Conditional survival of uveal melanoma using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) classification (Simplified Version) in 1001 cases.

PURPOSE: To understand conditional prognostic value of the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) for uveal melanoma metastasis based on event-free survival at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years. METHODS: A retrospective study of eyes with uveal melanoma categorized according to TCGA and studied for nonconditional and conditional risks for metastasis at 5 and 10 years. RESULTS: Of 1001 eyes with uveal melanoma, the nonconditional (standard, at presentation) 5-year/10-year metastatic rate was 18%/25%. The conditional 5-year/10-year metastatic rate (for those without metastasis at 2 years) revealed 10%/18% and the conditional 10-year metastatic rate (for those without metastasis at 5 years) revealed 9%. The TCGA categories included Group A (n = 486, 49%), B (n = 141, 14%), C (n = 260, 26%), and D (n = 114, 11%). The non-conditional 5-year/10-year metastatic rate revealed Group A (4%/6%), Group B (12%/20%), Group C (23%/49%), and Group D (60%/68%). The conditional 5-year/10-year metastatic rate (for those without metastasis at 2 years) revealed Group A (2%/5%), Group B (8%/18%), Group C (21%/40%), and Group D (38%/50%). The conditional 10-year metastatic rate (for those without metastasis at 5 years) revealed Group A (2%), Group B (10%), Group C (33%), and Group D (20%). The peak incidence of metastasis for Groups A and B occurred during years 5-6, C during years 4-6, and D during years 1-2. CONCLUSION: Survival outcomes for uveal melanoma as non-conditional (at presentation) and conditional (event-free survival during follow-up) reveal reduction in metastatic rate over time. For those with 5-year metastasis-free survival, the 10-year conditional risk for metastasis was 9%.

Ten-year outcomes of uveal melanoma based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) classification in 1001 cases.

Purpose: To understand the prognostic value of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) for uveal melanoma metastasis, using a simplified 4-category classification, based on tumor DNA. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 1001 eyes with uveal melanoma at a single center, categorized according to TCGA as Group A, B, C, or D (by fine-needle aspiration biopsy for DNA analysis), and treated with standard methods, was studied for melanoma-related metastasis at 5 and 10 years. Results: Of 1001 eyes with uveal melanoma, the TCGA categories included Group A (n = 486, 49%), B (n = 141, 14%), C (n = 260, 26%), and D (n = 114, 11%). By comparison, increasing category (A vs. B vs. C vs. D) was associated with features of older age at presentation (56.8 vs. 52.8 vs. 61.1 vs. 63.5 years, P < 0.001), less often visual acuity of 20/20-20/50 (80% vs. 67% vs. 70% vs. 65%, P = 0.001), tumor location further from the optic disc (P < 0.001) and foveola (P < 0.001), and greater median tumor basal diameter (10.0 vs. 13.0 vs. 14.0 vs. 16.0 mm, P < 0.001) and tumor thickness (3.5 vs. 5.2 vs. 6.0 vs. 7.1 mm, P < 0.001). The Kaplan-Meier (5-year/10-year) rate of metastasis was 4%/6% for Group A, 12%/20% for Group B, 33%/49% for Group C, and 60%/not available for Group D. Conclusion: A simplified 4-category classification of uveal melanoma using TCGA, based on tumor DNA, is highly predictive of risk for metastatic disease.

Early-onset Exfoliation Syndrome: A Literature Synthesis.

PRECIS: We conducted a literature review of younger patients with exfoliation syndrome (XFS) in an attempt to identify case similarities and better understand disease etiology. PURPOSE: XFS that predisposes to secondary glaucoma is a strongly age-related condition. We performed a literature review of XFS and exfoliation glaucoma (XFG) in patients aged younger than 40 years to examine potential common characteristics and gain clues to its etiology. METHODS: We conducted a broad literature search with appropriate keywords and manually extracted key demographic and ocular features on younger XFS and XFG cases. Articles that did not provide past ocular history on early-onset XFS/XFG were excluded. RESULTS: We identified 12 cases of XFS and XFG in patients from 13 to 40 years old (8 females; 11 White; 5 from Iran). All had past ocular history remarkable for intraocular surgery for other glaucoma conditions (7 cases), other ocular diseases (3 cases), or ocular trauma (2 cases). CONCLUSIONS: All reported early-onset XFS and XFG cases arise in the setting of events that produced a significant disruption of the blood-aqueous barrier. Understanding the metabolic alterations of aqueous humor from such cases could provide clues regarding how exfoliation material forms.

Prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated factors in an urban, ophthalmic population.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms in an adult ophthalmic patient population and to delineate correlates. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients (⩾18 years) were approached in general and sub-specialty cornea, retina, and glaucoma ophthalmic clinics. A total of 367 patients from the four clinics were enrolled. METHODS: Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. A cut-off score of ⩾10 was used to indicate clinically significant depressive symptoms. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores were used to evaluate bivariate relationships between depressive symptoms and distance visual acuity, ocular diagnosis, diabetes status, smoking status, demographic information, and medications. RESULTS: The majority of patients were female (52.9%) and Caucasian (48.6%). The mean age was 52.0 years (standard deviation: 16.7). Clinically significant depressive symptoms were present in 19.9% of patients overall; this rate varied slightly by clinic. Patients with low vision and blindness (visual acuity worse than 20/60) were more likely to have depressive symptoms (odds ratio = 2.82; 95% confidence interval: 1.90-4.21). Smoking and diabetes were also associated with depressive symptoms (odds ratio = 3.11 (2.66-3.64) and 3.42 (1.90-6.16), respectively). CONCLUSION: In a sample of urban ophthalmic adult patients, depressive symptoms were highly associated with low vision, smoking, and diabetes. This information can be used to target interventions to those at greatest risk of depressive symptoms.

Referral outcomes from a vision screening program for school-aged children.

OBJECTIVE: To assess ocular diagnoses and follow-up patterns of children referred for a comprehensive eye examination after a school-based vision screening program. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. PARTICIPANTS: Students in grades K-5 from the School District of Philadelphia public schools screened by The Wills Eye Vision Screening Program for Children between January 2014 and June 2015. METHODS: Children with subnormal best-corrected visual acuity or other ocular conditions were referred to the Wills Eye pediatric ophthalmology service. A social worker assisted parents/guardians of referred children in scheduling an appointment and navigating insurance/payment issues. Measured outcomes included demographic information, ocular diagnoses, treatments, and follow-up patterns. RESULTS: Of 10 726 children screened, 509 (5%) were referred for a follow-up eye examination. Of these 509 children, only 127 (25%) completed a referral eye examination with parental consent. Most children (58%) were diagnosed with more than one eye condition, including refractive error (76%), amblyopia (43%), strabismus (16%), and anisometropia (13%). Other conditions included macular hypoplasia, ptosis, and other congenital anomalies. CONCLUSIONS: This program discovered and addressed potentially vision-threatening conditions in underserved children susceptible to amblyopia by offering social worker services and financial support to enable referred children to complete an eye examination. Contact by the social worker required consent. Obtaining such consent proved to be a barrier to connecting children with the recommended consultation.

UVEAL METASTASIS BASED ON PATIENT AGE IN 1,111 PATIENTS: Comparison of Clinical Features and Outcomes Per Age Category.

