Propensity-Matched Analysis of the Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration with Systemic Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Disease.

PURPOSE: The pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) involves aberrant complement activation and is a leading cause of vision loss worldwide. Complement aberrations are also implicated in many systemic immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), but the relationship between AMD and these conditions remains undescribed. The aim of this study is to first assess the association between AMD and IMIDs, and then assess the risk of AMD in patients with specific IMIDs associated with AMD. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study and cohort study. SUBJECTS AND CONTROLS: Patients with AMD were compared with control patients with cataracts and no AMD to ensure evaluation by an ophthalmologist. Patients with IMIDs were compared with patients without IMIDs but with cataracts. METHODS: This study used deidentified data from a national database (2006-2023), using International Classification of Diseases 10 codes to select for IMIDs. Propensity score matching was based on patients on age, sex, race, ethnicity, and smoking. Odds ratios were generated for IMIDs and compared between AMD and control patients. For IMIDs associated with AMD, the risk of AMD in patients with the IMID versus patients without IMIDs was determined utilizing a cohort study design. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Odds ratio of IMID, risk ratios (RRs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of AMD diagnosis, given an IMID. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, AMD and control cohorts (n = 217 197 each) had a mean ± standard deviation age of 74.7 ± 10.4 years, were 56% female, and 9% of patients smoked. Age-related macular degeneration showed associations with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis, sarcoidosis, scleroderma, giant cell arteritis, and vasculitis. Cohorts for each positively associated IMID were created and matched to control cohorts with no IMID history. Patients with RA (RR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.30-1.49), SLE (RR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.37-2.18), Crohn's disease (RR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.20-1.71), ulcerative colitis (RR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.29-1.63), psoriasis (RR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.37-1.60), vasculitis (RR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.33-1.64), scleroderma (RR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.35-2.02), and sarcoidosis (RR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.24-1.62) showed a higher risk of developing AMD compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that there is an increased risk of developing AMD in patients with RA, SLE, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, vasculitis, scleroderma, and sarcoidosis compared with patients with no IMIDs. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Characterization of pentosan polysulfate patients for development of an alert and screening system for ophthalmic monitoring.

OBJECTIVE: Pentosan polysulfate (PPS; ELMIRON, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Titusville, NJ) is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved oral medication for interstitial cystitis. Numerous reports have been published detailing retinal toxicity with the use of PPS. Studies characterizing this condition are primarily retrospective, and consequently, alert and screening systems need to be developed to actively screen for this disease. The goal of this study was to characterize ophthalmic monitoring trends of a PPS-using patient sample to construct an alert and screening system for monitoring this condition. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective chart review was conducted between January 2005 and November 2020 to characterize PPS use. An electronic medical record (EMR) alert was constructed to trigger based on new PPS prescriptions and renewals offering ophthalmology referral. RESULTS: A total of 1407 PPS users over 15 years was available for characterization, with 1220 (86.7%) being female, the average duration of exposure being 71.2 ± 62.6 months, and the average medication cumulative exposure being 669.7 ± 569.2 g. A total of 151 patients (10.7%) had a recorded visit with an ophthalmologist, with 71 patients (5.0%) having optical coherence tomography imaging. The EMR alert fired for 88 patients over 1 year, with 34 patients (38.6%) either already being screened by an ophthalmologist or having been referred for screening. CONCLUSIONS: An EMR support tool can improve referral rates of PPS maculopathy screening with an ophthalmologist and may serve as an efficient method for longitudinal screening of this condition with the added benefit of informing pentosan polysulfate prescribers about this condition. Effective screening and detection may help determine which patients are at high risk for this condition.

Effect of Prefilled vs Vial-Drawn Syringes on Sustained Increases in Intraocular Pressure in Patients Treated With Aflibercept.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of syringe type on developing sustained intraocular pressure (IOP) increases. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients in a single academic center receiving antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections from 2012 to 2022 for various indications. Patients were grouped by anti-VEGF treatment of either vial-drawn or prefilled syringe delivery. Trends in IOP were recorded for 1 year after treatment began. Development of sustained IOP increase, ocular hypertension, and glaucoma was recorded. Sustained IOP increase was defined as ≥5 mm Hg above baseline for at least 4 weeks. Results: Of 257 total patients, 6 (2.3%) developed sustained IOP increases throughout the study's duration. No significant differences were noted with respect to prefilled versus vial-drawn syringe status on the development of sustained IOP increases or incident glaucoma (IOP: 1.8% vs 2.7%, respectively, P = .65; glaucoma: 0.0% vs 2.0%, respectively, P = .14). Patients treated with prefilled syringes were significantly less likely to develop ocular hypertension (2.8% vs 8.8%, P < .05). Conclusions: This study found that aflibercept intravitreal injection with prefilled syringes was not associated with a significant increase in IOP-related adverse effects when compared with those treated with vial-drawn syringes.

