Evaluating ChatGPT on Orbital and Oculofacial Disorders: Accuracy and Readability Insights.

PURPOSE: To assess the accuracy and readability of responses generated by the artificial intelligence model, ChatGPT (version 4.0), to questions related to 10 essential domains of orbital and oculofacial disease. METHODS: A set of 100 questions related to the diagnosis, treatment, and interpretation of orbital and oculofacial diseases was posed to ChatGPT 4.0. Responses were evaluated by a panel of 7 experts based on appropriateness and accuracy, with performance scores measured on a 7-item Likert scale. Inter-rater reliability was determined via the intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The artificial intelligence model demonstrated accurate and consistent performance across all 10 domains of orbital and oculofacial disease, with an average appropriateness score of 5.3/6.0 ("mostly appropriate" to "completely appropriate"). Domains of cavernous sinus fistula, retrobulbar hemorrhage, and blepharospasm had the highest domain scores (average scores of 5.5 to 5.6), while the proptosis domain had the lowest (average score of 5.0/6.0). The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.64 (95% CI: 0.52 to 0.74), reflecting moderate inter-rater reliability. The responses exhibited a high reading-level complexity, representing the comprehension levels of a college or graduate education. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the potential of ChatGPT 4.0 to provide accurate information in the field of ophthalmology, specifically orbital and oculofacial disease. However, challenges remain in ensuring accurate and comprehensive responses across all disease domains. Future improvements should focus on refining the model's correctness and eventually expanding the scope to visual data interpretation. Our results highlight the vast potential for artificial intelligence in educational and clinical ophthalmology contexts.

Prophylactic intraocular pressure lowering measures in anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Acute intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation following repeat intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections (IVI) may pose a risk to the integrity of the retinal nerve fiber (RNFL). This meta-analysis investigates the role of IOP-lowering interventions such as an anterior chamber paracentesis (ACP) and IOP-lowering medications on the IOP in patients undergoing IVIs. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched up to February, 2021. Studies investigating IOP-lowering interventions in patients undergoing IVI versus controls were included. The primary outcome was the IOP in the short- and long-term post-IVI. Secondary outcomes were changes in the RNFL thickness and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). ACP at time of anti-VEGF injection significantly lowered IOP immediately post anti-VEGF (WMD: -27.98 mm Hg, P < 0.001). Patients in the ACP group also had significantly thicker RNFL compared to control (WMD: 2.07 um, P < 0.00001) at median follow-up of 16.5 months. IOP-lowering medications (on the day of injection or in the long-term) significantly reduced IOP up to 30 minutes after injection (WMD: -3.31 mm Hg, P = 0.003). This effect was statistically significant between the 2 arms up to 1 month follow-up. There was no difference in BCVA in intervention versus controls. ACP reduces immediate IOP spikes post-IVI and preserves the RNFL in the short- and longterms IOP-lowering medications also reduce IOP spike, with limited data on RNFL thickness.

Switching between anti-VEGF agents in the management of refractory diabetic macular edema: A systematic review.

Refractory diabetic macular edema (DME) to monthly intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monotherapy has a prevalence of approximately 40% in landmark clinical trials. Options for these patients include use of intravitreal steroids, focal laser, or switching to an alternative anti-VEGF agent. We summarize the key conclusions from studies analyzing the efficacy of switching anti-VEGF agents for refractory DME. Twenty-four studies were included in analysis. The most common definitions of refractory in the included studies were a central retinal thickness (CRT) greater than 300µm or a reduction in CRT less than 10% after at least 3-6 prior anti-VEGF injections. Switching to intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) from either intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) or bevacizumab (IVB) is associated with moderate to significant improvement in central subfield thickness and may be an appropriate choice for patients with refractory DME. The improvement in retinal thickness and edema is typically seen after the first 3 injections of IVA post-switch. Switching to IVR has also demonstrated improvement in CRT at 3-6 months post switch in large sample population studies. Future studies are required to elucidate the ideal time point for a switch in anti-VEGF agent or which patients would benefit from this change.

Demographic Risk Factors of Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Systematic Review of Population-Based Studies.

