Phase 1 Study of JNJ-81201887 Gene Therapy in Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-related Macular Degeneration.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and tolerability of a single intravitreal injection of JNJ-81201887 (JNJ-1887) in patients with geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to advanced dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Phase 1, open-label, single-center, first-in-human clinical study. SUBJECTS: Adult patients (aged ≥50 years) with GA secondary to AMD in the study-treated eye (treated eye) with a best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) Snellen equivalent of 20/200 or worse in the treated eye (20/80 or worse after the first 3 patients), a total GA lesion size between 5 and 20 mm2 (2-8 disc area), and BCVA of 20/800 or better in fellow, non-treated eye were included. METHODS: Patients (N=17) were sequentially enrolled into low (3.56×1010 viral genome [vg]/eye; n=3), intermediate (1.07×1011 vg/eye; n=3), and high (3.56×1011 vg/eye; n=11) dose cohorts without steroid prophylaxis and assessed for safety and tolerability over 24 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Safety and tolerability outcomes included assessment of ocular and non-ocular treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) over 24 months. Secondary outcomes included GA lesion size and growth rate. RESULTS: Baseline patient characteristics were consistent with the disease under study, and all enrolled patients had foveal center-involved GA. JNJ-1887 was well tolerated across all cohorts, with no dose-limiting AEs. There were no serious or systemic AEs related to study intervention. Overall, 5/17 (29%) patients experienced 6 events of mild ocular inflammation related to study treatment; exam findings in all resolved, and AEs resolved in 4 of 5 patients following topical steroids or observation. One unresolved vitritis event, managed with observation, occurred in a patient with an unrelated fatal AE. No endophthalmitis or new-onset choroidal neovascularization was reported. GA lesion growth rate was similar among all cohorts over 24 months. For treated eyes in the high-dose cohort, GA lesion growth rate showed continued decline through 24 months, with a reduction in mean square root lesion growth from 0.211 mm at months 0-6 to 0.056 mm at months 18-24. CONCLUSIONS: All 3 studied doses of JNJ-1887 had a manageable safety profile through 24 months of follow-up. Further investigation of JNJ-1887 for the treatment of GA is warranted.

Google Search Trends to Assess Public Interest and Concern About Pegcetacoplan for the Treatment of Geographic Atrophy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess global trends in interest surrounding the newly Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatment for geographic atrophy, (GA), Syfovre (pegcetacoplan), and related searches. METHODS: We utilized Google Trends, in order to gauge the public interest in "Syfovre" from October 16, 2022, to October 8, 2023. RESULTS: Notable spikes in relative search volumes (RSV)s for "Syfovre" were observed in mid-to-late February 2023, and in March and April 2023, coinciding with the drug's FDA approval and introduction to the market. Of the various side effects, retinal vasculitis garnered the most significant attention, with a sharp rise in RSV in mid-July 2023. Geographic variation was evident, with the highest RSVs for "Syfovre" originating from users on the East Coast. CONCLUSION: Google Trends proves to be a useful tool for gaining insight into public interest in pegcetacoplan as a treatment for GA. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2024;55:XX-XX.].

Surgical Management of Full-Thickness Macular Holes in Macular Telangiectasia Type 2: A Global Multicenter Study.

PURPOSE: To report on macular hole repair in macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel2). DESIGN: Global, multicenter, retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Patients undergoing surgery for MacTel2-associated full-thickness macular hole (MTMH). METHODS: Standardized data collection sheet distributed to all surgeons. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anatomic closure and visual outcomes of MTMH. RESULTS: Sixty-three surgeries in 47 patients with MTMH were included from 30 surgeons. Mean age was 68.1 years, with 62% female, 72% White, 21% East or South Asian, 2% African American, and 2% Hispanic or Latino. Procedures included 34 internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling alone, 22 ILM flaps, 5 autologous retinal transplantations (ARTs), 1 retinotomy, and 1 subretinal bleb. For ILM peeling, preoperative visual acuity (VA) was 0.667 ± 0.423 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR). Minimum hole diameter (MHD) was 305.5 ± 159.4 µm (range, 34-573 µm). Sixteen of 34 ILM peels (47%) resulted in MTMH closure. At postoperative month 6, VA was stable at 0.602 ± 0.516 logMAR (P = 0.65). VA improved by at least 2 lines in 43% and at least 4 lines in 24%. For ILM flaps, preoperative VA was 0.878 ± 0.552 logMAR. MHD was 440.8 ± 175.5 µm (range, 97-697 µm), which was significantly larger than for ILM peels (P < 0.01). Twenty of 22 ILM flaps (90%) resulted in MTMH closure, which was significantly higher than for ILM peels (P < 0.01). At postoperative month 6, VA improved to 0.555 ± 0.405 logMAR (P < 0.05). VA improved by at least 2 lines in 56% and at least 4 lines in 28%. For ARTs, preoperative VA was 1.460 ± 0.391 logMAR. MHD was 390.2 ± 203.7 µm (range, 132-687 µm). All 5 ARTs (100%) resulted in MTMH closure. At postoperative month 6, VA was stable at 1.000 ± 0.246 logMAR (P = 0.08). Visual acuity improved at least 2 lines in 25%. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical closure of macular holes improved VA in 57% of MTMHs. Internal limiting membrane flaps achieved better anatomic and functional outcomes than ILM peeling alone. Autologous retinal transplantation may be an option for refractory MTMHs. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Google Search Trends to assess public interest in and concern about Vuity for treating presbyopia.

