Percepción del riesgo de infección por COVID 19 en procedimientos oftalmológicos / Perceived risk of COVID-19 infection in ophthalmic procedures

Objetivo: Determinar la percepción del nivel de riesgo de infección por COVID19 en la realización de procedimientos oftalmológicos. Métodos: Se encuestaron 70 profesionales de Oftalmología de la provincia Holguín, Cuba. Se aplicó un cuestionario con preguntas tipo Likert (escala 1 al 5) para evaluar 26 procedimientos oftalmológicos. Resultados: Los encuestados (edad media 40,5 ± 2,6 años; tiempo promedio en Oftalmología 13,0 ± 2,6 años; sexo femenino 75,7 por ciento) incluyeron 45 especialistas (64,3 por ciento), 18 residentes (25,7 por ciento) y 7 optometristas (10,0 por ciento). La evaluación promedio del riesgo de infección por COVID-19 atribuida a los procedimientos oftalmológicos fue de 3,63 ± 0,14, significativamente mayor que el valor central de la escala (p<0,0001). No se encontró relación significativa entre la evaluación y las variables edad (p=0,80), sexo (p=0,24), tiempo vinculado a la Oftalmología (p=0,98) y categoría asistencial (p=0,08). El procedimiento considerado de mayor riesgo fue la oftalmoscopía directa (p<0,001); y los de menor riesgo: test de Ishihara, y campo visual (octopus y pantalla tangente). Conclusiones: Los procedimientos oftalmológicos son considerados de alto riesgo de infección por COVID-19. Aquellos que requieren de mayor cercanía, contacto con la superficie ocular y lágrimas se consideraron de mayor riesgo, en primer lugar la oftalmoscopía directa. No existe adecuada percepción del riesgo que implica la tonometría de aire. Se consideraron menos riesgosos los que permiten evitar el contacto directo y mantener el distanciamiento(AU)

Objective: To determine the perception of the level of risk of infection by COVID-19 in the performance of ophthalmologic procedures. Methods: Seventy ophthalmology professionals from Holguin province, Cuba were surveyed. A questionnaire with Likert-type questions (scale 1 to 5) was applied to evaluate 26 ophthalmologic procedures. Results: Respondents (average age 40.5 ± 2.6 years; average time in Ophthalmology 13.0 ± 2.6 years; female gender 75.7 percent) included 45 specialists (64.3 percent), 18 residents (25.7 percent) and 7 optometrists (10.0 percent). The average assessment of the risk of COVID-19 infection attributed to ophthalmologic procedures was 3.63 ± 0.14, significantly higher than the central value of the scale (p<0.0001). No significant relationship was found between the evaluation and the variables age (p=0.80), sex (p=0.24), time linked to Ophthalmology (p=0.98) and care category (p=0.08). The procedure considered to be of higher risk was direct ophthalmoscopy (p<0.001); and those of lower risk: Ishihara test, and visual field (octopus and tangent screen). Conclusions: Ophthalmologic procedures are considered high risk for COVID-19 infection. Those that require greater proximity, contact with the ocular surface and tears were considered to be of higher risk, firstly direct ophthalmoscopy. There is no adequate perception of the risk involved in air tonometry. Those that avoid direct contact and maintain distance were considered less risky(AU)

Avoiding use of lid speculum and indentation reduced infantile stress during retinopathy of prematurity examinations.

