ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The number of ophthalmology-trained residents applying to neuro-ophthalmology fellowships has not increased despite a trend toward seeking fellowship training after residency. This study sought to identify factors affecting the choice to pursue or not pursue neuro-ophthalmology fellowship training by graduating ophthalmology residents and recently graduated neuro-ophthalmology fellows. METHODS: An anonymous survey was sent to Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology residency directors to distribute to post-graduate Year 4 (PGY4) ophthalmology residents graduating in either 2018 or 2019. A second anonymous survey was distributed via the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS) Young Neuro-Ophthalmologists listserv to ophthalmology-trained neuro-ophthalmology fellows. A total of 147 respondents, including 96 PGY4 ophthalmology residents not going into neuro-ophthalmology and 51 practicing neuro-ophthalmologists are included. RESULTS: The most common reasons for residents to choose to not pursue further training in neuro-ophthalmology included a stronger interest in other fields, types of patients seen, no intraocular surgery, and the assumption that it is a nonsurgical discipline. The leading factors influencing graduated, ophthalmology-trained fellows to choose neuro-ophthalmology included interest in the clinical diseases treated, interaction with other specialty fields, and a supportive NANOS culture. Interestingly, despite perceptions of graduating residents, two-thirds of the neuro-ophthalmologists surveyed perform surgery. There were no differences between the 2 groups with respect to the degree of exposure to neuro-ophthalmology in medical school, presence of a dedicated neuro-ophthalmology rotation in residency, or timing of the rotation. CONCLUSIONS: There are a variety of factors influencing decisions regarding pursuing neuro-ophthalmology fellowship among ophthalmology residents. The perceived lack of surgical opportunities in neuro-ophthalmology is a deterrent for many. However, a significant number of neuro-ophthalmologists continue to perform surgery, including intraocular surgery. Repeated exposure later in residency may provide an opportunity to reconsider the field and to re-emphasize opportunities to remain surgically involved as a neuro-ophthalmologist. Exposure to the practice patterns of recently graduated neuro-ophthalmologists offers residents in training excellent exposure to the contemporary practice of neuro-ophthalmology. Hence, ensuring trainees receive a balanced exposure to practicing neuro-ophthalmologists across the spectrum of seniority and scope of practice may promote greater interest among ophthalmology residents to pursue a career in neuro-ophthalmology.
Subject(s)
Internship and Residency , Ophthalmology , Career Choice , Education, Medical, Graduate , Fellowships and Scholarships , Humans , Ophthalmology/education , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
We present a case of spontaneous nontraumatic retrobulbar hemorrhage associated with anti-coagulation therapy and a new diagnosis of scurvy. A 68-year-old male on chronic anti-coagulation therapy presented with a retrobulbar hemorrhage requiring urgent canthotomy and cantholysis. Despite the absence of a supratherapeutic INR and normal clotting factors, the patient continued to have spontaneous hemorrhages within the orbit and elsewhere. Workup revealed a severe vitamin C deficiency consistent with scurvy. Further investigation of dietary history demonstrated an avoidance of all citrus fruit upon starting warfarin due to misunderstanding in medication counseling on avoidance of grapefruit. With repletion of vitamin C and further medication counseling, the patient had no further episodes of spontaneous hemorrhage.
Subject(s)
Retrobulbar Hemorrhage , Scurvy , Aged , Hemorrhage , Humans , Male , Orbit , Retrobulbar Hemorrhage/diagnosis , Retrobulbar Hemorrhage/diagnostic imaging , Scurvy/diagnosis , Scurvy/drug therapy , Warfarin/adverse effectsABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Ophthalmic conditions and dementia appear to overlap and may share common pathways, but research has not differentiated dementia subtypes. METHODS: Diagnoses of cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), and glaucoma were based on medical histories and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes for 3375 participants from the Cardiovascular Health Study. Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD), was classified using standardized research criteria. RESULTS: Cataracts were associated with AD (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01-1.80) and VaD/mixed dementia (HR = 1.41; 95% CI = 1.02-1.95). AMD was associated with AD only (HR = 1.87; 95% CI = 1.13-3.09), whereas DR was associated with VaD/mixed dementia only (HR = 2.63; 95% CI = 1.10-6.27). DISCUSSION: Differential associations between specific ophthalmic conditions and dementia subtypes may elucidate pathophysiologic pathways. Lack of association between glaucoma and dementia was most surprising from these analyses.
