Is it the right time to promote competency-based European Training Requirements in Ophthalmology? A European Board of Ophthalmology survey.

Purpose: To report national practices and recent progress in competency-based medical education (CBME) implementation in ophthalmology across European countries.

Methods: A 30-question online survey was emailed to European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) ophthalmology section delegates, European Board of Ophthalmology Diploma (EBOD) examiners and presidents of ophthalmology societies affiliated with UEMS/EBO.

Results: A total of 230 ophthalmologists with an average age of 54.

[Cataract surgery training in France: Analysis of the results of the European Board of Ophthalmology survey in the French cohort].

Objective: This study aims to present and analyze the results of the French cohort in a European Board of Ophthalmology (EBO) survey on cataract surgical training in Europe, highlighting the particularities of French training.

Materials And Methods: A 23-question electronic questionnaire was sent to interns applying for the EBO examination from 2018 to 2022. Responses from French participants were specifically collected and analyzed.

Cataract surgical training: Analysis of the results of the European Board of Ophthalmology survey in the Swiss cohort.

Introduction: This study, part of a series, analyses the Swiss cohort from an EBO survey on cataract surgery training in Europe, focusing on Switzerland's unique program. The survey identifies two models: training all residents in surgery, and a "high-volume surgeon" model where only some learn CS post-residency.

Methods: This study analyses the survey results of Swiss participants in the EBO examinations (2018-2022) and compared them with the most important cohorts (Germany, France and Spain).

Anatomic Outcomes With Faricimab vs. Aflibercept in the Head-to-Head Dosing Phase of the TENAYA/LUCERNE Trials in Neovascular AMD.

Purpose: To compare early anatomic outcomes following treatment with faricimab vs. aflibercept in a pooled analysis of the head-to-head dosing phase of the TENAYA/LUCERNE trials in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Design: TENAYA/LUCERNE (NCT03823287/NCT03823300) were identical, randomized, double-masked, active comparator-controlled phase 3 noninferiority trials.

Comparison of Refractive Outcomes After Phacoemulsification and Combined 25-Gauge Phacovitrectomy with Implantation of Plate-Haptic Toric Intraocular Lenses.

: To compare intraocular lens (IOL) position and refractive outcomes between eyes that underwent sole phacoemulsification with those that underwent combined 25-gauge phacovitrectomy with a plate-haptic toric IOL implantation. : This retrospective study included 60 eyes of 60 patients. Of these, 30 eyes underwent 25-gauge phacovitrectomy, while the other 30 eyes received phacoemulsification alone.

Corneal Epithelial Wavefront Error as a Novel Diagnostic Marker for Epithelial Basement Membrane Dystrophy.

Corneal epithelial wavefront error and epithelial thickness variance qualify as highly sensitive and specific biomarkers for epithelial basement membrane dystrophy (EBMD). The biomarkers show a normalization after treatment of EBMD with phototherapeutic keratectomy. To gauge the diagnostic value of epithelial basement membrane dystrophy (EBMD), a novel spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT)-based imaging modality for simultaneous morphological (thickness profile) and refractive (optical wavefront) assessment of the corneal epithelial layer in one of the most common but often underdiagnosed corneal dystrophies.

Hepatocyte Growth Factor Modulates Corneal Endothelial Wound Healing In Vitro.

In this study, we assessed the impact of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on corneal endothelial cells (CECs), finding that HGF concentrations of 100-250 ng/mL significantly increased CEC proliferation by 30%, migration by 32% and improved survival under oxidative stress by 28% compared to untreated controls ( < 0.05). The primary objective was to identify non-fibrotic pharmacological strategies to enhance corneal endothelial regeneration, addressing a critical need in conditions like Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy (FED), where donor tissue is scarce.

Galectin-1 Attenuates PDGF-Mediated AKT Signaling in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells.

Galectins have the potential to interact with transmembrane glycoproteins to modulate their functions. Since galectin-1 interacts with PDGF-Rβ, we analyzed the effect of galectin-1 on PDGF-BB-mediated AKT signaling in primary human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and galectin-1-deficient immortalized human RPE cells (LGALS1/ARPE-19) following incubation with PDGF-BB and galectin-1. Expression and localization of galectin-1, PDGF-Rβ and pAKT were investigated using western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining.

Morphological and Clinical Characterization of Foveal Bulge Sign Three Years After Retinal Detachment Repair: A Longitudinal Prospective Evaluation.

Purpose: To evaluate optical-coherence-tomography (OCT)-morphological and clinical parameters three years after primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair surgery and the role of postoperative foveal bulge sign.

