Intraocular Pressure Spike Following Stand-Alone Phacoemulsification in the IRIS® Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight).

PURPOSE: To evaluate risk factors for intraocular pressure (IOP) spike after cataract surgery using the IRIS® Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight). DESIGN: Retrospective clinical cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with IRIS Registry data who underwent stand-alone phacoemulsification from January 1, 2013, through September 30, 2019. METHODS: Intraocular pressure spike was defined as postoperative IOP of > 30 mmHg and > 10 mmHg from the baseline within the first postoperative week. Odds ratios (ORs) for demographic and clinical characteristics were calculated with univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence and OR of IOP spike. RESULTS: We analyzed data from 1 191 034 eyes (patient mean age, 71.3 years; 61.2% female sex; and 24.8% with glaucoma). An IOP spike occurred in 3.7% of all eyes, 5.2% of eyes with glaucoma, and 3.2% of eyes without glaucoma (P < 0.0001). Multivariable analyses of all eyes indicated a greater risk of IOP spike with higher baseline IOP (OR, 1.57 per 3 mmHg), male sex (OR, 1.79), glaucoma (OR, 1.20), Black race (OR, 1.39 vs. Asian and 1.21 vs. Hispanic), older age (OR, 1.07 per 10 years), and complex surgery coding (OR, 1.22; all P < 0.0001). Diabetes (OR, 0.90) and aphakia after surgery (OR, 0.60) seemed to be protective against IOP spike (both P < 0.0001). Compared with glaucoma suspects, ocular hypertension (OR, 1.55), pigmentary glaucoma (OR, 1.56), and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (OR, 1.52) showed a greater risk of IOP spike and normal-tension glaucoma (OR, 0.55), suspected primary angle closure (PAC; OR, 0.67), and PAC glaucoma (OR, 0.81) showed less risk (all P < 0.0001). Using more baseline glaucoma medications was associated with IOP spike (OR, 1.18 per medication), whereas topical ß-blocker use (OR, 0.68) was protective (both P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Higher baseline IOP, male sex, glaucoma, Black race, older age, and complex cataract coding were associated with early postoperative IOP spike, whereas diabetes and postoperative aphakia were protective against a spike after stand-alone phacoemulsification. Glaucomatous eyes demonstrated different risk profiles dependent on glaucoma subtype. The findings may help surgeons to stratify and mitigate the risk of IOP spike after cataract surgery. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION IN YOUNG INDIVIDUALS: A Comparison of Risk Factors and Clinical Outcomes.

PURPOSE: To compare the presentation and outcomes of patients younger than 50 years versus patients aged 50 years and older with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included patients with CRVO presenting between January 2009 and July 2016. Charts were reviewed and data were abstracted. Presenting and final clinical parameters, treatment burden, and predisposing factors for CRVO were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients younger than 50 years and 233 patients aged 50 years and older at the time of CRVO onset were included. At presentation, younger patients had better visual acuity than older patients (20/80 vs. 20/224, P = 0.001) and a lower incidence of cystoid macular edema (54 vs. 79%, P = 0.001). Twenty-one of 36 (58%) younger patients had at least one identifiable nontraditional risk factor for CRVO. At final follow-up, younger patients received fewer total intravitreal injections (3.8 ± 5.8 at 34.2 months) compared with older patients (6.5 ± 8.8, at 37.6 months, P = 0.03) and had better final acuity (20/85 vs. 20/289, P = 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSION: Younger patients had better baseline and final acuities, a lower incidence of cystoid macular edema at presentation, and received fewer intravitreal injections than older patients. Workup for etiology of CRVO in younger patients may reveal nontraditional risk factors for CRVO.

Poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes associated with cystoid macular edema identified in preterm infants in the intensive care nursery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the association between cystoid macular edema (CME) observed in very preterm infants and developmental outcomes at 18 to 24 months corrected age. DESIGN: Cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Infants born at or less than 1500 g or at or less than 30 weeks postmenstrual age who underwent screening for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in an intensive care nursery. METHODS: Bedside handheld spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT; Envisu, Bioptigen, Inc, Research Triangle Park, NC) imaging was obtained from preterm infants who were being screened for ROP and graded for presence of CME, central foveal thickness (CFT), inner nuclear layer thickness, and foveal-to-parafoveal thickness ratio. At 18 to 24 months corrected age, the children were assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Scores on the Bayley cognitive, language, and motor subscales. RESULTS: Among 77 children with SD OCT imaging, 53 were evaluated with the Bayley Scales. Compared with children who did not have CME as infants (n=22), the mean score for children who had CME (n=31) was 7.3 points (95% confidence interval [CI], -15.5 to 0.9; P=0.08) lower on the cognitive subscale, 14.1 points (95% CI, -22.7 to -5.5; P=0.002) lower for the language subscale, and 11.5 points (95% CI, -21.6 to -1.3; P=0.03) lower for the motor subscale. Differences were maintained after adjusting for gestational age and birth weight. Severity of CME, as assessed by foveal-to-parafoveal thickness ratio, within the CME group correlated with poorer cognitive (R2=0.16, P=0.03) and motor (R2=0.15, P=0.03) development. CONCLUSIONS: Cystoid macular edema observed on SD OCT in very preterm infants screened for ROP is associated with poorer language and motor skills at 18 to 24 months corrected age. Evaluation of the retina with SD-OCT may serve as an indicator of neurodevelopmental health for very preterm infants in the intensive care nursery.

FUNCTIONAL OUTCOMES OF YOUNG INFANTS WITH AND WITHOUT MACULAR EDEMA.

PURPOSE: The authors relate posterior segment microanatomy from perinatal spectral domain optical coherence tomography to visual acuity, brain abnormalities, and neurodevelopment. METHODS: Thirteen infants (11 preterm and 2 term birth), imaged in the nursery with portable spectral domain optical coherence tomography, had visual acuity and sensorimotor testing at age 9 months to 15 months (grating acuity) or 4 years to 5 years (optotype), and medical records reviewed for brain magnetic resonance imaging reports and Bayley scales testing at age 18 months to 24 months. RESULTS: Eight children with age-appropriate macular microanatomy without edema on perinatal spectral domain optical coherence tomography had optimal (≥ 20/40) or within normal limits (grating acuity) visual acuity. Five children with perinatal macular edema had suboptimal visual acuity (in 9/10 eyes) and sensorimotor deficits, magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities, or poor neurodevelopment. Macular edema persisted in 1 infant through 9-month corrected age. CONCLUSION: Maturation of the visual system and evolution of retinal anomalies can be monitored with posterior segment spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Retinal microanatomy observed in infancy might relate to subsequent vision and other central nervous system events, but additional studies are needed to determine the range of normal microanatomy in infants and how this relates to vision and neurodevelopment.

Three-dimensional assessment of vascular and perivascular characteristics in subjects with retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE: To study vascular features detected with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in subjects undergoing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS AND CONTROLS: Fifty-seven premature neonates, 10 with plus disease in at least 1 eye and 47 without plus disease. METHODS: Bedside noncontact SD-OCT imaging was performed after obtaining parental consent on 97 consecutive infants between January 2009 and September 2012. Fifty-seven subjects (31-49 weeks' post-menstrual age) who had an SD-OCT scan in at least 1 eye showing the edge of the optic nerve and at least 1 major retinal vascular arcade were included. One eye per subject was randomly selected for analysis. Two masked graders evaluated scans for (1) retinal vessel elevation, (2) scalloped retinal layers, (3) hyporeflective vessels, and (4) retinal spaces. To coalesce the weight of these features, a Vascular Abnormality Score by OCT (VASO) was created. For quantitative assessment of vessel elevation, retinal surface maps were created. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of SD-OCT vascular abnormalities, the VASO, intergrader agreement, and presence of elevation on surface maps. RESULTS: From among 67 SD-OCT characteristics that were recorded, the most common characteristics found were vessel elevation (44%), hyporeflective vessels (40%), scalloped layers (22%), and retinal spaces (11%). Features significantly associated with plus disease were vessel elevation (P = 0.01), hyporeflective vessels (P = 0.04), and scalloped retinal layers (P = 0.006). Intragrader agreement was between 74% and 90% for all features. The VASO was significantly higher in subjects with plus disease (P = 0.0013). On 3-dimensional SD-OCT volumes, eyes with plus disease had greater retinal surface elevation that more often matched en face retinal vascular patterns. CONCLUSIONS: We present a novel 3-dimensional analysis of vascular and perivascular abnormalities identified in SD-OCT images of eyes with ROP. The SD-OCT characteristics that are more common in eyes with plus disease provide the first in vivo demonstration of the effects of vascular dilation and tortuosity on perivascular tissue. The VASO and surface maps also delineate the severity of vascular pathology in plus disease. Further studies evaluating these findings in eyes with pre-plus versus normal posterior pole vessels may determine the usefulness of SD-OCT in the early detection of vascular abnormalities in ROP.

