Training in cataract surgery in Spain: analysis of the results of a survey of the European Board of Ophthalmology in a Spanish cohort.

INTRODUCTION: A survey conducted by the European Board of Ophthalmology (EBO) revealed significant differences in the surgical training of the ophthalmology residents in Europe, including a disparity between the sexes and a variation in the experience on cataract surgery (CC) between them. This study is about the Spanish sub-cohort of the survey, and its objective is to present and analyse the peculiarities of ophthalmology training in Spain within the European context, as well as discussing ways to harmonise and improve that training throughout the EU. METHODS: We analyse data of the Spanish participants in the EBO exams, defining subgroups by the Autonomous Communities existing in Spain. RESULTS: 93 of 135 requested participants (68.9%) responded. A 60.2% passed the EBO exam between 2021 and 2022, being mostly women (65.59%) aged 31 years old on average. The 91.4% were right-handed, coming from 13 of the 17 Spanish autonomous communities, although mostly from the Community of Valencia, Madrid and Catalonia. Respectively, 16.1%, 3.2% and 8.7% of the respondents said they have completed 10 or more training sessions on animal eyes, synthetic eyes and through the virtual reality simulator. This training was correlated with greater self-confidence in the management of a posterior capsular tear during surgery (p .025). All respondents manifested to have already performed stages of the CC. The average number of operations reported was 181.6 with regional disparities. A significant difference is observed between the sexes against women (-28.3%, p 0.03). DISCUSSION: Ophthalmologists in Spain, much more than other European countries, have greater opportunities for surgical training, with surgical procedures during the residency, that nearly triples those made by the others. Spanish women refer, like their European colleagues, to be in disadvantage in learning opportunities about cataract surgery. The Simulation Based Medical Education (SBME) allows to respond to the training deficit and complements the training on the patient. Although we demonstrate a significant correlation between the number of procedures carried out and self-confidence to operate simple cases, the SBME would be a complementary tool in self-confidence in front of a complication like capsular rupture. CONCLUSION: Spain massively adopts the model named by us "surgery for all", despite the underrepresentation of women in this area, emphasising a need for cultural change that the SBME could facilitate.

[Treat-and-extend anti-angiogenic protocol in clinical practice for patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration: Consensus of French experts]. / Consensus d'experts français sur la mise en œuvre pratique du régime Treat-and-Extend par anti-angiogéniques chez les patients atteints de DMLA exsudative.

Optimizing treatment regimens for anti-angiogenic drugs is now a major issue in the management of patients with exudative AMD. The evolution of these approaches has led retinologists to favor so-called proactive administration regimens, such as Treat-and-Extend (T&E), which make it possible to anticipate recurrence and to plan intravitreal injections of anti-angiogenic drugs in advance. Nevertheless, a real need to standardize the application of this regimen has been identified. This article proposes a consensus based on the Delphi methodology, which might provide a guide for ophthalmologists to manage patients with exudative AMD using the T&E protocol. While some aspects remain debated to date, this article provides elements to guide the implementation of T&E. The experts recommend that a loading dose of 3 monthly injections should be administered before starting T&E. They also recommend adjusting the reinjection intervals by±2 weeks in a standardized fashion. The intervals are then decreased in the presence of anatomical and/or functional deterioration, maintained when the interval of recurrence is identified, and increased when anatomical and/or functional improvement is observed. A maximum interval between 3 and 4 months is recommended by the experts, with maintenance of the maximum interval for 1 year before considering a possible exit from the T&E protocol. In the event of a significant decrease in visual acuity related to the disease along with significant anatomical degradation, it is recommended to restart monthly injections. In the case of bilateral disease, when synchronized timing of injections for both eyes is desired, the experts recommend using the shorter of the two intervals.

Twelve-month outcomes of intra-vitreal anti-VEGF agents for treatment-naïve neovascular age-related macular degeneration eyes: French data from the fight for retinal blindness!

