Ryan B. Rush

Systemic manifestations in response to mydriasis and physical examination during screening for retinopathy of prematurity.

Objective: To determine whether adverse effects manifested via vital sign changes during the screening examination for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) are due to the pharmacologic properties of the eye drops or to physical manipulation of the eyes. The authors also investigated the relationship between distress during the screening process and the severity of prematurity of the infant. Design and Methods: A prospective observational study was designed that enrolled all infants either weighing ≤1500 g or who were ≤32 weeks gestational age at birth who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Northwest Texas Hospital or Baptist St. Anthony’s Hospital from June 2002 to February 2003. Thirty participants were enrolled in this study. Blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiratory rate, and O2 saturation were recorded at different time intervals during the examination. Infants were excluded from the study if they were on the ventilator, considered acutely ill, born with significant birth defects, or currently taking inotropic drugs, or had received albuterol 2 hours before the examination. Results: Oxygen saturation and pulse rate following physical manipulation of the eyes significantly varied from baseline values and the values obtained during the three instillations of topical mydriatics. No significant changes in blood pressure, temperature, or respiratory rate from their respective baseline values were observed throughout the ROP screening examination. Gestational age of the infant did not correlate with level of distress during the examination. Conclusion: Regardless of the severity of prematurity, infants seem to undergo significant distress during the eyelid speculum examination. Thus ophthalmologists should take into consideration the infant’s discomfort caused by physical manipulation of the eyes and attempt to perform the examination as swiftly, yet safely, as possible using topical anesthetic.

Endophthalmitis following intravitreal injection versus endophthalmitis following cataract surgery: clinical features, causative organisms and post-treatment outcomes

Aims To describe and compare the causative organisms, clinical features and visual outcomes of endophthalmitis following intravitreal injection (IVI) to endophthalmitis following cataract surgery. Methods Patient population and setting: A retrospective case series of patients with acute endophthalmitis following either cataract surgery or IVI presenting to a tertiary referral centre—Sydney Eye Hospital—between 2007 and 2010. Main outcome measures: (1) identification of the causative organism; (2) time to presentation; (3) odds of improvement in visual acuity (VA) following treatment; (4) odds of final VA of counting fingers (CF) or less and (5) odds of enucleation. Results Of the 101 patients in our study, 48 had preceding cataract surgery and 53 had preceding IVI. There was an increased incidence of Streptococcus spp. endophthalmitis in post-IVI cases (24.53% vs 6.25%; OR 5.85; p=0.022). Endophthalmitis following IVI had increased likelihood of a final VA of CF or less (OR=6.0; p<0.01), decreased likelihood of any improvement in acuity following treatment (OR=0.13; p<0.01) and an increased likelihood of presenting within a week of the procedure (OR=3.93; p<0.01). Endophthalmitis caused by Streptococcus spp. was associated with increased likelihood of a final VA of CF or less (OR=10.2; p<0.01), decreased likelihood of any improvement in acuity following treatment (OR=0.06; p<0.01) and increased likelihood of enucleation (OR=17.11; p<0.01). Conclusions Endophthalmitis following IVI is associated with an increased incidence of Streptococcus spp. infection, earlier presentation and poorer visual outcomes when compared with endophthalmitis following cataract surgery.

The Effects Of Comfort Care On The Pain Response In Preterm Infants Undergoing Screening For Retinopathy Of Prematurity

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine if pain and distress during the retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening examination could be ameliorated by providing comfort care. Study Design: This study was a prospective, randomized, controlled trial of 30 stable preterm infants who underwent initial ROP screening examinations. Fourteen study infants were swaddled, held, and given 24% sucrose solution during the examination. Sixteen controls were examined while lying in their cribs. Vital signs (i.e., pulse rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation), crying time, and time for the vital signs to return to baseline values were recorded at different times during the examination. Results: The vital signs did not vary significantly between the two groups. The participants in the control group had a trend of longer crying time, but this trend did not reach a level of statistical significance. In addition, The time required for the vital signs to return to their baseline values did not vary significantly. Conclusion: ROP screening is very distressful for preterm infants. The routine use of comfort care to reduce pain during the examination could not be supported by this study.

Postoperative perfluoro-N-octane tamponade for primary retinal detachment repair.

