Analysis of Research Activity Among Ophthalmology Fellows.

Purpose: The academic success of ophthalmology fellows may be significantly impacted by their research engagement. Evaluating the research activity of fellows by subspecialty may provide insight into trends useful for prospective applicants. The objective of this study was to assess the research activity of ophthalmology fellows in the year 2023.

Considerations for the Identification and Management of Geographic Atrophy: Recommendations from an Expert Panel.

Newly approved treatments for patients with geographic atrophy are changing the treatment paradigm, highlighting the need for eye care providers (ECPs) to have a set of recommendations on how to best manage GA patients. Here, we outline how to identify various stages of age-related macular degeneration including geographic atrophy (GA) by examining optimal management scenarios implicating various ECPs and reviewing treatment considerations for patients with GA. Early identification of GA will lead to optimal patient outcomes, while a standardized management scenario will reduce clinical burden among ECPs treating patients with GA.

Geographic Atrophy Management Consensus (GA-MAC): a Delphi panel study on identification, diagnosis and treatment.

Background/aims: With a paradigm shift in geographic atrophy (GA) treatments now available, establishing consensus on the identification and diagnosis of the disease along with considerations for management of patients with GA will assist eye care professionals (ECP) in their day-to-day practices, leading to improved patient outcomes.

Methods: A modified Delphi panel process (Geographic Atrophy Management Consensus) consisting of three total surveys and one virtual live meeting held between survey 2 and survey 3. Data were collected from July to October 2022.

A Randomized, Prospective, Observer-Masked Study Comparing Dropless Treatment Regimen Using Intracanalicular Dexamethasone Insert, Intracameral Ketorolac, and Intracameral Moxifloxacin versus Conventional Topical Therapy to Control Postoperative Pain and Inflammation in Cataract Surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate clinical efficacy and patient preference for a dropless treatment regimen compared to conventional topical therapy in patients undergoing cataract surgery.

Patients And Methods: In this prospective, contralateral eye study, patients with bilateral cataract were randomized to receive either intracanalicular dexamethasone insert, intracameral phenylephrine 1%/ketorolac 0.3%, and intracameral moxifloxacin (50 µg) (study group) or topical moxifloxacin 0.

Ligneous Conjunctivitis Secondary to Viral Conjunctivitis.

Ligneous conjunctivitis is a rare cause of chronic conjunctivitis that may be triggered by ocular insults such as trauma or infections. We present an interesting case of ligneous conjunctivitis caused by a viral infection that responded well to conservative management. Topical cyclosporine and heparin are a good treatment regimen that caused resolution of lesions and prevented recurrences.

Reduction of Artificial Tears and Use of Adjunctive Dry Eye Therapies After Lifitegrast Treatment: Evidence from Clinical and Real-World Studies.

Purpose: To assess the frequency of patients reducing the use of artificial tears (ATs) among patients with dry eye disease (DED) following lifitegrast treatment.

Patients And Methods: Two independent analyses were performed using the data from the 1-year, randomized, multicenter, Phase 3 SONATA trial and a noninterventional, real-world evidence (RWE) study conducted in patients with DED who were treated with lifitegrast in the United States and Canada. In SONATA, patients who had used ATs in the lifitegrast and placebo groups were included.

Intracameral dexamethasone 9% vs prednisolone acetate 1% in controlling postoperative pain and inflammation in patients undergoing cataract surgery.

Purpose: To compare patient preferences of postoperative cataract surgery topical medication use between a 1-drop and a 3-drop regimen.

Setting: Two private cataract surgery centers.

Design: Open-label randomized self-controlled prospective study.

Pain control and reduction of opioid use associated with intracameral phenylephrine1.0%-ketorolac 0.3% administered during cataract surgery.

Purpose: To compare pain and the need for the opioid fentanyl use associated with the administration of phenylephrine 1.0%-ketorolac 0.3% (P/K) with those of epinephrine administration during cataract surgery.

Diagnosis and management of postrefractive surgery ectasia.

Postrefractive surgery ectasia is a serious, sight-threatening complication seen after the following procedures: laser in situ keratomileusis, photorefractive keratectomy, small-incision lenticule extraction, radial keratotomy, and/or arcuate keratotomy. Specific risk factors may include age, corneal thickness, degree of refractive error, corneal topographic changes including irregular astigmatism, percent tissue ablation, and residual stromal bed. Biomarkers may be a new option to help indicate who is at greatest risk for ectasia.

Corneal cross-linking versus conventional management for keratoconus: a lifetime economic model.

Aims: To assess the cost-effectiveness of corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) versus no CXL for keratoconus in the United States (US).

