Epidemiology of Contact Lens-Related Emergency Department Visits: Data From Nationwide Emergency Department Sample.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this retrospective longitudinal cohort study was to determine the epidemiology of contact lens-related visits to the emergency department at a national level and identify high-risk groups. METHODS: National emergency department (ED) sample, a representative sample of all US EDs, was used to determine the incidence and characteristics of keratitis in contact lens users presenting to the ED from 2006 to 2017. ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM codes for corneal disorder due to contact lens use (371.82 and H1882) were used to identify the patients. RESULTS: A total of 149,716 ED visits were recorded with a diagnosis of corneal disorder due to contact lens use. Incidence of ED visits with contact lens-related corneal disorder declined steadily from 2010 to 2016. In total, 67% of the patients were female, 68.9% were adults aged 19 to 44 years, and 56.3% had a private insurance provider. The most common diagnosis at the time of discharge was "eye discharge" or "redness" (10.9%), followed by "corneal ulcer" (3.6%). Patients of highest income quartiles were more likely to present to the ED with contact lens-related corneal disorders (adjusted odds ratio, 1.21, 95% confidence interval 1.15-1.27) compared with low-income quartile. Among those who were discharged from the ED, the average charge per patient was $1051.4 (SD = 795.4). CONCLUSIONS: Women, young adults, and patients belonging to higher socioeconomic status were found to have higher prevalence of contact lens-related corneal ED visits. Identification of high-risk groups will help in the prevention of further corneal complications and the associated vision loss.

10-Year Trends in Aortic Dissection: Mortality and Weekend Effect within the US Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS).

BACKGROUND: This study examined changes in aortic dissection (AD) mortality from 2006 to 2017 and assessed the impact of weekday versus weekend presentation upon mortality. METHODS: This observational study analyzed all records in the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) database. NEDS aggregates discharge data from 984 hospitals in 36 states and the District of Columbia in the United States of America. All patients with thoracic and thoracoabdominal AD recorded as their principal diagnosis were identified via ICD codes. RESULTS: Patient characteristics (weekday|weekend) count: 26,759|9,640, P = 0.016; age (years): 65.2 ± 15.8|64.7 ± 16.2, P = 0.016; women: 11,318 (42.3%)|4,086 (42.4), P = 0.883; Charlson comorbidity index: 2.3 ± 1.7|2.3 ± 1.6, P = 0.025. There were 36,399 ED visits with diagnosed AD. Annual AD diagnoses increased by 70% from 2006 to 2017. From 2012-2017, patients had lower in-hospital mortality (9.9% versus 11.9%, P < 0.001) compared with 2006-2011. Patients reporting during the weekend had higher in-hospital mortality (11.8% versus 10.4%, P < 0.001) compared with weekdays. On multivariable analysis, year of presentation remained independently associated with in-hospital mortality, with 2012-2017 being associated with reduced mortality (odds ratio (OR) 0.90, 95% CI: 0.82, 0.99, P = 0.031), as compared with 2006-2011. Weekend presentation remained independently associated with worse in-hospital mortality (OR 1.17, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.29, P = 0.003) compared with weekday presentation. CONCLUSION: Although AD mortality is decreasing, the patients presenting on the weekend were 13% more likely to die in the hospital compared with patients presenting during the week.

Eye trauma in falls presenting to the emergency department from 2006 through 2015.

