of the vitreomacular adhesion. Three of 3 eyes with preexisting full-thickness macular hole (Stage 2 or 3 macular hole) were found to have Stage 4 macular hole shortly after CE. In seven of seven patients with diabetes mellitus, the status of the vitreomacular interface did not change after CE. Eventually, 7 of 15 patients underwent additional pars plana vitrectomy. Compared with the baseline vision, and vision before other interventions, the visual acuity after CE improved in 5 patients, remained unchanged in 7 patients, and decreased in the 3 patients with Stage 2 or 3 macular hole. The mean preoperative and early postoperative visual acuity was 20/59 and 20/68, respectively (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The effect of CE in phakic eyes with known VMT varies significantly. In the current case series, every eye with VMT and Stage 2 or 3 macular hole ended up with Stage 4 macular hole, although the VMT did not change significantly in the eyes of diabetic patients. Studies with larger sample size are needed to further elucidate the impact of elective CE on VMT.

ONE-YEAR OUTCOMES OF A NOVEL SURGICAL TECHNIQUE FOR SUTURELESS INTRASCLERAL FIXATION OF A THREE-PIECE INTRAOCULAR LENS USING A 30-GAUGE NEEDLE.

PURPOSE: To present the 1-year results of a surgical technique for the sutureless intrascleral fixation of a 3-piece intraocular lens using a 30-gauge needle. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of a consecutive series of 9 eyes of 8 patients who underwent sutureless intrascleral fixation of posterior chamber intraocular lens using a 30-gauge needle was performed. Patients were required to have at least 1 year of follow-up to be included in the analysis. Short-term data were collected 1 month after surgery, and long-term data were collected 1 year after surgery. Data collected included visual acuity, lens stability, intraocular pressure, and the development of complications. RESULTS: Visual acuity improved from Snellen 20/309 preoperatively to Snellen 20/27 at postoperative Month 12 (P = 0.03). Short-term complications included increased intraocular pressure (n = 4) and corneal edema (n = 2). Long-term complications included exposed superior haptic (n = 1) and recurrent anterior chamber inflammation (n = 1). CONCLUSION: The novel surgical technique for sutureless intrascleral fixation of a 3-piece intraocular lens is well tolerated 1 year after surgery.

ONE-YEAR OUTCOMES OF A NOVEL SURGICAL APPROACH FOR FIXATION OF A POSTERIOR CHAMBER INTRAOCULAR LENS USING GORE-TEX SUTURE.

PURPOSE: To report the 1-year outcomes of a novel surgical technique for the fixation of a CZ70BD intraocular lens with Gore-Tex suture using cow-hitch knots. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 15 patients (13 men and 2 women) who underwent fixation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens with Gore-Tex suture was performed. Short- and long-term outcomes data were collected 1 month and 1 year after surgery, respectively. RESULTS: Fourteen of the 15 patients met inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Mean visual acuity improved significantly from Snellen 20/491 preoperatively to Snellen 20/59 at postoperative month 12 (P = 0.002). The most common short-term complications included increased intraocular pressure (n = 6) and cystoid macular edema (n = 4). The most common long-term complications included increased intraocular pressure (n = 2) and iris capture of the intraocular lens (n = 2). CONCLUSIONS: One-year outcome data suggest that this technique is a reasonable surgical option for secondary intraocular lens placement in patients who lack capsular support.

CLINICAL FINDINGS IN TRIAMCINOLONE-ASSOCIATED MACULOPATHY.

PURPOSE: To describe a crystalline retinopathy observed in patients greater than 1 year after intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA). METHODS: A retrospective, interventional, noncomparative, single-center case series of patients who received IVTA and developed subsequent crystalline retinopathy lasting greater than 1 year after injection. RESULTS: Eighteen eyes of 16 patients in which preretinal crystals were observed >1 year after IVTA were included in the study, with a mean follow-up (range) of 5.8 years (1.1-9.2) after IVTA. The crystals were refractile, not visible on fluorescein nor indocyanine green angiography, exhibited slow dissolution and movement, and were occasionally distributed in a circular fashion. Optical coherence tomography confirmed the preretinal and/or subhyaloid location of crystals. CONCLUSION: Macular crystals can persist for years after IVTA. The crystals localize to the preretinal or subhyaloid space, are angiographically silent, can exhibit slow dissolution and movement, may be distributed in a circular fashion reflecting the bursa premacularis, and appear nonpathologic.