INTRODUCTION: To describe the one-year functional outcomes of treatment-naïve neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with anti-VEGF agents at the Dijon University Hospital Ophthalmology Department. METHODS: Real-life interventional study including all treatment-naïve nAMD patients from January 2016 to December 2018 in the Ophthalmology Department of Dijon University Hospital. Data were retrospectively collected from the Fight Retinal Blindness! (FRB!) registry. At baseline, medical history, visual acuity (VA), type of lesion and activity on angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT), and treatment were recorded. On follow-up, VA, lesion activity and treatment were recorded. RESULTS: Three-hundred twenty eyes of 259 patients were included, of which 65.6% were female and with a mean age of 80.1±11.1 years. Mean VA (standard deviation, SD) at baseline was 53.2 ETDRS letters (25.3). All patients received anti-VEGF injections, of which 164 eyes (51.2%), 152 eyes (47.5%) and 4 eyes (1.2%) were treated with aflibercept, ranibizumab and bevacizumab, respectively. A total of 198 eyes of 169 patients completed the 12-month follow-up, with a median (first quartile, third quartile) of 12 visits (10, 13). At one year (n=198), the overall mean VA gain [95% CI] was +3.3 ETDRS letters [0.7, 5.9] and 173 (87.4%) of the treated eyes did not lose 15 or more letters. We found no statistically significant difference in mean VA gain between aflibercept and ranibizumab. CONCLUSION: This real-world study confirmed the efficacy of anti-VEGF agents in nAMD and the feasibility of analyzing data in an international registry.

Efficacy and follow-up of anti-VEGF injections in diabetic macular edema in real-life practice at the Dijon university medical centre through the Save Sight Registries.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections (IVT) in diabetic macular edema (DME) in real-life practice using the Save Sight Registries (SSR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted an observational, single-centre, retrospective study in the department of ophthalmology of the Dijon University Hospital. We included treatment-naive patients who presented with DME between January 2016 and December 2017. Demographic and clinical data, follow-up visits, and treatments administered were entered into the SSR, an international online ophthalmic registry. Primary endpoints were the change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central subfield thickness (CST) from baseline to 12 and 24 months. RESULTS: Fifty-eight eyes of 43 patients with a mean [standard deviation (SD)] age of 67.1 [9.5] years were included. Forty-one eyes completed 12 months of follow-up, and 17 eyes completed 24 months of follow up. Median [SD] baseline BCVA was 56.1 [22.9] ETDRS letters and the median [95% confidence interval (95% CI)] baseline CST was 447.9 [161.0] micrometers (µm). Median [95% CI] improvement in BCVA from baseline to months 12 and 24 were respectively, +5.6 [+0.5; +10.7] ETDRS letters and +7.7 [-2.8; +18.2] ETDRS letters. The median [95% CI] decrease in CST from baseline to months 12 and 24 were respectively, -110.9 [-154.5; -67.3] µm and -125.5 [-198.0; -53.0] µm. CONCLUSION: Our clinical practice can be evaluated easily with the SSR system. In real life, anti-VEGF IVT are an effective treatment for DME, which result in improved BCVA and decreased CST.

Evaluation of the Spot Vision Screener in comparison with the orthoptic examination in visual screening in 3-5 year-old schoolchildren.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the Spot Vision Screener (SVS) compared with the orthoptic examination for detection of amblyopia risk factors in preschools. METHODS: This prospective study included children with a visual screening organized by the department of "le" (PMI) in Côte d'Or (Burgundy, France), between June 2017 and April 2018. All children were evaluated with the SVS followed by a clinical orthoptic examination. Results with the SVS were compared with those obtained by clinical orthoptic examination. RESULTS: A total of 1236 subjects were included in the study from 100 preschools. The mean age of the children was 3.6±0.7 years, and 627 were female (50.7%). The orthoptic examination detected 308 (24.9%) children with subnormal visual acuity for age in one eye or both. In children with a history of prematurity, the orthoptic examination was more frequently abnormal (P=0.002), which was not seen with the SVS (P=0.050). The SVS screened 20 (1.6%) children with strabismus, while 40 (3.2%) were detected by orthoptic examination. At the end of the screening, the SVS detected 182 (14.7%) suspect patients while 311 (25.1%) suspect patients were detected after the orthoptic examination. Comparing SVS with orthoptic examination, agreement was fair (κ=0.4). CONCLUSION: The SVS can be a useful device for visual screening, but agreement with the orthoptic examination was only fair. The Spot vision screener should be used in conjunction with a clinical orthoptic examination.