AIMS: To characterise the epidemiology of eye trauma in the event of falls presenting to the emergency departments (ED) in the USA. METHOD: Retrospective cohort study. Nationwide Emergency Department Sample was used to analyse fall encounters presenting to the ED with eye trauma from 2006 to 2015. National estimates of the leading diagnoses were determined, and multivariable regression was used to determine the relationship between factors involved in fall encounters presenting with eye trauma. RESULTS: From 2006 to 2015, an estimated 87 991 036 fall encounters presented to the ED, of which 952 781 encounters had eye trauma as either a primary or secondary diagnosis. The overall incidence of fall encounters with eye trauma per 100 000 US population increased from 30.7 encounters in 2006 to 33.8 encounters per 100 000 population in 2014 with a decrease seen in 2015. Eye trauma, including vision-threatening type, was highest in females (n=500 520, 52.5%), elderly (n=400 209, 42%) and children (n=2 06 741, 21.7%). Elderly were more likely to have eye trauma in the setting of falls (adjusted OR (aOR) 2.06, 95% CI 2.02 to 2.11) and be admitted (aOR 1.89, 95% CI 1.86 to 1.91) than adults (reference). The leading types of eye trauma were contusion of orbital tissues (n=174 292, 18.3%), laceration of eyelid and periocular area (n=172 361, 18.1%) and orbital fractures (n=151 013, 15.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Falls are preventable, yet the incidence of falls and resulting eye trauma are increasing despite our best efforts. As ophthalmologists, we should not only develop guidelines to recognise and counsel at-risk groups under our care but also strategies for prevention of eye trauma secondary to falls.

Eye-Related Emergency Department Visits and The Opioid Epidemic: a 10-Year Analysis.

PURPOSE: To describe the epidemiology of Emergency Department (ED) visits related to opioid abuse with primary ophthalmic diagnoses in the United States (US). METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study used National ED Sample (NEDS) (2006-2015), a representative sample of all US EDs, to analyze and compare the epidemiology of primary ophthalmic diagnoses in opioid abusers and a control group of non-opioid users. National incidence and descriptive statistics were calculated for demographics and prevalent diagnoses. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare outcomes between primary ophthalmic diagnoses in opioid and non-opioid abusers. RESULTS: An estimated 10,617 visits had a primary ophthalmic diagnosis and an accompanying opioid abuse diagnosis, and the incidence increased from 0.2 in 2006 to 0.6 per 100,000 US population in 2015. Opioid abuse group had more adults (6,747:63.5%) and middle-aged (3,361:31.7%) patients, while in controls adults (7,905,003:40.4%) and children (4,068,534:20.8%) were affected more. Leading etiologies were similar: traumatic and infectious etiologies were most common; however, opioid abuse patients had more severe ophthalmic diagnoses such as orbital fractures (8.4%), orbital cellulitis (7.4%), globe injury (3.4%) and endophthalmitis (3.2%) compared to controls. Patients in the opioid abuse group were also more likely to be admitted (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR], 28.38 [95% CI, 24.50-32.87]). CONCLUSIONS: In the era of opioid crisis, an increase in ED visits with ophthalmic complaints is seen, with increasing direct and indirect costs on the healthcare system. More research is needed to establish causality and devise strategies to lower this burden.

Effect of 5-Minute Movies Shown via a Mobile Phone App on Risk Factors and Mortality After Stroke in a Low- to Middle-Income Country: Randomized Controlled Trial for the Stroke Caregiver Dyad Education Intervention (Movies4Stroke).

BACKGROUND: Pakistan is the sixth most populous nation in the world and has an estimated 4 million stroke survivors. Most survivors are taken care of by community-based caregivers, and there are no inpatient rehabilitation facilities. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of locally designed 5-min movies rolled out in order of relevance that are thematically delivered in a 3-month program to deliver poststroke education to stroke survivor and caregiver dyads returning to the community. METHODS: This study was a randomized controlled, outcome assessor-blinded, parallel group, single-center superiority trial in which participants (stroke survivor-caregiver dyads) with first-ever stroke (both ischemic and hemorrhagic) incidence were randomized within 48 hours of their stroke into either the video-based education intervention group or the control group. The video-based education intervention group had health education delivered through short videos that were shown to the participants and their caregivers at the time of admission, before discharge, and the first and third months of follow-up after discharge. The control group had standardized care including predischarge education and counseling according to defined protocols. All participants enrolled in the video education intervention and control groups were followed for 12 months after discharge for outcome assessment in the outpatient stroke clinics. The primary outcome measures were the proportion of participants achieving control of blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood cholesterol in the video intervention versus the control group. Several predefined secondary outcomes were included in this study, of which we report the mortality and functional disability in this paper. Analysis was by performed using the intention-to-treat principle. RESULTS: A total of 310 stroke survivors and their caregiver dyads (participant dyads) were recruited over a duration of 6 months. In total, 155 participant dyads were randomized into the intervention and control groups, each. The primary outcome of control of three major risk factors revealed that at 12 months, there was a greater percentage of participants with a systolic BP<125 mm Hg (18/54, 33% vs 11/52, 21%; P=.16), diastolic BP<85 mm Hg (44/54, 81% vs 37/52, 71%; P=.21), HbA1c level<7% (36/55, 65% vs 30/40, 75%; P=.32), and low-density lipoprotein level<100 mg/dL (36/51, 70% vs 30/45, 67%; P=.68) in the intervention group than in the control group. The secondary outcome reported is the mortality among the stroke survivors because the number of stroke-related complications was higher in the control group than in the intervention group (13/155, 8.4% vs 2/155, 1.3%), and this difference was statistically significant (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The Movies4Stroke trial failed to achieve its primary specified outcome. However, secondary outcomes that directly related to survival skills of stroke survivors demonstrated the effectiveness of the video-based intervention on improving stroke-related mortality and survival without disability. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02202330; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02202330.

