Assessment of Social Vulnerabilities of Care and Prognosis in Adult Ocular Melanomas in the US.

BACKGROUND: Prior works have studied the impact of social determinants on various cancers but there is limited analysis on eye-orbit cancers. Current literature tends to focus on socioeconomic status and race, with sparse analysis of interdisciplinary contributions. We examined social determinants as measured by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), quantifying eye and orbit melanoma disparities across the United States. METHODS: A retrospective review of 15,157 patients diagnosed with eye-orbit cancers in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 1975 to 2017 was performed, extracting 6139 ocular melanomas. SVI scores were abstracted and matched to SEER patient data, with scores generated by weighted averages per population density of county's census tracts. Primary outcome was months survived, while secondary outcomes were advanced staging, high grading, and primary surgery receipt. RESULTS: With increased total SVI score, indicating more vulnerability, we observed significant decreases of 23.1% in months survival for melanoma histology (p < 0.001) and 19.6-39.7% by primary site. Increasing total SVI showed increased odds of higher grading (odds ratio [OR] 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.43) and decreased odds of surgical intervention (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.92-0.96). Of the four themes, higher magnitude contributions were observed with socioeconomic status (26.0%) and housing transportation (14.4%), while lesser magnitude contributions were observed with minority language status (13.5%) and household composition (9.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing social vulnerability, as measured by the CDC SVI and its subscores, displayed significant detrimental trends in prognostic and treatment factors for adult eye-orbit melanoma. Subscores quantified which social determinants contributed most to disparities. This lays groundwork for providers to target the highest-impact social determinant for non-clinical factors in patient care.

Ocular manifestations of CHARGE syndrome in a pediatric cohort with genotype/phenotype analysis.

CHARGE syndrome is a rare multi-system condition associated with CHD7 variants. However, ocular manifestations and particularly ophthalmic genotype-phenotype associations, are not well-studied. This study evaluated ocular manifestations and genotype-phenotype associations in pediatric patients with CHARGE syndrome. A retrospective chart review included pediatric patients under 20 years-old with clinical diagnosis of CHARGE syndrome and documented ophthalmic examination. Demographics, genetic testing, and ocular findings were collected. Comprehensive literature review enhanced the genotype-phenotype analysis. Forty-two patients (20 male) underwent eye examination at an average age of 9.45 ± 6.52 years-old. Thirty-nine (93%) had ophthalmic manifestations in at least one eye. Optic nerve/chorioretinal colobomas were most common (38 patients), followed by microphthalmia (13), cataract (6), and iris colobomas (4). Extraocular findings included strabismus (32 patients), nasolacrimal duct obstructions (11, 5 with punctal agenesis), and cranial nerve VII palsy (10). Genotype-phenotype analyses (27 patients) showed variability in ocular phenotypes without association to location or variant types. Splicing (10 patients) and frameshift (10) variants were most prevalent. Patients with CHARGE syndrome may present with a myriad of ophthalmic manifestations. There is limited data regarding genotype-phenotype correlations and additional studies are needed.

Evaluation of parameters for early detection of pediatric keratoconus.

BACKGROUND: Keratoconus in children is often more severe and rapidly progressive compared to adults. While Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam) improves screening, there are no established pediatric guidelines. Due to challenges in diagnosis, we aimed to correlate clinical factors with abnormal imaging results to aid in the development of screening protocols. METHODS: A single-center retrospective cohort analysis of patients 3-18 years screened for keratoconus with ophthalmic examination and initial Scheimpflug imaging between 2021 to 2023. Scheimpflug indices including final D, ART max, and calculated CAIRO 8, which is a corneal metric combining pachymetry, ART max, and elevation, were compared to published pediatric ranges for normal and keratoconus corneas. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients (11.8 ± 3.9 years) were screened with the majority referred due to high and/or progressive astigmatism (74 patients, 94%). Forty-nine patients (63%) were male and 48 (62%) self-reported Hispanic ethnicity. Average astigmatism was 4.9 ± 1.8 D and 86% had with-the-rule astigmatism. Fourteen patients (18%) had corneal findings on slit lamp. Average LogMAR CDVA was 0.243 ± 0.274 D. By Pentacam, 55 (70%) patients had ≥ 1 indeterminate or keratoconus value. Patients stratified as keratoconus by all parameters were older (15 vs. 11 years, p = 0.015-0.02), had worse visual acuity (p < 0.0001), and were more likely to have oblique astigmatism (0.0002-< 0.0001) and corneal abnormalities on examination (p < 0.00001) compared to eyes with normal or indeterminate indices. CONCLUSIONS: Older age, lower visual acuity, oblique astigmatism, and corneal findings were more commonly found in patients with abnormal screening Pentacam. Most patients clinically suspicious for keratoconus had ≥ 1 indeterminate/abnormal indices. Future studies will follow these patients to identify clinical risk factors for progression.

