An evaluation of optometric advanced skills within a UK tertiary based setting.

INTRODUCTION: Hospital-based optometrists are undertaking extended roles across ophthalmology that may require them to perform advanced skills (AS). Moorfields Eye Hospital (MEH) is the largest UK employer of hospital-based optometrists, it was sought to investigate which AS are being performed at this centre and how they align to the four pillars of advanced clinical practice (ACP). METHODS: An online survey was sent to MEH optometrists in May 2022 that asked about professional status, sub-specialties worked, qualifications, acquisition and validation of AS, research and leadership. RESULTS: Ninety-six optometrists with mean post-qualification experience was 16.2 years (SD 10.4) responded to the survey. There were 84 AS that covered clinical, leadership and research, with respondents achieving a mean of 11.8 (SD 10.3). Those with independent prescribing (IP) qualifications (n = 52) had a higher number of AS compared to non-IP optometrists (p = 0.03). There were 68 clinical AS across the sub-specialties (23 clinical AS were common in ≥2 sub-specialties), 49 out of 120 clinical AS could be performed by at least 60% of staff. Twenty-six optometrists identified with leadership, 56 had undertaken research/audit, 27 had published within a peer-reviewed journal and half of the time spent in active research was funded. CONCLUSION: AS are being performed by optometrists within a tertiary eye hospital that supports ACP. IP optometrists had higher self-reported AS but current educational frameworks don't accommodate for some AS. Targeted AS courses with competency-based sign-off may further support high-quality patient care. Further research is required on how advanced care practitioners can support workforce transformation.

Patterns of attendances to the hospital emergency eye care service: a multicentre study in England.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To characterise the patterns of presentation and diagnostic frequencies in Hospital Emergency Eye Care Services (HEECS) across 13 hospitals in England. METHODS: Retrospective, cross-sectional, observational multi-centre (n = 13) study to assess HEECS attendances over a 28-day study period. Data derived included: number of consecutive attendances, patient demographics and diagnoses. Age and gender variations, the impact of day of the week on attendance patterns, diagnostic frequencies and estimates of the annual incidence and attendance rates were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 17,667 patient (mean ± standard deviation age = 49.6 ± 21.8 years) attendances were identified with an estimated HEECS annual new attendance rate of 31.0 per 1,000 population. Significantly more females (53%) than males (47%) attended HEECS (p < 0.001). Female attendances were 13% higher in those ≥50 years of age. Weekends were associated with a significant reduction in attendances compared to weekdays (χ2 = 6.94, p < 0.001). Among weekdays, Mondays and Fridays were associated with significantly higher attendances compared with midweek (χ2 = 2.20, p = 0.032). Presenting pathologies involving the external eye, cornea and conjunctiva accounted for 28.6% of the caseload. CONCLUSION: This is the largest multicentre study assessing attendance patterns in HEECS in England. We have, for the first time, observed a "weekend effect" in relation to attendance to HEECS. Differences in health-seeking behaviour and lack of awareness of HEECS weekend services may be partly attributed to the differences observed. Our findings, along with the type of presentations, have the potential to guide commissioners with future planning of HEECS.

Foveal structure and visual function in nanophthalmos and posterior microphthalmos.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The reason for visual impairment in patients with nanophthalmos and posterior microphthalmos is not completely understood. Therefore, this study aims to investigate foveal structure, and the impact of demographic, clinical and imaging parameters on best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in these conditions. METHODS: Sixty-two eyes of 33 patients with nanophthalmos (n=40) or posterior microphthalmos (n=22), and 114 eyes of healthy controls with high-resolution retinal imaging including spectral-domain or swept-source optical coherence tomography images were included in this cross-sectional case-control study. Foveal retinal layer thickness was determined by two independent readers. A mixed-effect model was used to perform structure-function correlations and predict the BCVA based on subject-specific variables. RESULTS: Most patients (28/33) had altered foveal structure associated with loss of foveal avascular zone and impaired BCVA. However, widening of outer nuclear layer, lengthening of photoreceptor outer segments, normal distribution of macular pigment and presence of Henle fibres were consistently found. Apart from the presence of choroidal effusion, which had significant impact on BCVA, the features age, refractive error, axial length and retinal layer thickness at the foveal centre explained 61.7% of the variability of BCVA. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that choroidal effusion, age, refractive error, axial length and retinal layer thickness are responsible for the majority of interindividual variability of BCVA as well as the morphological foveal heterogeneity in patients with nanophthalmos or posterior microphthalmos. This might give further insights into the physiology of foveal development and the process of emmetropisation, and support clinicians in the assessment of these disease entities.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use among emergency eye care professionals in the UK during the COVID19 pandemic.

