An Ergonomic Risk Assessment of Ophthalmology Residents Using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) Scale.

BACKGROUND: The healthcare industry has one of the highest rates of work-related injuries. Ophthalmologists are at particularly high risk for developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which are often the result of repetitive movements, such as performing slit lamp examinations. Previous studies used the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) scale to determine the ergonomic risk of a particular task. Higher REBA scores correlate with increased risk of injury, which ranges from negligible risk (1) to very high risk (11+). OBJECTIVE: Given the long-term implications of repetitive examinations by ophthalmologists, this study aims to describe the average ergonomic risk posed to residents using the REBA scale. METHODS: This descriptive case study assessed four ophthalmology residents performing slit lamp examinations between September 2022 and February 2023. Photographs were taken of residents performing slit lamp examinations. Total REBA scores, Score A, Score B, and the REBA scores for each participant were calculated and compared. RESULTS: The average REBA score across all participants was 4.59 (SD±0.89). The highest score was 7.00 and the lowest was 3.00. The average Score A, representing posture for the head, leg, and trunk, was 3.54 (SD±0.74) and the average Score B, representing posture for the upper arm, lower arm, and wrist, was 3.18 (SD±1.22). CONCLUSION: Our study found that residents are at increased risk for developing MSDs. Furthermore, variation in REBA scores between residents indicates that not all residents are at equal ergonomic risk. This highlights an opportunity for ophthalmology residency programs to implement ergonomics training into their curriculum.

A Rare Case of Vomiting-Induced Retrobulbar Hemorrhage.

Retrobulbar hemorrhage may result in sudden accumulation of blood in the retrobulbar space which can lead to an orbital compartment syndrome. This potentially blinding condition is characterized by a rapid increase in intra-orbital pressure. While most commonly associated with orbital trauma, it may rarely occur with Valsalva events in patients on anticoagulants. In this report, we present a case of a retrobulbar hemorrhage secondary to self-induced vomiting, occurring in a patient on no anticoagulation medication.

Orbital apex inflammation: a curious case of COVID-19.

A 25-year-old man presented to an urgent care facility with sudden loss of vision in his right eye, diplopia, and anosmia. He tested positive by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Nine days later, he presented at our emergency department, at which time ophthalmic examination revealed reduced visual acuity in the right eye, with poor color vision and a relative afferent pupillary defect. He had a moderate adduction deficit and mild hypertropia of the right eye, with an intermittent exotropia. Magnetic resonance imaging of the orbits revealed asymmetric, abnormal enhancement of the right optic nerve sheath extending to the right orbital apex. His ocular symptoms resolved completely with systemic steroids. All infectious and inflammatory labs returned negative except for COVID-19. Ocular findings have been consistently implicated throughout this pandemic. This case highlights an unidentified presentation with optic nerve involvement and orbital inflammation.

Potential Medicare Part D Savings on Ophthalmic Generic Drugs.

This economic evaluation assesses potential Medicare Part D savings on ophthalmic generic drugs if discount coupon prices are used.