Aim: To study outcomes after using perfluoro-n-octane (PFO) as a short-term postoperative vitreous substitute in eyes undergoing primary vitrectomy with or without scleral buckling for rhegmatogenous retinal detachments with inferior/multiple breaks or giant retinal tears (GRTs). Methods: Charts of 39 eyes at 3–24 months after primary PFO retention and secondary replacement were retrospectively analyzed for anatomical attachment rates, visual acuity gain, and postoperative complications. Results: Intraoperatively, 33 of 39 eyes showed ≥4 retinal breaks, with 31 of 39 eyes having at least 1 inferior break, 10 of 39 eyes having GRT, and 12 of 39 eyes showing preoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy. All eyes showed complete anatomical retinal attachment after primary vitrectomy for at least 7–17 days when PFO was retained without any specific posturing. With sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas PFO exchange, 3 cases redetached. With perfluoropropane (C3F8) gas or silicone oil PFO exchange, no cases redetached, resulting in a final anatomical success rate of 92.4%. Visual acuity improved from 2.07 ± 0.86 to 0.76 ± 0.79 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (P < 0.0004) among macula-off and from 0.11 ±0.08 to 0.12 ± 0.09 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (P > 0.05) among macula-on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment eyes. Perfluoro-n-octane retention ≥10 days significantly increased posterior capsular opacification (28 of 39 eyes) and cataract extraction rates (21 of 25 eyes) without affecting the final retinal attachment success rate. Conclusion: Perfluoro-n-octane is efficacious and safe as a short-term vitreous substitute in primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair cases with inferior/multiple breaks or GRTs. Perfluoro-n-octane removal within 10 days reduces its side effect profile considerably. The highest anatomical retinal reattachment rates were observed when C3F8 or silicone oil was exchanged for PFO.

Treat-and-extend intravitreal bevacizumab for branch retinal vein occlusion.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To determine the effectiveness and direct medical costs of treat-and-extend (TAE) intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for the treatment of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO)-associated macular edema (ME). PATIENTS AND METHODS Retrospective chart review of 52 consecutive patients diagnosed with BRVO-associated ME treated with IVB using a TAE protocol. RESULTS Mean change in logMAR vision was -0.30 (P < .001), and mean change in central macular thickness was -244.0 μm (P < .001). The mean number of injections was 8.2 (95% CI; 7.8 to 8.6). The yearly average direct cost of the TAE regimen was calculated to be

Treat-and-extend Bevacizumab For Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration: The Importance of Baseline Characteristics

2,580.26 per patient. CONCLUSION Treatment of BRVO-associated ME with IVB using a TAE regimen resulted in similar visual outcomes and number of intravitreal injections as did as-needed treatment with 0.5 mg ranibizumab conducted in phase 3 trials but with fewer visits and lower annual medical costs.

Evaluation of Choroidal Neovascularization With Indocyanine Green Angiography in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Subjects Undergoing Intravitreal Bevacizumab Therapy

Purpose: To evaluate the factors affecting visual and anatomical outcomes and the number of intravitreal bevacizumab injections required in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration using a treat-and-extend regimen. Methods: Retrospective consecutive case series. The charts of subjects treated with intravitreal bevacizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration using a treat-and-extend regimen over a 12-month period were reviewed. The key variables explored were patient age, phakic status, posterior vitreous detachment status, baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), baseline central macular thickness (CMT), and type of chorodial neovascularization. The primary outcome measures were improvement in BCVA of 3 logMAR lines or more, maintenance of BCVA within 3 logMAR lines of baseline, number of intravitreal injections delivered over a 12-month period, and final CMT on optical coherence tomography. Results: A total of 230 eyes met the criteria. Mean presenting BCVA was Snellen 20/55 (0.44 logMAR) and mean final BCVA was Snellen 20/44 (0.35 logMAR) (P < 0.001). A total of 23.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 18.5–29.4%) of the subjects demonstrated an improvement in BCVA of 3 or more logMAR lines, whereas 96.5% (95% CI, 93.3–98.2%) of the subjects lost fewer than 3 logMAR lines. Mean CMT on optical coherence tomography changed from a baseline average of 373.1 &mgr;m (95%CI, 360.3–386.1 &mgr;m) to a final average of 305.5 &mgr;m (95% CI, 290.0–316.0 &mgr;m). The average number of injections during the 12-month period was 9.2 (95% CI, 9.0–9.4). Posterior vitreous detachment was associated with fewer injections on univariate and multivariate analysis (8.7 injections in the posterior vitreous detachment group versus 9.8 in the non-posterior vitreous detachment group, P < 0.001). Patients with poorer presenting BCVA and greater baseline CMTs were more likely to demonstrate a 3 or more logMAR line improvement in BCVA. Thinner final CMTs were independently associated with thinner presenting CMTs and fewer injections. Conclusion: Favorable visual and anatomical outcomes may be achieved with intravitreal bevacizumab in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration using a treat-and-extend regimen. Our study suggests that posterior vitreous detachment may play a role in the efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab during the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Fulminant toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis following intravitreal triamcinolone administration.