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical features and survival outcomes of uveal metastasis based on patient age. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all patients with uveal metastasis evaluated on the Ocular Oncology Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA between February 1, 1974 and June 1, 2017. The features and outcomes were analyzed based on patient age classified as children (0-20 years), young adults (21-40 years), middle [aged] adults (41-60 years), older adults (61-80 years) and senior adults (81-100 years). RESULTS: There were 1111 consecutive patients, including children (n = 3, <1%), young adults (n = 77, 7%), middle adults (n = 472, 42%), older adults (n = 509, 46%), and senior adults (n = 50, 4%). At uveal metastasis diagnosis, demographics included mean patient age of 60 years, Caucasian race (88%), and female gender (64%). Compared to the largest cohort (older adults), there were significant differences (age group versus [vs.] older adults) in Caucasian race (senior adult 98% vs. 89%, p = 0.042), male sex (young adults: 22% vs. 43%, p < 0.001) (middle adults: 29% vs. 43%, p < 0.001), unilateral tumor (young adult: 70% vs. 86%, p < 0.001) (middle adult: 79% vs. 86%, p = 0.003) (senior adults: 96% vs. 86%, p = 0.045), and cancer origin in breast (young adults: 51% vs. 32%, p = 0.002) (middle adults: 44% vs 32%, p < 0.001), lung (young adults: 14% vs. 30%, p = 0.004), kidney (young adults: 0% vs. 5%, p = 0.043), prostate (middle adults: 1% vs. 4%, p = 0.001), gastrointestinal tract (senior adults: 8% vs. 2%, p = 0.028), and others (children: 100% vs. 4%, p < 0.001) (young adults: 10% vs. 4%, p = 0.044). Kaplan-Meier survival (children, young, middle, older, and senior adults) at 1 year was 33%, 48%, 60%, 62%, and 76% and at 5 years was 0%, 22%, 29%, 25%, and 40%, respectively, with no difference per age category. The mean overall survival was 17.2 months and children demonstrated hazard ratio (HR) for death at 1 year of 2.1 relative to older adults. CONCLUSION: Uveal metastasis is found in all age groups. Compared to older adults, primary cancer site was more often breast and less likely lung in young and middle adults. Other rare sites were more often seen in children. Survival outcomes at 1 and 5 years were most favorable for senior adults and least favorable for children.

The impact of artificial intelligence in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma.

Deep learning (DL) is a subset of artificial intelligence (AI), which uses multilayer neural networks modelled after the mammalian visual cortex capable of synthesizing images in ways that will transform the field of glaucoma. Autonomous DL algorithms are capable of maximizing information embedded in digital fundus photographs and ocular coherence tomographs to outperform ophthalmologists in disease detection. Other unsupervised algorithms such as principal component analysis (axis learning) and archetypal analysis (corner learning) facilitate visual field interpretation and show great promise to detect functional glaucoma progression and differentiate it from non-glaucomatous changes when compared with conventional software packages. Forecasting tools such as the Kalman filter may revolutionize glaucoma management by accounting for a host of factors to set target intraocular pressure goals that preserve vision. Activation maps generated from DL algorithms that process glaucoma data have the potential to efficiently direct our attention to critical data elements embedded in high throughput data and enhance our understanding of the glaucomatous process. It is hoped that AI will realize more accurate assessment of the copious data encountered in glaucoma management, improving our understanding of the disease, preserving vision, and serving to enhance the deep bonds that patients develop with their treating physicians.

Choroidal amelanotic tumours: clinical differentiation of benign from malignant lesions in 5586 cases.

PURPOSE: To investigate demographics and clinical features of patients with amelanotic choroidal tumours. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. METHODS: Comparison of demographic and clinical features of various amelanotic choroidal tumours based on stratification by patient age, sex and tumour diameter. Included were all patients with amelanotic choroidal tumours evaluated on the Ocular Oncology Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, over a 45-year time period. RESULTS: A total of 5586 amelanotic choroidal tumours in 4638 eyes of 4441 patients were included with a mean age at presentation of 58 years (median 60, range 0.1-100 years). Most patients were white (95%), female (56%) and with unilateral lesion (96%). By comparison, amelanotic melanoma presented at a younger mean age (57 years) compared with metastasis (60 years, p<0.001), nevus (61 years, p<0.001), lymphoma (65 years, p<0.001), sclerochoroidal calcification (70 years, p<0.001) and peripheral exudative haemorrhagic chorioretinopathy (80 years, p<0.001). Melanoma presented at an older mean age compared with osteoma (30 years, p<0.001), granuloma (42 years, p<0.001), haemangioma (49 years, p<0.001) and inflammatory choroidal lesions (49 years, p<0.001). Differences in race and sex were also seen between the various amelanotic choroidal lesions. With few exceptions, amelanotic melanoma had significantly larger basal diameter, greater thickness, more frequent association with subretinal fluid and more often ultrasonographically hollow, compared with other amelanotic choroidal lesions. CONCLUSION: Understanding the demographic and clinical features of amelanotic choroidal melanoma and other amelanotic lesions could lead to an earlier and more accurate diagnosis.

