Anti-VEGF treatment of macular edema associated with retinal vein occlusion: patterns of use and effectiveness in clinical practice (ECHO study report 2).

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and injection frequency of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antagonists in the treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in clinical practice.

Patients And Methods: A multicenter retrospective study of the medical records of 165 patients (95 branch RVO, 70 central RVO) treated with at least three anti-VEGF injections in the study eye was conducted. Available data collected for at least 6 months after the first injection included Snellen best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT) by time-domain optical coherence tomography (TD-OCT) or spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), anti-VEGF injections, other treatments/procedures for RVO, and adverse events.

Anti-VEGF treatment of diabetic macular edema in clinical practice: effectiveness and patterns of use (ECHO Study Report 1).

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and injection frequency of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors as used in clinical practice for the treatment of diabetic macular edema.

Methods: Multicenter (10 sites), retrospective chart review in patients (n=156) who received ≥3 anti-VEGF injections. Data collected for ≥6 months after the first injection included Snellen best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) by time-domain or spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (TD-OCT or SD-OCT).

Development and Validation of the Eyelash Satisfaction Questionnaire.

Background: Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures have been used to assess treatment benefit in a variety of therapeutic areas and are now becoming increasingly important in aesthetic research.

Objectives: The objective of the current study was to develop and validate a new PRO measure (Eyelash Satisfaction Questionnaire [ESQ]) to assess satisfaction with eyelash prominence.

Methods: The content of the questionnaire (including conceptual framework and questionnaire items) was generated by review of literature, participant interviews, and expert opinion.

Two or more dexamethasone intravitreal implants in treatment-naïve patients with macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion: subgroup analysis of a retrospective chart review study.

Background: Dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DEX implant) is a biodegradable, sustained-release implant that releases dexamethasone for up to 6 months. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of DEX implant in the treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in treatment-naïve patients.

Methods: A multicenter, retrospective, open-label chart review study investigated the efficacy and safety of DEX implant treatment in 289 patients with macular edema secondary to branch or central RVO (BRVO, CRVO) who received ≥2 treatments with DEX implant in the study eye.

Two or more dexamethasone intravitreal implants as monotherapy or in combination therapy for macular edema in retinal vein occlusion: subgroup analysis of a retrospective chart review study.

Background: Dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DEX implant) is a sustained-release biodegradable implant approved for treatment of macular edema associated with retinal vein occlusion (RVO). The safety and efficacy of treatment of RVO-associated macular edema with sequential DEX implants in clinical practice was evaluated in patients who received DEX implant as monotherapy compared with patients who received DEX implant in combination with other RVO treatments.

Methods: A multicenter, retrospective, open-label chart review study (one study eye/patient) evaluated use of DEX implant and outcomes in 289 patients with branch or central RVO who received at least 2 DEX implant treatments in the study eye.

Topical cyclosporine versus emulsion vehicle for the treatment of brittle nails: a randomized controlled pilot study.

Background: Limited options are available for the treatment of brittle nail syndrome.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of topical cyclosporine emulsion (CsAE) versus emulsion (vehicle) alone in the treatment of brittle nail syndrome.

Results: Twenty-four patients were randomized to topical CsAE emulsion or emulsion (vehicle) for 24 weeks.

Development of a preference-based index from the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25.

Importance: Understanding how individuals value health states is central to patient-centered care and to health policy decision making. Generic preference-based measures of health may not effectively capture the impact of ocular diseases. Recently, 6 items from the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 were used to develop the Visual Function Questionnaire-Utility Index health state classification, which defines visual function health states.

Patient-reported outcomes of bimatoprost for eyelash growth: results from a randomized, double-masked, vehicle-controlled, parallel-group study.

Background: Hypotrichosis of the eyelashes may negatively influence an individual's self-perception and appearance. Assessing the impact of treatment from a patient's perspective may be particularly relevant in trials of aesthetic agents. Once-daily dermal (topically applied) administration of bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.

