Vector Analysis of 1-Year Astigmatic Outcomes From a Randomized Fellow Eye Comparison of Photorefractive Keratectomy Using 2 Excimer Laser Platforms.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the astigmatic outcomes of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) with a wavefront-guided (WFG) and a wavefront-optimized (WFO) excimer laser performed on two different platforms. METHODS: Setting: institutional. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, fellow eye comparison clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 142 eyes of 71 patients with myopia of 12 diopters (D) or less and astigmatism of 3D or less were enrolled at the Byers Eye Institute at Stanford between April 2009 and March 2011. INTERVENTION: One eye of each patient underwent WFG-PRK with the VISX CustomVue Star S4 IR (Abbott Medical Optics, Abbott Park, IL) and the contralateral eye underwent WFO-PRK with the Wavelight Allegretto Eye-Q 400-Hz laser platform (Alcon, Inc., Hüenberg, Switzerland). Alpins vector analysis of astigmatism was performed using manifest refraction measured preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively and vertexed to the corneal plane. Eyes were stratified for subgroup analysis based on preoperative manifest astigmatism. RESULTS: WFG-PRK and WFO-PRK were similar regarding surgically induced astigmatism, difference vector, magnitude of error, correction index, flattening index, and index of success. The angle of error was 60% less in the WFG group compared with the WFO group (4.9±1.1° vs. 11.8±2.4°, P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: WFG-PRK with the VISX CustomVue Star S4 IR and WFO-PRK with the Alcon WaveLight Allegretto Eye-Q 400-Hz excimer laser platform produce similar astigmatic results in myopic patients; however, the WFG mode may produce slightly more predictable astigmatic corrections.

Chronic Vascular Arrest as a Predictor of Bevacizumab Treatment Failure in Retinopathy of Prematurity.

PURPOSE: To describe a pattern of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) disease regression and chronic vascular arrest after intravitreal bevacizumab treatment that is not observed after peripheral laser ablation. DESIGN: Single-institution retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive sample of 58 eyes in 30 patients treated for type 1 ROP. METHODS: Initial treatment with either a single intravitreal injection of bevacizumab in off-label use (n = 33 eyes) or peripheral laser ablation (n = 25 eyes) as part of standard clinical care. There was bias in recommending off-label bevacizumab for smaller infants with type 1 ROP. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES: Reactivation or persistence of ROP, as determined by clinical examination, fundus photography, and fluorescein angiography. RESULTS: All eyes treated initially with bevacizumab demonstrated irregular progression of the leading vascular edge in a stereotyped pattern, suggestive of scalloped regression. Recurrence, based on angiographic demonstration of leakage, or chronic vascular arrest, confirmed based on angiographic demonstration of peripheral ischemia, was noted in 30 eyes (91%) in the bevacizumab group, at a median interval of 14.9 weeks after injection (corrected gestational age, 49.3 weeks). Univariate logistic regression indicated that the need for rescue treatment was associated with decreased birth weight (odds ratio [OR], -0.007; P = 0.04) and age of initial treatment (OR, -0.35; P = 0.05), but not gender, race, or gestational age. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that only decreased birth weight (OR, -0.018; P = 0.04) was associated with need for rescue treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Treating ROP with intravitreal bevacizumab results in a characteristic scalloped regression pattern that is highly associated with treatment using biologic anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents. The presence of this pattern in conjunction with chronic vascular arrest and peripheral retinal ischemia persisting beyond standard screening timelines has significant implications for the management of ROP. Fluorescein angiography is important in assessing vascular maturation in these infants.

SMARTPHONE-BASED DILATED FUNDUS PHOTOGRAPHY AND NEAR VISUAL ACUITY TESTING AS INEXPENSIVE SCREENING TOOLS TO DETECT REFERRAL WARRANTED DIABETIC EYE DISEASE.

