Impact of demographic factors on corneal donor recovery.

PURPOSE: Death-to-preservation time (DTP) is a commonly reported, but infrequently studied, measure of efficiency for the corneal tissue procurement process and is a key screening component for corneal tissue suitability for transplantation. It is unknown whether demographic factors such as race, age, or gender may affect DTP. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study included all deceased-donor eye tissue collected by CorneaGen Eye Banks between June 1, 2012 and June 30, 2016. Exposure variables of race, age, and gender were independently analyzed with the outcome variable, DTP, using three simple linear regression analyzes. Associations were then confirmed by a multiple linear regression analysis within a single model. RESULTS: A total of 24,138 unique donors were identified from 48,207 donor eyes. Simple linear regression analysis showed that relative to White donors, Black and Hispanic donors were associated with a 2.40 h (95% CI 2.07-2.74 h, p < 0.001) and 2.48 h (95% CI 2.15-2.80 h, p < 0.001) longer mean DTP, respectively. DTP decreased with increasing age, at a rate of 30 min per every 10 years (95% CI 27-33 min, p < 0.001). Male donors were associated with a 35 min (95% CI 26-44 min, p < 0.001) longer DTP relative to female donors. A multiple linear regression confirmed the results of the three simple linear regressions. CONCLUSIONS: In a large cohort of corneal donors, non-White race, younger age, and male gender were associated with longer DTP.

Social Media Evaluation of Seasonal and Geographic Trends of Corneal Ulcers in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to evaluate if social media and Google search data can identify seasonal and geographic trends in the incidence of corneal ulcers in the United States. METHODS: This is a case series of all corneal ulcer-related data collected from two major social media platforms and Google trends from US users between 2017 and 2021. Instagram and Twitter were searched for posts and hashtags related to "corneal ulcer." Web and image search volume of "corneal ulcer" were collected from Google trends ( https://trends.google.com ). Data were compared between seasons, defined by 3-month intervals, and chi-square tests were used to determine the statistical significance. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-five individuals (79% female) and 164 individuals (79% female) posted personal new corneal ulcer diagnoses on Twitter and Instagram, respectively. Summer resulted in the highest number of both Twitter (34%, P =0.07) and Instagram (33%, P =0.68) posts. Summer was also the most popular season for Google web and image searches of "corneal ulcer" (search volume average of 58.4 and 41.2, P =0.74 and P =0.01, respectively, with 100 being peak popularity). Across all platforms, the South was the most represented (32% Twitter, 38% Instagram, 32% Google Web, and 33% Google Images). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that social media and Google trends may reflect seasonal and geographic patterns of corneal ulcer incidence in the United States. However, further study with increased power is needed.

Chlamydia psittaci -Induced Reactive Infectious Mucocutaneous Eruption With Ocular Involvement.

INTRODUCTION: This report highlights a postinfectious mucocutaneous inflammatory response involving the ocular surface and adnexa after Chlamydophila psittaci exposure. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 35-year-old man presented after a prodrome of upper respiratory symptoms with rash and mucocutaneous blistering involving the ocular and oral mucosa, causing pseudomembranous conjunctivitis and corneal epithelial defects. Extensive inflammatory and infectious workup suggested recent C. psittaci infection. The patient was treated with doxycycline and supportive therapy, whereas the ocular surface was treated with lubrication and prophylactic antibiotics. In follow-up, he has retained excellent visual acuity but required scleral contact lenses to control ocular surface symptoms because of fibrotic changes of the marginal conjunctiva. DISCUSSION: Such blistering inflammation has most commonly been described after pediatric respiratory infections because of Mycoplasma pneumoniae with additional instances related to Chlamydia pneumoniae , Epstein-Barr virus, influenza B, and other stimuli . To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of C. psittaci- induced reactive infectious mucocutaneous eruption (RIME). RIME is a rare parainfectious inflammatory condition with sequelae frequently involving the periocular mucosa. Although systemic and nonocular adverse outcomes in this condition tend to be self-limited, the impact on the ocular surface may be severe, and the consequences to vision may be ongoing, especially if not treated aggressively at the outset.