INTRODUCTION: Current national guidelines use gestational age (GA) and birth weight (BW) as their basis for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening. The strength of association of these and other demographic risk factors is inconsistent across studies. This review aims to evaluate the strength of association of documented risk factors for ROP in large sample, population-based studies. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched from January 2010 to May 2020. Original studies reporting the risk of ROP in a region and demographic risk factors were included. RESULTS: Eighteen studies comprising 342,005 infants were included. The overall risk of ROP in preterm infants was 18.8%. For every week decrease in GA, there was a median adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 1.4 times (range 1.2-1.9) of developing ROP. For every 100-g decrease in BW, the median aOR was 1.8 times (range 1.2-2.7). Higher risk was found in infants with neonatal sepsis and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The risk of any, severe, and treatment-requiring ROP was highest for 23 weeks GA, which was 66.5, 40.3, and 39.4%, respectively. Regions with higher neonatal mortality rates had the highest mean GA of infants with ROP. CONCLUSION: For every week decrease in GA and every 100-g decrease in BW, there was a median of 1.4 times and 1.8 times the odds of developing ROP, respectively. Further research is required to clarify the role of additional risk factors.

Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Siluron2000 with Pars Plana Vitrectomy in the Treatment of Patients with Severe Vitreoretinopathy and Chronic Macular Holes.

PURPOSE: Silicone oil intraocular retinal tamponade is a useful adjunct to pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in the treatment of complex vitreoretinal conditions. Siluron2000, a modified silicone oil product containing an additional small, high molecular weight and low viscosity, very-long-chain silicone molecule, was developed to reduce post-operative silicone oil emulsification, a non-infrequent complication that occurs with low molecular weight silicone oil. This study was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of long-term Siluron2000. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a single-center, retrospective, observational study. All consecutive patients undergoing PPV with intravitreal Siluron2000 injection between January 2017 and September 2019 with at least 6-month follow-up were identified based on billing codes. RESULTS: A total of 57 eyes of 57 consecutive patients comprising 51 cases of proliferative vitreoretinopathy and 6 cases of recurrent full thickness macular hole were included. Median follow-up was 18 months. Emulsification occurred in 9 patients (15%). Retinal re-attachment was achieved in 47 patients (82%). The median time without silicone oil emulsification was 17 months. Of the cases with residual retinal detachment (RD) despite intravitreal Siluron2000, 4 (7%) were total RDs and 6 (10%) were inferior RDs with attached macula. The most common complications were glaucoma 12 (21%), cataract 11 (19%), and epiretinal membrane 2 (3.5%). There was no association between the duration of Siluron2000 and visual outcomes. CONCLUSION: Siluron2000 is an effective long-term tamponade agent in the treatment of complex vitreoretinopathy. Visual and anatomical outcomes are similar to those reported with higher mw silicone oil tamponade agents but with a lower emulsification rate.

Combined Pars Plana Vitrectomy and Segmental Scleral Buckle for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment with Inferior Retinal Breaks.

PURPOSE: To describe a variation of the traditional segmental scleral buckle (SB) without an encircling band combined with 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for the management of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with inferior retinal breaks. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a single-center, retrospective, consecutive review of all RRDs with inferior retinal breaks that were treated with PPV and segmental SB without an encircling band between May 2019 and February 2020. RESULTS: A total of 12 eyes of 12 patients were included in the study. All patients had at least 1 inferior retinal break and more than 2 clock hours of retinal detachment. Eight eyes had RRD with macular involvement at presentation. Seven eyes had a persistent RRD following previous pneumatic retinopexy (C3F8). All eyes were treated by PPV combined with a segmental #510 sponge without an encircling band. Surgery anatomical success was 100%. Mean logMAR visual acuity was 1 (SD 0.6; 20/160) and 0.5 (SD 0.4; 20/60) at 3 months and last follow-ups, respectively. No scleral buckle-related complications were noted over the 4.1 (SD 0.8) month follow-up period. CONCLUSION: The combined segmental buckling technique is a safe and effective adjunct to PPV in treatment of inferior RRD.

Bilateral Visual Loss After Spine Surgery in a Patient With Midfacial Trauma: A Case Report.

We present a case of bilateral visual loss in a patient who underwent spine surgery after sustaining a fall and trauma to her face and cervical spine. Visual loss in the right eye, not recognized until after surgery, was a result of blunt injury to the eye. Visual loss in the left eye was caused by posterior ischemic optic neuropathy, an unfortunate complication of surgery in the prone position.

OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY OF CONGENITAL SIMPLE HAMARTOMA OF THE RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIUM.

