Enhancing online cataract surgery patient education materials through artificial intelligence.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve readability of online cataract surgery patient education materials (PEMs) in English and Spanish. PARTICIPANTS: Websites with information dedicated to educating patients about cataract surgery. DESIGN: Comparative cross-sectional study. METHODS: The first 50 patient-oriented websites containing PEMs related to cataract surgery were identified through online search. Website authorship was categorized as an institution, private practice, or medical organization. Websites were assessed qualitatively for information accuracy, the presence of narrative video content, and multilingual availability. Readability of PEMs was assessed using five validated reading formulas. A natural language processing platform was used to simplify PEMs in English and Spanish. Converted PEMs were reassessed for readability and accuracy. RESULTS: A total of 32 institution, 7 private practice, and 11 medical organization sites were included. The overall average original reading grade level was 11.68 ± 1.59. After conversion, overall reading grade level improved to 7.94 ± 0.82 (p < 0.01). The first 10 results had better readability (10.40 ± 1.59) and reading ease (57.51 ± 9.24) compared to the subsequent 40 results (11.99 ± 1.43; p = 0.01; 47.64 ± 8.59; p < 0.01). Converted simplified Spanish text had an average reading ease score of 61.17 ± 5.39 (8-9th grade level). Native Spanish text reading ease improved from 57.41 ± 5.24 to 71.78 ± 5.24 (p < 0.01) following conversion (7th-grade level). CONCLUSION: AI conversion can enhance the readability of online PEMs on cataract surgery, while maintaining accuracy and content integrity, thereby improving accessibility and comprehensibility for a wider audience.

Demographic and Systemic Risk Factors for Persistent Corneal Edema Following Cataract Surgery in Patients With and Without Diabetes.

PURPOSE: To identify risk factors associated with the development of corneal edema (CE) and the need for corneal transplantation following cataract surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS SETTING: Nation-wide sample of Medicare beneficiaries from 2011-2015. STUDY POPULATION: Medicare beneficiaries aged over 65 years who received cataract surgery between 2011-2014 with at least 1 year of continuous follow-up. Data was retrieved from the Denominator and Physician Supplier Part B file from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. MAIN OUTCOME(S) AND MEASURE(S): The main outcome was the association between demographic characteristics (e.g., age, sex, race/ethnicity) and systemic factors including diabetes status, hypertension, and tobacco use on the incidence of CE and the subsequent need for corneal transplantation following cataract surgery. RESULTS: Among 187,746 beneficiaries, 67,734 had diabetes and 120,012 did not. Beneficiaries with diabetes were more likely to develop CE compared to those without (Odds ratio [OR] 1.19, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] [1.02-1.40]). Compared to those aged 65-74, beneficiaries aged 75-84 and over 85 were more likely to develop CE (OR 1.29 [1.09-1.52]) and OR 1.96 [1.55-2.46], respectively). Asian (OR 2.42 [1.66-3.40]), Hispanic (OR 2.60 [1.73-3.74]), and North American Native (OR 3.59 [1.78-6.39]) race was associated with increased likelihood of developing CE. North American Native beneficiaries had higher risk of requiring corneal transplantation compared to White beneficiaries (OR 9.30 [2.26-25.31]). Female sex decreased likelihood of requiring corneal transplantation post-operatively (OR 0.56 [0.36-0.87]). Amongst those with diabetes, the presence of proliferative diabetic retinopathy increased the likelihood of developing CE (OR 1.94 [1.05-3.39]). CONCLUSION: Older age, diabetes, and non-White race elevate the risk of CE following cataract surgery, with race incurring the highest risk. Further research is needed to understand the factors underlying the significantly increased risk of CE in racial and ethnic minorities within the United States.

First in-human clinical performance of a new non-cavitating handheld lensectomy system in 665 consecutive cataract surgeries.

