A Comparative Study of Responses to Retina Questions from Either Experts, Expert-Edited Large Language Models, or Expert-Edited Large Language Models Alone.

Objective: To assess the quality, empathy, and safety of expert edited large language model (LLM), human expert created, and LLM responses to common retina patient questions. Design: Randomized, masked multicenter study. Participants: Twenty-one common retina patient questions were randomly assigned among 13 retina specialists. Methods: Each expert created a response (Expert) and then edited a LLM (ChatGPT-4)-generated response to that question (Expert + artificial intelligence [AI]), timing themselves for both tasks. Five LLMs (ChatGPT-3.5, ChatGPT-4, Claude 2, Bing, and Bard) also generated responses to each question. The original question along with anonymized and randomized Expert + AI, Expert, and LLM responses were evaluated by the other experts who did not write an expert response to the question. Evaluators judged quality and empathy (very poor, poor, acceptable, good, or very good) along with safety metrics (incorrect information, likelihood to cause harm, extent of harm, and missing content). Main Outcome: Mean quality and empathy score, proportion of responses with incorrect information, likelihood to cause harm, extent of harm, and missing content for each response type. Results: There were 4008 total grades collected (2608 for quality and empathy; 1400 for safety metrics), with significant differences in both quality and empathy (P < 0.001, P < 0.001) between LLM, Expert and Expert + AI groups. For quality, Expert + AI (3.86 ± 0.85) performed the best overall while GPT-3.5 (3.75 ± 0.79) was the top performing LLM. For empathy, GPT-3.5 (3.75 ± 0.69) had the highest mean score followed by Expert + AI (3.73 ± 0.63). By mean score, Expert placed 4 out of 7 for quality and 6 out of 7 for empathy. For both quality (P < 0.001) and empathy (P < 0.001), expert-edited LLM responses performed better than expert-created responses. There were time savings for an expert-edited LLM response versus expert-created response (P = 0.02). ChatGPT-4 performed similar to Expert for inappropriate content (P = 0.35), missing content (P = 0.001), extent of possible harm (P = 0.356), and likelihood of possible harm (P = 0.129). Conclusions: In this randomized, masked, multicenter study, LLM responses were comparable with experts in terms of quality, empathy, and safety metrics, warranting further exploration of their potential benefits in clinical settings. Financial Disclosures: Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of the article.

BILATERAL EYE PATCHING MAY IMPROVE CLINICAL OUTCOMES FOR ACUTE PRIMARY RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT.

PURPOSE: Evaluate preoperative bilateral eye patching (BEP) on subretinal fluid and vision in acute primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRDs). METHODS: Retrospective nonrandomized interventional study of 335 patients with RRD undergoing BEP until surgery (BEP cohort) and separated by the percentage of full-time compliance: high (≥90%), medium (>90% but ≥50%), and low (<50%). Those declining BEP were included (control). All underwent surgery and were followed for ≥3 months. Imaging was obtained immediately before surgery. Best-corrected visual acuity was measured at the longest follow-up and immediately before surgery. SRF and foveal status immediately before surgery were analyzed. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty and 95 patients were in BEP and control cohorts, respectively. Thirty patients presented immediately before surgery for analysis. High (64%) and medium (35%) compliance showed significantly greater ( P < 0.01) SRF reduction compared with low (4%) and control (3%). Mac-off RRD showed significantly greater ( P < 0.01) foveal reattachment with high (29%) and medium (8%) compliance compared with low (2%) and control (1%). Mac-on RRD demonstrated no significant differences ( P ≥ 0.51) in final best-corrected visual acuity among high (0 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR] [median], 20/20 Snellen), medium (0.10 logMAR, 20/25 Snellen), low (0.10 logMAR), and control cohorts (0.10 logMAR). Mac-off RRD demonstrated significantly better final best-corrected visual acuity with high compliance (0.30 logMAR, 20/40 Snellen) compared with low (0.40 logMAR, 20/50 Snellen; P = 0.04) and control (0.60 logMAR, 20/80 Snellen; P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Preoperative BEP can stabilize or improve subretinal fluid in acute primary RRD. Patients with BEP >50% of the time experienced the greatest benefits.