Impact of eyeglasses on academic performance in primary school children.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of eyeglass administration after a vision-screening program on standardized testing scores in school-aged children. DESIGN: Retrospective study of children who participated in a vision-screening program that provided free eyeglasses where indicated. PARTICIPANTS: Students in kindergarten through grade 5 in a large urban school district in North America. METHODS: Children in kindergarten through grade 3 were administered the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA), and children in grades 3 through 5 were administered the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA). Classroom teachers completed eyeglass adherence questionnaires. RESULTS: A total of 4523 children participated in the vision-screening program. Eyeglasses were worn most of the time (>75%) by 67.4% of the children and never or rarely worn (<25%) by 18.6% of children. DRA results were available for 2226 children. When eyeglasses were prescribed and worn, initially high reading performances (DRA level 3) were less likely to decline (odds ratio [OR] = 4.36, p < 0.001). Improvement was not observed for children who initially scored DRA level 1 or 2 (OR = 0.29, p < 0.001 and OR = 1.00, p = 0.986, respectively). PSSA reading results were available for 847 children. When eyeglasses were prescribed and worn, Asian children were more likely to score higher PSSA reading levels (OR = 2.53, p = 0.004). This trend was also observed in black and Hispanic children without reaching statistical significance (OR = 1.70, p = 0.061; OR = 2.67, p = 0.067, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In some children, wearing eyeglasses was associated with maintenance in standardized reading scores. High adherence to wearing eyeglasses suggests that children perceive a benefit, perhaps beyond that which these standardized test results were able to document.

Uveal metastasis in 1111 patients: Interval to metastasis and overall survival based on timing of primary cancer diagnosis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate interval between primary cancer diagnosis and uveal metastasis and assess survival outcomes based on whether the primary cancer was diagnosed before or after uveal metastasis. METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, all patients with uveal metastasis evaluated on the Ocular Oncology Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA between February 1, 1974 and June 1, 2017 were included. Features and outcomes based on timing of primary cancer diagnosis, whether before or after diagnosis of uveal metastasis, were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 2214 uveal metastases were diagnosed in 1310 eyes of 1111 consecutive patients. Primary cancer was known prior to uveal metastasis in 742 patients (67%) and not known in 369 (33%). Of those not known, the primary cancer was later found in 192 patients (17%) and never found in 177 patients (16%). For those with known primary cancer, mean interval from primary cancer diagnosis to uveal metastasis was 5.2 years with differences in primary sites of gastrointestinal (2.1 years, p = 0.003), lung (2.2 years, p < 0.001), breast (6.5 years, p < 0.001), and thyroid (13 years, p < 0.001). By Kaplan-Meier analysis, the 5-year overall survival showed no difference between patients with primary cancer found before (28%) vs after (20%) vs never found (33%), relative to uveal metastasis. CONCLUSION: Of 1111 patients with uveal metastasis, early-onset uveal metastases were found with lung and gastrointestinal tract cancers, whereas late-onset metastases were found with breast and thyroid cancers. Overall survival did not vary on whether the primary tumor was diagnosed before, after, or never found, relative to uveal metastasis.