Evaluation of optic nerve development in preterm and term infants using handheld spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate effects of prematurity on early optic nerve (ON) development and the usefulness of ON parameters as indicators of central nervous system (CNS) development and pathology. DESIGN: Prospective, cross-sectional, longitudinal study. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-four preterm infants undergoing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening and 52 term infants. METHODS: We analyzed ON from portable handheld spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) images (Bioptigen, Inc, Research Triangle Park, NC) of 44 preterm and 52 term infants. The highest-quality ON scan from either eye was selected for quantitative analysis. Longitudinal analysis was performed at 31-36 weeks and 37-42 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Preterm ON parameters also were assessed for correlation with indicators of cognitive, language, and motor development and CNS pathology. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Vertical cup diameter (vCD), vertical disc diameter (vDD), vertical cup-to-disc ratio (vCDR), cup depth, and indicators of neurocognitive development and CNS pathology. RESULTS: At 37-42 weeks PMA, preterm infants had larger vCD and vCDR than term infants (908 vs. 700 µm [P<0.001] and 0.68 vs. 0.53 µm [P<0.001], respectively), whereas cup depth and vDD were not significantly different. Longitudinal changes (n = 26 preterm eyes; mean interval, 4.7 weeks) in vDD and in vCDR were an increase of 74 µm (P = 0.008) and decrease of 0.05 (P = 0.015), respectively. In preterm infants (n = 44), periventricular leukomalacia was associated with larger vCD (1084 vs. 828 µm; P = 0.005) and vCDR (0.85 vs. 0.63; P<0.001), posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus was associated with shallower cup (331 vs. 456 µm; P = 0.030), and clinical magnetic resonance imaging was associated with larger vCDR (0.73 vs. 0.64; P = 0.023). In 23 preterm infants with Bayley Scales of Infant Development scores, larger vCDR was associated with lower cognitive scores (P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first analysis of ON parameters in premature infants using SD-OCT. It demonstrated that by age of term birth, vCD and vCDR are larger in preterm infants who were screened for ROP than in term infants. In this prospective pilot study, ON parameters in these preterm infants associate weakly with CNS pathology and future cognitive development. Future prospective studies with larger numbers are necessary before further conclusions can be made.

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography characterization of pediatric epiretinal membranes.

PURPOSE: To compare the macular morphology of pediatric versus adult eyes with epiretinal membrane (ERM) using spectral domain optical coherence tomography and identify characteristics associated with postoperative visual acuity. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed spectral domain optical coherence tomography from pediatric subjects and a randomly selected cohort of adult subjects with ERM. Morphologic retinal and ERM features were graded by two masked spectral domain optical coherence tomography readers and compared with a postoperative change in visual acuity. RESULTS: Pediatric ERMs (age, 0.3-16.5 years) were more confluently attached to the retina than adult ERMs (age, 40-88 years; P = 0.009) and had less fibrillary appearance of the inner retina when separation was present (P = 0.044). Pediatric ERMs were associated with more vessel dragging (P = 0.019) and less external limiting membrane (P = 0.001) and inner segment band visibility (P = 0.010), with a trend toward foveal sparing by ERM (P = 0.051) and "taco" retinal folds (P = 0.052) compared with adult eyes. Visual acuity improvement was associated with intact (P = 0.048) and smooth (P = 0.055, trend) inner segment band in children and with smooth inner segment band (P = 0.083, trend) and visible external limiting membrane (P = 0.098, trend) in adults. CONCLUSION: We identified morphologic differences between pediatric and adult ERM on spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Similar to adults, photoreceptor integrity with pediatric ERM seems to predict better visual acuity changes after surgical ERM removal.

