AI Can Improve the Economics of Blindness Prevention in Canada.

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of vision loss in Canada and creates significant economic and social burden on patients. Diabetic retinopathy is largely a preventable complication of diabetes mellitus. Yet, hundreds of thousands of Canadians continue to be at risk and thousands go on to develop vision loss and disability. Blindness has a significant impact on the Canadian economy, on families and the quality of life of affected individuals. This paper provides an economic analysis on two potential interventions for preventing blindness and concludes that use of AI to identify high-risk individuals could significantly decrease the costs of identifying, recalling, and screening patients at risk of vision loss, while achieving similar results as a full-fledged screening and recall program. We propose that minimal data interoperability between optometrists and family physicians combined with artificial intelligence to identify and screen those at highest risk of vision loss can lower the costs and increase the feasibility of screening and treating large numbers of patients at risk of going blind in Canada.

Four-Year Visual Outcomes in the Protocol W Randomized Trial of Intravitreous Aflibercept for Prevention of Vision-Threatening Complications of Diabetic Retinopathy.

Importance: Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections in eyes with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) without center-involved diabetic macular edema (CI-DME) reduce development of vision-threatening complications from diabetes over at least 2 years, but whether this treatment has a longer-term benefit on visual acuity is unknown. Objective: To compare the primary 4-year outcomes of visual acuity and rates of vision-threatening complications in eyes with moderate to severe NPDR treated with intravitreal aflibercept compared with sham. The primary 2-year analysis of this study has been reported. Design, Setting, and Participants: Randomized clinical trial conducted at 64 clinical sites in the US and Canada from January 2016 to March 2018, enrolling 328 adults (399 eyes) with moderate to severe NPDR (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study [ETDRS] severity level 43-53; range, 0 [worst] to 100 [best]) without CI-DME. Interventions: Eyes were randomly assigned to 2.0 mg aflibercept (n = 200) or sham (n = 199). Eight injections were administered at defined intervals through 2 years, continuing quarterly through 4 years unless the eye improved to mild NPDR or better. Aflibercept was given in both groups to treat development of high-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) or CI-DME with vision loss. Main Outcomes and Measures: Development of PDR or CI-DME with vision loss (≥10 letters at 1 visit or ≥5 letters at 2 consecutive visits) and change in visual acuity (best corrected ETDRS letter score) from baseline to 4 years. Results: Among participants (mean age 56 years; 42.4% female; 5% Asian, 15% Black, 32% Hispanic, 45% White), the 4-year cumulative probability of developing PDR or CI-DME with vision loss was 33.9% with aflibercept vs 56.9% with sham (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.40 [97.5% CI, 0.28 to 0.57]; P < .001). The mean (SD) change in visual acuity from baseline to 4 years was -2.7 (6.5) letters with aflibercept and -2.4 (5.8) letters with sham (adjusted mean difference, -0.5 letters [97.5% CI, -2.3 to 1.3]; P = .52). Antiplatelet Trialists' Collaboration cardiovascular/cerebrovascular event rates were 9.9% (7 of 71) in bilateral participants, 10.9% (14 of 129) in unilateral aflibercept participants, and 7.8% (10 of 128) in unilateral sham participants. Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with NPDR but without CI-DME at 4 years treatment with aflibercept vs sham, initiating aflibercept treatment only if vision-threatening complications developed, resulted in statistically significant anatomic improvement but no improvement in visual acuity. Aflibercept as a preventive strategy, as used in this trial, may not be generally warranted for patients with NPDR without CI-DME. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02634333.

[Subretinal air injection for treatment of retinal folds after retinal detachment surgery]. / Subretinale Lufteingabe zur Behandlung postoperativer Netzhautfalten nach Ablatio.

BACKGROUND: Full-thickness retinal folds are an unpleasant complication after vitrectomy or buckle surgery with gas tamponade for the treatment of retinal detachment. If the retinal folds involve the macula, the visual function of the patients will be severely impaired. This article describes a surgical technique for the management of such full-thickness macular folds. METHOD: Between January 2017 and June 2020 a total of 6 patients were treated with the following technique. A redetachment was induced with balanced salt solution (BSS), followed by a subretinal air injection with filtered air. The retinal fold was mechanically smoothed out with the aid of perfluorocarbon (PFC). A postoperative drainage of air and BSS was not necessary due to spontaneous resorption. RESULTS: None of the patients experienced visual loss after redetachment of the retina. The visual acuity improved in 4 of the 6 patients, perception of metamorphopsia improved in 5 out of 6 patients, 2 reported complete disappearance of metamorphopsia and in 1 patient distorted vision was unchanged despite an anatomically smoothed central retina after surgery. CONCLUSION: With careful consideration of the indications, this surgical technique has shown to be a safe and promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of macular full-thickness retinal folds after retinal detachment surgery.

