PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY-INDUCED ACUTE EXUDATIVE MACULOPATHY IN A CASE SERIES OF CIRCUMSCRIBED CHOROIDAL HEMANGIOMA.

PURPOSE: To describe the incidence, features, and clinical outcomes of photodynamic therapy-induced acute exudative maculopathy (PAEM) in circumscribed choroidal hemangioma. METHODS: Prospective series of 10 patients who underwent standard-fluence photodynamic therapy for circumscribed choroidal hemangioma. Best-corrected visual acuity in the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Score and swept-source optical coherence tomography were performed before PDT and 3 days and 1 month after PDT. Central retinal thickness, circumscribed choroidal hemangioma retinal thickness, and subretinal fluid were measured. Photodynamic therapy-induced acute exudative maculopathy was considered as an increase ≥50 µ m in subretinal fluid or intraretinal fluid or the appearance of fibrin 3 days after photodynamic therapy. RESULTS: Six men and four women were included; median age was 55 years (19-69 years). The incidence rate of PAEM was 7 of 10. Five PAEM patients showed an increase in intraretinal fluid, two in subretinal fluid, and one developed abundant fibrin. Median best-corrected visual acuity at baseline was 57.5 letters (5-76 letters) being stable at 1 month (64 letters; 5-80) ( P = 0.03). Median central retinal thickness increased from 516 µ m (262-1,265 µ m) to 664.5 µ m after 3 days and diminished to 245 µ m after 1 month (156-1,363) ( P ≤ 0.022). In 6 of 7 of PAEM, a complete resolution of the fluid was obtained. CONCLUSION: Photodynamic therapy-induced acute exudative maculopathy was frequent in circumscribed choroidal hemangioma, although a favorable prognosis was observed in most cases.

TWO-YEAR CLINICAL OUTCOMES AFTER PHOTODYNAMIC ACUTE EXUDATIVE MACULOPATHY IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC CENTRAL SEROUS CHORIORETINOPATHY.

PURPOSE: To analyze the 2-year clinical outcomes after photodynamic therapy-induced acute exudative maculopathy (PAEM) in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy. METHODS: Prospective observational study that included 64 eyes of 64 patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy who received half-fluence photodynamic therapy and had a 2-year follow-up. Patients were classified into two groups based on whether they had had PAEM at 3 days after treatment (PAEM+, n = 22; ≥50 µ m) increase in subretinal fluid or not (PAEM-, n = 42). Best-corrected visual acuity and subretinal fluid changes evaluated with optical coherence tomography were registered at 3 days, 1 month, 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years after photodynamic therapy. The number of recurrences, the appearance of outer retinal atrophy, and choroidal neovascularization were analyzed. RESULTS: Best-corrected visual acuity was 75.9 ± 13.6 (20/32) and 82.0 ± 11.0 letters (20/25) at 2 years in the PAEM+ and PAEM- groups, respectively ( P = 0.055). There were no differences in the best-corrected visual acuity change (4.2 ± 7.7 vs. 3.3 ± 7.1 letters; P = 0.654) and the subretinal fluid decrease (-117.3 ± 74.2 vs. -138.5 ± 83.6 µ m; P = 0.323) at 2 years between patients with and without PAEM. No differences in the number of recurrences ( P = 0.267), the appearance of choroidal neovascularization ( P = 0.155), or outer retinal atrophy ( P = 0.273) between both groups were noted. CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy with and without PAEM presented similar results at 2 years in best-corrected visual acuity gain, subretinal fluid reduction, and complication rate.

