[THE CHALLENGE OF DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT IN PEDIATRIC RETINAL DETACHMENT].

INTRODUCTION: Retinal detachment is visually impairing in children and adults. The treatment for retinal detachment is challenging, especially in children. There are many etiologies for retinal detachment such as retinal detachment due to retinal tear (rhegmatogenous), tractional retinal detachment and exudative detachment. It is crucial to understand retinal detachment etiology in the pediatric population as it affects treatment decisions. After the diagnosis of retinal detachment in a child, and its etiology, a long process of surgical treatment and recovery begins. The process may include more than one surgery, and therefore close follow-up is very important. Even with anatomic success, functional results are worse with children. The purpose of this article is to review the common etiologies for retinal detachment in children and present case studies that were treated in our department.

Safety and Efficacy of Repeated Corneal Collagen Crosslinking in Progressive Keratoconus.

PURPOSE: Keratoconus is a progressive visually impairing disorder. Despite the beneficial effects of epithelial off-crosslinking (CXL) on the stabilization of keratoconus, progression may still occur. We report the efficacy and safety of a repeated CXL for significant progression of keratoconus after a single CXL procedure. METHODS: This retrospective study includes patients diagnosed with progressive keratoconus who were previously treated with CXL and underwent repeated CXL. Demographic, clinical, and surgical data were retrieved and analyzed. RESULTS: Ten consecutive eyes of nine patients who developed progressive keratoconus after CXL were identified. The mean age at diagnosis of keratoconus was 20.2 ± 6.0 years. The post-repeated CXL follow-up period was 2.1 ± 1.3 years. The mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) remained stable throughout the follow-up period. The mean Kmax at baseline was 60.4 ± 3.6 D. Before the repeated CXL, Kmax progressed significantly ( P = 0.018) and was 62.2 ± 6.3 D, and at the last follow-up, the value decreased significantly ( P = 0.037) and was 60.3 ± 6.4 D. The mean minimal pachymetry was 464.0 ± 27.0 µ at base line. Before the repeated CXL, minimal pachymetry was significantly lower ( P = 0.018), and after the repeated CXL, the minimal pachymetry was stable ( P = 0.2). No intra- or postoperative complications were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated CXL is a safe and effective treatment option when failure of the initial CXL is diagnosed, even in young patients. This procedure may prevent visual deterioration and a potential need for keratoplasty.

The Effect of Bariatric Surgery upon Diabetes Mellitus: A Proof of Concept by Using the Case of the Mid-Term Effect of Lap Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB) on Patients with Diabetes.

Obesity is a worldwide epidemic, with numbers on the rise in the world. Obesity is strongly correlated with increased morbidity and mortality. One of the major factors affecting this increase is comorbid diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM), which is strongly associated with and dependent on the degree of obesity. Thus, it is not surprising that when efficient surgical treatments were found to battle obesity, researchers soon found them to be relevant and effective for battling DM as well. Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB) is a common surgical treatment for morbid obesity. LAGB has the potential to improve control of the comorbidities of morbid obesity, primarily diabetes mellitus (DM). Our hypothesis was that patients treated with LAGB would have a long-term improvement in the control of DM and that due to its unique mechanism of action, this can lend us a better understanding of how to battle diabetes in an efficient and effective way. This was a cohort study based on patients who underwent LAGB surgery in our institution 4 to 7 years previously and had DM type 2 at the time of surgery. Data were collected from patient's charts and a telephone interview-based questionnaire including demographics, health status, and quality-of-life assessment (Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System [BAROS]). Seventy patients participated in the current study. The average follow-up time was 5.1 ± 0.9 years post-surgery. The average weight prior to surgery was 122.0 ± 20.2 kg, and on the day of the interview it was 87.0 ± 17.6 kg (p < 0.001). The average body mass index before surgery was 43.8 ± 5.1, and on the day of the interview it was 31.2 ± 4.8 (p < 0.001). On the day of the interview, 47.1% of the participants were cured of DM (not receiving treatment, whether dietary or pharmacologic). The sum of ranks for diabetes was lower after the surgery (p < 0.001), as was HTN and its treatment (p < 0.001). We have shown in this study that LAGB is an effective treatment for morbid obesity, as well as two comorbidities that come with it­DM type 2 and Hypertension (HTN)­in a longer period than previously shown, and with a unique look at the underlying mechanism of action of this procedure. There is a need for further studies to consolidate our findings and characterize which patients are more prone to enjoy these remarkable surgical benefits.

Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors for the treatment of astrocytic hamartoma in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).

PURPOSE: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an inherited neurocutaneous disorder. Fifty percent of patients with TSC will develop retinal astrocytic hamartoma (RAH). The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors interferes with the pathological mechanisms of TSC. Treatment of RAH with mTOR inhibitors has been described in only a few isolated case reports. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of mTOR inhibitors on RAH in a small cohort of patients. METHODS: The medical records of all consecutive patients with ocular manifestations of TSC that were treated with mTOR inhibitors at the Sheba Medical Center from January 2014 to December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Data collection included demographics, medical history, ocular presentation, ocular treatment, and treatment outcome. Tumor size was assessed by a masked observer, before and after treatment. Lesion measurements were made with Heidelberg SD-OCT (HRA + OCT SPECTRALIS), and fundus photos were taken with RetCam3® (Natus, USA) and analyzed by "ImageJ" software. RESULTS: Eleven patients with tuberous sclerosis and astrocytic hamartoma were treated with mTOR inhibitors in the study period. Of them, 6 children (11 eyes, 20 tumors) had proper imaging of tumor size before and after treatment. The analysis included these 11 eyes. All six patients had non-ocular manifestations of TSC, including dermatologic (n = 5), neurologic (n = 5), and renal (n = 3) involvement. Ocular involvement included in five eyes (45%) tumors near the optic disc and in four eyes (37%) foveal tumors. The mean follow-up duration was 2.15 ± 1.4 years (range 10 months to 4.5 years). The average tumor base reduction in the treated group was 17.8% ± 15.9. The average maximal thickness at baseline was 414 ± 174 µm (range 152-686 µm). There was a 14% ± 7.1 reduction after treatment. None of the tumors showed evidence of growth at the final follow-up. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that mTOR inhibitors can reduce tumor size and that they can be considered as an optional treatment in certain conditions. This preliminary report is the first to quantitatively assess pre- and posttreatment tumor size, in young patients.