Computer Vision Syndrome: Will the Pandemic Lead to Eye Problems for Dentists?

ABSTRACT Over the past year and a half dental education has been conducted primarily online due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. During the pandemic, we have spent many hours a day on our computers, mobile phones, and tablets to gather information and participate in online seminars and classrooms. Health consequences resulting from the overuse of these devices include carpal tunnel syndrome as well as computer vision syndrome (CVS). Computer vision syndrome, also known as digital eye strain, has several associated features such as eye burning, strained vision, dry eye, blurred vision, and associated neck and shoulder pain. Several predisposing factors have been linked with CVS, but often this problem gets ignored. The management of this syndrome is aimed at educating dentists on computer use, position, and the surrounding environment. Considering all this, we must ensure that we spend some time away from these devices every day to avoid any significant vision problems. The objective of preparing this manuscript was to provide a brief overview of the increased prevalence of computer vision syndrome and its associated features.

Gene Therapy for Rdh12-Associated Retinal Diseases Helps to Delay Retinal Degeneration and Vision Loss.

PURPOSE: The aim of study was to establish Rdh12-associated inherited retinal disease (Rdh12-IRD) mouse model and to identify the best timepoint for gene therapy. METHODS: We induced retinal degeneration in Rdh12-/- mice using a bright light. We clarified the establishment of Rdh12-IRD mouse model by analyzing the thickness of retinal layers and electroretinography (ERG). Rdh12-IRD mice received a subretinal injection of adeno-associated virus 2/8-packaged Rdh12 cDNA for treatment. We evaluated the visual function and retinal structure in the treated and untreated eyes to identify the best timepoint for gene therapy. RESULTS: Rdh12-IRD mice showed significant differences in ERG amplitudes and photoreceptor survival compared to Rdh12+/+ mice. Preventive gene therapy not only maintained normal visual function but also prevented photoreceptor loss. Salvage gene therapy could not reverse the retinal degeneration phenotype of Rdh12-IRD mice, but it could slow down the loss of visual function. CONCLUSION: The light-induced retinal degeneration in our Rdh12-/- mice indicated that a defect in Rdh12 alone was sufficient to cause visual dysfunction and photoreceptor degeneration, which reproduced the phenotypes observed in RDH12-IRD patients. This model is suitable for gene therapy studies. Early treatment of the primary Rdh12 defect helps to delay the later onset of photoreceptor degeneration and maintains visual function in Rdh12-IRD mice.

Eye Disease in Medical Practice: What You Should Know and Why You Should Know It.

Incidence of cataract, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and glaucoma will significantly increase by 2050. Visual impairment can increase morbidity and mortality in nonocular disease. There are different patterns of vision loss in cataract, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Internists and medical subspecialists play an important role in prevention, detection, and early treatment of eye disease. Awareness of screening guidelines for eye disease as well as a basic ocular history and simple penlight examination can decrease incidence of vision loss and its impact. Visual impairment places a significant financial burden on society.

Analysis of relationship between superior hypophyseal artery visualization and preservation and postoperative visual field deficit in paraclinoid aneurysm.

Direct surgery for paraclinoid aneurysms can result in visual field deficit owing to compromised blood flow to the superior hypophyseal artery (SHA). However, it is rarely visualized in angiography, and discussions regarding its preservation in the field of neuro-endovascular treatment are limited. Biplane angiographic suite with high spatial resolution has been used at our institution since 2014. Since then, there were a few cases where SHAs could be visualized via digital subtraction angiography. We retrospectively analyzed the relationship between the presences and abscence of SHAs in paraclinoid aneurysms and post-procedural visual field deficit. Sixty-three paraclinoid aneuryms treated by neuro-endovascular procedure in 2014-2018 at our neurosurgery department were analyzed. Pre- and post-procedural multiplanar reconstruction imagings of three-dimensional rotation angiography were analyzed to retrospectively investigate the SHAs. SHAs were visualized in 26 patients (41%) and the median number of pre-procedurally visualized SHAs was 0 (interquartile range 0-1). Their origins were the aneurysmal necks in 11 patients (42%). In two of the 11 cases, they were noticed before coil embolization and were able to be preserved after the procedure. In the remaining nine cases, they were not pre-procedurally detected, and coiling was normally conducted. Visual field deficit occurred in one of these nine cases, but symptoms were transient, and the patient fully recovered. Because SHAs could be visualized in >40% cases and no visual field defects occurred in cases that SHAs could be identified and preserved preoperatively, we recommend their preservation during coil embolization for paraclinoid aneurysms.