Emergency department evaluation of nurse triage questions about safe-at-home and abuse or neglect in traumatic ocular injuries.

OBJECTIVES: Approximately 10 million Americans experience acts of physical violence by an intimate partner (IPV). Ocular injuries can present as a symptom of IPV in the emergency department, but IPV remains underreported in the literature. Understanding the incidence and trends in IPV-associated ocular injuries in the emergency department could increase the detection of at-risk patients otherwise overlooked. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. PARTICIPANTS: Emergency department patients evaluated for traumatic ocular injuries between January 2018 and April 2023 at a large tertiary care health system. METHODS: The study population was identified by ICD-10 code and their responses to being screened at triage for home safety and any nursing concerns for abuse or neglect. Patient screening consisted of a 2-part questionnaire inquiring first about whether the patient feels safe at home ("Yes" or "No") and second regarding nurses' concerns for abuse, neglect, domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking. RESULTS: There were 2,653,993 emergency department visits and 16,737 traumatic ocular injuries in the study period. Of them, 1.1% of patients (154 of 14,457) responded "No" to feeling safe at home. In only 0.6% of patients (82 of 14,457), a nursing concern was documented. Patients responding "No" to feeling safe at home presented with more severe ocular injuries such as maxillary fractures. On regression analysis, married, divorced, and widowed patients as well as patients on private insurance were less likely to report feeling unsafe at home than single patients on public insurance (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Traumatic ocular injuries in emergency departments should raise concerns about IPV. Opportunity exists to improve education, screening, and management of these patients.

Lack of association between Lp(a) and retinal vein occlusion in a single institution and US national database.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines associations between lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]), a low-density-like lipoprotein, and renal vein occlusion (RVO) in US cohorts to characterize its prognostic role in the setting of RVO. DESIGN: A two-phase retrospective cohort study. METHODS: In the first phase, patients with RVO and a Lp(a) quantitative laboratory value at a single tertiary centre were reviewed. Lp(a) status was assessed in association with age of RVO diagnosis, visual acuity, time to development of RVO, and central subfield thickness. In the second phase, the TriNetX US Collaborative Network, a large national database, also was queried for the presence of high or low Lp(a) values and diagnoses of RVO. RESULTS: The single tertiary care centre identified 45 patients with RVO and a laboratory value of Lp(a), finding no significant associations with respect to Lp(a) status and age of RVO onset, time from the laboratory draw to the development of RVO, visual acuity, and central subfield thickness (p > 0.05 for all). The TriNetX national database identified 35,687 patients with a high Lp(a) value (>30 mg/dL or 61 nmol/L) and 51,692 with a low Lp(a) value. An elevated Lp(a) value was not associated with higher odds of central (odds ratio [OR] = 1.15; 95% CI, 0.88-1.50) or branch RVO (OR = 1.01; 95% CI, 0.76-1.36). CONCLUSION: Taken together, this analysis suggests a lack of association between Lp(a) value and risk of RVO. This study highlights the benefit of large national databases in the validation of laboratory value predictors identified through small-cohort observational studies.

Perioperative COVID-19 Screening at a Tertiary Ophthalmic Institution.

Purpose: To characterize the rate of COVID-19 positivity during presurgical screening and the surgical outcomes of ophthalmic patients who were positive for COVID-19 and to report the overall cost. Methods: This retrospective study included patients 18 years or older who had ophthalmic surgical procedures at a tertiary institution between May 11, 2020, and December 31, 2020. Patients without a valid presurgical COVID-19 test within 3 days before their scheduled procedure, who had incomplete or mislabeled visits, or who had incomplete or missing data in their file were excluded. COVID-19 screening was completed using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) kit. Results: Of the 3585 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 2044 (57.02%) were women; the mean age was 68.2 years ± 12.8 (SD). Thirteen asymptomatic patients (0.36%) tested positive for COVID-19 via PCR screening. Three patients had a known positive COVID-19 infection within the 90 days before surgery; thus, 10 patients (0.28%) were found to have asymptomatic naïve COVID-19 infection via PCR testing. Testing was associated with a total charge of US $800 000. Five of the 13 patients (38.46%) who tested positive for COVID-19 experienced a delay in their surgery; the mean delay was 17.23 ± 22.97 days. Conclusions: Asymptomatic ophthalmic surgical patients had a low positivity rate with a limited impact on surgery scheduling at a significant cost. Further studies would be valuable in evaluating a targeted presurgical screening population as opposed to universal testing.