Cost-Utility Analysis of Prophylactic Laser Peripheral Iridotomy for Primary Angle Closure Suspects.

PURPOSE: To assess the cost-utility of prophylactic laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) for primary angle closure (PAC) suspects (PACS). DESIGN: Economic evaluation. METHODS: Our Markov model randomized PACS eyes to LPI or observation for 40 one-year cycles (100,000 iterations per strategy). Each cycle, an eye remained in its current health state, advanced linearly through PAC, mild, moderate, severe, and end-stage PAC glaucoma (PACG), or died. Transition rates were derived from the literature including the Zhongshan Angle Closure Prevention (ZAP) trial and the Singapore Asymptomatic Narrow Angles Laser Iridotomy Study (ANA-LIS). Eyes with acute-angle closure advanced to either PAC or directly to various PACG severities. A tracker monitored accumulated perimetric decibel reduction to progress PACG through increasing severities, with an annual probability of either stable or severity-dependent perimetry loss. We set a willingness to pay of an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) <$50,000/quality-adjusted life-years. RESULTS: At age 50 years, LPI was cost-saving using ZAP data and cost-effective using ANA-LIS data. The ZAP iterations became cost-effective from the societal perspective when the model started at age 55 years and third-party perspective at age 70 years. LPI was no longer cost-effective from the societal perspective using ANA-LIS data at age 80 years or from the societal perspective using ZAP data or third-party perspective with ANA-LIS data at age 85. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses favored LPI until starting age 85. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic LPI for PACS is cost-effective across a spectrum of ages and should be considered from a public health perspective.

Predictors of intraocular pressure response and survival after phacoemulsification for glaucomatous eyes in the IRIS registry (Intelligent Research in Sight).

This retrospective cohort study describes the real-world incidence and maintenance of clinically meaningful intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction ("response") following stand-alone phacoemulsification for 667,987 eyes with suspected or confirmed glaucoma in the IRIS Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight) from 1/1/2013-9/30/2019. Intraocular pressure responders had ≥ 20% IOP reduction in daily mean IOP from baseline on two consecutive postoperative visits. We declared failure if a responder no longer maintained ≥ 20% IOP reduction. The estimated IOP responder rate was 41.3% by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Multivariate analysis demonstrated relationships between IOP response and baseline IOP (hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval)) 1.48 (1.48-1.49), per 3 mmHg, P < 0.0001), age (HR 1.14 (1.13-1.14), per 10 years, P < 0.0001), male sex (HR 1.13 (1.12-1.15), P < 0.0001), prostaglandin analogue (HR 0.88 (0.87-0.90), P < 0.0001), and Rho-kinase inhibitor use (HR 1.50 (1.32-1.70), P = 0.01). Fifty percent of IOP responders failed at a median time of 14.3 months. Multivariate analysis demonstrated relationships between failure and baseline IOP (HR 0.75 (0.75-0.76), per 3 mmHg, P < 0.0001), nitric oxide donating prostaglandin (HR 1.78 (1.46-2.18), P < 0.0001) and Rho-kinase inhibitor use (HR 1.73 (1.43-2.09), P < 0.0001). Clinicians may counsel glaucoma patients with risk factors on whether to anticipate an IOP response and its expected duration after stand-alone phacoemulsification.

Primary Practice Patterns for the Initial Management of Open Angle Glaucoma.