PURPOSE: To describe the optical coherence tomography angiography features of congenital simple hamartoma of the retinal pigment epithelium. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 14-year-old boy was referred for an asymptomatic fundus tumor in the left eye. Visual acuity was 20/20 in the right eye and 20/40 in the left eye. The right fundus was normal. The left fundus disclosed a gray-white nodular retinal mass of 2-mm diameter in the juxtafoveal region, protruding into the vitreous cavity and causing radial retinal folds. The mass demonstrated echodensity without calcification on ultrasonography, hypoautofluorescence on short-wavelength autofluorescence, and mixed hyporeflective and hyperreflective areas on near-infrared reflectance imaging. By fluorescein angiography, the mass showed absolute hypofluorescence through the arteriovenous phase and diffuse late hyperfluorescence and staining. Optical coherence tomography revealed an optically dense lesion with abrupt posterior shadowing, whereas optical coherence tomography angiography showed an extensive haphazard intratumoral vascular network with fairly large-caliber (100-200 microns) vessels occupying full-thickness tumor, demonstrating more vascular details than visualized on fluorescein angiography. Serial segmental evaluation of the optical coherence tomography angiography en face images confirmed an intratumoral vascular network for full tumor depth down to retinal pigment epithelium, not related to projection artifact. Final diagnosis was congenital simple hamartoma of the retinal pigment epithelium. Considering the benign tumor, observation was recommended. CONCLUSION: Optical coherence tomography angiography of congenital simple hamartoma of the retinal pigment epithelium revealed an extensive intratumoral, haphazard, large-caliber vascular network, more evident than seen on fluorescein angiography. Optical coherence tomography angiography has added new insight into this rare tumor.

Fibrin Glue and Internal Limiting Membrane Abrasion for Optic Disc Pit Maculopathy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To describe a novel surgical technique using pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), internal limiting membrane (ILM) abrasion, and intravitreal fibrin glue for the treatment of optic disc pit maculopathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Surgical case series technique with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of human post-mortem eyes. RESULTS: Using SEM, the authors demonstrate the persistent adherence of vitreous fragments to the optic disc following induction of posterior vitreous detachment in human postmortem eyes. The authors describe a surgical technique using PPV, Tano Diamond Dusted Membrane Scraper for an ILM abrasion, intravitreal fibrin glue (Tisseel), and gas-air exchange to seal optic disc pits. The authors report successful long-term visual and anatomical outcomes in three patients. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal fibrin glue, when combined with ILM abrasion, may be a viable treatment option for optic disc pit maculopathy with good short- and long-term visual acuity outcomes. SEM shows that ILM abrasion removes vitreous fragments, which are persistently adherent and may lead to failure with other interventional techniques. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:e271-e277.].

Flashes and floaters: a survey of Canadian ophthalmology residents' practice patterns.

BACKGROUND: Residents are often the first point of contact in assessing patients who present with "flashes and floaters" in the emergency ophthalmology clinic. Most often, these symptoms are attributed to a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), which may be associated with a retinal tear in up to 14% of cases. A proper peripheral retinal exam is, thus, imperative, and techniques other than scleral depression may not be sufficient. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of Canadian ophthalmology residents-in-training to understand the current resident practice patterns for examination of the peripheral retina. METHODS: Anonymous electronic survey of all Canadian ophthalmology residents (postgraduate years 2-5). RESULTS: On average, residents (n = 47) perform a peripheral retinal examination 5 to 7 times per day in the emergency clinic and on call. Reported techniques for assessing the peripheral retina include scleral depression with indirect ophthalmoscopy alone (45.7%), scleral depression combined with the 3-mirror (15.2%) or panretinal lens (10.9%), or each of these techniques alone (23.9% and 4.3%, respectively). The major factors deterring resident use of scleral depression include history of recent trauma (47.5%), patient discomfort (16.3%), personal discomfort (16.3%), or lack of time (13.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Although scleral depression is the recommended standard of care for assessment of flashes and floaters, residents in training may routinely use alternative techniques as a result of extrinsic and intrinsic factors.