PURPOSE: To assess public awareness, interest, and concerns regarding Vuity (1.25% pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution), an eye drop for the treatment of presbyopia, based on Google Trends. METHODS: We used Google Trends that provides a relative search volume for queried terms, to evaluate searches for Vuity from June 30, 2021, to June 30, 2022, in the United States. The data for this study were downloaded on June 30, 2022. Main outcome measures were changes in relative search volumes for the terms "Vuity," "Eye drops for reading," "Eye drops for near vision," "Presbyopia," "Pilocarpine," and related popular search terms, such as "Vuity side effects," and "Vuity retinal detachment". RESULTS: Since the approval of Vuity on October 29, 2021, notable increases in the relative search volumes occurred for Vuity in October 2021, December 2021, and from March to April 2022, which coincided with its approval, availability, and subsequent direct-to-consumer advertising based on positive results of clinical trials. The direct-to-consumer advertising had the greatest impact on the search volume for Vuity. Specific interests included Vuity cost, where to buy it, and its side effects. Retinal detachment was the most highly searched Vuity side effect. Geographic variation was evident, with the relative search volumes highest for "Vuity" in Wyoming, followed by North Dakota. CONCLUSION: Google Trends is a useful tool for monitoring increases in public interest in Vuity for presbyopia. Public concerns regarding side effects warrant further real-world investigations of the causal relationship between Vuity and retinal detachment.

Trends in Utilization of Vitreoretinal Services Following the Initial Phase of the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: To identify vitreoretinal practice patterns in the months following the initial 2020 national shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States (US). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of vitreoretinal practice patterns from multiple retinal centers across the US from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020. RESULTS: The lowest utilization of retina care occurred during the week of March 23, 2020, after which utilization returned to pre-pandemic levels by July 2020. Patients with retinal detachments (RDs) presented with worse visual acuity during March, April, and May 2020 compared to the same time periods of 2018 and 2019 (P values < 0.05). However, only comparing eyes that presented in March 2018 to March 2020, was the year 1 vision significantly worse (P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted vitreoretinal care. The vision of patients with RDs may not have been affected by the delayed presentation. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2023;54:15-23.].

PREVALENCE, CHARACTERISTICS, AND OUTCOMES OF RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT IN EYES WITH TRABECULECTOMY OR GLAUCOMA DRAINAGE DEVICES.

PURPOSE: To describe the prevalence, management, and outcomes of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) after incisional glaucoma filtering surgery. METHODS: All patients with a history of trabeculectomy or glaucoma drainage device surgery who were subsequently diagnosed with an RRD from January 1, 2016, to January 1, 2021, at the Wills Eye Hospital were identified. RESULTS: Forty-six eyes met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 60.7 ± 19.6 years, and 15 patients (32.6%) were female. Of all eyes, 34 (73.9%) were diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma. The mean time from most recent incisional glaucoma surgery to RRD diagnosis was 1,133 ± 1,644 days. There were 19 eyes (41.3%) with preoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy (9 eyes [19.6%] with Grade C proliferative vitreoretinopathy) and 35 eyes (76.1%) had macula-off RRD at the time of presentation. At RRD presentation, 4 eyes (8.7%) had concomitant endophthalmitis, 5 (10.9%) had concurrent choroidal detachment, and 2 (4.7%) had concurrent vitreous hemorrhage. Primary vitrectomy was performed in most (91.3%) cases. Silicone oil tamponade was often required (71.1%). The single surgery success rate was 65.2% (30 of 46). The mean preoperative logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity was 1.72 ± 0.78 (Snellen acuity 20/1,050), and the mean final postoperative logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution was 1.59 ± 0.89 (20/778, P = 0.2853). Of glaucoma surgeries performed, the 5-year prevalence of RRD was 0.71% (26 of 3,664, 95% Poisson confidence interval 0.48%-1.04%). CONCLUSION: The 5-year prevalence of RRDs after trabeculectomy or glaucoma drainage device was 0.71%. Most patients presented with macula-involving detachments, often with proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Anatomical and visual outcomes were poor.