PURPOSE: To study the safety and efficacy of indirect ophthalmoscopy with (Sp) or without (speculum free, SpF) the use of lid speculum and scleral indentation for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening. METHODS: In this crossover randomized controlled trial, preterm infants received either the Sp on their first and the SpF technique on their second examination a week later or vice versa. Video recordings of the infants' reactions were assessed by two observers, using Premature Infant Pain Profile-Revised score and the crying score of the Bernese Pain Scale for Neonates. Fundoscopy adequacy, its duration and adverse events within the first 24 hr postscreening were also recorded. RESULTS: Thirty-seven infants with median (interquartile range) gestational age of 28.7 (28.0, 30.2) weeks and mean (standard deviation, SD) birth weight 1225 (377) grams were enrolled. The mydriasis-induced stress was similar between the Sp and SpF exam (mean difference [MD]: 0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.83, 2.38; p = 0.33). The stress induced by fundoscopy (MD: 4.98, 95% CI: 3.58, 6.37; p < 0.001) and examination overall (MD: 2.32, 95% CI: 0.96, 3.67; p = 0.001) were higher in the Sp than in the SpF exam, and so was the crying score during fundoscopy (MD: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.56; p < 0.001). Adverse events in the two groups were similar (p = 0.13). Fundoscopy was adequate in identifying the absence of treatment-requiring ROP in all cases, and lasted longer in the Sp than in the SpF exam (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the use of speculum and indentation should be reserved for the few cases where fundus visualization is insufficient for excluding the presence of severe ROP.

Development, Validation, and Innovation in Ophthalmic Laser-Based Imaging: Report From a US Food and Drug Administration-Cosponsored Forum.

In April 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration, in conjunction with 11 professional ophthalmic, vision science, and optometric societies, convened a forum on laser-based imaging. The forum brought together the Food and Drug Administration, clinicians, researchers, industry members, and other stakeholders to stimulate innovation and ensure that patients in the US are the first in the world to have access to high-quality, safe, and effective medical devices. This conference focused on the technology, clinical applications, regulatory issues, and reimbursement issues surrounding innovative ocular imaging modalities. Furthermore, the emerging role of artificial intelligence in ophthalmic imaging was reviewed. This article summarizes the presentations, discussion, and future directions.

Non-contact retinal imaging compared to indirect ophthalmoscopy for retinopathy of prematurity screening: infant safety profile.

OBJECTIVE: Most retinopathy of prematurity screening involves an ophthalmologist performing indirect ophthalmoscopy, which can be stressful to infants. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety profile (using cardiopulmonary events as an indicator) of imaging infants with a non-contact retinal camera compared to examining them using indirect ophthalmoscopy. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study of 99 infants at a community hospital who were examined using indirect ophthalmoscopy and imaged using a non-contact retinal camera for retinopathy of prematurity. We evaluated the difference in the occurrence of safety events (i.e., clinically significant bradycardia, tachycardia, oxygen desaturation, or apnea) following the clinical examination versus retinal imaging. RESULT: Safety events occurred after 0.8% (n = 1) of imaging sessions and 5.8% (n = 18) of clinical examinations (mean difference = -0.055 (p = 0.015), favoring imaging). CONCLUSION: Retinal imaging with a non-contact camera was well tolerated and less stressful to infants compared to indirect ophthalmoscopy by an ophthalmologist.

Toxocariasis ocular en el adulto asociada a cirugía de vitrectomía mínimamente invasiva / Adult ocular toxocariasis associated to minimally invasive vitrectomy

La toxocariasis es una zoonosis parasitaria. Se describen las alteraciones anatómicas y funcionales producidas por membranas que traccionan el polo posterior y la periferia de la retina, las cuales provocan hemorragia vítrea parcial asociada a neovascularización del disco óptico con membrana epirretiniana, y un agujero macular lamelar relacionado con la presencia de granuloma periférico. Se presenta un caso clínico de un paciente sano, quien comenzó con disminución de la agudeza visual del ojo izquierdo y se le diagnosticó, por cuadro clínico y examen oftalmológico con resultado positivo de la prueba de Toxocara, una toxocariasis ocular complicada. Se le realizó cirugía de vitrectomía mínimamente invasiva 23 G asociada a membranectomía, y pelado de la membrana limitante interna, así como endofotocoagulación con láser panretiniana. Se usó como tamponador al final de la cirugía el gas SF6 y el posicionamiento del paciente. Se aplicó tratamiento antiparasitario y esteroideo sistémico previo a la cirugía, y se obtuvieron resultados satisfactorios tanto anatómicos como funcionales del paciente(AU)