PURPOSE: To investigate the intraoperative performance and lens fragmentation efficacy of a non-cavitating handheld lensectomy system in mild, moderate, and severe cataract. SETTING: Ambulatory surgical centers. DESIGN: Retrospective consecutive case series. METHODS: 665 consecutive eyes underwent cataract surgery by 12 surgeons using a new handheld non-cavitating lensectomy system for nuclear fragmentations and extraction. Intraoperative measurements included surgical time, miLOOP pretreatment, and irrigation fluid use. RESULTS: Of the 665 eyes, 38 (6%), 468 (70%), 126 (19%), and 33 (5%) were of grade 1, 2, 3, and 4 nuclear densities, respectively, as graded by the surgeon intraoperatively. Successful nuclear fragmentation, lens extraction, and cortical removal were achieved in all eyes. Total nucleus fragmentation and extraction times were 70.1 seconds, 100.3 seconds, 132.6 seconds, and 287.9 seconds for grades 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively ( P < .001). In addition, irrigation and aspiration cortical removal times were 64.1 seconds, 51.1 seconds, 48.5 seconds, and 59.0 seconds, respectively ( P = .14). There was a low rate of capsular tear (3 cases in 665 surgeries, 0.45%) and no other emergent adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The miCOR handheld non-cavitating lensectomy system demonstrated nuclear fragmentation and extraction in the absence of intraocular cavitation across all grades of nuclear densities.

Usability of Patient Education-Oriented Cataract Surgery Websites.

PURPOSE: To assess the web accessibility and readability of patient-oriented educational websites for cataract surgery. DESIGN: Cross-sectional electronic survey. PARTICIPANTS: Websites with information dedicated to educating patients about cataract surgery. METHODS: An incognito search for "cataract surgery" was performed using a popular search engine. The top 100 patient-oriented cataract surgery websites that came up were included and categorized as institutional, private practice, or medical organization according to authorship. Each site was assessed for readability using 4 standardized reading grade-level formulas. Accessibility was assessed through multilingual availability, accessibility menu availability, complementary educational video availability, and conformance and adherence to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. A standard t test and chi-square analysis were performed to assess the significance of differences with regard to readability and accessibility among the 3 authorship categories. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were the website's average reading grade level, number of accessibility violations, multilingual availability, accessibility menu availability, complementary educational video availability, accessibility conformance level, and violation of the perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust (POUR) principles according to the WCAG 2.0. RESULTS: A total of 32, 55, and 13 sites were affiliated with institutions, private practice, and other medical organizations, respectively. The overall mean reading grade was 11.8 ± 1.6, with higher reading levels observed in private practice websites compared with institutions and medical organizations combined (12.1 vs. 11.4; P = 0.03). Fewer private practice websites had multiple language options compared with institutional and medical organization websites combined (5.5% vs. 20.0%; P = 0.03). More private practice websites had accessibility menus than institutions and medical organizations combined (27.3% vs. 8.9%; P = 0.038). The overall mean number of WCAG 2.0 POUR principle violations was 17.1 ± 23.1 with no significant difference among groups. Eighty-five percent of websites violated the perceivable principle. CONCLUSIONS: Available patient-oriented online information for cataract surgery may not be comprehensible to the general public. Readability and accessibility aspects should be considered when designing these resources. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Twelve-Month Clinical and Histopathological Performance of a Novel Synthetic Cornea Device in Rabbit Model.

Purpose: To report the biological stability and postoperative outcomes of a second-generation, single-piece, flexible synthetic cornea in a rabbit model. Methods: Device materials and design were amended to enhance biointegration. Optic skirt design devices were made from compact perfluoroalkoxy alkane with porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene ingrowth surface overlying the skirt and optic wall. Sixteen devices were implanted into intrastromal pocket in rabbit eyes. Rabbits were randomly assigned to 6- and 12-month follow-up cohorts (n = 8 in each) postoperatively. Monthly examinations and optical coherence tomography assessed cornea-device integration, iridocorneal angle, optic nerve, and retina. Results: There were no intraoperative complications. All devices were in situ at exit, with clear optics. No retroprosthetic membrane, glaucoma, cataract formation, or retinal detachment was observed. Two rabbits in the 6-month group had mild, focal anterior lamella thinning without retraction adjacent to the optic near tight sutures. Three postoperative complications occurred in the 12-month group. One rabbit diagnosed with endophthalmitis was euthanized on day 228. Mild sterile focal retraction of anterior lamella occurred in two rabbits, which were terminated on days 225 and 315. Light microscopic examination of enucleated globes demonstrated fibroplasia with new collagen deposition into the porous scaffold without significant inflammation, encapsulation, or granuloma formation. Conclusions: Clinical evaluations, imaging, and histopathological findings indicate favorable outcomes of this synthetic corneal device in a rabbit model. Early feasibility studies in humans are being planned. Translational Relevance: Favorable 12-month results of the device in rabbits demonstrate vision-restoring potential in corneally blind individuals at high risk of failure with donor keratoplasty.

Reliability of Several Glaucoma Tests in Patients With Boston Type 1 Keratoprosthesis.