The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on retinopathy of prematurity screening and management in the United States: a multicenter study.

PURPOSE: To study the effect of the pandemic-related lockdown (physical distance measures and movement restrictions) on the characteristics and management of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). METHODS: In this controlled, multicenter cohort study, the medical records of patients born prematurely and screened for ROP in the neonatal intensive care unit during four time periods were reviewed retrospectively: (1) November 1, 2018, to March 15, 2019; (2) March 16, 2019, to August 2, 2019 (lockdown control period); (3) November 1, 2019, to March 15, 2020; and (4) March 16, 2020-August 2, 2020. RESULTS: A total of 1,645 patients met inclusion criteria. Among the 1,633 patients with complete data, mean gestational age (GA) at birth was 28.2, 28.4, 28.0, and 28.3 weeks across time periods 1 to 4, respectively (P = 0.16). The mean birth weight of all patients was 1079.1 ± 378.60 g, with no significant variation across time periods (P = 0.08). There were fewer patients screened during the lockdown period (n = 411) compared with the period immediately before (n = 491) and the same period in the prior year (n = 533). Significantly more patients were screened using indirect ophthalmoscopy, compared to digital imaging (telemedicine), during the lockdown (P < 0.01). There were 11.7%, 7.7%, 9.0%, and 8.8% of patients requiring treatment in each time period, respectively (P = 0.42), with a median postmenstrual age at initial treatment of 37.2, 36.45, 37.1, and 36.3 weeks, respectively (P = 0.32). CONCLUSIONS: We recorded a decrease in the number of infants meeting criteria for ROP screening during the lockdown. The GA at birth and birth weight did not differ. Significantly more infants were screened with indirect ophthalmoscopy, compared to digital imaging, during the lockdown.

Vitreoretinopathy-Associated Pediatric Retinal Detachment Treatment Outcomes: IRIS® Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight) Analysis.

Purpose: To determine the treatment patterns and outcomes of pediatric retinal detachments (RDs) associated with hereditary vitreoretinopathies. Design: Retrospective cohort analysis using IRIS® Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight) database. Participants: Patients < 18 years old with a rhegmatogenous RD and a systemic disorder associated with vitreoretinal degeneration (e.g., Stickler syndrome) or other malformation of the vitreous from 2013-2019. Methods: Cases were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revisions (ICD-9, ICD-10) diagnostic codes from the IRIS® Registry cohort. Other hereditary vitreoretinopathies that are not encoded by specific ICD code(s) were captured by text search. Nonspecific vitreous abnormality ICD codes were also included. Exclusion criteria included traumatic retinal detachments using ICD codes for ocular trauma and serous or exudative retinal detachment. Surgical procedures were identified using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for repair of retinal detachment. Baseline demographic information collected included age, gender, race/ethnicity, geographic region of the provider location, and health insurance status. Main Outcome Measures: Main outcomes measured in this study were average time to first surgery, number of eyes presenting with bilateral detachments, and choice of initial surgical procedure. Results: A total of 2115 eyes of 1722 patients were identified (mean age, 10.4 years; 58% male). The median time to first surgery was 7 days (interquartile range, 40 days). One thousand four hundred seven eyes of 1134 patients had ≥ 1 year of follow-up, with 506 eyes (36%) developing a fellow eye RD. Thirty-three percent of patients presenting with bilateral detachments, and 349 eyes had initial RD surgery within 1 year of the index date documented by CPT code. Fellow eye detachment occurred a mean of 32 days after initial presentation. The mean number of surgeries per eye within 1 year was 1.68. Best-corrected visual acuity did not improve from a baseline 20/54 to 20/62. The initial procedure was most commonly complex RD repair (n = 176), followed by scleral buckle (n = 102), pars plana vitrectomy (n = 89), laser (n = 59), cryotherapy (n = 5), and pneumatic retinopexy (n = 5). There were 51 new diagnoses of glaucoma and 37 new diagnoses of aphakia within 1 year after the surgical procedure. Conclusions: IRIS Registry data provide insight into rare pediatric vitreoretinopathy-associated RDs, which have a high rate of reoperation and fellow eye involvement. Financial Disclosures: Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Retinal Detachment Prophylaxis for Patients With Stickler Syndrome: A Survey of Pediatric Retinal Specialist Treatment Preferences.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Stickler syndrome is the most common inherited cause of pediatric rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. The purpose of this study was to survey pediatric retinal surgeon preferences for prophylactic treatment of Stickler syndrome patients. STUDY DESIGN: A voluntary, anonymous 27-question survey was developed by RedCap and distributed to the Association of Pediatric Retinal Surgeons. The survey was distributed on March 17, 2021. Results were tabulated on April 12, 2021 in Microsoft Excel. All surveys returned were included. RESULTS: Thirty-four (76% response rate) respondents completed the survey. Twenty-six (76%) reported primarily using prophylactic laser retinopexy, four (12%) preferred use of cryotherapy, and 12% reported using prophylactic scleral buckle. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the United States. and international pediatric retinal surgeons use laser retinopexy as the primary method of prophylactic treatment. These results may serve as a benchmark for retinal surgeons less familiar with prophylactic treatment approaches. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2023;54:102-107.].