Meta-Analyses of Two Treatment Regimens for Retinal Vein Occlusion.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To pool available data on the change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), and number of injections as reported by treat and extend (T&E) and pro re nata (PRN) regimens for retinal vein occlusion (RVO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: After PubMed was queried, separate random effect models were fitted to the data extracted and the Wald test was used to compare the estimates of the two independent meta-analyses. RESULTS: Fourteen T&E and 29 PRN studies were included in two independent meta-analyses. No significant difference was observed in BCVA (+14.74 [+11.52, +17.96] in T&E vs +15.90 [+14.24, + 17.56] in PRN, P = 0.530) or CRT improvements (-259.56 [-189.02, -330.09] in T&E vs -256.58 [-226.57, -286.48] in PRN, P = 0.939). More injections over 12 months were observed in T&E regimens (7.48 [6.32, 8.65] vs 5.13 [4.20, 6.06] in PRN, P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Although more injections may be required, T&E achieves similar functional and anatomic benefits as compared to PRN regimens. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2023;54:244-250.].

Clinical trials targeting the gut-microbiome to effect ocular health: a systematic review.

Clinical trials targeting the gut microbiome to mitigate ocular disease are now on the horizon. A review of clinical data thus far is essential to determine future directions in this novel promising field. This review examines recent clinical trials that support the plausibility of a gut-eye axis, and may form the basis of novel clinical interventions. PubMed was queried for English language clinical studies examining the relationships between gut microbiota and ocular pathology. 25 studies were extracted from 828 candidate publications, which suggest that gut imbalance is associated with ocular pathology. Of these, only four interventional studies exist which suggest probiotic supplementation or fecal microbiota transplant can reduce symptoms of chalazion or uveitis. The gut-eye axis appears to hold clinical relevance, but current data is limited in sample size and design. Further investigation via longitudinal clinical trials may be warranted.

Time to fellow eye involvement in patients with unilateral diabetic macular oedema.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the time to onset of disease in the fellow eye of patients with unilateral DMO in routine clinical practice and to identify risk factors for development of bilateral DMO. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred forty treatment-naive patients 18 years or older with unilateral DMO presenting to Cole Eye Institute between January 2012 and July 2021. METHODS: Records of patients with unilateral DMO were reviewed for development of DMO in the fellow eye. Demographic, diabetic, ocular, and systemic characteristics were collected at initial DMO diagnosis date. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed and significant factors were modelled using Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: Fifty patients with conversion to bilateral DMO and 90 patients without conversion were identified. Average time to bilateral DMO was 15.0 ± 15.7 months. 64% of patients converted within 1 year and 90% converted within 3 years. HbA1c (p = 0.003), diabetic retinopathy duration (p = 0.029), and diabetic foot disease (DFD) (p = 0.002) were identified as significant risk factors for conversion. Patients with better visual acuity at time of initial diagnosis and history of panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) (p = 0.044) or focal laser (p = 0.035) in the primary eye were also more likely to convert. CONCLUSIONS: Participants were most likely to develop fellow eye DMO within the first year after initial DMO diagnosis. In routine clinical practice, poor glycaemic control and DFD were risk factors associated with bilateral eye involvement. Clinicians may consider screening the fellow eye of high-risk individuals at each appointment within the first year of diagnosis.

Functional Imaging of Mitochondria in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Using Flavoprotein Fluorescence.

PURPOSE: Oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Oxidized mitochondrial flavoprotein fluorescence (FPF) may serve as a quantifiable biomarker of oxidative stress, reported as either mean score for the entire image (intensity) or variability (heterogeneity). This study examines FPF intensity and heterogeneity across a large patient cohort of various Beckman stages of AMD. METHODS: This study enrolled patients with isolated AMD and healthy control patients with no retinopathy between 2018 and 2021. Multivariate logistic regression analysis included stage of AMD, age, gender, ethnicity, and smoking status. Analysis of Variance test compared mean FPF intensity and heterogeneity between disease states. RESULTS: Four hundred fifty-six eyes (228 AMD eyes, 228 age-matched control eyes) were included in the final multivariate analysis. Intermediate, geographic atrophy (GA), and neovascular AMD correlated with significantly increased FPF intensity (P < 0.001, respectively), while all AMD stages correlated with increased FPF heterogeneity (P < 0.001, respectively). FPF intensity and heterogeneity were significant negative predictors of visual acuity (P = 0.018 and 0.024, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This prospective observational study further implicates mitochondrial damage in AMD pathophysiology. Long-term clinical trials will be needed to examine the predictive role of FPF imaging in patients over time. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2023;54:24-31.].