Ophthalmologists and WhatsApp: Teleophthalmology is already here.

PURPOSE: To estimate the extent of WhatsApp utilization using text and media messages for inter-physician consultations among ophthalmologists (residents and specialists) at various clinical settings and its perceived benefits for ophthalmologists and their patients. We also aimed to detect obstacles that concern ophthalmologists when using WhatsApp as a consultation platform. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study using a self-administered survey through Google Forms, which was sent to 660 practicing ophthalmologists during April to May 2020. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-two ophthalmologists completed the questionnaire, 151 of which (78.6%) were specialists and 41 (21.4%) were residents. Most ophthalmologists reported using WhatsApp at least once a day for both personal and professional use. Residents reported lower rates of contacting patients using WhatsApp than specialists (1.51 ± 0.98 vs 2.72 ± 1.32, p < 0.001). Respondents reported WhatsApp consultations frequently replaced referrals of patients to other physicians, with a median of once a week. 97.8% of residents and 91.4% of specialists reported the ability to share media is a major advantage of WhatsApp over other medias, followed by rapid responses for consultations. CONCLUSION: Many ophthalmologists already use WhatsApp as a tool for professional consultations with other providers, mainly thanks to its simplicity and wide availability. Residents use it more frequently than specialists, and ranked it higher when asked how much WhatsApp has improved the clinical setting. Policy makers should address concerns brought up by physicians, such as documentation in medical records and proper compensation for consulting ophthalmologists during and after work hours.

A novel EyePhone© App for improving adherence to glaucoma therapy.

PURPOSE: Despite advances in glaucoma treatment options, patient adherence and compliance remain very low. The EyePhone© App is a free non-commercial reminder application designed specifically for the needs of glaucoma patients. In this study, we evaluated its usefulness in improving adherence to medical treatment among glaucoma patients. METHODS: This is a prospective multicenter interventional study. Glaucoma patients were recruited from a tertiary center and a large community glaucoma service center. After a short explanation, the EyePhone© App was installed on their smartphone device, and the notifications for the current medical treatment were entered. After enrollment and at 1-month follow-up, subjects completed the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) and the Quality of Life and Glaucoma 17-item (GlauQOL-17) questionnaires for evaluation of adherence and QOL, respectively. RESULTS: In the study, 133 patients (71 men and 62 women) aged 62±15.5 years and using 2.0±0.9 IOP-lowering drugs participated. The proportion of highly adherent subjects improved from 29.3% (39/133) at baseline to 42.1% (56/133) at follow-up (P < 0.001), and the proportion of poorly adherent subjects decreased from 29.3 (39/133) to 20.3% (27/133) at follow-up (P = 0.012). QOL also improved, as evidenced by a significant increase in the GlauQOL-17 score (P < 0.05). In a subgroup of patients for whom IOP measurements were available, IOP reduced by 0.92 mmHg (P = 0.069). CONCLUSIONS: Significant improvements in glaucoma adherence and QOL were achieved among poorly adherent glaucoma patients after 1 month of using the EyePhone© App.

Chorio-retinal toxoplasmosis: treatment outcomes, lesion evolution and long-term follow-up in a single tertiary center.

BACKGROUND: Ocular toxoplasmosis is a common cause of ocular inflammation worldwide. The aim of this study is to characterize the clinical outcomes and lesion evolution of patients with ocular toxoplasmosis and to compare the primary and reactivation subgroups. METHODS: A retrospective population-based cohort study at one uveitis-specialized tertiary referral center. Patients presenting with active ocular toxoplasmosis between the years 2007-2016 were included. Primary ocular toxoplasmosis and reactivations were compared. RESULTS: Included were 22 patients, 64% female with a mean age of 29 ± 18 years, 59% (n = 13) were primary, 9% (n = 2) congenital and 32% (n = 7) reactivations. Visual acuity improved from 0.38 ± 0.44 to 0.20 ± 0.27 LogMAR (P = 0.026) after a mean of 37 ± 33 months. Initial lesion size was 2.38 ± 1.1 optic disc areas, reducing to 1.56 ± 1.24 following 2 months (34% reduction, P = 0.028) and to 1.17 ± 0.87 disc areas following one year (51% reduction, P = 0.012). Patients with macula-threatening lesions had worse visual acuity (0.50 ± 0.46 vs. 0.05 ± 0.07 LogMAR, P = 0.047). Primary and reactivation subgroups had similar presentations, visual outcomes and recurrence rates (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this population, primary ocular toxoplasmosis was the most common presentation. Lesion size reduced during the initial months with limited change thereafter and a third of cases recurred. Macula-threatening lesions were associated with worse visual acuity, and no significant differences were seen between the primary and reactivation subgroups.