Repeatability and reliability of semi-automated anterior segment-optical coherence tomography imaging compared to manual analysis in normal and keratoconus eyes.

PURPOSE: To assess the repeatability and reliability of semi-automated EyeMark Python program measurements compared to manual ImageJ image processing of anterior segment-optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) structures in healthy and keratoconus eyes. METHODS: Heidelberg AS-OCT was used to image 25 eyes from 14 healthy subjects and 25 eyes from 15 subjects with keratoconus between the ages of 20 and 80 years, collected prospectively, in this observational case-control study. Visual axis scan containing vertical fixation light beam was selected from the 15-line AS-OCT scan raster. Central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior corneal radius of curvature (ACRC), posterior corneal radius of curvature (PCRC), and truncated anterior vault (TAV) were measured using ImageJ software and the EyeMark Python program. MedCalc and R were used to calculate the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and generate Bland-Altman plots (BAP). RESULTS: When comparing the measurements of CCT, ACRC, PCRC, and TAV between manual ImageJ analysis and the EyeMark Python program, ICC values were consistently greater than 0.9, indicating excellent agreement. BAPs comparing the ImageJ and Python measurements of anterior segment structures show no systematic proportional bias and the average differences were near zero and within 95% of the limits of agreement. CONCLUSIONS: Semi-automated tools may provide the necessary efficiency for point-of-care quantitative corneal analysis of raw AS-OCT images. The semi-automated EyeMark Python program offers a repeatable and reliable tool compared to manual ImageJ analysis for measuring anterior segment structures from AS-OCT images among individuals with keratoconus.

Predictors of intraocular pressure reduction after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery versus conventional phacoemulsification surgery: a prospective trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the association between postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction and phacoemulsification parameters in patients who underwent both conventional phacoemulsification surgery (CPS) and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS). METHODS: This was a prospective multicenter comparative study that enrolled 90 participants who underwent cataract surgery at the University of Maryland Medical System and the Wilmer Eye Institute. Patients underwent FLACS in one eye and CPS in the fellow eye. IOP was measured prior to surgery and monitored through six months postoperatively. Demographic, clinical, biometric, and intraoperative variables including cumulative dissipated energy (CDE), aspiration time, and phacoemulsification time were analyzed for any significant association with postoperative IOP. Postoperative IOP reduction was the primary outcome variable. A secondary goal of the study was to determine differences in postoperative IOP reduction between CPS and FLACS cohorts. RESULTS: In total, 157 non-glaucomatous eyes were included. Using multivariable analysis, we found preoperative IOP to be consistently associated with postoperative IOP reduction in the entire cohort. At the 6-month follow-up visit, there was a 12.4% reduction in IOP (-2.2 ± 3.4 mm Hg) seen, with no statistically significant difference between FLACS and CPS (12.3% ± 19.4% vs 12.5% ± 19.3%, respectively, p = 0.32). FLACS reduced the CDE required for phacoemulsification (6.6 ± 4.4%-seconds vs 8.6 ± 6.9%-seconds, respectively, p < 0.05). CDE was a predictor of IOP response at 6 months, but subgroup analysis revealed that this trend was driven by seven eyes requiring high CDE, and for the majority of eyes, CDE did not influence the size of the decrease. The seven eyes experiencing highest CDE were less likely to show IOP reduction at 6 months. CONCLUSION: Both FLACS and CPS resulted in similar and significant IOP reductions through 6 months after surgery. Preoperative IOP was significantly associated with IOP reduction, and CDE generally did not influence the size of the decrease.