PRCIS: About one-fourth of survey respondents from an ASCRS database initiate treatment for primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) with laser trabeculoplasty. Factors impacting physicians' choice of laser versus topical treatment for POAG were explored. PURPOSE: To characterize primary treatment preferences (topical medication versus laser trabeculoplasty or intracameral sustained release implants) in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients and determine factors related to primary intervention selection. METHODS: A 33-question survey was distributed to an American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery database on treatment choices made by ophthalmologists for POAG. Data collected included country of practice, years of practice, completion of glaucoma fellowship training, type of practice, and preference for the first line of treatment for POAG. Multiple logit regression was used to compare the effect of covariates on physicians' choice of either topical medication or laser trabeculoplasty for POAG. RESULTS: A total of 252 of 19,246 (1.3%) surveys were returned. Almost three-quarters of respondents used topical medication as the first line of treatment for POAG (73.6%), whereas 26.4% preferred to start with laser treatment. Significant variables associated with the selection of laser (vs. drops) are practicing in the United States (odds ratio [OR] 2.85; 95% CI, 1.33-6.10), the more recent completion of ophthalmology residency (OR 1.95; 95% CI, 1.00-3.77), the greater volume of minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS) (OR 1.68; 95% CI, 1.18-2.40), and a glaucoma patient base greater than 25% (OR 2.21; 95% CI, 1.09-4.48). CONCLUSIONS: For the first-line treatment of POAG, laser trabeculoplasty is more likely to be preferred, over topical drops, by U.S. physicians who are relatively new in practice, who have a larger glaucoma patient base, and who perform more MIGS.

Glaucoma Tube Outcomes with and without Anti-VEGF in Patients with Age-related Macular Degeneration.

PURPOSE: To compare glaucoma tube outcomes of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) eyes receiving anti-VEGF injections versus dry AMD eyes and no anti-VEGF. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with wet AMD and a history of anti-VEGF within a year prior or after stand-alone glaucoma tube surgery and eyes with dry AMD and no history of anti-VEGF with at least 6 months of follow-up. Eyes with neovascular glaucoma or anti-VEGF for reason other than wet AMD were excluded. METHODS: A Kaplan-Meier analysis compared survival for wet versus dry AMD eyes. Failure was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) > 21 mmHg or < 20% IOP reduction from baseline or IOP ≤ 5 mmHg for 2 consecutive postoperative visits starting at month 3, additional glaucoma surgery, or no light perception. Complete success was defined as no failure or medications at final follow-up. Hypertensive phase was defined for valved tubes as IOP > 21 mmHg within 3 months of surgery after a reduction to < 22 mmHg during the first postoperative week. Intraocular pressure, percent reduction in IOP, number of glaucoma medications, and early (< 1 year) and late (> 1 year) complications were compared through 5 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival analysis, IOP, number of medications. RESULTS: Baseline IOP, number of medications, or tube type were not significantly different between wet (n = 24) and dry AMD eyes (n = 54). No wet AMD eyes failed versus 10 (18%) dry AMD eyes (P = 0.03). Five-year survival was estimated as 100% for wet AMD and 72% for dry AMD (P = 0.04). Wet AMD eyes had lower IOP (10.6 vs. 12.7 mmHg, P = 0.05), greater IOP reduction (60% vs. 49%, P = 0.04), fewer medications (1.2 vs. 2.1, P = 0.02), and more complete success (50% vs. 15%, P = 0.001) at final follow-up (32 vs. 36 months, P = 0.42). Fewer wet than dry AMD eyes experienced hypertensive phase (0/10 [0%] vs. 4/10 [40%], P = 0.04). There were no significant differences in early or late complications. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to anti-VEGF may influence postoperative wound healing and capsule formation which may improve glaucoma tube surgical outcomes. Prospective data is needed to consider perioperative administration of anti-VEGF for glaucoma tube surgery. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Intraocular Pressure Changes Following Stand-Alone Phacoemulsification: An IRISɌ Registry Analysis.