Toxocariasis is a parasitic zoonosis. A description is provided of the anatomical and functional alterations produced by membranes that pull the posterior pole and the periphery of the retina, causing partial vitreous hemorrhage associated to neovascularization of the optic disk with epiretinal membrane, and a lamellar macular hole related to the presence of peripheral granuloma. A clinical case is presented of a healthy male patient who started out with a decrease in the visual acuity of his left eye and was diagnosed with a complicated ocular toxocariasis based on his clinical status and ophthalmological examination with a positive toxocara test. Minimally invasive vitrectomy was performed: 23G associated to membranectomy and internal limiting membrane peeling, as well as panretinal laser endophotocoagulation, using patient positioning and gas (SF6) as tamponade at the end of surgery. Systemic steroid and antiparasitic treatment was provided before surgery, and satisfactory anatomical and functional results were obtained(AU)

Toxocariasis ocular en el adulto asociada a cirugía de vitrectomía mínimamente invasiva / Adult ocular toxocariasis associated to minimally invasive vitrectomy

La toxocariasis es una zoonosis parasitaria. Se describen las alteraciones anatómicas y funcionales producidas por membranas que traccionan el polo posterior y la periferia de la retina, las cuales provocan hemorragia vítrea parcial asociada a neovascularización del disco óptico con membrana epirretiniana, y un agujero macular lamelar relacionado con la presencia de granuloma periférico. Se presenta un caso clínico de un paciente sano, quien comenzó con disminución de la agudeza visual del ojo izquierdo y se le diagnosticó, por cuadro clínico y examen oftalmológico con resultado positivo de la prueba de Toxocara, una toxocariasis ocular complicada. Se le realizó cirugía de vitrectomía mínimamente invasiva 23 G asociada a membranectomía, y pelado de la membrana limitante interna, así como endofotocoagulación con láser panretiniana. Se usó como tamponador al final de la cirugía el gas SF6 y el posicionamiento del paciente. Se aplicó tratamiento antiparasitario y esteroideo sistémico previo a la cirugía, y se obtuvieron resultados satisfactorios tanto anatómicos como funcionales del paciente(AU)

Toxocariasis is a parasitic zoonosis. A description is provided of the anatomical and functional alterations produced by membranes that pull the posterior pole and the periphery of the retina, causing partial vitreous hemorrhage associated to neovascularization of the optic disk with epiretinal membrane, and a lamellar macular hole related to the presence of peripheral granuloma. A clinical case is presented of a healthy male patient who started out with a decrease in the visual acuity of his left eye and was diagnosed with a complicated ocular toxocariasis based on his clinical status and ophthalmological examination with a positive toxocara test. Minimally invasive vitrectomy was performed: 23G associated to membranectomy and internal limiting membrane peeling, as well as panretinal laser endophotocoagulation, using patient positioning and gas (SF6) as tamponade at the end of surgery. Systemic steroid and antiparasitic treatment was provided before surgery, and satisfactory anatomical and functional results were obtained(AU)

Apnea after Routine Eye Examinations in Premature Infants.

Objective To determine the frequency of cardiorespiratory events following routine exams for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Study Design This is a retrospective review of 79 premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit at the University of Rochester Medical Center. The baseline for each infant (mean cardiorespiratory events in the 72 hours before the exam) was compared with the number of cardiorespiratory events during the subsequent 24 hours using generalized estimating equation and the Mantel-Haenszel chi-square test to determine if there was an association between cardiorespiratory events and potential risk factors. Results Approximately 19 to 25% of infants experienced an increase in cardiorespiratory events in the 24 hours following their eye exams. These newborns were generally of a younger gestational age and lower birthweight. Conclusion The frequency of cardiorespiratory events following routine ROP exams is similar to that following routine immunizations in this population. Thus, in infants being continuously monitored during the 24 hours after the exam, alterations in medical care in the absence of other clinical signs suggestive of sepsis or clinical deterioration may not be required, limiting unnecessary antibiotic exposure, prolonged caffeine administration, unwarranted gastroesophageal reflux treatment, and undue family stress.

