The ability of artificial intelligence chatbots ChatGPT and Google Bard to accurately convey pre-operative information for patients undergoing ophthalmological surgeries.

INTRODUCTION: To determine whether the two popular artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, ChatGPT and Bard, provide high-quality information concerning procedure description, risks, benefits, and alternatives of various ophthalmological surgeries. METHODS: ChatGPT and Bard were prompted with questions pertaining to the description, potential risks, benefits, alternatives, and implications of not proceeding with various surgeries in different subspecialties of ophthalmology. Six common ophthalmic procedures were included in our analysis. Two comprehensive ophthalmologists and one sub-specialist graded each response independently using a five-point Likert scale. RESULTS: Likert grading for accuracy was significantly higher for ChatGPT in comparison to Bard (4.5±0.6 vs 3.8±0.8, p<0.0001). Generally, ChatGPT performed better than Bard even when questions were stratified by type of ophthalmological surgery. There was no significant difference between ChatGPT and Bard for response length (2104.7±271.4 characters vs 2441.0±633.9 characters, p=0.12). ChatGPT responded significantly slower than Bard (46.0±3.0 seconds vs 6.6±1.2 seconds, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Both ChatGPT and Bard may offer accessible and high-quality information relevant to the informed consent process for various ophthalmic procedures. Nonetheless, both AI chatbots overlooked probability of adverse events, hence limiting their potential and introducing patients to information that may be difficult to interpret.

Evaluating patient flow through an emergency ophthalmology consult service in a tertiary care academic centre in Quebec.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to characterize the epidemiology, common reasons, and diagnostic accuracy of referrals made by emergency departments (EDs) and optometrists to an emergency ophthalmology consultation service as well as to identify opportunities for improvement. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1249 referrals made to the emergency ophthalmology consultation service at a tertiary care centre between July 2018 and June 2019. METHODS: Patient charts were examined, and clinical variables were extracted. Statistical significance (p < 0.05) was determined via t tests and χ2 tests for continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Diagnostic accuracy of providers and time delay between referral and ophthalmologic encounter also were assessed. RESULTS: Both EDs and optometrists most often referred cases with vitreoretinal (36.48% and 37.19%, respectively) and corneal pathology (21.42% and 20.25%, respectively). Optometrists (n = 240; 52.48%) were significantly more accurate in their diagnoses than EDs (n = 940; 32.45%; p < 0.00001). Specifically, optometrists were significantly more accurate when diagnosing anterior-chamber (n = 29; 58.62%; p = 0.039) and vitreoretinal (n = 89; 60.67%; p < 0.00001) pathology than EDs (anterior chamber, n = 77, 36.36%; vitreoretinal, n = 344, 18.90%). Across all ED referrals (n = 940), 58 (6.17%) had a prolonged delay. Across all optometrist-to-ED referrals (n = 150), 6 (4.00%) had a prolonged delay. Accounting for all cases, the total incidence of prolonged delay was 5.87%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate the need for improved communication between optometrists and ophthalmologists to reduce the wait-time burden on EDs. Patients may benefit from direct referral by optometrists to ophthalmologists. Education of allied health professionals on ophthalmic disease also may improve diagnostic accuracy.