Hemi- and Central Retinal Vein Occlusion Associated with COVID-19 Infection in Young Patients without Known Risk Factors.

PURPOSE: Venous thromboembolic complications have been reported in association with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. We raised awareness regarding a potential temporal association between COVID-19 infection and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). DESIGN: Multicenter, retrospective, nonconsecutive case series. SUBJECTS: Patients presenting with hemi-RVO (HRVO) or central RVO (CRVO) between March 2020 and March 2021, with confirmed COVID-19 infection, were included. The exclusion criteria were as follows: age >50 years, hypertension, diabetes, glaucoma, obesity, underlying hypercoagulable states, and those requiring intubation during hospitalization. METHODS: This was a multicenter, retrospective, nonconsecutive case series including patients presenting with hemi-RVO (HRVO) or central RVO (CRVO) between March 2020 and March 2021, with confirmed COVID-19 infection. The exclusion criteria were as follows: age >50 years, hypertension, diabetes, glaucoma, obesity, underlying hypercoagulable states, and those requiring intubation during hospitalization. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ophthalmic findings, including presenting and final visual acuity (VA), imaging findings, and clinical course. RESULTS: Twelve eyes of 12 patients with CRVO (9 of 12) or HRVO (3 of 12) after COVID-19 infection were included. The median age was 32 years (range, 18-50 years). Three patients were hospitalized, but none were intubated. The median time from COVID-19 diagnosis to ophthalmic symptoms was 6.9 weeks. The presenting VA ranged from 20/20 to counting fingers, with over half (7 of 12) having a VA of ≥20/40. OCT revealed macular edema in 42% of the eyes; of these, 80% (4 of 5) were treated with anti-VEGF injections. Ninety-two percent (11 of 12) had partial or complete resolution of ocular findings at final follow-up. Four eyes (33%) had retinal thinning, as determined using OCT, by the end of the study interval. The final VA ranged from 20/20 to 20/60, with 11 of the 12 (92%) eyes achieving a VA of ≥20/40 at a median final follow-up period of 13 weeks (range, 4-52 weeks). CONCLUSIONS: Although we acknowledge the high seroprevalence of COVID-19 and that a causal relationship cannot be established, we reported this series to raise awareness regarding the potential risk of retinal vascular events due to a heightened thromboinflammatory state associated with COVID-19 infection.