Seasonal and Environmental Variations in Endophthalmitis after Intravitreal Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Injection: A Six-year Review.

PURPOSE: To evaluate seasonal and environmental variations on the incidence and outcomes of postinjection endophthalmitis. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective cohort study was conducted including all patients diagnosed with post-injection endophthalmitis between 2013-2018. Associations between climate variables and endophthalmitis incidence were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 423,297 injections administered, seasonal distribution in spring, summer, autumn, and winter was 26%, 27%, 25%, and 22%, respectively. Of 171 cases of endophthalmitis identified, seasonal distribution over the spring, summer, autumn, and fall was 25%, 23%, 26%, and 26%, respectively. Endophthalmitis incidence was not correlated with monthly precipitation (p = 0.45), monthly snowfall (p = 0.49), or monthly temperature (p = 0.65). Worse visual outcomes at initial endophthalmitis presentation were correlated with increased precipitation level (p = 0.025) but were not correlated with snowfall level (p = 0.228) or mean monthly temperature (p = 0.132). Although there were no seasonal variations of visual acuity at endophthalmitis presentation (p = 0.894), odds of final visual acuity returning to within two lines of pre-endophthalmitis visual acuity were worse among patients with endophthalmitis diagnosed in the spring (OR, 0.041; p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: In contrast to previous work on postcataract endophthalmitis, seasonal and weather factors were not associated with post-injection endophthalmitis risk or bacterial species isolated. Visual outcomes at initial endophthalmitis presentation were correlated with precipitation, and worse visual outcomes were seen in patients who developed endophthalmitis in the spring.

Survey of Vitreoretinal Specialists in the United States Regarding Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective: To evaluate the attitudes, beliefs, and practice patterns of vitreoretinal specialists regarding the utilization of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify features which may predict future telemedicine use. Methods: An 11-question anonymous survey was completed electronically in July 2020 by vitreoretinal specialists practicing in the United States. Results: The survey response rate was 13.0% (361/2,774). Thirty-five respondents (9.7%) had used telemedicine before March 1, 2020; after March 1, 2020, 170 (47.1%) reported using telemedicine (p < 0.001). Of the 170 respondents who reported telemedicine use, a majority (65.3%;111/170) performed 0-5 patient visits per week. Female retina specialists, younger physicians, and those with prior telemedicine usage were more likely to use telemedicine. Barriers to telemedicine use included concern for misdiagnosis (332/361, 92.0%), inability to obtain optical coherence tomography imaging (330/361, 91.4%), inability to obtain fundus imaging (327/361, 90.6%), lack of access to and/or comfort with the technology (261/361, 72.3%), potential legal liability (229/361, 63.4%), and low reimbursement (227/361, 62.9%). The majority of respondents (225/361; 62.3%) reported that telemedicine without ancillary imaging was not an acceptable way to evaluate patients. However, 59.2% (214/361) would find telemedicine acceptable if remote imaging was available. Conclusions: The pandemic led to a rapid adoption of telemedicine by vitreoretinal specialists. The majority of specialists using telemedicine performed five or fewer visits per week. The availability of remote imaging may increase confidence in clinical outcomes with a subsequent increase in utilization of telemedicine by vitreoretinal specialists.

Racial, Ethnic, and Gender Disparities in Diabetic Macular Edema Clinical Trials.

Subjects in diabetic macular edema clinical trials in the United States are disproportionately White and male, compared with the population undergoing treatment for diabetic macular edema.

FACTORS AFFECTING RETINAL REDETACHMENT AFTER SILICONE OIL REMOVAL FOR RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENTS.

