Telemedicine at a University Ophthalmology Practice During the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Purpose: The aim of the research was to evaluate the use of teleophthalmology at a university practice during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically examining precision, effectiveness, and patient satisfaction.

Patients And Methods: Telemedicine visits were offered to new and established patients requesting appointments with the Stony Brook University Department of Ophthalmology between March 30 and June 2, 2020. Records from these visits were reviewed for chief complaint, past medical and ocular history, diagnoses, treatment/management, and providers' sub-specialty.

Assessing Corneal Endothelial Damage Using Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy and Support Vector Machines.

The endothelial layer of the cornea plays a critical role in regulating its hydration by actively controlling fluid intake in the tissue via transporting the excess fluid out to the aqueous humor. A damaged corneal endothelial layer leads to perturbations in tissue hydration and edema, which can impact corneal transparency and visual acuity. We utilized a non-contact terahertz (THz) scanner designed for imaging spherical targets to discriminate between ex vivo corneal samples with intact and damaged endothelial layers.

Non-contact terahertz spectroscopic measurement of the intraocular pressure through corneal hydration mapping.

Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) results in endothelial layer damage that can induce corneal hydration perturbations. We investigated the potential of terahertz spectroscopy in measuring the IOP levels through mapping corneal water content. We controlled the IOP levels in rabbit and porcine eye samples while monitoring the change in corneal hydration using a terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) scanner.

Comparison of Comorbid Associations and Ocular Complications in Herpes Simplex and Zoster Keratitis.

A retrospective chart review examined adult patients with herpes simplex (HSV) and zoster (HZO) keratitis at a single institution. Patients who suffered a poor outcome (defined as visually significant corneal scarring, neurotrophic keratitis, secondary glaucoma, or requiring corneal surgery) were identified and each outcome type was analyzed in relation to age, sex, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, and a prior history of ≥2 ocular procedures.Advanced age, diabetes mellitus, and a prior history of ≥2 ocular procedures may be risk factors for poor outcomes in HSV, but not HZO, keratitis.

Observational Clinical Studies of Human Lens Transparency Using the Vision Index Pen.

Purpose: Preventing or delaying the onset of presbyopia and cataract formation remains a challenge. The goal of this study was to establish the utility of the Vision Index Pen (VIP), designed to measure in vivo dynamic light scattering (DLS) from the crystalline lens, in the detection of early cataract or loss of accommodation and to show reproducibility through trials at two independent sites. The gradual loss of transparency of the lens was characterized by the lens crystallin aggregation index (LCX) derived from measured DLS data.

Refractive outcomes of phacoemulsification after pars plana vitrectomy using traditional and new intraocular lens calculation formulas.

Purpose: To evaluate refractive outcomes of cataract surgery in previously vitrectomized eyes and compare the accuracy of intraocular lens (IOL) calculation formulas in this population.

Setting: Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, New York, USA.

Design: Retrospective case series.

A review of teaching methods and outcomes of resident phacoemulsification.

Cataract surgery with phacoemulsification is a challenging procedure for surgeons in training to learn to perform safely, efficiently, and effectively. We review the auxiliary learning tools outside the operating room that residency programs have incorporated into their curriculum to improve surgical skills, including wet laboratory and surgical simulators. We then discuss different methods of teaching cataract surgery in the operating room.

Improved refractive outcomes of postgraduate year 4 cataract surgery after implementing a stepwise biometry lecture series reinforced by self-assessment at a teaching program.

Purpose: To determine whether a structured biometry course improves refractive outcomes of resident phacoemulsification.

Setting: Northeast Veterans Administration Hospital, Northport, New York, USA.

Design: Retrospective case study.

Early-onset methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus keratitis and late-onset infectious keratitis in astigmatic keratotomy incision following femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery.

Unlabelled: A 79-year-old woman had uneventful femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery including paired laser astigmatic keratotomies (AKs) in the right eye. Three weeks postoperatively, a corneal infiltrate developed in the superotemporal AK incision. Cultures grew methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

A 31-year-old man with bilateral blurry vision and floaters.

We report a case of bilateral multifocal retinochoroiditis and bilateral optic disc edema in a patient with cat-scratch disease from Bartonella henselae. The patient initially had negative serologic testing. Repeat testing showed a markedly increased IgG and IgM convalescent titer and the development of a branch retinal artery and vein occlusion.

The use of endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation for moderate to advanced glaucoma.

Endoscopic Cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) is a glaucoma surgery designed to reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP) by partially ablating the ciliary processes to decrease aqueous humour production and secretion. The aim of this paper is to review the literature regarding the background, indications and results of the surgery. Although there are case reports of visually devastating complications, including persistent hypotony and phthisis, the use of ECP is often reported in eyes with advanced diseases.

Trabeculectomy for traumatic hyphema in sickle cell trait.

A case report of a traumatic hyphema in a patient with sickle cell trait is presented. A review of the published literature in PubMed was performed and medical management strategies and surgical treatment indications for traumatic hyphema are discussed. We support the case for temporary trabeculectomy in patients with traumatic hyphema and sickle cell disease.

A modified ultrasound-guided surgical technique for the management of the uveal effusion syndrome in patients with normal axial length and scleral thickness.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe a modified surgical technique for the management of the uveal effusion syndrome (UES).

Methods: A consecutive interventional case series of six eyes with UES is reported. The diagnosis of the UES was based on detailed ophthalmic examination, fluorescein angiography, B-scan ultrasonography, biometry, and magnetic resonance imaging.

Corneal changes in ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-cleft lip and palate syndrome: case series and literature review.

The aim of this study is to describe the corneal changes in three unrelated patients with ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-cleft lip and palate (EEC) syndrome and review the literature on the possible etiology and clinical presentation of similar cases. Case 1 is an 18-year-old female with cleft lip and palate, syndactyly, and bilateral corneal pannus superiorly and inferiorly. She was initially diagnosed and treated as herpes simplex virus keratitis.

Descemet membrane detachment among siblings: role of anatomic and familial predisposition.

Purpose: To describe 2 siblings with Descemet membrane detachment (DMD) after intraocular surgery and discuss the potential role of anatomic and familial predisposition.

Method: Case reports.

Results: A 64-year-old woman had bilateral DMDs after trabeculectomy in her right eye and during combined cataract extraction and trabeculectomy in her left eye.

Optical coherence tomography findings in autoimmune retinopathy.

Purpose: To report optical coherence tomography (OCT) features of patients with autoimmune retinopathy.

Design: Consecutive case series.

Method: Eight patients who presented with unexplained loss of central vision, visual field defects, and/or photopsia were diagnosed with autoimmune retinopathy based on clinical features, electroretinogram (ERG) findings, and serum antiretinal antibody analysis.

Giant fornix syndrome: a case series.

Purpose: To describe the demographics, characteristics, and treatment of giant fornix syndrome, a rare cause of chronic purulent conjunctivitis in the elderly.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of five patients with giant fornix syndrome evaluated by the Cornea Service, Oculoplastics and Orbital Surgery Service and the Department of Pathology at the Wills Eye Institute.

Results: The median age of the 5 female patients was 75 years (mean 80, range 70-95).