Delayed Corneal Healing After the Use of Topical Ophthalmic Anesthetics.

Topical anesthetics for control of pain from corneal abrasions can cause drug-related toxicity that delays corneal healing. This report documents three cases where topical anesthetic drops were prescribed in the emergency department for pain control, after which patients developed persistent ocular pain, epithelial toxicity with impaired healing, and significant loss of vision. On consultation with the ophthalmology service, each patient was instructed to discontinue the topical anesthetic drops but to continue topical antibiotics.

Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Cataract Surgery: A Review.

Cataract surgery is one of the most performed procedures worldwide, and cataracts are rising in prevalence in our aging population. With the increasing utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) in the medical field, we aimed to understand the extent of present AI applications in ophthalmic microsurgery, specifically cataract surgery. We conducted a literature search on PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords related to the application of AI in cataract surgery and included relevant articles published since 2010 in our review.

Efficacy of Amniotic Membrane Grafting for the Treatment of Chemical and Thermal Ocular Surface Injuries: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Objective: To evaluate the published literature on the efficacy of amniotic membrane grafting (AMG) in the management of acute chemical and thermal ocular surface burns with respect to the rate of corneal re-epithelialization and improvement of visual acuity or corneal clarity.

Methods: Literature searches were conducted in the PubMed database in May 2023 and updated in January 2024 and were limited to the English language without date restrictions. The searches yielded 474 citations; 58 were reviewed in full text, and 9 met the inclusion criteria.

Racial Disparities in Microinvasive Glaucoma Surgery for Management of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Propensity-Matched Cohort Study.

Purpose: To evaluate racial and ethnic differences in the use of microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) for the management of mild-moderate primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in the United States.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Participants: Patients with a diagnosis of mild or moderate POAG, as defined by Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, were included.

36-Month Outcomes of Standalone Kahook Dual Blade Goniotomy Compared with Ab-Interno Closed Conjunctiva Xen Gel Stent Implantation.

Purpose: To compare the safety and effectiveness of standalone Kahook Dual Blade (KDB) excisional goniotomy to standalone ab-interno Xen gel stent implantation in eyes with moderate-to-severe open-angle glaucoma (OAG).

Methods: A single-center, retrospective study including eyes with moderate-to-severe OAG undergoing standalone KDB goniotomy or Xen gel stent implantation was conducted. Intraocular pressure (IOP), the number of antiglaucoma medications taken daily, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were recorded at baseline and for up to 36-months.

Complications Following XEN45 Gel Stent and Glaucoma Drainage Device Implantation During Glaucoma Fellowship.

Purpose XEN45 Gel Stent and glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation is safe and effective for glaucoma treatment and should be taught during glaucoma fellowship training. However, complications may still occur, with potentially sight-threatening consequences. The purpose of this study is to describe the management of complications following a series of XEN45 Gel Stent and GDD surgeries performed over the course of glaucoma fellowship training.

Recent Updates on the Diagnosis and Management of Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the Western world, with a higher prevalence among Europeans and North Americans than that in Africans, Hispanics, and Asians. Advanced AMD is categorized as atrophic (dry) or exudative (wet/neovascular age-related macular degeneration [nAMD]). Dry AMD is characterized by progressive geographic atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium and outer retinal layers, whereas nAMD is characterized by new vessels that invade the subretinal and/or subretinal pigment epithelium spaces.

36-Month Outcomes of Ahmed ClearPath Glaucoma Drainage Device in Severe Primary Open Angle Glaucoma.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Ahmed ClearPath (ACP) 250 mm glaucoma drainage device (GDD) in managing refractory primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

Patients And Methods: This was a retrospective case series focused on adult patients diagnosed with severe POAG who underwent implantation of an ACP GDD. Over a 36-month follow-up period, data on intraocular pressure (IOP), the number of glaucoma medications, and complications were recorded.

In a pickle: Cases of pickleball related ocular injuries.

Purpose: Although musculoskeletal involvement is the common presentation, studies have reported the incidence of sports related ocular trauma. Here we present the case reports of two patients who sustained injury in one of the fast growing sports - the pickleball, during play without eye protection.

Observations: Two patients with history of injury during pickleball play presented to our clinic with varying spectrum of ocular presentations.

