Pilot study of musculoskeletal pain in ophthalmologists following participation in a fifteen-minute online Iyengar yoga program.

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of musculoskeletal (MSK) complaints in ophthalmologists and to assess whether participation in an online Iyengar yoga video program improves the baseline pain scores and awareness of proper posture in the clinic and operating room. Methods: Ophthalmologists were recruited from online professional forums for this nonrandomized, prospective study. A pre-intervention survey, including demographics, office and procedure volumes, wellness activities, and baseline MSK pain scores, was completed. A fifteen-minute instructional video focusing on simple yoga poses for the neck, shoulder, and lower back created by one of the authors, who is both an ophthalmologist and a certified Iyengar yoga teacher, was provided to participants to complete three times weekly for a total of 4 weeks. A post-intervention survey collecting MSK pain scores and information about ergonomics and compliance was completed. Results: Fifty ophthalmologists completed the pre-intervention survey, of whom 49 (98%) reported at least 1 episode of MSK discomfort in the preceding year. Of those, discomfort was cervical in 36 (72%), in the shoulder(s) in 15 (29%), thoracic spinal in 23 (46%), lumbar spinal in 23 (46%), and centered in the wrist, hand, or finger in 22 (44%). Of the 50 ophthalmologists, 22 submitted the post-intervention surveys. The post-intervention pain scores were decreased compared to baseline for cervical spine (P < 0.01), shoulder (P < 0.01), thoracic spine (P < 0.01), lumbar spine (P < 0.01) and wrist, hand, or finger (P < 0.01). 20 respondents (91%) reported improved awareness of their posture in the clinic and operating room, and 19 (86%) felt that this awareness would decrease their MSK symptoms. Conclusions: Among our small group of survey respondents, a fifteen-minute Iyengar yoga video program specifically designed for ophthalmologists reduced MSK pain and improving awareness of proper ergonomics for practicing ophthalmologists.

Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa Secondary to TOPORS Mutations: A Report of a Novel Mutation and Clinical Findings.

Purpose: Mutations in Topoisomerase I-binding RS protein (TOPORS) have been previously documented and have been described to result in pathological autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP). In our study, we describe the various genotypes and clinical/phenotypic manifestations of TOPORS-related mutations of our unique patient population in Rural Appalachia. Methods: The medical records of 416 patients with inherited retinal disease at the West Virginia University Eye Institute who had undergone genetic testing between the years of 2015-2022 were reviewed. Patients found to have pathologic RP and mutations related to TOPORS were then analyzed. Results: In total, 7 patients (ages 12-70) were identified amongst three unique families. All patients were female in our study. The average follow-up period was 7.7 years. A mother (70 yr) and daughter (51 yr) had a novel heterozygous nonsense point mutation in TOPORS c.2431C > T, p.Gln811X (Exon 3) that led to premature termination of the desired protein resulting in early onset vision loss, cataract formation, and visual field restriction. The mother developed a full-thickness macular hole which was successfully repaired. Five other patients were found to have previously described TOPORS mutations. Visual field loss was progressive with age in both cohorts. Conclusions: Seven patients at our institution were identified to have mutations in TOPORS resulting in autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. Two patients were found to have novel truncating mutations in the TOPORS gene resulting in profound night blindness and visual field loss, recurrent macular edema, and in one individual, epiretinal membrane formation leading to a macular hole which was able to be successfully repaired.

Optimizing Ophthalmology Patient Education via ChatBot-Generated Materials: Readability Analysis of AI-Generated Patient Education Materials and The American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Patient Brochures.

PURPOSE: This study aims to compare the readability of patient education materials (PEM) of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to that of PEMs generated by the AI-chat bots ChatGPT and Google Bard. METHODS: PEMs on 16 common American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery topics were generated by 2 AI models, ChatGPT 4.0 and Google Bard, with and without a 6th-grade reading level prompt modifier. The PEMs were analyzed using 7 readability metrics: Flesch Reading Ease Score, Gunning Fog Index, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Coleman-Liau Index, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook Index Score, Automated Readability Index, and Linsear Write Readability Score. Each AI-generated PEM was compared with the equivalent American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery PEM. RESULTS: Across all readability indices, PEM generated by ChatGPT 4.0 consistently had the highest readability scores, indicating that the material generated by this AI chatbot may be most difficult to read in its unprompted form (Flesch Reading Ease Score: 36.5; Simple Measure of Gobbledygook: 14.7). Google's Bard was able to generate content that was easier to read than both the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and ChatGPT 4.0 (Flesch Reading Ease Score: 52.3; Simple Measure of Gobbledygook: 12.7). When prompted to produce PEM at a 6th-grade reading level, both ChatGPT 4.0 and Bard were able to significantly improve in their readability scores, with prompted ChatGPT 4.0 being able to consistently generate content that was easier to read (Flesch Reading Ease Score: 67.9, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook: 10.2). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that AI tools, when guided by appropriate prompts, can generate accessible and comprehensible PEMs in the field of ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgeries, balancing readability with the complexity of the necessary information.