PURPOSE: Managing glaucoma after Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis (KPro) surgery remains challenging. We herein assessed the fitness of commonly used clinical tests to evaluate glaucoma in KPro eyes versus eyes with penetrating keratoplasty (PK) as controls. METHODS: Sixteen patients with KPro and 14 patients with PK tested in an identical manner. After the 10-2 visual field with size V stimulus, intraocular pressure (IOP) was estimated with palpation by the first observer. Then, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness analysis was performed twice using optical coherence tomography by an ophthalmic photographer, before and after a short break. After the second observer estimated the IOP, the visual field was repeated. Finally, color photographs of the optic disk were captured by an ophthalmic photographer. The cup-to-disk ratio was assessed by 2 masked observers, at 2 different time points, in a random manner. Agreements between and within observers and reliability of repeated measurements were evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: Inter-rater agreement of palpation IOP estimate was moderate for eyes with KPro (ICC = 0.47) and fair for eyes with PK (ICC = 0.27). Visual field and RNFL thickness showed high test-retest reliability in both KPro and PK eyes (ICC > 0.80 for both). Inter-rater agreement of cup-to-disk ratio assessments was substantial in eyes with both KPro (ICC = 0.62) and PK (ICC = 0.70). CONCLUSIONS: The 10-2 visual field and RNFL thickness seem sufficiently repeatable and might allow the detection of glaucoma progression in KPro eyes. Such testing is important, given limited inter-rater agreement regarding the palpation IOP estimate.

FAM72A antagonizes UNG2 to promote mutagenic repair during antibody maturation.

Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) catalyses the deamination of deoxycytidines to deoxyuracils within immunoglobulin genes to induce somatic hypermutation and class-switch recombination1,2. AID-generated deoxyuracils are recognized and processed by subverted base-excision and mismatch repair pathways that ensure a mutagenic outcome in B cells3-6. However, why these DNA repair pathways do not accurately repair AID-induced lesions remains unknown. Here, using a genome-wide CRISPR screen, we show that FAM72A is a major determinant for the error-prone processing of deoxyuracils. Fam72a-deficient CH12F3-2 B cells and primary B cells from Fam72a-/- mice exhibit reduced class-switch recombination and somatic hypermutation frequencies at immunoglobulin and Bcl6 genes, and reduced genome-wide deoxyuracils. The somatic hypermutation spectrum in B cells from Fam72a-/- mice is opposite to that observed in mice deficient in uracil DNA glycosylase 2 (UNG2)7, which suggests that UNG2 is hyperactive in FAM72A-deficient cells. Indeed, FAM72A binds to UNG2, resulting in reduced levels of UNG2 protein in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, coinciding with peak AID activity. FAM72A therefore causes U·G mispairs to persist into S phase, leading to error-prone processing by mismatch repair. By disabling the DNA repair pathways that normally efficiently remove deoxyuracils from DNA, FAM72A enables AID to exert its full effects on antibody maturation. This work has implications in cancer, as the overexpression of FAM72A that is observed in many cancers8 could promote mutagenesis.

Perioperative chemotherapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer: A population-based outcomes study.

BACKGROUND: Practice guidelines recommend neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) for bladder cancer. However, the evidence in support of adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) is less robust. Here we describe whether the evidence of efficacy for NACT/ACT was sufficient to change clinical practice and whether the efficacy demonstrated in clinical trials was translated into effectiveness in the general population. METHODS: Electronic records of treatment were linked to the population-based Ontario Cancer Registry to identify all patients with bladder cancer treated with cystectomy in Ontario 1994-2008. Utilization of NACT/ACT was compared across 1994-1998, 1999-2003, and 2004-2008. Logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with NACT/ACT. Cox model and propensity score analyses were used to explore the association between ACT and survival. RESULTS: Two thousand forty-four patients underwent cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Use of NACT remained stable (mean, 4%), whereas utilization of ACT increased over time (16%, 18%, 22%; P = .001). Advanced stage (T3/T4; OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.38-2.46) and node-positive disease (OR, 8.10; 95% CI, 6.20-10.7) were associated with greater utilization of ACT. Five-year overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) for all patients was 29% (95% CI, 28%-31%) and 33% (95% CI, 31%-35%), respectively. Utilization of ACT was associated with improved OS (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.62-0.81) and CSS (HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.64-0.84). Results were consistent in propensity score analyses. CONCLUSIONS: NACT remains substantially underutilized in routine clinical practice. Our results suggest that perioperative chemotherapy is associated with a substantial survival benefit in the general population. Patients who are planning to undergo cystectomy for bladder cancer should be reviewed by a multidisciplinary team.

Time to adjuvant chemotherapy and survival in non-small cell lung cancer: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: The time interval between surgery and initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) may impact survival in colorectal and breast cancers. This is the first report describing the association between time to adjuvant chemotherapy (TTAC) and survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: All cases of NSCLC diagnosed in Ontario, Canada, from 2004 to 2006 who underwent surgical resection (n = 3354) were identified using the Ontario Cancer Registry. TTAC was defined as the interval between dates of surgery and initiation of ACT. Factors associated with TTAC greater than 10 weeks were evaluated by logistic regression. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to describe the effect of delayed TTAC (analyzed as a continuous variable) on overall survival. RESULTS: Among the 1032 cases treated with ACT, the median TTAC was 8 weeks (range, 1-16 weeks); 35% of cases initiated ACT more than 10 weeks after surgery. Rates of TTAC greater than 10 weeks varied widely across regions (11%-50%, P = .001). There was no significant association between increased comorbidity and delayed TTAC; there was a trend toward greater delay in TTAC with longer postoperative hospital stay (P = .054) and postoperative readmission to hospital (P = .056). Male sex, higher stage of disease, greater comorbidity, and more extensive surgery were independently associated with inferior survival. TTAC was not associated with overall survival (odds ratio = 1.00, 95% confidence interval = 0.99-1.00). CONCLUSIONS: One-third of NSCLC patients treated with ACT in the general population start ACT beyond 10 weeks after surgery. Delayed TTAC does not appear to be associated with inferior survival in NSCLC.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer in the elderly: a population-based study in Ontario, Canada.

PURPOSE: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is predominantly a disease of the elderly. Retrospective analyses of the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group JBR.10 trial and the Lung Adjuvant Cisplatin Evaluation (LACE) meta-analysis suggest that the elderly benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. However, the elderly were under-represented in these studies, raising concerns regarding the reproducibility of the study results in clinical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: By using the Ontario Cancer Registry, we identified 6,304 patients with NSCLC who were treated with surgical resection from 2001 to 2006. Registry data were linked to electronic treatment records. Uptake of chemotherapy was compared across age groups: younger than 70, 70 to 74, 75 to 79, and ≥ 80 years. As a proxy of survival benefit from chemotherapy, we compared survival of patients diagnosed from 2004 to 2006 with survival of those diagnosed from 2001 to 2003. Hospitalization rates within 6 to 24 weeks of surgery served as a proxy of severe chemotherapy-related toxicity. RESULTS: In all, 2,763 (43.8%) of 6,304 surgical patients were elderly (age ≥ 70 years). Uptake of adjuvant chemotherapy in the elderly increased from 3.3% (2001 to 2003) to 16.2% (2004 to 2006). Among evaluable elderly patients, 70% received cisplatin and 28% received carboplatin-based regimens. Requirements for dose adjustments or drug substitutions were similar across age groups. Hospitalization rates within 6 to 24 weeks of surgery were similar across age groups (28.0% for patients age < 70 years; 27.8% for patients age ≥ 70 years; P = .54). Four-year survival of elderly patients increased significantly (47.1% for patients diagnosed from 2001 to 2003; 49.9% for patients diagnosed from 2004 to 2006; P = .01). Survival improved in all subgroups except patients age ≥ 80 years. CONCLUSION: Uptake of adjuvant chemotherapy for NSCLC increased in patients age 70 years or older following reporting of pivotal adjuvant chemotherapy trials, but it remained below that for patients younger than age 70 years. Adoption of adjuvant chemotherapy appears to be associated with significant survival benefit in the elderly (age ≥ 70 years), with tolerability apparently similar to that of patients who are younger than age 70 years.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer: practice patterns and outcomes in the general population of Ontario, Canada.

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) is known to improve survival in patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. Herein, we describe chemotherapy regimens used, dose modifications, survival, and treatment-related toxicity in the general population. METHODS: All cases of non-small cell lung cancer diagnosed in Ontario in the period 2004-2006 who underwent surgical resection (n = 3354) were identified using the Ontario Cancer Registry in this population-based retrospective cohort study. We linked electronic records of treatment to the registry to identify all cases treated with ACT (n = 1032) and describe drugs, regimens, and dosages delivered. As a proxy measure of ACT-related toxicity, we evaluated deaths and hospitalizations within 16 weeks of starting ACT. Factors associated with dose modification were evaluated by logistic regression. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to describe associations between patient-, disease-, and treatment-related factors and survival. RESULTS: ACT regimens were identified for 584 of 1032 ACT cases. Almost all cases included cisplatin- or carboplatin-based regimens (478/584, 82%, and 99/584, 17%, respectively). The most common regimen was a vinroelbine/cisplatin doublet (412/584, 71%); 64% of these cases had a dose reduction or omission. Dose modification was not associated with inferior survival on multivariate analysis. Twelve percent of all ACT cases were admitted to hospital within 16 weeks of starting ACT, and there was a 1.6% death rate potentially attributable to ACT. Survival of all ACT cases was comparable with outcomes reported in clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS: ACT regimens used, toxicity, and survival outcomes in the general population are comparable with those reported in clinical trials. Dose modifications used in clinical practice are not associated with inferior survival.

The impact of socioeconomic status on stage of cancer at diagnosis and survival: a population-based study in Ontario, Canada.

BACKGROUND: Lower socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with worsened cancer survival. The authors evaluate the impact of SES on stage of cancer at diagnosis and survival in Ontario, Canada. METHODS: All incident cases of breast, colon, rectal, nonsmall cell lung, cervical, and laryngeal cancer diagnosed in Ontario during the years 2003-2007 were identified by using the Ontario Cancer Registry. Stage information is captured routinely for patients seen at Ontario's 8 Regional Cancer Centers (RCCs). The Ontario population was divided into quintiles (Q1-Q5) based on community median household income reported in the 2001 census; Q1 represents the poorest communities. Overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were determined with Kaplan-Meier methodology. A Cox model was used to evaluate the association between survival and SES, stage, and age. RESULTS: Stage at diagnosis was available for 38,431 of 44,802 (85%) of cases seen at RCCs. The authors observed only very small differences in stage distribution by SES. Across all cases in Ontario, the authors found substantial gradients in 5-year OS and 3-year CSS across Q1 and Q5 for breast (7% absolute difference in OS, P < .001; 4% CSS, P < .001), colon (8% OS, P < .001; 3% CSS, P = .002), rectal (9% OS, P < .001; 4% CSS, P = .096), nonsmall cell lung (3% OS, P = .002; 2% CSS, P = .317), cervical (16% OS, P < .001; 10% CSS, P = .118), and laryngeal cancers (1% OS, P = .045; 3% CSS, P = .011). Adjustments for stage and age slightly diminished the survival gradient only among patients with breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Despite universal healthcare, SES remains associated with survival among patients with cancer in Ontario, Canada. Disparities in outcome were not explained by differences in stage of cancer at time of diagnosis.

Adoption of adjuvant chemotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer: a population-based outcomes study.

PURPOSE: Since 2004, several clinical trials have demonstrated that adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) improves survival in patients with early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we evaluate the uptake of ACT and its impact on outcomes in the general population of Ontario, Canada. METHODS: All patients diagnosed with NSCLC in Ontario from 2001 to 2006 who underwent surgical resection (n = 6,304) were identified using the Ontario Cancer Registry. We linked electronic records of treatment to the registry. We described uptake of ACT and compared survival of all patients with surgically resected NSCLC diagnosed from 2001 to 2003 with patients diagnosed from 2004 to 2006. As a proxy measure of ACT-related toxicity, we evaluated hospitalizations within 6 months of surgery. RESULTS: Demographic, disease, and treatment-related characteristics did not differ between the 2001 to 2003 and 2004 to 2006 study cohorts. Over the study period, the proportion of patients receiving ACT increased from 7% (192 of 2,950 patients) to 31% (1,032 of 3,354 patients; P < .001). The proportion of patients admitted to hospital within 6 months of surgery remained stable and (36% in the 2001 to 2003 cohort and 37% in the 2004 to 2006 cohort). However, within 2 years of surgery, there was a 33% reduction in the proportion of patients admitted to hospital with metastatic disease (P < .001). During the study period, there was a substantial improvement in 4-year survival among surgically resected patients, from 52.5% (2001 to 2003) to 56.1% (2004 to 2006; P = .001). CONCLUSION: There has been a rapid uptake of ACT for NSCLC, which was not associated with an increased rate of hospitalization. The adoption of ACT was associated with a substantial improvement in overall survival, suggesting that the benefits seen in clinical trials are generalizable to the general population.