Comparison of Retinal Layer Thickness in Eyes with Resolved Diabetic Macular Edema Receiving Ranibizumab with Normal Eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the thickness of individual retinal layers in eyes with resolved diabetic macular edema (DME) after treatment with ranibizumab (RBZ). METHODS: Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans of 25 eyes (25 patients) with DME that had been treated with RBZ (and shown resolution of edema as evident by the absence of fluid in a high-resolution grid placed on the fovea) were acquired using Spectralis HRA + OCTTM. Thickness measurements of individual layers were calculated using papillomacular bundle (PMB), central subfield, and inner- and outer-ring Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grids. Measurements were compared to 45 normal eyes with no known retinal disease. A post-hoc analysis was done correlating visual acuity (VA) with individual retinal layer thickness. RESULTS: Full retinal thickness (FRT) was thinner than normal individuals across all 4 grids. There were similarities and differences among the 4 grids; however, PMB and inner-ring ETDRS grids displayed the most resemblance. The VA significantly correlated with the FRT measured in PMB (p = 0.004), central subfield (p = 0.02), and inner-ring (p = 0.006) ETDRS. CONCLUSIONS: Segmentation of OCT scans revealed significant differences in the overall thickness of the retina and of individual retinal layers in patients with resolved DME. PMB grid showed a stronger correlation between affected retinal layers and VA compared to ETDRS. PMB also showed significance with VA in layers that were shown to be not significant in ETDRS grid.

Epidemiology of primary ophthalmic procedures performed in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare epidemiology, patient demographics, and socioeconomic factors of ophthalmic procedures in the United States. PARTICIPANTS: All ophthalmic ambulatory procedures performed from 2012 to 2014. METHODS: The State Ambulatory Surgery Databases (SASD), a collection of data from 29 participating states that represent two-thirds of the U.S. population, were used for analysis. All ophthalmic procedures performed in ambulatory settings from 2012 to 2014 were included. Incidence and demographics for each procedure were assessed, with descriptive statistics determined to highlight key differences in epidemiology and patient characteristics for each procedure. Population-based rates of procedures for each racial group were calculated using national census data. RESULTS: Over a period of 3 years, 3 934 004 ophthalmic procedures were performed, with majority being ambulatory (98.5%). Most common procedures were lens and cataract removal (66.5%), followed by intraocular procedures (11.4%) and procedures involving eyelids, cornea, and conjunctiva (8.2%). All ambulatory procedures had a higher number of female patients except retinal tear and detachment repairs (male patients, 59.4%). Most procedures had a higher rate in blacks compared with whites and other races, and Medicare was the most common mode of payment. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 1.3 million ambulatory ophthalmic procedures were performed every year between 2012 and 2014 in the 29 reporting states of the United States. Low-income groups and certain minorities, apart from blacks, having a lower rate of procedure suggest that disparities exist in provision of eye care. The factors leading to these differences need to be further studied in order to devise strategies to provide equitable care.

