Creating ophthalmology experiences in undergraduate medical education: pilot of a cased-based learning ophthalmology tool.

PURPOSE: To evaluate medical student perceptions of a novel ophthalmology resource delivered through facilitated workshops in the core clerkship curriculum. METHODS: We created www.2020sim.com, a free case-based learning (CBL) ophthalmology tool, adapted from NephSIM (www.nephsim.com). The tool was first piloted with the internal medicine (IM) residents. After confirming a need, we focused on undergraduate medical education (UME) by expanding the 20/20 SIM content and partnering with the neurology (pilot academic year [AY] 2020-2021) and pediatric clerkships (pilot AY 2021-2022) to deliver a facilitated one-hour ophthalmology workshop within each clerkship's didactic curriculum. We evaluated the tool using pre- and post-surveys and knowledge assessments. RESULTS: Of 80 IM residents, 33 (41.3%) completed the needs assessment. Of the 25 residents who attended the workshop, 23 (92.0%) completed the exit survey. IM residents reported discomfort in several ophthalmology domains (9 of 14 rated mean score < 3.0), confirming a need. Most (n = 21/23, 91.3%) rated the tool as good/excellent. Of 145 neurology clerkship students, 125 (86.2%) and at least 88 (60.7%) students completed the pre- and post-test/exit surveys, respectively. On average, participants highly rated the tool, perceiving 20/20 SIM to be relevant to their education [4.1 (0.8)]. Mean pre- to post-test knowledge scores increased from 7.5 to 8.5/10.0 points (p < 0.001). Of the 136 pediatric clerkship students, 67 (49.3%) and 51 (37.5%) completed the pre- and post-surveys, respectively. Respondents perceived increased comfort with ophthalmology topics after the facilitated workshop [3.8 (0.8)]. Mean pre- to post-test knowledge scores trended from 1.8 to 2.0/5.0 points (p = 0.30). Collectively, 20/139 (14.4%) of exit survey respondents visited www.2020sim.com within 1 month after the workshop. CONCLUSION: After identifying areas of greatest need with residents, we partnered with core clerkships to deliver cross-disciplinary ophthalmology content in UME. We found high engagement with 20/20 SIM, with trends toward increased knowledge.

Rapidly progressive streptococcus dysgalactiae corneal ulceration associated with erlotinib use in stage IV lung cancer.

PURPOSE: To present a unique case of streptococcus dysgalactiae keratitis with progression to corneal perforation and endophthalmitis, in the setting of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor (erlotinib) therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer. OBSERVATIONS: An 89-year-old female with non-small cell lung cancer on erlotinib presented with corneal perforation due to infectious keratitis. Microbial cultures grew streptococcus dysgalactiae, a virulent pathogen known to affect immunocompromised patients that has not been previously described to cause infectious keratitis. Despite aggressive medical intervention, the clinical course was complicated by rapid progression to no light perception visual acuity in the setting of endophthalmitis with orbital cellulitis, necessitating evisceration. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor therapy can result in significant ocular complications including dry eyes, epithelial keratopathy, non-healing abrasions, infectious keratitis, and rarely, corneal melting and perforation. These side effects can predispose patients to aggressive infections with rare organisms, highlighting the importance of understanding the ocular side effects of systemic chemotherapeutic agents.