Assessing The Relationship Between Demand And Accessibility For Pediatric Ophthalmology Services By State In The United States.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between public demand for pediatric ophthalmology services and the accessibility of such services on a statewide basis in the United States, focusing on strabismus care.

Methods: Using Google Trends data, search volumes for "strabismus" were analyzed from January 2014 to December 2023. Pediatric ophthalmologist availability was assessed via the American Academy of Ophthalmology directory, normalized for state population size to create a relative demand index.

Evaluation and Optimization of Diabetic Retinopathy Screenings for Uninsured Latinx Patients in a Resource-Limited Student-Run Free Clinic.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a sight-threatening condition that causes progressive retina damage. Student-run free clinics represent a valuable opportunity to provide DR screenings to high-risk populations. We characterized the patient population, evaluated the performance, and conducted a needs assessment of DR screenings at the University of California, San Diego Student-Run Ophthalmology Free Clinic, which provides care to predominantly uninsured, Latino patients.

Gender Disparities in Depression, Stress, and Social Support Among Glaucoma Patients.

Purpose: To understand differences in measures of depression, stress, and social support by gender among those diagnosed with glaucoma.

Methods: We obtained a cohort of glaucoma patients (any type) ages 18 years and over who answered the COVID-19 Participant Experience (COPE) survey of the NIH All of Us Research Program. We analyzed several measures of depression, stress, and social support by gender.

Axial length and pharmacologic pupillary dilation in highly myopic patients.

Purpose: To determine how high myopia impacts pharmacological pupillary dilation, and to evaluate the relationship between the extent of pharmacologic pupillary dilation and axial length.

Methods: Patients were grouped into high myopes, defined as one or both eyes having a refractive error greater than - 6 diopters, and controls (between - 2 and + 2 diopters). Dilation was achieved with 1 drop each of tropicamide 1% and phenylephrine 2.

Refractive Changes After Implantation of Reversed Intraocular Lens in Cataract Surgery: A Mathematical Model.

Purpose: To develop a mathematical model that can predict the amount of refractive change caused by implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL) in a reversed position during cataract surgery.

Methods: A theoretical mathematical formula based on the Gullstrand eye model was constructed to estimate the refractive change of the eye after implantation of a reversed IOL. The refractive change caused by implantation of the IOL in a reversed position was calculated based on the exchange of the anterior curvature with the posterior curvature of the IOL, and the lengthening of the distance between the IOL and the retina.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Delivery of Eye Care to Uninsured Diabetic Patients at a Student-Run Free Clinic: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Eye Clinic Performance.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among working-age adults in the United States and requires timely screening and management. This study evaluates the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS) for uninsured, predominantly Latino patients at the University of California San Diego Student-Run Free Clinic Project (SRFCP).

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of all living diabetic patients at SRFCP who were seen in 2019 (n=196), 2020 (n=183), and 2021 (n=178).

Ultraviolet light exposure and its penetrance through the eye in a porcine model.

Aim: To determine the amount of ultraviolet (UV) light irradiance that various layers of the eye receive as sunlight passes through the eye, and to investigate the protective benefits of UV light-blocking contact lenses.

Methods: Twenty-four porcine eyes were prepared in one of three ways: isolated cornea, cornea and lens together, or whole eye preparation. UV light irradiance was measured with a UV-A/B light meter before and after the eye preparations were placed over the meter to measure UV light penetration in each eye structure.

Mental health and social support among glaucoma patients enrolled in the NIH All of Us COVID-19 Participant Experience (COPE) survey.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic created many challenges for our society. In this study, we explore how measures of mental health, coping strategies, and social support during the pandemic varied by glaucoma status.

Methods: A cohort of patients aged 40 and over enrolled in the NIH All of Us Research Program, a nationwide longitudinal cohort, who answered the COVID-19 Participant Experience (COPE) survey was obtained.

Role of FGF10/FGFR2b Signaling in Homeostasis and Regeneration of Adult Lacrimal Gland and Corneal Epithelium Proliferation.

Purpose: Fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF10) is involved in eye, meibomian, and lacrimal gland (LG) development, but its function in adult eye structures remains unknown. This study aimed to characterize the role of FGF10 in homeostasis and regeneration of adult LG and corneal epithelium proliferation.

Methods: Quantitative reverse transcription PCR was used for analysis of FGF10 expression in both early postnatal and adult mouse LG, and RNA sequencing was used to analyze gene expression during LG inflammation.

The Effect of Anti-Inflammatory Topical Ophthalmic Treatments on In Vitro Corneal Epithelial Cells.

Purpose: To compare the effect of three commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory eye drops on corneal epithelial cells in vitro.

Methods: Three different lines of human corneal epithelial cells were tested: primary cells cultured from donor tissue, commercially available primary cells, and immortalized cells. Cells were seeded on 96-well plates and treated with the following eye drops: cyclosporine 0.

Recent developments in anterior capsulotomy for cataract surgery.

Purpose Of Review: Successful anterior capsulotomy is an important step in cataract surgery. This article reviews the various anterior capsulotomy techniques available to surgeons to optimize the step, including those that have become available since the introduction of femtosecond-laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS). Studies comparing the relative advantages of each technique will be emphasized.

Efficient use of ultrasound in cataract surgery.

Purpose Of Review: Modern phacoemulsification machines apply ultrasound through a variety of settings and parameters to remove a cataract. Using these new technologies efficiently is critical for both reducing surgical times and improving postoperative outcomes. The present article reviews recent findings in phacodynamics to explore the optimum use of ultrasound in cataract surgery.

Advancements in intraocular lens power calculation formulas.

Purpose Of Review: We review recent studies comparing intraocular lens (IOL) formulas with an emphasis on selection of the highest performing formulas based on patient axial length, age, and history of previous corneal refractive surgery.

Recent Findings: The Barrett Universal II formula based on a theoretical model has consistently demonstrated high accuracy. The Olsen four-factor formula using ray tracing optics and the Hill-RBF calculator using artificial intelligence have also demonstrated good prediction results after being updated.