PURPOSE: To describe real-world intraocular pressure (IOP) changes following stand-alone cataract surgery by comparing postoperative IOP to phakic fellow eyes. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical cohort study. METHODS: A total of 1,334,868 patients (336,060 with glaucoma and 998,808 without glaucoma) in the IRIS® Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight) underwent stand-alone phacoemulsification from 1 January 2013 to 30 September 2019 with a fellow eye that had subsequent cataract surgery. Postoperative daily mean IOP was compared between surgical and control eyes from postoperative day 1 to 90. A generalized linear model determined when the postoperative daily mean IOP stabilized to calculate a final mean IOP, which was then compared to baseline IOP. RESULTS: Postoperative daily mean IOP was initially greater for surgical than for control eyes because of an early postoperative IOP spike. By postoperative day 13, postoperative daily mean IOP was significantly lower for surgical than for control eyes every day through postoperative day 90 (P < .001). There was a mean (SD) decrease from baseline to final mean IOP of 1.55 (3.52) mm Hg or 7.79% for all surgical eyes, 1.91 (3.93) mm Hg or 8.89% for surgical eyes with glaucoma, and 1.37 (3.28) mm Hg or 7.24% for surgical eyes without glaucoma, respectively. There was a statistically significant decrease from baseline to the final mean IOP for all surgical eyes, surgical eyes without glaucoma, and all categories of pre-glaucoma and glaucoma (P < .0001 for all, excluding uveitic glaucoma [P = .0016]). CONCLUSIONS: Eyes both with and without glaucoma that underwent stand-alone phacoemulsification had a significant decrease in IOP through the 90-day postoperative period compared to baseline and phakic fellow eyes.

The Effect of Changing Fellowship Interview Format on Candidate Ranking Variabilities: The COVID-19 Experience.

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of interview format changes (in-person to virtual, one-to-one to multiple-to-one) necessitated by the COVID-19 travel restrictions on preliminary fellowship candidate ranking variabilities. Design: Cross-sectional observational study. Method: In 2018 and 2019, the glaucoma fellowship interviews were conducted in-person in a one-to-one format, whereas in 2020, interviews were virtual and in a multiple (interviewers)-to-one (candidate) format. We compared ranking ranges of interviewers within the same virtual room (WSR) and not within the same virtual room (NWSR) to assess the effect of WSR versus NWSR on ranking variabilities. We also compared ranking categories ("accept," "alternate," and "pass") agreements between 2018, 2019, and 2020 to assess the effect of virtual versus in-person interviews on ranking variabilities. Results: NWSR and WSR mean rankings differed by 1.33 (95% confidence interval difference 0.61 to 2.04, p = 0.0003), with WSR interviewers having less variability than NWSR pairs. The variability between 2018/2019 (in-person interviews) and 2020 (virtual interviews) showed no differences between in-person and virtual interviews (weighted Kappa statistic 0.086 for 2018, 0.158 for 2019, and 0.101 for 2020; p < 0.05 for all years). The overall least attractive candidate has the lowest variability; the most attractive candidate has the second lowest variability. Conclusion: Grouping interviewers WSR during the interview decreased ranking variabilities compared to NWSR, while a change from in-person to virtual interview format did not increase the ranking variabilities. This suggests that the decreased nonverbal interactions in virtual interviews do not decrease interviewers' perceptions as applied to preliminary rankings.

Glaucoma Cascade Screening in a High Risk Afro-Caribbean Haitian Population: A Pilot Study.

PRCIS: Glaucoma cascade screening in first-degree relatives (FDRs) of young Haitian glaucoma patients had high yield for diagnosing manifest and suspected glaucoma in 30.8% of those screened despite modest participation. PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of glaucoma cascade screening in FDRs (parents, siblings, and offspring) of Haitian juvenile open-angle glaucoma (JOAG) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive index patients (Haitians with JOAG) were identified, and the number/type of FDRs residing in South Florida were recorded. These FDRs were invited for free glaucoma screening, which included a comprehensive ophthalmic exam, gonioscopy, automated visual field testing and optical coherence tomographic analysis of the retinal nerve fiber layers. FDR characteristics and clinical findings from screening are reported. RESULTS: A total of 77 FDRs were invited, 26 (33.8%) agreed to undergo screening (18 females, 9 males), which revealed 2 (7.7%) with manifest glaucoma (mean age 77.5 y; one of whom was previously unaware of his glaucoma diagnosis), 6 (23.1%) with suspected glaucoma (mean age 29.8±18.3 y), and 18 (69.2%) without manifest or suspected glaucoma (mean age 37.2±21.8 y). Siblings of index patients were least likely to participate in cascade glaucoma screening when compared with index patients' parents or offspring. FDR eyes with manifest glaucoma had significantly worse best-corrected visual acuities, higher intraocular pressures, thinner central corneal thicknesses, and thinner circumferential papillary retinal nerve fiber layer thicknesses than those without glaucoma. CONCLUSION: Glaucoma cascade screening of Haitian JOAG patients' FDRs revealed that 30.8% had suspected or manifest glaucoma. Future efforts centered on provider-initiated recruitment and improving public glaucoma awareness and education may increase screening participation.