Methods: A discrete-event microsimulation was developed to assess the cost-effectiveness of corneal cross-linking (CXL, Photrexa + KXL combination product) versus no CXL for patients with keratoconus. The lifetime model was conducted from a US payor perspective.

The Effect of Lifitegrast on Refractive Accuracy and Symptoms in Dry Eye Patients Undergoing Cataract Surgery.

Purpose: To determine the effect of lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5% on improving the tear film, biometry/keratometry, and refractive accuracy for dry eye patients scheduled for cataract surgery.

Patients And Methods: Multicenter, prospective, open-label study of 100 eyes of 100 patients undergoing cataract surgery who had a confirmed diagnosis of dry eye. Patients underwent biometry at baseline and again after a 28-day course of lifitegrast 5% BID.

Safety and efficacy of nepafenac punctal plug delivery system in controlling postoperative ocular pain and inflammation after cataract surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a nepafenac punctal plug delivery system (N-PPDS) after cataract surgery.

Setting: Three U.S.

Evaluating Rotational Stability of an Extended Depth of Focus Toric Intraocular Lens Using a Slit Lamp and Image-Based Analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate the rotational stability of a toric extended depth of focus (EDOF) intraocular lens (IOL), using either slit lamp evaluation or image-processing software.

Setting: Three clinical practices in the USA.

Design: Prospective unmasked randomized clinical trial.

Five-Year Outcomes Prospective Study of Two First-Generation Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stents (iStent®) in Open-Angle Glaucoma.

Purpose: To assess 5-year effectiveness and safety of 2 iStent® trabecular micro-bypass stents in eyes with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) not controlled on 1 medication.

Materials And Methods: This prospective, interventional, single-arm, multi-surgeon study (NCT #1252862, clinicaltrials.gov) enrolled eyes with OAG, preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) of 18-30 mmHg on 1 ocular hypotensive medication, and 22-38 mmHg after medication washout.

Defocus Curve and Patient Satisfaction with a New Extended Depth of Focus Toric Intraocular Lens Targeted for Binocular Emmetropia or Slight Myopia in the Non-Dominant Eye.

Purpose: To evaluate the defocus curve and patient satisfaction after implantation of an extended depth of focus (EDOF) toric IOL when both eyes were targeted for emmetropia and when the non-dominant eye was targeted for mini monovision (-0.50D).

Methods: A prospective unmasked randomized clinical trial in three clinical practices in the USA.

One-year visual and astigmatic outcomes of keratoconus patients following sequential crosslinking and topography-guided surface ablation: the TOPOLINK study.

Purpose: To evaluate long-term visual and astigmatic outcomes of sequential corneal crosslinking (CXL) followed by topography-guided photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

Setting: Single-practice outpatient setting.

Design: Retrospective case review.

Double-Masked and Unmasked Prospective Study of Terpinen-4-ol Lid Scrubs With Microblepharoexfoliation for the Treatment of Demodex Blepharitis.

Purpose: To evaluate terpinen-4-ol lid scrubs (Cliradex) with Microblepharoexfoliation (MBE) (BlephEx) in the treatment of Demodex blepharitis.

Methods: An Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved the randomized prospective double-masked trial of 50 patients with Demodex positive blepharitis. All subjects were given an in-office MBE treatment and randomized to masked lid scrubs (terpinen-4-ol or sham) twice daily for 1 month.

Effect Of Intracameral Phenylephrine And Ketorolac 1.0%/0.3% On Intraoperative Pain And Opioid Use During Cataract Surgery.

Purpose: To compare the effect of Omidria (phenylephrine and ketorolac 1.0%/0.3%) vs epinephrine on pain reduction and opioid usage during cataract surgery.

Extended depth-of-focus toric intraocular lens targeted for binocular emmetropia or slight myopia in the nondominant eye: Visual and refractive clinical outcomes.

Purpose: To compare the visual and refractive outcomes with a diffractive toric extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) intraocular lens (IOL) when both eyes are targeted for emmetropia and the nondominant eye is targeted for slight myopia.

Setting: Three clinical practices, United States.

Design: Prospective case series.

Influence of bacterial burden on meibomian gland dysfunction and ocular surface disease.

Purpose: Bacterial burden on the eyelid margin and within meibomian glands was evaluated for influence on specific ocular surface disease (OSD) markers across the meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) spectrum.

Methods: In this prospective, observational, single-center study, 40 patients were divided into 4 equal groups of 10 that encompassed increasingly worse MGD/OSD categories. All patients answered the standard Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire, and underwent tear osmolarity testing (TOT), Schirmer 1, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) testing, meibography, and lissamine green staining.