Factors associated with health-related quality of life among home-dwelling older adults aged 75 or older in Switzerland: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: HRQoL is an indicator of individuals' perception of their overall health, including social and environmental aspects. As a multidimensional concept, HRQoL can be influenced by a multitude of factors. Studies of HRQoL and factors associated with it among home-dwelling older adults have often been limited to inpatient settings or to a sub-population with a chronic disease. Studying HRQoL and its correlating factors among this population, by providing an ecological lens on factors beyond the individual level, can provide a better understanding of the construct and the role of the environment on how they perceive their HRQoL. Thus, we aimed to assess the HRQoL and investigate the correlates of HRQOL among home-dwelling older adults, guided by the levels of the ecological model. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional population survey conducted in 2019 in Canton Basel-Landschaft, in northwestern Switzerland, and includes a sample of 8786 home-dwelling older adults aged 75 and above. We assessed HRQoL by using the EQ-index and the EQ-VAS. The influence of independent variables at the macro, meso and micro level on HRQoL was tested using Tobit multiple linear regression modelling. RESULTS: We found that having a better socio-economic status as denoted by higher income, having supplementary insurance and a higher level of education were all associated with a better HRQoL among home-dwelling older adults. Furthermore, being engaged in social activities was also related to an improved HRQoL. On the other hand, older age, female gender, presence of multimorbidity and polypharmacy as well as social isolation and loneliness were found to all have a negative impact on HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding factors related to HRQoL by using an ecological lens can help identify factors beyond the individual level that impact the HRQoL of home-dwelling older adults. Our study emphasises the importance of social determinants of health and potential disparities that exists, encouraging policymakers to focus on policies to reduce socio-economic disparities using a life-course approach, which consequently could also impact HRQoL in later stages of life.

The INSPIRE Population Survey: development, dissemination and respondent characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Most older adults prefer to continue living at home despite increasing care needs and demand for services. To aid in maintaining independence, integrated care models for community-dwelling older people are promoted as the most cost-effective approach. The implementation of such care models is challenging and often the end-users are not involved or their needs are not considered. We conducted a population survey in order to understand the needs and preferences of home-dwelling older adults living in Canton Basel-Landschaft, Switzerland. The aims of this paper are to chronicle the development of the INSPIRE Population Survey, outline its variables and measurements, describe the marketing strategy utilized for survey dissemination and report on the response rate and respondent characteristics. METHODS: The INSPIRE Population Survey, conducted between March and August 2019, is a cross-sectional survey of older adults aged 75 and older living at home in Canton Basel-Landschaft. The questionnaire was developed by expert input and stakeholder involvement. Its readability and acceptability were pilot-tested with older people. To ensure the likelihood of a high and representative response rate, a meticulous step-by-step marketing strategy was developed prior to the dissemination of the questionnaire. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 30.7% (n = 8,846), with variations between 20.6 and 34.5% across the different care regions in the canton. A generally higher response rate was found in the care regions with a higher density and which bordered the urban city of Basel. We received support from local stakeholders, policy makers and media through using a broad combination of marketing channels and targeting our community partners who have a strong relationship with our target audience. CONCLUSIONS: Although recruiting older adults in research is challenging, our study shows that a high response rate can be achieved by developing the survey through expert input and by involving all important stakeholders, including older adults, throughout the entire process.

Hypertension, diabetes and lifestyle in the long-term - Results from a Swiss population-based cohort.

Healthy lifestyles are integral in preventing and treating common cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The aim of this study was to observe smoking habits, alcohol intake, physical activity and body mass index over a 10-year period in a population-based cohort, particularly focusing on participants with hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Included were 4155 participants from the first (2001-2003) and second (2010-2011) follow-ups of the Swiss Cohort Study on Air Pollution and Lung and Heart Disease in Adults (SAPALDIA). Information was collected via health questionnaire; height and weight were measured. In a healthy lifestyle score one point was attributed per criterion; non-smoking, low risk alcohol consumption, BMI<25kg/m2, and regular physical activity. Overall in 2010-2011, 16.4% were smokers, 7.7% had at risk alcohol consumption, 25.5% were physically inactive and 57.8% were overweight or obese. Both those with hypertension and diabetes had lower mean healthy lifestyle scores than those without disease. Women with incident hypertension from 2001 to 2011 had lower odds of improving their healthy lifestyle score during this time period compared to those without this disease. In contrast, women with incident diabetes had higher odds of lifestyle score improvement. In men, neither hypertension nor diabetes was associated with change in lifestyle score. Our findings suggest that, irrespective of disease status, preventative attention is needed, particularly in regards to physical activity and bodyweight. These needs could be met by population-based interventions, a necessary and suitable option in both preventing and treating the non-communicable disease epidemic which currently faces countries worldwide.

