Posterior segment toxicity after gemcitabine and docetaxel chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: To report outer retinal disruption and uveal effusion after gemcitabine and docetaxel combination therapy. CASE REPORT: A 78-year-old woman presented with blurry vision after two cycles of gemcitabine and docetaxel combination chemotherapy for stage IV sarcoma. At presentation, visual acuity was finger counting and 20/25 in the right and left eyes, respectively. Slit-lamp examination and B-scan ultrasonography revealed severe uveal effusion in the right eye and choroidal folds in the left eye. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography showed disruption of photoreceptor inner segment ellipsoid band in the right eye. The patient was monitored weekly with ophthalmic examination and B-scan ultrasonography, while continuing with gemcitabine monotherapy. At 8 weeks follow-up, uveal effusion improved considerably and visual acuity was 20/40 and 20/20 in the right and left eyes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Uveal effusion and outer retinal disruption were reported after gemcitabine and docetaxel chemotherapy. Early detection and close ophthalmic monitoring may allow concurrent cancer treatment and prevention of possible chemotherapy-induced ocular side effects.

Contact Lens Use in Patients With Boston Keratoprosthesis Type 1: Fitting, Management, and Complications.

The Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis (KPro) is the most commonly used artificial cornea worldwide. Long-term bandage contact lenses are the standard of care for patients with these devices. The goal of bandage contact lenses is to maintain hydration and to protect the corneal tissue that surrounds the anterior plate of the keratoprosthesis which is vulnerable to desiccation, epithelial breakdown, dellen formation, and corneal melt. Contact lenses can also improve comfort, correct refractive errors, and improve the cosmesis of patients with artificial corneas. However, the continuous use of contact lenses places these patients at risk for complications such as lens loss, lens deposits, chronic conjunctivitis, and infection. In addition, obtaining an adequate fit in a patient with a compromised ocular surface and history of multiple surgeries including glaucoma drainage devices can present a challenge. This review discusses the types of contact lenses used, special fitting considerations, and common complications in patients with previous KPro surgery.

Branch retinal vein occlusion and peripheral nonperfusion associated with astrocytic hamartoma of the optic nerve head in a patient with tuberous sclerosis.

PURPOSE: To report a case of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) causing retinal neovascularization (NV) and vitreous hemorrhage associated with astrocytic hamartoma (AH) involving the optic nerve head in a patient with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). We review the natural history of the clinical presentation and posit its etiology. METHODS: Electronic health records were reviewed for patient history and demographics and multimodal ophthalmic imaging including fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography (OCT). RESULTS: Neovascularization emanating superiorly and inferiorly from a large AH of the optic nerve head was identified as the cause of a longstanding vitreous hemorrhage. Retinal nonperfusion was also found in superior peripheral quadrants, most notably distal to the superior NV. OCT was useful in visualizing small retinal AH in the fellow eye that was otherwise undetected on prior dilated fundus examinations. The patient was treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF and superior sectoral PRP in the involved eye. CONCLUSION: BRVO and associated NV may represent rare vision-threatening sequela of AH in TSC and manifested in this case with diffuse peripheral retinal nonperfusion secondary to BRVO-induced ischemia. OCT is a valuable resource in identifying and monitoring AH of the retina.

The Impact of Documentation Workflow on the Accuracy of the Coded Diagnoses in the Electronic Health Record.

Objective: To determine the impact of documentation workflow on the accuracy of coded diagnoses in electronic health records (EHRs). Design: Cross-sectional study. Participants: All patients who completed visits at the Casey Eye Institute Retina Division faculty clinic between April 7, 2022 and April 13, 2022. Main Outcome Measures: Agreement between coded diagnoses and clinical notes. Methods: We assessed the rate of agreement between the diagnoses in the clinical notes and the coded diagnosis in the EHR using manual review and examined the impact of the documentation workflow on the rate of agreement in an academic retina practice. Results: In 202 visits by 8 physicians, 78% (range, 22%-100%) had an agreement between the coded diagnoses and the clinical notes. When physicians integrated the diagnosis code entry and note composition, the rate of agreement was 87.9% (range, 62%-100%). For those who entered the diagnosis codes separately from writing notes, the agreement was 44.4% (22%-50%, P < 0.0001). Conclusion: The visit-specific agreement between the coded diagnosis and the progress note can vary widely by workflow. The workflow and EHR design may be an important part of understanding and improving the quality of EHR data. Financial Disclosures: Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Comparison of Hospital Online Price and Telephone Price for Shoppable Services.

