ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The dramatic increase in need for anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) intravitreal therapy in the treatment of retinal disease and the absence of an equivalent increase in ophthalmologists to undertake such intravitreal injections created a patient-safety risk. Timing of intravitreal therapy (IVT) is critical to prevent vision loss and local clinics lacked capacity to treat patients appropriately. We aimed to improve capacity for IVT by nurse injections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multidisciplinary prospective service-improvement process was undertaken at two adjacent general hospitals in the northwest of England. IVT injections by nurses were a principal component of solution development. After we had obtained appropriate institutional approval, experienced ophthalmic nurses were trained, supervised, and assessed to undertake IVT. Ophthalmologists directly supervised the first 200 injections, and a retina specialist was always on site. RESULTS: Nurses undertook 3,355 intravitreal injections between June 2012 and November 2013, with minor adverse events (0.3% subconjunctival hemorrhage and corneal abrasion). There were no patient complaints at either hospital. CONCLUSION: Experienced ophthalmic nurses quickly learned how to perform such injections safely. IVT by nurses was well accepted by patients and staff. Hospital A trained three nurses sequentially for improved flexibility in scheduling. Novel use of appropriately trained non-medical staff can improve efficiency and access in an overburdened service with time-sensitive disease. Retinal assessment was undertaken by ophthalmologists only. Improved access to IVT is important, as treatment with anti-VEGF therapy reduces blindness at population levels.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cataract extraction is the most commonly performed surgery in the National Health Service. Myopia increases the risk of postoperative rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and rate of RRD seven years after cataract extraction in highly myopic eyes. METHODS: Retrospective review was performed of notes of all high myopes (axial length 26.0 mm or more) who underwent cataract extraction during the study period in one centre. RESULTS: 84 eyes met the study criteria. Follow-up time from surgery was 93 to 147 months (median 127 months). The average axial length was 28.72 mm (sd 1.37). Two eyes developed post-operative RRD; the incidence was 2.4% and the rate one RRD per 441.6 person-years. The results of 15 other studies on the incidence of RRD after cataract extraction in high myopia were pooled and combined with our estimate. CONCLUSION: Both patients in our study who developed RRD had risk factors for this complication as well as high myopia. Risk factors are discussed in the light of our results and the pooled estimate. Our follow-up time is longer than most. Future case series should calculate rates to allow meaningful comparison of case series.