Pars plana vitrectomy and scleral-fixated intraocular lenses: comparison of Gore-Tex suture and flanged intrascleral haptic fixation techniques.

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical outcomes of combined pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and secondary scleral fixation of an intraocular lens (IOL) using Gore-Tex suture versus flanged intrascleral haptic fixation (FIHF) using double needles. DESIGN: Single-centre retrospective cohort series. PARTICIPANTS: Eyes undergoing PPV with simultaneous scleral fixation of an IOL. METHOD: Eyes that underwent fixation of a Bausch & Lomb Akreos AO60 or enVista MX60E IOL using Gore-Tex suture or a Tecnis ZA9003 or Zeiss CT LUCIA 602 IOL using FIHF were included. The primary outcome was change from baseline visual acuity to postoperative month 3. Secondary outcomes included deviation from refractive target aim and rates of postoperative complications. RESULTS: Seventy-nine eyes of 72 patients were included. Mean (±SD) follow-up was 16 ± 10.5 months (range, 4.5-45.2 months). Fifty-three eyes (67.1%) underwent Gore-Tex suture fixation, and 26 eyes (32.9%) underwent FIHF. Across all eyes, mean visual acuity improved from 1.30 ± 0.74 logMAR (20/399 Snellen equivalent) preoperatively to 0.36 ± 0.36 logMAR (20/45 Snellen equivalent) at 3 months (p < 0.001). No difference in visual acuity at month 3 was noted between the 2 techniques (p = 0.34). Mean deviation from refractive target aim was not significantly different between the Gore-Tex and FIHF groups (+0.14 ± 1.33 D vs -0.16 ± 0.88 D; p = 0.45). Reoperation rates were similar between groups (2 of 53 eyes in the Gore-Tex group vs 3 of 26 eyes in the FIHF group; p = 0.32). CONCLUSION: Combined PPV and scleral fixation of IOLs with Gore-Tex suture and FIHF resulted in similar improvements in visual acuity. No significant differences in refractive outcome and postoperative complication profiles were noted.

Virtual versus In-Person Ophthalmology Interviews: Perceptions of U.S. Ophthalmology Fellowship Applicants in 2022-2023.

Purpose Despite easing restrictions on social distancing and travel since the beginning of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, virtual interviews remain a widely used format for ophthalmology fellowship interviews. This study aims to evaluate the relative benefits and drawbacks of in-person versus virtual interviews during a cycle where both formats were prevalent. Methods A prospective cross-sectional study surveyed all fellowship applicants ( N = 311) who applied to Wills Eye Hospital and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute during the 2022 to 2023 application cycle. Results A total of 59 (19%) applicants responded to the survey, with the majority being male (53.0%) and between the ages of 20 and 35 (91.3%). There was no statistically significant difference between the number of virtual and in-person interviews attended or the total number of interviews attended. The highest ranked limitations of the virtual interview process were limited exposure to details of the program structure, limited opportunity to exhibit applicants' strengths to the program, and limited exposure to the fellows. The highest ranked strengths were less pressure during interviews, greater scheduling flexibility, and ability to interview at more fellowship programs. The highest ranked limitations of the in-person interview process were more pressure during interviews, inability to interview at all desired fellowship programs, and decreased scheduling flexibility. The highest ranked strengths based on median rankings were greater exposure to details of the program structure, greater ability to exhibit an applicant's strengths to the program, and greater exposure to the geographic location/city. Conclusion While both in-person and virtual interviews have their own benefits and limitations, virtual interviews appear to be more cost-effective and time-efficient while in-person interviews provide better opportunities to assess program fit and culture. A hybrid format that combines the ideal aspects of both formats may be an optimal solution.

Virtual Ophthalmology Fellowship Interviews: Perceptions of U.S. Ophthalmology Fellowship Applicants in 2020.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the experiences and preferences of ophthalmology fellowship applicants utilizing a virtual interview format. Design Present study is a cross-sectional study. Subjects All fellowship applicants to Wills Eye Hospital during 2020 to 2021 application cycle were included. Methods A nonvalidated, online survey was conducted, and surveys were distributed at the conclusion of the interview process after rank list submission. Main Outcome Measures Applicant demographics, application submissions, interview experiences, financial considerations, and suggestions for improvement of the virtual interview process were the primary outcomes of this cross-sectional study. Results Survey responses were received from 68 fellowship applicants (34% response rate). Thirty (44%) applicants preferred in-person interviews, 25 (36%) preferred virtual interviews, and 13 (19%) would like to prefer the option to choose either. Fifty-five of 68 (80%) applicants attended the same range of interviews for which they received interview invitations. Reduced costs were reported as the highest ranked strength of virtual interviews in 44 (65%) applicants, with a majority of respondents (68%) spending less than U.S. $250 throughout the entire process. The highest ranked limitation for virtual interviews was limited exposure to the culture/environment of the program in 20 (29%) respondents. On a scale of 0 to 100, the mean (standard deviation [SD]) satisfaction level with the fellowship application process was 74.6 (18.3) and mean (SD) perceived effectiveness levels of virtual interviews was 67.4 (20.4). Conclusion Respondents were generally satisfied with virtual interviews and noted reduced costs and increased ability to attend more fellowship interviews as the strengths of the virtual interview format. Limited exposure to the culture/environment of the program was cited as the most important limitation.

Usefulness of Structured Video Indirect Ophthalmoscope-Guided Education in Improving Resident Ophthalmologist Confidence and Ability.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of the video indirect ophthalmoscope (VIO) to improve resident ophthalmologist skill with indirect ophthalmoscopy (IO) and scleral depression (SD). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-arm interventional study. PARTICIPANTS: Ten ophthalmology residents were enrolled in an educational program using the Heine Video Omega 2C VIO (Heine USA Ltd, Dover, NH) and served as the study group. Ten other experience-matched ophthalmology residents functioned as the control group. METHODS: At baseline, all study and control residents completed surveys assessing their subjective comfort and skill with IO. Each resident also completed a standardized full IO examination with SD that was recorded using the VIO. Each resident in the study group received 3 monthly 1-hour teaching sessions using the VIO. Surveys and recorded standardized examinations were repeated for all residents after the 3-month period. Both baseline and final examination videos were graded using a standardized grading scale by 3 independent retina faculty members masked to the identities of the residents and timing of the examination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Improved visualization of the peripheral retina (ora serrata) as evaluated by masked graders was the primary outcome measure. Improved examination efficiency grade was the secondary outcome measure. RESULTS: Both the study group and the control group had significant improvement in ability to examine the peripheral retina and ora serrata compared with baseline (P = 0.02 and P = 0.03, respectively). The study group also showed significantly improved examination efficiency compared with baseline, which was not noted in the control group (P = 0.01 and P = 0.53, respectively). The study group self-reported significantly improved confidence in the ability to identify retinal tears, whereas the control group did not (P = 0.003 and P = 0.08, respectively). Study group participants also reported significantly improved ability to recognize retinal holes (P = 0.003), subretinal fluid (P = 0.02), and vitreoretinal tufts (P = 0.02), whereas the control group did not. CONCLUSIONS: This novel educational study suggests that VIO as part of a structured teaching program may improve resident ophthalmologist confidence and ability with identifying retinal pathologic features using IO with SD.