Scleritis and episcleritis in patients with idiopathic small fiber neuropathy.

Purpose: To report the prevalence of scleritis and episcleritis in patients with idiopathic small fiber neuropathy (SFN).

Methods: The Mass General Brigham (MGB) hospital database was queried for patients with SFN, scleritis and episcleritis using diagnostic codes and natural language processing. Electronic medical chart review of patients diagnosed with SFN and episcleritis/scleritis who had at least one ophthalmology visit was conducted.

Mobile Apps and Visual Function Assessment: A Comprehensive Review of the Latest Advancements.

Introduction: With technological advancements and the growing prevalence of smartphones, ophthalmology has opportunely harnessed medical technology for visual function assessment as a home monitoring tool for patients. Ophthalmology applications that offer these have likewise become more readily available in recent years, which may be used for early detection and monitoring of eye conditions. To date, no review has been done to evaluate and compare the utility of these apps.

Circular Perivascular Autofluorescence Pattern in Patients With Autoimmune Retinopathy.

To report the characteristics and prevalence of a previously undescribed circular perivascular fundus autofluorescence (FAF) pattern in paraneoplastic and nonparaneoplastic autoimmune retinopathy. This retrospective case series used clinical and imaging data extracted from charts of patients with autoimmune retinopathy in whom FAF imaging was performed from the initial presentation to the last visit. Six of 25 patients with autoimmune retinopathy and FAF imaging developed circular perivascular FAF changes.

A practical model for effective eye care delivery in Southeast Asian rural communities: A proposal built based on experts' recommendations.

Purpose: To evaluate rural community-based eye care models from the perspective of community ophthalmology experts and suggest sustainable technological solutions for enhancing rural eye care delivery.

Methods: A semi-structured descriptive survey, using close-ended and open-ended questions, was administered to the experts in community ophthalmology sourced through purposive sampling. The survey was self-administered and was facilitated through online platforms or in-person meetings.

Chatbots Vs. Human Experts: Evaluating Diagnostic Performance of Chatbots in Uveitis and the Perspectives on AI Adoption in Ophthalmology.

Purpose: To assess the diagnostic performance of two chatbots, ChatGPT and Glass, in uveitis diagnosis compared to renowned uveitis specialists, and evaluate clinicians' perception about utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) in ophthalmology practice.

Methods: Six cases were presented to uveitis experts, ChatGPT (version 3.5 and 4.

Psychosocial Well-Being and Quality of Life in Uveitis: A Review.

Purpose: As a potentially sight-threatening disease with ocular, systemic, and treatment-related complications, uveitis diminishes quality of life (QOL) and affects psychosocial well-being. This review summarizes the existing tools for evaluating psychosocial well-being and/or QOL in patients with uveitis, explores the biological and non-biological factors affecting psychosocial well-being and/or QOL, and proposes future directions for incorporating these tools into clinical practice.

Methods: A systematic search of the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases from inception to June 8, 2022 was conducted, screening for articles focused on psychosocial well-being and/or QOL in patients with uveitis.

Improving Access to Eye Care in Rural Communities: PocDoc's Web-Based Visual Acuity Screening Tool.

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Methods of ex vivo analysis of tissue status in vascularized composite allografts.

Vascularized composite allotransplantation can improve quality of life and restore functionality. However, the complex tissue composition of vascularized composite allografts (VCAs) presents unique clinical challenges that increase the likelihood of transplant rejection. Under prolonged static cold storage, highly damage-susceptible tissues such as muscle and nerve undergo irreversible degradation that may render allografts non-functional.

Successful treatment of idiopathic retinal vasculitis with rituximab in two patients.

Purpose: To describe results of treatment of idiopathic retinal vasculitis with intravenous rituximab.

Observations: We present two patients with idiopathic retinal vasculitis who required steroid-sparing therapy and achieved steroid-free remission with intravenous rituximab. Rituximab was used as a first-line steroid-sparing agent after steroids in one patient and as a second-line steroid-sparing agent in the other patient.

Real-Time Monitoring Using Multiplexed Multi-Electrode Bioelectrical Impedance Spectroscopy for the Stratification of Vascularized Composite Allografts: A Perspective on Predictive Analytics.

Vascularized composite allotransplantation addresses injuries to complex anatomical structures such as the face, hand, and abdominal wall. Prolonged static cold storage of vascularized composite allografts (VCA) incurs damage and imposes transportation limits to their viability and availability. Tissue ischemia, the major clinical indication, is strongly correlated with negative transplantation outcomes.

An All-in-One Highly Multiplexed Diagnostic Assay for Rapid, Sensitive, and Comprehensive Detection of Intraocular Pathogens.

Purpose: Intraocular infections are sight-threatening conditions that can lead to vision loss. Rapid identification of the etiologies plays a key role in early initiation of effective therapy to save vision. However, current diagnostic modalities are time consuming and lack sensitivity and inclusiveness.

Minimizing cotton ball retention in neurological procedures.

Neurosurgical operations are long and intensive medical procedures, during which the surgeon must constantly have an unobscured view of the brain in order to be able to properly operate, and thus must use a variety of tools to clear obstructions (like blood and fluid) from the operating area. Currently, cotton balls are the most versatile and effective option to accomplish this as they absorb fluids, are soft enough to safely manipulate the brain, act as a barrier between other tools and the brain, and function as a spacer to keep anatomies of the brain open and visible during the operation. While cotton balls allow neurosurgeons to effectively improve visibility of the operating area, they may also be accidentally left in the brain upon completion of the surgery.

Minimizing cotton retention in neurosurgical procedures: which imaging modality can help?

Cotton balls are used in neurosurgical procedures to assist with hemostasis and improve vision within the operative field. Although the surgeon can reshape pieces of cotton for multiple intraoperative uses, this customizability and scale also places them at perpetual risk of being lost, as blood-soaked cotton balls are visually similar to raw brain tissue. Retained surgical cotton can induce potentially life-threatening immunologic responses, impair postoperative imaging, lead to a textiloma or misdiagnosis, and/or require reoperation.