Aggressive Posterior Retinopathy of Prematurity: Long-Term Outcomes Following Intravitreal Bevacizumab.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to review the neonatal and early childhood course of children who were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab for APROP and identify any long term limitations these children face years after treatment. METHODS: This retrospective consecutive case series reviewed both ophthalmologic and pediatric medical records to determine ocular and neurologic function following treatment with a single injection of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for APROP. Patient records were reviewed to identify the gestational age, average birth weight, gender, post-menstrual age (PMA) at the time of injection, regression status, rescue therapy events, final visual acuity, final refraction, ophthalmologic diagnoses and complications, neurologic diagnoses, and duration of follow up. RESULTS: The study included 43 eyes from 13 male and 9 female children. The average gestational age was 24 weeks and average birth weight was 625.2 grams. The average follow-up was 4.08 years (range: 1.85-7.36 years). The average PMA at time of bevacizumab injection was 35.59 weeks. Thirty-five eyes eventually received laser photocoagulation at an average PMA of 53.17 weeks. All eyes in this study demonstrated regression without progression to retinal detachment. At last follow up, 67% (29/43) of eyes were able to discern letters or shapes, with an average visual acuity of 20/37. 16 (72%) children were diagnosed with perinatal neurological disorders. 59% (n = 13) developed chronic neurological impairment, 77% (n = 10) of whom developed neurodevelopmental delay. Several infants were diagnosed with endocrine disease or genetic syndromes. CONCLUSIONS: Extreme prematurity is associated with significant morbidity. Nearly all infants (92%) who developed chronic neurologic disease were diagnosed with neurologic disease during the perinatal period. Intravitreal bevacizumab, often with adjuvant photocoagulation, led to regression without detachment in 100% of eyes, with most verbal children retaining functional vision.

Risk and Prevention of Retinal Detachments in Patients with Stickler Syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To report the impact of prophylactic laser retinopexy in the prevention of retinal detachments (RDs) in patients with Stickler syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, comparative case series of patients with Stickler syndrome from the year 2000 to 2019. We compared the rate of RDs between individuals who did and did not receive prophylactic laser therapy. In patients with an RD, we compared the rate of RD in the fellow eye with and without prophylactic laser treatment. RESULTS: A total of 95 eyes were identified. Fifty-four percent of the overall population was female. The RD rate was 26.7% among eyes without previous prophylactic laser retinopexy and 4.6% among eyes with previous prophylactic laser retinopexy. A Cox proportional model revealed that laser prophylaxis treatment had a statistically significant effect on the risk of RD or retinal tear during the 25-year survival period from birth (P = .034). Eyes receiving treatment were 70% less likely to experience RD or retinal tear (hazard ratio, 0.297; 95% CI, 0.097 to 0.913). CONCLUSIONS: This study's results suggest a potential role for prophylactic laser retinopexy in the prevention of rhegmatogenous RD among patients with a clinical diagnosis of Stickler syndrome. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2022;53:7-11.].

COST ANALYSIS OF SCLERAL BUCKLE, PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY, AND PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY WITH SCLERAL BUCKLE FOR RETINAL DETACHMENT REPAIR.

PURPOSE: To compare the cost and utility of scleral buckle (SB), pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), and PPV with SB (PPV/SB) for moderately complex rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair. METHODS: Cost-utility analysis using data from the Primary Retinal Detachment Outcomes Study. The model estimated costs, lifetime utility, and lifetime cost per quality-adjusted life year for treatment of moderately complex rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with SB, PPV, or PPV/SB. Data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services were used to calculate costs in hospital and ambulatory surgery center settings. RESULTS: Total costs (2020 US dollars) for repair of a moderately complex rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in hospital (ambulatory surgery center) settings were $5,975 ($3,774) for the SB group, $8,125 ($5,082) for the PPV group, and $7,551 ($4,713) for the PPV/SB group. The estimated lifetime quality-adjusted life years gained were 5.4, 4.7, and 4.7 in the SB, PPV, and PPV/SB groups, respectively. The cost per quality-adjusted life year for hospital and ambulatory surgery center settings was $1,106 a ($699) for the SB group, $1729 ($1,081) for the PPV group, and $1,607 ($1,003) for the PPV/SB group. CONCLUSION: Scleral buckle, PPV, and PPV/SB yielded very favorable cost-utility results for the repair of moderately complex rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, with slightly better results for SB, compared with current willingness to pay standards.

Multiple Genetically Distinct Uveal Melanomas Arise in the Same Eye of Two Patients with Melanosis Oculi.