EEC staff were provided with rapidly changing personal PPE guidance by Public Health England (PHE) with specific subspecialty advice from the British Emergency Eye Care Society (BEECS) and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) UK during the COVID19 pandemic. BEECS undertook a baseline survey of its members after the initial response from the RCOphth 16/3/20 mirroring Public Health England (PHE) advice and a follow- up survey after the guidance was updated on 9/4/20. A combined total of 84 responses were received. Improvements after RCOphth changes between the two surveys from hospital respondents showed increases in temperature screening (13%), scrub use (34%), use of aprons (31%), masks (4%), eye protection (35%), gloves (25%) and slit lamp guard (1%). Our findings demonstrate a positive and significant adaptation of PPE in response to change in guidance published by PHE, RCOphth and BEECS between 16/3/20 and 11/4/20. The COVID19 pandemic has rapidly taken over the normal activity of Ophthalmic departments creating unprecedented challenges. Following initial confusion and vulnerability expressed by EEC professionals to PPE guidance, most Trusts appear to have adapted and are doing similar things. The response has been swift and effective as a result of good team work and early advice from BEECS and the RCOphth. On the whole, management teams are listening.

A survey of ocular sports trauma and the role of eye protection.

PURPOSE: The incidence of sports associated ocular injuries presenting to emergency departments is rising. Despite this, eye protection is not widely used in the general population. This survey was conducted to determine the spectrum of ocular sports injuries that presented to the emergency department of an ophthalmic hospital, which serves a large sector of inner city London. The role of eye protection in preventing ocular sports injuries was also investigated. METHODS: All patients who attended the emergency department with sports associated ocular injuries between May and July 2008 were identified. Medical records of these patients were examined. RESULTS: There were a total of 16999 ophthalmic emergency attendances. 48 (0.28%) patients presented with sports related ocular injuries. The outcomes of the consultations were: 13 (27.1%) patients discharged from the emergency department, 17 (35.4%) had reviews arranged in the emergency department, 18 (37.5%) referred to subspecialties. The mean presenting LogMAR visual acuities of patients that were discharged, reviewed in the emergency department, and referred to subspecialties were 0.01 (±0.33), 0.48 (±0.75), and 0.31 (±0.61) respectively. Visual acuities were better by 0.39 (95% CI 0.01-0.77, p=0.042) in patients who were discharged compared to patients who were reviewed in the emergency department or referred to subspecialties. Evaluation of records revealed that no patients wore eye protection and none were given advice regarding prevention of future injuries. CONCLUSION: Results from this survey show that ocular sports injuries account for a proportion of ophthalmic emergency attendances with a potential impact on service provision. It is essential that ophthalmologists, optometrists and other healthcare professionals are aware of the potential ocular morbidity from sports trauma and the importance of providing advice on the prevention of such injuries.

A randomised placebo-controlled trial of topical steroid in presumed viral conjunctivitis.

