A national analysis of systemic adverse events of beta-blockers used for glaucoma therapy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate systemic complications for timolol, carteolol, levobunolol, and/or betaxalol by using an FDA Federal Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). METHODS: We evaluated FAERS for adverse events associated with ß-blocker use for glaucoma. All reported symptoms were reviewed to identify systemic adverse events and to detect safety signals, defined as information on a new or known side effect that may be caused by a medicine. We used the proportional reporting ratio (PRR), reporting odds ratio (ROR), empirical Bayes geometric mean (EBGM), and information component (IC) as a part of a disproportionality analysis comparing the frequency of ß-blocker symptoms with all other adverse event reports. We considered a signal to be detected when all four disproportionality analysis metrics were positive. RESULTS: We found 10,500,309 total adverse event reports from the FAERS database 2004-2022Q3, which included 8,793 case reports with a primary suspect of a ß-blocker use for glaucoma. 1,838 unique adverse symptoms were reported were associated with ß-blocker. Regarding outcomes, there were 165 (1.88%) reports of disability, 671 (7.63%) reports of hospitalisation, and 1,934 (21.99%) reports of some other unspecified complication. Regarding adverse events, the most reported general, cardiac, and respiratory symptoms were respectively dizziness (n = 281), bradycardia (n = 145), and dyspnoea (n = 195). 256 (2.91%) cases of death were reported. We found significant signals on bradycardia (n = 145), complete atrioventricular block (n = 38), and bronchospasm (n = 23). No allergic, endocrine, constitutional, or gastrointestinal symptoms generated positive signals. CONCLUSION: ß-blocker use in glaucoma therapy can be rarely associated with serious systemic and life-threatening complications.

Predictive value of medical school ranking in the academic scholarship of ophthalmology residents.

Objective: To determine whether a resident's medical school ranking predicts their scholarship during residency. Design: The authors stratified ophthalmology residents in ACGME accredited programs into tiers based off their medical school background's US News & World Report ranking: T1 (schools 1-20), T2 (21-50), and T3 (51-90). Investigators queried PubMed and Scopus for number of total publications, first/second author publications, publications in the top 10 impact factor journals in ophthalmology, and publications with the senior author affiliated with the resident's residency program/medical school. Authors collected data from start of ophthalmology residency to December 5th, 2021, and performed Pearson chi squared, ANOVA, Eta squared, Tukey, and multivariable logistic regression tests. Results: 1054 residents were included for analysis, with 370 from T1 schools, 296 from T2 schools, and 388 from T3 schools. T3 residents had a significantly decreased likelihood of publishing at least one (OR = 0.659;95%CI = 0.481,0.905;p = .010), two (OR = 0.643;95%CI = 0.436,0.949;p = .026), or five (OR = 0.407;95%CI = 0.187,0.886;p = .024) total publications compared to T1 residents. T3 residents also were partially predicted to publish fewer first author works, high impact journal articles, and articles with senior authors affiliated with their medical school. T2 residents were more likely to publish at least one second author work than T1 residents (OR = 1.604;95%CI = 1.101,2.337;p = .014). There was no significant difference between tiers in publications with senior authors affiliated with the same residency program. Conclusions: The authors observed little difference in scholarship between residents from T1 and T2 schools, but some differences may exist between T3 and T1/T2 residents. Merit of rankings should be further explored.

Complications and adverse events of plaque brachytherapy for ocular melanoma.

Plaque brachytherapy is a well-accepted modality to manage selected cases of ocular melanoma. Although this modality provides validated oncologic and quality of life benefits, severe complications and adverse events can occur. This article reviews complications and adverse events of plaque brachytherapy, including scleral necrosis, strabismus, cataract, glaucoma, and retinopathies as well as management of these conditions. For practicing oncologists and ophthalmologists, these complications are important to understand, identify, and treat. Additionally, an understanding of common complications of brachytherapy should influence the decision of pursuing it as a treatment option.

Diagnosis of Vitreoretinal Aspergillosis with Transvitreal Retinochoroidal Biopsy.

Diagnosing culture-proven endophthalmitis is complicated by the insufficient yield of intraocular samples and the variety of etiologies which mimic true endophthalmitis. In cases of impending vision loss where vitreous biopsy cannot provide a definitive diagnosis, transvitreal retinochoroidal biopsy can be an effective next step. Our case is a 48-year-old male with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia that presented with counting fingers vision, redness, and tearing of the left eye. Exam showed cell and flare with hypopyon as well as dense vitritis. The patient underwent diagnostic pars plana vitrectomy and vitreous culture was negative at the time. Flow cytometry demonstrated no malignant cells. However, the patient's vision and mental status continued to clinically decline despite being started on intravitreal and systemic antibiotic and antifungal therapy. Neuroimaging revealed rim-enhancing brain lesions. Transvitreal retinochoroidal biopsy was performed in an elevated area of the retina. The biopsy helped rule out malignancy and showed acute-angle, septate, branching hyphae characteristic of Aspergillus fumigatus. Ultimately, the vitreous biopsy, cultures, and a biopsy from the left frontal lobe brain abscess all confirmed this diagnosis as well. Transvitreal retinochoroidal biopsy can play a role in the diagnosis of a case of posterior uveitis and can be particularly effective in diagnosing a fungal endophthalmitis.