Importance: US hospitals are required to publicly post their prices for specified shoppable services online. However, the extent to which a hospital's prices posted online correlate with the prices they give to a telephone caller is unknown. Objective: To compare hospitals' online cash prices for vaginal childbirth and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with prices offered to secret shopper callers requesting price estimates by telephone. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study included cash online prices from each hospital's website for vaginal childbirth and brain MRI collected from representative US hospitals between August and October 2022. Thereafter, again between August and October 2022, simulated secret shopper patients called each hospital requesting their lowest cash price for these procedures. Main Outcomes and Measures: We calculated the difference between each hospital's online and phone prices for vaginal childbirth and brain MRI, and the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) between the online and phone prices for each procedure, among hospitals able to provide both prices. Results: A total of 60 representative US hospitals (20 top-ranked, 20 safety-net, and 20 non-top-ranked, non-safety-net hospitals) were included in the analysis. For vaginal childbirth, 63% (12 of 19) of top-ranked hospitals, 30% (6 of 20) of safety-net hospitals, and 21% (4 of 19) of non-top-ranked, non-safety-net hospitals provided both online and telephone prices. For brain MRI, 85% (17 of 20) of top-ranked hospitals, 50% (10 of 20) of safety-net hospitals, and 100% (20 of 20) of non-top-ranked, non-safety-net hospitals provided prices both online and via telephone. Online prices and telephone prices for both procedures varied widely. For example, online prices for vaginal childbirth posted by top-ranked hospitals ranged from $0 to $55 221 (mean, $23 040), from $4361 to $14 377 (mean $10 925) for safety-net hospitals, and from $1183 to $30 299 (mean $15 861) for non-top-ranked, non-safety-net hospitals. Among the 22 hospitals providing prices both online and by telephone for vaginal childbirth, prices were within 25% of each other for 45% (10) of hospitals, while 41% (9) of hospitals had differences of 50% or more (Pearson r = 0.118). Among the 47 hospitals providing both online and phone prices for brain MRI, prices were within 25% of each other for 66% (31) of hospitals), while 26% (n = 12) had differences of 50% or more (Pearson r = -0.169). Among hospitals that provided prices both online and via telephone, there was a complete match between the online and telephone prices for vaginal childbirth in 14% (3 of 22) of hospitals and for brain MRI in 19% (9 of 47) of hospitals. Conclusions and Relevance: Findings of this cross-sectional study suggest that there was poor correlation between hospitals' self-posted online prices and prices they offered by telephone to secret shoppers. These results demonstrate hospitals' continued problems in knowing and communicating their prices for specific services. The findings also highlight the continued challenges for uninsured patients and others who attempt to comparison shop for health care.

Quantitative contrast sensitivity test to assess visual function in central serous chorioretinopathy.

BACKGROUND: To characterise the contrast sensitivity function (CSF) in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) compared with healthy controls using novel computerised contrast sensitivity (CS) testing with active learning algorithms. METHODS: Prospective observational study measuring CSF in CSCR eyes and controls using the Manifold Platform (Adaptive Sensory Technology, San Diego, California). Mixed effects multivariate regression models were used. Outcomes included area under the log CSF (AULCSF), CS thresholds at 1, 1.5, 3, 12 and 18 cycles per degree (cpd) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Associations of contrast outcomes with structural findings on optical coherence tomography (OCT) and subjective symptomatology were investigated. RESULTS: Forty CSCR eyes and 89 controls were included with median BCVA logarithm of median angle of resolution 0.10 (20/25) versus 0.00 (20/20), respectively (p=0.01). When accounting for age, CSCR was associated with significantly reduced median AULCSF (p=0.02, ß=-0.14) and reduced CS thresholds at 6 cpd (p=0.009, ß=-0.18), 12 cpd (p<0.001, ß=-0.23) and 18 cpd (p=0.04, ß=-0.09), versus controls. Within the CSCR group, subjectively perceived visual impairment (N=22) was associated with significantly decreased CS thresholds at all spatial frequencies and in AULCSF compared with asymptomatic CSCR eyes (N=18). Ellipsoid zone attenuation and subfoveal fluid on OCT were associated with decreased AULCSF and CS thresholds specifically at 3, 6 and 12 cpd, whereas presence of extrafoveal fluid at 1.5 and 3 cpd. CONCLUSION: Contrast sensitivity is significantly reduced in CSCR, and strongly correlates with subjective visual impairment. Different structural biomarkers correlate with contrast thresholds reductions at different spatial frequencies.

