Cost-effectiveness of virtual reality and wet laboratory cataract surgery simulation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of phacoemulsification simulation training in virtual reality simulator and wet laboratory on operating theater performance. METHODS: Residents were randomized to a combination of virtual reality and wet laboratory phacoemulsification or wet laboratory phacoemulsification. A reference control group consisted of trainees who had wet laboratory training without phacoemulsification. All trainees were assessed on operating theater performance in 3 sequential cataract patients. International Council of Ophthalmology Surgical Competency Assessment Rubric-phacoemulsification (ICO OSCAR phaco) scores by 2 masked independent graders and cost data were used to determine the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). A decision model was constructed to indicate the most cost-effective simulation training strategy based on the willingness to pay (WTP) per ICO OSCAR phaco score gained. RESULTS: Twenty-two trainees who performed phacoemulsification in 66 patients were analyzed. Trainees who had additional virtual reality simulation achieved higher mean ICO OSCAR phaco scores compared with trainees who had wet laboratory phacoemulsification and control (49.5 ± standard deviation [SD] 9.8 vs 39.0 ± 15.8 vs 32.5 ± 12.1, P < .001). Compared with the control group, ICER per ICO OSCAR phaco of wet laboratory phacoemulsification was $13,473 for capital cost and $2209 for recurring cost. Compared with wet laboratory phacoemulsification, ICER per ICO OSCAR phaco of additional virtual reality simulator training was US $23,778 for capital cost and $1879 for recurring cost. The threshold WTP values per ICO OSCAR phaco score for combined virtual reality simulator and wet laboratory phacoemulsification to be most cost-effective was $22,500 for capital cost and $1850 for recurring cost. CONCLUSIONS: Combining virtual reality simulator with wet laboratory phacoemulsification training is effective for skills transfer in the operating theater. Despite of the high capital cost of virtual reality simulator, its relatively low recurring cost is more favorable toward cost-effectiveness.

Ocular Surface Evaluation in Immunoglobulin G4-Related Ophthalmic Disease.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the functional and structural changes of the meibomian glands and ocular surface in immunoglobulin G4-related ophthalmic disease (IgG4-ROD) patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, matched case-control comparison study. METHODS: This study included 64 patients with biopsy-proven IgG4-ROD (aged 63.4 ± 12.2 years, 39 male) and 64 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Patients were managed by hospitals covering the publicly funded ophthalmology service in Hong Kong. Outcome measures included anterior segment examination and keratographic and meibographic imagings. RESULTS: A total of 64 worst-affected eyes of the 64 IgG4-ROD patients were analyzed. Corneal fluorescein staining (P = .0187), lid margin telangiectasia (P = .0360), lid-parallel conjunctival folds (P = .0112), papillae (P = .0393), meibomian gland plugging (P = .0001), meibomian gland expressibility (P = .0001), and meibum quality (P = .0001) were more significant in IgG4-ROD patients compared with healthy controls. Both upper and lower meibomian gland dropouts (P = .001 and .0003), and tear meniscus height (P = .0001) were higher in IgG4-ROD patients. Non-invasive tear break-up time (NITBUT) (P = .0166) and Schirmer test results (P = .0243) were lower in IgG4-ROD patients. Upper (r = 0.336, P = .0140) meibomian gland dropouts and NITBUT (r = -0.293, P = .0497) were positively and negatively correlated with the IgG4-ROD onset age, respectively. The number of extraocular organ involvement was negatively correlated with the Schirmer test(r = -0.341, P = .0167). Lower NITBUT was found in IgG4-ROD eyes with lacrimal gland enlargement than in IgG4-ROD eyes without lacrimal gland enlargement radiologically (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: IgG4-ROD patients showed features of both aqueous tear deficiency and evaporative dry eye disease. We recommend ocular surface evaluation to all patients newly diagnosed with IgG4-ROD. Further studies are warranted to clarify the mechanism of IgG4-related dry eye disease.