PURPOSE: To compare clinical assessment of diabetic eye disease by standard dilated examination with data gathered using a smartphone-based store-and-forward teleophthalmology platform. METHODS: 100 eyes of 50 adult patients with diabetes from a health care safety-net ophthalmology clinic. All patients underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examination. Concurrently, a smartphone was used to estimate near visual acuity and capture anterior and dilated posterior segment photographs, which underwent masked, standardized review. Quantitative comparison of clinic and smartphone-based data using descriptive, kappa, Bland-Altman, and receiver operating characteristic analyses was performed. RESULTS: Smartphone visual acuity was successfully measured in all eyes. Anterior and posterior segment photography was of sufficient quality to grade in 96 and 98 eyes, respectively. There was good correlation between clinical Snellen and smartphone visual acuity measurements (rho = 0.91). Smartphone-acquired fundus photographs demonstrated 91% sensitivity and 99% specificity to detect moderate nonproliferative and worse diabetic retinopathy, with good agreement between clinic and photograph grades (kappa = 0.91 ± 0.1, P < 0.001; AUROC = 0.97, 95% confidence interval, 0.93-1). CONCLUSION: The authors report a smartphone-based telemedicine system that demonstrated sensitivity and specificity to detect referral-warranted diabetic eye disease as a proof-of-concept. Additional studies are warranted to evaluate this approach to expanding screening for diabetic retinopathy.

Assessment of HBV preventive services in a medically underserved Asian and Pacific Islander population using provider and patient data.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B (HBV) represents a significant health disparity among medically underserved Asian and Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (API) populations. Studies evaluating adherence to HBV screening and vaccination guidelines in this population are limited. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate HBV screening and vaccination practices using both provider self-report and patient records. DESIGN: Medical records for 20,574 API adults were reviewed retrospectively and primary care providers were surveyed to evaluate rates and adherence to HBV screening and vaccination guidelines. PARTICIPANTS: The study included primary care providers and their adult API patients in the San Francisco safety-net healthcare system. MAIN MEASURES: Patient, practice, and provider factors, as well as HBV screening and vaccination practices, were assessed using provider survey constructs and patient laboratory and clinical data. Generalized linear mixed models and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with recommended HBV screening and vaccination. KEY RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 52 years, and 63.4 % of patients were female. Only 61.5 % underwent HBV testing, and 47.4 % of HBV-susceptible patients were vaccinated. Of 148 (44.8 %) responding providers, most were knowledgeable and had a favorable attitude towards screening, but 43.2 % were unfamiliar with HBV guidelines. HBV screening was positively associated with favorable provider attitude score (OR per unit 1.80, 95 % CI 1.18-2.74) and negatively associated with female patient sex (OR 0.82, 95 % CI 0.73-0.92), a higher number of clinic patients per week (OR per 20 patients 0.46, 95 % CI 0.28-0.76), and provider barrier score (OR per unit 0.45, 95 % CI 0.24-0.87). HBV vaccination was negatively associated with provider barrier score (OR per unit 0.48, 95 % CI 0.25-0.91). CONCLUSIONS: Rates of HBV screening and vaccination of API patients in this safety-net system are suboptimal, and provider factors play a significant role. Efforts to cultivate positive attitudes among providers and expand healthcare system resources to reduce provider barriers to HBV care are warranted.

Vector analysis of 1-year astigmatic outcomes from a prospective, randomized, fellow eye comparison of wavefront-guided and wavefront-optimized LASIK in myopes.

