Gout and open-angle glaucoma risk in a veteran population.

PURPOSE: A history of gout, arthritis due to hyperuricemia, has been associated with decreased risk for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease. We performed a population-based case-control study in the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers nationwide to assess if gout or hyperuricemia is similarly associated with the ocular neurodegenerative condition glaucoma. METHODS: We used ICD-9 codes to identify a nationwide cohort of patients examined at VA healthcare eye clinics between 2000 and 2015 with a diagnosis of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) or of glaucoma suspect. We used incidence density matching to choose controls. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine associations between a history of gout and uric acid (UA) levels on relative risk of OAG or glaucoma suspect. RESULTS: There were 1,144,428 OAG or glaucoma suspect cases and 1,144,428 matched controls. Veterans with a history of gout had a small significant decreased risk of OAG compared to controls (ORadjusted(adj) = 0.985, 95% CI: 0.974-0.996). Treated gout was similarly associated with small decreased risk (ORadj = 0.963, 95% CI: 0.950-0.976). A small subset of patients (11.9% of cases and 13.2% of controls) had UA labs available; veterans with the highest median UA levels (> 7.29 mg/dL) did not have statistically significant differences in relative OAG risk (ORadj = 1.014, 95% CI: 0.991-1.036). CONCLUSION: Prospective research in other cohorts is needed to confirm our findings in veterans suggesting a history of gout is associated with a small decreased relative risk of glaucoma.

Outcomes of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery performed by surgeons-in-training.

PURPOSE: To compare intraoperative factors and post-operative outcomes of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) and manual cataract surgery performed by resident surgeons. METHODS: All cases of FLACS performed by resident surgeons during the 2013-2014 academic year were compared to a control group of manual cataract surgery cases with regards to pre-operative patient data, operative complications, cumulative dissipated energy (CDE), postoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), refractive prediction error (RPE), and corneal edema. RESULTS: There were no significant preoperative differences in the FLACS (n = 57) and manual (n = 68) groups. Operative complication rates were similar in cases with sufficient data and follow-up with a higher rate of posterior capsule tear in the manual group. CDE (percent-seconds) was lower in the FLACS group (FLACS: 14.5 ± 7.5; manual: 21.6 ± 11.5; p < 0.01). CDVA (LogMAR) was comparable at 1 month postoperatively (FLACS: 0.004 ± 0.08; manual: 0.024 ± 0.11; p = 0.24) and 1 year postoperatively (FLACS: 0.013 ± 0.06; manual: 0.032 ± 0.09; p = 0.37). No difference in RPE was found at 1 month postoperatively (FLACS: 0.38 ± 0.24 D; manual: 0.41 ± 0.49 D; p = 0.66) and 1 year postoperatively (FLACS: 0.49 ± 0.63 D; manual: 0.34 ± 0.26 D; p = 0.31). CONCLUSIONS: Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery is safe and effective compared to manual cataract surgery when performed by resident surgeons. Both 1-month and 1-year outcomes show no difference in refractive predictive error in FLACS compared to manual cataract surgery in surgeons in training.

Indications and outcomes of resident-performed cataract surgery requiring return to the operating room.

PURPOSE: To identify the clinical and operative factors predicting reoperation within 30 days of resident-performed cataract surgery and correlate them with 1-year visual outcomes. SETTING: Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: The study assessed patients who had resident-performed cataract surgery between 2005 and 2013 and required return to the operating room for a second surgery on the same eye within 30 days. Preoperative and intraoperative risk factors were assessed. Outcome measures included corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) at 1 year. RESULTS: A review of 6644 resident-performed cataract surgeries showed that 54 eyes (0.85%) of 54 patients required a return to the operating room within 30 days. The reoperation rate was higher in the first half of the academic year (1.18%) than in the second half (0.55%) (P = .004). The mean CDVA 1 year postoperatively was 20/40, with a loss of lines of vision in 4 eyes. The mean operative time was 59.23 minutes ± 35.05 (SD). A longer intraoperative time was predictive of a worse visual outcome (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the need for reoperation within 30 days, most patients achieved improved visual acuity. The reoperation rate was significantly lower in the second half of the academic year. Increased operation times correlated with worse visual acuity independent of other variables.

Trabeculectomy Outcomes by Supervised Trainees in a Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of trabeculectomy performed in an ophthalmology training program. DESIGN: Retrospective study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 160 patients undergoing trabeculectomy performed by a resident or fellow under attending supervision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Trabeculectomy surgeries performed by a supervised resident or fellow surgeon between October 2000 and April 2010 were reviewed. Success was considered to be complete or partial if intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering medications were not or were required to achieve IOP≤21 mm Hg, respectively. Failure was defined as IOP>21 mm Hg on 2 consecutive visits, loss of light perception vision, IOP≤5 on 2 consecutive visits with associated visual acuity loss of ≥2 lines, or need for surgical intervention. Trabeculectomy survival was determined using Kaplan-Meier analysis through 60 months of follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Final IOP, success/failure rate. RESULTS: Complete success was achieved in 65 patients (41%). The average final IOP of this group was 9.1±3.7 mm Hg. Qualified success was achieved in 56 patients (35%). The average final IOP of this group was 11.5±6.4 mm Hg. At 60 months, the estimated cumulative probability of survival for complete and qualified successes was 28.9% and 63.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients undergoing trabeculectomy by supervised residents or glaucoma fellows in a large Veterans Affairs Medical Center, IOP reduction was significant and similar to published studies. Trabeculectomy remains a successful intervention to lower IOP, with satisfactory success rates in the hands of trainee surgeons.

Outcomes of anterior chamber intraocular lenses placed by surgeons in training.

PURPOSE: To evaluate risk factors and outcomes of unplanned, primary anterior chamber intraocular lenses (AC IOLs) placed by surgeons in training. SETTING: Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Cataract surgeries performed primarily by a resident surgeon that resulted in an unplanned AC IOL were included. Cases that had concomitant retinal surgery were excluded. Preoperative data gathered included corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and ocular comorbid conditions. Operative times and complications requiring an AC IOL were assessed. Postoperative CDVA, IOP, corneal edema, persistent intraocular inflammation, macular edema, and need for additional surgery were analyzed for the first postoperative year. RESULTS: Twenty-two eyes were included. The mean preoperative CDVA was 1.24 logMAR ± 0.92 SD and the mean preoperative IOP was 17.55 ± 3.88 mm Hg. The mean operative time was 103 ± 30 minutes. The most common operative complications necessitating an AC IOL were 7 (32%) capsule tears with vitreous prolapse requiring anterior vitrectomy and 7 (32%) capsule tears, zonular dehiscence, and vitreous prolapse requiring anterior vitrectomy. By the first postoperative year, the mean visual acuity was 0.40 ± 0.58 logMAR and the IOP was 15.05 ± 6.01 mm Hg. The most common complications 1 year postoperatively included persistent macular edema (23%) and need for additional surgery (18%). CONCLUSION: This group of patients who received unplanned primary AC IOLs by surgeons in training had improved visual acuity and well-controlled IOP 1 year postoperatively. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.