Lack of racial and ethnic diversity in pediatric ophthalmology clinical trials from 2000 to 2022.

PURPOSE: To examine the prevalence of and factors associated with racial and ethnic reporting and trends in such reporting and to assess whether categories of race and ethnicity have been under- or over-represented in pediatric ophthalmology randomized control trials (RCTs) in the United States. METHODS: We systematically searched the literature on pediatric ophthalmology RCTs in high-impact factor ophthalmology journals published between 2000 and 2022. Logistic regression was used to assess parameters linked to race/ethnicity reporting; linear regression, to gauge the relationship between publication year and race/ethnicity reporting. The racial and ethnic composition of RCTs was contrasted with 2010 US census data by calculating percentage difference. RESULTS: Of 170 eligible articles, 89 (52.4%) included race/ethnicity data. Multivariable analysis showed that academic (OR = 12.19; 95% CI, 3.34-44.44) and government (OR = 3.91; 95% CI, 1.20-12.72) funding was linked to data reporting. During the study period, publication year and race/ethnicity reporting had a nonstatistically significant 1.0% annual increase (r = 0.29, P = 0.18). White participants were over-represented, with a percentage difference of 16.7% (95% CI, 11.8%-21.7%), whereas Hispanic individuals were under-represented, with a percentage difference of -7.6% (95% CI, -11.2% to -4.1%) compared to the 2010 US census data. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate a gradual rise in reported race and/or ethnicity in published pediatric ophthalmology RCTs, though not statistically significant, both in the United States and globally. Notably, under-representation of Hispanic, over-representation of White, and proportional representation of Black and Asian individuals were observed in US-based studies.

Critical Role of CD55 in Controlling Wound Healing.

How reparative processes are coordinated following injury is incompletely understood. In recent studies, we showed that autocrine C3a and C5a receptor (C3ar1 and C5ar1) G protein-coupled receptor signaling plays an obligate role in vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 growth signaling in vascular endothelial cells. We documented the same interconnection for platelet-derived growth factor receptor growth signaling in smooth muscle cells, epidermal growth factor receptor growth signaling in epidermal cells, and fibroblast growth factor receptor signaling in fibroblasts, indicative of a generalized cell growth regulatory mechanism. In this study, we examined one physiological consequence of this signaling circuit. We found that disabling CD55 (also known as decay accelerating factor), which lifts restraint on autocrine C3ar1/C5ar1 signaling, concomitantly augments the growth of each cell type. The mechanism is heightened C3ar1/C5ar1 signaling resulting from the loss of CD55's restraint jointly potentiating growth factor production by each cell type. Examination of the effect of lifted CD55 restraint in four types of injury (burn, corneal denudation, ear lobe puncture, and reengraftment of autologous skin) showed that disabled CD55 function robustly accelerated healing in all cases, whereas disabled C3ar1/C5ar1 signaling universally retarded it. In wild-type mice with burns or injured corneas, applying a mouse anti-mouse CD55 blocking Ab (against CD55's active site) to wounds accelerated the healing rate by 40-70%. To our knowledge, these results provide new insights into mechanisms that underlie wound repair and open up a new tool for accelerating healing.

Outcomes for maximal bilateral lateral rectus recession in large-angle exotropia.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment for large-angle exotropia can be challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate short-term surgical outcomes of patients with large-angle exotropia (≥50Δ) undergoing maximal bilateral lateral rectus muscle recession of 10 mm. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of consecutive patients at our institution who underwent maximal bilateral lateral rectus muscle recession for exodeviation ≥50Δ from January 1, 2008, to July 22, 2022. We subdivided the cohort into large-angle exotropia (largest amount of exodeviation at near and/or distance ≥50Δ and <65Δ) and very large-angle exotropia (largest exodeviation ≥65Δ). Patients with a history of prior eye muscle surgery, neurologic deficits, and three- or four-muscle surgery were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients were included. Mean preoperative exodeviation at distance was 51.9Δ in the large-angle group and 67.5Δ in the very-large-angle group (P = 0.001). Outcomes for the large-angle and very-large angle groups were, respectively, as follows: mean follow-up, 31.1 weeks and 11.8 weeks (P = 0.97); success, 75.0% and 16.7% (P = 0.02); undercorrection rates, 18.7% and 83.3% (P = 0.01); and mean postoperative exodeviation at distance, 3.7Δ ± 6.3Δ and 28.0Δ ± 13.5Δ (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study identified good surgical outcomes (75%) with maximal bilateral lateral rectus muscle recession of 10 mm in treating patients with large-angle exotropia between 50Δ and <65Δ. Other surgical techniques such as recession-resection and three- or four-muscle surgery may result in better outcomes when treating patients with exotropia ≥65Δ.

The impact of the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic on childhood myopia control practice patterns among ophthalmologists-an international pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus council global perspective.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of myopia keeps increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to map the worldwide treatment preferences of ophthalmologists managing myopia control during the first wave of the pandemic. METHODS: An online questionnaire inquiring about pharmacological and optical treatment patterns during the first half of 2020 was sent to pediatric ophthalmology as well as general ophthalmology memberships worldwide. The results among pediatric ophthalmologists were compared to a previous study we performed before the pandemic. RESULTS: A total of 2269 respondents from 94 countries were included. Most respondents were pediatric ophthalmologists (64.6%), followed by ophthalmologists from other subspecialties (32.3%). The preferred modality for all geographical regions was a combination therapy of pharmacological and optical treatments. When evaluated independently, the pharmacological treatment was more popular than the optical treatment in most regions other than East Asia (P < 0.001). Compared to a pre-pandemic questionnaire, the participation of pediatric ophthalmologists affiliated with non-university hospitals increased. Additionally, the prevalence of respondents utilizing either any type of pharmacological treatment and those that using only evidence-based treatments increased globally. Although a decline in the use of optical treatment was evident worldwide, the use of evidence-based optical treatments increased. CONCLUSION: Ophthalmologists around the world preferred a combination therapy of pharmacological and optical treatments. More pediatric ophthalmologists treated myopia progression and preferred a better evidence-based approach to control myopia. These trends reflect a positive response and more awareness of the rising prevalence of myopia due to the increased burden of myopia imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Clinical 3D Imaging of the Anterior Segment With Ultrasound Biomicroscopy.

Purpose: Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) is an important ophthalmic imaging modality due to its ability to see behind pigmented iris and to visualize anterior chamber when the eye's transparency is compromised. We created a three-dimensional UBM (3D-UBM) system and acquired example images to illustrate its potential. Methods: A commercial 50-MHz two-dimensional UBM (2D-UBM) system was attached to a precision translation stage and translated across the eye to acquire an image volume. The stage was mounted on a surgical microscope, which enabled safe, stable positioning. Image processing steps included image alignment, noise reduction, and calibration. 3D visualization included alignment of the optic axis, multiplanar reformatting at arbitrary orientations, and volume rendering with optimized transfer functions. Scans were performed on cadaver and rabbit eyes. Results: 3D-UBM allowed visualization of the anterior segment tissues within a 3D anatomical context, unlike 2D-UBM. En face views and interactive slicer operations suggested an ability to plan and assess treatments, including lens placement and microcatheter cannulation of Schlemm's canal. Interactive software allowed us to make accurate measurements of tissue structures (e.g., iridocorneal angles, cyst volumes). In addition, unique measurements of ciliary tissues included single ciliary process volumes of 0.234 ± 0.093 mm3 with surface areas of 3.02 ± 1.07 mm2 and ciliary muscle volume of 67.87 mm3. Conclusions: 3D-UBM imaging of the anterior segment can be used to enable unique visualization and quantification of anterior segment structures. Translational Relevance: 3D-UBM provides informative 3D imaging of tissues in the eye that are invisible to light to potentially provide physicians with improved diagnosis, treatment planning, and treatment assessment as compared to conventional 2D-UBM.

CASE REPORT OF THE ROLE OF OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY IN RECOMBINANT GROWTH HORMONE THERAPY.

PURPOSE: To report the correlation between recombinant growth hormone (rhGH) dosage and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness values measured by optical coherence tomography in a case of pseudotumor cerebri syndrome (PTCS) after rhGH. METHODS: An 11-year-old girl was receiving rhGH for panhypopituitarism. The patient developed PTCS, and her rhGH dose was adjusted using optical coherence tomography RNFL thickness measurements. The linear correlation coefficient (r) and coefficient of determination (r2) were calculated to assess the relationship between RNFL thickness and rhGH dose. RESULTS: As the rhGH dosage was increased, the RNFL thickness values also increased, especially when acetazolamide was excluded because of its confounding effect. (r = 0.64) In separate subgroup analysis, a higher acetazolamide dosage strongly correlated with reduced RNFL thickness (r = 0.77). CONCLUSION: Although PTCS is a rare complication after rhGH therapy, its detrimental effects cannot be ignored. In our case report, we used optical coherence tomography RNFL values in addition to clinical findings to carefully titrate the rhGH dosage to prevent a flare-up of PTCS. Despite the obvious need for larger studies, our case report shows the value of RNFL thickness measured by optical coherence tomography and the valuable additional data it provides to refine rhGH therapy as an adjunct noninvasive method in PTCS.

Atypical ophthalmic manifestations of disseminated intravascular coagulation in a newborn.

Ophthalmic manifestations of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in a newborn are rare. Ocular involvement typically involves the posterior segment bilaterally and manifests as choroidal and/or retinal hemorrhages associated with fibrin thrombi in the choriocapillaris. We present the case of a newborn girl with DIC secondary to sepsis who subsequently developed nonclearing hyphema, related secondary cataract, 360° posterior synechiae, and nonclearing vitreous hemorrhage in the right eye and diffuse retinal hemorrhage in the left eye. The right fundus was not visible because of intraocular bleeding. The patient underwent cataract surgery at 39 days of life and was left aphakic. Two weeks later, she required subsequent vitrectomy because of a nonclearing vitreous hemorrhage. She developed amblyopia of the right eye and a right esotropia that required strabismus surgery. At 7 years of age, the patient's visual acuity was 20/50 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye.

Incidence and Management of Glaucoma or Glaucoma Suspect in the First Year After Pediatric Lensectomy.

Importance: Glaucoma can occur following cataract removal in children, and determining the risk for and factors associated with glaucoma and glaucoma suspect in a large cohort of children after lensectomy can guide clinical practice. Objective: To estimate the incidence of glaucoma and glaucoma suspect and describe its management in the first year following lensectomy in children before 13 years of age. Design, Setting, and Participants: A multicenter clinical research registry containing data for 1361 eyes of 994 children who underwent unilateral or bilateral lensectomy between June 2012 and July 2015 at 1 of 61 sites in the United States (n = 57), Canada (n = 3), and the United Kingdom (n = 1). Patients were eligible for inclusion in the study if they were enrolled in the registry within 45 days after lensectomy and had at least 1 office visit between 6 and 18 months after lensectomy. Patient data were reviewed, and glaucoma and glaucoma suspect were diagnosed by investigators using standardized criteria. Statistical analysis was performed between June 2017 and August 2019. Exposures: Clinical care 6 to 18 months after lensectomy. Main Outcomes and Measures: Incidence risk using standardized definitions of glaucoma and glaucoma suspect after lensectomy. Results: Among 702 patients included in this cohort study, 353 (50.3%) were male and 427 (60.8%) were white; mean age at lensectomy was 3.4 years (range, 0.04-12.9 years). After lensectomy, glaucoma or glaucoma suspect was diagnosed in 66 of 970 eyes (adjusted overall incidence risk, 6.3%; 95% CI, 4.8%-8.3%). Glaucoma was diagnosed in 52 of the 66 eyes, and glaucoma suspect was diagnosed in the other 14 eyes. Mean age at lensectomy in these 66 eyes was 1.9 years (range, 0.07-11.2 years), and 40 of the 66 (60.6%) were eyes of female patients. Glaucoma surgery was performed in 23 of the 66 eyes (34.8%) at a median of 3.3 months (range, 0.9-14.8 months) after lensectomy. The incidence risk of glaucoma or glaucoma suspect was 15.7% (99% CI, 10.1%-24.5%) for 256 eyes of infants 3 months or younger at lensectomy vs 3.4% (99% CI, 1.9%-6.2%) for 714 eyes of infants older than 3 months (relative risk, 4.57; 99% CI, 2.19-9.57; P < .001) and 11.2% (99% CI, 7.6%-16.7%) for 438 aphakic eyes vs 2.6% (99% CI, 1.2%-5.6%) for 532 pseudophakic eyes (relative risk, 4.29; 99% CI, 1.84-10.01; P < .001). No association was observed between risk of developing glaucoma or glaucoma suspect and any of the following variables: sex, race/ethnicity, laterality of lensectomy, performance of anterior vitrectomy, prelensectomy presence of anterior segment abnormality, or intraoperative complications. Conclusions and Relevance: This study found that glaucoma or glaucoma suspect developed in a small number of eyes in the first year after lensectomy and may be associated with aphakia and younger age at lensectomy. Frequent monitoring for signs of glaucoma following lensectomy is warranted, especially in infants 3 months or younger at lensectomy and in children with aphakia after lensectomy.

Longitudinal Studies and Eye-Movement-Based Treatments of Infantile Nystagmus Syndrome: Estimated and Measured Therapeutic Improvements in Three Complex Cases.

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE: To demonstrate the utility of using eye-movement data to reveal the diagnostic characteristics of infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS), determine treatment, and both estimate and document therapeutic improvements in three patients with well-developed foveation periods, fairly broad, lateral gaze "nulls," head turns, strabismus, and complex, multiplanar nystagmus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Infrared reflection, magnetic search coil, and high-speed digital video systems were used to record the eye movements of INS patients, pre- and post-Kestenbaum null-point correction surgery (horizontal or vertical). Data were analyzed and estimations made, using the eXpanded Nystagmus Acuity Function (NAFX) that is part of the OMtools toolbox for MATLAB. RESULTS: In all three subjects (S1-S3), both peak NAFX and longest foveation domain (LFD) improved from their pre-Kestenbaum values. S1: 0.700-0.745 (6.4%) and 25-34° (36%), respectively. S2: 0.445-0.633 (42.4%) and >40° to >50° (10%), respectively. S3: 0.250-0.300 (20%) and 13° to ≫18° (see text), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: S1: Even at the high ends of the pre-therapy NAFX and LFD spectra, INS foveation (and therefore, visual-function) improvements may be adequate to justify nystagmus surgery and provide clinical improvements beneficial to the patient. S2: INS foveation improvements in the vertical plane are equal to those originally estimated using the horizontal data in prior patients. S3: Two apparent NAFX peaks can be converted into a very broad peak by surgery based on the preferred lower peak.

Effects of augmented tenotomy and reattachment in the infantile nystagmus syndrome.

PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that augmented tenotomy and reattachment surgery (AT-R), which involves placing an additional suture in each distal tendon during the 4-muscle tenotomy and reattachment (T-R) or other infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS) procedures, could increase the beneficial effects of many types of extraocular muscle (EOM) surgery to treat INS. METHODS: Both infrared reflection and high-speed digital video systems were used to record the eye movements in 4 patients with INS before and after AT-R surgery. Data were analyzed using the eXpanded Nystagmus Acuity Function (NAFX) that is part of the OMtools software. RESULTS: Placement of the augmentation suture did not interfere with Kestenbaum, Anderson, bilateral medial rectus muscle recession, or T-R surgeries. The therapeutic effects of AT-R were similar to but not equal to those from the traditional single-suture surgeries (ie, broadening longest foveation domain [LFD] but no improvement of NAFX peak). The average of the NAFX percent improvements after AT-R was within 31% of those estimated from NAFX values before T-R; the average of the percent broadenings of the LFD values after AT-R was within 16%. CONCLUSIONS: The AT-R does not improve the foveation quality in INS above the traditional T-R surgery. It is not improved by an additional suture; indeed, some improvements may be diminished by the added suture. The hypothesized augmented-tendon suture technique (sans tenotomy) has been modified and remains to be tested.

Corneal Changes in Children after Unilateral Cataract Surgery in the Infant Aphakia Treatment Study.

PURPOSE: We report endothelial cell (EC) characteristics and central corneal thickness (CCT) from the Infant Aphakia Treatment Study (IATS) patients at the 5-year examination. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial of the treatment of unilateral cataract with aphakic contact lens (CL) versus primary intraocular lens (IOL) implant. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 114 infants with unilateral cataract. METHODS: The EC density, coefficient of variation (CV), and percent hexagonal cells were measured by noncontact specular microscopy. The CCT was measured using contact pachymetry. Fellow eyes served as controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean differences between treated and fellow eyes of CL and IOL groups were compared with a paired t test. A 1-way analysis of variance model and the Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison procedure were used to assess the effect of a diagnosis of glaucoma or glaucoma suspect. RESULTS: A total of 105 subjects (52 with CLs, 53 with IOLs) had specular microscopy or corneal thickness data recorded. Mean EC densities were higher in aphakic eyes compared with fellow eyes (3921 vs. 3495 cells/mm2, P<0.0001). Mean CV was higher (27 vs. 24, P=0.0002) and mean percent hexagonal cells was lower (72% vs. 76%, P=0.002) in aphakic eyes compared with fellow eyes. Mean CCT of aphakic eyes was higher than in controls (637 vs. 563 µm, P<0.0001). There was no difference in EC density in eyes treated with IOLs compared with fellow eyes (3445 and 3487 cells/mm2, P=0.68). Means for CV (25 vs. 24, P=0.07) and percent hexagonal cells (74 vs. 76%, P=0.27) were also not significantly different. Mean CCT was higher in eyes with IOLs (605 vs. 571 µm, P<0.0001) compared with fellow eyes. Compared with treated eyes without glaucoma or glaucoma suspect, treated eyes with glaucoma had lower EC density (3289 vs. 3783 cells/mm2, P=0.03) and treated eyes with glaucoma suspect had greater mean corneal thickness (660 vs. 612 µm, P=0.0036). CONCLUSIONS: Cataract extraction during infancy with IOL implantation was not associated with a reduced EC count in treated compared with fellow eyes, although CCT was increased. Extended-wear aphakic CLs may cause corneal polymegathism with increased EC density and CCT. Glaucoma diagnosis was associated with reduced EC counts and increased CCT.

Glaucoma-Related Adverse Events in the First 5 Years After Unilateral Cataract Removal in the Infant Aphakia Treatment Study.

IMPORTANCE: Glaucoma-related adverse events constitute major sight-threatening complications of cataract removal in infancy, yet their relationship to aphakia vs primary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation remains unsettled. OBJECTIVE: To identify and characterize cases of glaucoma and glaucoma-related adverse events (glaucoma + glaucoma suspect) among children in the Infant Aphakia Treatment Study by the age of 5 years. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A multicenter randomized clinical trial of 114 infants with unilateral congenital cataract in referral centers who were between ages 1 and 6 months at surgery. Mean follow-up was 4.8 years. This secondary analysis was conducted from December 23, 2004, to November 13, 2013. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized at cataract surgery to either primary IOL or no IOL implantation (contact lens). Standardized definitions of glaucoma and glaucoma suspect were created for the Infant Aphakia Treatment Study and applied for surveillance and diagnosis. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Development of glaucoma and glaucoma + glaucoma suspect in operated on eyes for children up to age 5 years, plus intraocular pressure, visual acuity, and axial length at age 5 years. RESULTS: Product limit estimates of the risk for glaucoma and glaucoma + glaucoma suspect at 4.8 years after surgery were 17% (95% CI, 11%-25%) and 31% (95% CI, 24%-41%), respectively. The contact lens and IOL groups were not significantly different for either outcome: glaucoma (hazard ratio [HR], 0.8; 95% CI, 0.3-2.0; P = .62) and glaucoma + glaucoma suspect (HR, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.6-2.5; P = .58). Younger (vs older) age at surgery conferred an increased risk for glaucoma (26% vs 9%, respectively) at 4.8 years after surgery (HR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.2-8.3), and smaller (vs larger) corneal diameter showed an increased risk for glaucoma + glaucoma suspect (HR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.3-5.0). Age and corneal diameter were significantly positively correlated. Glaucoma was predominantly open angle (19 of 20 cases, 95%), most eyes received medication (19 of 20, 95%), and 8 of 20 eyes (40%) underwent surgery. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: These results suggest that glaucoma-related adverse events are common and increase between ages 1 and 5 years in infants after unilateral cataract removal at 1 to 6 months of age; primary IOL placement does not mitigate their risk but surgery at a younger age increases the risk. Longer follow-up of these children may further characterize risk factors, long-term outcomes, potential differences between eyes having primary IOL vs aphakia, and optimal timing of unilateral congenital cataract removal. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00212134.

Augmented surgical amounts for intermittent exotropia to prevent recurrence.

Purpose: The purpose was to evaluate the results of bilateral lateral rectus (BLR) recession which is based on augmented surgical amounts of classical surgical table of Parks' for basic and pseudo-divergence excess type intermittent exotropia [X(T)]. Materials and Methods: Patients with X(T) operated by the same surgeon and followed-up for at least 6 months were included. Patients with prior surgery, neurobehavioral and musculoskeletal conditions, strabismus different from that mentioned above X(T) were excluded. All the patients received BLR only. The amount of the recession was increased by the amount needed to correct 5 prism diopters (PD) more X(T) than what was measured. After the operation, 1 st week, 2 nd and 6 months measurements were recorded. The patients were grouped according to their 1 st week (3-7 days) postoperative examination as: >10 PD esotropia (Group 1), ≤10 PD esotropia (Group 2), exotropia (Group 3), and orthotropic (Group 4), respectively. Final surgical outcomes were classified as "good" (≤10 PD exotropia and ≤5 PD esotropia), "recurrence" (>10 PD exotropia) and "overcorrected" (>5 esotropia). Results: Thirty-seven patients were included. The mean age was 6.78 ± 2.87 years (range: 2-12 years). Mean preoperative deviation was 29.72 ± 8.07 PD (range: 15-45 PD) at distance and 20.94 ± 11.65 PD (range: 10-45 PD) at near (P < 0.0001). There were 21 (56.8%) patients in Group 1, 9 (24.3%) patients in Group 2, 1 (2.7%) patient in Group 3 and 6 (16.2%) patients in Group 4. Initial esotropia was achieved in 30 (30/37) of the patients. Twenty-eight of them had good results at the end of the 6 months. Overall "motor surgical" success rate was found to be 89.2% (33/37 patients), with 1 (2.7%) overcorrection and 3 (8.1%) recurrences at the end of the 6 months. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that early overcorrection of 10-20 PD after X(T) surgery can achieve acceptable motor outcomes in the first 6 months postoperative period.

Fusion maldevelopment (latent/manifest latent) nystagmus syndrome: effects of four-muscle tenotomy and reattachment.

PURPOSE: To examine the waveform and clinical effects of the four-muscle tenotomy and reattachment procedure in fusion maldevelopment nystagmus syndrome (FMNS) and to compare them to those documented in infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS) and acquired nystagmus. METHODS: Both infrared reflection and high-speed digital video systems were used to record the eye movements in a patient with FMNS (before and after tenotomy and reattachment). Data were analyzed using the eXpanded Nystagmus Acuity Function (NAFX) that is part of the OMtools software. Model simulations and predictions were performed using the authors' behavioral ocular motor system model in MATLAB Simulink (The MathWorks, Inc., Natick, MA). RESULTS: The model predicted, and the patient's data confirmed, that the tenotomy and reattachment procedure produces improvements in FMN waveforms across a broader field of gaze and decreases the Alexander's law variation. The patient's tenotomy and reattachment plots of NAFX after surgery versus gaze angle were higher and had lower slope than before surgery. Clinically, despite moderate improvements in both peak measured acuity and stereoacuity, dramatic improvements in the patient's abilities and lifestyle resulted. CONCLUSIONS: The four-muscle tenotomy and reattachment nystagmus surgery produced beneficial therapeutic effects on FMN waveforms that are similar to those demonstrated in INS and acquired nystagmus. These results support the authors' prior recommendation that tenotomy and reattachment nystagmus should be added to required strabismus procedures in patients who also have FMNS (ie, perform tenotomy and reattachment on all unoperated muscles in the plane of the nystagmus). Furthermore, when strabismus surgery is not required, four-muscle tenotomy and reattachment may be used to improve FMN waveforms and visual function.

Comparison of fentanyl and morphine in laser surgery for retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE: To compare complication rates of the analgesics fentanyl and morphine in preterm infants undergoing laser therapy for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). METHODS: In this observational study, the medical records of consecutive preterm neonates undergoing laser treatment of ROP from June 2007 through September 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Because a fentanyl-based infusion protocol was initiated in November 2009, there was approximately the same number of treatment sessions with morphine and with fentanyl. In both groups, midazolam was used additionally on a case-by-case basis. Analgesia type, complications, and vital signs were documented at 5-minute intervals for all surgeries. The primary outcome was change in ventilation status. Secondary complications included change in temperature and incidence of apneic, bradycardic, and desaturation events. RESULTS: A total of 35 patients were included, with 17 in the morphine group (mean gestational age, 24.8 weeks; mean birth weight, 661 g) and 18 in the fentanyl group (mean gestational age, 24.4 weeks; mean birth weight, 681 g). Overall worsening of ventilation status was noted in 29% of patients in the morphine group and 6% of patients in the fentanyl group (P = 0.08; 95% confidence interval, -2% to 48%). Temperature instability (outside of 36.5° to 37.4°C range) was noted in 6% of patients in the morphine group and no patients in the fentanyl group. Apneic events were 3.2 times more common and bradycardic events 1.5 times more common in the morphine group. CONCLUSIONS: We found no difference in safety parameters for fentanyl infusion or morphine for analgesia in preterm infants undergoing ROP laser therapy in the neonatal intensive care unit setting. Although estimates of complication rates suggest that fentanyl may be safer, further study is needed to confirm this premise.