Prediction of vitreomacular traction syndrome outcomes with deep learning: A pilot study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the potential of an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) based Deep-Learning (DL) model in the prediction of Vitreomacular Traction (VMT) syndrome outcomes. DESIGN: A single-centre retrospective review. METHODS: Records of consecutive adult patients attending the Royal Adelaide Hospital vitreoretinal clinic with evidence of spontaneous VMT were reviewed from January 2019 until May 2022. All patients with evidence of causes of cystoid macular oedema or secondary causes of VMT were excluded. OCT scans and outcome data obtained from patient records was used to train, test and then validate the models. RESULTS: For the deep learning model, ninety-five patient files were identified from the OCT (SPECTRALIS system; Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) records. 25% of the patients spontaneously improved, 48% remained stable and 27% had progression of their disease, approximately. The final longitudinal model was able to predict 'improved' or 'stable' disease with a positive predictive value of 0.72 and 0.79, respectively. The accuracy of the model was greater than 50%. CONCLUSIONS: Deep-learning models may be utilised in real-world settings to predict outcomes of VMT. This approach requires further investigation as it may improve patient outcomes by aiding ophthalmologists in cross-checking management decisions and reduce the need for unnecessary interventions or delays.

Distinguishing laboratory characteristics in giant cell arteritis: a real-world retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Untreated Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) has the potential to cause serious complications such as vision loss. Appropriate initial assessment by General Practitioners, early treatment and specialist referral are therefore essential in reducing morbidity. However, lack of awareness around the range of presentations can lead to a delay in diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: We aim to evaluate the discriminative diagnostic performance of laboratory characteristics associated with GCA in our population over a period of 18 months. DISCUSSION: This is a real-world retrospective review of patients referred to ophthalmology services with concern for GCA. The pre-test probability of a patient referred with suspected GCA was 13.9% to have GCA, highlighting the need for specialist referrals to continue. White Cell Count (p = 0.01), Platelet Count (p = 0.02), Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p = 0.004) and C-reactive protein (p = 0.002) were significantly different between GCA and non-GCA cases. Moreover, this study demonstrates that absolute neutrophil count (p = 0.02) can be a useful parameter in initial investigations for GCA.

Real-world outcomes of low-dose atropine therapy on myopia progression in an Australian cohort during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: To report the outcomes of low-dose atropine (0.01% and 0.05%) for preventing myopia progression in a real-world Australian cohort during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Records of children presenting with myopia, from January 2016 to 2022, were retrospectively reviewed at a comprehensive ophthalmic practice. Children who discontinued treatment, ages >18, and cases with hereditary conditions were excluded. The rate of progression of myopia after treatment with atropine was compared with historical data to evaluate the effectiveness of the regime. RESULTS: One hundred and one children (mean baseline spherical equivalent [SphE] [-3.70 +/- 2.09 D] and axial length [AL] [24.59 +/- 1.00 mm]) were analysed. The mean age of the children was 10.4 +/- 2.89 years and 61% were females. The average follow-up time was 17.9 +/- 12.5 months. The mean rate of progression of AL and SphE on 0.01% atropine eyedrops was 0.219 +/- 0.35 mm and - 0.250 +/- 0.86 D/year, respectively. 68.1% of the children treated with 0.01% atropine were mild progressors (<0.5 D change/year). Non-responders when commenced on a higher dose of atropine (0.05%) experienced a 93% (p = 0.012) and 30% reduction in SphE and AL growth rate, respectively. Family history, higher myopia or younger age at baseline and shorter duration of treatment were associated with steeper progression (p < 0.01). Both doses were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose atropine was shown to be beneficial in a real-world clinical setting, despite interruptions to follow-ups secondary to COVID-19 pandemic. A 0.05% dose of atropine may be effective in cases where 0.01% was ineffective.

Case Report: Late spontaneous orbital subperiosteal hematoma after endoscopic sinonasal tumor resection.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: We report a case of spontaneous subperiosteal orbital hematoma many years after endoscopic sinonasal resection of malignancy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 50-year-old female with a six-year history of endoscopic sinonasal resection of a poorly differentiated neuroendocrine tumor presented with two days of worsening frontal headache and left periocular swelling. A subperiosteal abscess was initially suspected on CT; however, MRI sequences revealed changes consistent with the diagnosis of hematoma. A conservative approach was justified based on the clinico-radiologic features. Progressive clinical resolution was noted over three weeks. Two monthly follow-up MRI revealed resolution of the orbital findings with no features to indicate recurrence of malignancy. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Subperiosteal pathologies can be clinically challenging to differentiate. Differing radiodensities on CT may help differentiate between them but is not always reliable. MRI is more sensitive and is the preferred imaging modality. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous orbital hematomas are self-resolving, and surgical exploration may be avoided in the absence of complications. Therefore, it is beneficial to recognize it as a potential late complication of extensive endoscopic endonasal surgery. Characteristic features on MRI can aid diagnosis.

Functional epiphora: an under-reported entity.