AIMS: To assess whether topical steroids improve patient comfort compared with hypromellose in acute presumed viral conjunctivitis. METHODS: Patients presenting with acute follicular conjunctivitis, presumed viral in origin, were randomised to receive either dexamethasone 0.1% or hypromellose 0.3% drops four times daily for 1 week. At review after 5-7 days patients completed questionnaires on whether they thought the treatment had helped and on their level of discomfort. A physician assessed conjunctival hyperaemia using a grading scale. RESULTS: 111 patients were randomised: 56 received dexamethasone drops and 55 received hypromellose lubricant drops. Eighty-eight returned for review. Most patients (39/45 (87%)) receiving dexamethasone and most of those receiving hypromellose 30/43 (70%) felt that the treatment helped. Analysis of all responses showed a significant difference between treatments (p=0.0248, rank sum test). No significant differences between dexamethasone and hypromellose arms were found in the patients' perceived level of discomfort or the physician grading of conjunctival hyperaemia. No patient experienced a serious complication. CONCLUSIONS: There us now evidence to support the use of a short course of topical dexamethasone for patients presenting with acute follicular conjunctivitis presumed to be viral in origin. Where topical dexamethasone is prescribed we have not found it to be harmful. TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN50728656.

Glaucoma expert patient programme and ocular hypotensive treatment.

Expert patient programmes (EPPs) are becoming an increasingly important aspect of chronic disease management, resulting in improved health outcomes for patients. Patients with chronic open angle glaucoma (COAG) require lifelong therapy. However, to date, no EPPs have been designed specifically for patients with chronic eye conditions like COAG. This article describes the development and implementation of the Glaucoma Expert Patient Programme (GEPP), a glaucoma-specific educational self-management programme which aims to improve glaucoma patients' knowledge, self-management skills, expectations and adherence to treatment. A review of theoretical frameworks and models which underpin the design, use and conduct of EPPs was undertaken, and the GEPP was designed based on the model by Kate Lorig (2003). The result is an educational programme which offers COAG patients a different perspective on their condition and supports them with knowledge, skills and strategies to better manage their condition on a daily basis.

Cystoid macular edema and visual loss as sequelae to interferon alpha treatment of systemic hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C virus infection and interferon treatment may be associated with retinopathy but visual function is generally unaffected. This paper reports the rare occurrence of unilateral macular edema with visual loss. We present an interventional case report with fundus photograph and optical coherence tomography (OCT). A 48-year-old white male with hepatitis C, treated with a six-month course of pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin, complained of gradual reduction in the vision of his left eye. Visual acuities were 20/16 right and 20/400 left with clinical examination and OCT confirming cystoid macular edema. This report shows that cystoid macular edema may rarely occur in association with hepatitis C infection and/or interferon therapy. Physicians and ophthalmologists should be alert to this potential but infrequent association as the resultant visual loss is a significant potential complication that should be discussed when obtaining informed consent for interferon treatment.

Iris vascular tuft causing recurrent hyphema and raised IOP: a new indication for laser photocoagulation, angiographic follow-up, and review of laser outcomes.

We report the first case of iris vascular tuft (Cobb's tuft) causing recurrent spontaneous hyphema and raised intraocular pressure that underwent laser photocoagulation (LaP). For the first time, we report fluorescein angiogram guided LaP of the lesion and feeder vessels and 1 year angiographic follow up. We also review indications and outcomes of LaP of iris vascular tufts in the literature.

The quality of optometrists' referral letters for glaucoma.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the quality of content of optometrist-initiated glaucoma referral letters arriving at the appointment booking centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital (MEH). METHODS: The minimum standard of information required for an ophthalmologist to determine the appropriateness and urgency of glaucoma suspect referral was determined, and criteria for three standards of referral letter formulated: 'Ideal', 'Acceptable' and 'Fail'. These standards were applied to a prospective review of all optometrist-derived referrals for glaucoma or suspected glaucoma cases arriving in the MEH booking centre over a 4-month period. The contents of each letter were scrutinised and classified based on the criteria within each standard. RESULTS: Forty-nine per cent of referral letters were found to be of 'acceptable' quality, 7%'ideal' quality and the remainder classed as "fail". The main reason for failure was an omission of non-clinical information, including patient and/or referring practice details, although 26% of letters failed to include an optic disc evaluation and 6% failed to provide intra-ocular pressure measurements. Two-thirds of 'acceptable' letters did not reach the 'ideal' standard due to a lack of discussion of risk factors, visual field analysis or recommendations for referral speed. DISCUSSION: The information gleaned from this prospective study indicates a need to improve the quality of optometrists' glaucoma referral letters, particularly with respect to completion of all the items set out on the General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) 18 referral form.