Glaucoma in Adults-Screening, Diagnosis, and Management: A Review.

Importance: Glaucoma is the most common cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Many patients with glaucoma are asymptomatic early in the disease course. Primary care clinicians should know which patients to refer to an eye care professional for a complete eye examination to check for signs of glaucoma and to determine what systemic conditions or medications can increase a patient's risk of glaucoma. Open-angle and narrow-angle forms of glaucoma are reviewed, including a description of the pathophysiology, risk factors, screening, disease monitoring, and treatment options. Observations: Glaucoma is a chronic progressive optic neuropathy, characterized by damage to the optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber layer, that can lead to permanent loss of peripheral or central vision. Intraocular pressure is the only known modifiable risk factor. Other important risk factors include older age, nonwhite race, and a family history of glaucoma. Several systemic medical conditions and medications including corticosteroids, anticholinergics, certain antidepressants, and topiramate may predispose patients to glaucoma. There are 2 broad categories of glaucoma, open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma. Diagnostic testing to assess for glaucoma and to monitor for disease progression includes measurement of intraocular pressure, perimetry, and optical coherence tomography. Treatment of glaucoma involves lowering intraocular pressure. This can be achieved with various classes of glaucoma medications as well as laser and incisional surgical procedures. Conclusions and Relevance: Vision loss from glaucoma can be minimized by recognizing systemic conditions and medications that increase a patient's risk of glaucoma and referring high-risk patients for a complete ophthalmologic examination. Clinicians should ensure that patients remain adherent with taking glaucoma medications and should monitor for adverse events from medical or surgical interventions used to treat glaucoma.

Predictors of Visual Acuity and Usefulness of a Treatment Algorithm in Rhinogenous Optic Neuritis.

Rhinogenous optic neuritis, which causes neuropathy associated with visual dysfunction, greatly reduces patient quality of life and requires suitable early treatment. This study aimed to analyze visual outcome predictors in patients with rhinogenous optic neuritis and to develop and investigate the usefulness of an algorithm to facilitate early treatment. Prospective and retrospective investigations were conducted at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology. The visual outcomes after sinus surgery of 24 of 53 patients suspected of having rhinogenous optic neuritis were analyzed. Furthermore, the usefulness of the treatment algorithm was evaluated in 27 of these 53 patients. Data from 24 patients who underwent surgery were included in a multiple regression analysis to investigate the associations between visual outcomes and concomitant symptoms and the time from symptom onset to surgery. The mean time from the initial examination to a request for otorhinolaryngological examination to assess the usefulness of the treatment algorithm was compared in 27 patients who did not undergo an initial otorhinolaryngological examination. Visual acuity improved in 23 participants who underwent surgery. Multivariate analysis identified the time from onset to surgery and headache as significant predictors of postoperative visual acuity. The mean time from the initial examination to a request for otorhinolaryngological examination was significantly shorter after the algorithm was introduced (1.13 days, 8 patients; P = .008). Early surgical treatment is essential to avoid further postoperative visual acuity decreases in patients with rhinogenous optic neuritis. Patients who experience headache may have poorer postoperative outcomes.

Prevalencia y comorbilidades de glaucoma en una institución especializada durante el año 2018 / Prevalence and comorbidities associated with glaucoma in a specialized institution during 2018

Introducción: El glaucoma constituye un problema de salud pública que genera discapacidad visual evitable, sin embargo, se desconoce su prevalencia y factores de riesgo en el Departamento del Quindío. Objetivo: Describir características y comorbilidades del glaucoma en pacientes que consultaron a oftalmología en el Quindío durante el año 2018. Diseño del estudio: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal. Métodos: Se tomaron las historias de los pacientes que consultaron a una institución especializada del Quindío durante el 2018. Se describieron las variables en promedio, desviación estándar e intervalos de confianza y se hizo comparación por sexo. Resultados: La prevalencia de glaucoma fue del 12.68% y el 57.71% tenía antecedente de hipertensión arterial. Conclusiones: El número de pacientes que consultan por enfermedades del ojo ha venido en aumento durante los últimos tres años en un centro especializado de la ciudad de Armenia