Clinical and multimodal imaging findings in a case of serous maculopathy with absence of retinal pigment epithelium (SMARPE).

INTRODUCTION: The differential diagnosis for serous SRF can involve diseases with widely different pathogenic mechanisms that can range from vascular ocular diseases to ocular tumours and paraneoplastic syndromes. Recently, van Dijk et al. have described in three patients a new entity which they have called serous maculopathy with an absence of retinal pigment epithelium (SMARPE). We hereby describe a case of this infrequent macular disease and report its characteristic findings on multimodal imaging. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present the case of a 65-year-old hyperopic woman with a three-year history of visual acuity (VA) loss in her left eye. Prior optical coherence tomography (OCT) had revealed the presence of serous subretinal fluid that had shown no response to treatment with intravitreal injections. On swept source OCT angiography scan, no macular alterations in the retinal vascular plexus structure were noted and there was no evidence of choroidal neovascularization. Ultra-widefield fluorescence angiography of the left eye revealed an early hyperfluorescent macular spot corresponding to the area of absent RPE and late fluorescein pooling. On ultra-widefield indocyanine green angiography there were no central or peripheral abnormalities of choroidal vascularization. CONCLUSION: This recently described entity should be considered as a differential diagnosis in persistent serous subretinal fluid. Multimodal imaging helps differentiate SMARPE from its main differential diagnoses, and care should be taken to identify and differentiate it from similar conditions to avoid unnecessary treatment with its possible side effects and complications.

Prescription trends for preservative free glaucoma medication in a public health system.

PURPOSE: To analyze the prescribing trends over a 7-years period, between 2013 and 2020, in a tertiary hospital (Hospital Clinico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain) and its health area. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study on the data collected from the information systems, "farm@web" and "Farmadrid", of glaucoma prescriptions in the framework of a public health system (Spanish National Health System) during the last seven years. RESULTS: Prostaglandin analogues were the most commonly used drugs in monotherapy during the study period (range: 36.82% - 47.07%). Fixed combinations of topical hypotensives had an upward trend since 2013 (range: 39.99% - 54.21%), becoming the most dispensed drugs in 2020 (48.99%). Preservative-free eye drops (lacking benzalkonium chloride, BAK) have displaced preservative containing topical treatments in all pharmacological groups. In 2013, BAK-preserved eye drops accounted for 91.1% of the total prescriptions, however in 2020 they only accounted for 34.2% of total prescriptions. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study highlight the current trend to avoid BAK-preserved eye drops for the treatment of glaucoma.

Hyperplasia of the retinal pigment epithelium secondary to subthreshold laser treatment in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE: To assess the development of hyperplasia of the retinal pigment epithelium (HRPE) secondary to subthreshold laser treatment (STL) in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). METHODS: Prospective study including 149 eyes of 146 patients with CSCR with persistent subretinal fluid (SRF) that have undergone STL using the Navilas® device. Visual acuity (VA) optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) were performed before and after the treatment. The HRPE was identified on OCT as a hyperreflective and dense material at the expense of the RPE that did not exist prior to the treatment. The demographics of the patients as well as the parameters of the STL treatments employed were registered. RESULTS: Seven HRPE cases after STL were identified, observing an incidence of 4.7% (7 out of 149 eyes). The mean age was 52.1 ± 3.6 years, being 6/7 males. The mean number of STL sessions was 1.3 ± 0.5. The mean total fluence applied was 52.2 ± 12.4 J/cm2 (range 35.37 to 76.39 J/cm2), using a duty cycle of 10% in all cases. The HRPE was subfoveal in 6 of the 7 cases. The SRF was resolved in 6 of the 7 patients. The mean VA loss was -14.1 ± 14.3 ETDRS letters. CONCLUSION: The development of HRPE secondary to STL in CSCR is an uncommon but severe adverse effect, probably related to the excessive energy employed. Further studies are warranted to minimize the incidence and to know the predictors of this complication after STL treatment to optimize the parameters that should be used.