PURPOSE: To determine whether unilateral multifocal uveal melanomas (UM) in the setting of ocular melanosis (melanosis oculi) represent genetically independent tumors. DESIGN: Clinical case series. METHODS: Two patients with unilateral multifocal UM in the setting of melanosis oculi were included. Tumors were evaluated for gene expression profile (GEP) and next generation sequencing (NGS) for uveal melanoma-associated mutations. Histopathologic analysis of enucleated specimens was also performed when available. RESULTS: Patients were both female, ages 73 and 83 years. In Patient #1, the tumors both exhibited Class 2 GEP but each harbored a unique BAP1 mutation. In Patient #2, one tumor was Class 1 and harbored an SF3B1 mutation, whereas the other tumor was Class 2 and harbored a BAP1 mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral multifocal UM in the setting of melanosis oculi can arise due to the development of genetically independent primary tumors, which is detectable based on the mutation profile of each tumor. This is the first report of genetically-confirmed independent primary tumors in the setting of unilateral multifocal UM.

Trends in the Clinical Presentation of Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachments During the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of 1 full year of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on clinical presentation of acute, primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). DESIGN: Single-center, retrospective observational cohort study. METHODS: Patients were divided into 2 cohorts: consecutive patients treated for primary RRD during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 9, 2020, to March 7, 2021; pandemic cohort) and patients treated during the corresponding time in previous year (March 11, 2019, to March 8, 2020; control cohort). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of patients presenting with macula-involving (mac-off) or macula-sparring (mac-on) RRD. RESULTS: A total of 952 patients in the pandemic cohort and 872 patients in the control cohort were included. Demographic factors were similar. Compared with the control cohort, a significantly greater number of pandemic cohort patients presented with mac-off RRDs ([60.92%] pandemic, [48.17%] control, P = .0001) and primary proliferative vitreoretinopathy ([15.53%] pandemic, [6.9%] control, P = .0001). Pandemic cohort patients (10.81%) had significantly higher rates of lost to follow-up compared with the control cohort (4.43%; P = .0001). Patients new to our clinic demonstrated a significant increase in mac-off RRDs in the pandemic cohort (65.35%) compared with the control cohort (50.40%; P = .0001). Pandemic cohort patients showed worse median final best-corrected visual acuity (0.30 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) compared with the control cohort (0.18 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution; P = .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with primary RRD during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic were more likely to have mac-off disease, present with primary proliferative vitreoretinopathy, be lost to follow-up, and have worse final best-corrected visual acuity outcomes.

UTILIZATION OF SPECTRAL DOMAIN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY TO IDENTIFY POSTERIOR VITREOUS DETACHMENT IN PATIENTS WITH RETINAL DETACHMENT.

PURPOSE: To compare posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) identification rate between clinical examination versus spectral domain optical coherence tomography in patients with retinal detachment (RD). METHODS: Data from the Primary Retinal Detachment Outcomes Study were used for this retrospective cross-sectional study of 506 patients. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography scans were reviewed to detect the separation of the posterior hyaloid face from the retina and the optic nerve on all 31 raster cuts of a 30 × 30 scan. Statistical analysis was performed to compare spectral domain optical coherence tomography-identified PVD with PVD identified on slit-lamp biomicroscopy. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the rate of PVD identification by clinical examination versus spectral domain optical coherence tomography in patients with RD. Clinical examination identified 51.58% of patients with PVD, whereas spectral domain optical coherence tomography identified 78.42% of patients with PVD. In patients with macula-on RD, 61.68% were found to have PVD on clinical examination versus 83.90% by imaging. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography identified larger number of PVD in patients with macula-off RD compared with clinical examination, 46.28% versus 75.43%, respectively. There was low agreement between the two methods (kappa score = 0.137). There was a significant difference in surgical procedure type chosen in those with versus without PVD. CONCLUSION: Knowledge about the posterior hyaloid anatomy is important before undergoing RD repair. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography can better identify PVD than clinical examination in patients with RD.

EXTERNAL DRAINAGE OF SUBRETINAL FLUID DURING RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT REPAIR.