PURPOSE: To determine the etiology of epiphora in a tertiary Australian lacrimal clinic and highlight the high proportion of 'functional' cases. METHODS: Single-center retrospective review: Records of adult patients presenting to a tertiary lacrimal clinic from January 2011 to February 2021 with epiphora were reviewed. Patients underwent testing with syringing/probing and lacrimal imaging to reach a diagnosis of functional epiphora. Functional epiphora was diagnosed based on the exclusion of alternate causes of epiphora on clinical examination, patent lacrimal syringing, normal dacryocystography, and delay on dacryoscintigraphy. RESULTS: Five hundred and seventy-six symptomatic eyes of 372 adult patients (mean 66.2 ± 15.5 years, 63.4% females) with epiphora were evaluated for causes. Post-sac obstruction (stenosis/complete obstruction) and functional epiphora (non-anatomical delay) were the most common causes of presentations to the lacrimal clinic (26% each). Functional epiphora with post-sac delay was substantially more common than functional epiphora with pre-sac delay (89% vs. 11% of functional epiphora cases). In 16% of the cases, no cause for the epiphora was found while more than one cause (multifactorial) was present 11% of the time. CONCLUSION: Functional epiphora was found to be as common as a nasolacrimal anatomical obstruction when lacrimal imaging is utilized.

DCR for nasolacrimal duct stenosis may be less effective than for complete obstruction.

OBJECTIVES: To ascertain the success of endo-DCR in nasolacrimal duct stenosis (NLDS) versus nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO). METHODS: Consecutive adult patients with epiphora attending a tertiary lacrimal clinic from February 2012 to February 2021 were reviewed. NLDS was diagnosed by patent lacrimal syringing and combined dacryocystography (NLD stenosis) and dacryoscintigraphy (post-sac delay) findings in all eyes. Cases with evidence of canalicular stenosis or other identifiable causes of epiphora were excluded. The epiphora resolution and improvement rates following endo-DCR were compared between NLDS and complete NLDO cases. RESULTS: DCRs in 24 NLDS (23 patients, 69.6% females, mean age 61.0 ± 17.07) and 58 NLDO (56 patients, 69.6% females, mean age 61.9 ± 17.4) were included. Resolution of epiphora was achieved in 10 (41.7% [95% CI 0.24-0.61]) of the NLDS cases compared to 40 (69.0% [95% CI 0.56-0.79]) in NLDO (p = 0.021). Improvement of epiphora (i.e., either improvement or resolution) was noted in 17 (70.8% [95% CI 0.51-0.85]) of NLDS and 53 (91.4% [95% CI 0.81-0.96]) of NLDO cases (p = 0.034). Three patients (12.5%) with NLDS had subsequent lacrimal procedures (one DCR revision, two Jones tube) at a median of 14 (range 11-21) months. 71.4% of the NLDS patients responded to a phone questionnaire at a median of 93 months postoperatively. Of these, 46.7% reported resolution or significant improvement, and 33.3% reported slight improvement. 64.3% said they would recommend DCR to others suffering from epiphora. CONCLUSION: Endo-DCR may benefit approximately 70% of patients with NLDS. The success of endo-DCR in complete NLDO may be higher.

Soft stop on syringing and probing may have a high false-positive rate in diagnosing pre-sac obstruction.

PURPOSE: To determine the diagnostic value of 'soft stops' encountered during lacrimal syringing and probing. METHODS: Single-center retrospective review. Adult patients with epiphora attending a tertiary lacrimal clinic from May 2010 to April 2021 were reviewed. Cases with evidence of soft stop encountered during lacrimal syringing/probing were included, and patients with possible canaliculitis or a history of lacrimal surgery were excluded. Findings of syringing/probing consistent with pre-sac obstruction were correlated with dacryocystography (DCG) and surgical findings. RESULTS: 53 (10.2%) canalicular systems had soft stops on syringing/probing and were included in the analysis. The mean age of the patients was 63.8 ± 15.6 (range 28-87) years, and 27 (65.9%) were females. Intraoperative examination findings were available for 27 of 30 cases that underwent lacrimal surgery and DCG was available for 40 systems. Pre-sac obstruction found on syringing/probing was confirmed in 40% and 37% of cases on DCG and surgery, respectively. The correlation between syringing/probing and DCG was stronger for canalicular than for common canalicular location (p = 0.016). Canalicular stenosis on syringing/probing manifested as pre-sac abnormality on DCG in 5/7 (71.4%) compared to 0/6 common canalicular stenosis cases (p = 0.021). Based on the surgical findings, the false-positive rate of a soft stop on syringing/probing was highest for common canalicular 'stenosis' (100%) and lowest for canalicular 'block' (45.5%; p = 0.093). Findings of pre-sac obstructions on DCG were confirmed in 85.7% of the cases intraoperatively (p = 0.035 compared to syringing/probing alone). CONCLUSIONS: Soft stops on probing showed poor correlation with DCG and surgical findings, particularly in common canalicular location.