Evaluation of the changes in choroidal macular anastomoses after photodynamic therapy and in the follow-up of central serous chorioretinopathy by en face optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes in the choroidal macular anastomoses after photodynamic therapy (PDT) and in the follow-up of patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) by en face optical coherence tomography (EF-OCT). METHODS: Prospective study using EF-OCT images of patients with chronic CSCR treated by PDT with a minimum follow-up of 12 months and with the presence of at least two prominent anastomoses in the macula. Scans of 6 × 6 mm and 12 × 12 mm were made to assess the changes in choroidal macular anastomoses (defined as a diameter ≥150 µm) crossing the medial raphe. EF-OCT was performed before PDT and 3 days, 3 months and at the end of the follow-up after PDT. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 23.6 ± 12.1 months. The mean number of anastomoses was 2.5 ± 1.1 in the baseline examination, being 2.3 ± 1.2 in the final examination, with no differences being observed (p = 0.110). A sub-analysis was performed to assess differences in the evolution of the anastomoses between active chronic CSCR and those in which the subretinal fluid (SRF) had been resolved, with no differences being observed in the number or caliber of anastomoses (p = 0.642 and p = 0.306). A significant decrease in the size of anastomoses was found at the 3-day (p<0.01) and 3-month (p = 0.032) visits, but not at the last follow-up visit (p = 0.156). CONCLUSIONS: There was an early decrease in the size of the major macular choroidal anastomotic vessels after PDT treatment. Long-term studies are required to assess its evolution and its possible role in the etiopathogenesis of this disease.

Effect of face mask on topographic corneal parameters in healthy individuals.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether the use of masks has an effect on the measurement of corneal topographic parameters. METHODS: A study including healthy patients with no previous ocular diseases or surgeries was conducted. Corneal topography was evaluated with an elevation topography Pentacam Scheimpflug. Four measurements were taken: two measurements with face mask and another two measurements after 10 min without wearing the face mask. The following parameters were evaluated: anterior topographic flat meridian (K1), anterior topographic steepest meridian (K2), mean keratometry (Km) and maximum keratometric point (Kmax). RESULTS: Thirty-five eyes of thirty-five healthy individuals were included; with a mean age of 33.5 ± 13.8 years (range 24-66) and 26 (74%) being female. Mean time with face-mask was 3.8 ± 2.2 h (range 1-8). No differences in mean K1, K2, Km and Kmax with and without face-mask were noted (paired t-test, all, p > 0.05). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were excellent for all four analyzed parameters (ICC > 0.914), although they were lower when measurements with face-mask were considered. CONCLUSIONS: Although tear film alterations with the use of face-mask have been described in the literature, no significant differences can be noted in topographic variables.

Fuji sign: Prevalence and predictive power to photodynamic therapy in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.

AIM: To determine the prevalence of Fuji sign in central serous chorioretinopathy (cCSC) patients and its predictive power of good response to photodynamic therapy (PDT). METHODS: Retrospective study, including 135 eyes of 130 patients diagnosed with cCSC treated with PDT between 2017 and 2021. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) images from these patients were compiled and analyzed. The presence of the Fuji sign, an anatomical finding recently described as a predictor of spontaneous resolution of the subretinal fluid (SRF) in cCSC, as assessed in basal images and the maximum height of SRF pre- and post-PDT OCT was measured. RESULTS: Mean age was 56.6 years, 69.4% were men and the percentage of partial or complete resolution of the SRF after PDT was 75.55%. Only 8.9% of patients (12/135) had positive Fuji sign at baseline OCT. Among them, 50% (6/12) presented a complete response to the PDT (pre-PDT SRF: 109.00 (29.61) µm), 8.3% (1/12) had a partial resolution of the SRF (127 µm to 66 µm) and 41.6% (5/12) did not respond to PDT (pre-PDT SRF: 71.00 (22.82) µm, post-PDT SRF: 83.60 (36.13) µm). CONCLUSIONS: Fuji sign has a low prevalence in cCSC and its presence is not associated with a good response to PDT.