Methods: Of the 32 initially enrolled patients with primary RRD 20 (14 fovea-on, 6 fovea-off) completed this prospective study. Preoperatively and 3 years after surgery best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and OCT including macula status, central retinal thickness (CRT), central choroidal thickness (CCT), thickness of each single retinal layer, integrity of cone-interdigitation-zone (CIZ) and ellipsoid zone (EZ), and presence of foveal bulge were evaluated.

EVA NEXUS-Phaco performance study.

Aim: To investigate a novel phacoemulsification system "EVA NEXUS" (D.O.R.

[Enucleations, eviscerations and orbital implants in German eye hospitals].

Background: Evaluation of the number of enucleations and eviscerations performed in Germany and the orbital implants used.

Method: Analysis of the quality reports of German ophthalmological clinics for the years 2012-2021 provided by the Federal Joint Committee (Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss, G‑BA).

Results: Almost 10 times as many enucleations (8368) as eviscerations (975) are performed in Germany.

Evaluation of OCT biomarker changes in treatment-naive neovascular AMD using a deep semantic segmentation algorithm.

Objectives: To determine real-life quantitative changes in OCT biomarkers in a large set of treatment naive patients in a real-life setting undergoing anti-VEGF therapy. For this purpose, we devised a novel deep learning based semantic segmentation algorithm providing the first benchmark results for automatic segmentation of 11 OCT features including biomarkers for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Methods: Training of a Deep U-net based semantic segmentation ensemble algorithm for state-of-the-art semantic segmentation performance which was used to analyze OCT features prior to, after 3 and 12 months of anti-VEGF therapy.

Epithelial Remodeling and Epithelial Wavefront Aberrometry after Spherical vs. Cylindrical Myopic Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE).

: To compare the epithelial thickness changes and the changes in epithelial wavefront aberrometry following spherical versus astigmatic myopic small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). : Eighty-six eyes of 86 patients who underwent SMILE were included in this retrospective study. A total of 43 eyes underwent myopic spherical correction (spherical group) and 43 eyes underwent myopic cylindrical correction (cylindrical group).

Enhancing ectasia screening using advanced AS-OCT: a case series of challenging refractive candidates.

Purpose: Ectasia screening in candidates for laser refractive surgery is mandatory during preoperative evaluation. Despite the availability of modern imaging techniques, refractive surgeons often face borderline decisions when patients present with suspicious tomographic findings. This case series presents refractive candidates with suspicious tomographic findings and demonstrates how to interpret them using Scheimpflug imaging and additional anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).

Training in cataract surgery in Spain: analysis of the results of a survey of the European Board of Ophthalmology in a Spanish cohort.

Introduction: A survey conducted by the European Board of Ophthalmology (EBO) revealed significant differences in the surgical training of the ophthalmology residents in Europe, including a disparity between the sexes and a variation in the experience on cataract surgery (CC) between them. This study is about the Spanish sub-cohort of the survey, and its objective is to present and analyse the peculiarities of ophthalmology training in Spain within the European context, as well as discussing ways to harmonise and improve that training throughout the EU.

Methods: We analyse data of the Spanish participants in the EBO exams, defining subgroups by the Autonomous Communities existing in Spain.

[Lamellar macular holes-In the center of vitreomacular interface diseases : Pathophysiology, spontaneous courses and treatment concepts].

Background: A lamellar macular hole (LMH) is characterized by a distinct morphologic configuration and can be distinguished from related entities such as macular pseudohole (MPH) and epiretinal membrane with foveoschisis (ERM-FS) by clear morphologic features.

Purpose: Based on current knowledge, the pathophysiologic function of LMH in the spectrum of vitreomacular interface diseases will be described and therapeutic concepts will be presented.

Methods: Current studies are supplemented by case reports to provide a schematic overview of the natural history and therapeutic concepts at the vitreomacular interface.

Tumor Control Probability and Time-Dose-Response Modeling for Stereotactic Radiosurgery of Uveal Melanoma.

Purpose: Uveal melanoma (UM), although a rare malignancy, stands as the most prevalent intraocular malignancy in adults. Controversies persist regarding the dose dependency of local control (LC) through radiation therapy. This study sought to elucidate the significance of the prescription dose by employing time-dose-response models for patients with UM receiving photon-based stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).

[Epiretinal membrane: diagnostics, indications and surgical treatment].

An epiretinal membrane (ERM) is a frequently occurring disease affecting the macula, which can be associated with visual impairment and metamorphopsia, depending on the severity and location. A distinction is made between an idiopathic form caused by age-related changes of the vitreous body and a secondary form associated with diseases of the posterior segment. The development of fibrocellular epiretinal membranes formed by dedifferentiation of intraretinal and extraretinal cells at the level of the vitreomacular interface plays a major role in the pathogenesis.