Transient Vision Loss Associated with Prefilled Aflibercept Syringes: A Case Series and Analysis of Injection Force.

Objective: To describe cases of significant vision loss following intravitreal aflibercept using pre-filled syringes (PFS) and to study the relationship between syringe design, injection speed, and injection force. Design: Retrospective case series and experimental study. Subjects: 12 patients who received intravitreal aflibercept PFS. Methods: All retina specialists (N=13) at Oregon Health & Science University and the Veterans Affairs Portland Medical Center were queried in December 2020 to report episodes of significant vision loss following aflibercept PFS use. Chart review was completed for all affected patients for demographics and pertinent ocular history. Using a commercially available force measuring system, injection force was measured for aflibercept PFS, ranibizumab PFS, and a tuberculin syringe at various injection speeds. Main Outcome Measures: Number of significant vision loss episodes following aflibercept PFS use; average injection force (Newton, N) at various injection speeds across different syringes. Results: Ten specialists (76.9%) reported a perceived increase in post-injection vision loss with aflibercept PFS. Three specialists had no cases of vision loss. 16 events of light perception or worse vision immediately following aflibercept PFS use were reported. Chart review was available for 12 of these events. The indication for aflibercept was exudative age-related macular degeneration (N=8), diabetic macular edema (N=3), and central serous chorioretinopathy (N=1). The median age of affected patients was 71 years (range 49-94). Two patients were being treated for glaucoma (N=1) or ocular hypertension (N=1); one patient was a glaucoma suspect. Anterior chamber paracentesis was performed in four patients to normalize intraocular pressure (IOP) promptly. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that higher injection speeds were associated with higher injection forces for all syringe types. Injection forces were consistently greater with aflibercept PFS than with the ranibizumab PFS or tuberculin syringes (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Retina specialists within our institutions have noted numerous cases of severe transient vision loss with aflibercept PFS use. Some affected patients have reported increased injection-related anxiety. The average injection force may be greater with the aflibercept PFS when compared to other intravitreal anti-VEGF options. Additional clinical studies are needed to better understand how syringe design and fluid dynamics may contribute to post-injection vision loss.

Validation of Home Visual Acuity Tests for Telehealth in the COVID-19 Era.

Importance: Visual acuity (VA) is one of the most important clinical data points in ophthalmology. However, few options for validated at-home VA assessments are currently available. Objective: To validate 3 at-home visual acuity tests in comparison with in-office visual acuity. Design, Setting, and Participants: Between July 2020 and April 2021, eligible participants with VA of 20/200 or better were recruited from 4 university-based ophthalmology clinics (comprehensive, cornea, glaucoma, and retina clinics). Participants were prospectively randomized to self-administer 2 of 3 at-home VA tests (printed chart, mobile phone app, and website) within 3 days before their standard-of-care clinic visit. Participants completed a survey assessing usability of the at-home tests. At the clinic visit, best-corrected Snellen distance acuity was measured as the reference standard. Main Outcomes and Measures: The at-home VA test results were compared with the in-office VA test results using paired and unpaired t tests, Pearson correlation coefficients, analysis of variance, χ2 tests, and Cohen κ agreement. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of each at-home test were calculated to detect significant VA changes (≥0.2 logMAR) from the in-office baseline. Results: A total of 121 participants with a mean (SD) age of 63.8 (13.0) years completed the study. The mean in-office VA was 0.11 logMAR (Snellen equivalent 20/25) with similar numbers of participants from the 4 clinics. Mean difference (logMAR) between the at-home test and in-office acuity was -0.07 (95% CI, -0.10 to -0.04) for the printed chart, -0.12 (95% CI, -0.15 to -0.09) for the mobile phone app, and -0.13 (95% CI, -0.16 to -0.10) for the website test. The Pearson correlation coefficient for the printed chart was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.62-0.79), mobile phone app was 0.58 (95% CI, 0.46-0.69), and website test was 0.64 (95% CI, 0.53-0.73). Conclusions and Relevance: The 3 at-home VA test results (printed chart, mobile phone app, and website) appeared comparable within 1 line to in-office VA measurements. Older participants were more likely to have limited access to digital tools. Further development and validation of at-home VA testing modalities is needed with the expansion of teleophthalmology care.