PURPOSE: To report factors affecting the retinal redetachment rate after silicone oil removal (SOR) following rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study from December 1, 2014, to March 1, 2020, of 205 consecutive patients treated for RRD with silicone oil (SO) tamponade and subsequent SOR with at least 6-month follow-up. Primary outcome measure was the rate of retinal redetachment after SOR. RESULTS: The retinal redetachment rate after SOR was 18.5%. Preoperative macula and lens status, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, previous retinectomy, retinal detachment size, concomitant phacoemulsification, previous scleral buckling, and endolaser during SOR did not affect the redetachment rate after SOR. Previous SO exchange was associated with increased redetachment (OR 2.53, 95% CI [1.11-5.80], P = 0.0278). Twelve months of SO tamponade had lower redetachment rates compared with 3 months (OR 0.25, 95% CI [0.04-0.09], P = 0.048). Shorter SO tamponade (3 vs. 12 months) had better final visual outcomes after SOR (0.80 ± 0.61 vs. 1.41 ± 0.66, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: No preoperative or intraoperative factors in this analysis influenced the risk of redetachment after SOR except duration of SO tamponade and previous SO exchange. Although longer SO tamponade duration may be associated with lower rates of redetachment, visual outcomes may be worse.

SECONDARY EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE AFTER LASER RETINOPEXY FOR RETINAL TEAR OR LOCALIZED RETINAL DETACHMENT: Surgical Outcomes and Optical Coherence Tomography Structural Analysis.

PURPOSE: To assess visual acuity and optical coherence tomography outcomes after repair of secondary epiretinal membrane (ERM) after prior laser retinopexy for retinal tear with or without localized retinal detachment. METHODS: Retrospective, consecutive series. A previously described optical coherence tomography grading scheme was used for imaging analysis. RESULTS: Forty-two eyes of 42 patients were included, of which 16 (38.1%) had a concurrent localized retinal detachment. Mean logMAR visual acuity prelaser retinopexy was 0.15 ± 0.13 (Snellen 20/28), which worsened to 0.56 ± 0.42 (Snellen 20/72) before ERM surgery (P < 0.001). The mean visual acuity improved to 0.36 ± 0.30 (Snellen 20/45, P < 0.001) 3 months postsurgery and to 0.31 ± 0.32 (Snellen = 20/40, P < 0.001) at the final follow-up. Most eyes exhibited advanced ERM characteristics (n = 19 [45.2%] Stage 3 and n = 15 [35.7%] Stage 4 characteristics). The presence of inner microcystic changes (P = 0.008) and ellipsoid zone disruption (P = 0.009) at postoperative Month 3 were associated with worse final visual acuity. Eyes undergoing ERM surgery ≤180 days from laser retinopexy (n = 16, 38.1%) were younger (P = 0.024) and more likely to have Stage 4 ERM characteristics (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Secondary ERM after laser retinopexy may occur rapidly (<180 days) and exhibit significant anatomic alterations. The presence of inner microcystic changes and ellipsoid zone disruption postoperatively were optical coherence tomography features associated with worse final visual acuity.

Treatment and Excision of Retinal Capillary Hemangioblastoma.

This is a case report detailing a pars plana vitrectomy and resection of a retinal capillary hemangioblastoma in a 19-year-old female with a history of von Hippel-Lindau syndrome with secondary retinal detachment and sub-retinal exudates limiting her vision. Intraoperatively, long duration endolaser and generous endodiathermy applied to the feeder vessels are essential to minimize bleeding. Complete and careful resection of the lesion and installation of a silicone oil tamponade are recommended. This technique can allow for retinal reattachment and improvement in visual acuity in advanced cases of secondary retinal detachment.

MACULAR HOLE FORMATION FOLLOWED BY SPONTANEOUS CLOSURE AFTER PNEUMATIC RETINOPEXY IN A PATIENT WITH DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA.

PURPOSE: To report early formation and spontaneous closure of a full-thickness macular hole that developed after successful pneumatic retinopexy in a patient who had been undergoing treatment for diabetic macular edema. METHODS: Case report of a 68-year-old man with bilateral nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy who was currently undergoing anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment for bilateral diabetic macular edema. RESULTS: On presentation, visual acuity was 20/200 in the left eye, and examination revealed a bullous, macula-off retinal detachment with a single horseshoe tear at 12 o'clock in the left eye. Pneumatic retinopexy was performed followed by laser augmentation 3 days later. Three weeks postoperatively, he returned with visual acuity of 20/50 and a full-thickness macular hole in the left eye. Although he elected for initial observation, he returned 2 weeks later with visual acuity of 20/50 in both eyes and a retinal detachment with a single break at 10 o'clock in the right eye. The macular hole in the left eye had spontaneously resolved. Pneumatic retinopexy was performed to the right eye. Over 1 year after bilateral pneumatic retinopexy, his retina remains without recurrence of a macular hole in the left eye. CONCLUSION: In the early postoperative period after pneumatic retinopexy to repair a retinal detachment, a macular hole can form and spontaneously close.