Safety of iPhone retinal photography.

BACKGROUND: With the advancement in mobile technology, smartphone retinal photography is becoming a popular practice. However, there is limited information about the safety of the latest smartphones used for retinal photography. AIMS: This study aims to determine the photobiological risk of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus when used in conjunction with a 20Diopter condensing lens for retinal photography. METHOD: iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus (Apple, Cupertino, CA) were used in this study. The geometrical setup of the study was similar to the indirect ophthalmoscopy technique. The phone was set up at one end of the bench with its flash turned on at maximal brightness; a 20 Dioptre lens was placed 15 cm away from the phone. The light that passes through the lens was measured with a spectroradiometer and an illuminance probe at the other end to determine the spectral profile, spatial irradiance, radiant power emitted by the phone's flash. Trigonometric and lens formula were applied to determine the field of view and retinal surface in order to determine the weighted retinal irradiance and weighted retinal radiant exposure. RESULT: Taking ocular transmission and the distribution of the beam's spatial irradiance into account, the weighted retinal irradiance is 1.40 mW/cm2 and the weighted retinal radiant exposure is 56.25 mJ/cm2. The peak weighted foveal irradiance is 1.61 mW/cm2. CONCLUSION: Our study concluded that the photobiological risk posed by iPhone 6 indirect ophthalmoscopy was at least 1 order of magnitude below the safety limits set by the ISO15004-2.2.

Características del fondo de ojo en niños con miopía alta / Ocular fundus characteristics in high myopic children

Objetivos: describir las características clínicas del fondo de ojo en niños con miopía alta y su relación con la edad. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional analítico, transversal, de 38 ojos con miopía alta de 24 menores de 18 años, atendidos en consulta en el año 2011. Se dividieron en dos grupos de edad: menores de 10 años y mayores o iguales a 10 años. Se describieron los hallazgos clínicos del fondo de ojo y se compararon la longitud axial, el equivalente esférico, la agudeza visual mejor corregida, el grosor macular central, la profundidad y el ancho del estafiloma posterior. Resultados: la edad media de los niños fue de 9 años; el equivalente esférico medio fue -8,94 D (entre -6 y -16,5 D) y la agudeza visual mejor corregida media 0,26 logMAR. La longitud axial media aumentó con la edad (p= 0,001). Hubo evidencia de correlación entre la longitud axial y el equivalente esférico (p= 0,008; rho= -0,436). Clínicamente el polo posterior fue normal en el 36,84 por ciento, fundamentalmente en menores de 10 años; predominó el estafiloma posterior en el 39,47 por ciento; todos fueron simples, seguido de la atrofia en semiluna temporal (36,84 por ciento). No hubo alteraciones foveales. La periferia retiniana se exploró en el 52,63 por ciento y el 85 por ciento no tuvo lesiones. Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos de edad en cuanto a longitud axial, el grosor macular central a 90° y la profundidad del estafiloma (p= 0,001, p= 0,02 y p= 0,036, respectivamente). Conclusiones: la frecuencia del fondo de ojo normal disminuye con la edad en los ojos de los niños con miopía alta. Predominan las formas simples de estafiloma y la atrofia peripapilar en semiluna temporal, sin lesiones foveales(AU)

Objectives: to describe the clinical characteristics of ocular fundus in children with high myopia and its relationship with the age. Methods: a cross-sectional, analytical and observational study of 38 high myopic eyes from 24 children under 18 years old seen at the outpatient service in 2011. They were divided into two groups (under 10 years and 10 years and over) to describe the clinical findings of the ocular fundus and to compare the axial length, the spherical equivalent, the best corrected visual acuity, the central macular thickness and width and depth of posterior staphyloma. Results: the mean age was 9 years old; mean spherical equivalent was -8,94 D (between -6 and -16,5 D) and mean best corrected visual acuity amounted to 0,26 logMAR. The mean axial length increases with the age (p= 0,001). There was evident correlation between axial length and spherical equivalent (p= 0,008; rho= -0,436). The posterior pole was normal in 36,84 percent. No foveal lesions were found. The retinal periphery was examined in 52,63 percent of cases and 85 percent of them had no lesions. Statistically significant differences in axial length, central macular thickness at 900 and staphyloma depth were found between both age groups (p= 0,001; p= 0,02 and p= 0,036, respectively).Conclusions: the frequency of normal ocular fundus decreases with the age in high myopic children´s eyes. The simple forms of posterior staphyloma and the temporal crescent peripapillary atrophy without foveal lesions predominated(AU)

