Antibiotic Prescribing Patterns Among U.S. Ophthalmologists and Optometrists from 2018 to 2021 in the Medicare Part D Database.

Purpose: To assess antibiotic prescribing patterns among ophthalmologists and optometrists from 2018 to 2021. Methods: This is an observational, retrospective cohort study of the Medicare Part D prescriber public use files from 2018 to 2020. Prescription trends were analyzed with analysis of variance and negative binomial regression tests based on specialty, region, and types of antibiotics. Results: From 2018 to 2021, the number of ophthalmologists in the Medicare Part D database decreased from 18,452 to 18,285, and the number of optometrists increased from 23,071 to 24,734. Throughout the study period, the total number and proportion of antibiotic prescriptions by ophthalmologists and optometrists stayed almost constant with a dip in 2020, likely reflecting the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Both ophthalmologists and optometrists demonstrated geographic regional differences in prescribing patterns. The South consistently had the highest average number of claims per provider. Of the antibiotics prescribed by ophthalmologists in 2021, 48.6% are from the fluoroquinolone class, 20.5% are from the aminoglycoside class, and 18.2% are from the macrolide class. Optometrists were found to be more likely to prescribe antibiotics in a formulation combined with a corticosteroid throughout the study period. Conclusions: Our results have shown that prescribing patterns among ophthalmologists and optometrists have demonstrated significant changes in prescriptions of microbial resistance-promoting antibiotics. These patterns persist despite nation-wide attempts to control antimicrobial resistance.

A Rare Case of Methotrexate-Associated Lymphoproliferative Disease in the Orbit.

An 80-year-old Caucasian female with a history of rheumatoid arthritis presented with a 6-month history of progressive right upper eyelid ptosis, edema, erythema, and pain. MRI demonstrated a superior orbital mass. An incisional biopsy was performed, and pathologic analysis revealed an atypical lymphoid infiltrate, co-expressing both B and T-cell markers, with a low proliferation rate. Flow cytometry and IgH rearrangement study did not demonstrate any B- or T-cell monoclonal proliferation. Based on these findings, she was diagnosed with an iatrogenic immunodeficiency-associated lymphoproliferative disorder. Discontinuation of methotrexate resulted in the complete resolution of her symptoms, and she remains in remission 18 months later. Given the increased risk of lymphoproliferative disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, careful evaluation and close monitoring upon immunosuppressive medication withdrawal is necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Presenting as Bilateral Periorbital Edema Treated With Low-dose Radiation Therapy.

Ocular manifestations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) have been reported in 30% to 40% of patients and may be a result of direct tissue infiltration, concomitant blood dyscrasias, or a result of therapeutic intervention. Leukemia cutis, defined as infiltration of the epidermis or dermis by neoplastic lymphocytes, is rare. Herein, we present a case report of a patient with leukemia who presented with periorbital edema and ecchymosis. This is the first known case to date of periorbital CLL successfully treated with low-dose radiation therapy (4 Gy in 2 fractions). Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of ocular involvement from CLL, given the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment.

NK/T-cell Lymphoma With Orbital Involvement: A Case Report and Systematic Review of the Literature.

PURPOSE: To present the clinical course of a patient with recurrent NK/T-cell lymphoma (NKTL) involving the orbit and to review the literature on patients with NKTL involving the orbit. METHODS: The PubMed database was searched for all cases of NKTL involving orbital, intraocular, or adnexal ocular structures. RESULTS: Ninety-six patients were included in the final analysis. The mean age of diagnosis was 48.1 ± 16.8 years. The patients were 53/96 (55.2%) male and 43/96 (44.8%) female. Tumor location varied and included the orbit in 80/96 (83.3%), nasosinus in 56/96 (58.3%), uvea in 11/96 (11.5%), lacrimal gland in 9/96 (9.4%), lacrimal drainage system in 11/96 (11.5%), and conjunctiva in 7/96 (7.3%) cases. Management included surgical debulking in 29/96 (30.2%) cases, radiotherapy in 52/96 (54.2%) cases, and chemotherapy in 82/96 (85.4%) cases. Median survival was 6 months (95% CI: 5-9). Chemotherapy (hazard ratio = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.67-0.95, p = 0.013), radiotherapy (hazard ratio = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.64-0.87, p < 0.001), and orbital involvement being a recurrence of disease (hazard ratio = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.67-0.95, p = 0.009) were associated with improved survival. Advanced Ann Arbor stage (III-IV) at diagnosis (hazard ratio = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.08-1.38, p = 0.001), vision loss (hazard ratio = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.04-1.34, p = 0.009), proptosis (hazard ratio = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01-1.30, p = 0.035) and periorbital swelling (hazard ratio = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.00-1.33, p = 0.048) were associated with poor survival. CONCLUSIONS: NK/T-cell lymphoma involving the orbit, globe, or ocular adnexa heralds a poor prognosis where early diagnosis and therapy are critical. The use of radiotherapy and chemotherapy is associated with improved survival.

Bilateral dacryoadenitis as the initial presentation of ANCA-associated vasculitis in a pediatric patient.

A 14-year-old female presented with 2 weeks of progressive right eye pain, erythema, and proptosis. Examination demonstrated an enlarged palpable mass along the right superior lateral orbit and bilateral conjunctival petechiae. Of note, she was asymptomatic on the left side, and the petechiae were present only on the superior bulbar conjunctiva with eyelid eversion. Imaging demonstrated bilateral lacrimal gland enhancement. Testing was significant for elevated inflammatory markers, but otherwise negative workup. Biopsy of the right lacrimal gland demonstrated acute-on-chronic inflammation without evidence of lymphoproliferative disease. On repeat testing, myeloperoxidase antibody levels (MPO/p-ANCA) were elevated, indicative of an underlying immune-mediated vasculitis. This case illustrates a rare presentation of ANCA-associated vasculitis in a pediatric patient. It further demonstrates the phenomenon of initial negative serology and subsequent auto-antibody seroconversion in a patient with localized granulomatosis with polyangiitis.