ASSESSING THE ABILITY OF PREOPERATIVE QUANTITATIVE SPECTRAL-DOMAIN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY CHARACTERISTICS TO PREDICT VISUAL OUTCOME IN IDIOPATHIC MACULAR HOLE SURGERY.

PURPOSE: To determine which spectral domain optical coherence tomography biomarkers of idiopathic macular hole (MH) correlate with the postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in anatomically closed MH. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of spectral domain optical coherence tomography scans of 44 patients presenting with MH followed for a mean of 17 months. Widths of MH aperture, base, and ellipsoid zone disruption were calculated from presenting foveal spectral domain optical coherence tomography B-scans. Macular hole base area and ellipsoid zone disruption area were calculated through the custom in-house software. RESULTS: Poorer postoperative BCVA correlated with increased preoperative choroidal hypertransmission (r = 0.503, P = 0.0005), minimum diameter (r = 0.491, P = 0.0007), and base diameter (r = 0.319, P = 0.0348), but not with preoperative ellipsoid zone width (r = 0.199, P = 0.2001). Applying en-face analysis, the BCVA correlated weakly with preoperative ellipsoid zone loss area (r = 0.380, P = 0.013), but not with preoperative MH base area (r = 0.253, P = 0.1058). CONCLUSION: Increased MH minimum diameter, base diameter, base area, and choroidal hypertransmission are correlated with a poorer postoperative BCVA. Ellipsoid zone loss measurements were not consistently correlated with a BCVA. Choroidal hypertransmission width may be an easy-to-visualize predictive imaging biomarker in MH surgery.

Virtual Ophthalmology Fellowship Interviews: Perceptions of U.S. Ophthalmology Fellowship Applicants in 2020.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the experiences and preferences of ophthalmology fellowship applicants utilizing a virtual interview format. Design Present study is a cross-sectional study. Subjects All fellowship applicants to Wills Eye Hospital during 2020 to 2021 application cycle were included. Methods A nonvalidated, online survey was conducted, and surveys were distributed at the conclusion of the interview process after rank list submission. Main Outcome Measures Applicant demographics, application submissions, interview experiences, financial considerations, and suggestions for improvement of the virtual interview process were the primary outcomes of this cross-sectional study. Results Survey responses were received from 68 fellowship applicants (34% response rate). Thirty (44%) applicants preferred in-person interviews, 25 (36%) preferred virtual interviews, and 13 (19%) would like to prefer the option to choose either. Fifty-five of 68 (80%) applicants attended the same range of interviews for which they received interview invitations. Reduced costs were reported as the highest ranked strength of virtual interviews in 44 (65%) applicants, with a majority of respondents (68%) spending less than U.S. $250 throughout the entire process. The highest ranked limitation for virtual interviews was limited exposure to the culture/environment of the program in 20 (29%) respondents. On a scale of 0 to 100, the mean (standard deviation [SD]) satisfaction level with the fellowship application process was 74.6 (18.3) and mean (SD) perceived effectiveness levels of virtual interviews was 67.4 (20.4). Conclusion Respondents were generally satisfied with virtual interviews and noted reduced costs and increased ability to attend more fellowship interviews as the strengths of the virtual interview format. Limited exposure to the culture/environment of the program was cited as the most important limitation.

APEX: a phase II randomised clinical trial evaluating the safety and preliminary efficacy of oral X-82 to treat exudative age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: The safety and efficacy of X-82, an orally administered inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived growth factor, was investigated for treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a phase II clinical trial. METHODS: This phase II, randomised, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial enrolled subjects with a prior diagnosis of exudative AMD having received at least two intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF therapy. Subjects were randomised equally into four groups that received either daily 50mg, 100mg or 200mg dosages of X-82 or a placebo tablet. At each 4-week interval visit for 52 weeks, subjects were to be assessed to determine if rescue treatment was needed with anti-VEGF therapy. RESULTS: 157 patients were enrolled. Due to gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary adverse events and the fulfilment of the primary endpoint, the trial was stopped prematurely after a second interim analysis. The primary endpoint of non-inferiority of visual acuity compared with placebo was demonstrated in all groups receiving X-82 (p<0.001). There was a dose-dependent trend in the number of injections over a 52-week period, with the 50 mg (n=40), 100 mg (n=39), 200 mg (n=39) and placebo (n=39) group requiring 6.7, 6.0, 4.7 and 8.1 injections, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: X-82 oral therapy in combination with pro re nata anti-VEGF injections showed non-inferiority in visual acuity outcomes while achieving a dose-dependent decrease in the number of anti-VEGF injections compared with placebo. Given the limited tolerability and safety issues observed, X-82 does not have a sufficient benefit to risk profile in treatment of patients with AMD.