Efficacy and safety of two or more dexamethasone intravitreal implant injections for treatment of macular edema related to retinal vein occlusion (Shasta study).

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and reinjection interval of dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DEX implant) in branch retinal vein occlusion and central retinal vein occlusion patients receiving ≥ 2 DEX implant treatments.

Methods: Multicenter (26-site), retrospective chart review study. Data were collected from baseline (at first DEX implant) through 3 months to 6 months after last DEX implant.

Rasch analysis in the development of a simplified version of the National Eye Institute Visual-Function Questionnaire-25 for utility estimation.

Purpose: Preference-based health measures value how people feel about the desirability of a health state. Generic measures may not effectively capture the impact of vision loss from ocular diseases. Disease-targeted measures could address this limitation.

Paired-eye comparison of medical therapies for glaucoma.

Objective: To evaluate efficacy and patient preference retrospectively among intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering prostamide and prostaglandin medications in a real-world clinical setting.

Methods: Chart review of patients with uncontrolled glaucoma or ocular hypertension seen at a private practice clinic (n = 55) who received bimatoprost 0.03% once daily in one eye and either travoprost 0.

Psychometric evaluation of the Glaucoma Symptom Identifier.

Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Glaucoma Symptom Identifier (GSI), a tool designed to assess multiple possible glaucoma symptoms and their impact on quality of life in clinical practice. We sought to address the need for better methods to assess visual function related to quality of life of glaucoma patients with a tool to show to both physicians and their patients that glaucoma is not an asymptomatic disease. The development process was to provide comprehensive assessment in 1 page of the impact of glaucoma on patients' quality of life by including an exhaustive list of unique and nonredundant items.

Safety, effectiveness, and subjective experience with topical bimatoprost 0.03% for eyelash growth.

Background: Ocularly applied bimatoprost 0.03% is associated with increased eyelash growth.

Objective: To assess the safety, efficacy, and subjective experience of using dermal application of bimatoprost 0.

Healthcare charges in patients with glaucoma who undergo laser trabeculoplasty.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of laser trabeculoplasty (LTP) on healthcare charges in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

Methods: Using a managed care database (PharMetrics; Watertown, MA, USA), we formed a case-control group nested within a POAG cohort (n=72,412) formed using International Classification of Disease, Ninth Edition (ICD-9) coding data. Cases (n=1145) had LTP (Current Procedural Terminology code: 65855) with ≥1 year of continuous enrollment both prior to, and following LTP index date in PharMetrics from 1998-2005.

Minimal clinically important difference for the ocular surface disease index.

Objective: To assess the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI; Allergan Inc, Irvine, California, holds the copyright), a 12-item patient-reported outcome questionnaire designed to quantify ocular disability due to dry eye disease.

Methods: Study data were collected within the Restasis Review of Efficacy and Safety vs Tears in the Relief of Dry Eye (RESTORE), an observational registry. A clinician global impression (CGI) and a subject global assessment (SGA) served as anchors to estimate the MCID for the overall OSDI score (range, 0-100).

Comparing adherence and persistence across 6 chronic medication classes.

Background: The National Quality Forum recently endorsed the proportion of days covered (PDC)-a measure of medication adherence-as an indicator of quality in drug therapy management.

Objective: To inform initial efforts to improve the quality of drug therapy management, we compared PDC and persistence among new users of 6 commonly used chronic medication categories.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of pharmacy claims in a database of more than 64 million members enrolled in 100 health plans assessed persistence and adherence to drug therapy in 6 chronic conditions.

Healthcare charges in patients who transition from ocular hypertension to primary open-angle glaucoma based on ophthalmic coding data.

Introduction: The purpose of this research was to assess the impact of transition from ocular hypertension (OHT) to primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) on healthcare charges.

Methods: A case-control group was identified using PharMetrics claims database (1998-2005). Cases (n=1055) had a transition from OHT to POAG based on International Classification of Disease, Ninth Edition coding (ICD-9=365.

