Reducing Cancellations and Optimizing Surgical Scheduling of Ophthalmology Cases at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Preventable causes of ophthalmology surgical case cancellations were identified, and interventions were implemented to improve operating room utilization at our Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center. A retrospective review of 269 patients with cancellations from 2013 to 2015 was performed. Interventions implemented from September 2014 to March 2015 were evaluated followed by in-depth chart reviews to identify demographics and wait-time intervals. Interventions included scheduling surgeries electronically, by specialty, and with predetermined attending coverage. In addition, the preoperative templates and technology to obtain preoperative measurements were updated. Cancellation rates dropped significantly from 35% to 7% (p = .014). Preventable causes of cancellations decreased from 28% to 5% (p = .005). Operating room utilization increased significantly with 264 more scheduled cases in 2015 than in 2013 (485 vs. 749, p < .001), and surgery wait time trended downward. These findings may support the use of similar interventions at other VA medical centers or similar hospitals with the goal of improving quality of care through decreased cancellations and cost.

Anterior segment ultrasound biomicroscopy image analysis using ImageJ software: Intra-observer repeatability and inter-observer agreement.

PURPOSE: In this novel study, we demonstrate a standardized imaging and measurement protocol of anterior segment (AS) structures with reliability analysis using ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) and ImageJ software. METHODS: Ten pediatric and young adult patients undergoing examination under anesthesia for AS pathology were imaged using UBM. Four trained observers analyzed 20 images using ImageJ. Forty-five structural parameters were measured. Those that relied on the trabecular-iris angle (TIA) as a reference landmark were labeled TIA-dependent (TD) and all others were labeled non-TIA dependent (NTD). Intra-observer repeatability (IOR) and inter-observer agreement (IOA) of measurements were determined using coefficient of variation (CV) and intra-class correlation (ICC) followed by assessment of Bland-Altman plots (BAP) for each pair of observers, respectively. RESULTS: For NTD parameters, non-ciliary body (CB) related measurements showed CV range 0.60-16.22% and ICC range 0.84-0.89, whereas CB-related parameters showed CV range 2.86-23.40% and ICC range 0.29-0.92. For TD parameters, parameters < 2 degrees removed from reference showed CV range 0.02-5.40% and ICC range 0.89-1.00, whereas parameters > 1 degree removed showed CV range 0.63-27.44% and ICC range 0.22-1.00. No systematic proportional bias was detected by BAPs. CONCLUSIONS: Preplaced landmarks yielded good IOR and IOA in quantitative assessment of AS structures that were NTD and non-CB-related or less removed from the reference. CB-related NTD measurements varied greatly in IOR and IOA, indicating protocol modifications or CB qualitative assessments needed to improve accuracy. Variability in TD measurements increased the further removed from the reference, which supports implementation of a reliable reference landmark to minimize variation.

Predictive Value of Corneal Donor Demographics on Endothelial Cell Density.

PURPOSE: Corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) is an important measure for determining suitability for transplantation. Although age has been correlated with ECD, the impact of sex and ethnicity is unclear. METHODS: Corneal donor information from SightLife Eye Bank was collected between 2012 and 2016. Tests of association were adjusted for covariates using linear regression including age, race, and sex. "Unsuitable for transplantation" was a label assigned to specimens with extensive cell dropout, ECD <2000 cells/mm, and poor cell morphology. Repeated-measures analysis was used to account for the within-individual correlation between left and right eyes. RESULTS: A total of 39,679 donor corneas were analyzed, with a mean ECD 2743.5 cells/mm and mean age of 58. Simple linear regression demonstrated an association between ECD and age (P < 0.001). Multiple regression showed no association between sex and ECD. Compared with whites, African American, and Asian ethnicities were predictors of increased ECD (mean +45.7 cells/mm (P < 0.001) and +90.3 cells/mm (P < 0.001), respectively); Hispanic ethnicity was a predictor of decreased ECD [mean -36.9 cells/mm (P = 0.002)]. A total of 233 (0.59%) corneas were unsuitable for transplantation, which was associated with age (P < 0.001) but not sex or ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of a large sample of donor corneas continues to show age but not sex as a predictor of decreased ECD. African American and Asian ethnicities tend to have slightly higher ECD than that of white donors, whereas Hispanic donors have slightly lower ECD; however, ethnicity was not a predictor of suitability for transplantation. Clinical significance of these findings is yet to be determined.