Rotational stability of a new hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens platform.

PURPOSE: To evaluate rotational stability for ease of rotation of a new intraocular lens (IOL) platform with 4 haptics in an ex vivo model and compare it with a control single-piece lens with 2 open loops. SETTING: Intermountain Ocular Research Center, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS: 10 human cadaver eyes were prepared as per the Miyake-Apple technique. After injection of the test or control lens, clockwise and counterclockwise rotations were attempted with a hook, with and without an ophthalmic viscosurgical device in place. Ease of rotation was scored as (1) very easy, (2) easy, (3) difficult, and (4) very difficult. Rotation of the entire eye containing test or control IOL was also performed with a multipurpose rotator (2 minutes; 220 revolutions per minute) to evaluate its effect on IOL alignment. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences regarding ease of rotation between test and control lenses in all 4 scenarios, with rotation being more difficult with the test lens ( P < .05, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). No change in the alignment of test or control lenses was observed after eye rotation with the multipurpose rotator. CONCLUSIONS: The new IOL platform showed greater rotational stability than the control lens in this model, owing to design features such as 4 small arcs of contact between the haptics and the bag equator, a bulge at the distal end of each haptic, and arcuate haptics with curvatures oriented toward each other.

Complications of foldable intraocular lenses requiring explantation or secondary intervention- 2022 survey with update of long-term trends.

PURPOSE: To assess the complications that resulted in the explantation or secondary intervention with foldable intraocular lenses (IOLs). SETTING: University setting, Salt Lake City, Utah. DESIGN: Survey study. METHODS: For the 25th consecutive year, surgeons were surveyed regarding complications associated with foldable IOLs requiring explantation or secondary intervention over the 2022 calendar year. These forms were made available online using the American and European Societies of Cataract and Refractive Surgery websites and a fax-on-demand service. Surgeons completed one survey for each foldable IOL requiring explantation or secondary intervention. Further analysis determined complication trends related to specific IOL styles, materials, and types over the past 16 years (2007-2022). RESULTS: 103 completed surveys were returned in 2022 contributing to a total of 1627 tabulated surveys since 2007. In the 2022 survey, dislocation/decentration continued to be the most common complication overall. Glare/optical aberrations was a common complication associated with multifocal IOLs continuing a 16-year trend. Additionally, hydrophilic acrylic IOLs as well as some silicone lenses in eyes with asteroid hyalosis demonstrated calcification as the most common complication necessitating explantation. CONCLUSION: Dislocation/decentration remains the leading cause of explantation in most IOL types. Glare/optical aberrations continue to be an associated complication of multifocal IOLs suggesting this ongoing issue has yet to be resolved with this type of IOL. Additionally, calcification of hydrophilic acrylic lenses and silicone lenses is a rare event but continues to occur.

Fracture of the Dens Axis Due to Spinal Manifestation of Sarcoidosis: Treatment Option and Review of the Literature.