Efectos del tratamiento cubano para la retinosis pigmentaria sobre vasos coroideos / Effects of the Cuban treatment for retinitis pigmentosa on the choroidal vessels

Objetivo: describir los efectos sobre los vasos coroideos generados por la primera aplicación del tratamiento multiterapéutico cubano en pacientes con retinosis pigmentaria. Métodos: se realizó una investigación descriptiva longitudinal prospectiva, donde se seleccionaron 32 pacientes con retinosis pigmentaria, a quienes se les aplicó el tratamiento multiterapéutico cubano para esta enfermedad. Se utilizó un video angiógrafo de Heidelberg tipo 2 para realizar oftalmoscopia confocal por barrido láser infrarrojo, para adquirir y procesar imágenes de la capa media de vasos coroideos antes del tratamiento, 15 días y un año después de realizar este. El análisis de los resultados se realizó mediante Statistica 6.0 y SPSS 15.0 sobre Windows. Resultados: se observaron aumentos significativos de los diámetros vasculares en los cuadrantes temporales inferiores. En los temporales superiores hubo disminución no significativa; en los nasales inferiores se observaron aumentos significativos, y en los nasales superiores disminución significativa. Conclusión: después de aplicar el tratamiento multiterapéutico cubano para la retinosis pigmentaria, aumentan de forma duradera los diámetros de los vasos coroideos de la capa media solamente en el cuadrante temporal inferior(AU)

Objective: to describe the effects on the choroidal vessels after the first application of the Cuban multi-therapeutic treatment for patients with retinitis pigmentosa.Methods: a prospective, longitudinal and descriptive study of 32 patients with retinitis pigmentosa, who had undergone the Cuban multi-therapeutic treatment for this disease. There was used Heidelberg Retinal Angiograph- 2 to perform infrared laser scanning confocal ophthalmoscopy in order to take and to process images from the medial layer of the choroidal vessels before, 15 days, and one year after treatment. The results were analyzed with Statistica 6.0 and SPSS 15.0 on Windows.Results: significant increases in vascular diameters of the lower temporal quadrants were observed whereas non-significant decrease occurred in the upper temporal quadrants. Additionally, the choroidal vascular diameters increased significantly in the lower nasal quadrants and decreased in a significant way in the upper nasal ones.Conclusions: the Cuban multi-therapeutic treatment for retinitis pigmentosa increases the diameter of choroidal vascular vessels in a permanent way just in the lower temporal quadrant(AU)

Características del fondo de ojo en niños con miopía alta / Ocular fundus characteristics in high myopic children

Objetivos: describir las características clínicas del fondo de ojo en niños con miopía alta y su relación con la edad. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional analítico, transversal, de 38 ojos con miopía alta de 24 menores de 18 años, atendidos en consulta en el año 2011. Se dividieron en dos grupos de edad: menores de 10 años y mayores o iguales a 10 años. Se describieron los hallazgos clínicos del fondo de ojo y se compararon la longitud axial, el equivalente esférico, la agudeza visual mejor corregida, el grosor macular central, la profundidad y el ancho del estafiloma posterior. Resultados: la edad media de los niños fue de 9 años; el equivalente esférico medio fue -8,94 D (entre -6 y -16,5 D) y la agudeza visual mejor corregida media 0,26 logMAR. La longitud axial media aumentó con la edad (p= 0,001). Hubo evidencia de correlación entre la longitud axial y el equivalente esférico (p= 0,008; rho= -0,436). Clínicamente el polo posterior fue normal en el 36,84 por ciento, fundamentalmente en menores de 10 años; predominó el estafiloma posterior en el 39,47 por ciento; todos fueron simples, seguido de la atrofia en semiluna temporal (36,84 por ciento). No hubo alteraciones foveales. La periferia retiniana se exploró en el 52,63 por ciento y el 85 por ciento no tuvo lesiones. Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos de edad en cuanto a longitud axial, el grosor macular central a 90° y la profundidad del estafiloma (p= 0,001, p= 0,02 y p= 0,036, respectivamente). Conclusiones: la frecuencia del fondo de ojo normal disminuye con la edad en los ojos de los niños con miopía alta. Predominan las formas simples de estafiloma y la atrofia peripapilar en semiluna temporal, sin lesiones foveales(AU)