Bacterial Dispersion Associated With Various Patient Face Mask Designs During Simulated Intravitreal Injections.

PURPOSE: We sought to investigate bacterial dispersion with patient face mask use during simulated intravitreal injections. DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional study. METHODS: Fifteen healthy subjects were recruited for this single-center study. Each participant was instructed not to speak for 2 minutes, simulating a "no-talking" policy, while in an ophthalmic examination chair with an blood agar plate secured to the forehead and wearing various face masks (no mask, loose fitting surgical mask, tight-fitting surgical mask without tape, tight-fitting surgical mask with adhesive tape securing the superior portion of the mask, N95 mask, and cloth mask). Each scenario was then repeated while reading a 2-minute script, simulating a talking patient. The primary outcome measures were the number of colony-forming units (CFUs) and microbial species. RESULTS: During the "no-talking" scenario, subjects wearing a tight-fitting surgical mask with tape developed fewer CFUs compared with subjects wearing the same mask without tape (difference 0.93 CFUs [95% confidence interval 0.32-1.55]; P = .003). During the speech scenarios, subjects wearing a tight-fitting surgical mask with tape had significantly fewer CFUs compared with subjects without a face mask (difference 1.07 CFUs; P = .001), subjects with a loose face mask (difference 0.67 CFUs; P = .034), and subjects with a tight face mask without tape (difference 1.13 CFUs; P < .001). There was no difference between those with a tight-fitting surgical mask with tape and an N95 mask in the "no-talking" (P > .99) and "speech" (P = .831) scenarios. No oral flora were isolated in "no-talking" scenarios but were isolated in 8 of 75 (11%) cultures in speech scenarios (P = .02). CONCLUSION: The addition of tape to the superior portion of a patient's face mask reduced bacterial dispersion during simulated intravitreal injections and had no difference in bacterial dispersion compared with wearing N95 masks.

Practice Patterns and Responsiveness to Simulated Common Ocular Complaints Among US Ophthalmology Centers During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

IMPORTANCE: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has drastically changed how comprehensive ophthalmology practices care for patients. OBJECTIVE: To report practice patterns for common ocular complaints during the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic among comprehensive ophthalmology practices in the US. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In this cross-sectional study, 40 private practices and 20 university centers were randomly selected from 4 regions across the US. Data were collected on April 29 and 30, 2020. INTERVENTIONS: Investigators placed telephone calls to each ophthalmology practice office. Responses to 3 clinical scenarios-refraction request, cataract evaluation, and symptoms of a posterior vitreous detachment-were compared regionally and between private and university centers. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary measure was time to next appointment for each of the 3 scenarios. Secondary measures included use of telemedicine and advertisement of COVID-19 precautions. RESULTS: Of the 40 private practices, 2 (5%) were closed, 24 (60%) were only seeing urgent patients, and 14 (35%) remained open to all patients. Of the 20 university centers, 2 (10%) were closed, 17 (85%) were only seeing urgent patients, and 1 (5%) remained open to all patients. There were no differences for any telemedicine metric. University centers were more likely than private practices to mention preparations to limit the spread of COVID-19 (17 of 20 [85%] vs 14 of 40 [35%]; mean difference, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.26-0.65; P < .001). Private practices had a faster next available appointment for cataract evaluations than university centers, with a mean (SD) time to visit of 22.1 (27.0) days vs 75.5 (46.1) days (mean difference, 53.4; 95% CI, 23.1-83.7; P < .001). Private practices were also more likely than university centers to be available to see patients with flashes and floaters (30 of 40 [75%] vs 8 of 20 [40%]; mean difference, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.22-0.79; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cross-sectional study of investigator telephone calls to ophthalmology practice offices, there were uniform recommendations for the 3 routine ophthalmic complaints. Private practices had shorter times to next available appointment for cataract extraction and were more likely to evaluate posterior vitreous detachment symptoms. As there has not been a study examining these practice patterns before the COVID-19 pandemic, the relevance of these findings on public health is yet to be determined.