Approche diagnostique et thérapeutique de la vasculopathie polypoïdale choroïdienne. Recommandations de la Fédération France Macula.

PURPOSE: To update the medical literature on the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and to propose a treatment algorithm in agreement with French market approval, supported by the France Macula Federation (FFM). METHODS: Literature review and expert opinion. RESULTS: The diagnosis of PCV is based on multimodal imaging, including indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), which is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of PCV. Regarding the therapeutic management of PCV, the FFM recommends treating PCV first-line either by monotherapy with intra-vitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections, or by a combined treatment of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with Verteporfin and intra-vitreal anti-VEGF injections, depending on the location of the PCV.

Visual outcomes and complications of congenital cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To describe the visual results and postoperative complications of congenital cataract surgeries performed between 2005 and 2016. METHODS: A retrospective consecutive case series of congenital cataract surgeries was carried out at the Dijon University Hospital in France. Intraocular lens implantation was primary or secondary according to age. Pre- and post-operative assessment was performed through ophthalmologic consultations with orthoptic measurements. Visual function and adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: Fifty-six consecutive procedures were evaluated in 37 infants. Overall, 26.8% of patients had unilateral cataracts, and 73.2% had bilateral cataracts. Median age at surgery was 1.0 years [IQR (interquartile range): 0.3-5.2] and 2.7 years [IQR: 0.4-9.5] for unilateral and bilateral cataracts, respectively. Median best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the last follow-up was 0.5logMAR [IQR: 0.2-0.8] and 0.1logMAR [IQR: 0.0-0.8] for the unilateral and bilateral group, respectively. Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) was the primary postoperative complication: 60.0% in unilateral cataract and 46.3% in bilateral cataracts (P=0.019). Median follow-up was 2.0 years [IQR: 1.0-5.0]. CONCLUSION: Congenital cataract surgery appears to be safe and effective when combined with early, conscientious amblyopia treatment. Bilateral congenital cataracts had better visual outcome than unilateral cataract.

[Ranibizumab and exudative age-related macular degeneration: 5-year multicentric functional and anatomical results in real-life practice]. / Ranibizumab et dégénérescence maculaire liée à l'âge exsudative : analyse multicentrique à 5ans des résultats fonctionnels et anatomiques en pratique clinique réelle.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to evaluate five year functional and anatomical outcomes of wet AMD patients treated with ranibizumab according to a pro re nata (PRN) regimen in real-life practice. METHODS: A retrospective, multicentric chart review of 201 eyes of 201 patients who underwent their first ranibizumab intravitreal injection (IVT) between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2008 was performed. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT) on SD-OCT, number of IVT and follow-up visits were collected at baseline and during the entire follow-up period of 5 years. RESULTS: Mean BCVA at baseline was 52.3±16.5 letters. Mean BCVA change from baseline was respectively +2.8, +2.5, +1.8, -0.6 at 1, 2, 3, 4 years of follow-up. At year 5, 43% of eyes had a stable or improved letter score (≥0 letter gain), whereas 29% declined by 15 letters or more, with an overall significant mean decline of 2.8 letters (P<0.05). No correlation was observed between final visual outcome and age, baseline BCVA, type of neovascularization, naive status, number of IVT or number of follow-up visits. On SD-OCT, mean CMT was 293±96µm at baseline and was significantly reduced compared to baseline at each year end-point (P<0.005). The mean number of IVT was 15±10.4 at year 5, with 55% of eyes still being under active treatment. CONCLUSION: PRN ranibizumab in real-life practice improved or stabilized visual acuity over 4 years. During the 5th year, progressive decline of visual acuity was observed.

Intravitreal dexamethasone implant versus anti-VEGF injection for treatment-naïve patients with retinal vein occlusion and macular edema: a 12-month follow-up study.

PURPOSE: The objective of his study was to compare the visual and anatomical outcomes in treatment-naïve patients with macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion after intravitreal injections of dexamethasone implants (DEX) and anti-VEGF. METHODS: One hundred two patients (64 in the anti-VEGF group, 38 in the DEX group) without previous treatment were included in this multi-center retrospective study and evaluated at baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the onset of treatment. Patients were defined as "good responders" if central macular thickness (CMT) was less than or equal to 250 µm in TD-OCT or 300 µm in SD-OCT after the injections. RESULTS: At month 3 (n = 102), BCVA had increased significantly, by 0.1 ± 0.3 logMAR in the anti-VEGF group (p = 0.04) and 0.4 ± 0.4 logMAR in the DEX group (p < 0.001); the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p = 0.007). CMT decreased significantly, by 138 ± 201 µm (-19 %, p < 0.001) in the anti-VEGF group and 163 ± 243 µm (-21 %, p < 0.001) in the DEX group. After 3 months, five patients (13 %) in the DEX group and 20 (31 %) in the anti-VEGF group (p < 0.001) changed treatment. Among the 77 patients who did not switch from their initial treatment, no significant functional or anatomical difference between the two groups was observed at months 6 and 12. Elevation of intraocular pressure > 21 mmHg was more frequent in the DEX group (21 %) than in the anti-VEGF group (3 %, p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Visual acuity recovery was better in the DEX group than in the anti-VEGF group at month 3, but with no difference in CMT. In patients who did not change treatment, the long-term anatomical and visual outcome was similar between the DEX and anti-VEGF groups.

Ocular tolerability and efficacy of a cationic emulsion in patients with mild to moderate dry eye disease - a randomised comparative study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of a new cationic emulsion (CE) with a formulation of polyvinyl alcohol and povidone (PVA-P) for the treatment of mild to moderate dry eye disease. METHODS: This was a multicenter, open-label, comparative study. Patients were randomised to receive CE (Cationorm) or PVA-P (Refresh) (1:1). The following objective criteria were assessed to compare the two eye drops: tear Break-up Time (TBUT), Schirmer's test, lissamine green staining (Van Bijsterveld score), corneal fluorescein staining (Oxford scale) and oculopalpebral examination, on D7 and D28 (end of study). At these visits, ocular symptoms and safety were also assessed. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients were randomised: CE: 44 patients; PVA-P: 35 patients. At D28, improvement was significantly better for TBUT [CE: 1.7 ± 2.4 s; PVA-P: 0.6 ± 1.8 s; P=0.015] and for the Van Bijsterveld score [CE: -1.4 ± 1.2; PVA-P: -0.9 ± 1.2; P=0.046] in the CE group. The same applied for the palpebral erythema score (P=0.023), overall efficacy assessed by the investigators (P<0.001), and symptoms not related to eye drop instillation (P=0.021). Improvement was observed from D7. No difference was observed between the two treatments with regard to ocular safety. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that in patients with mild to moderate dry eye, Cationorm, in addition to its moisturizing and lubricating properties, also helps stabilize the tear film due to its oily component. This study demonstrates the benefit of this new pharmaceutical form for the treatment of mild to moderate dry eye disease.

[Post-vitrectomy maculopathy, or "why doesn't my retinal detachment patient see better?"]. / Les maculopathies post-vitrectomies ou « pourquoi un décollement ne récupère pas ? ¼

Retinal detachment (RD) is a surgical disease with good anatomical results thanks to advances in vitreo-retinal surgical techniques. However, in spite of good anatomical results, visual recovery may sometimes be clearly less satisfactory. These poor functional results may be due to epiretinal membranes, macular holes or macula edema, some of which may be transitory, and some of which may be amenable to surgical treatment. However, some circumstances can be explained only by an alteration of deep retinal layers, especially at the photoreceptor level. Newer OCTs (optical coherence tomography) can provide a more detailed in vivo anatomical assessment of the retina, to which microperimetry can add a functional perspective. Better understanding of poor prognostic factors (poor preoperative visual acuity, RD duration, height of the macular detachment) can improve the quality of information given to the patient.

[An iris metastasis revealed a bronchopulmonary cancer]. / Métastase irienne révélatrice d'un cancer bronchopulmonaire.