Comment on Torrellas et al. Effectiveness, Safety and Choroidal Changes of a Fovea-Sparing Technique for the Treatment of Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy with Yellow Subthreshold Laser. J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12, 1127.

Recently, we read with great interest the article by Torrellas et al. [...].

Face mask use and effects on the ocular surface health: A comprehensive review.

In the COVID-19 period, face masks increased exponentially. Several studies suggest that the rise in ocular discomfort symptoms during the pandemic is mostly part of dry eye disease and that these are due to the effect of face masks, resulting in the newly described term MADE, for "mask-associated dry eye". The most commonly proposed mechanism states that wearing a face mask creates an unnatural upward airflow towards the ocular surface during expiration, although the increased temperature, humidity and levels of carbon dioxide of the exhaled air, stress, increased use of video display terminals, as well as changes in the ocular microbiota may contribute. Evidence supports that the use of face masks causes an increase in dry eye disease symptoms, a decreased tear break-up time, corneal epithelial trauma, periocular temperature changes and inflammatory markers secretion. Given that the use of masks may be frequent in some settings in the near future, it is important to establish its effects and consequences on the ocular surface.

Subthreshold Micropulse Laser Acute Exudative Maculopathy in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

Photodynamic acute exudative maculopathy is a transient increase in subretinal fluid (SRF) within the first days after treatment in different chorioretinal diseases and tumors. Recently, this entity has attracted much attention. However, no cases of acute exudative maculopathy have been described after subthreshold laser (STL). This report presents the case of a 35-year-old male with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy with an extrafoveal serous retinal pigment epithelium detachment (PED) who underwent STL. One day after treatment, the patient noted an acute decrease in visual acuity and abundant SRF. One month after treatment, both the SRF and PED were spontaneously resolved. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2023;54:540-542.].

Aqueous Humor Cytokine Profile in Primary Congenital Glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: Cytokine profile in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) differs from that in healthy controls. Due to the different pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the genesis of primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) and POAG, it is possible that the cytokine profile could also differ. The main objective of this study was to compare the concentrations of cytokines in the aqueous humor of patients with PCG with those of POAG patients and a control group. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Aqueous humor samples were taken from PCG and POAG patients eligible for glaucoma or cataract surgery and from patients undergoing cataract surgery. Twenty-seven cytokines were analyzed using the Human Cytokine 27-Plex Immunoassay Kit (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA, USA). RESULTS: A total of 107 subjects were included: patients with PCG (n = 19), patients with POAG (n = 54), and a control group (CG) of patients undergoing cataract surgery (n = 34). Most cytokines measured in aqueous humor in PCG presented decreased values compared with POAG and controls. A statistically significant difference was observed in IL-1ra, IL-2, IL-5, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-15, IL-17A, Eotaxin, FGF basic, G-CSF, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, MIP-1α, PDGF-bb, MIP-1ß, RANTES, TNF-α, and VEGF. CONCLUSION: PCG patients have a cytokine profile in aqueous humor different from POAG patients and patients without glaucoma, characterized by lower concentrations of multiple cytokines.

Anatomical and functional impact of verteporfin shortage in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.

