Review of Retinopathy of Prematurity.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of blindness in pre-term infants and is caused by incomplete vascularization of the retina at birth. Early diagnosis and treatment of ROP is important to reduce the risk of vision loss. The risk factors, pathogenesis, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease will be reviewed.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Top-Cited Journal Articles Related to Neuromodulation for Chronic Pain.

OBJECTIVES: Since its foundation in the 1960s, neuromodulation has become an increasingly used treatment option for chronic pain. This bibliometric analysis examines the most cited research in this field with the aim of uncovering existing trends and future directions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clarivate's Web of Science data base was searched for the top 25 most cited studies focusing on neuromodulation for chronic pain. Various bibliometric parameters were then extracted and analyzed. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were compared with non-RCTs. RESULTS: The top 25 articles had a mean of 347 citations and 22.2 citations per year, with more recent articles having a higher citation rate. Most were published in the last two decades and predominantly originated from the United States. There were 13 RCTs, which were significantly more recent (p = 0.004) and more cited per year (p = 0.001) than the 12 non-RCTs. Sources included 15 journals with a mean impact factor of 13.896. The most studied modality was spinal cord stimulation with 20 articles (76.9%), followed by intrathecal drug delivery (15.4%), dorsal root ganglion stimulation (3.8%), and peripheral nerve stimulation (3.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of the most cited articles on neuromodulation reveals a focal shift from historical reports to innovative RCTs that have increasingly guided pain practice in the recent years. As novel techniques and technologies continue to develop, high-quality evidence coupled with broadening indications will likely direct further expansion of this field.

In Clinic Optometrist Insertion of Dextenza (Dexamethasone Ophthalmic Insert 0.4mg) Prior to Cataract Surgery: The PREPARE Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcomes with optometrist pre-surgical insertion of dexamethasone ophthalmic insert 0.4mg in the clinical office setting in patients undergoing same-day cataract surgery compared to standard of care steroid therapy. Methods: In this prospective, contralateral eye trial, one eye received a dexamethasone ophthalmic insert 0.4mg and the other received topical prednisolone acetate 1% four times per day for one week, then three times per day for one week, then two times per day for one week, and then one time per day for one week. At one day, seven days, and four weeks postoperatively mean anterior chamber cell score and mean anterior chamber flare score was assessed by Slit Lamp Biomicroscopy and pain score was assessed by Visual Analog Scale from 0-10. Incidence of increased intraocular pressure and cystoid macular edema were also assessed. Results: Thirty patients (60 eyes) participated. At one day postoperative there was no significant difference in mean anterior chamber cell score (p= 0.70) or pain score (p= 0.92). There was no anterior chamber cell flare observed in the study or control group. Of the 30 patients, 29 expressed a preference for dexamethasone inserts compared to topical prednisolone acetate. One patient in the study group had elevated intraocular pressure that resolved and there was no cystoid macular edema measured. Conclusion: In patients undergoing routine cataract surgery, there was an overwhelming preference for a dexamethasone insert compared to topical steroid drops. The dexamethasone insert produced similar ocular comfort and inflammation prevention compared to prednisolone acetate eyedrops. Dexamethasone inserts are a safe and effective treatment option for reducing pain and inflammation when inserted by an optometrist prior to routine cataract surgery.