epiDonate - distributed serverless data infrastructure for epidemiological studies.

Epidemiological studies face two important challenges: the need to ingest ever more complex data types, and mounting concerns about participant privacy and data governance. These two challenges are compounded by the expectation that data infrastructure will eventually need to facilitate cross-registration of participants by multiple epidemiological studies. The portable web-service epiDonate was developed using the serverless model known as FaaS (Function-as-a-Service).

Evolution of first-line glaucoma therapy, 2007-2018: a population-based analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term evolution of first-line glaucoma therapy (FLGT) initiated by ophthalmologists and optometrists.

Design: Retrospective population-based study using validated provincial health care databases.

Participants: 194,759 Ontario residents, 66 years of age or older, who received FLGT between 2007 and 2018.

Does This Patient With Acute Infectious Conjunctivitis Have a Bacterial Infection?: The Rational Clinical Examination Systematic Review.

Importance: Acute infectious conjunctivitis is characterized by ocular redness and discharge, and is a common clinical entity. Evidence-based tools to aid the clinical diagnosis of viral vs bacterial conjunctivitis are lacking and may contribute to overprescribing of topical antibiotics.

Objective: To determine the relative prevalence of viral vs bacterial conjunctivitis in adults and children, and to determine which symptoms or signs are suggestive of a viral vs bacterial etiology.

Topical pain control for corneal abrasions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Corneal abrasions are common ophthalmic presentations to emergency departments. Among emergency physicians and ophthalmologists, there are highly variable practice patterns with regard to management of resultant pain and discomfort. The goal of this study was to review and analyze the efficacy and safety of topical pain therapies for corneal abrasions, including topical anesthetics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), cycloplegics, steroids, pressure patching, and the use of a bandage contact lens (BCL).

Distribution and Predictors of Initial Glaucoma Care Among Ophthalmologists and Optometrists: A Population-based Study.

Purpose: To evaluate evolution in the distribution of new glaucoma patients between ophthalmologists and optometrists, and to examine factors predicting provider type, in the context of expansion in the scope of optometry practice.

Patients And Methods: A population-based study was undertaken using validated datasets in Ontario, Canada from 2007 to 2018, encompassing time before and after optometry practice scope expansion in 2011. All patients aged 66 and older receiving a glaucoma suspect diagnosis or first-line therapy for glaucoma from ophthalmologists or optometrists were enrolled.

Predictors of Initial Glaucoma Therapy with Laser Trabeculoplasty versus Medication: A Population-Based Study.

Purpose: To investigate patient-level factors associated with first-line glaucoma therapy with laser trabeculoplasty (LT) versus topical medication.

Design: Population-based study.

Participants: All patients 66 years of age and older in Ontario, Canada, receiving first-ever therapy for glaucoma with either LT or topical medication between April 1, 2007, and March 31, 2019.

Vitritis after Boston Keratoprosthesis Type 1 Implantation.

Purpose: To describe the incidence, presentation, and clinical course of vitritis occurring after Boston keratoprosthesis type 1 implantation.

Design: Retrospective chart review.

Participants: Medical records of all patients undergoing type 1 Boston keratoprosthesis implantation over a 4-year period were reviewed.

Collagen cross-linking as an adjunct for repair of corneal lacerations: a cadaveric study.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of collagen cross-linking (CXL) as an adjunct to suturing in the repair of corneal lacerations.

Methods: A cadaveric study was undertaken in which a linear 5 mm corneal laceration was created in the central cornea of 20 eyes. The eyes were then randomized to receive 1 (n = 8), 2 (n = 8), or 3 (n = 4) standard corneal sutures.

Design and Validation of a Training Simulator for Laser Capsulotomy, Peripheral Iridotomy, and Retinopexy.

Background And Objectives: Ophthalmology trainees commonly learn laser procedures on live patients. A simulator for learning peripheral iridotomy (PI), posterior capsulotomy, and retinopexy may improve patient outcomes.

Materials And Methods: A model eye with artificial tissues was designed.

Drug-prescribing patterns among optometrists and nonophthalmologist physicians at a tertiary care centre in Kingston, Ontario.

Objective: To report on patterns of optometry prescribing and adherence to prescribing regulations at a tertiary care ophthalmology centre.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Participants: All new referrals from optometrists and other health care professionals to the emergency eye care service (n = 1965) between July 2011 and June 2012, as well as optometry referrals to 2 subspecialty services (glaucoma [n = 71] and cornea [n = 212]).

Value of subjective visual reduction in patients with acute-onset floaters and/or flashes.

Objective: To quantify the association between subjective visual reduction (SVR) and retinal pathology in patients with acute-onset monocular floaters or flashes, or both.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Prospective cohorts study involving all new patients referred for acute-onset floaters or flashes, or both, to a tertiary care emergency eye clinic in Kingston, Ontario, between July 1, 2011, and June 29, 2012 (n = 333).

Methods: All patients were evaluated for the presence of SVR in a standardized fashion, as well as other known risk factors for retina pathology including a family history of retinal tear or retinal detachment, a personal history of retinal tear or detachment, high myopia, and ocular trauma.

Efficacy of Intravenous Mannitol in the Management of Orbital Compartment Syndrome: A Nonhuman Primate Model.

Purpose: To report the efficacy of intravenous mannitol in the treatment of orbital compartment syndrome.

Methods: An experimental study was conducted on 4 nonhuman primates (8 orbits). Orbital compartment syndrome was simulated by injecting autologous blood into both orbits of each nonhuman primate until a pressure of 80 mm Hg was reached (time 0).

Identifying predictive morphologic features of malignancy in eyelid lesions.

Objective: To determine features of eyelid lesions most predictive of malignancy, and to design a key to assist general practitioners in the triaging of such lesions.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Department of Ophthalmology at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont.

Patterns and causes of epiphora referrals to a tertiary oculoplastic practice.

Objective: To report the causative factors and surgical candidacy of patients referred to an oculoplastic surgery clinic for the complaint of epiphora.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Participants: Consecutive patients (n = 159) referred to a tertiary care oculoplastic surgery clinic over a 12-month period for the complaint of epiphora.

Orbital compartment syndrome in a burn patient without aggressive fluid resuscitation.

Introduction: Orbital compartment syndrome may rarely occur in the setting of burns where therapy includes aggressive fluid resuscitation.

Case: We report a case of bilateral orbital compartment syndrome in a 13-year-old male, with superficial facial burns secondary to hydrobromic acid, who did not receive aggressive fluid resuscitation. The patient was treated successfully with bilateral lateral canthotomy and cantholysis.