Uveal Metastasis: Clinical Features and Survival Outcome of 2214 Tumors in 1111 Patients Based on Primary Tumor Origin.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate patients with uveal metastasis based on primary tumor site. METHODS: Retrospective analysis from Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA, for uveal metastasis clinical features and outcomes based on the primary tumor site. RESULTS: There were 2214 uveal metastases diagnosed in 1111 consecutive patients. The demographics included mean age of 60 years (median 61 years), Caucasian race (88%), and female gender (64%). The tumor was unilateral (82%) and primary site was established before uveal metastasis (67%). The primary tumor originated in the breast (37%), lung (26%), kidney (4%), gastrointestinal (GI) tract (4%), cutaneous melanoma (2%), lung carcinoid (2%), prostate (2%), thyroid (1%), pancreas (1%), other sites (3%), and unknown (16%). Comparative analysis of the 5 most common primary sites (breast, lung, kidney, GI tract, and cutaneous melanoma), revealed metastasis at mean age (57, 62, 66, 61, 59 years), as unilateral tumor (74%, 86%, 85%, 93%, 85%), with mean number of metastasis/eye (1.9, 1.7, 1.0, 1.1, 2.0), and in females (99%, 46%, 26%, 25%, 30%). Choroidal metastases measured mean base (9.3, 10.2, 9.1, 11.0, 7.3 mm), mean thickness (2.4, 3.6, 4.4, 4.0, 2.9 mm), and demonstrated predominant color yellow (94%, 91%, 56%, 97%, 36%). Of the 769 patients with documented follow-up, mean patient survival was poor (22.2, 11.5, 8.6, 12.4, 11.4 months) and Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed 3-year survival (33%, 19%, 0%, 14%, 21%) and 5-year survival (24%, 13%, 0%, 14%, 21%). The worst survival was found in patients with pancreatic metastasis (mean 4.2 months) and best survival with lung carcinoid (92% at 5 years). CONCLUSION: In a tertiary referral service, uveal metastasis originates from cancer in the breast, lung, kidney, GI tract, cutaneous melanoma, or others. Overall prognosis is poor with 5-year survival at 23% and worst survival with pancreatic metastasis whereas best survival with lung carcinoid metastasis.

Depression and quality of life in a community-based glaucoma-screening project.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence and risk factors of depression among individuals given a glaucoma-related diagnosis at a screening program. DESIGN: Cross-sectional community-based in a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Volunteers from a community glaucoma-screening program. METHODS: After collecting sociodemographic information, participants were administered the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15) and the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25). RESULTS: Participants were predominantly African American (73.5%), older than 65 years (65.7%), single (75.4%), and female (66.8%). Among 268 participants, 89 were diagnosed with glaucoma and 179 as glaucoma suspects. The frequency of depression among the glaucoma and glaucoma suspect participants was 18% and 16.2%, respectively. The mean GDS-15 score was 2.4 ± 2.7 with no difference between glaucoma and glaucoma suspect groups, p = 0.654. The mean VFQ-25 score was 78.6 ± 15.9 and was lower in glaucoma (74.7 ± 19.7) than glaucoma suspect participants (80.4 ± 13.6), p = 0.003. Risk factors for depression included difficulties with paying expenses (p = 0.017), Asian race (p < 0.001), and poorer scores on the VFQ-25 subscales of "General Health" (p < 0.001), "Distance Activities" (p = 0.024), and "Dependency" (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of depression in those diagnosed with glaucoma or glaucoma suspect was higher than previous estimates of the general population. Glaucoma-screening programs might benefit from including depression-screening protocols along with referral services or low-cost treatments of depression.

Efficacy and outcomes of a summer-based pediatric vision screening program.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of decreased visual acuity and uncorrected refractive error in school-aged children participating in summer programs. METHODS: During the summers of 2014-2016, Wills Eye Hospital collaborated with summer programs in Philadelphia to provide vision screenings for underserved children. Parental consent was obtained prior to vision screening. Fail criteria included children in grades K-1 (ages 5-6) with visual acuity worse than 20/40 in either eye, children in grades 2-6 (ages 7-13) with visual acuity worse than 20/30 in either eye, or children with ≥2 lines of interocular difference. If decreased visual acuity was correctable to ≥20/30 by the onsite optometrist, two pairs of free eyeglasses were provided. Children with other ocular abnormalities were referred to pediatric ophthalmology. RESULTS: Of 1,627 children screened, 360 children (22.1%) did not pass vision screening, and 64 (3.9%) were referred. The prevalence of decreased distance visual was 34.1%. Younger children were more likely to have worse visual acuity than older children (OR = 0.943; P = 0.023; 95% CI, 0.896-0.992). Myopia (73%), astigmatism (56.8%), hyperopia (15.5%), spherical anisometropia (12.5%), and cylindrical anisometropia (11.9%) presented in the 303 children who underwent a manifest refraction. Myopia increased with age (OR = 0.818; P = 0.001; 95% CI, 0.724-0.922), whereas astigmatism decreased (OR = 0.817; P < 0.001; 95% CI, 0.728-0.913) with age. Two pairs of glasses were provided to 301 children. CONCLUSIONS: Partnership with summer programs and other community initiatives to provide vision screenings facilitates access to eye care ultimately aimed at improving social functioning and academic performance.