Subject(s)
Cataract/epidemiology , Dementia, Vascular/epidemiology , Dementia/epidemiology , Diabetic Retinopathy/epidemiology , Macular Degeneration/epidemiology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Eye Diseases/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a well-known cause of transient and permanent vision loss, diplopia as a presenting symptom of this condition is uncommon. We compared symptoms and signs of patients presenting with diplopia from GCA to those from other causes. METHODS: This was a multicenter, retrospective study comparing the clinical characteristics of patients presenting with diplopia from GCA with age-matched controls. Demographic information, review of symptoms, ophthalmic examination, and laboratory data of biopsy-proven patients with GCA were compared with those of age-matched controls presenting with diplopia. RESULTS: A total of 27 patients presented with diplopia from GCA, 19 with constant diplopia, and 8 with transient diplopia. All patients with constant diplopia from GCA were matched with 67 control subjects who had diplopia from other etiologies. Patients with GCA were more likely to describe other accompanying visual symptoms (58% vs 25%, P = 0.008), a greater number of systemic GCA symptoms (3.5, GCA vs 0.6, controls, P < 0.001) such as headache (94% [17/18] vs 39% [23/67]; P < 0.001), jaw claudication (80% [12/15] vs 0% [0/36]; P < 0.001), and scalp tenderness (44% [7/16] vs 7% [3/43]; P < 0.001). Ocular ischemic lesions (26% vs 1%, P < 0.001) were also common in patients with diplopia from GCA. Inflammatory markers were elevated significantly in patients with GCA vs controls (erythrocyte sedimentation rate: 91% [10/11] vs 12% [3/25], P < 0.001; C-reactive protein: 89% [8/9] vs 11% [2/19], P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: GCA is a rare but serious cause of diplopia among older adults and must be differentiated from other more common benign etiologies. Our study suggests that most patients with diplopia from GCA have concerning systemic symptoms and/or elevated inflammatory markers that should trigger further work-up. Moreover, careful ophthalmoscopic examination should be performed to look for presence of ocular ischemic lesions in older patients presenting with acute diplopia.
Subject(s)
Diplopia/etiology , Giant Cell Arteritis/complications , Temporal Arteries/pathology , Vision, Binocular/physiology , Visual Acuity/physiology , Aged , Biopsy , Blood Sedimentation , C-Reactive Protein/metabolism , Diplopia/diagnosis , Diplopia/physiopathology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Giant Cell Arteritis/diagnosis , Giant Cell Arteritis/metabolism , Humans , Male , Prognosis , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The ophthalmic findings of Susac syndrome (SS) consist of visual field defects related to branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO), and fluorescein angiography (FA) reveals a unique staining pattern. To date, retinal arterial collateral development has been described only in a single patient. Given that the immunopathological process in SS induces retinal ischemia, it is conceivable that abnormal blood vessel development may occur in affected individuals. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study. The medical records including fundus photography and FA of all patients with SS were reviewed, and those with any type of retinal arterial collateral were identified. RESULTS: A total of 11 patients were identified with retinal collaterals. Five were men. Age ranged from 20 to 50 years. Ten patients had arterio-arterial (A-A) collaterals and 1 had arterio-venous (A-V) collaterals, and all had collaterals remote from the optic disc. No collaterals were present at onset of illness and the first developed at 9 months. CONCLUSIONS: The literature reveals scant evidence for the association between BRAO and retinal arterial collaterals. Our findings indicate that retinal arterial collaterals in SS are usually A-A and not A-V and may be more common in this disorder than previously believed. Collaterals do not develop early in the disease, and there may be a predilection toward development in men. The chronic inflammatory state of SS may be the stimulus for the development of these arterial collaterals.
Subject(s)
Collateral Circulation/physiology , Fluorescein Angiography/methods , Retinal Artery/diagnostic imaging , Susac Syndrome/diagnosis , Visual Acuity , Visual Fields/physiology , Adult , Disease Progression , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Fundus Oculi , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Optic Disk/pathology , Retinal Artery/physiopathology , Retrospective Studies , Susac Syndrome/physiopathology , Visual Field Tests , Young AdultABSTRACT
A 60-year-old woman with decreased visual acuity in her right eye and right-sided jaw claudication was found to have ocular ischemic syndrome secondary to complete occlusion of the brachiocephalic artery. Although jaw claudication is often considered to be pathognomonic for giant cell arteritis, it has a broad differential diagnosis including both vascular and nonvascular conditions.
Subject(s)
Giant Cell Arteritis/complications , Intermittent Claudication/diagnosis , Jaw/blood supply , Temporal Arteries/diagnostic imaging , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Fluorescein Angiography , Fundus Oculi , Giant Cell Arteritis/diagnosis , Humans , Intermittent Claudication/etiology , Middle Aged , Ophthalmoscopy , Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic/diagnosis , Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic/etiology , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , UltrasonographySubject(s)
Facial Nerve Diseases/etiology , Isaacs Syndrome/etiology , Neuroma, Acoustic/radiotherapy , Radiosurgery/adverse effects , Aged , Anticonvulsants/therapeutic use , Carbamazepine/therapeutic use , Facial Nerve Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Facial Nerve Diseases/drug therapy , Female , Humans , Isaacs Syndrome/diagnostic imaging , Isaacs Syndrome/drug therapy , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Neuroma, Acoustic/diagnostic imaging , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Surgical excision of orbital cavernous venous malformations located in the orbital apex is challenging due to difficulty obtaining surgical exposure and higher risk of morbidity. Intralesional bevacizumab injection has been utilized for the treatment of choroidal and intracranial cavernous venous malformations. A 52-year-old woman with an orbital apical mass consistent with a cavernous venous malformation causing decreased visual acuity, diminished color vision, and visual field loss was treated with intralesional bevacizumab injected under direct surgical visualization. Subsequently, she demonstrated improved visual acuity, color vision, and slow but dramatic visual field improvement over one year. Injection of bevacizumab may be a viable alternative treatment for orbital cavernous venous malformations.