Active Learning of Contrast Sensitivity to Assess Visual Function in Macula-off Retinal Detachment.

PURPOSE: To characterize the contrast sensitivity function (CSF) in patients with successful repair of macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) using an adaptive computerized contrast testing device. METHODS: CSF was prospectively measured in macula-off RD patients following successful repair and age-matched controls at W. K. Kellogg Eye Center and Massachusetts Eye and Ear, employing the active learning device Manifold Contrast Vision Meter (Adaptive Sensory Technology, San Diego, CA). Outcome measures included average area under the CSF curve (AULCSF), CS thresholds at 1-18 cycles per degree (cpd) and best correctd visual acuity (BCVA) in RD eyes fellow eyes and controls. A sub-analysis was performed in eyes with BCVA of 20/30 or better. RESULTS: Twenty-three macula-off RD eyes status post repair, fellow healthy eyes and 45 age-matched control eyes underwent CSF testing. The mean BCVA of the 23 RD eyes was 0.250 logMAR, significantly reduced compared to fellow eyes 0.032 (p<0.001) and controls 0.026 (p< 0.00001). There was a statistically significant reduction in AULCSF in RD eyes compared to the fellow eyes (p<0.0001) and to age-matched controls (Z-score -0.90, p<0.0001) and CSF reduction across all spatial frequencies. In the 15 RD eyes with BCVA of 20/30 or better, the mean CSF was significantly reduced compared to fellow eyes (p=0.0158) and controls (p=0.0453). CONCLUSIONS: CSF in macula-off RD eyes following repair was significantly reduced compared to fellow eyes and age-matched controls. CSF seems to be a promising visual function endpoint with potential applications in the clinical practice and future clinical trials.

Slit-lamp Pars Plana Needle Hyaloidotomy-Zonulotomy-Iridotomy for the Treatment of Spontaneous Malignant Glaucoma.

An 88-year-old woman with a history of recent complicated pacemaker insertion presented with acute-onset malignant glaucoma recalcitrant to conservative medical therapy. Surgical intervention was discussed; however, given her complex cardiac history and recent postoperative state, the risk of anesthesia-related systemic adverse events was deemed unacceptably high. As such, a slit-lamp procedure was recommended to break the attack of malignant glaucoma. Here within, we report a novel technique of breaking an attack of malignant glaucoma by needling the anterior hyaloid face at the slit lamp. With this technique, a 25-G needle was entered through the pars plana and was advanced through the anterior hyaloid face, zonules, and peripheral iridotomy to create a unicameral eye and successfully break the malignant closure attack.

Uveal Effusion After Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy.

Importance: Immune checkpoint inhibitors, including antiprogrammed cell death protein-1 (anti-PD-1) and antiprogrammed cell death ligand-1 (anti-PD-L1) monoclonal antibodies, have recently been introduced as a promising new immunotherapy for solid cancers. The adverse effects typically include inflammation of the skin, endocrine, and gastrointestinal systems. Objective: To describe 3 patients who developed uveal effusion after initiating anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody therapy. Design, Setting, and Participants: This case series was conducted in a university-based ocular oncology practice. The participants were a 68-year-old African American man with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung and 2 white men, aged 52 years and 85 years, with metastatic cutaneous melanoma; all were taking anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody therapy. Main Outcomes and Measures: Ocular findings of 3 patients. Results: We identified 3 patients who developed uveal effusion within 1 to 2 months after initiating anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody therapy. Uveal effusion resolved completely in 6 to 12 weeks after discontinuation of systemic therapy in 2 patients and persisted in 1 patient who continued the therapy. Conclusions and Relevance: Uveal effusion should be considered in patients taking anti-PD-1 and/or PD-L1 monoclonal antibody therapy. Because of the role of the PD-1 pathway in the inhibition of self-reactive T cells, PD-1 inhibition might lead to inflammation because of immune-related adverse effects.