PURPOSE: To compare the astigmatic outcomes of LASIK with a single excimer laser platform using either wavefront-guided (WFG) or wavefront-optimized (WFO) modes. METHODS: Sixty-eight eyes of 34 patients underwent LASIK for myopia with the Wavelight Allegretto Eye-Q 400-Hz laser platform (Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Hüenberg, Switzerland). One eye underwent WFG-LASIK and the contralateral eye underwent WFO-LASIK. Alpins vector analysis of astigmatism was performed using manifest refraction measured preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively and vertexed to the corneal plane. Eyes were stratified for subgroup analysis based on preoperative manifest astigmatism. RESULTS: WFG-LASIK and WFO-LASIK were similar with regard to surgically induced astigmatism, difference vector, magnitude of error, correction index, flattening index, and index of success. The angle of error was 80% less in the WFG group compared to the WFO group (1.92° ± 0.67º vs 9.66° ± 3.7º, P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: WFG-LASIK and WFO-LASIK using the Alcon WaveLight Allegretto Eye-Q 400-Hz excimer laser platform produce similar astigmatic results in myopic patients; however, the WFG mode may produce slightly more predictable astigmatic corrections.

Hepatitis B management in vulnerable populations: gaps in disease monitoring and opportunities for improved care.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B (HBV) is prevalent in certain US populations and regular HBV disease monitoring is critical to reducing associated morbidity and mortality. Adherence to established HBV monitoring guidelines among primary care providers is unknown. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate HBV disease monitoring patterns and factors associated with adherence to HBV management guidelines in the primary care setting. METHODS: Primary providers within the San Francisco safety net healthcare system were surveyed for HBV management practices, knowledge, attitudes, and barriers to HBV care. Medical records from 1,727 HBV-infected patients were also reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of 148 (45 %) responding providers, 79 % reported ALT and 44 % reported HBV viral load testing every 6-12 months. Most providers were knowledgeable about HBV but 43 % were unfamiliar with HBV management guidelines. Patient characteristics included: mean age 51 years, 54 % male and 67 % Asian. Within the past year, 75 % had ALT, 24 % viral load, 21 % HBeAg tested, and 40 % of at-risk patients had abdominal imaging for HCC. Provider familiarity with guidelines (OR 1.02, 95 % CI 1.00-1.03), Asian patient race (OR 4.18, 95 % CI 2.40-7.27), and patient age were associated with recommended HBV monitoring. Provider HBV knowledge and attitudes were positively associated, while provider age and perceived barriers were negatively associated with HCC surveillance. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive HBV disease monitoring including HCC screening with imaging were suboptimal. While familiarity with AASLD guidelines and patient factors were associated with HBV monitoring, only provider and practice factors were associated with HCC surveillance. These findings highlight the importance of targeted provider education to improve HBV care.

Variations in Electronic Health Record-Based Definitions of Diabetic Retinopathy Cohorts: A Literature Review and Quantitative Analysis.

Purpose: Use of the electronic health record (EHR) has motivated the need for data standardization. A gap in knowledge exists regarding variations in existing terminologies for defining diabetic retinopathy (DR) cohorts. This study aimed to review the literature and analyze variations regarding codified definitions of DR. Design: Literature review and quantitative analysis. Subjects: Published manuscripts. Methods: Four graders reviewed PubMed and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed studies. Studies were included if they used codified definitions of DR (e.g., billing codes). Data elements such as author names, publication year, purpose, data set type, and DR definitions were manually extracted. Each study was reviewed by ≥ 2 authors to validate inclusion eligibility. Quantitative analyses of the codified definitions were then performed to characterize the variation between DR cohort definitions. Main Outcome Measures: Number of studies included and numeric counts of billing codes used to define codified cohorts. Results: In total, 43 studies met the inclusion criteria. Half of the included studies used datasets based on structured EHR data (i.e., data registries, institutional EHR review), and half used claims data. All but 1 of the studies used billing codes such as the International Classification of Diseases 9th or 10th edition (ICD-9 or ICD-10), either alone or in addition to another terminology for defining disease. Of the 27 included studies that used ICD-9 and the 20 studies that used ICD-10 codes, the most common codes used pertained to the full spectrum of DR severity. Diabetic retinopathy complications (e.g., vitreous hemorrhage) were also used to define some DR cohorts. Conclusions: Substantial variations exist among codified definitions for DR cohorts within retrospective studies. Variable definitions may limit generalizability and reproducibility of retrospective studies. More work is needed to standardize disease cohorts. Financial Disclosures: Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Prevalence and progression of pigment clumping associated with idiopathic macular telangiectasia type 2.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate pigment clumping in idiopathic macular telangiectasia Type 2 for its incidence, development, and progression during the course of the disease. METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of idiopathic macular telangiectasia Type 2 and >12 months of follow-up were reviewed retrospectively. Measurements of the area of pigment clumping were performed and correlated with visual acuity and findings on spectral domain optical coherence tomography and microperimetry (MP-1). RESULTS: Fifty-three eyes in 27 patients with a mean follow-up of 42.5 ± 14.2 months (range 12-79 months) were included. At study baseline, 16 eyes (30%) had evidence of pigment clumping without associated neovascular changes. During follow-up, 8 of 33 additional study eyes (24%) without previous pigment clumping developed it in Stage 3 (Gass-Blodi classification) disease. Pigment clumping increased in overall area as a function of follow-up time. Pigment clumping was associated with increased intraretinal reflectivity on optical coherence tomography and development of scotomas on microperimetry. CONCLUSION: Pigment clumping commonly develops in Stage 3 idiopathic macular telangiectasia Type 2 disease, enlarges in area continuously over time, and is associated with declining visual function. Longitudinal measurements of the total area of pigment clumping may be helpful in following disease progression and may constitute a useful outcome measure for interventional clinical studies.