Australia and New Zealand survey of antimetabolite and steroid use in trabeculectomy surgery.

AIM: To assess the pattern of use of antimetabolites and steroids in trabeculectomy surgery among consultant ophthalmologists in Australia and New Zealand. METHOD: A postal questionnaire of 25 questions regarding current glaucoma practices and antimetabolite and steroid use in trabeculectomy surgery was sent to all practicing Australian and New Zealand Fellows of the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists in July 2005. The second half of the survey consisted of questions on the number of trabeculectomies performed per year, topical steroid use, the type of antimetabolite used, and assessment of factors that may influence the decision to use them. The results were cross-tabulated according to state/country, years practicing, type of practice, and being a glaucoma subspecialist (GSS). RESULTS: The overall response rate was 78% (627 out of 808). Ninety-one percent stated that they managed glaucoma of which 65% stated that they perform trabeculectomy surgery and 16% considered themselves as a GSS. In 2004, 75% of ophthalmologists performed less than 10 trabeculectomies. Sixty-one percent used an antimetabolite in trabeculectomy surgery of which 5-fluorouracil was used 51% (intraoperatively) and 24% (postoperatively). Mitomycin C was used in 12% and 0.2 mg/mL was the most commonly used concentration for 2 or 3 minutes. Fifty-four percent used postoperative steroids in a primary trabeculectomy for 1 to 2 months with 48% of GSSs using it for 2 to 3 months. Forty-eight percent to 96% would use an antimetabolite in patients with risk factors for conjunctival scarring. CONCLUSIONS: This survey shows a wide range of the use of antimetabolites and steroids in trabeculectomy surgery with 5-fluorouracil being most commonly used. GSSs and young ophthalmologists would use antimetabolites more often and postoperative steroids for longer. This survey allows ophthalmologists to compare their own practices with those of their colleagues in Australia and the United Kingdom.

Increased crystalline lens thickness and phacomorphic glaucoma in patients with Fanconi anemia.

We describe 2 siblings with Fanconi anemia (FA). One developed phacomorphic glaucoma, and both had increased crystalline lens thickness, features that have not been reported in patients with FA. The possible pathogenesis and clinical implications of the findings are discussed.

Human antitransforming growth factor beta(2) monoclonal antibody--a new modulator of wound healing in trabeculectomy: a randomized placebo controlled clinical study.

PURPOSE: The human monoclonal antibody that neutralizes the growth factor TGFbeta(2) (CAT-152) safely and effectively inhibits in vitro and in vivo models of conjunctival scarring. This phase I/IIa clinical trial was designed to assess the safety and tolerability of CAT-152 in patients undergoing trabeculectomy. DESIGN: Prospective randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS AND CONTROLS: Twenty-four patients who were due to undergo primary trabeculectomy at Moorfields or Western Eye Hospitals in London, England, were recruited for this study and randomly assigned to treatment with either CAT-152 (100 microg in 100 microl) (n = 16) or placebo (n = 8). METHODS: The treatment regimen was a series of four 100-microl subconjunctival injections, given immediately before and after surgery, and at 1 day and 1 week postoperatively. Assessment consisted of a full ophthalmic examination with recordings of the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuities performed at baseline and at set intervals after surgery. Any adverse events were recorded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity, intraocular pressure, complications, and adverse events. RESULTS: The results of 12 month's follow-up on all patients are documented. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of complications between the two groups, and no serious adverse events related to the study drug occurred. Blebs after CAT-152 antibody treatment were diffuse, noncystic, and nonavascular, unlike blebs associated with antimetabolites. The fall in intraocular pressure was greater in the CAT-152 group at 3 and 6 months (P < 0.05) and approached statistical significance at 12 months. There was a trend toward less intervention in those patients treated with CAT-152. The small number of patients included limited the power of the study (34%) to detect a difference between groups. Sixteen patients in each arm of the study would be required to obtain a power of 90% with a 5% significance level. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first clinical study of CAT-152 in patients undergoing glaucoma filtration surgery. CAT-152 seems to be well tolerated, and based on these results further multicenter trials are underway.