Recurrent Corneal Erosions Secondary to Use of Sleep Mask.

A 31-year-old woman with a history of unusual appearing recurrent linear corneal epithelial defects and subepithelial scaring in both eyes underwent 2 years of evaluation and treatment. It was eventually discovered that the patient was using a sleep mask with excessive fabric pilling, which was found to be the source of her chronic epitheliopathy. After discontinuation of the sleep mask, the patient experienced complete resolution of symptoms. When evaluating recurrent corneal epithelial defects, external sources of repeated trauma, including sleepwear, should be investigated.

The Effect of Chronic Pulmonary Disease and Mechanical Ventilation on Corneal Donor Endothelial Cell Density and Transplant Suitability.

PURPOSE: To determine how chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and mechanical ventilation time affect corneal donor endothelial cell density (ECD) and transplant suitability. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Setting: Institutional. STUDY POPULATION: Total of 39 679 cornea donor eyes from SightLife Eye Bank between 2012 and 2016. Demographics, death-to-preservation time, ECD, lens status, medical history, time on mechanical ventilation, and suitability for transplantation were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ECD and transplant suitability. RESULTS: Mean ECD was 2733 cells/mm2. Mean age was 59 years. COPD affected 34.2% of donors. Mechanical ventilation was required in 35% of donors. Mean ventilation time was 1.3 days. After controlling for covariates, COPD was not found to be associated with poor transplant suitability (P = .22). Ventilation >7 days was associated with poor transplant suitability (P = .04). Donors with COPD and donors who were mechanically ventilated exhibited lower cell counts (P < .001, P < .01, respectively). Longer ventilation led to reduced endothelial cell density: ventilation time >7 days (-46.5 cells/mm2, P < .001) and >30 days (-101.4 cells/mm2, P = .02). Limitations of the study included the retrospective nature, dataset obtained from a single eye bank, and medical history documentation completed by eye bank technicians. CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of cornea donors have respiratory disease prior to donation. Ventilation time >7 days affected transplant suitability but the presence of COPD did not. Donors with COPD and donors who were mechanically ventilated had reduced cell counts. Longer ventilation times lead to increased cell loss. The presence of respiratory disease may affect tissue oxygenation and endothelial cell health.

Association Between Endothelial Cell Density and Transplant Suitability of Corneal Tissue With Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.

IMPORTANCE: The rate of types 1 and 2 diabetes in the United States is increasing. The effect of diabetes on corneal donor tissue is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To determine the association between endothelial cell density and suitability for transplantation in cornea donors with type 1 or 2 diabetes and determine the effect of diabetes on technician-induced endothelial damage during cornea donor tissue processing. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Donor information was obtained from the SightLife Eye Bank for donors from June 1, 2012, to June 30, 2015. The presence of diabetes was determined based on donor medical history. Severe diabetes was classified based on the presence of comorbidities of diabetes. The donor data set contained information on 34 497 donated eyes during the 3-year period, including donor demographics, time from death to refrigeration and preservation of the cornea, endothelial cell count, lens status, medical and surgical history, and suitability for transplantation. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Endothelial cell density, suitability for transplantation based on tissue analysis, and technician-induced endothelial damage. RESULTS: Among 14 532 donors (mean [SD] age, 58.6 [13.4] years; 8516 men and 6016 women), the mean (SD) endothelial cell count was 2732 (437) cells/mm2. Type 1 or 2 diabetes was listed in the medical history for 8552 of 27 948 donor eyes (30.6%); 5242 eyes (18.8%) were from patients with severe diabetes. After adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, sex, lens status, time from death to refrigeration, and time from death to preservation, the presence of diabetes (adjusted odds ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.51-1.22; P = .28) and severe diabetes (adjusted odds ratio, 95% CI, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.54-1.39; P = .54) were not associated with poor transplant suitability based on results of tissue examination. Donors with diabetes (mean [SD] cell count difference, 9.0 [6.7] cells/mm2; 95% CI, -4.1 to 22.2; P = .18) and severe diabetes (mean [SD] cell count difference, 7.7 [8.1] cells/mm2; 95% CI, -8.1 to 23.6; P = .34) did not exhibit lower cell counts. Technician-induced endothelial damage occurred in 59 corneas (0.2%) but was not associated with the presence of diabetes (adjusted odds ratio, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.66-2.32; P = .52). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: These data suggest that cornea donors have a high frequency of diabetes. However, this analysis was not able to show that the presence of diabetes was associated with technician-induced endothelial damage, reduced transplant suitability, or reductions in endothelial cell counts. Eye banks may need to collect medical history in a more robust manner. Additional studies may be valuable to determine the effect on long-term transplant outcomes of diabetes in cornea donors.