Frequency of Peri-operative Hypertension in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.

This study aims to determine the frequency of perioperative hypertension and its types (pre, intra and post-operative) hypertension in patients admitted for surgical procedures. This was a cross-sectional study conducted between the years 2012-2013 at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. Patients admitted for any surgical procedure during this time were included. Perioperative hypertension has been defined as systolic blood pressure of >140 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure of >90 mm Hg or whose blood pressure increased by 20% during surgery. A total of 428 surgical procedures were reviewed for the study. Overall perioperative hypertension was present in 231 (54%) of the patients. In the sample, 91 (21.7%) had pre-operative hypertension, 126(29.4%) reported pre-surgery hypertension, 24(5.6%) had intra-operative hypertension and 63(14.7%) had post-operative hypertension. Mean pain score was 1.43(1.4) v 1.25(1.2) in those with postoperative hypertension v no post-operative hypertension (p value 0.009).

A Novel Mutation in the Choroideremia Gene in a Turkish Family.

Choroideremia is an X-linked recessive genetic disorder caused by mutations in the CHM gene. It is a rare retinal dystrophy that manifests as nyctalopia and vision loss, progressing to blindness in later stages. We report a 21-year Turkish man who presented with nyctalopia for the past 4-5 years. His mother and maternal grandmother had similar, but less pronounced complaints. Fundus examination revealed pigmentary changes and retinal atrophy in both eyes. Optical coherence tomography showed outer retinal loss, with central island of preserved autofluorescence surrounded by absent autofluorescence on fundus autofluorescence examination. Goldmann visual fields were constricted. Microperimetry detected retinal sensitivity losses, and full-field electroretinogram demonstrated extinguished cone responses. Genetic analysis revealed a novel nonsense mutation in the CHM gene, namely p.E480X: c.1438G >T. The mutation causes a premature stop codon in exon 12. This is the first report of a G1438T mutation resulting in an E480X premature stop in the CHM gene.

Trends and Disparities in Inpatient Costs for Eye Trauma in the United States (2001-2014).

PURPOSE: To determine the trends and disparities in inpatient costs for eye trauma in the United States from 2001 through 2014. DESIGN: Retrospective population-based cross-sectional study. METHODS: National Inpatient Sample, a representative sample of U.S. hospital discharges, was used to determine costs of eye trauma hospitalizations. Linear regression was used to estimate changes in mean inflation-adjusted cost per admission. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with a cost in the highest quartile (>$13 000) including age, sex, race, income quartile, primary payer, hospital location, size, and type. The model was adjusted for year of admission, length of stay, type of trauma, comorbidities, and the type and number of procedures performed. RESULTS: The inpatient costs for eye trauma from 2001 through 2014 totaled $1.72 billion. The mean cost (95% confidence interval [CI]) per stay remained relatively constant: $12 000 ($11 000-13 000) in 2001 to $11 000 ($10 000-12 000) in 2014 (P = .643). A cost in the highest quartile was more likely in African Americans compared to whites (adjusted odds ratio, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.2-1.5), patients in the highest income quartile compared to those in the lowest (1.3; 1.2-1.5), uninsured patients compared to publicly insured patients (1.2; 1.1-1.4), teaching hospitals compared to non-teaching ones (1.5; 1.2-1.8), and the West compared to the South (2.4; 2.0-2.8). CONCLUSIONS: Inpatient costs of eye trauma have remained steady and can be potentially reduced by addressing associated disparities. Further research including outpatient costs and eye trauma in vulnerable populations will be key to optimizing care and advancing healthcare equity.

Classification of disease severity in retinitis pigmentosa.