Quality of life in glaucoma and three other chronic diseases: a systematic literature review.

Chronic diseases have a long-term negative impact on quality of life (QOL). Decreased QOL is associated with increased financial burden on healthcare systems and society. However, few publications have investigated the impact of glaucoma on patients' QOL in comparison with other chronic diseases observed in patients with similar demographic characteristics.

Glaucoma medication persistence with a fixed combination versus multiple bottles.

Objective: To determine if prescribing combination therapy versus two or three separate bottles results in greater persistence among patients with glaucoma.

Methods: Using a retail pharmacy claims database, three glaucoma patient cohorts were defined and followed for 12 months (January 2004 through December 2004). Patients in cohort 1 had a prescription for a single fixed-combination therapy during the month of January 2004.

The quality of life impact of peripheral versus central vision loss with a focus on glaucoma versus age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: It is well accepted that conditions that cause central vision loss (CVL) have a negative impact on functional ability and quality of life (QoL), but the impact of diseases that cause peripheral vision loss (PVL) is less well understood. Focusing on glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the effects of CVL and PVL on QoL were compared.

Methods: A systematic literature review of publications reporting QoL in patients with CVL or PVL identified 87 publications using four generic (Short-Form Health Survey-36 and -12, EuroQoL EQ-5D and Sickness Impact Profile) and five vision-specific (National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-51, -39, and -25, Impact of Vision Impairment and Visual Function-14) QoL instruments; 33 and 15 publications reported QoL in ARMD and glaucoma, respectively.

The relationship of mean deviation scores and resource utilization among patients with glaucoma: a retrospective United States and European chart review analysis.

Purpose: To determine the relationship between mean deviation (MD) scores and resource utilization among glaucoma patients in the United States and Europe.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patient in the United States (June 1990 to January 2003, N=151) and Europe (June 1994 to July 2003, N=194) was conducted. Office visits, pressure-lowering medications, visual field examinations, and glaucoma surgeries were recorded with age, intraocular pressure (IOP), and MD.

Cost of illness of glaucoma: a critical and systematic review.

Cost-of-illness studies determine the total financial burden of a disease by considering direct and indirect costs, including medication, diagnostics and surgery. Studies of resource use and costs associated with primary open-angle glaucoma have used varying methodologies. Most have focused on consumption of healthcare resources at various stages of disease to anticipate costs.

Pharmacotherapy compliance in patients with ocular hypertension or primary open-angle glaucoma.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare rates of pharmacotherapy coverage in patients with ocular hypertension (OH) and patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

Methods: Retrospective cohort study analysis of a nationally representative, multimanaged health plan database (PharMetrics; 1998-2005) which included 4818 medicated OH patients and 52,985 medicated POAG patients with at least 1 year of continuous enrollment and at least one prescription for IOP-lowering medication during the first year of follow-up. Patients selected for the current study were nested within the cohort of OH patients (n = 36,767) and POAG patients (n =72,412) previously reported.

Assessing quality of life in patients with glaucoma using the Glaucoma Quality of Life-15 (GQL-15) questionnaire.

Purpose: To measure and compare quality of life in patients with and without glaucoma using the Glaucoma Quality of Life-15 Questionnaire, and to determine the association between glaucoma-related quality of life and clinical indices of glaucoma.

Patients And Methods: Using a prospective, cross-sectional study, we collected demographic information via interviews and administered the questionnaire to assess glaucoma-related quality of life in 121 patients with glaucoma and 31 subjects without glaucoma. Visual function was measured objectively by clinical examination.

Comparative study of the stability of bimatoprost 0.03% and latanoprost 0.005%: a patient-use study.

Background: The stability of ophthalmic preparations in multidose containers is influenced by the preservative as well as the stability of the active ingredient. Unstable drugs may require refrigeration to preserve their active ingredient level and they are more likely to degrade over time, therefore becoming more susceptible to degradation based on patient mishandling. The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of molecular degradation that occurs in bimatoprost and latanoprost in a patient-use setting.