Distinguishing midzonal iris pigment epithelial cyst from adenoma and ciliary body melanoma.

A 49-year old male with corrected visual acuity of 20/25 OD and 20/20 OS was found to have an asymptomatic dark iris mass OD with suspicion for ciliary body melanoma. Predilation slit-lamp biomicroscopy revealed a well-circumscribed brown round mass arising posterior to the iris, presumably from the ciliary body; however, postdilation demonstrated an extended fusiform mass of the iris pigment epithelium (IPE). By anterior segment imaging, the well-circumscribed IPE mass was cystic and measured 1440 microns in thickness peripherally predilation and 300 microns in thickness postdilation. There was no solid IPE or ciliary body component. A diagnosis of midzonal IPE cyst was rendered and observation advised. Clinical features and anterior segment imaging can assist in differentiation of midzonal IPE cyst from adenoma and ciliary body melanoma. The diagnostic methodology described in this paper can be used by ophthalmologists to promptly rule out underlying melanoma.

Prevalence of uncorrected refractive errors among school-age children in the School District of Philadelphia.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence and severity of uncorrected refractive errors in school-age children attending Philadelphia public schools. METHODS: The Wills Eye Vision Screening Program for Children is a community-based pediatric vision screening program designed to detect and correct refractive errors and refer those with nonrefractive eye diseases for examination by a pediatric ophthalmologist. Between January 2014 and June 2016 the program screened 18,974 children in grades K-5 in Philadelphia public schools. Children who failed the vision screening were further examined by an on-site ophthalmologist or optometrist; children whose decreased visual acuity was not amenable to spectacle correction were referred to a pediatric ophthalmologist. RESULTS: Of the 18,974 children screened, 2,492 (13.1%) exhibited uncorrected refractive errors: 1,776 (9.4%) children had myopia, 459 (2.4%) had hyperopia, 1,484 (7.8%) had astigmatism, and 846 (4.5%) had anisometropia. Of the 2,492 with uncorrected refractive error, 368 children (14.8%) had more than one refractive error diagnosis. In stratifying refractive error diagnoses by severity, mild myopia (spherical equivalent of -0.50 D to < -3.00 D) was the most common diagnosis, present in 1,573 (8.3%) children. CONCLUSIONS: In this urban population 13.1% of school-age children exhibited uncorrected refractive errors. Blurred vision may create challenges for students in the classroom; school-based vision screening programs can provide an avenue to identify and correct refractive errors.

A Proposed Intervention to Decrease Resident-Performed Cataract Surgery Cancellation in a Tertiary Eye Care Center.

BACKGROUND: Cataracts are the leading cause of preventable blindness globally. As a result, competence in cataract surgery is an important component of ophthalmology residency training. Residency programs must optimize the number of cataract surgery cases to train proficient physicians. However, the rate of cataract surgery cancellations is high, and some are canceled because of preventable causes. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of mandatory on-site preadmission testing, including having a physical examination, on resident-performed cataract surgery cancellation rates. METHODS: For this study, patients scheduled for cataract surgery at the Wills Eye Hospital resident cataract clinic between January 2015 and November 2015 were enrolled and randomized into 2 groups: usual care or intervention. The patients randomized to the usual care group were instructed to complete preadmission testing and to have a physical examination with their primary care physician. The patients randomized to the intervention group were escorted to a Wills Eye Hospital-affiliated cardiologist to complete preadmission testing and to have a physical examination. Patients in both groups received a reminder call before the cataract surgery. RESULTS: A total of 441 patients were included in the study-240 patients in the usual care group and 201 patients in the intervention group. The overall cataract surgery cancellation rate was 14.5%; the rate was 12.4% in the intervention group and 16.3% in the usual care group (P = .28). The patients receiving the intervention were more likely to have preadmission testing and a physical examination than the patients in the usual care arm (P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: Facilitating the completion of preadmission testing for patients decreased the rates of resident-performed cataract surgery cancellation at a Wills Eye Hospital resident clinic and has the potential to improve patient outcomes and prevent blindness.