Incidence of ophthalmologic pathology and associated risk factors in orbital fractures at a level I trauma centre.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence of ophthalmologic pathology at presentation of patients with orbital fracture to a level I trauma centre and the most significant associated risk factors. METHODS: A total of 244 patients with 278 fractured orbits over a 2-year period at a level I trauma centre were reviewed. The primary outcome was the incidence of urgent ophthalmologic pathology, defined as requiring attention without delay. Patient demographics, history, findings on radiographic imaging, and physical examination findings at initial and follow-up examinations were recorded. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: On initial examination and follow-up, 9.7% of orbits had ophthalmologic pathology. Only 3 patients (1.1%) had urgent pathology, including orbital compartment syndrome and globe rupture, whereas 22 patients (7.9%) had semiurgent pathology and 4 patients (1.4%) had nonurgent pathology. Subjective decreased vision (odds ratio [OR] = 3.5; p = 0.021), assault-related injuries (OR = 2.4; p = 0.036), work-related injuries (OR = 7.7; p = 0.004), afferent pupillary defect (OR = 19.2; p = 0.017), anisocoria (OR = 7.8; p = 0.001), and symmetrical extraocular movement limitation (OR = 5.2; p = 0.003) and fixed pupil (OR = 16.9; p < 0.001) had statistically significant odds ratios associated with pathology. Patient sex, eye involved, intoxication, anticoagulation, and antiplatelets, as well as previous ocular surgery, were not associated with pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Most orbital fractures do not present with ophthalmologic pathology. Subjective vision loss, history of assault or work trauma, and pupil abnormalities on examination were the greatest risk factors for pathology. Our results highlight the most important factors on patient presentation that should prompt first responders to seek urgent ophthalmologic consultation.

The Isabel Differential Diagnosis Generator for Orbital Diagnosis.

PURPOSE: The Isabel differential diagnosis generator is one of the most widely known electronic diagnosis decision support tools. The authors prospectively evaluated the utility of Isabel for orbital disease differential diagnosis. METHODS: The terms "proptosis," "lid retraction," "orbit inflammation," "orbit tumour," "orbit tumor, infiltrative" and "orbital tumor, well-circumscribed" were separately input into Isabel and the results were tabulated. Then the clinical details (patient age, gender, signs, symptoms, and imaging findings) of 25 orbital cases from a textbook of orbital surgery were entered into Isabel. The top 10 differential diagnoses generated by Isabel were compared with the correct diagnosis. RESULTS: Isabel identified hyperthyroidism and Graves ophthalmopathy as the leading causes of lid retraction, but many common causes of proptosis and orbital tumors were not correctly elucidated. Of the textbook cases, Isabel correctly identified 4/25 (16%) of orbital cases as one of its top 10 differential diagnoses, and the median rank of the correct diagnosis was 6/10. Thirty-two percent of the output diagnoses were unlikely to cause orbital disease. CONCLUSION: Isabel is currently of limited value in the mainstream orbital differential diagnosis. The incorporation of anatomic localizations and imaging findings may help increase the accuracy of orbital diagnosis.

A technique for excisional optic nerve biopsy.

PURPOSE: To describe a transconjunctival technique for full-thickness (excisional) optic nerve biopsy. METHOD: A medial transconjunctival approach to the optic nerve with disinsertion of the medial rectus is used. A small right-angle Mixter forcep is used to clamp the optic nerve far posteriorly, and then a microscalpel is directed metal-on-metal to cut the posterior optic nerve. The cut nerve is then rotated anteriorly to complete the proximal nerve cut. RESULT: A full-thickness specimen of 11 mm of more can be obtained without undue traction on the globe. The globe remains viable. CONCLUSION: A long length, excisional optic nerve biopsy can be readily and safely performed without endoscopic techniques.

Unilateral upper eyelid eversion and kink associated with epidemic keratoconjunctivitis.

PURPOSE: Upper lid eversion in adults from non-cicatricial causes is rare. We report a case of upper eyelid eversion secondary to epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC). OBSERVATIONS: A 37 year-old female presented with unilateral upper lid eversion. Known for left upper lid ptosis repair in childhood, the patient presented with seven-day history of severe bilateral conjunctivitis and eversion of her left upper lid three days prior. On exam, she had follicular conjunctivitis, punctate epithelial keratopathy with subepithelial infiltrates and membranes bilaterally, with an everted upper lid tarsus, and swollen and ulcerated palpebral conjunctiva. She received topical and oral prednisone to quickly reduce the inflammation, as well as moxifloxacin drops and lubrication. When the swelling subsided, the tarsus adopted a kinked and everted configuration, and was managed successfully with reversion, pressure patching, shielding and close follow-up. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTAMCE: This is the first reported case of upper lid eversion secondary to EKC, likely due to sudden marked inflammation and edema of the posterior lamella caused by the adenoviral infection. This case was successfully managed with conservative therapy.