Subject(s)
Bevacizumab/administration & dosage , Cavernous Sinus , Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations/drug therapy , Angiogenesis Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Female , Humans , Injections, Intralesional , Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations/diagnosis , Magnetic Resonance ImagingABSTRACT
Ipilimumab is a novel monoclonal antibody targeting the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) receptor that has been shown to improve survival in metastatic melanoma. Previous case reports have documented its association with drug-induced uveitis. We report a patient who developed bilateral optic neuropathy with disc edema while taking this medication.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/adverse effects , Immunologic Factors/adverse effects , Optic Nerve Diseases/chemically induced , Aged , Humans , Ipilimumab , Male , Melanoma/drug therapy , Optic Nerve Diseases/physiopathology , Tomography, Optical Coherence , Visual Acuity/drug effects , Visual Fields/drug effectsSubject(s)
Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone/pathology , Myasthenia Gravis/diagnosis , Orbital Neoplasms/pathology , Aged , Diagnosis, Differential , Dose Fractionation, Radiation , Flow Cytometry , Humans , Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone/diagnostic imaging , Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone/radiotherapy , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Orbital Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Orbital Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Radiotherapy , Visual Acuity/physiology , Visual Fields/physiologyABSTRACT
Importance: Recently, several states have granted optometrists privileges to perform select laser procedures (laser peripheral iridotomy, selective laser trabeculoplasty, and YAG laser capsulotomy) with the aim of increasing access. However, whether these changes are associated with increased access to these procedures among each state's Medicare population has not been evaluated. Objective: To compare patient access to laser surgery eye care by estimated travel time and 30-minute proximity to an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort database study used Medicare Part B claims data from 2016 through 2020 for patients accessing new patient or laser eye care (laser peripheral iridotomy, selective laser trabeculoplasty, YAG) from optometrists or ophthalmologists in Oklahoma, Kentucky, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Missouri. Analysis took place between December 2021 and March 2023. Main Outcome and Measures: Percentage of each state's Medicare population within a 30-minute travel time (isochrone) of an optometrist or ophthalmologist based on US census block group population and estimated travel time from patient to health care professional. Results: The analytic cohort consisted of 1â¯564â¯307 individual claims. Isochrones show that optometrists performing laser eye surgery cover a geographic area similar to that covered by ophthalmologists. Less than 5% of the population had only optometrists (no ophthalmologists) within a 30-minute drive in every state except for Oklahoma for YAG (301â¯470 [7.6%]) and selective laser trabeculoplasty (371â¯097 [9.4%]). Patients had a longer travel time to receive all laser procedures from optometrists than ophthalmologists in Kentucky: the shortest median (IQR) drive time for an optometrist-performed procedure was 49.0 (18.4-71.7) minutes for YAG, and the the longest median (IQR) drive time for an ophthalmologist-performed procedure was 22.8 (12.1-41.4) minutes, also for YAG. The median (IQR) driving time for YAG in Oklahoma was 26.6 (12.2-56.9) for optometrists vs 22.0 (11.2-40.8) minutes for ophthalmologists, and in Arkansas it was 90.0 (16.2-93.2) for optometrists vs 26.5 (11.8-51.6) minutes for ophthalmologists. In Louisiana, the longest median (IQR) travel time to receive laser procedures from optometrists was for YAG at 18.5 (7.6-32.6) minutes and the shortest drive to receive procedures from ophthalmologists was for YAG at 20.5 (11.7-39.7) minutes. Conclusions and Relevance: Although this study did not assess impact on quality of care, expansion of laser eye surgery privileges to optometrists was not found to lead to shorter travel times to receive care or to a meaningful increase in the percentage of the population with nearby health care professionals.
Subject(s)
Health Equity , Laser Therapy , Medicare Part B , Optometrists , Aged , Humans , United States , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Optometric visual rehabilitation therapy has been used for a variety of visual disorders. Descriptively named entities such as posttrauma visual syndrome, visual midline shift syndrome, and vertical heterophoria syndrome are frequently diagnosed by neuro-optometrists and/or behavioral optometrists in patients after stroke or head injury or in the setting of dizziness and/or headache. The scientific underpinnings of these diagnoses and treatments are weak, and published clinical studies comprise case reports and case series without comparison to control populations. Neuro-ophthalmologists are frequently questioned by patients about the utility of such treatment strategies. Many ophthalmologists and neurologists also are involved in the care of patients who carry these diagnoses and undergo these visual therapies. Involved physicians may benefit from guidance about the rationale, evidence, and level of evidence for the efficacy of these therapeutic approaches.