We report the case of a 53-year-old patient referred by his ophthalmologist for a red, painful eye. On exam, he demonstrated findings of granulomatous uveitis with ocular hypertension (38 mm Hg) and a whitish, vascularized iris tumor with invasion of the irido-corneal angle. As our first hypothesis was an iris metastasis, a systemic work-up was carried out, which revealed moderately differentiated broncho-pulmonary carcinoma with multiple metastases (brain, cerebellum and adrenal). Emergency radio-chemotherapy was initiated, and the outcome was good, with rapid regression of the iris metastasis and good efficacy against the primary cancer. After one year of follow-up, the patient developed a metastasis at a new site, and his general condition deteriorated.

[Relationship between intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy and subretinal hemorrhage in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration]. / Relation entre injection intravitréenne d'anti-VEGF et hématome sous-rétinien chez des patients atteints de dégénérescence maculaire liée à l'âge exsudative.

PURPOSE: To assess and compare frequencies and incidence rates of subretinal hemorrhage (SRH) after intravitreal anti-VEGF injections and spontaneous SRH in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective monocentric study included 1079 patients followed for exudative AMD in the ophthalmology department of the university hospital of Dijon from January 2007 to July 2012. For each SRH occuring during this period, the number of previous treatments with intravitreal anti-VEGF was determined, as well as the time between the last injection and the hemorrhage. The SRH was considered as an adverse effect of the anti-VEGF injection if it occurred within 2 months after the last IVT (post-IVT SRH). Frequencies and incidence rates of post-IVT SRH and spontaneous SRH were calculated. RESULTS: Sixty-six SRH's occurred during the study period with a total frequency of 6.12% (CI95% [4.69-7.55]). Frequencies of spontaneous and post-IVT SRH were respectively 5.65% (CI95% [4.28-7.03]) and 0.46% (CI95% [0.06-0.87]), representing a 12.2 ratio. Post-IVT SRH incidence was 8.3/1000 patient-years (CI95% [1.0-15.5]) and the spontaneous SRH incidence rate was 11.6/1000 patient-years (CI95% [8.3-14.8]), (P=0.472). The incidence rate ratio was 0.72 (CI95% [0.29-1.78]). CONCLUSION: This study did not show a statistically significant change in the incidence of SRH after intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy. The benefit/risk ratio of intravitreal anti-VEGF injections for exudative AMD remains high.

[New treatments in vascular diseases other than age related macular degeneration]. / Innovations thérapeutiques dans les pathologies vasculaires et néovasculaires hors DMLA.

Recent multicenter randomized studies about persistent macular edema in venous occlusions provided us with interesting results. Until now, the standard of care treatment of macular edema due to branch vein occlusion remained grid laser in contrast with central vein occlusion where the absence of treatment was still recommended. Score, Geneva, Bravo and Cruise studies recently provided us with the following results. Score study found triamcinolone to be interesting to treat macular edema due to central vein occlusion but not from branch occlusion. Geneva study assessed the effect of a delivery system of dexamethasone to treat macular edema due to venous occlusion whatever the clinical form with an improvement of visual acuity. Cruise and Bravo studies assessed the effect of ranubizumab, which was found to improve the visual acuity of macular edema due to either central or branch vein occlusions. At this stage we need comparative studies to precise the indication of these different approaches that remain perhaps complementary of laser treatment.

[Efficacy of three intravitreal injections of bevacizumab in the treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration]. / Étude préliminaire sur l'efficacité de trois injections intravitréennes de bevacizumab dans le traitement de la dégénérescence maculaire liée à l'âge exsudative.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate intravitreal bevacizumab therapy for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review between June 2006 and May 2008 of patients with CNV secondary to AMD was conducted. All patients were treated with intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (1.25mg) once a month during a 3-month-period. The mean evaluation criteria were the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) logMar testing before and one month after the third injection. All eyes underwent an angiography and an optical coherence tomography before injections to define the activity and the type of CNV and then to evaluate the persistence of leakage (macular edema, subretinal fluid, and pigment epithelial detachment) after treatment. Then treatments were left to the investigator's discretion during the following six months. RESULTS: Seventy-one eyes of 66 patients were enrolled. There were 65% occult CNV, 20% classic CNV, and 15% combined. A significant improvement in BCVA was observed, from 0.88±0.57 to 0.77±0.60 (p=0.001), one month after the third injection. At this time, 57.7% of the eyes required a reinjection because of leakage persistence. A concomitant treatment with intravitreal triamcinolone injection and/or photodynamic therapy was necessary for 8% of nonresponder eyes. Six months after initial treatment, a complete resolution of exudative signs was not obtained for 33.8% of eyes. The average number of injections was 3.85±0.96 during the 9-month follow-up. BCVA stability was observed at 4, 6 and 9-month follow-ups (F(71.2)=1.54; p=0.46). Three complications occurred: one endophthalmitis, one retinal tear, and one vitreous hemorrhage secondary to a macular hemorrhage. DISCUSSION: Mean BCVA significantly improved at one month after three consecutive monthly intravitreal injections of bevacizumab. However, most eyes required a reinjection. CONCLUSION: In spite of improvement in BCVA, leakage of the CNV persisted in most eyes after three monthly intravitreal injections of bevacizumab. Then retreatment and sometimes concomitant treatment was necessary to obtain complete resolution of exudative signs and BCVA stability.