PURTSCHER-LIKE RETINOPATHY ASSOCIATED WITH ATYPICAL HEMOLYTIC UREMIC SYNDROME: CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF OUTCOMES.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to report the case of a patient presenting with newly diagnosed atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) and Purtscher-like retinopathy. METHODS: This is an observational case report and review of literature. A 38-year-old woman presented with 3 months of rashes, fevers, arthralgias, and abdominal pain. Initial workup was suggestive of hypereosinophilic syndrome or adult-onset Still's disease. The patient developed acute renal failure and progressively blurry vision bilaterally over the course of 5 days. Funduscopic examination was notable for numerous Purtscher flecken and cotton-wool spots, with rare intraretinal hemorrhages at the posterior pole. The constellation of renal failure, hemolytic anemia, and thrombocytopenia prompted a workup for thrombotic microangiopathy that was remarkable for a mutation in the gene coding for complement protein C9. RESULTS: The patient was diagnosed with aHUS and treated with intravenous pulse dose steroids for 3 days and an extended course of eculizumab. The patient's renal failure resolved, and her visual acuity improved, although she had residual visual field constriction and developed bilateral optic atrophy. Outcomes of other cases of Purtscher-like retinopathy related to aHUS are reviewed. CONCLUSION: Purtscher-like retinopathy is a rare but severe ophthalmic complication of aHUS. Eculizumab is an effective treatment for the systemic illness caused by aHUS, and anatomical resolution of Purtscher-like retinopathy may follow, although visual prognosis remains guarded. Recovery of visual acuity may lag behind resolution of macular edema in these patients.

A case of herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus retinitis coinfection.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of a 64-year-old male presenting with cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) retinitis coinfection in the setting of Burkitt's lymphoma. METHODS: Case report including multimodal imaging and anterior chamber polymerase chain reaction results. RESULTS: This case highlights the importance of the clinical exam and maintaining high diagnostic suspicion for viral retinitis in immunocompromised patients. CONCLUSIONS: Aqueous fluid PCR can be a useful adjunctive test to distinguish and confirm a diagnosis of viral retinitis. Given the limited sample volume of aqueous biopsy, it is important to prioritize the order of PCR testing based on clinical suspicion of the causative agent.