Objectives: to describe the clinical characteristics of ocular fundus in children with high myopia and its relationship with the age. Methods: a cross-sectional, analytical and observational study of 38 high myopic eyes from 24 children under 18 years old seen at the outpatient service in 2011. They were divided into two groups (under 10 years and 10 years and over) to describe the clinical findings of the ocular fundus and to compare the axial length, the spherical equivalent, the best corrected visual acuity, the central macular thickness and width and depth of posterior staphyloma. Results: the mean age was 9 years old; mean spherical equivalent was -8,94 D (between -6 and -16,5 D) and mean best corrected visual acuity amounted to 0,26 logMAR. The mean axial length increases with the age (p= 0,001). There was evident correlation between axial length and spherical equivalent (p= 0,008; rho= -0,436). The posterior pole was normal in 36,84 percent. No foveal lesions were found. The retinal periphery was examined in 52,63 percent of cases and 85 percent of them had no lesions. Statistically significant differences in axial length, central macular thickness at 900 and staphyloma depth were found between both age groups (p= 0,001; p= 0,02 and p= 0,036, respectively). Conclusions: the frequency of normal ocular fundus decreases with the age in high myopic children´s eyes. The simple forms of posterior staphyloma and the temporal crescent peripapillary atrophy without foveal lesions predominated(AU)

Efectos del tratamiento cubano para la retinosis pigmentaria sobre vasos coroideos / Effects of the Cuban treatment for retinitis pigmentosa on the choroidal vessels

Objetivo: describir los efectos sobre los vasos coroideos generados por la primera aplicación del tratamiento multiterapéutico cubano en pacientes con retinosis pigmentaria. Métodos: se realizó una investigación descriptiva longitudinal prospectiva, donde se seleccionaron 32 pacientes con retinosis pigmentaria, a quienes se les aplicó el tratamiento multiterapéutico cubano para esta enfermedad. Se utilizó un video angiógrafo de Heidelberg tipo 2 para realizar oftalmoscopia confocal por barrido láser infrarrojo, para adquirir y procesar imágenes de la capa media de vasos coroideos antes del tratamiento, 15 días y un año después de realizar este. El análisis de los resultados se realizó mediante Statistica 6.0 y SPSS 15.0 sobre Windows. Resultados: se observaron aumentos significativos de los diámetros vasculares en los cuadrantes temporales inferiores. En los temporales superiores hubo disminución no significativa; en los nasales inferiores se observaron aumentos significativos, y en los nasales superiores disminución significativa. Conclusión: después de aplicar el tratamiento multiterapéutico cubano para la retinosis pigmentaria, aumentan de forma duradera los diámetros de los vasos coroideos de la capa media solamente en el cuadrante temporal inferior(AU)