PURPOSE: To describe the safety and efficacy of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair with external drainage of subretinal fluid using a 28-gauge External Drainage and Depression device (Vortex Surgical, Chesterfield, MO). METHODS: Retrospective review of patients who underwent primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair with scleral buckle, pars plana vitrectomy, or scleral buckle/pars plana vitrectomy using the drainage device from August 2018 through March 2020, performed by four surgeons at two vitreoretinal practices. RESULTS: Eighty-three eyes of 83 patients were included. At presentation, 28% had proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Surgery included 65% scleral buckle/pars plana vitrectomy, 33% pars plana vitrectomy, and 2% scleral buckle. There were no cases of retinal incarceration and two subretinal hemorrhages at the drainage site (both < 2 DD), 2 cases of recurrent RD with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (1 had proliferative vitreoretinopathy at presentation), and 6 (10%) new epiretinal membranes (3 were mild). There were no other complications. Mean follow-up was 274 days. Single operation success rate for those with ≥ 6-month follow-up was 97% (57/59). CONCLUSION: External drainage of subretinal fluid during rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair demonstrated a favorable safety profile with a high single operation success rate. Further study of the role of external drainage in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair is warranted.

Incidence and Risk of Scleral-Fixated Akreos (AO60) Lens Opacification: A Case Series.

Purpose: Postoperative hydrophilic intraocular lens opacification can lead to decreased vision and may require intraocular lens exchange. This study aims to identify the incidence of scleral-fixated Akreos AO60's (Bausch + Lomb) lens opacification and risk factors for this phenomenon. Methods: This is a retrospective case series of all patients who underwent scleral-fixated Akreos AO60 lens at our institution between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2019. The following data were recorded: age, sex, medical history, indication for Akreos AO60 implantation, laterality, ocular history, previous ocular surgical procedures, subsequent intraocular surgical procedures after the Akreos implantation, lens opacification, visual significance of opacification, and Akreos explantation. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. Main outcome measures were the overall incidence of Akreos lens opacification as well as the incidence of these eyes undergoing subsequent intraocular surgery. Results: A total of 262 eyes of 257 patients underwent Akreos lens implantation. Overall, 2% (5 of 262) developed lens opacification. Two patients had Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) concurrently with Akreos implantation. One patient underwent subsequent Baerveldt glaucoma implantation and DSAEK. The fourth patient had vitrectomy with sulfur hexafluoride gas followed by DSAEK. This represents a 25% (4 of 16) opacification rate among all patients who underwent DSAEK (P ≤ .01, Fisher exact test). One patient developed opacification after undergoing 2 vitrectomies for retinal detachment in the absence of DSAEK. Conclusions: Akreos lens opacification can be visually significant and may occur after a retinal or corneal procedure that involves the use of intraocular gas or air.

Traumatic Retinal Detachment in Patients with Self-Injurious Behavior: An International Multicenter Study.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical characteristics, surgical outcomes, and management recommendations in patients with traumatic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) resulting from self-injurious behavior (SIB). DESIGN: International, multicenter, retrospective, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with SIB from 23 centers with RRD in at least 1 eye. METHODS: Clinical histories, preoperative assessment, surgical details, postoperative management, behavioral intervention, and follow-up examination findings were reviewed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The rate of single-surgery anatomic success (SSAS) was the primary outcome. Other outcomes included new RRD in formerly attached eyes, final retinal reattachment, and final visual acuity. RESULTS: One hundred seven eyes with RRDs were included from 78 patients. Fifty-four percent of patients had bilateral RRD or phthisis bulbi in the fellow eye at final follow-up. The most common systemic diagnoses were autism spectrum disorder (35.9%) and trisomy 21 (21.8%) and the most common behavior was face hitting (74.4%). The average follow-up time was 3.3 ± 2.8 years, and surgical outcomes for operable eyes were restricted to patients with at least 3 months of follow-up (81 eyes). Primary initial surgeries were vitrectomy alone (33.3%), primary scleral buckle (SB; 26.9%), and vitrectomy with SB (39.7%), and 5 prophylactic SBs were placed. Twenty-three eyes (21.5%) with RRDs were inoperable. The SSAS was 23.1% without tamponade (37.2% if including silicone oil), and final reattachment was attained in 80% (36.3% without silicone oil tamponade). Funnel-configured RRD (P = 0.006) and the presence of grade C proliferative vitreoretinopathy (P = 0.002) correlated with re-detachment. The use of an SB predicted the final attachment rate during the initial surgery (P = 0.005) or at any surgery (P = 0.008. These associations held if restricting to 64 patients with ≥12 months followup. Anatomic reattachment correlated with better visual acuity (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: RRD resulting from SIB poses therapeutic challenges because of limited patient cooperation, bilateral involvement, chronicity, and ongoing trauma in vulnerable and neglected patients. The surgical success rates were some of the lowest in the modern retinal detachment literature. The use of an SB may result in better outcomes, and visual function can be restored in some patients.