Long-term retinal vasculature abnormalities following intravitreal bevacizumab for retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE: To report long-term fluorescein angiography (FA) findings in consecutive patients with type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB), whose ROP seemed to have resolved clinically. METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected for all patients with IVB-treated type 1 ROP who underwent an exam under anesthesia (EUA) and FA at 60 weeks post-gestational age (PGA) or older at a tertiary medical center between 2011 and 2020. FA results were reviewed for pathological vascular findings. RESULTS: Twenty-nine eyes of 16 patients were included. Mean gestational age and birth weight were 25.3 ± 1.5 weeks and 762.2 ± 189.8 g, respectively. The mean age at the time of EUA and FA was 23.4 ± 15.8 months. All eyes had a peripheral avascular zone and irregular peripheral branching. Vascular loops were seen in 27 eyes (93.1%) and vascular bulbs and anastomoses in 16 eyes each (55.2%). Additional abnormal findings included leakage (10 eyes, 34.5%), vessels crossing the fovea (5 eyes, 17.2%), tortuous arteries and veins (9 eyes, 31%, and 5 eyes, 17.2%, respectively), and neovascularization (2 eyes, 6.9%). When comparing patients who were less than or greater than 70 weeks PGA at follow-up, FA findings in the group with shorter follow-up were significant for more anastomoses and vascular bulbs (p = 0.002 and p = 0.024, respectively) and trended towards more leakage (45.5% vs. 27.8%, p = 0.331). CONCLUSION: The vast majority of IVB-treated type 1 ROP eyes suffered from vascular pathologies long after treatment. There may be long-term progression in the vascularization process of the retina in some cases.

Leukemic Optic Neuropathy in Pediatric Patients: A Case Series.

PURPOSE: To characterize the presentation, clinical course, and treatment of a series of children with leukemic optic neuropathy. METHODS: Patients with leukemia who were treated at a tertiary children's hospital for optic nerve infiltration were included (n = 11). Demographic information, cancer history, ophthalmologic examination findings, treatment, and outcomes were retrospectively collected. RESULTS: Mean age was 10.0 ± 4.8 years, and 63.6% were male and 36.4% were female. The most common underlying oncologic diagnosis was B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 7, 63.6%). Notably, the majority presented with optic nerve infiltration during presumed remission (n = 9, 81.8%), but 2 patients (18.2%) presented with optic nerve infiltration at their initial leukemia diagnosis. Cerebrospinal fluid was positive for leukemic cells in 36.4% of patients. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated optic nerve enhancement and/or enlargement in only 8 patients (72.7%). In addition to other leukemia-directed treatment, 8 patients (72.7%) received emergent local radiation within 1.5 ± 1.2 days of initial ophthalmology examination. CONCLUSIONS: The largely negative cerebrospinal fluid results and variable magnetic resonance imaging findings in this study emphasize the importance of clinical context for this diagnosis. Clinicians should consider optic nerve infiltration in patients with leukemia and visual or ocular complaints, because urgent treatment is required to preserve vision and manage systemic disease. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2024;61(1):67-72.].

A Case of Non-Syndromic Congenital Cataracts Caused by a Novel MAF Variant in the C-Terminal DNA-Binding Domain-Case Report and Literature Review.

The MAF gene encodes a transcription factor in which pathogenic variants have been associated with both isolated and syndromic congenital cataracts. We aim to review the MAF variants in the C-terminal DNA-binding domain associated with non-syndromic congenital cataracts and describe a patient with a novel, disease-causing de novo missense variant. Published reports of C-terminal MAF variants and their associated congenital cataracts and ophthalmic findings were reviewed. The patient we present and his biological parents had genetic testing via a targeted gene panel followed by trio-based whole exome sequencing. A 4-year-old patient with a history of bilateral nuclear and cortical cataracts was found to have a novel, likely pathogenic de novo variant in MAF, NM_005360.5:c.922A>G (p.Lys308Glu). No syndromic findings or anterior segment abnormalities were identified. We report the novel missense variant, c.922A>G (p.Lys308Glu), in the C-terminal DNA-binding domain of MAF classified as likely pathogenic and associated with non-syndromic bilateral congenital cataracts.

Outcomes of inferior oblique myectomy versus recession combined with lateral rectus recession in V-pattern exotropias.

PURPOSE: To compare outcomes of bilateral lateral rectus recession (BLRc) paired with either bilateral inferior oblique myectomy (BIOm) or bilateral inferior oblique recession (BIOc) to correct V-pattern exotropia. METHODS: The medical records of children (≤18 years) who underwent BLRc with BIOm or BIOc (10 mm) for V-pattern intermittent exotropia between December 2020 and May 2022 and who had at least 6 months' postoperative follow-up were reviewed. Outcomes included horizontal alignment, bilateral inferior oblique action, stereopsis, postoperative exotropia control score, and additional strabismus surgeries. Analysis was stratified by preoperative V pattern into subgroups of 10Δ-14Δ and ≥15Δ. RESULTS: Fifty patients underwent BLRc with BIOm (n = 26) or BIOc (n = 24), with no difference in age, sex, or follow-up length. Preoperatively, there were no differences in stereopsis, horizontal or vertical deviations in primary position, strabismus control, or inferior oblique overaction (IOOA). The BIOc group had greater preoperative V pattern than the BIOm group (18.1 ± 6.8 D vs 14.3 ± 7.0 D, resp. [P = 0.03]). There was no difference in BLRc surgical dose. At final follow-up (mean, 448 ± 189 days), both groups showed a postoperative decrease in horizontal deviation, amount of V pattern, and IOOA. For patients with ≥15Δ V pattern, BIOm decreased V pattern amount at distance (P = 0.02) and IOOA (P = 0.0035) more than BIOc, and BIOm patients had better control of residual strabismus at distance (P = 0.03) compared with the BIOc group overall, as well as for both V pattern subgroups. Two patients with BIOm and one with BIOc underwent additional strabismus surgery. CONCLUSIONS: BIOm or BIOc in combination with BLRc decreased the angle of exotropia and improved control. However, BIOm, especially with large V patterns, had a greater effect on decreasing the V pattern and IOOA and showed better control of residual strabismus.