Visual, Anatomic Outcomes, and Natural History of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Schisis in Patients Undergoing Epiretinal Membrane Surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the anatomic and visual outcomes of patients with idiopathic epiretinal membranes (ERMs) complicated by schisis of the retinal nerve fiber layer (sRNFL) in routine clinical practice. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients undergoing idiopathic ERM surgery at Cole Eye Institute from 2013 to 2021. METHODS: Patients were grouped by the presence or absence of sRNFL before surgery. Preoperative and postoperative data were collected regarding visual acuity (VA), changes in central subfield thickness (CST) over time, and presence of cystoid macular edema. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency of sRNFL in patients undergoing idiopathic ERM surgery. RESULTS: Overall, 48 (53.9%) of 89 patients presented with sRNFL. Schisis of the retinal nerve fiber layer patients presented with significantly decreased VA compared with those without (58.63 ± 12.48 vs. 67.68 ± 7.84 ETDRS letters, P < 0.001, respectively). At the final follow-up after ERM removal, there was no significant difference in final VA in patients with sRNFL compared with those without (71.16 ± 2.93 vs. 74.11 ± 2.76, P = 0.467). At presentation, patients with sRNFL had greater CST than those without (454 ± 10.01 vs. 436 ± 0.23, P = 0.23). This difference persisted at the 90-day follow-up after ERM removal (402 ± 8.08 vs. 375 ± 10.19 µm, P = 0.043). The resolution of sRNFL was reported at postoperative week 1 in 30 (96.7%) of 31 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Schisis of the retinal nerve fiber layer is a microstructural feature in > 50% of idiopathic ERMs in routine clinical practice and carries visual significance on presentation and anatomic significance postoperatively. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Interventions to reduce loss to follow up in common retinal pathology: A systematic review.

PURPOSE: Loss to follow-up or fragmented follow-up episodes (LTFU) may contribute to suboptimal clinical outcomes, especially when comparing real world data to clinical trials. This systemic review gathers available evidence around interventions meant to decrease the LTFU in AMD, RVO, and DME patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: PubMed was queried using a literature search strategy and reviewed by the authors. Studies with interventions aimed at reducing lost to follow up were included. RESULTS: Ten studies were extracted from 89 candidate publications. DISCUSSION: Telephone interventions featuring assistance in scheduling in improving LTFU in urban, African American populations over 50 years old with diabetic retinopathy. The same interventions have shown promise in glaucoma, but remain understudied in AMD, RVO, and other geographic, ethnic, and socioeconomic demographics. CONCLUSION: No sole intervention with efficacy in improving LTFU has been developed. A standardized definition of LTFU, as well as testing interventions across broad age, geography, ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic lines. Longitudinal data would also add credence to the efficacy of purported interventions. OTHER: No sources of funding for this article.

Characterization of ophthalmology virtual visits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the use of virtual visits, as well as compare the characteristics to in-person visits during the pandemic period. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients who had virtual and in-person ophthalmology visits from March 19, 2020, to July 31, 2020, in a large multispecialty ophthalmic center. Exclusion criteria included patients aged less than 18 years old; canceled, incomplete, mislabelled, and duplicated visits. 2943 virtual and 56,174 in-person visits were identified. A random sample of 3000 in-person visits was created. Each visit was analyzed as an individual data point. RESULTS: 2,266 virtual visits (2,049 patients, 64.3% female, mean [SD] age 64.3 [16.6] years old) and 2590 in-person visits (2509 patients, 59.5% female, 65.9 [15.8] years old) were included. Most virtual visits were classified as comprehensive ophthalmology (34.6%), optometry-related (19.5%), and oculoplastics (13.0%). For in-person visits, the most common specialties were optometry (29.8%), comprehensive ophthalmology (23.9%), and retina and uveitis (17.3%). The most common diagnoses in the virtual group were from the eyelids, lacrimal system, and orbits group (26.9%), while in the in-person groups were choroid and retina conditions (19.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Numerous ocular conditions were evaluated and managed through virtual visits, and external complaints and oculoplastic consults appear to be well-suited to the virtual format. Further studies focusing on visual outcomes and patient experience will be beneficial.