Objective: to describe the effects on the choroidal vessels after the first application of the Cuban multi-therapeutic treatment for patients with retinitis pigmentosa. Methods: a prospective, longitudinal and descriptive study of 32 patients with retinitis pigmentosa, who had undergone the Cuban multi-therapeutic treatment for this disease. There was used Heidelberg Retinal Angiograph- 2 to perform infrared laser scanning confocal ophthalmoscopy in order to take and to process images from the medial layer of the choroidal vessels before, 15 days, and one year after treatment. The results were analyzed with Statistica 6.0 and SPSS 15.0 on Windows. Results: significant increases in vascular diameters of the lower temporal quadrants were observed whereas non-significant decrease occurred in the upper temporal quadrants. Additionally, the choroidal vascular diameters increased significantly in the lower nasal quadrants and decreased in a significant way in the upper nasal ones. Conclusions: the Cuban multi-therapeutic treatment for retinitis pigmentosa increases the diameter of choroidal vascular vessels in a permanent way just in the lower temporal quadrant(AU)

Safety of Retinopathy of Prematurity Examination and Imaging in Premature Infants.

OBJECTIVES: To describe adverse events (AEs) and noteworthy clinical or ocular findings associated with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) evaluation procedures. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive analysis of predefined AEs and noteworthy findings reported in a prospective observational cohort study of infants <1251 g birth weight who had ROP study visits consisting of both binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy (BIO) and digital retinal imaging. We compared infant characteristics during ROP visits with and without AEs. We compared respiratory support, nutrition, and number of apnea, bradycardia, or hypoxia events 12 hours before and after ROP visits. RESULTS: A total of 1257 infants, mean birth weight 802 g, had 4263 BIO and 4048 imaging sessions (total 8311 procedures). No serious AEs were related to ROP visits. Sixty-five AEs were reported among 61 infants for an AE rate of 4.9% infants (61/1257) or 0.8% total procedures (65/8311 BIO + imaging). Most AEs were due to apnea, bradycardia, and/or hypoxia (68%), tachycardia (16%), or emesis (8%). At ROP visit, infants with AEs, compared with those without, were more likely to be on mechanical ventilation (26% vs 12%, P = .04) even after adjustment for weight and postmenstrual age. Noteworthy clinical findings were reported during 8% BIO and 15% imaging examinations. Respiratory and nutrition support were not significantly different before and after ROP evaluations. CONCLUSIONS: Retinal imaging by nonphysicians combined with BIO was safe. Noteworthy clinical findings occurred during both procedures. Ventilator support was a risk factor for AEs. Monitoring rates of AEs and noteworthy findings are important to the safe implementation of ROP imaging protocols. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01264276.

[Human milk for neonatal pain relief during ophthalmoscopy]. / O leite humano no alívio da dor neonatal no exame de fundo de olho.

Ophthalmoscopy performed for the early diagnosis of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is painful for preterm infants, thus necessitating interventions for minimizing pain. The present study aimed to establish the effectiveness of human milk, compared with sucrose, for pain relief in premature infants subjected to ophthalmoscopy for the early diagnosis of ROP. This investigation was a pilot, quasi-experimental study conducted with 14 premature infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a university hospital. Comparison between the groups did not yield a statistically significant difference relative to the crying time, salivary cortisol, or heart rate (HR). Human milk appears to be as effective as sucrose in relieving acute pain associated with ophthalmoscopy. The study's limitations included its small sample size and lack of randomization. Experimental investigations with greater sample power should be performed to reinforce the evidence found in the present study.

Pain and stress assessment after retinopathy of prematurity screening examination: indirect ophthalmoscopy versus digital retinal imaging.