Direct medical costs of globe salvage in group C-E retinoblastoma and implications for cost-effectiveness.

PURPOSE: To determine the direct medical costs and cost-effectiveness of globe salvage compared with primary enucleation in patients with advanced retinoblastoma. METHODS: Patients with International Classification of Retinoblastoma groups C-E retinoblastoma at a single institution from 2001 to 2021 were categorized into two groups: primary enucleation and globe salvage. Hospital visits and treatments were compared to determine differences in care utilization. Costs per encounter were derived from billing data and multiplied by number of encounters to determine total costs in the first year of treatment. Groups were stratified by unilateral or bilateral retinoblastoma, and visual acuity-based utility values were used to compare quality-adjusted life years to determine cost-effectiveness. RESULTS: Of 74 group C-E eyes of 70 patients, 55 eyes underwent primary enucleation and 19 eyes underwent globe salvage, 12 of which ultimately underwent secondary enucleation. Patients who underwent globe salvage had higher usage of systemic chemotherapy (P = 0.001), more examinations under anesthesia (P < 0.001), fewer outpatient visits (P = 0.03), and a higher total cost of care (301,151 vs 104,764 USD [P < 0.001]) in the first year of treatment compared with the primary enucleation group. At an average life expectancy of 76 years, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was 118,347 USD per QALY in unilateral retinoblastoma and 32,987 USD per QALY in bilateral retinoblastoma, meeting the <150,000 USD/QALY threshold of cost-effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: Incurring additional costs may save the eye in advanced retinoblastoma, but the possibility of secondary enucleation should be disclosed for informed decision making. Despite this risk, globe salvage was cost-effective in unilateral and bilateral retinoblastoma.

Diagnostic Yield of Genetic Testing for Ocular and Oculocutaneous Albinism in a Diverse United States Pediatric Population.

The diagnostic yield of genetic testing for ocular/oculocutaneous albinism (OA/OCA) in a diverse pediatric population in the United States (U.S.) is unclear. Phenotypes of 53 patients who presented between 2006-2022 with OA/OCA were retrospectively correlated with genetic testing results. Genetic diagnostic yield was defined as detection of pathogenic/likely pathogenic variant(s) matching the anticipated inheritance for that gene-disease relationship. Variant reclassifications of those with variants of uncertain significance (VUS) and without positive diagnostic yield were completed. Overall initial genetic diagnostic yield of OA/OCA was 66%. There was no significant difference (p = 0.59) between race and ethnicities (Black (78%), White (59%), Hispanic/Latino (64%)); however, the diagnostic yield of OA (33%) was significantly lower (p = 0.007) than OCA (76%). Causative variants in OCA2 (28%) and TYR (20%) were most common. Further, Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome variants were identified in 9% of patients. Re-classification of VUS in non-diagnostic cases resulted in genetic diagnoses for 29% of individuals and increased overall diagnostic yield to 70% of all subjects. There is a high diagnostic yield of genetic testing of patients overall with OA/OCA in a diverse U.S. based pediatric population. Presence or absence of cutaneous involvement of albinism significantly affects genetic diagnostic yield.

Evaluation of Genetic Testing in a Cohort of Diverse Pediatric Patients in the United States with Congenital Cataracts.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield from prior genetic testing in a 20-year cohort of pediatric patients with congenital cataracts. A retrospective review of patients with congenital cataracts who underwent genetic testing was completed from 2003-2022. The diagnostic yield of the test was determined by variant classification and inheritance pattern. Variants from initial testing underwent reclassification in accordance with ACMG-AMP (American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics-American Association of Molecular Pathology) 2015 or 2020 ACMG CNV guidelines. A total of 95 variants were identified in 52 patients with congenital cataracts (42 bilateral, 10 unilateral); 42 % were White, 37% were Hispanic, 8% were Black, and 6% were Asian. The majority of patients (92%) did not have a family history of congenital cataracts but did have systemic illnesses (77%). Whole exome sequencing and targeted congenital cataract panels showed diagnostic yields of 46.2% and 37.5%, respectively. Microarray had the lowest yield at 11%. Compared to the initial classification, 16% (15 of 92 variants) had discrepant reclassifications. More testing is needed, and an increased focus is warranted in the field of ocular genetics on congenital cataracts, particularly in those with systemic illnesses and no family history, to advance our knowledge of this potentially blinding condition.