Implementation of a pilot teleretinal screening protocol for hydroxychloroquine retinopathy in a Los Angeles County safety net clinic.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to determine whether teleretinal screening for hydroxychloroquine retinopathy (HCQR) improves clinical efficiency and adherence to recommended screening guidelines compared to face-to-face screening among patients in a large safety net medical system. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study of a consecutive sample of 590 adult patients with active HCQ prescriptions seen in the outpatient ophthalmology clinic at Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Medical Center from 1 September 2018 to 25 November 2019, 203 patients underwent technician-only tele-HCQR screening (THRS), and 387 patients underwent screening with traditional face-to-face visits (F2FV) with an eye-care provider. Data on clinic efficiency measures (appointment wait time and encounter duration) and adherence to recommended screening guidelines were collected and compared between the two cohorts. RESULTS: Compared to F2FV, the THRS cohort experienced significantly shorter median (interquartile range) time to appointment (2.5 (1.5-4.6) vs. 5.1 (2.9-8.4) months; p < 0.0001), shorter median encounter duration (1 (0.8-1.4) vs. 3.7 (2.5-5.2) hours; p < 0.0001) and higher proportion of complete baseline screening (102/104 (98.1%) vs. 68/141 (48.2%); p < 0.001) and complete chronic screening (98/99 (99%) vs. 144/246 (58.5%); p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: A pilot THRS protocol was successfully implemented at a major safety net eye clinic in Los Angeles County, resulting in a 50.9% reduction in wait times for screening, 72.9% reduction in encounter duration and 49.9% and 40.5% increases in proportions of complete baseline and chronic screening, respectively. Tele-HCQ retinal screening protocols may improve timeliness to care and screening adherence for HCQR in the safety net setting.

Longitudinal analysis of retinal hemangioblastomatosis and visual function in ocular von Hippel-Lindau disease.

OBJECTIVE: Characterization of the structural and functional progression of ocular von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease and analysis of patient factors influencing disease progression. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a case series from a longitudinal, observational study. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred forty-nine participants with clinically defined systemic VHL disease and more than 2 years of ophthalmic follow-up. METHODS: Standardized scoring of ocular phenotype and systemic characteristics was performed at each study visit and was analyzed longitudinally to determine progression of ocular VHL disease. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measures evaluated include: visual acuity, features of ocular VHL disease (presence, location, number, and extent of retinal capillary hemangioblastomas [RCHs]), germline mutation in the VHL gene, demographics (age, gender, age at onset of ocular disease), and patient characteristics (smoking status, body mass index). RESULTS: Most participants demonstrated relative anatomic and functional stability in ocular VHL disease status over a mean follow-up of 8.2 ± 4.0 years. Approximately three quarters (73%) of participants without ocular VHL disease at baseline remained disease free at the end of follow-up. Among eyes with ocular VHL disease at baseline, 88% did not demonstrate RCHs in a new retinal location, 70% remained stable in RCH number, and 79% remained stable in the extent of RCH involvement. Mean visual acuity for all study eyes (n = 498) decreased by 5.1 ± 0.6 letters across follow-up, with 16.1% of study eyes decreasing by more than 10 letters in visual acuity. Among eyes affected at baseline, greater vision loss was associated with the presence of juxtapapillary RCHs, development of RCH in a new location, and increase in peripheral RCH number and extent. Younger baseline age, younger age at onset of ocular VHL disease, involvement of the fellow eye with ocular VHL disease, and missense or protein-truncating germline mutations were associated significantly with increased anatomic involvement and functional deterioration. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ocular VHL disease maintain relative anatomic and functional stability, with only a minority demonstrating marked anatomic progression and vision loss. Systemic and ocular risk factors for anatomic progression and vision loss can help practitioners identify patients with a higher risk profile for counseling, closer follow-up, and proactive treatment. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Treatment of nonneovascular idiopathic macular telangiectasia type 2 with intravitreal ranibizumab: results of a phase II clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab for nonneovascular idiopathic macular telangiectasia Type 2. METHODS: Single-center, open-label Phase II clinical trial enrolling five participants with bilateral nonneovascular idiopathic macular telangiectasia Type 2. Intravitreal ranibizumab (0.5 mg) was administered every 4 weeks in the study eye for 12 months with the contralateral eye observed. Outcome measures included changes in best-corrected visual acuity, area of late-phase leakage on fluorescein angiography, and retinal thickness on optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: The study treatment was well tolerated and associated with few adverse events. Change in best-corrected visual acuity at 12 months was not significantly different between treated study eyes (0.0 ± 7.5 letters) and control fellow eyes (+2.2 ± 1.9 letters). However, decreases in the area of late-phase fluorescein angiography leakage (-33 ± 20% for study eyes, +1 ± 8% for fellow eyes) and in optical coherence tomography central subfield retinal thickness (-11.7 ± 7.0% for study eyes and -2.9 ± 3.5% for fellow eyes) were greater in study eyes compared with fellow eyes. CONCLUSION: Despite significant anatomical responses to treatment, functional improvement in visual acuity was not detected. Intravitreal ranibizumab administered monthly over a time course of 12 months is unlikely to provide a general and significant benefit to patients with nonneovascular idiopathic macular telangiectasia Type 2.