Outcomes and Complications of Limbal Stem Cell Allograft Transplantation: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Purpose: To review the published literature on the safety and outcomes of keratolimbal allograft (KLAL) transplantation and living-related conjunctival limbal allograft (lr-CLAL) transplantation for bilateral severe/total limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD).

Methods: Literature searches were last conducted in the PubMed database in February 2023 and were limited to the English language. They yielded 523 citations; 76 were reviewed in full text, and 21 met the inclusion criteria.

A deep dive into hyperbaric environments and intraocular pressure-a systematic review.

Purpose: SCUBA diving exposes participants to a unique hyperbaric environment, but few studies have examined the effects of such an environment on intraocular pressure (IOP) and glaucoma. This systematic review aims to consolidate recent literature findings regarding the impact of increased atmospheric pressure on IOP and glaucoma.

Methods: Three online databases were searched to identify publications encompassing the subjects of diving or increased atmospheric pressure in conjunction with IOP or glaucoma.

Long-Term Efficacy of Successful Excisional Goniotomy with the Kahook Dual Blade.

Purpose: To report clinical outcomes of successful excisional goniotomy with the Kahook Dual Blade (KDB), through 60 months.

Patients And Methods: This was a noncomparative, single-surgeon, retrospective review of eyes receiving successful KDB goniotomy with or without concomitant phacoemulsification between October 2015 and January 2016 with five years of uninterrupted follow-up. Intraocular pressure (IOP), number of glaucoma medications, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and complications were recorded.

Advanced Corneal Imaging in Keratoconus: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Purpose: To review the published literature on the diagnostic capabilities of the newest generation of corneal imaging devices for the identification of keratoconus.

Methods: Corneal imaging devices studied included tomographic platforms (Scheimpflug photography, OCT) and functional biomechanical devices (imaging an air impulse on the cornea). A literature search in the PubMed database for English language studies was last conducted in February 2023.

Evaluating Access to Laser Eye Surgery by Driving Times Using Medicare Data and Geographical Mapping.

Importance: Recently, several states have granted optometrists privileges to perform select laser procedures (laser peripheral iridotomy, selective laser trabeculoplasty, and YAG laser capsulotomy) with the aim of increasing access. However, whether these changes are associated with increased access to these procedures among each state's Medicare population has not been evaluated.

Objective: To compare patient access to laser surgery eye care by estimated travel time and 30-minute proximity to an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Differences in characteristics of Medicare patients treated by ophthalmologists and optometrists.

Purpose: To quantify differences in the age, gender, race, and clinical complexity of Medicare beneficiaries treated by ophthalmologists and optometrists in each of the United States.

Design: Cross-sectional study based on publicly accessible Medicare payment and utilization data from 2012 through 2017.

Methods: For each ophthalmic and optometric provider, demographic information of treated Medicare beneficiaries was obtained from the Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the years 2012 through 2017.

Recurrent corneal erosion: a comprehensive review.

Purpose: To comprehensively review the literature regarding recurrent corneal erosion (RCE) and to present treatment options and recommendations for management.

Overview: RCE usually presents with sharp, unilateral pain upon awakening, in an eye with an underlying basement membrane dystrophy, prior ocular trauma, stromal dystrophy or degeneration, or prior surgery for refractive errors, cataracts, or corneal transplantation. Making the correct diagnosis requires a careful slit-lamp examination of both eyes coupled with a high degree of suspicion.

Diagnosis of dry eye disease and emerging technologies.

Dry eye is one of the most commonly encountered problems in ophthalmology. Signs can include punctate epithelial erosions, hyperemia, low tear lakes, rapid tear break-up time, and meibomian gland disease. Current methods of diagnosis include a slit-lamp examination with and without different stains, including fluorescein, rose bengal, and lissamine green.

Comparison of wide-field fluorescein angiography and 9-field montage angiography in uveitis.

Purpose: To compare qualitatively and quantitatively Optos fundus camera fluorescein angiographic images of retinal vascular leakage with 9-field montage Topcon fluorescein angiography (FA) images in patients with uveitis. We hypothesized that Optos images reveal more leakage in patients with uveitis.

Design: Retrospective, observational case series.

Route of adenovirus-based HIV-1 vaccine delivery impacts the phenotype and trafficking of vaccine-elicited CD8+ T lymphocytes.

Candidate HIV-1 vaccine regimens utilizing intramuscularly (i.m.) administered recombinant adenovirus (rAd)-based vectors can induce potent mucosal cellular immunity.