Ten-year retrospective review of outcomes following phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation in patients with pre-existing uveitis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the visual outcome, uveitis control, and complications following cataract surgery for intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in patients with a known diagnosis of uveitis. DESIGN: The study was a retrospective interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: We reviewed 98 patients (137 eyes) with adult uveitis undergoing cataract surgery with foldable acrylic posterior chamber IOL implantation between 2003 and 2013 in 2 uveitis practices. METHODS: Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and uveitis grade (Standardized Uveitis Nomenclature criteria) were measured at 1 month preoperatively, at postoperative week 1, and at postoperative months 1, 6, and 12. The main outcome measures were mean change in postoperative BCVA, uveitis grade, and complications. RESULTS: Of the eyes studied, 84% had grade 0-0.5 anterior uveitis at postoperative week 1 and maintained uveitis control (77% grade 0; 19% grade 0.5 anterior uveitis) at 1 year postoperatively. None of the patients had active intermediate or posterior uveitis at any time point. Mean BCVA improved from 0.71 ± 0.38 logMAR preoperatively to 0.37 ± 0.36 at 6 months (p < 0.01) and to 0.30 ± 0.25 at 12 months (p = 0.01) postoperatively. Of the study participants, 30% had preoperative complications related to uveitis, including epiretinal membrane (12%), cystoid macular edema (12%), and glaucoma (5.8%); 46% of patients had small pupils as a result of posterior synechiae. Postoperative vision-limiting complications included posterior capsule opacification (18%), epiretinal membrane (9.0%), and cystoid macular edema (8.8%). Of the eyes studied, 5.8% underwent Nd:YAG capsulotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Cataract surgery with acrylic posterior-chamber IOL implantation is effective at improving visual acuity in patients with uveitis. Uveitis was well controlled in the majority of our study patients for 12 months after cataract surgery. The most frequent vision-limiting postoperative complication was posterior capsule opacification, which was treatable with Nd:YAG capsulotomy.

Transscleral suture fixation following recurrent toric intraocular lens rotation.

We describe a surgical technique of transscleral suture fixation for recurrent rotation of a double-loop hydrophilic acrylic toric intraocular lens (IOL) in the capsular bag. Two 9-0 polypropylene sutures are placed in the proximal and distal angulations of 1 of the IOL haptics through the capsular bag. The clockwise and counterclockwise traction provided by these sutures prevents rotation of the IOL in either direction. This technique can be used in cases of spontaneous postoperative IOL rotation to achieve stabilization. In the case we describe, the IOL remained stable 11 months following transscleral suture fixation at the desired axis.

Surgical technique for explantation of cosmetic anterior chamber iris implants.

UNLABELLED: The Newcoloriris is a silicone implant for cosmetic alteration of iris color. Implantation is associated with significant ocular complications of decreased vision, glaucoma, and corneal edema. Although removal of the implant also entails risks, it is ultimately necessary to preserve vision. We describe a technique for removing the implant that may also reduce intraoperative complications. The implant is explanted using a bimanual technique with small incisions in 3 sections via a "slicing-the-pie" technique using iris microforceps, microscissors, and microinstrumentation. Our patient required removal 5 years after implantation, which is the longest reported interval in the literature. This suggests that as long as these implants are present, ocular structures are at risk. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Chronic subdural hematoma management: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 34,829 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of multiple treatment modalities for the management of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) patients. BACKGROUND: Current management strategies of CSDHs remain widely controversial. Treatment options vary from medical therapy and bedside procedures to major operative techniques. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE (PubMed and Ovid), EMBASE, CINAHL, Google scholar, and the Cochrane library from January 1970 through February 2013 for randomized and observational studies reporting one or more outcome following the management of symptomatic patients with CSDH. Independent reviewers evaluated the quality of studies and abstracted the data on the safety and efficacy of percutaneous bedside twist-drill drainage, single or multiple operating room burr holes, craniotomy, corticosteroids as a main or adjuvant therapy, use of drains, irrigation of the hematoma cavity, bed rest, and treatment of recurrences following CSDH management. Mortality, morbidity, cure, and recurrence rates were examined for each management option. Randomized, prospective, retrospective, and overall observational studies were analyzed separately. Pooled estimates, confidence intervals (CIs), and relative risks (RRs) were calculated for all outcomes using a random-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 34,829 patients from 250 studies met our eligibility criteria. Sixteen trials were randomized, and the remaining 234 were observational. We included our unpublished single center series of 834 patients. When comparing percutaneous bedside drainage to operating room burr hole evacuation, there was no significant difference in mortality (RR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.46-1.05; P = 0.09), morbidity (RR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.2-1.01; P = 0.05), cure (RR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.98-1.11; P = 0.15), and recurrence rates (RR, 1; 95% CI, 0.66-1.52; P = 0.99). Higher morbidity was associated with the adjuvant use of corticosteroids (RR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.54-2.45; P = 0.005), with no significant improvement in recurrence and cure rates. The use of drains following CSDH drainage resulted in a significant decrease in recurrences (RR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.27-0.76; P = 0.002). Craniotomy was associated with higher complication rates if considered initially (RR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.04-1.74; P = 0.01); however, craniotomy was superior to minimally invasive procedures in the management of recurrences (RR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.05-0.85; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous bedside twist-drill drainage is a relatively safe and effective first-line management option. These findings may result in potential health cost savings and eliminate perioperative risks related to general anesthetic.