PURPOSE To report the clinical implications of interval changes in choroidal neovascularization (CNV) size measured by indocyanine green (ICG) angiography in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients undergoing intravitreal bevacizumab therapy. DESIGN Retrospective, consecutive chart review. METHODS The charts of neovascular AMD patients who underwent intravitreal bevacizumab therapy using a treat-and-extend dosing schedule were reviewed. ICG angiographic CNV surface areas were measured at baseline, 2 months, 6 months, and 12 months in each subject. The primary outcome was change in CNV size. Secondary outcomes included the correlation of change in CNV surface area with change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), change in central macular thickness on optical coherence tomography (OCT), and the number of injections delivered over the 12-month study interval. RESULTS A total of 123 subjects were included in the analysis. The baseline CNV size was 1.9 mm2±2.5 mm2. CNV size was 1.66 mm2±2.11 mm2 at 2 months, 1.60 mm2±2.23 mm2 at 6 months, and 1.50 mm2±2.12 mm2 at 12 months. The change in CNV size from baseline was not statistically significant at any of the follow-up intervals. A decrease in CNV size of 33% or more at 2 months was associated with a significant decrease in CNV size at 12 months (P=.0096), complete resolution of CNV at 12 months (P=.0013), and a decrease in the number of injections delivered over the study interval (P=.0165). Complete resolution of CNV at 12 months occurred in 7.3% of subjects. Subjects that had complete resolution of CNV at 12 months were significantly more likely to gain 3 more lines of BCVA at the end of the study interval (P=.0131). No significant correlation was found between CNV size and change in central macular thickness on OCT. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that change in CNV size on ICG angiography may help the clinician predict the clinical course of neovascular AMD subjects undergoing intravitreal bevacizumab therapy using a treat-and-extend dosing schedule.

Prospective analysis of outcomes and economic factors of same-day bilateral cataract surgery in the United States

We report two cases of fulminant toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis following intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) administration. Case 1: A 42-year-old female received IVTA for presumed non-infectious panuveitis. Within 2 months, she developed diffuse macular retinochoroiditis with optic disc edema. Upon starting anti-toxoplasmic therapy (ATT), her intraocular inflammation resolved with catastrophic damage to the disc and macula. Case 2: A 30-year-old male received IVTA for presumed reactivation of previously scarred toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis. Despite simultaneous ATT, within 6 weeks, he developed extensive, multifocal macular retinochoroiditis. He continued to require ATT for 18 months and later underwent vitrectomy with silicone oil placement for severe epiretinal proliferation. Aqueous tap polymerase chain reactions were found positive for Toxoplasma gondii in both cases. In conclusion, IVTA administration can lead to fulminant toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis even when used with appropriate ATT. Extreme caution should be exercised while administering depot corticosteroids in eyes with panuveitis of unknown origin.

Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide versus combined intravitreal bevacizumab and dexamethasone in diffuse diabetic macular oedema

Purpose To evaluate the visual and economic benefits of same‐day bilateral cataract surgery versus separate‐day bilateral cataract surgery in the United States. Setting Private practice, Amarillo, Texas, USA. Design Prospective controlled nonrandomized clinical trial. Methods A cohort of patients having same‐day bilateral cataract surgery was age‐matched with a cohort of control patients who had standard separate‐day bilateral cataract surgery. The primary outcome was a comparison of the direct cost for the patient, physician, ambulatory surgery center (ASC), and third‐party payer. Results The same‐day cohort (42 patients, 84 eyes) had similar baseline characteristics and postoperative outcomes as the control cohort (42 patients, 84 eyes). The same‐day cohort had less total distance traveled for care (P = .0039 and P < .0001 for in‐town and out‐of‐town residents, respectively), less total time spent traveling for care (P = .0008 and P < .0001 for in‐town and out‐of‐town residents, respectively), less total number of visits required for care (P < .0001), and less total time for vision recovery (P < .0001) than the control cohort. The physician and ASC reimbursements were lower in the same‐day cohort (P = .0028 and P = .0016, respectively), whereas the total physician time spent caring for the patient in surgery was not different between the 2 groups (P = .7310). The total ASC expenses were higher in the same‐day cohort (P < .0001). The total third‐party payer cost was significantly less in the same‐day cohort (P < .0001). Conclusion Visual and economic benefits for the patient can be achieved with same‐day bilateral cataract surgery in the U.S. at the present time. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.