AIM: To develop a simple and easily applicable classification of disease severity in retinitis pigmentosa (RP). METHODS: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. Visual acuity (VA), visual field width (VF) and ellipsoid zone width (EZ) were obtained from medical records of patients with RP. A scoring criterion was developed wherein each variable was assigned a score from 0 to 5 depending on its distribution. The cumulative score (from 0 to 15) was used to classify disease severity from grade 0 to 5. The scores were correlated with each other and the final grade. The grades were then correlated with age and disease duration. RESULTS: The median age (range) of patients (n=93) was 55 (12-87) years, 51% were female, 70% had been diagnosed within 10 years, and 50% had autosomal recessive disease. Most eyes (n=181) at least had a VA of 20/40 (67%), a VF of 20° (75%) and an EZ of 5° (76%). All scores were correlated with each other (r=0.509-0.613; p<0.001 for all) and with the final grade (r=0.790-0.869; p<0.001 for all). Except for grade 0 (5%), all grades were evenly distributed: 21% for grade 1, 23% for grade 2, 22% for grade 3, 17% for grade 4 and 12% for grade 5. Grades were correlated with both age (r=0.252; p<0.001) and disease duration (r=0.383; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We present a simple, objective and easy to use disease severity classification for RP which can be used to categorise and compare patients.

Changes in the Incidence of Eye Trauma Hospitalizations in the United States From 2001 Through 2014.

Importance: Eye trauma is a common cause of vision loss and a substantial public health problem. Objective: To determine the changes in the incidence of eye trauma hospitalizations in the United States and compare the demographics of affected patients and outcomes of eye trauma as a primary or secondary admitting diagnosis. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective longitudinal cohort study used the National Inpatient Sample, a representative sample of all US community hospitals, to determine the incidence, characteristics, and causes of primary and secondary inpatient eye trauma admissions from 2001 through 2014. All inpatients with relevant diagnoses were included. Linear regression was used to estimate changes in incidence. Logistic regression was used to compare demographics and outcomes between primary and secondary diagnoses, including age, sex, race, income, primary payer, region, year of admission, length of stay, cost, and disposition at discharge. Exposures: Eye trauma. Main Outcomes and Measures: Incidence and characteristics of inpatient primary and secondary eye trauma. Results: From 2001 to 2014, there were an estimated 939 608 inpatient admissions (of whom 556 886 were male patients [59.3%]; overall mean [SD] age, 49.4 [25.2] years) in the United States because of eye trauma diagnoses, with 778 967 of these (82.9%) as a secondary diagnosis. The incidence of primary eye trauma decreased from 3.9 to 3.0 per 100 000 population (difference, 0.9 [95% CI, 0.2-1.6] per 100 000 population; P = .001). The incidence of eye trauma as a secondary admitting diagnosis increased from 14.5 to 19.0 per 100 000 population (difference, 4.5 [95% CI, 1.9-7.2] per 100 000 population; P = .004). This was largely attributed to an increasing number of falls in individuals older than 65 years. The most frequent diagnosis was orbital fracture (64 149 [39.9%]) for primary trauma and contusion of eye and adnexa (19 301 [37.8%]) for secondary trauma. Primary trauma was more common in children (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.21 [95% CI, 2.09-2.32]) and adolescents (aOR, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.19-1.32]) than adults (reference), African American individuals (aOR, 1.89 [95% CI, 1.81-1.97]) and Hispanic individuals (aOR, 1.52 [95% CI, 1.45-1.59]) than white individuals, and uninsured patients (aOR, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.07-1.22]) and those receiving Medicaid (aOR, 1.12 [95% CI, 1.05-1.19]) than Medicare beneficiaries. Patients with a primary diagnosis were more likely to have a stay of less than 3 days (patients with a primary diagnosis: 101 796 [63.4%]; secondary diagnosis: 274 538 [35.2%]), more likely to have costs in the lowest quartile (patients with a primary diagnosis: 51 212 [31.9%]; secondary diagnosis: 166 260 [21.3%]), and less likely to die (patients with a primary diagnosis: 526 [0.3%]; secondary diagnosis: 20 929 [2.7%]). Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that the increasing number of falls in individuals older than 65 years and the high risk of primary eye trauma in populations such as children and adolescents warrant the development and implementation of effective preventive strategies. Many of these patients are seen in ophthalmology practices where proactive risk assessment and counseling can play a critical role.