Sutureless transscleral fixation of secondary intraocular lenses.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The surgical approach to eyes needing a secondary intraocular lens have evolved rapidly in recent years. Here, we will focus on techniques for scleral-fixation of intraocular lenses (IOLs), and will review the evidence for their safety and efficacy. RECENT FINDINGS: Transscleral fixation of IOLs refers the placement of lens haptics within scleral tunnels to stabilize the lens in eyes that lack adequate capsular support. Various surgical techniques have been reported recently to accomplish this goal. These include the use of a trocar, microvitreoretinal blade, or hypodermic needle to create the scleral tunnels, as well as several methods for placing the haptics through the tunnels. Although long-term data is lacking, each technique has been shown to have good visual outcomes without significant side effects. SUMMARY: Surgical approaches for the transscleral fixation of secondary IOLs provide a safe and effective technique for the management of eyes with insufficient capsular support.

INTRAVITREAL OCRIPLASMIN IN CLINICAL PRACTICE: Predictors of Success, Visual Outcomes, and Complications.

PURPOSE: To investigate predictors of success, visual outcomes, and complications of intravitreal ocriplasmin for the treatment of symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion in a clinical care setting. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 49 consecutive eyes of 47 patients who received intravitreal ocriplasmin. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography scans were examined for vitreomacular traction (VMT) release, full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) closure, and other changes in retinal anatomy. RESULTS: Pharmacologic VMT release occurred in 41% of eyes; positive predictors included age ≤75 years (P = 0.001), phakic status (P = 0.016), VMT width ≤750 µm (P = 0.001), and absence of retinal comorbidities (P = 0.035). Pharmacologic FTMH closure occurred in 25% of cases; positive predictors included successful VMT release (P = 0.042), better preinjection best-corrected visual acuity (P = 0.036), and smaller FTMH aperture width (P = 0.033). Eyes that achieved VMT release and did not undergo surgery attained significant improvement in best-corrected visual acuity (P = 0.015). Complications included subfoveal lucency (33%), ellipsoid zone disruption (33%), and FTMH base enlargement (75%). Only FTMH base enlargement resulted in worse visual outcomes (P = 0.024). Subgroup analysis of 14 eyes with ideal characteristics (all positive predictors listed above) yielded a 93% VMT release rate. CONCLUSION: Proper case selection may facilitate successful pharmacologic vitreolysis with ocriplasmin, improve visual outcomes, and minimize potential complications.

On the behavior of an eye encircled by a scleral buckle.

A mechanics based mathematical model for the behavior of an eye encircled by a scleral buckle, a procedure used by surgeons to correct retinal detachment, is developed. Closed form analytical solutions are obtained, and results of numerical simulations based on those solutions are presented. The effects of material and geometric parameters of the scleral buckle, as well as of the ocular pressure, on the deformation and volume change of the eye are studied. Critical behavior is identified, and correlations are drawn with regard to the properties of the buckle, the associated deformation of the eye, and the ocular pressure. The results indicate that a judicious choice of the buckle parameters is advisable for planning surgery. In particular, the initial (undeformed) radius of the buckle is seen to have the dominant influence with regard to deformation of the eye, while the thickness (height) and width, and hence the shape, of the buckle are seen to have minimal influence and may be chosen for other reasons, such as to maximize the comfort of the patient.

A Phase 1 Study of Intravitreous E10030 in Combination with Ranibizumab in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and tolerability of E10030 (Fovista; Ophthotech, New York, NY), a platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) antagonist, when administered in combination with an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agent, ranibizumab (Lucentis; Genentech, South San Francisco, CA) 0.5 mg, by intravitreal injection in participants with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NVAMD). DESIGN: Prospective phase 1 clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 23 participants diagnosed with NVAMD and aged 50 years or older were enrolled. METHODS: Part 1 included 15 participants. Three participants received a single intravitreal E10030 (0.03 mg) injection and were subsequently given intravitreal ranibizumab (0.5 mg) injections at weeks 2, 6, and 10. Twelve participants (3 per group) received E10030 (0.03, 0.3, 1.5, or 3.0 mg) in combination with ranibizumab (0.5 mg) at day 0, month 1, and month 2 in an ascending manner. In Part 2 (8 participants), E10030 (0.3, 1.5, or 3.0 mg) in combination with ranibizumab (0.5 mg) was injected at day 0, month 1, and month 2. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Safety at week 12 was the primary outcome and included assessment of vital signs, laboratory tests, and serial eye examinations. Other safety metrics included assessment through week 24 of Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity (VA) and biomarker changes evaluated by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography (FA). RESULTS: All doses of intravitreal E10030 administered in combination with ranibizumab were well tolerated. No dose-limiting toxicities or relevant safety events were noted at any dose level during the study. Investigators did not report adverse events related to E10030 or ranibizumab. Mean VA change was a gain of 14 letters, and 59% of participants gained ≥15 letters from baseline at week 12. On FA at week 12, there was an 85.5% mean reduction from baseline in choroidal neovascularization (CNV) size. On OCT at the week 12 visit, there was a mean decrease in center point thickness and central subfield thickness of 38.9% and 33.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal E10030 administered at doses up to 3 mg in combination with ranibizumab was well tolerated without evidence of systemic or ocular toxicity in participants with NVAMD. The changes in both mean VA and imaging biomarkers suggest a favorable short-term safety profile for the combination therapy of E10030 and ranibizumab.

ONE-YEAR OUTCOMES OF A NOVEL TECHNIQUE FOR RESCUING AND SCLERAL FIXATING A POSTERIOR DISLOCATED INTRAOCULAR LENS-BAG COMPLEX WITHOUT CONJUNCTIVAL OPENING (HOFFMAN POCKETS).

PURPOSE: To present the 1-year follow-up of a novel surgical technique that allows for suture fixation of a posteriorly dislocated lens-bag complex without the need for conjunctival incision. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 19 patients who underwent posterior chamber intraocular lens rescue using the novel surgical technique was performed. Data were collected 1 year after surgery for all patients. RESULTS: Average preoperative vision was 20/500, whereas 3 months and 12 months postoperatively, the vision was 20/65 and 20/54, respectively. Three of 15 eyes had decentration of the sutured intraocular lens, 2 of which required additional surgical repair. CONCLUSION: Outcome data at 1 year support this novel technique as a viable option for the surgical repair of a dislocated lens-capsular bag complex.

Postinjection endophthalmitis in the comparison of age-related macular degeneration treatments trials (CATT).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence and outcomes of endophthalmitis after intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents in the Comparison of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatments Trials (CATT) and to assess the effect of prophylactic topical antimicrobials on incidence. DESIGN: Cohort study within a randomized clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: Patients enrolled in CATT. METHODS: Patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration received intravitreal injections of ranibizumab or bevacizumab under 1 of 3 dosing regimens. The study protocol specified preinjection preparation to include use of a sterile lid speculum and povidone iodine (5%). Use of preinjection and postinjection antibiotics was at the discretion of the treating ophthalmologist. Patients were followed up monthly for 2 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Development of endophthalmitis and visual acuity. RESULTS: Endophthalmitis developed after 11 of 18 509 injections (1 per 1700 [0.06%]; 95% confidence interval, 0.03%-0.11%), and in 11 of 1185 patients (0.93%; 95% confidence interval, 0.52-1.66). Incidence of endophthalmitis was 0.15% among injections with no antibiotic use, 0.08% among injections with preinjection antibiotics only, 0.06% among injections with postinjection antibiotics only, and 0.04% among injections with preinjection and postinjection antibiotics (P = 0.20). All eyes were treated with intravitreal antibiotics and 4 underwent vitrectomy. Among the 11 affected eyes, the final study visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 4 eyes (36%), 20/50 to 20/80 in 2 eyes (18%), 20/100 to 20/160 in 3 eyes (27%), and worse than 20/800 in 2 eyes (18%). The final visual acuity was within 2 lines of the visual acuity before endophthalmitis in 5 eyes (45%). CONCLUSIONS: Rates of endophthalmitis were low and similar to those in other large-scale studies. Use of topical antibiotics either before or after injection does not seem to reduce the risk for endophthalmitis.

Ocular inflammation associated with antivascular endothelial growth factor treatment.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To describe the diagnosis and management of intraocular inflammation following antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections. RECENT FINDINGS: Inflammation following intravitreal anti-VEGF injections can cause a dramatic reduction in acuity. Differentiating factors from truly infectious endophthalmitis include a lack of pain, redness, or hypopyon, although none of these factors is diagnostic. A high suspicion of infectious endophthalmitis should trigger a prompt vitreous tap and injection of intravitreal antibiotics. Conversely, if noninfectious endophthalmitis is suspected, close observation with frequent topical steroids is warranted. SUMMARY: Most eyes with noninfectious endophthalmitis following anti-VEGF injection recover within 1 month to baseline acuity with topical corticosteroid treatment. Mechanisms hypothesized to explain postinjection inflammation include patient-specific, delivery-specific, and medication-specific factors.

One-year outcomes of eyes treated with a sutureless scleral fixation technique for intraocular lens placement or rescue.

PURPOSE: To report the 1 year results of a novel surgical technique for sutureless scleral fixation of a 3-piece intraocular lens. METHODS: Retrospective consecutive series of patients who underwent sutureless scleral fixation of a three-piece intraocular lens. All patients were required to have at least 1 year of follow-up to be included in the series. Outcomes data were obtained and treated with simple statistical analyses. RESULTS: A total of 24 patients were included in the study population. The average age was 75 years (range, 44-87). Short-term complications were few and included vitreous hemorrhage (n = 2), elevated intraocular pressure (n = 1), and hypotony (n = 1). Long-term complications included intraocular lens dislocation (n = 3) and cystoid macular edema (n = 1). Mean visual acuity improved from logMAR 1.30 (Snellen 20/399) to 0.52 (Snellen 20/66) at 1 year. CONCLUSION: This novel technique for sutureless scleral fixation of a three-piece intraocular lens was well-tolerated 1 year after surgery.

Central serous chorioretinopathy secondary to corticosteroids in patients with atopic disease.

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) is of unknown etiology and is the most common cause of retinopathy after age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vein occlusion. Vision loss results from fluid leakage and serous detachment in the macula. Five percent of patients develop chronic CSCR. It is predominantly found in middle-aged men (age-adjusted rates per 100,000: 9.9 for men and 1.7 for women) and is usually unilateral and reversible. Three-quarters of CSCR patients resolve within 3 months but 45% have recurrences, usually with only minor visual acuity changes. Risk factors include type A personality, emotional stress, elevated catecholamines, hypertension, pregnancy, organ transplantation, increased levels of endogenous cortisol, psychopharmacologic medication, use of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, obstructive sleep apnea, Helicobacter pylori infection, or treatment with corticosteroids. Five percent of patients develop chronic disease as a result of subretinal fibrin formation within the blister. CSCR is often bilateral, multifocal, and recurrent, and may be associated with subretinal fibrin formation within the blister. Permanent loss of vision may result from subretinal fibrin-fibrosis with scarring of the macula. Corticosteroid-associated CSCR occurs bilaterally in 20% of patients. Steroid-associated therapy may begin days to years after therapy with any form of drug delivery. We present three atopic patients who presented at various times after oral, inhaled, intranasal, and topical corticosteroid therapy. One patient developed CSCR after three separate types of administration of corticosteroids, which, to our knowledge, has not been observed in the literature.

Incidence of steroid-induced ocular hypertension after vitreoretinal surgery with difluprednate versus prednisolone acetate.

PURPOSE: To identify changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) after vitreoretinal surgical procedures in eyes that received either difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% (DP) or prednisolone acetate ophthalmic suspension 1% (PA). METHODS: A retrospective chart review compared a consecutive series of 100 patients who received DP with 100 patients who received PA after vitreoretinal surgery. Data were collected for a 3-month period from the time of surgery. RESULTS: A significantly higher number of patients treated with DP (35%, n = 35) developed increased IOP (>21 mmHg with a change from baseline of >10 mmHg) compared with those receiving PA (22%, n = 22) (P = 0.042). The mean maximum IOP in the DP cohort (26.7 mmHg) was significantly higher than that in the PA cohort (22.8 mmHg) (P = 0.0027). Additionally, the rise in IOP from baseline was significantly higher in the DP-treated cohort (9.0 mmHg) than that in the PA-treated cohort (6.0 mmHg) (P = 0.027). CONCLUSION: Eyes treated with DP after vitreoretinal surgery were at increased risk for developing clinically significant increases in IOP compared with those receiving PA.

Retina specialists treating age-related macular degeneration recommend different approaches for patients than they would choose for themselves.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the presence of cognitive biases among retina physicians when recommending treatment options for exudative age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: Two random samples of retina specialists were surveyed regarding their treatment and dosing regimen choices among three anti-vascular endothelial growth factor biologics (aflibercept, bevacizumab, and ranibizumab). One group was asked to provide recommendations for a standardized hypothetical patient with exudative age-related macular degeneration, whereas the other group was asked to provide recommendations as if they themselves were the standardized hypothetical patient with exudative age-related macular degeneration. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-six respondents (28.3%) completed the survey and were divided equally between the survey groups. For patients, most physicians recommended bevacizumab (52.2%), but when choosing for themselves, physicians were divided equally among all 3 biologics (P = 0.011). The results were influenced by geographical location of the physician but not by the gender or length of practice. Furthermore, physicians differed in dosing regimen selection with the majority (73%) choosing treat and extend for patients, whereas only 63% selected this regimen for themselves (P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: When considering cases of exudative age-related macular degeneration, physicians would recommend different treatments for themselves than they would for a patient.

Evaluation of Research Productivity among Academic Glaucoma Specialists Using the Relative Citation Ratio.

PURPOSE: To provide relative citation ratio (RCR) benchmark data for the field of glaucoma. DESIGN: Cross-sectional bibliometric analysis. SUBJECTS: Fellowship-trained glaucoma faculty at Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited institutions. METHODS: Glaucoma faculty were individually indexed using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) iCite website. Publication count, mean RCR score, and weighted RCR score were collected for each author between May and August 2023 and included PubMed-listed articles from 1980 to 2023. Data were compared by sex, career duration, academic rank, and acquisition of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Total number of publications, mean RCR value, and weighted RCR value. RESULTS: Five hundred twenty-six academic glaucoma specialists from 113 institutions were indexed. These physicians produced highly impactful research with a median publication count of 13 (interquartile range [IQR] 4-38), median RCR of 1.41 (IQR 0.97-1.98), and median weighted RCR of 16.89 (4.80-63.39). Academic rank, career duration, and having a PhD were associated with increased publication count, mean RCR, and weighted RCR. Publication count and weighted RCR differed significantly by sex; however, no difference was observed with mean RCR. CONCLUSIONS: Current academic glaucoma specialists have high mean RCR values relative to the NIH standard RCR value of 1. This benchmark data serve as a more accurate gauge of research impact within the glaucoma community and can be used to inform self, institutional, and departmental evaluations. Additionally, the mean RCR may provide an accurate metric for quantifying research productivity among historically underrepresented groups that are disadvantaged by time-dependent factors such as number of publications. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Evaluation of Research Productivity among Academic Vitreoretinal Surgeons Using the Relative Citation Ratio.

PURPOSE: To provide relative citation ratio (RCR) benchmark data for the field of vitreoretinal surgery. DESIGN: Cross-sectional bibliometric analysis. SUBJECTS: Fellowship-trained vitreoretinal faculty at Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited institutions. METHODS: Academic vitreoretinal surgeons were individually indexed using the National Institutes of Health iCite Website. Publication count, mean RCR score, and weighted RCR score were collected for each author between June and July 2022 and included PubMed-listed articles from 1980 to 2022. Data were compared by gender, career duration, academic rank, and acquisition of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Total number of publications, mean RCR value, and weighted RCR value. RESULTS: Our sample consisted of 677 academic vitreoretinal surgeons from 113 institutions. These physicians produced highly impactful research with a median publication count of 30 (interquartile range [IQR], 11-82), median RCR of 1.78 (IQR, 1.09-3.00), and median weighted RCR of 59.83 (14.31-195.78). Academic rank and career duration were associated with increased publication count, mean RCR, and weighted RCR. Publication count and weighted RCR differed significantly by gender; however, no difference was observed with mean RCR. CONCLUSIONS: Current academic vitreoretinal surgeons have high mean RCR values relative to the National Institutes of Health standard RCR value of 1. This benchmark data serves as a more accurate gauge of research impact within the vitreoretinal community and can be used to inform self, institutional, and departmental evaluations. Additionally, the mean RCR may provide an accurate metric for quantifying research productivity among historically underrepresented groups that are disadvantaged by time-dependent factors, such as number of publications. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.