[Role of community pharmacist in the management of patients in ophthalmology]. / Place du pharmacien de ville dans la prise en charge des patients en ophtalmologie.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the role of community pharmacists in ophthalmology, to evaluate the frequency of giving patients advice, and to report their difficulties in daily practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire consisting of 13 questions was sent to 620 community pharmacists of Burgundy (France). Pharmacists were asked about their ophthalmic products, their ophthalmic activity in giving patients advice on ocular symptoms, and patients' expectations. For analysis, community pharmacies were separated into three groups: pharmacies in rural areas (under 2000 inhabitants), pharmacies in an urban zone with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants, and pharmacies in an urban zone with more than 10,000 inhabitants. RESULTS: The response rate was 46.9%. Ophthalmic products were mainly glasses for presbyopia (84.5%), eye care hygiene products (76.0%), and contact lens solutions (55.3%). Ophthalmic vitamin supplements were sold by 36.8% of pharmacists, mainly in urban areas. On average, the pharmacist was consulted for ocular problems seven times a week. Acute benign symptoms were most frequent. Advice on prescriptions came next. Then, information on contact lenses and chronic ocular disease were given (cataract, glaucoma, visual acuity loss, age-related maculopathy). Finally, the pharmacist either sold the patient an ocular treatment or oriented the patient to an ophthalmologist when needed. DISCUSSION: The pharmacist and his staff are active players in providing advice on ocular diseases and taking care of patients. Moreover, pharmacists have to manage ocular therapeutics, urgent symptoms, and chronic diseases. However, in our study, 46.0% of pharmacists felt confident with their knowledge on ophthalmology, 36.4% did not give their opinion, and 7.0% were uncomfortable with some questions. Most community pharmacists mentioned a lack of continuing education from pharmaceutical companies and postgraduate education on ocular diseases and treatment, mainly for age-related maculopathy.

RETIDIAB®: assessment of a continuing medical education website for the improvement of diabetic retinopathy management.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a continuing medical education (CME) website to improve ophthalmological management of diabetic retinopathy (DR). METHODS: A worldwide website called RETIDIAB® was created in which, to log on for first time, users had to take a preliminary test to evaluate their baseline level of knowledge. This allowed them free access to the entire website at any time with no time obligation. The website comprised a course of theoretical concepts and different types of training, including multiple-choice questionnaires (MCQ) focused on the course content, interpretation of diabetic fundus photographs and case reports. After perusing the entire RETIDIAB® website, users could take a second assessment test. Finally, they were asked to fill in a questionnaire evaluating the entire programme. RESULTS: A total of 137 users were registered and, of these, 109 took only the preliminary test, while 28 took the second test and evaluated the entire website; of the latter, 75% were residents and 25% were practising physicians, and 15 were male and 13 were female, ranging in age from 26 to 42 (30.2 ± 3) years. Statistically significant progress was seen between the first and second evaluations (37.3 ± 14% correct answers vs 64 ± 10%, respectively), and the average time interval between the first and second evaluations was 40 ± 20 days. In addition, users expressed a high level of overall satisfaction with the site. CONCLUSION: This pilot study demonstrated the value and effectiveness of RETIDIAB®, a new CME website exclusively devoted to DR management.