Bridging gaps in ophthalmology residency programs: the link between practice, training and confidence in ocular examination and gonioscopy for diagnosing glaucoma, a blinding disease.

Background: To evaluate real-world utilization of gonioscopy for diagnosing glaucoma among ophthalmologists with diverse subspecialties, and understand current perceptions of teaching, training, and confidence in gonioscopy.

Methods: A nationwide anonymous online survey was conducted among practicing ophthalmologists, querying about demographics, professional experience, practice of routine ocular examination for glaucoma and perceptions of confidence in performing them.

Results: 136 ophthalmologists participated in the survey, with various levels of experience from residency to over twenty years of ophthalmology practice.

Ocular injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents: long term effects on quality of life.

Purpose: To describe the prevalence and outcome of motor vehicle accidents-associated ocular injuries.

Methods: A survey of patients who presented to the emergency room at a level 1 trauma center with motor vehicle accidents-associated ocular injuries. A patient questionnaire and review of clinical notes were conducted for all patients.

Long-Term Evaluation of Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome Post-Cataract Extraction.

The study aimed to examine the effect of cataract extraction on ophthalmologists' ability to detect pseudoexfoliation (PXF) syndrome. A total of 31 patients admitted for elective cataract surgery were enrolled in this prospective comparative study. Prior to surgery, patients underwent slit-lamp examination and gonioscopy conducted by experienced glaucoma specialists.

Gender related trends among Israeli ophthalmologists professional career and personal life performance.

Background: Gender-diversity trends in ophthalmology in Israel have not been studied despite a high proportion of female ophthalmologists. Our purpose was to evaluate gender-related trends in ophthalmology professional career and personal life performance in early and advanced careers in Israel.

Methods: A survey based on a nationwide voluntary anonymous web questionnaire was distributed to the members of the Israeli Ophthalmological Society.

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography for the Differentiation of Glaucoma from Pituitary Macroadenoma Related Optic Disc Measurements.

Objective: To determine the potential of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) to distinguish between glaucoma and pituitary macroadenoma by optic disc appearance.

Methods: This prospective case-control study comprised 31 patients: 23 with glaucoma (18 male, 5 female) and 8 with pituitary macroadenoma and chiasmatic compression (3 male, 5 female). The corresponding mean ages were 72.

Peripheral Exudative Hemorrhagic Chorioretinopathy with and without treatment-Clinical and multimodal imaging characteristics and prognosis.

Purpose: To describe clinical and imaging characteristics of patients with Peripheral Exudative Hemorrhagic Chorioretinopathy (PEHCR), prognosis and treatment response.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study medical records of patients diagnosed with PEHCR in a tertiary medical center between 2008 and 2018 were reviewed. Collected data included demographics, medical history, ophthalmologic examination and multi-modal imaging including fundus autofluorescence, optical coherence tomography (OCT), ultrasound (US), fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography when available.

Periodic Eye Examinations among Ophthalmologists: Attitudes, Performance, and Barriers for Compliance.

Background: Preventive eye care is a preferred practice that includes recommended regular eye examinations, which is not always followed.

Objective: This study examined attitudes of ophthalmologists toward routine eye examinations, analyzed compliance with their own eye examinations, and described reasons for non-compliance.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving an online survey, sent to all members of the Israeli Ophthalmological Society (IOS) asking their personal opinions concerning routine eye care, self-performance of these tests, and reasons for non-compliance.

Incidence of non-glaucomatous ocular disease in patients with asymmetric optic disc cupping.

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence of non-glaucomatous ocular disease in patients with asymmetric optic disc cupping.

Methods: A retrospective case series, including consecutive patients with cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) asymmetry greater than 0.2.

Ophthalmologists and WhatsApp: Teleophthalmology is already here.

Purpose: To estimate the extent of WhatsApp utilization using text and media messages for inter-physician consultations among ophthalmologists (residents and specialists) at various clinical settings and its perceived benefits for ophthalmologists and their patients. We also aimed to detect obstacles that concern ophthalmologists when using WhatsApp as a consultation platform.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using a self-administered survey through Google Forms, which was sent to 660 practicing ophthalmologists during April to May 2020.

Surgical Outcomes of Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implantation Without Plate Sutures: A 10-Year Retrospective Study.

Prcis: Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation without plate fixation resulted in high rates of complications related to plate or tube movement.

Purpose: Scleral suturing of the plate of AGV is associated with technical difficulty and potential complications. This study summarizes the surgical outcomes of 10 years of experience with AGV implantation without suture plate fixation.

A novel EyePhone© App for improving adherence to glaucoma therapy.