MICROPERIMETRY AS A SCREENING TEST FOR HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE RETINOPATHY: The Hard-Risk-1 Study.

PURPOSE: To assess the sensitivity and specificity of microperimetry as a screening test to detecting hydroxychloroquine retinopathy. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. Patients with history of hydroxychloroquine use for more than 5 years and with concomitant microperimetry and multifocal electroretinogram testing were retrospectively reviewed. Microperimetry was considered positive if there were three or more contiguous scotoma points in the parafoveal region. Multifocal electroretinogram was used as gold standard and was considered positive if there was an increased R1/R2 ring ratio (>2.5) or reduced R1 absolute amplitude (<9.0). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of microperimetry were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 197 patients were reviewed. Hydroxychloroquine retinopathy was present in 22 (11%) patients. Their mean (SD) age was 54 (14) years, and 96% were women. Their mean (SD) daily dose was 5.7 (1.3) mg/kg, cumulative dose was 2041 (1,548) g, and duration of use was 15 (10) years. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of microperimetry were 73%, 93%, 53%, and 96%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Microperimetry has inferior sensitivity but good specificity in detecting hydroxychloroquine retinopathy (compared with multifocal electroretinogram). As such, it may be a useful ancillary test to exclude retinopathy, especially in high-risk patients or those with conflicting results on different modalities.

Progression of retinitis pigmentosa on multimodal imaging: The PREP-1 study.

IMPORTANCE: It is important to establish reliable outcome measures to detect progression in retinitis pigmentosa (RP). BACKGROUND: To evaluate progression of RP using multimodal imaging, including spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), fundus autofluorescence (FAF) and microperimetry (MP). DESIGN: Retrospective longitudinal study at a tertiary teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: 205 eyes of 106 patients with RP with 1 to 5 y of follow-up. METHODS: Demographics and visual acuity (VA) were recorded, and each modality was graded at baseline and every annual follow-up. SD-OCT was graded for the width of ellipsoid zone (EZ), FAF was graded for the diameter and area of the hyperautofluorescent ring (if present), and MP was graded for mean, central and paracentral sensitivity. Spearman's correlation was used to measure correlations at baseline. Mixed effects models were used to estimate the annual change of each parameter, adjusted for disease duration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rate of progression. RESULTS: The median VA at baseline was 75 letters and was positively correlated with mean and central sensitivity (r: 0.372 and 0.394; P = 0.01 for both). All parameters (except paracentral sensitivity) were strongly correlated with each other (r: 0.673-0.991; P < 0.001 for all). The annual rates of change for each parameter were as follows: VA, -2.3 letters (P < 0.001); EZ, -151 µm (P < 0.001); ring diameter, -132 µm (P < 0.001); ring area, -0.4 mm2 (P < 0.001); mean sensitivity, -0.3 dB (P < 0.001); central sensitivity, -0.7 dB (P < 0.001); paracentral sensitivity, -0.4 dB (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Structural and functional measures are well correlated in RP and can reliably measure disease progression within the course of a year.