Background: Glaucoma constitutes a public health problem that generates avoidable visual impairment, however, its prevalence and risk factors in the Department of Quindío are unknown. Objective: To describe characteristics and comorbidities of glaucoma in patients who consulted ophthalmology in Quindío during 2018. Study design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Methods: The histories of the patients who consulted a specialized institution in Quindío during 2018 were taken. The variables were described in mean, standard deviation and confidence intervals and a comparison was made by sex. Results: The prevalence of glaucoma was 12.68% and 57.71% had a history of arterial hypertension. Conclusions: The number of patients consulting for eye diseases has been increasing over the last 3 years in a specialized center in the city of Armenia.

Vision for the Future Project: Screening impact on the prevention and treatment of visual impairments in public school children in São Paulo City, Brazil

OBJECTIVES: Uncorrected refractive errors are the leading cause of visual impairment in children. In this cross-sectional retrospective study, we analyzed a social visual screening program for school children in São Paulo, Brazil, evaluated its impact on the prevention and treatment of children's visual disabilities, and assessed its epidemiological outcomes to outline suggestions for its improvement. METHODS: First-grade children from public schools were submitted to prior visual screening by their teachers. Selected children were forwarded to the hospital's campaigns for a second screening by ophthalmologists and treatment if needed. Data were analyzed for age, sex, visual acuity, biomicroscopy, refractive errors, ocular movement disorders, amblyopia, number of donated spectacles, and number of children forwarded to specialized care. RESULTS: A total of 1080 children were included with mean age of 6.24±0.45 years. Children with normal ophthalmological exam, 591 (54.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 51.7%-57.7%) were dismissed and considered false-positives. Myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism components were found in 164 (15.2%; CI: 13.1%-17.4%), 190 (17.6%; CI: 15.3%-20.0%), and 330 (30.5%; CI: 27.8%-33.4%) children, respectively. Amblyopia was diagnosed in 54 (5%; CI: 3.5%-6.4%) children, and 117 (10.8%; CI: 9.8%-12.8%) presented ocular movement disorders. A total of 420 glasses were donated. CONCLUSION: Epidemiological findings for amblyopia and refractive errors are consistent with those of similar studies. The expressive number of diagnoses performed and number of glasses donated to underprivileged children depict the importance of such projects. New guidelines to improve their cost-effectiveness, such as professional training and community sensitization, are imperative.

Association of Vision Impairment With Preventive Care Use Among Older Adults in the United States.

Importance: Preventive care is associated with decreased morbidity and mortality among older adults. Vision impairment may be a barrier to accessing care and health promotion information and therefore may contribute to decreased preventive care uptake. Objective: To examine the association between self-reported vision impairment and uptake of preventive care services (ie, breast and colon cancer screenings and influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations). Design, Setting, and Participants: Cross-sectional study using the 2015 and 2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and 2016 and 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data, national surveys of US residents conducted through in-person household interviews in NHIS, and state-based telephone interviews in BRFSS. Participants included respondents 50 years and older based on eligibility for each preventive care service examined. Exposures: Vision impairment, defined as self-reported trouble seeing, in NHIS, and self-reported blindness/serious difficulty seeing in BRFSS. Main Outcomes and Measures: Self-reported uptake of breast cancer screening (women aged 50-74 years), colon cancer screening (aged 50-74 years), influenza vaccination (50 years and older), and pneumococcal vaccination (65 years and older). Multivariable regression models adjusted for relevant confounders, including age, were used to examine the uptake of each preventive care service by vision impairment status. Results: Among NHIS participants, older US individuals with vision impairment (prevalence between 14.3% and 16.3% in the different age groups; n = 12 120-29 654) were less likely to report breast cancer screening (odds ratio [OR], 0.82; 95% CI, 0.71-0.96) and colon cancer screening (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.79-0.99) but not influenza (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.97-1.15) and pneumococcal vaccination (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.91-1.16), as compared with their counterparts without vision impairment. In BRFSS (n = 228 649-530 027), those with vision impairment (5.9%-6.8%) were less likely than those without vision impairment to report breast cancer screening (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.59-0.75), colon cancer screening (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.65-0.76), and pneumococcal vaccination (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.81-0.99) but not influenza vaccination (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.89-1.00). Conclusions and Relevance: Older Americans with vision impairment may be less likely to use cancer-related preventive services as compared with their counterparts without vision impairments. These findings suggest that interventions to improve access to health information and health care services for individuals with vision impairment may be needed to improve cancer screening among this population.