Pediatric intraoperative ciliary block.

Pediatric patients who undergo intraocular surgery are at risk for many of the same perioperative complications as adults. The same methodical approach to assessing perioperative shallowing of the anterior chamber that presents in the adult population should be followed for children. We present a rare case of intraoperative ciliary block in a 3-year-old boy undergoing a second glaucoma drainage device implantation that was successfully treated with pars plana vitrectomy and hyaloid-zonulo-iridectomy.

A Service Coverage Analysis of Primary Congenital Glaucoma Care Across the United States.

PURPOSE: To assess the number of infants at risk of delayed primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) evaluation due to long travel times to specialists. DESIGN: Cross-sectional geospatial service coverage analysis. METHODS: All American Glaucoma Society (AGS) and American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) provider locations were geocoded using each organization's member directory. Sixty-minute drive time regions to providers were generated using ArcGIS Pro (Esri). The geographic intersection of AGS and AAPOS service areas was computed because patients typically require visits to both types of specialists. American Community Survey data were then overlaid to estimate the number of infants within and beyond the AGS/AAPOS service areas. RESULTS: One thousand twenty-nine AGS and 1,040 AAPOS provider locations were geocoded. The analysis yielded 944,047 infants age 0-1 year (23.6%) who live beyond the AGS/AAPOS service areas. Therefore, approximately 14-94 new PCG cases/year may be at risk of delayed diagnosis as a result of living in a potential service desert. Compared with children living within the AGS/AAPOS service areas, children aged <6 years in these potential service deserts were more likely to live in households earning below the US federal poverty level, lack health insurance, and live in a single-parent home. These communities are disproportionately likely to experience other rural health disparities and are more prevalent across the Great Plains. CONCLUSION: Service coverage analysis is a useful tool for identifying underserved regions for PCG referrals and evaluation. These data may assist in targeting screening programs in low access areas for pediatric glaucoma care.

Effect of Nylon Wick Technique on Early Intraocular Pressure Control in Nonvalved Aqueous Shunt Surgery.

PRECIS: The use of nylon wicks with fenestrations in nonvalved aqueous shunt surgery significantly reduces intraocular pressure (IOP) and glaucoma medication usage in the immediate postoperative period compared with the use of fenestrations alone. PURPOSE: To compare early postoperative IOP and medication usage in patients undergoing implantation of a nonvalved aqueous shunt device with fenestrations only or fenestrations with nylon wicks. METHODS: A retrospective review of all nonvalved aqueous shunt insertions completed by one surgeon (L.W.H.) was completed using current procedure terminology. Patients undergoing Baerveldt or ClearPath 350 mm2 aqueous shunt insertion with fenestrations only (n=37) or fenestrations with 2 nylon wicks were identified (n=92). All devices were ligated with 7-0 Vicryl (polyglactin) suture, and either 4 fenestrations or 2 fenestrations and two 9-0 nylon wicks were placed anterior to the ligature. Data regarding visual acuity (VA), IOP, number of glaucoma medications, and complications were collected from the preoperative visit just before surgery, postoperative day 1, week 3 (POW3), week 5, and month 2 (POM2). The main outcome measures were VA, IOP, number of glaucoma medications, and complications at all postoperative time points. RESULTS: There was no difference in logMAR VA between the 2 groups at any time point. At POW3, IOP was significantly lower in the wick group (14.6±7.7 vs. 18.1±8.7 mm Hg, P=0.03). Number of glaucoma medications used was significantly reduced in the wick group at POW3 (0.5±0.9 vs. 1.0±1.2, P=0.02) and POM2 (0.7±1.0 vs. 1.4±1.3, P=0.02). There was no significant increase in the overall rate of complications in the wick group, but there was a higher rate of transient hyphema (28% vs. 8%, P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The use of 2 nylon wicks with fenestrations in nonvalved aqueous shunt device implantation can significantly lower IOP and medication burden while awaiting the dissolution of the ligature suture.