Evaluation of a Web-Based Training in Smoking Cessation Counseling Targeting U.S. Eye-Care Professionals.

BACKGROUND: Smoking causes blindness-related diseases. Eye-care providers are uniquely positioned to help their patients quit smoking. AIMS: Using a pre-/postevaluation design, this study evaluated a web-based training in smoking cessation counseling targeting eye-care providers. METHOD: The training was developed based on the 3A1R protocol: "Ask about smoking, Advise to quit, Assess willingness to quit, and Refer to tobacco quitlines," and made available in the form of a web-based video presentation. Providers ( n = 654) at four academic centers were invited to participate. Participants completed pretraining, posttraining, and 3-month follow-up surveys. Main outcomes were self-reported improvement in their motivation, confidence, and counseling practices at 3-month follow-up. Generalized linear mixed models for two time-points (pretraining and 3-month) were conducted for these outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 113 providers (54.0% males) participated in the study (17.7% response rate). At the 3-month evaluation, 9.8% of participants reported improvement in their motivation. With respect to the 3A1R, 8% reported improvement in their confidence for Ask, 15.5% for Advise, 28.6% for Assess, and 37.8% for Refer. Similarly, 25.5% reported improvement in their practices for Ask, 25.5% for Advise, 37.2% for Assess, and 39.4% for Refer to tobacco quitlines ( p < .001 for all except for Refer confidence p = .05). DISCUSSION: Although participation rate was low, the program effectively improved providers' smoking cessation counseling practices. CONCLUSIONS: Including training in smoking cessation counseling in ophthalmology curriculums, and integrating the 3A1R protocol into the electronic medical records systems in eye-care settings, might promote smoking cessation practices in these settings.

Non-adherence to eye care in people with diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate individual factors that impact adherence to eye care follow-up in patients with diabetes. DESIGN AND METHODS: A 4-year retrospective chart review was conducted for 1968 patients with diabetes over age 40 from an urban academic center. Data collected included demographics, insurance, visual acuity, smoking status, medications, dates of dilated fundus examinations (DFE), and reported hemoglobin A1C and blood glucose levels. The primary outcome was timely DFE follow-up adherence following the initial eye exam visit. RESULTS: Overall, 41.6% of patients adhered to initial follow-up eye care recommendations. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that patients with severe diabetic retinopathy (DR) were more adherent than patients with mild DR (OR 1.86). Other variables associated with increased adherence were visual impairment and reported A1C or blood glucose. Smoking was associated with decreased adherence. Ethnicity and insurance were also significantly associated with adherence. Longitudinal follow-up rates were influenced by additional factors, including ethnicity and neighborhood deprivation index. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with moderate to severe DR and/or visual impairment were more likely to adhere to timely DFE follow-up. This could relate to the presence of visual symptoms and/or other systemic manifestations of diabetes. Smokers were less likely to adhere to timely DFE follow-up. One hypothesis is patients who smoke have other symptomatic health problems which patients prioritize over asymptomatic ocular disorders. In order to reduce vision loss from DR, practitioners should be aware that patients with mild and moderate DR, patients with normal vision, and smokers are at greater risk for poor follow-up eye care adherence.

Improving Follow-Up Adherence in a Primary Eye Care Setting.

Lack of patient adherence with eye appointments can decrease ocular outcomes. This prospective, randomized, single-blinded controlled study assessed the effectiveness of multiple interventions in improving follow-up adherence to recommended eye appointments. Patients due for follow-up appointments were randomly assigned to usual care, automated intervention, or personal intervention. Automated-intervention patients and personal-intervention patients received a call one month prior to the recommended follow-up date, and a mailed appointment reminder letter. The call was automated for automated-intervention patients and personalized for personal-intervention patients. The primary outcome was adherence to the follow-up appointment. The secondary outcome was rate of appointment scheduling. Patients in the personal-intervention group had greater adherence to follow-up recommendations (38%) than patients in the usual care group (28%) and the automated-intervention group (30%). Personal intervention significantly increased appointment scheduling (51%) over usual care (32%) and automated intervention (36%). These results support systems-level changes to improve patient follow-up adherence in urban primary eye care settings.