Clinical Outcomes in Sequential, Bilateral Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: A Multicenter, Paired-Eye Analysis.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical outcomes in patients with sequential, bilateral rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) by using a paired-eye comparison. DESIGN: Multicenter, retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with sequential, bilateral RRD treated with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), scleral buckle (SB), or PPV plus SB over an 11-year period (October 2008-April 2019) from 4 vitreoretinal practices were included. METHODS: Data were collected on patient demographics, anatomic characteristics of the RRD, surgical procedures, and best-corrected visual acuity (VA). These variables, along with single-operation anatomic success (SOAS) and type and number of surgical procedures, were assessed with a paired-eye comparison. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Single-operation anatomic success between the initial-eye and subsequent-eye RRD. RESULTS: Five hundred four eyes of 252 patients were included. The mean interval between RRD in either eye was 13.6 ± 13.4 months. Single-operation anatomic success in the initial eye was 82.5% with a mean of 1.2 surgeries (range, 1-4 surgeries). Single-operation anatomic success in the subsequent eye was 83.7% (P = 0.80) with a mean of 1.2 surgeries (range, 1-4 surgeries; P = 0.68). Visual acuity was better in the subsequent eye at presentation (mean, 20/62 vs. 20/149; P < 0.001) and postoperative month 6 (mean, 20/41 vs. 20/49; P = 0.03), but final VA was similar (20/36 vs. 20/37; P = 0.68). Macular detachment was less prevalent (34.1% vs. 56.0%; P < 0.001) with fewer quadrants detached (mean, 1.9 quadrants vs. 2.0 quadrants; P = 0.010) in the subsequent eye. Mean duration of symptoms was shorter in the subsequent eye (mean, 5.9 days vs. 7.5 days; P = 0.008). In patients who underwent a different surgical technique in each eye, PPV plus SB yielded a higher SOAS of 89.7% compared with 69.0% for PPV alone in 116 eyes (P = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: In this study of sequential, bilateral RRD, the SOAS was similar for each eye. The second eye was more likely to be treated earlier and to have less macular involvement, but the final VA outcomes were similar. Pars plana vitrectomy plus SB yielded a significantly higher SOAS than PPV or SB alone.

Adams-Oliver syndrome: a case of bilateral progressive ischemic maculopathy.

Adams-Oliver syndrome (AOS) is a congenital condition characterized by aplasia cutis congenita of the scalp and transverse limb defects. Other clinical features reported in association with AOS include cardiac malformations, cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita, prenatal complications, and ophthalmic abnormalities. Reported ophthalmic manifestations range from Peters anomaly-like findings and cataract formation to incomplete or abnormal retinal vasculature, optic nerve hypoplasia, and rod dystrophy. We report the novel case of a 3-month-old boy with AOS type 2 who was found to have bilateral progressive macular ischemia.

Analysis of Emergent Nonhospital-Based Retina Consultation Requests in an Academic Nonhospital-Associated Retina Practice.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of after-hour encounters concerning patients referred by eye physicians to on-call retina services for emergent evaluation not seen in or referred by an emergency department. DESIGN: Retrospective study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients seeking treatment at 3 private practice institutions over a 2-year period between 2017 and 2018. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted comprising all patients who sought treatment emergently and after clinic hours from 3 academic nonhospital-associated retina-only private practice institutions over a 2-year period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient presenting symptoms, diagnosis given at time of after-hours appointment, duration of symptoms, source of after-hours consultation (patient or provider), procedure performed at appointment, and appointments that led to surgery. RESULTS: Nine hundred eighty-seven charts were reviewed. Provider referrals accounted for 49.13% (n = 485) and patient-derived referrals accounted for 50% (n = 493) of appointments. New patients accounted for 27.6% (n = 146) of patient-derived and 85.2% (n = 413) of provider-derived referrals. The most common presenting symptoms were flashes and floaters (42.5%; n = 420), decrease in visual acuity (32.1%; n = 317), generalized eye pain (7.4%; n = 73), visual field disturbance (4.3%; n = 42), and postoperative ocular pain (3.4%; n = 34). An in-office procedure was performed at the time of examination in 18% of encounters (n = 178), with most of these being laser retinopexy. Surgery was performed within 24 hours in 18% (n = 180), within 48 hours in 20.6% (n = 203), within 72 hours in 21.7% (n = 214), and within 96 hours in 22.6% (n = 223) of the appointment. When combined with procedures, 36.2% (n = 358) of encounters led to urgent intervention within 24 hours. If a provider called about an existing patient, 37.5% of these appointments (n = 27) led to surgery versus 12.8% (n = 49) if an existing patient self-referred. If a provider called about a new patient, 31.7% of these appointments (n = 131) led to surgery versus 10% (n = 14) if a new patient self-referred. CONCLUSIONS: At these 3 private practice retinal specialty clinics, 41% of after-hours appointment requests resulted in an intervention within 96 hours, and 36% of these patients underwent an intervention within 24 hours.