Hypotony Maculopathy: Clinical Presentation and Therapeutic Methods.

INTRODUCTION: Hypotony maculopathy is ocular hypotony complicated by papilledema and/or folding of the retina and choroid in the posterior pole. Our objective was to examine the current literature regarding hypotony maculopathy and treatment methods. METHODS: A systematic review of the English-language literature was conducted by performing a broad search of PubMed from 1972 through 2015 using the keywords hypotony maculopathy and hypotony. Additional articles were identified from bibliographies of relevant articles. RESULTS: Hypotony maculopathy was infrequent before the introduction of antimetabolite agents in glaucoma-filtering surgery, and the incidence of this entity is now up to 20%. Risk factors for developing hypotony maculopathy include male gender, young age, myopia, and primary filtering surgery. Correctly identifying the etiology of hypotony is essential for successful treatment. Treatment of hypotony maculopathy includes procedures to elevate the intraocular pressure, thus reversing the collapse of the scleral wall and chorioretinal wrinkling. CONCLUSION: This review discusses the definition, clinical presentation, pathophysiology, incidence and risk factors, prevention and treatment of hypotony maculopathy.

Qualifying to Use a Home Monitoring Device for Detection of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

IMPORTANCE: Patients with intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using a home monitoring device have less loss of visual acuity, on average, at detection of choroidal neovascularization than do individuals using standard care monitoring techniques. Understanding the frequency with which patients are likely to initiate using a home monitoring device successfully is important in planning implementation of the device into practice. OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency with which patients with intermediate AMD qualify to use a home monitoring device and to establish a reliable baseline reference value with the device to monitor their AMD for progression to choroidal neovascularization. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Between October 8, 2010, and May 20, 2011, a total of 131 eligible participants within a university-based retina practice with intermediate AMD in the study eye and visual acuity of 20/63 or better completed an in-clinic qualification test for the home device. Intermediate AMD was defined as multiple intermediate-sized drusen or at least 1 large druse. If both eyes were eligible, the eye with better visual acuity was selected as the study eye. If both eyes had the same visual acuity, the patient used the eye with subjectively better vision. Analysis was performed between August 1, 2011, and January 11, 2014. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The proportion of patients with reliable qualification test results and a test score predictive of successful home use of a monitoring device for detecting neovascular AMD, and the proportion who established a baseline reference value at home. RESULTS: A total of 129 participants (98.5%; 95% CI, 96.4%-99.9%) had reliable qualification test results; 91 participants (69.5%; 95% CI, 61.6%-77.4%) who completed this test attained a score that suggested they would be able to successfully use the home device. Among the 91 participants who could initiate home testing, 83 did so, including 80 participants (87.9%; 95% CI, 81.2%-94.6%) who established a baseline value that could be used as a reference for future monitoring. Younger participants were more likely to qualify for home testing (mean [SD] age, 73.1 [8.4] vs 81.1 [7.1] years; P < .001). Visual acuity at study enrollment did not appear to be associated with successful qualification (mean visual acuity for those who did and did not qualify was 20/28 and 20/31, respectively; P = .10). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: These data suggest that the in-office qualification test is a useful screening tool to identify patients who may benefit from the home device. In any given retina practice, our data suggest an estimated 61.6% to 77.4% of patients with intermediate AMD should be able to produce reliable initial test results in the office test using the home monitoring device and pass a qualification test to initiate home monitoring. Subsequently, 81.2% to 94.6% of patients should be able to establish a home baseline reference value for future monitoring.