Progression of Retinitis Pigmentosa as Measured on Microperimetry: The PREP-1 Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate yearly progression of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) using microperimetry (MP) performed on Nidek MP1 (NAVIS Software v1.7; Nidek Technologies, Padova, Italy). DESIGN: Retrospective longitudinal study. PARTICIPANTS: RP patients with consecutive MP tests (using the same test settings). METHODS: Data were collected as part of the Photoreceptor Cell Death in Retinitis Pigmentosa Retrospective (PREP-1) study. Visual acuity, fixation stability, mean sensitivity, and regional sensitivity were assessed at baseline and at yearly follow-up appointments. Regional sensitivity was calculated based on 2 methods. Method 1 involved topographical division into central macula (CM) and paracentral macula (PM). Method 2 involved functional division into the edge of scotoma (ES) and the seeing retina (SR). Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess the annual rate of change for each parameter, adjusted for disease duration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Annual rate of change of visual acuity, fixation stability, and retinal sensitivities (mean sensitivity and regional sensitivities using methods 1 and 2). RESULTS: In total, 75 eyes of 39 patients (median age, 56 y; males, 57%) with a follow-up period ranging from 1 to 4 years were reviewed. Visual acuity at baseline was positively correlated with all retinal sensitivity parameters, most strongly with CM sensitivity (r = 0.545, P < 0.001). There was no change in visual acuity (P = 0.075) or fixation stability (P = 0.371) per year. All retinal sensitivity parameters had a significant decline per year (P < 0.001), with a decline of 0.4 decibel (dB) for mean sensitivity, 0.6 dB for CM, 0.3 dB for PM, 1.3 dB for ES, and 1.1 dB for SR. Method 2 identified the greatest number of cases, with a significant decline in regional sensitivity. CONCLUSION: MP can detect significant changes in regional sensitivity over a 1-year period in patients with RP, even as visual acuity and fixation remain stable. An individualized approach to analyzing retinal sensitivity derived from MP may offer a useful outcome measure for future clinical trials.

Bowled Over by Cricket: Impact of Tape-Ball Injuries on the Eyes.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe the type and severity of tape-ball cricket-related eye injuries seen at a tertiary care hospital. DESIGN: A descriptive case series. METHODS: This study included all cases of tape-ball cricket-related eye injuries presenting to the Section of Ophthalmology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January 2014 to January 2015. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients with tape-ball cricket-related eye injuries were treated during this period. The right eye was involved in most (14/20) of the cases. The commonest presenting symptoms included reduced/blurred vision, ocular pain, redness, and floaters. Sixty percent (12/20) of the affected eyes had a best corrected visual acuity of less than 20/200 at presentation, with the retina being the most commonly involved ocular structure. All patients reported that they were not wearing protective eyewear at the time of trauma. Despite standard management, half of the eyes had severe or total vision loss at the last follow-up (minimum, 3 months), mainly due to retinal damage. CONCLUSIONS: Our study calls for the compulsory use of protective eyewear by cricket players and for countrywide surveillance data on the true burden of this "unnoticed" preventable cause of unilateral eye injuries and associated vision loss.

Translating knowledge for action against stroke--using 5-minute videos for stroke survivors and caregivers to improve post-stroke outcomes: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (Movies4Stroke).

BACKGROUND: Two thirds of the global mortality of stroke is borne by low and middle income countries (LMICs). Pakistan is the world's sixth most populous country with a stroke-vulnerable population and is without a single dedicated chronic care center. In order to provide evidence for a viable solution responsive to this health care gap, and leveraging the existing >70% mobile phone density, we thought it rational to test the effectiveness of a mobile phone-based video intervention of short 5-minute movies to educate and support stroke survivors and their primary caregivers. METHODS: Movies4Stroke will be a randomized control, outcome assessor blinded, parallel group, single center superiority trial. Participants with an acute stroke, medically stable, with mild to moderate disability and having a stable primary caregiver will be included. After obtaining informed consent the stroke survivor-caregiver dyad will be randomized. Intervention participants will have the movie program software installed in their phone, desktop, or Android device which will allow them to receive, view and repeat 5-minute videos on stroke-related topics at admission, discharge and first and third months after enrollment. The control arm will receive standard of care at an internationally accredited center with defined protocols. The primary outcome measure is medication adherence as ascertained by a locally validated Morisky Medication Adherence Scale and control of major risk factors such as blood pressure, blood sugar and blood cholesterol at 12 months post discharge. Secondary outcome measures are post-stroke complications and mortality, caregiver knowledge and change in functional outcomes after acute stroke at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Movies4Stroke is designed to enroll 300 participant dyads after inflating 10% to incorporate attrition and non-compliance and has been powered at 95% to detect a 15% difference between intervention and usual care arm. Analysis will be done by the intention-to-treat principle. DISCUSSION: Movies4Stroke is a randomized trial testing an application aimed at supporting caregivers and stroke survivors in a LMIC with no rehabilitation or chronic support systems. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02202330 (28 January 2015).