Purpose: Despite advances in glaucoma treatment options, patient adherence and compliance remain very low. The EyePhone© App is a free non-commercial reminder application designed specifically for the needs of glaucoma patients. In this study, we evaluated its usefulness in improving adherence to medical treatment among glaucoma patients.

Cost containment by peer prior authorization program for second line treatment in patients with retinal disease.

Background: High and increasing drug prices have prompted the establishment of a broad range of cost-containment treatment policies in health systems globally. In 2012, the supplemental insurance program of a large Israeli health maintenance organization (Clalit Health Services) introduced a prior authorization process for second-line use of ranibizumab in patients with retinal disease for whom treatment with bevacizumab proved to be ineffective. A Clalit steering committee established authorization criteria based on cost and periodically updated clinical considerations, while a team of ophthalmic specialists evaluated their colleagues' individual patient subsidization requests, based on the funding criteria.

Avoiding Diagnostic Lens Fogging During the COVID-19 Era.

Since the advent of COVID-19, the patient's use of a face mask hampers our visibility because there is a marked fogging in our view produced by the warm breath that escapes from the top of the patient's mask and lands on the cooler surface of the lens. This panorama is sometimes so frustrating that we have been forced to ask our patients to remove their facemasks while examined, increasing the risk of being infected. We consider it essential to share this small pearl technique that we can apply in order to avoid fogging during the examination; it is easy, and most importantly, without putting at risk the patient or doctor's health.

Diagnosis of Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome in Pseudophakic Patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of pseudoexfoliation syndrome diagnosis in pseudophakic patients and potential means of improving it.

Methods: This prospective, nonrandomized study comprised 41 consecutive patients (41 eyes) scheduled for cataract surgery at a tertiary medical center during 2016 and 2017. Preoperatively, all patients underwent a detailed slit-lamp examination, including gonioscopic assessment of the iridocorneal angle.

Optical Coherence Tomography May Help Distinguish Glaucoma from Suprasellar Tumor-Associated Optic Disc.

Purpose: This study aimed to differentiate patients with bilateral disc cupping associated with suprasellar tumor from patients with open-angle glaucoma by analyzing differences in optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the optic nerve.

Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we collected data from the eyes of 25 patients with suprasellar craniopharyngioma or pituitary macroadenomas (group 1) and 35 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) (group 2), seen between 2001 and 2015, all with a visual acuity of ≥20/40, for whom Stratus Time-Domain (TD) optic nerve OCT scans were available. The main outcome measures were the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, disc area, cup volume, cup/disc ratio, and rim area.

Prostaglandin analogue drops for the treatment of soft tissue expansion and exophthalmos in patients with inactive thyroid eye disease.

Objective: Thyroid eye disease (TED) is characterized by an inflammatory response leading to soft tissue expansion within the bony orbit, which may cause exophthalmos. Studies of glaucoma patients reported periorbital fat atrophy after treatment with prostaglandin analogue drops. We hypothesize that owing to this side effect, prostaglandin analogue drops may benefit patients with TED-induced exophthalmos.

Short-term anterior chamber inflammation in phacoemulsification with and without Ex-Press glaucoma implant.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of clinically significant anterior chamber inflammation in a combined surgery, namely, phacoemulsification and Ex-Press miniature glaucoma device implantation, compared to phacoemulsification alone.

Methods: A retrospective comparative study of a consecutive series of 210 participants above 18 years of age diagnosed with significant cataract and who required glaucoma surgery, namely, Ex-Press miniature glaucoma device implantation or cataract alone in one or both eyes. All were operated on by a single experienced glaucoma surgeon in a single medical center.

[OPHTHALMOLOGY - FACING THE FUTURE].

This special issue of HaRefuah is dedicated to Ophthalmology facing the future. This dynamic and forever innovative field of medicine is in a constant state of development in all its sub-specialties. In ophthalmology we often witness immediate rewarding results of treatment and surgery, having a huge impact on one of the most important senses, namely improving sight, stopping deterioration and preventing blindness.

Chairs of United States Academic Ophthalmology Departments: A Descriptive Analysis and Trends.

Purpose: To characterize and analyze the profile of United States (US) academic ophthalmology department chairs.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: Setting: Web search of publicly accessible sources.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of the EX-PRESS Filtration Device in Patients with Advanced Neovascular Glaucoma and Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy.

Background: The prognosis of conventional filtration surgery in eyes with neovascular glaucoma (NVG) is limited due to increased fibrovascular proliferation or bleeding. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the EX-PRESS filtration device in the management of NVG associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Methods: In this retrospective case series, we reviewed the medical records of patients diagnosed as having NVG associated with PDR who underwent EX-PRESS filtration surgery.