Factors Affecting Ophthalmology Trainees to Pursue Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship.

Objective The aim of this study was to understand the factors that ophthalmology trainees consider in pursuing vitreoretinal surgery (VRS) fellowship training. Methods This is a prospective observational survey study. Survey invitations were disseminated to postgraduate year 4 (PGY)-4 ophthalmology residents at Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited residency programs and surgical retina fellows at Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology Fellowship Compliance Committee-compliant fellowship programs in the United States. Survey questions on factors related to VRS were administered employing a 5-point Likert scale. Responses from ophthalmology residents pursuing surgical retina were combined with surgical retina fellows' responses and compared with responses from PGY-4 residents not pursuing vitreoretinal surgery. Results Eighty-one resident surveys were completed. Forty-three fellow surveys were completed. Fifty-seven out of eighty-one (70.4%) residents were not pursuing surgical retina, and a total of 67 trainees (24 residents, 43 fellows) were pursuing surgical retina. The following factors were associated with pursuing VRS training: male gender ( p = 0.031); having performed retina research during residency ( p ≤ 0.001); enjoying surgical retina procedures ( p ≤ 0.001), enjoying surgical retina patient outcomes ( p ≤ 0.001), and working with vitreoretinal surgeons ( p ≤ 0.001); finding surgical retina prestigious ( p ≤ 0.001); perceiving their residency having a strong record of matching surgical retina ( p = 0.039); liking the potential financial income from surgical retina ( p ≤ 0.001); and having vitreoretinal mentors during residency ( p = 0.014). A majority of trainees (31/57, 54.4%) not pursuing surgical retina disagreed or strongly disagreed with enjoying the patient outcomes in surgical retina. A third of female residents not pursuing surgical retina felt having a female surgical retina mentor would have made them more likely to pursue the field. Conclusion Longer retina rotations, encouraging resident participation in retina research, and increasing mentorship opportunities of female trainees from female retina specialists may increase resident interest in pursuing surgical retina fellowship.

Rates of Eye Care and Diabetic Eye Disease among Insured Patients with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes.

PURPOSE: To determine rates of eye examinations and diabetic eye disease in the first 5 years after diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (DM2) among continuously insured adults. DESIGN: Retrospective, longitudinal cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Insured patients aged 40 years or older with newly diagnosed DM2 (n = 42 684), and control patients without diabetes matched on age, sex, and race were identified from a nationwide commercial claims database containing data from 2007 to 2015. METHODS: All patients were tracked for 6 years: 1 year before and 5 years after the index diabetes diagnosis. Receipt of eye care for individual patients was identified using International Classification of Diseases 9th edition (ICD-9) procedure codes or Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes indicating an eye examination, as well as encounters indicating the patient was seen by an ophthalmologist. A diagnosis of diabetic eye disease was determined by using ICD-9 codes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome measures included annual receipt of eye care and development of diabetic eye disease, namely, diabetic retinopathy (DR). Associations between these outcomes and demographic factors were tested with multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Diabetic patients received more eye examinations than controls in each year, but no more than 40.4% of diabetic patients received an examination in any given year. Patients with Medicare Advantage received fewer eye examinations at 5 years (odds ratio [OR], 0.79; P < 0.01) than those with private insurance but were less likely to develop DR (OR, 0.71; P < 0.01). Hispanic patients had higher rates of DR (OR, 1.60; P < 0.01) and received fewer eye examinations (OR, 0.75; P < 0.01) at 5 years compared with White patients. Men received fewer eye examinations (OR, 0.84; P < 0.01) and were more likely to develop DR at 5 years (OR, 1.17; P < 0.01) than women. Patients with higher education were more likely to receive an eye examination and less likely to develop DR. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of diabetic patients do not receive adequate eye care within the 5 years after initial diabetes diagnosis despite having insurance. Efforts should be made to improve adherence to screening guidelines, especially for vulnerable populations.