Virtual Versus In-Person Surgical Fellowship Interviews and Ranking Variability: the COVID-19 Experience.

Objective: To investigate the effect of interview format changes (in-person to virtual, one-to-one to multiple-to-one) necessitated by the COVID-19 travel restrictions on candidate ranking variabilities. Method: In 2018/2019, the glaucoma fellowship interviews were conducted in-person and one-to-one, whereas in 2020, interviews were virtual and multiple (interviewers)-to-one (candidate). We compared ranking ranges of interviewers within the same virtual room (WSR) and not within the same virtual room (NWSR) to assess the effect of this change on ranking variabilities. We also compared ranking categories ("accept," "alternate," and "pass") agreements between in-person and virtual interviews to assess the effect of this change on ranking variabilities. Results: NWSR and WSR mean rankings differed by 1.33 (95% confidence interval difference 0.61 to 2.04, p = 0.0003), with WSR interviewers having less variability than NWSR pairs. The variability of in-person interviews and later virtual interviews showed no differences (weighted Kappa statistic 0.086 for 2018, 0.158 for 2019, and 0.101 for 2020; p < 0.05 for all years). The overall least attractive candidate has the lowest variability; the most attractive candidate has the second lowest variability. Conclusion: Grouping interviewers decreased ranking variabilities, while a change from in-person to virtual interview format did not increase the ranking variabilities.

Sex Differences in Presentation, Treatment Patterns, and Clinical Outcomes in Central Retinal Vein Occlusion.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of sex differences on the presenting features, treatment patterns, and clinical outcomes in patients with central retinal vein occlusions (CRVO). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective, longitudinal cohort study included 476 patients diagnosed with CRVO over a 7-year period. Charts were reviewed and clinical data were abstracted. RESULTS: The average age at CRVO onset was lower in males (63.8 years vs. 66.1 years; P = .048). More males (104/224, 54%) had an ischemic CRVO compared to females (113/252, 45%) at 12 months (P = .05). Males with CRVO had a greater central subfield thickness at the baseline (546.7 ± 306.8 µm vs. 438.4 ± 252.9 µm; P = .003) and final visits (343 ± 179.5 µm vs. 304.6 ± 176.2 µm; P = .005). Foveal avascular zone enlargement was more likely in males (39/102, 38% vs. 29/116, 25%; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Sex differences exist in presenting features of patients with CRVO. Further inquiry may help provide individualized recommendations for management of CRVO. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2020;51:279-285.].

A Geodemographic Service Coverage Analysis of Travel Time to Glaucoma Specialists in Florida.

PRECIS: Approximately 1 in 9 Florida residents over the age of 65 years (438,642 people) live more than an hour away from a glaucoma specialist, which represents a significant barrier to care. PURPOSE: To describe access to glaucoma care for Florida's elderly population using travel time to American Glaucoma Society (AGS) member offices. METHODS: For this cross-sectional service coverage analysis, a list of AGS member locations was extracted from the AGS website, and addresses were geocoded using ArcGIS Online. Driving time regions were created using the service area tool in ArcGIS Pro 2.4 and overlaid with 2010 United States Census and 2016 American Community Survey data for all Florida residents age 65 or older. RESULTS: Fifty-eight AGS member providers with 65 locations were identified and geocoded. There were 3,797,625 individuals aged over 65 years in Florida, of which 1,153,320 (30.4%) lived within 15 minutes of driving time from an AGS provider's office, 2,586,825 (68.1%) within 30 minutes, 3,358,983 (88.4%) within 60 minutes, and 3,491,815 (91.9%) within 120 minutes. The areas with the lowest access include rural areas near Lake Okeechobee and the Florida Panhandle. The population living beyond a 60-minute drive was more likely to be White, non-Hispanic and older, but less likely to be living below the federal poverty level or receiving public assistance than the population living within a 60-minute drive. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant travel burden for the elderly community of Florida to reach AGS providers. Additional studies could help identify other social barriers to accessing glaucoma providers in Florida and beyond in an effort to improve patient compliance and, ultimately, vision outcomes.