[Anti-TNF-α in the treatment of non-infectious uveitis]. / Les anti-TNF-α pour le traitement des uvéites non infectieuses.

Non-infectious uveitis is a heterogenous group of potentially blinding ocular autoimmune diseases that may represent a manifestation of a systemic condition or may affect the eyes only. A systemically administered anti-TNF has recently been approved for the treatment of non-infectious uveitis, broadening the therapeutic arsenal available to control intraocular inflammation and reduce uveitis complications that can lead to vision loss. When uveitis affects only the eyes, a local anti-TNF-α administration strategy could optimize the ocular therapeutic effect and reduce undesirable systemic side-effects. A new ocular method of non-viral gene therapy, currently in development, may broaden the indications for ocular anti-TNF-α agents, not only for uveitis but also for other diseases in which TNF-α-mediated neuro-inflammation has been demonstrated.

TITLE: Les anti-TNF-α pour le traitement des uvéites non infectieuses. ABSTRACT: Les molécules anti-TNF-α administrés par voie générale ont été approuvés récemment pour le traitement des uvéites non inflammatoires, élargissant l'arsenal thérapeutique dans le traitement de ces pathologies responsables de cécité évitable si l'inflammation est contrôlée. Quand seul l'œil est atteint, des stratégies d'administration locale permettraient d'optimiser les effets intraoculaires des molécules anti-TNF-α et d'en réduire les effets indésirables. Une nouvelle méthode de thérapie génique non virale, actuellement en développement, pourrait élargir les indications des molécules anti-TNF-α oculaires, non seulement pour les uvéites, mais également pour d'autres maladies dans lesquelles une neuro-inflammation impliquant le TNF-α a été démontrée.

Strategies to Prevent Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity: A 2020 Update and Meta-analysis.

The incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is showing an increasing trend in the United States. This may be because of increasing survival rates among extremely preterm infants (<25 weeks' gestation) and targeting higher oxygen saturation. Five randomized clinical trials of low versus high oxygen saturation target ranges found increased mortality in the low oxygen saturation target group and an increased incidence of ROP in the high oxygen saturation target group. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using an oxygen saturation target range of 90% to 95% in extremely low-birthweight infants. The change of practice to target this higher oxygen saturation range, from admission until discharge, may be contributing to the increasing incidence of ROP in extremely preterm infants. To decrease the incidence of ROP without increasing mortality, 2 new cohort trials suggest gradually increasing oxygen saturation targets as preterm infants mature. There is evidence that human milk, vitamin A, and omega-3 fatty acids can help, in addition to continuous oxygen saturation monitoring, to decrease the risk of ROP. We review this literature and provide a meta-analysis to evaluate the evidence.

Selection and Prognosis of Optic Canal Decompression for Traumatic Optic Neuropathy.

OBJECTIVE: To comprehensively compare the vision improvement rate in patients with traumatic optic neuropathy with different surgical timing and other different preoperative conditions. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE Ovid were searched to identify studies. We performed subgroup analyses for differences in the surgical timing, surgical approach, optic canal fractures, state of consciousness after trauma, time of visual loss development, incision of the optic nerve sheath, and treatment methods. RESULTS: A total of 74 studies involving 6084 patients were included in the final analysis. In the groups of patients with early (≤3 days), middle (4-7 days), and late (>7 days) surgical interventions, 58.4%, 53.2%, and 45.4% demonstrated visual improvements, respectively. The results of the statistical analysis revealed that patients with early surgical intervention had a higher improvement rate than patients with late surgical intervention (P = 0.00953). The improvement rate was significantly lower for patients who presented with no light perception before surgery than for patients whose vision was better than no light perception (relative risk, 0.498; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.443-0.561; P = 0.001) and lower for patients with immediate visual loss after trauma than for those with secondary visual loss (relative risk, 0.639; 95% CI, 0.498-0.819; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that patients seek medical treatment as soon as possible after traumatic optic nerve injury, and patients with secondary injuries can have a good recovery effect while still living with light perception or more. The option of treatment and whether to incise the optic nerve sheath still remains controversial.