STUDY DESIGN: Case report and literature review. OBJECTIVE: We present a case of a pathologic unstable fracture of the odontoid process due to vertebral osseous sarcoidosis. The surgical management of this unreported pathology is described and a review of the literature is given. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Sarcoidosis is a chronic inflammatory systemic disease of unknown etiology, characterized by multiorgan noncaseating granulomatous infiltrations. It affects primarily the lungs, lymphatic system, eyes, skin, heart, and nervous system. Osseous sarcoidosis is usually clinically asymptomatic and therefore frequently under-diagnosed. When it does affect the skull or vertebral column, specific surgical therapy is only necessary in cases with nonmanageable pain or where structural integrity is threatened. METHODS: Our patient underwent a so-called semiconservative approach, consisting of a minimally invasive transoral-transpharyngeal approach, surgical debridement of the lytic bony lesion, transplantation of cancellous homologous bone, and carbon chest halo-immobilization. Halo-immobilization was left for 8 weeks, followed by a further 6 weeks with a hard cervical collar. RESULTS: Routine computed tomography scans 3 days, 6, 12, 18 weeks, and 1 year after surgery showed good filling of the original defect with cancellous bone, correct alignment of the upper cervical spine, and progressive fracture consolidation and stability. Surgical site infection (SSI) was not observed. The patient had no neurological postoperative deficits. After initial dysphagia, swallowing was not permanently impaired. CONCLUSION: Sarcoidosis-induced odontoid fractures can be managed successfully using a semiconservative approach, consisting of transoral-transmucosal, minimally invasive surgical procedure for debridement of the lesion and transplantation of cancellous bone with additional halo-immobilization. Permanent fusion of C1-2 with loss of the cervical range of motion is avoided. Despite performing bone surgery in a potentially markedly contaminated site, bacterial infection was not an issue, possibly supported by the temporary discontinuation of immunosuppressive agents and the prudent use of antibiotics.Level of Evidence: 4.

Serum C-reactive protein and WBC count in conservatively and operatively managed bacterial spondylodiscitis.

PURPOSE: C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) count are routine blood chemistry parameters in monitoring infection. Little is known about the natural history of their serum levels in conservative and operative spondylodiscitis treatment. METHODS: Pre- and postoperative serum levels of CRP and WBC count in 145 patients with spondylodiscitis were retrospectively assessed. One hundred and four patients were treated by debridement, spondylodesis, and an antibiotic regime, 41 only with a brace and antibiotics. The results of the surgical group were compared to 156 patients fused for degenerative disc disease (DDD). RESULTS: Surgery had a significant effect on peak postoperative CRP levels. In surgically managed patients, CRP peaked at 2-3 days after surgery (spondylodiscitis: pre-OP: 90 mg/dl vs. post-OP days 2-3: 146 mg/dl; DDD: 9 mg/dl vs. 141 mg/dl; p < 0.001), followed by a sharp decline. Although values were higher for spondylodiscitis patients, dynamics of CRP values were similar in both groups. Nonoperative treatment showed a slower decline. Surgically managed spondylodiscitis showed a higher success rate in identifying bacteria. Specific antibiotic treatment led to a more predictable decline of CRP values. WBC did not show an interpretable profile. CONCLUSION: CRP is a predictable serum parameter in patients with spondylodiscitis. WBC count is unspecific. Initial CRP increase after surgery is of little value in monitoring infection. A preoperative CRP value, and control once during the first 3 days after surgery is sufficient. Closer monitoring should then be continued. Should a decline not be observed, therapy needs to be scrutinized, antibiotic treatment reassessed, and concomitant infection contemplated.

Factors associated with the public's trust in physicians in the context of the Lebanese healthcare system: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The Lebanese public perceives the physician-patient relationship as flawed. The objectives of this study are to assess factors associated with the public's trust in physicians in the context of the Lebanese healthcare system and to explore potential ways to enhance it. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study based on a grounded theory methodology using semi-structured interviews with members of the Lebanese public (not restricted to patients). We selected participants through convenience and maximum variation sampling approaches. The constant comparative analysis resulted in a theoretical framework that describes the factors influencing trust in physicians. RESULTS: Participants trusted an experienced, up-to-date, graduate of a North American or Western European school, working in a reputable hospital, with a high level of diagnostic skills. The personal characteristics that improved trust were physicians who are 'non-materialistic', have a good rapport, and have sufficient encounter time with patients. Social factors that enhance trust in the physician include: being a family member, recommended by a family member, featured in mainstream media, and/or having a good reputation. Trust increased compliance, loyalty despite occasional mistakes committed, high consultation fees, and negative attitudes towards the physician's institution. Conversely, no trust led to severed therapeutic relationship and seeking second opinions. CONCLUSION: The level of trust of members of the Lebanese public in physicians was affected by the personal characteristics of physicians, their practice or clinical skills, their interactions with the patient, finances, in addition to a number of social factors. Moreover, the level of trust had major implications on patients' interactions with their physicians.