Impact of retinal fluid in patients with diabetic macular edema treated with anti-VEGF in routine clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the effect of intraretinal (IRF) and subretinal (SRF) fluid on visual outcomes for diabetic macular edema (DME) patients treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) in routine clinical practice. DESIGN: Optical coherence tomography scans were analyzed with a deep-learning artificial intelligence software to quantify IRF, SRF, and total retinal fluid (TRF) at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months. Predictive variables for best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were evaluated with linear mixed-effects regression models. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 220 DME eyes of 220 patients from the Cole Eye Institute at Cleveland Clinic. METHODS: Retrospective, nonrandomized cohort study. RESULTS: BCVA improved from baseline to 12 months (63.36 ± 14.72 to 68.49 ± 13.14 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters, p < 0.001, respectively). Central subfield thickness improved from baseline to 12 months (411.74 ± 129.7 to 335.94 ± 116.91 mm, p < 0.001, respectively). Injection frequency per patient was 8.25 ± 2.5 injections over 12 months. The linear mixed-effects regression model in the foveal region for TRF, IRF, and SRF volume at the fourth quartile showed BCVA losses of -8.29 letters (range, -10.96 to -5.62 letters, p < 0.001), -7.52 letters (range, -10.3 to -4.74 letters, p < .001), and -6.93 letters (range, -10.54 to -3.41 letters, p < .001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The highest quartile of TRF, IRF, and SRF volumes led to worse visual outcomes after 12 months of anti-VEGF treatment in patients with DME. Further studies designed to investigate the effect of anti-VEGF treatment on retinal fluid morphology could provide greater insight into individualized DME treatment.

Functional imaging of mitochondria in genetically confirmed retinal dystrophies using flavoprotein fluorescence.

BACKGROUND: Whether by indirect oxidative stress or direct genetic defect, various genetic retinal dystrophies involve mitochondrial stress. Mitochondrial flavoprotein fluorescence (FPF), reported as either average signal intensity or variability (heterogeneity), may serve as a direct, quantifiable marker of oxidative stress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This observational study enrolled patients with genetically confirmed retinal dystrophies between January and December 2021. Patients with concomitant maculopathy and ocular hypertension were excluded. Patients were FPF imaged with OcuMet Beacon® third generation device during routine outpatient visit. RESULTS: The final analysis cohort included 242 images from 157 patients. Mean FPF intensity was significantly increased between age matched controls and patients with confirmed rod-cone dystrophy, Stargardt disease, Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS), and Mitochondrial ATP synthase mutation (P ≤ 0.007). Mean FPF heterogeneity was significantly increased between age matched controls and patients with confirmed rod-cone dystrophy, Stargardt disease, and BBS (P ≤ 0.011). FPF lesions were noted to correlate with Fundus Autofluorescence (FAF) lesions in diseases examined. CONCLUSIONS: FPF intensity and heterogeneity significantly increased in patients with retinal dystrophies. The correlation of FPF lesions with FAF lesions implies FPF may be a clinically useful biomarker in patients with IRDs.

This study found increases in flavoprotein fluorescence signal in patients with genetically confirmed inherited retinal dystrophies compared to age matched controls. Flavoprotein fluorescence signal correlated with fundus autofluorescence findings, suggesting clinical utility of novel signal.

Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Treatment Patterns and Outcomes in Retinal Vein Occlusion in Routine Clinical Practice.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To characterize treatment patterns for retinal vein occlusion (RVO)-related macular edema (ME) in routine clinical practice and its impact on long-term best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central subfield thickness (CST). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 365 eyes with branch RVO (BRVO) or central/hemi-RVO (CRVO/HRVO)-related ME between 2003 and 2020. Regression analysis identified factors associated with maintenance injection interval (MII). Subgroup analysis compared outcomes between different MIIs. RESULTS: 51.3% of BRVO patients received injections ≤q8 weeks, 26.4% received injections q8-12 weeks, and 22.3% received injections >q12 weeks. 45.2% of CRVO/HRVO patients received injections ≤q8 weeks, 32.1% received injections q8-12 weeks, and 22.6% received injections >q12 weeks. Age, diabetes, and baseline CST were found to predict MII. There was no significant difference in BCVA and CST at baseline, 12, or 24 months in all MII groups in BRVO and CRVO/HRVO. CONCLUSION: There exists a significant heterogeneity in anti-VEGF treatment frequency for RVO-associated ME in routine clinical practice. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2022;53:626-633.].

Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: Variations in Clinical Presentation and Surgical Outcomes by Socioeconomic Status and Race.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To characterize rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) presentation and repair outcomes by race and socioeconomic status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort one-center study of adults with a new RRD repair from 2012 to 2020. Logistic and linear regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: 61.7% were male, 84.5% White and 9.4% Black (total n = 1092). 95.8% White and 94.2% Black patients had retinal reattachment (P = .234). Macula-off status was more likely with Medicare/Medicaid than private insurance (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.41, P = .014); and less likely with higher income (OR 0.88, CI 0.81 to 0.96, P = .003). Black patients had worse best visual acuity (BVA) at presentation and follow-up (follow-up -6.93 letters, CI -13.19 to -0.64, P = .031), and higher odds of postoperative ocular hypertension (OHTN) (OR 2.41, CI 1.28 to 4.60, P = .007). CONCLUSIONS: Despite equivalent retinal reattachment rates, Black patients have worse BVA, and are more likely to develop OHTN than White patients. Macula-off status is less likely in patients with higher income or private insurance. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2022;53:538-545.].

Impact of Persistent Retinal Fluid in Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Routine Clinical Practice.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To determine whether quantification of intraretinal fluid (IRF) and subretinal fluid (SRF) can be used as a biomarker for predicting visual prognosis in routine clinical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective, nonrandomized cohort study review of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration from January 1, 2012, to March 1, 2018. RESULTS: In the 286-patient cohort, the mean baseline, 6-month, and 12-month best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 60.24 ± 18.63, 65.57 ± 16.56, and 65.61 ± 17.37 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters, respectively (P < .001). The regression coefficient in the linear mixed effects regression model quantifying the association between eyes in the fourth and first quartile of IRF and 12-month BCVA was -4.14 (95% CI, -6.65 to -1.63) (P = .001) ETDRS letters. The regression coefficient quantifying the association between eyes in the fourth and first quartile of SRF and 12-month BCVA was -0.7 (95% CI, -3.07 to 1.27) (P = .56) ETDRS letters. CONCLUSION: IRF and SRF are valuable biomarkers for BCVA outcomes in treatment-naïve neovascular age-related macular degeneration in routine clinical practice. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging 2022;53:317-324.].

Influence of Race, Ethnicity, and Socioeconomic Factors in Idiopathic Macular Hole Presentation and Surgical Outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To characterize the influence of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic factors on idiopathic macular hole (IMH) presentation and surgical outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with IMH who underwent surgical repair collected IMH data from optical coherence tomography scans as well as demographic information. Univariate and multivariate regression models interrogated relevant relationships. RESULTS: Of 292 eyes analyzed, 223 (76.4%) patients were White and 53 (18.2%) were Black. Mean income was $57,076.9 ± 17,794.7. Black patients presented with 0.05 mm2 larger IMH area (95% CI, 0.01 to 0.09; P = .01) and 69.07 µm wider minimum linear diameter (95% CI, 15.05 to 123.10; P = .01). Patients with higher income presented with 3.76 µm narrower base diameter (95% CI, -6.42 to -1.09; P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: Black patients were associated with larger IMH at presentation, and higher income patients were associated with smaller IMH. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2022;53(6): 333-344.].

Impact of an Electronic Decision Support Tool to Improve Ophthalmic Safety in Hydroxychloroquine Prescribing Practices.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to implement a clinical decision support tool (CDS) and assess its impact on adherence to 2016 American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) hydroxychloroquine dosing recommendations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective, interventional study implemented an automated alert to calculate maximum daily hydroxychloroquine dose based on 2016 AAO recommendations and flag noncompliant orders. Prevalence of excessive dosing after CDS implementation was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 7,417 patients met inclusion criteria. After intervention, prevalence of excessive dosing decreased from 27.4% to 21.1% (P < .001) among all prescriptions and from 26.8% to 16.2% (P < .001) among new prescriptions. Daily doses exceeding 400 mg decreased from 0.8% to 0.02% (P < .001). Risk factors for excessive dosing included low weight (odds ratio, 75.6 [95% CI, 54.0 to 105.8]) and nonrheumatologist prescriber (odds ratio, 1.60 to 3.63; all P < .005). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the efficacy of a CDS in reducing excessive hydroxychloroquine dosing and improving adherence to AAO ophthalmic safety guidelines. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging 2022;53:310-316.].