BACKGROUND: To describe the functional and anatomical impact that the worldwide shortage of verteporfin has had on patients diagnosed with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (cCSCR) whose treatment with photodynamic therapy (PDT) had to be delayed. METHODS: Prospective observational study. Patients were divided into two groups based on the time interval since PDT had been indicated: groups 1 and 2, with waiting times of less and more than 9 months respectively. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), the maximum height of the subretinal fluid (MSRF) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) at the baseline visit and the last visit were compared. RESULTS: 49 eyes of 48 patients with cCSCR were included. The mean waiting time for PDT was 9.0 ±3.8 months. The mean BCVA was 69.0 ±17.1 letters and 68.9 ±16.4 letters for the baseline and last visit respectively, showing no difference (p= 0.958). Although there was no difference in the mean global BCVA, 15 eyes (30.5%) showed a deterioration of ≥5 letters, including 7 eyes (14%) with a decrease of ≥10 letters. Mean MSRF height was 151.4 ±97.2 µm and 98.2 ±83.1 µm for the baseline and last visit respectively (p= 0.005), persisting in 74.5% of the eyes. CONCLUSION: No significant impact was observed in the BCVA in cCSCR due to the shortage of verteporfin. However, one-third of patients had BCVA loss. There was a significant spontaneous decrease in MSRF, but it persisted in the majority of the patients, still susceptible to PDT.

Combining default choices and an encounter decision aid to improve tobacco cessation in primary care patients: protocol for a cluster-randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: While quitting smoking dramatically decreases overall mortality, general practitioners (GPs) are less likely to prescribe medications for smoking cessation than other cardiovascular risk factors. Guidelines recommend providers first assess patients' "readiness" to quit, an "opt-in" strategy, but only a minority of tobacco users are ready to quit on a given day. An "opt-out" strategy offering treatment as the default choice increased quit attempts in hospital and with pregnant women, but has not been tested in primary care. We will assess the efficacy of training GPs to offer treatment as the default choice using an encounter decision aid with current smokers seen in primary care. METHODS: This is a pragmatic cluster-randomized controlled superiority trial with block randomization at the GP level in private practice in French-speaking Switzerland. GPs will be blinded to the arm allocation. The intervention is a half-day training course teaching an 'opt-out' approach to smoking cessation using an encounter decision aid (paper or electronic). GPs in the enhanced usual care group receives a brief refresher training about smoking cessation without changing their behaviour. GPs in both arms will recruit 23 patients each prior to routine primary care visits. The primary outcome is the effect of consulting a GP who received the intervention on the 7-day, point prevalence, smoking abstinence 6 months after the baseline appointment. Secondary outcomes include continuous abstinence; number of quit attempts; use of smoking cessation aids; patient-perceived involvement in discussions; and changes in GP behaviour. Patient outcomes will be collected using paper and telephone questionnaires. Assuming 15% drop-out, recruiting 46 GPs with 23 patients each will give us 80% power to detect an increase in smoking cessation from 4% (control) to 10.5% (intervention), with an alpha < 0.05. DISCUSSION: GP visits are an opportunity to administer proven smoking cessation treatments. We hypothesize GPs offering smoking cessation treatment as the default choice using an encounter decision aid will increase the number of patients who quit. This study could significantly change our approach to smoking cessation in primary care. Default choices and the electronic decision aid are low-cost, easily diffusible interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04868474, First Posted May 3, 2021, Last Update Posted October 6, 2021.

Protocol for a mixed methods feasibility and implementation study of a community-based integrated care model for home-dwelling older adults: The INSPIRE project.

BACKGROUND: Evaluations of integrated care models for home-dwelling frail older adults have shown inconclusive results on health and service outcomes. However, limited research has focused on the implementation of integrated care models. Applying implementation science methods may facilitate uptake of integrated care models, thus generating positive outcomes e.g., reduced hospital admissions. This paper describes the protocol to assess the feasibility of an integrated care model (featuring a four-step comprehensive geriatric assessment: screening, a multi-dimensional assessment, a coordinated individualized care plan and follow-up) designed for a new community-based center for home-dwelling older adults in Switzerland. The study includes the following objectives: 1) to assess implementation by a) monitoring respondents to the outreach strategies and describing the Center's visitors; b) assessing implementation outcomes related to the care model (i.e., adoption, acceptability, feasibility, fidelity) and implementation processes related to collaboration; and 2) assessing implementation costs. METHODS: For objective 1a, we will use a descriptive design to assess respondents to the outreach strategies and describe the Center's visitors. We will use a parallel convergent mixed methods design for objective 1b. Implementation outcomes data will be collected from meetings with the Center's staff, interviews with older adults and their informal caregivers, and reviewing older adults' health records at the Center. Implementation processes related to collaboration will be assessed through a questionnaire to external collaborators (e.g., GPs) towards the end of the study. For objective 2, implementation costs will be calculated using time-driven activity-based costing methods. Data collection is anticipated to occur over approximately six months. DISCUSSION: This study of a contextually adapted integrated care model will inform adaptations to the outreach strategies, care model and implementation strategies in one community center, prior to evaluating the care model effectiveness and potentially scaling out the intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Feasibility study registration ID with clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05302310; registration ID with BMC: ISRCTN12324618.