Effect of Low-Concentration Atropine Eyedrops vs Placebo on Myopia Incidence in Children: The LAMP2 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Early onset of myopia is associated with high myopia later in life, and myopia is irreversible once developed. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of low-concentration atropine eyedrops at 0.05% and 0.01% concentration for delaying the onset of myopia. Design, Setting, and Participants: This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked trial conducted at the Chinese University of Hong Kong Eye Centre enrolled 474 nonmyopic children aged 4 through 9 years with cycloplegic spherical equivalent between +1.00 D to 0.00 D and astigmatism less than -1.00 D. The first recruited participant started treatment on July 11, 2017, and the last participant was enrolled on June 4, 2020; the date of the final follow-up session was June 4, 2022. Interventions: Participants were assigned at random to the 0.05% atropine (n = 160), 0.01% atropine (n = 159), and placebo (n = 155) groups and had eyedrops applied once nightly in both eyes over 2 years. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcomes were the 2-year cumulative incidence rate of myopia (cycloplegic spherical equivalent of at least -0.50 D in either eye) and the percentage of participants with fast myopic shift (spherical equivalent myopic shift of at least 1.00 D). Results: Of the 474 randomized patients (mean age, 6.8 years; 50% female), 353 (74.5%) completed the trial. The 2-year cumulative incidence of myopia in the 0.05% atropine, 0.01% atropine, and placebo groups were 28.4% (33/116), 45.9% (56/122), and 53.0% (61/115), respectively, and the percentages of participants with fast myopic shift at 2 years were 25.0%, 45.1%, and 53.9%. Compared with the placebo group, the 0.05% atropine group had significantly lower 2-year cumulative myopia incidence (difference, 24.6% [95% CI, 12.0%-36.4%]) and percentage of patients with fast myopic shift (difference, 28.9% [95% CI, 16.5%-40.5%]). Compared with the 0.01% atropine group, the 0.05% atropine group had significantly lower 2-year cumulative myopia incidence (difference, 17.5% [95% CI, 5.2%-29.2%]) and percentage of patients with fast myopic shift (difference, 20.1% [95% CI, 8.0%-31.6%]). The 0.01% atropine and placebo groups were not significantly different in 2-year cumulative myopia incidence or percentage of patients with fast myopic shift. Photophobia was the most common adverse event and was reported by 12.9% of participants in the 0.05% atropine group, 18.9% in the 0.01% atropine group, and 12.2% in the placebo group in the second year. Conclusions and Relevance: Among children aged 4 to 9 years without myopia, nightly use of 0.05% atropine eyedrops compared with placebo resulted in a significantly lower incidence of myopia and lower percentage of participants with fast myopic shift at 2 years. There was no significant difference between 0.01% atropine and placebo. Further research is needed to replicate the findings, to understand whether this represents a delay or prevention of myopia, and to assess longer-term safety. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-IPR-15006883.

Malignancies in Immunoglobulin G4-related ophthalmic disease.

PURPOSE: Clinical phenotypes in Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) according to the patterns of affecting organs have different risks of malignancies. We attempt to determine the association of malignancies with IgG4-related ophthalmic disease (IgG4-ROD). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Review of medical records, orbital images and histopathology reports in a territory-wide cohort of biopsy proven IgG4-ROD patients from 2005-2019. FINDINGS: Among 122 patients who had biopsies taken from adnexal lesions including lacrimal glands (n = 108), orbital mass (n = 30), infiltrated orbital fat (n = 10), conjunctiva (n = 2) or extraocular muscles (n = 3), 13% (16/122) developed malignancies over 73 ± 48months' follow-up. There were 9 cases of ocular adnexal lymphoma (OAL) and 7 extra-orbital malignancies. Compared with the general population, the incidence of OAL was significantly higher (standardized incidence ratios, SIRs = 10.0, 95%CI = 4.5-17.6) while that of extra-orbital malignancies was similar. The SIRs was highest within the first year (SIR = 46.7, 95%CI = 18.5-87.6) when 7 OAL were concomitantly diagnosed. Patients who developed OAL or extra-orbital malignancies were older than other patients at IgG4-ROD diagnosis (64.9 ± 7.1, 68.3 ± 8.5 versus 55.2 ± 15.0 years, P < 0.05). Asymmetric lacrimal gland enlargement (78% versus 13%), lack of frontal (0% versus 12%) or infraorbital nerve enlargement (0% versus 36%) were associated with OAL (all P < 0.05). Pre-treatment serum IgG4 level or extra-orbital IgG4-RD involvement was similar among patients with or without malignancies. CONCLUSION: In this biopsy-proven IgG4-ROD cohort, 7% developed OAL which was 10 times higher than the general population. Patients with asymmetric lacrimal gland enlargement or without trigeminal nerves involvement radiologically were associated with OAL.

Surgical outcomes of orbital evisceration with primary orbital implant placement in patients with endophthalmitis.

OBJECTIVES: This study reports the surgical outcomes of evisceration with primary orbital implant placement in patients with endophthalmitis and analyses the association with implant exposure and extrusion. METHODS: A retrospective, multicentre, Chinese cohort study. Review of medical records and orbital images of patients who underwent evisceration with primary orbital implant placement between January 2005 and January 2021. RESULTS: Out of 79 patients who underwent orbital evisceration with primary orbital implant placement, 26 (26 eyes) of them (male = 13) suffered from endophthalmitis. The duration from endophthalmitis diagnosis (19 = exogenous, 7 = endogenous) to evisceration was 9 standard deviation ± 5 (range: 1-15) days. The follow-up was 70 ± 46 (24-180) months after operation. The orbital implant size was 17 ± 3 (14-20) mm, and silicone was the most used material (69%, 18/26 of patients). The most frequent post-operative complication was orbital implant exposure (42%, 11/26), followed by orbital implant extrusion (12% 3/26) and ptosis (8%, 2/26). Implant exposure or extrusion was more commonly associated with endophthalmitis in comparison to non-endophthalmitis patients that required evisceration and primary orbital implant placement (54% versus 17%, P < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed single scleral closure technique (100% versus 58%, P < 0.05) and endogenous endophthalmitis (50% versus 0%, P < 0.05) were associated with implant exposure or extrusion, and only endogenous endophthalmitis was significant with multivariate analysis (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Primary implant placement during evisceration should be avoided in eyes with endophthalmitis especially in those with an endogenous source, and double scleral closure technique may be a better alternative for primary orbital implant placement in infected eyes.