Complications of vitreoretinal surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The present article reviews the most common and most serious vision-threatening and life-threatening complications of vitreoretinal surgery. RECENT FINDINGS: Serious complications after vitreroretinal surgery are rare. Endophthalmitis for example has recently been estimated to occur in 0.08% of small gague vitrectomy. Other complications such as cataract are almost unavoidable, becoming visually significant in up to 80% of patients. The introduction of smaller gauge vitrectomy systems has reduced surgical times, conjunctival scarring and inflammation, and the rate of some complications such as retinal tears. Ocular venous air embolism is an exceedingly rare complication that is potentially life threating and therefore important for all vitreoretinal surgeons to be aware of. SUMMARY: Though vitreoretinal surgery is well tolerated and effective, it is inevitable that all surgeons will experience complications and are therefore best served by understanding the potential complications, strategies to reduce the likelihood of them occurring, and ways to address them when they do happen.

Aflibercept-Related Sterile Intraocular Inflammation Outcomes.

PURPOSE: A recent increase in sterile intraocular inflammation after aflibercept (EYLEA; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Tarrytown, NY) injection was reported to the American Society of Retina Specialists' Research and Safety in Therapeutics Committee. This study describes their clinical characteristics and outcomes. DESIGN: Case series. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-eight eyes of 66 patients (97% reported from May 2017 through February 2018). METHODS: Exclusion criteria were intravitreal antibiotic injection and follow-up of less than 7 days. Diagnosis was at each physician's discretion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presenting signs and symptoms, injection characteristics, management details, and visual outcomes. RESULTS: Mean time to presentation was 2.6 days (median, 2.0 days; range, 0-15 days). Symptoms included blurry vision (93%), floaters (60%), pain (44%), severe pain (6%), and photophobia (19%). Mean visual acuities before and after injection were 20/50 and 20/178, respectively. All patients showed intraocular inflammation: 24% with only vitritis, 16% with only anterior chamber reaction, and 60% with both. Less common findings included keratic precipitates (22%), corneal edema (13%), conjunctival injection (10%), chemosis (4%), hypopyon (4%), and fibrin (3%). Two patients were affected bilaterally. Treatment included topical steroids (93%), with 1% supplemented by oral steroids. Inflammation resolved in 79% at study completion (mean, 34 days; range, 7-105 days; 51% resolved by 1 month). This group's mean final visual acuity (VA) was 20/55, and 15% lost 2 lines or more. This vision loss was associated with shorter time to presentation (P < 0.0001), magnitude of decrease in presenting VA (P = 0.0004), presence of fibrin (P = 0.02), and trended toward receiving only observation (P = 0.10). There were no other presenting factors that significantly affected visual outcome. In patients with unresolved inflammation at the final visit, mean follow-up was 29 days, and mean final VA was 20/118. Overall, 26 aflibercept lots were involved. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest study of aflibercept-related sterile intraocular inflammation, and is the only large report to exclude eyes injected with intraocular antibiotics. Most patients presented early with decreased VA and intraocular inflammation, but without injection, hypopyon, fibrin, or severe pain. Final VA remained decreased in a significant minority of patients.