BACKGROUND: Increasingly, neonatal clinics seek to minimize painful experiences and stress for premature infants. Fundoscopy performed with a binocular indirect ophthalmoscope is the reference examination technique for screening of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and it is associated with pain and stress. Wide-field digital retinal imaging is a recent technique that should be evaluated for minimizing infant pain and stress. METHODS: The purpose of the study was to assess and compare the impact of using a binocular indirect ophthalmoscope (BIO), or wide-field digital retinal imaging (WFDRI) on pain and stress in infants undergoing ROP screening examination. This was a comparative evaluation study of two screening procedures. Ophthalmologic examinations (N = 70) were performed on 24 infants with both BIO and WFDRI. Pain assessments were performed with two specific neonatal scales (Crying, requires oxygen, increased vital signs, expression and sleeplessness, CRIES and, Premature infant pain profile, PIPP) just prior to the examination, and 30 seconds, 1 hour, and 24 hours later after ending the examination. RESULTS: Changes over time were significantly different between BIO and WFDRI with both scales (PIPP score, p = .007, and CRIES score, p = .001). Median PIPP score (interquartile interval) at baseline was 4 (3-5). At 30 seconds the score was 8 (6-9) for BIO and 6 (5-7) for WFDRI, respectively. The increase in PIPP score between baseline and 30 seconds was significantly lower with WFDRI (p = .006). The median increase in CRIES score from baseline to 30 seconds was 1 point lower for WFDRI than for BIO (p < .001). No significant difference in response remained at 1 hour or 24 hour assessments. CONCLUSIONS: A transient short-term pain and stress response occurs with both BIO and WFDRI. Infants examined for screening of ROP with digital retinal imaging present less pain and stress at 30 seconds following completion of the exam when compared with binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy.

Local anaesthetic eye drops for prevention of pain in preterm infants undergoing screening for retinopathy of prematurity.

BACKGROUND: Screening examinations for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) are performed routinely in the neonatal intensive care unit and are a recognised cause of pain in the newborn. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of instillation of topical anaesthetic eye drops compared with placebo or no treatment on pain in infants undergoing ROP screening. SEARCH STRATEGY: We used the standard search strategy of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group. This included a search of the Cochrane Neonatal Group register and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library, Issue 10, 2010). We identified relevant studies by searching the following: (1) computerised bibliographic databases: MEDLINE (1966 to October 2010), EMBASE (1988 to October 2010) and Web of Science (1975 to March 2010; (2) the Oxford Database of Perinatal Trials. We searched electronically abstracts from PAS from 2000 to 2010 and handsearched abstracts from ESPR from 2000 to 2009. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised, or quasi-randomised controlled trials, or randomised cross-over trials. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used the standard methods of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group. MAIN RESULTS: We identified two studies for inclusion. Both studies were randomised cross-over trials performed in single centres. Both studies used the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) score as a measure of pain response. Different methods of evaluating PIPP scores are presented including the absolute PIPP score, a PIPP score > 10 or > 12 and an increase in PIPP ≥ 4 from the baseline value. There is a nonsignificant reduction in pain scores at one minute and a nonsignificant increase at five minutes post insertion of the speculum. PIPP score > 12 at one minute resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the number of patients who experienced pain (typical risk ratio (RR) 0.56, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.89; typical risk difference (RD) -0.23, 95% CI -0.39 to -0.86; number needed to treat to benefit (NNTB) 4). When pain was defined as an increase in PIPP > 4 there was a statistically significant reduction in the absolute number of patients who experienced pain at one minute (typical RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.94; typical RD -0.19, 95% CI -0.34 to -0.04; NNTB 5.3). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The administration of topical proparacaine 30 seconds prior to the ophthalmological evaluation was associated with a reduction in pain scores especially at the time of speculum insertion. However, despite treatment, screening remains a painful procedure and the role of nonpharmacological and pharmacological intervention including different local anaesthetic agents should be ascertained in future randomised trials.

Adaptive optics retinal imaging: emerging clinical applications.

The human retina is a uniquely accessible tissue. Tools like scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and spectral domain-optical coherence tomography provide clinicians with remarkably clear pictures of the living retina. Although the anterior optics of the eye permit such non-invasive visualization of the retina and associated pathology, the same optics induce significant aberrations that obviate cellular-resolution imaging in most cases. Adaptive optics (AO) imaging systems use active optical elements to compensate for aberrations in the optical path between the object and the camera. When applied to the human eye, AO allows direct visualization of individual rod and cone photoreceptor cells, retinal pigment epithelium cells, and white blood cells. AO imaging has changed the way vision scientists and ophthalmologists see the retina, helping to clarify our understanding of retinal structure, function, and the etiology of various retinal pathologies. Here, we review some of the advances that were made possible with AO imaging of the human retina and discuss applications and future prospects for clinical imaging.