Quality of life considerations in uveal melanoma patients: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to examine the quality of life (QOL) outcomes of patients undergoing different uveal melanoma (UM) treatments and to appraise the literature on the topic. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: A systematic review was conducted to address the study objective. Patients undergoing UM treatment with or without metastasis were eligible for inclusion in this review. METHODS: A literature search was performed using National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Embase, Ovid online, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases. We included all English, original retrospective or prospective studies published between January 1998 to September 2019 in which the primary outcome was the QOL of patients with treated UM. RESULTS: Our search strategy yielded 101 articles. Of these, 18 articles met all our inclusion criteria. The majority of included articles (61%) are cross-sectional studies. On average, each study employed 2 different QOL assessment tools. Overall, physical functioning and mental well-being are impaired in patients with UM after treatment compared with the general population. The severity of the impairment decreases as early as 3 months post-treatment; 8 of 12 studies comparing treatment options reported no statistical difference in physical functioning between treatments; 4 of 12 studies reported better visual function with radiation therapy compared with enucleation, 2 of which described no difference between the 2 options at long-term. Anxiety is more prevalent than depression, and both decrease to less than 10% at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, there is no significant difference in long-term QOL in patients with UM from different treatment groups past 1-year follow-up. This work underscores the need for and importance of developing a standardized, complete assessment tool tailored to the challenges inherent to the diagnosis of UM.

Posterior vitreous detachment and incidence of delayed retinal breaks: a retrospective, 2-year study at an academic centre.

OBJECTIVE: Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) is common in older patients, particularly postcataract surgery. Patients are typically followed 4 to 6 weeks after the initial presentation. The study goal was to assess the rate of new retinal tears for patients without new symptoms on routine follow-up. METHODS: This is a multisite, retrospective cohort study of all patients presenting to the emergency departments at an academic health centre in a 2-year period diagnosed with uncomplicated PVD. Patient demographics, pastocular surgery, retinal findings at the first and second examinations, and the identity of the examiner were recorded. The primary outcome was absence of new retinal tears or pathology on follow-up. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-six patients were identified, and 105 patients were present for both an initial and follow-up examination (median, 6 weeks). No patients had any new pathology on the follow-up examination. Most patients (n = 62) were seen initially by one of 15 residents alone, and most patients (n = 80) were seen at follow-up by one of 10 staff from specialties of comprehensive, uveitis, neuro-ophthalmology, cornea, and retina. The remaining 25 patients were seen in follow-up by residents. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study on the incidence of delayed retinal breaks with the examination performed by a variety of residents and comprehensive and subspecialist staff. Our results suggest there may be limited benefit to routine follow-up of PVD patients without new symptoms, including when followed by nonretina ophthalmologists. These findings could allow for better health care resources management.

Cavernous sinus syndrome associated with metastatic colorectal cancer and perineural spread along the trigeminal nerve.

PURPOSE: We report the case of a patient with cavernous sinus syndrome associated with biopsy-confirmed metastasis from colorectal cancer. OBSERVATIONS: A patient known for laryngeal carcinoma and metastatic colorectal carcinoma presented with symptoms of left trigeminal neuralgia and progressive, near-complete ophthalmoplegia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a mass in the left cavernous sinus, extending into Meckel's cave with perineural spread along the mandibular branch of the left trigeminal nerve. A transsphenoidal biopsy was performed and demonstrated metastatic colon adenocarcinoma. We review the existing literature on colorectal cancer associated cavernous sinus syndrome. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: Cavernous sinus metastasis from colorectal cancer is exceedingly rare. We report the second case of this entity with histopathologic confirmation, and the first case with concurrent perineural spread involving the trigeminal nerve. Cavernous sinus metastasis may represent a poor prognostic factor in colorectal cancer.