Intense pulsed light-based treatment for the improvement of symptoms in glaucoma patients treated with hypotensive eye drops.

BACKGROUND: Ocular surface disease in glaucoma patients is a significant ocular co-morbidity that can affect 40% to 59% of these patients worldwide. The current study was aimed at evaluating the potential clinical benefit of an intense pulsed light (IPL)-based treatment in glaucomatous patients with ocular surface disease due to prolonged hypotensive eyedrop treatments. To our knowledge, this is the first series analyzing the therapeutic effect of this treatment option in this type of patients. METHODS: This non-comparative prospective case series study enrolled a total of 30 glaucoma patients ranging in age from 57 to 94 years old and treated with hypotensive eyedrops for years with dry eye symptomatology. All patients received four sessions of IPL treatment using the Optima IPL system (Lumenis, Yokneam, Israel) adjusted to the official optimized Lumenis setting. Changes in symptomatology, corneal staining, conjunctival hyperemia, non-invasive break-up time (NIBUT), tear osmolarity, tear meniscus height (TMH), meiboscore and meibomian gland expressibility was analyzed after treatment. RESULTS: Statistically significant reductions were observed after IPL treatment in the symptomatology scores measured with different questionnaires [ocular surface disease index (OSDI), standard patient evaluation of eye dryness (SPEED) and symptom assessment questionnaire in dry eye (SANDE)] as well as with the visual analogue scale (P < 0.001). Mean change in OSDI was - 15.0 ± 11.3. A significant reduction was found after treatment in the corneal staining score (P < 0.001). A significant reduction was found in tear film meniscus height (P = 0.012), as well as in tear film osmolarity (P = 0.001). A significant reduction was also found in meibomian gland expressibility (P = 0.003), changing the percentage of grade 3 eyes from 44.4% before IPL to 17.2% after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: IPL therapy combined with meibomian gland expression (MGX) seems to be an effective option to improve symptomatology in glaucomatous patients with ocular surface disease due to prolonged hypotensive eyedrop treatments, with an additional improvement in clinical signs, such as tear osmolarity and corneal staining.

Long-Term Consequences of COVID-19 Lockdown in Neovascular AMD Patients in Spain: Structural and Functional Outcomes after 1 Year of Standard Follow-Up and Treatment.

Consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical care have been extensively analyzed. Specifically, in ophthalmology practice, patients suffering age-related macular degeneration (AMD) represent one of the most affected subgroups. After reporting the acute consequences of treatment suspension in neovascular AMD, we have now evaluated these same 242 patients (270 eyes) to assess if prior functional and anatomical situations can be restored after twelve months of regular follow-up and treatment. We compared data from visits before COVID-19 outbreak and the first visit after lockdown with data obtained in subsequent visits, until one year of follow-up was achieved. For each patient, rate of visual loss per year before COVID-19 pandemic, considered "natural history of treated AMD", was calculated. This rate of visual loss significantly increased during the lockdown period and now, after twelve months of regular follow-up, is still higher than before COVID outbreak (3.1 vs. 1.6 ETDRS letters/year, p < 0.01). Percentage of OCT images showing active disease is now lower than before the lockdown period (51% vs. 65.3%, p = 0.0017). Although anatomic deterioration, regarding signs of active disease, can be apparently fully restored, our results suggest that functional consequences of temporary anti-VEGF treatment suspension are not entirely reversible after 12 months of treatment, as BCVA remains lower and visual loss rate is still higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic.