Demographics of Ophthalmology and Optometry Practices and Changes in Utilization Patterns of Procedures and Services Following Private Equity Acquisition.

Purpose: To characterize private equity (PE) acquisition of ophthalmology and optometry practices and compare procedural utilization before and after acquisition.

Methods: Ophthalmologists and optometrists in practices acquired from 2012 to 2016 were identified and characterized using an internet archive with an additional search in 2017 to characterize doctor turnover. United States Census Bureau and Internal Revenue Service Data were used to determine population health insurance and adjusted gross income (AGI).

Visual and Anatomic Outcomes From Ultracomplex Retinal Detachment Repair in a Large County Hospital.

Purpose: To evaluate outcomes of ultracomplex retinal detachment (UCRD) repairs performed at a large county hospital.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients who underwent a UCRD repair, defined as a funnel retinal detachment (RD), RD associated with ocular trauma, or RD requiring retinectomy, 5000 centistoke silicone oil or perfluorocarbon heavy liquid (PFO). The outcomes examined were visual acuity (VA), anatomic success, and phthisis development.

Photobiomodulation Therapy for Non-exudative Age-related Macular Degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic condition that causes gradual central vision loss, most commonly in patients 50 years or older. This disease is commonly classified as either dry (non-exudative) or wet (exudative). Most patients with AMD have the non-exudative form, characterized by the presence of drusen in the macula.

Use of Home Optical Coherence Tomography for Retinal Diseases.

Modern treatment protocols for retinal diseases involve frequent in-office monitoring with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections. Monthly injections may yield the greatest visual outcomes but are the most burdensome for patients and physicians, while as-needed injections may lead to undertreatment. Hybrid protocols, such as treat-and-extend (TREX) have been conceived to bridge this gap.

Follow-up Adherence After Teleretinal Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy.

Aim: Determine the follow-up rate for patients referred following an abnormal teleretinal imaging (TRI) screening and examine patient characteristics predictive of follow-up nonadherence.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study of patients screened between August 2014 and July 2016 in the Harris Health System (HHS) in Houston, TX. All diabetic patients referred for in-person examination, who had data for all study variables, and who did not have established ophthalmic care in the HHS within the previous 2 years were included.

Comparing Teleretinal Screening-Identified Diabetic Retinopathy With Diabetic Nephropathy and Other Markers of Systemic Disease.

Purpose: Diabetic retinopathy and diabetic nephropathy are two major life-altering complications of diabetes mellitus. Identifying permissive and protective factors for diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy is imperative so that diabetic quality of life can be optimized and downstream complications can be minimized.

Methods: We performed a large retrospective chart review of 997 patients at a county medical center with a majority Hispanic population.

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in the Management of Diabetic Retinopathy.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are a family of drugs, most well known by the third-generation once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide, that act on the incretin pathway of metabolic, hormonal signaling to modulate pancreatic insulin release, gastric emptying, energy intake, and subjective feelings of satiety. This class of drugs' efficacy and safety in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity have been demonstrated across multiple large randomized controlled trials. These data have propelled GLP-1 receptor agonists to ubiquity in diabetic management and weight loss therapy, leading them to be frequently encountered in ophthalmic practice.

Retinitis Pigmentosa and Therapeutic Candidates.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a class of inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) that involves the degeneration of retinal photoreceptor cells and results in progressive vision loss. It was identified and named in 1857. For over 100 years, treatment of RP was generally limited to modifications in diet, management of cystoid macular edema, and supportive care for low vision.

Dietary Supplementation for Retinitis Pigmentosa: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Purpose: To review the evidence on the effectiveness of dietary supplementation for retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Methods: A literature search of the PubMed database was last conducted in January 2024 to identify published English-language original research on dietary supplementation for RP. Eligible compounds included products ingested orally containing nutrients intended to supplement the diet.

Therapies for Central Serous Chorioretinopathy: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Purpose: To assess the safety and efficacy of the multiple therapeutic modalities for the treatment of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR).

Methods: A literature search of English-language studies in the PubMed database with no date restrictions was last conducted in May 2024. The combined searches yielded 612 citations, 31 of which were selected for full-text review and for inclusion in this assessment.

Optimal Humanized Scg3-Neutralizing Antibodies for Anti-Angiogenic Therapy of Diabetic Retinopathy.

Secretogranin III (Scg3) is a diabetic retinopathy (DR)-restricted angiogenic factor identified in preclinical studies as a target for DR therapy. Previously, our group generated and characterized ML49.3, an anti-Scg3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) which we then converted into an EBP2 humanized antibody Fab fragment (hFab) with potential for clinical application.

International Classification System for Ocular Complications of Anti-VEGF Agents in Clinical Trials.

Purpose: Complications associated with intravitreal anti-VEGF therapies are reported inconsistently in the literature, thus limiting an accurate evaluation and comparison of safety between studies. This study aimed to develop a standardized classification system for anti-VEGF ocular complications using the Delphi consensus process.

Design: Systematic review and Delphi consensus process.

Treatment of Noninfectious Uveitic Macular Edema with Periocular and Intraocular Corticosteroid Therapies: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Purpose: To review the evidence on the effectiveness and complications of periocular and intraocular corticosteroid therapies for noninfectious uveitic macular edema.

Methods: A literature search of the PubMed database was conducted last in December 2021 and a post-assessment search was conducted in March 2023. The searches were limited to articles published in English and no date restrictions were imposed.

Effectiveness of Conventional Digital Fundus Photography-Based Teleretinal Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetic Macular Edema: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Purpose: This American Academy of Ophthalmology Ophthalmic Technology Assessment aims to assess the effectiveness of conventional teleretinal screening (TS) in detecting diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME).

Methods: A literature search of the PubMed database was conducted most recently in July 2023 to identify data published between 2006 and 2023 on any of the following elements related to TS effectiveness: (1) the accuracy of TS in detecting DR or DME compared with traditional ophthalmic screening with dilated fundus examination or 7-standard field Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study photography, (2) the impact of TS on DR screening compliance rates or other patient behaviors, and (3) cost-effectiveness and patient satisfaction of TS compared with traditional DR screening. Identified studies then were rated based on the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine grading system.

Artificial Intelligence, Digital Imaging, and Robotics Technologies for Surgical Vitreoretinal Diseases.

Objective: To review recent technological advancement in imaging, surgical visualization, robotics technology, and the use of artificial intelligence in surgical vitreoretinal (VR) diseases.

Background: Technological advancements in imaging enhance both preoperative and intraoperative management of surgical VR diseases. Widefield imaging in fundal photography and OCT can improve assessment of peripheral retinal disorders such as retinal detachments, degeneration, and tumors.

Therapies for Geographic Atrophy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been proposed to provide a novel opportunity to increase screening for DR. While it is paramount to ensure AI has adequate technical capabilities to perform accurate screening, it is also important to assess how to best implement such technology into clinical practice.