PERSISTENT RETINAL CHANGES AFTER INTRAVITREAL OCRIPLASMIN.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Postmarket analysis helps identify potentially important side effects not discovered during clinical trials. Ocriplasmin is a recently approved medication administered by intravitreal injection for the treatment of symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion and macular hole. Overall, clinical trials of ocriplasmin have shown a relatively high safety profile. However, recently, a series of case reports have highlighted acute vision loss associated with abnormal findings on spectral domain optical coherence tomography and electroretinography. METHODS/RESULTS: A 70-year-old man developed multiple discrete pockets of macular subretinal fluid 10 weeks after intravitreal ocriplasmin injection, with minimal resolution of fluid over 11 months. Electroretinographic findings demonstrated persistent rod photoreceptor sensitivity loss at 14 months after injection. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of persistent electroretinographic and optical coherence tomographic abnormalities after ocriplasmin injection. Electroretinography abnormalities were noted in a small percentage of patients during ocriplasmin clinical trials and in a recent series of case reports and postmarket survey analysis. The authors propose that cleavage of fibronectin and laminin causes disruption of the interphotoreceptor matrix, leading to the ellipsoid layer attenuation and resultant electroretinographic sensitivity loss and subretinal fluid described on spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Persistent changes over 14 months in this patient indicate that ocriplasmin may have the potential to cause permanent retinal damage.

Open Globe Injuries Presenting With Normal or High Intraocular Pressure.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency, clinical characteristics, and visual outcomes of patients who present with high or normal intraocular pressure (IOP) and open globe injuries. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: University of Maryland Medical Center, a level 1 trauma center. PATIENT OR STUDY POPULATION: All cases of open globe injury presenting to The University of Maryland Medical Center from July 2005 to January 2014. OBSERVATION: Demographics, initial physical examination, computed tomography findings, IOP of the affected and unaffected eyes, and follow-up evaluations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) IOP 10 mm Hg or greater and (2) visual acuity. RESULTS: Of 132 eyes presenting with open globe injury, IOP was recorded in 38 (28%). Mean IOP for the affected and unaffected eyes was 14±10.3 mm Hg and 16.6±4.1 mm Hg, respectively. Twenty-three (59.4%) eyes had IOP greater than 10 mm Hg. Six eyes (16.2%) had IOP greater than 21 mm Hg. Using bivariate analysis, IOP greater than 10 mm Hg was associated with posterior open globe injury (P=0.01), posterior hemorrhage (P=0.04), and intraconal retrobulbar hemorrhage (P=0.05). Adjusting for age, sex, and race, IOP greater than 10 mm Hg was associated with the presence of posterior open globe injury on clinical examination (P=0.04). Higher presenting IOP was found to predict light perception or worse vision (P=0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that poor presenting vision was the best predictor of poor final vision (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: High IOP does not exclude open globe injury. It is a frequent finding in patients with open globe injuries and may be associated with posterior injury and poor visual prognosis.