Incidence of Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy and Other Neovascular Sequelae at 5 Years Following Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and risk factors for developing proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), tractional retinal detachment (TRD), and neovascular glaucoma (NVG) at 5 years after the initial diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Insured patients aged ≥18 years with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and 5 years of continuous enrollment were identified from a nationwide commercial claims database containing data from 2007 to 2015. The incidences of PDR, TRD, and NVG were computed at 5 years following the index diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Associations between these outcomes and demographic, socioeconomic, and medical factors were tested with multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: At 5 years following the initial diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, 1.74% (1,249 of 71,817) of patients had developed PDR, 0.25% of patients had developed TRD, and 0.14% of patients had developed NVG. Insulin use (odds ratio [OR] 3.59, 95% CI 3.16-4.08), maximum HbA1c >9% or >75 mmol/mol (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.54-2.69), renal disease (OR 2.68, 95% CI 2.09-3.42), peripheral circulatory disorders (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.25-2.83), neurological disease (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.24-2.11), and older age (age 65-74 years) at diagnosis (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.28-2.03) were identified as risk factors for development of PDR at 5 years. Young age (age 18-23 years) at diagnosis (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.29-0.74), Medicare insurance (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.70-0.76), morbid obesity (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.59-0.87), and smoking (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.70-1.00) were identified as protective factors. CONCLUSIONS: A subset of patients with type 2 diabetes develop PDR and other neovascular sequelae within the first 5 years following the diagnosis with type 2 diabetes. These patients may benefit from increased efforts for screening and early intervention.

A model for interprofessional health disparities education: student-led curriculum on chronic hepatitis B infection.

BACKGROUND: Although health disparities are commonly addressed in preclinical didactic curricula, direct patient care activities with affected communities are more limited. PURPOSE: To address this problem, health professional students designed a preclinical service-learning curriculum on hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection, a major health disparity affecting the Asian/Pacific Islander (API) population, integrating lectures, skills training, and direct patient care at student-run clinics. SETTING: An urban health professions campus. METHODS: Medical and other health professional students at University of California, San Francisco, organized a preclinical didactic and experiential elective, and established two monthly clinics offering HBV screening, vaccination, and education to the community. RESULTS: Between 2004 and 2009, 477 students enrolled in the student-led HBV curriculum. Since the clinics' inception in 2007, 804 patients have been screened for chronic HBV; 87% were API immigrants, 63% had limited English proficiency, and 46% were uninsured. Serologically, 10% were found to be chronic HBV carriers, 44% were susceptible to HBV, and 46% were immune. DISCUSSION: Our student-led didactic and experiential elective can serve as an interprofessional curricular model for learning about specific health disparities while providing important services to the local community.

Multimodal imaging reveals pathological edges of disease activity in tuberculosis-associated multifocal serpiginoid chorioiditis.

Tuberculosis associated serpiginous-like choroidopathy can lead to significant vision loss. The anatomical cause for this visual decline can be elucidated using multimodal retinal imaging. Imaging modalities used in this case, most notably, optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), demonstrated specific atrophy of the choriocapillaris.