The detection of keratoconus using novel metrics derived by anterior segment optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To determine through a feasibility study whether anterior and posterior corneal arc length and cross-sectional area measured using anterior segment ocular coherence tomography (AS-OCT) can distinguish between healthy and keratoconic corneas. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with keratoconus along with healthy controls underwent AS-OCT. ImageJ was used to determine the central 6 mm anterior and posterior corneal arc lengths and cross-sectional areas. Each length and area was then divided into 1-mm segment and relative differences compared. RESULTS: Twenty-five eyes from 15 patients with keratoconus, along with 25 eyes from 14 healthy controls were enrolled. There was a statistically significant difference in anterior and posterior corneal arc lengths as well as corneal cross-sectional area (p = 0.006, p = 0.005, p = 0.01, respectively). When selecting for the less advanced keratoconus eye, it was noted that posterior corneal arc length was longer in the paracentral temporal segment (1003 vs. 1010 µm, p = 0.04) and that greater change in corneal cross-sectional areas occurred between adjacent segments in less advanced keratoconus eyes. CONCLUSION: AS-OCT is capable of reliably measuring corneal arc lengths in patients with keratoconus and healthy patients. Both anterior and posterior corneal arc lengths along with central cross-sectional areas are statistically different between healthy and keratoconus eyes.

Estimated Prevalence of Keratoconus in the United States From a Large Vision Insurance Database.

PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence of keratoconus in the United States using a large vision insurance database. METHODS: We used data from the 2016 vision service plan (VSP) Global claims database to estimate the prevalence of keratoconus among enrollees by state. The VSP Global database includes cross-sectional de-identified claims data summarized by state of residence in predefined age and gender groups. Crude values of prevalence of keratoconus are provided in the VSP Global database. The open-source software package qGIS version 3.12 was used as the geographic information system for geospatial analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of keratoconus among VSP enrollees in the United States was estimated to be 0.15% with 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.15%, 0.15%). The prevalence of keratoconus was highest in Western states and among male population. The highest prevalence of keratoconus was in Colorado (0.51%; 95% CI 0.49%-0.52%), with particularly high prevalence for men in the age groups 18 to 39 years (0.90%; 95% CI 0.84%-0.95%) and 40 to 64 years (0.90%; 95% CI 0.85%-0.95%). CONCLUSION: The average prevalence of keratoconus in the United States in 2016 may be higher than previously reported. Living in Western states and male sex were associated with high prevalence.

Inter-rater Reliability and Repeatability of Manual Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography Image Grading in Keratoconus.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the repeatability of corneal measurements from anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) images using ImageJ software in healthy eyes compared with eyes with keratoconus. METHODS: Anterior segment OCT images of 25 eyes from 14 healthy subjects and 25 eyes from 15 subjects with keratoconus between the ages of 20 and 80 years were evaluated. Two trained observers used ImageJ to measure the central corneal cross-sectional area and anterior and posterior corneal arc lengths. MedCalc statistical software was used to generate the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots (BAPs) for observer measurements. RESULTS: Observer measurements of the central corneal cross-sectional area and anterior and posterior corneal arc lengths yielded an ICC >0.7. The ICC comparing the 3 parameters ranged from 0.75 to 0.84 for the control and 0.96 to 0.98 for the keratoconus group. No systematic proportional bias was detected by the BAPs. There were minimal differences between the 2 observer's measurements, with a mean of the difference of 0.3 mm2, 0 mm, and 0 mm, for the 3 measurements, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that ImageJ software is a repeatable and reliable tool in the analysis of corneal parameters from AS-OCT images among patients with keratoconus and may be applicable to AS-OCT imaging protocol development, an area of active keratoconus research.

Corneal Changes After Belantamab Mafodotin in Multiple Myeloma Patients.

OBJECTIVES: To describe progressive corneal microcyst-like epithelial changes (MECs) that developed in patients treated with the investigational drug belantamab mafodotin (belamaf) for refractory multiple myeloma (MM). METHODS: This is a single center case series of patients with MM receiving the investigational drug belamaf. RESULTS: All 12 patients included in this analysis who were treated with belamaf developed MECs that initially appeared in the peripheral cornea and progressed centrally with time. Cessation of therapy resulted in regression of the MECs first in the periphery then centrally. Microcyst-like epithelial changes recurred in all patients on retreatment. With prolonged therapy, eight patients developed corneal staining patterns suggestive of limbal stem cell dysfunction (LSCD). CONCLUSION: We describe MECs and LSCD associated with systemic administration of belamaf. Further study is needed to determine the etiology and composition of the MECs and the mechanism of limbal stem cell involvement.

Comparison of Preoperative Parameter Measurements Using an Optical Biometer, Automated Keratometer, and a Placido-Based Topographer Module.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the agreement of corneal power, corneal astigmatism, axis location, and astigmatic vector component measurements using a Lenstar LS900, a T-cone add-on, and an ARK 1S autorefractor, furthermore, to assess instrument agreement in a subset of astigmatic eyes. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of keratometric readings from 3 instruments for 66 eyes undergoing cataract surgery at the Maryland Veterans Affairs Medical Center from November 2014 to 2015. Agreement in corneal power, mean corneal power, axis location, and astigmatic vector components (J0, J45) between devices was evaluated. Comparability was assessed using intraclass correlation, analysis of variance (ANOVA) one-way analysis, Bland-Altman analysis, and power vector analysis. Intraclass correlation was then assessed for a subset of 42 eyes with corneal astigmatism greater than or equal to 1 D. RESULTS: The intraclass correlation between instruments was 0.941 for corneal power, 0.788 for corneal astigmatism, 0.932 for J0, and 0.809 for J45. The ANOVA one-way repeated P values comparing Kf, Ks, Km, corneal astigmatism, axis location, J0, and J45 were all greater than 0.05. Power vector analysis showed nearly all values between instruments to be within ±0.5 D. Finally, the intraclass correlation between instruments in eyes with ≥1 D of corneal astigmatism as measured by the T-cone was 0.946 for corneal power, 0.837 for corneal astigmatism, 0.948 for J0, and 0.950 for J45. CONCLUSIONS: The high level of agreement between all devices indicates the instruments may be used interchangeably. Our data suggest that this may also be true for the subset of eyes with greater than or equal to 1 D in astigmatism, highlighting the toric intraocular lens population.

Ocular Surface Disease and Glaucoma Medications: A Clinical Approach.

OBJECTIVES: Ocular surface disease frequently coexists with glaucoma and may be initiated or exacerbated by topical glaucoma medications. We performed a review of current literature to assess the prevalence, causes, and treatment of ocular surface disease in glaucoma patients, specifically those on topical therapy. METHODS: A Pubmed database search was conducted. A total of 720 articles published from 1972 to 2018 were found in relation with ocular surface disease, glaucoma, and glaucoma medications. Of these, 102 articles were included in this analysis. We included primary and empirical studies for patients on topical glaucoma medications. Exclusion criteria included case reports, non-English studies, and articles unrelated to the primary subject of this review. RESULTS: Ocular surface disease among normal and glaucomatous eyes was evaluated based on diagnostic testing including clinical examination and questionnaires to determine visual function and quality of life. Glaucoma medications can be associated with toxicities to the ocular surface, most often due to the nature of the preservative included in the medication; however, the incidence of toxicity can be mitigated by the use of preservative free medications, decreased preservative medications, or treatment of dry eye disease. Treatment of glaucoma with laser trabeculoplasty or minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries that spare the conjunctiva and the cornea may avoid or decrease reliance on topical glaucoma medications, potentially avoiding the initiation or progression of ocular surface disease. CONCLUSIONS: Recognition and treatment of ocular surface disease in glaucoma patients may improve patient quality of life and medication adherence. This may ultimately improve glaucoma treatment outcomes.

Weather Patterns and the Frequency of Ophthalmology Consultations in the Emergency Setting.

PURPOSE: To determine if weather patterns are associated with the frequency of ophthalmology consultations in the Emergency Room (ER) and trauma settings. METHODS: Hospital-based ophthalmology consultations between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2020 at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) were included in the BALCITE (BALtimore Consultation, Inpatient, and Trauma of the Eye) database. Encounters were filtered to the general ER, the R. Crowley Adams Shock Trauma Center, and consultations within 24 h of admission where a delay was attributed to bed assignment. Weather data from the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) for Baltimore, Maryland, was matched to the day of the initial encounter. RESULTS: A total of 3,877 patients were included. Overall, there was a significant association between increasing daily average temperature (R2 = .152, p = 0.0003) and daily maximum temperature (R2 = .243, p < 0.001) with incidence of ophthalmology consultations. There was no significant decrease in consultations with increasing precipitation (R2 = -.007, p = 0.7477). For trauma-related consultations, there was not a significant association between consultation incidence and average daily temperature (R2 = .011, p = 0.2013), maximum daily temperature (R2 = -0.012, p = 0.6529), or precipitation levels (R2 = .075, p = 0.24). The months with the highest consultation volume were September, August, and July, and the lowest numbers in April, March, and February. CONCLUSIONS: Emergency ophthalmology consultations increased with increasing daily temperature. Trauma-specific consultations did not show a significant association with weather patterns. This information may prove useful to ER providers and ophthalmologists in order to help predict frequency of consultations and better deploy personnel and resources.

Performance of ChatGPT in Diagnosis of Corneal Eye Diseases.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the capabilities of ChatGPT-4.0 and ChatGPT-3.5 for diagnosing corneal eye diseases based on case reports and compare with human experts. METHODS: We randomly selected 20 cases of corneal diseases including corneal infections, dystrophies, and degenerations from a publicly accessible online database from the University of Iowa. We then input the text of each case description into ChatGPT-4.0 and ChatGPT-3.5 and asked for a provisional diagnosis. We finally evaluated the responses based on the correct diagnoses, compared them with the diagnoses made by 3 corneal specialists (human experts), and evaluated interobserver agreements. RESULTS: The provisional diagnosis accuracy based on ChatGPT-4.0 was 85% (17 correct of 20 cases), whereas the accuracy of ChatGPT-3.5 was 60% (12 correct cases of 20). The accuracy of 3 corneal specialists compared with ChatGPT-4.0 and ChatGPT-3.5 was 100% (20 cases, P = 0.23, P = 0.0033), 90% (18 cases, P = 0.99, P = 0.6), and 90% (18 cases, P = 0.99, P = 0.6), respectively. The interobserver agreement between ChatGPT-4.0 and ChatGPT-3.5 was 65% (13 cases), whereas the interobserver agreement between ChatGPT-4.0 and 3 corneal specialists was 85% (17 cases), 80% (16 cases), and 75% (15 cases), respectively. However, the interobserver agreement between ChatGPT-3.5 and each of 3 corneal specialists was 60% (12 cases). CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy of ChatGPT-4.0 in diagnosing patients with various corneal conditions was markedly improved than ChatGPT-3.5 and promising for potential clinical integration. A balanced approach that combines artificial intelligence-generated insights with clinical expertise holds a key role for unveiling its full potential in eye care.

Automated Category and Trend Analysis of Scientific Articles on Ophthalmology Using Large Language Models: Development and Usability Study.

BACKGROUND: In this paper, we present an automated method for article classification, leveraging the power of large language models (LLMs). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the applicability of various LLMs based on textual content of scientific ophthalmology papers. METHODS: We developed a model based on natural language processing techniques, including advanced LLMs, to process and analyze the textual content of scientific papers. Specifically, we used zero-shot learning LLMs and compared Bidirectional and Auto-Regressive Transformers (BART) and its variants with Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) and its variants, such as distilBERT, SciBERT, PubmedBERT, and BioBERT. To evaluate the LLMs, we compiled a data set (retinal diseases [RenD] ) of 1000 ocular disease-related articles, which were expertly annotated by a panel of 6 specialists into 19 distinct categories. In addition to the classification of articles, we also performed analysis on different classified groups to find the patterns and trends in the field. RESULTS: The classification results demonstrate the effectiveness of LLMs in categorizing a large number of ophthalmology papers without human intervention. The model achieved a mean accuracy of 0.86 and a mean F1-score of 0.85 based on the RenD data set. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed framework achieves notable improvements in both accuracy and efficiency. Its application in the domain of ophthalmology showcases its potential for knowledge organization and retrieval. We performed a trend analysis that enables researchers and clinicians to easily categorize and retrieve relevant papers, saving time and effort in literature review and information gathering as well as identification of emerging scientific trends within different disciplines. Moreover, the extendibility of the model to other scientific fields broadens its impact in facilitating research and trend analysis across diverse disciplines.

Association Between Socioeconomic Deprivation and Orbital Trauma in a Hospital-Based Population.

PURPOSE: To examine the association between area-level socioeconomic deprivation and orbital trauma among emergency ophthalmology consults. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using 5-year Epic data for all hospital-based ophthalmology consults at the University of Maryland Medical System, and the Distressed Communities Index (DCI) data for area-level socioeconomic deprivation. We ran multivariable logistic regression models adjusting for age to compute odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between the DCI quintile 5 distressed score and orbital trauma. RESULTS: A total of 3,811 cases of acute emergency consults were identified, of whom 750 (19.7%) had orbital trauma and 2,386 (62.6%) had other traumatic ocular emergencies. The odds of orbital trauma among people living in a distressed community were 0.59 (95% CI 0.46-0.76) times the odds for those living in a prosperous community. Among White subjects, the odds of orbital trauma for people living in a distressed community were 1.71 (95% CI 1.12-2.62) times the odds for those living in a prosperous community; among Black subjects, the OR was 0.47 (95% CI 0.30-0.75; p-interaction = 0.0001). Among women, the OR for orbital trauma among those living in a distressed community was 0.46 (95% CI 0.29-0.71); among men, the OR was 0.70 (95% CI 0.52-0.97; p-interaction = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Overall, we found an inverse association between higher area-level socioeconomic deprivation and orbital trauma among both men and women. The association varied by race, such that there was an inverse association with higher deprivation among Black subjects in contrast to a positive association among White subjects.

Phthiriasis palpebrarum effectively treated with tea tree oil.

Phthiriasis palpebrarum, also known as crab lice, is a rare eyelash infestation by Pthirus pubis that is often misdiagnosed as common blepharitis, and thus mistreated. Treatment of Phthiriasis palpebrarum is widely variable. Tea tree oil is an essential oil with broad-spectrum anti-microbial therapeutic effects. Notably, however, the role of this agent in Phthiriasis palpebrarum management is unclear. The current article reports a case of phthiriasis palpebrarum effectively treated with tea tree oil.

Performance of ChatGPT in Diagnosis of Corneal Eye Diseases.

Introduction: Assessing the capabilities of ChatGPT-4.0 and ChatGPT-3.5 for diagnosing corneal eye diseases based on case reports and compare with human experts. Methods: We randomly selected 20 cases of corneal diseases including corneal infections, dystrophies, degenerations, and injuries from a publicly accessible online database from the University of Iowa. We then input the text of each case description into ChatGPT-4.0 and ChatGPT3.5 and asked for a provisional diagnosis. We finally evaluated the responses based on the correct diagnoses then compared with the diagnoses of three cornea specialists (Human experts) and evaluated interobserver agreements. Results: The provisional diagnosis accuracy based on ChatGPT-4.0 was 85% (17 correct out of 20 cases) while the accuracy of ChatGPT-3.5 was 60% (12 correct cases out of 20). The accuracy of three cornea specialists were 100% (20 cases), 90% (18 cases), and 90% (18 cases), respectively. The interobserver agreement between ChatGPT-4.0 and ChatGPT-3.5 was 65% (13 cases) while the interobserver agreement between ChatGPT-4.0 and three cornea specialists were 85% (17 cases), 80% (16 cases), and 75% (15 cases), respectively. However, the interobserver agreement between ChatGPT-3.5 and each of three cornea specialists was 60% (12 cases). Conclusions: The accuracy of ChatGPT-4.0 in diagnosing patients with various corneal conditions was markedly improved than ChatGPT-3.5 and promising for potential clinical integration.

Characteristics of Semiautomated Endothelial Cell-Density Measurements Among Corneal Donor Eyes.

Importance: Endothelial cell density in corneal donor eyes remains a critical component in selecting tissue suitable for corneal transplant. Objective: To describe an anomaly in endothelial cell density discovered in a large cohort of corneal donor eyes. Design, Setting, and Participants: Donor information for this cross-sectional study was obtained from the CorneaGen eye bank for donors from June 1, 2012, to June 30, 2016. Endothelial cell density was reported by eye bank technicians for each eye. The retrospective donor data set included donor demographics, endothelial cell count, time of death, medical and surgical history, and suitability for transplant. The donor data set contained information on donated eyes over the 4-year period. Main Outcomes and Measures: Endothelial cell-density heat map, 2-dimensional binned plots, and bayesian change point analysis. Results: A total of 48 207 donated eyes were evaluated. Mean (SD) cell count was 2717 (448) cells/mm2, and mean (SD) donor age was 58 (13) years. Heat maps using 2-dimensional binned plots demonstrated accentuated endothelial cell density results particularly at and immediately above 2500 cells/mm2 with a small gap right under this figure. A bayesian change point analysis revealed a change point at exactly this location as well. Conclusions and Relevance: Data from this cross-sectional study suggest a discontinuity in endothelial cell-density measurements just below 2500 cells/mm2. This anomaly suggests that the semiautomated counting technique used in this cohort preferentially skipped over measurements just below this cutoff. Whether this represents an automation error, or more likely, a subjective human bias, requires further study.

Dexamethasone implant migration in an eye with congenital glaucoma: A case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: The dexamethasone (DEX) implant is an FDA approved treatment for diabetic macular edema, non-infectious posterior uveitis, and macular edema secondary to branch or central retinal vein occlusions. We describe a case of anterior chamber (AC) migration of a DEX implant in a patient with a history of congenital glaucoma and perform a review of the literature on this particular complication, summarizing the common risk factors, subsequent complications, and management options. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 46-year-old female with a history of congenital glaucoma, status post cataract extraction with insertion of intraocular lens, pars plana vitrectomy, and Baerveldt tube implant in the left eye was referred for post-operative cystoid macular edema (CME). The patient underwent insertion of a DEX implant, resulting in improvement in her CME. After the fourth implant was injected, the patient noticed a white line in her eye while looking in the mirror after doing jumping jacks. Slit lamp examination confirmed migration of the implant into the AC. Ultimately, the patient was taken to the operating room, where her implant was removed via bimanual vitrectomy through an anterior approach. CONCLUSION: This case report and literature review explores the ophthalmic structural changes specific to congenital glaucoma which may have predisposed this eye to anterior migration of the DEX implant. The purpose of this review is to detail the anatomic changes that may increase the risk of anterior chamber implant migration in patients with congenital glaucoma so that physicians may be aware of these risks when selecting patients for this implant.

Effect of variation in derived corneal wavefront aberrations by calculation methods on intraocular lens selection.

PURPOSE: To compare topographically derived corneal wavefront aberrations between the NIDEK Magellan corneal topographer with built-in software (NIDEK Co Ltd) and VOL-CT software (Sarver and Associates) and determine their effects on intraocular lens (IOL) choice based on spherical aberration profiles. METHODS: Data were collected prospectively for 28 eyes without existing corneal disease prior to undergoing cataract surgery. Corneal higher order aberrations were calculated using Zernike polynomial expansions from topographic data and compared between the builtin NIDEK software and VOL-CT software. RESULTS: Using two-tailed paired t tests, statistically significant (P<.05) differences were found between the two calculations at 4 mm for 4th order aberrations (NIDEK: 0.2005 µm, VOL-CT: 0.1202 µm) and 6th order aberrations (NIDEK: 0.0985 µm, VOL-CT: 0.0546 µm). Statistically significant differences were noted between the two calculations at 6 mm for 5th order aberrations (NIDEK: 0.2757 µm, VOL-CT: 0.1618 µm) and 6th order aberrations (NIDEK: 0.2641 µm, VOL-CT: 0.0920 µm). No statistically significant differences existed for 3rd order, spherical aberration, and total higher order aberrations. However, using spherical aberration-based IOL selection criteria, the ultimate IOL selection would have differed in 13 eyes if calculated using the NIDEK versus VOL-CT software. CONCLUSIONS: Statistically significant differences were present in wavefront aberration calculations using the NIDEK versus VOL-CT software for 4- and 6-mm pupil sizes. These differences in spherical aberration could influence wavefront-optimized IOL selection for cataract surgery.