Single or double? A comparison of evisceration techniques.

PURPOSE: We compared the rates of implant exposure and extrusion after evisceration with single and double scleral closure techniques. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included all patients who underwent evisceration with an implant insertion over the past 18 years at Tung Wah Eastern Hospital and Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital. Clinical documents and operation records were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 81 ethnic Chinese patients (44 male) who underwent evisceration with primary implant insertion were reviewed. 39 (48%) patients underwent the double scleral closure technique with an implant placed posterior to the posterior sclera, and 42 (52%) patients underwent the single scleral closure technique with an implant inserted in the intra-scleral cavity. The follow-up interval was 70 months. The surgical indications were endophthalmitis (35%), painful blind eye (23%), traumatic disfigured globe (22%) and phthisis bulbi (20%). Silicone was the most used implant material (69%). The patients who underwent double scleral closure had a larger size of the implant (19.7 vs 17.9 mm, p < 0.05). Both implant exposure (26% vs 3%, p < 0.05) and implant extrusion (26% vs 0%, p < 0.05) were more common in patients who underwent single scleral. CONCLUSIONS: Double scleral closure technique allows a larger implant, and it is associated with a lower rate of implant exposure and extrusion. The double scleral closure technique is a superior technique of choice in these patients with primary implant placement.

Treatment outcomes and their determinants of IgG4-related ophthalmic disease: a territory-wide cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Oral corticosteroid remains the first-line treatment of IgG4-related ophthalmic disease, but steroid-dependence is common and serious. Factors associated with steroid dependence and relapse have to be further explored. STUDY POPULATION: A city-wide, biopsy-proven, Chinese cohort. METHODS: Retrospective, masked review of medical records, orbital images and histopathology reports. RESULTS: There were 101 patients with at least 24-month follow-up. Up to 82% (82/101) received oral corticosteroid as first-line treatments, and 7 of them received also concomitant steroid-sparing agents (SSA)/biological agents as primary treatment. There was 61% (50/82) of patients required long-term corticosteroid (alone=23, with SSA=27) after 1.9±0.7 (range 1-5) relapses. When compared with the 21% (17/82) of patients who tapered corticosteroid successfully for 24 months, steroid dependence was associated with elevated baseline serum IgG4 level (94% vs 65%, p<0.01) and Mikulicz syndrome (46% vs 18%, p<0.05). Up to 13% (11/82) of patients tolerated residual disease after tapering off corticosteroid. There was 17% (17/101) of patients did not require any medications after biopsies. They were more likely to have debulking surgeries (71% vs 40%, p<0.05), discrete orbital lesions (65% vs 26%, p<0.05), normal baseline serum IgG4 level (24% vs 6%, p<0.05) and no Mikulicz syndrome (94% vs 61%, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In this cohort, 60% of patients required long-term maintenance oral corticosteroid. Elevated pretreatment serum IgG4 level and Mikulicz syndrome were associated with steroid dependence. Debulking surgery is an alternative for a subgroup of patients with discrete orbital lesions, normal baseline IgG4 level and no Mikulicz syndrome.

Radiological Determinants of Complicated Immunoglobulin G4-Related Ophthalmic Disease: A Territory-Wide Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the presenting radiological features of immunoglobulin G4-related ophthalmic disease (IgG4-ROD) and their associations with IgG4-related optic neuropathy (IgG4-RON), and IgG4-related ocular adnexal lymphoma (IgG4-ROL). METHODS: A territory-wide, biopsy-proven, Chinese cohort. Masked review of orbital images, medical records, and histopathology reports. RESULTS: A total of 115 (94%) of the 122 patients in our cohort had preoperative orbital images (computed tomography=105, magnetic resonance imaging=40). Among them, 103/115 (90%) showed enlarged lacrimal glands, and 91 (88%) were bilateral. Nerve enlargement was observed: infraorbital in 31/115 (27%) patients and frontal in 17/115 (15%), 10 and 9 being bilateral, respectively. At least 1 or more extraocular muscle (EOM) enlargement was found in 41/115 (37%) patients, bilaterally in 20. Lateral rectus occurred in 30 (73%) of these 41 EOM patients and inferior rectus in 28 (68%). Two adjacent EOMs (inferior and lateral recti in 11 patients, inferior and medial recti in 7 patients) or multiple EOMs (at least 3) were enlarged in 23/41 (56%) and 13/41 (32%) of the patients, respectively. Intraconal lesions (67% vs 11%, P<0.05), infraorbital (83% vs 23%, P<0.005), or frontal (50% vs 15%, P<0.05) nerve enlargement was significantly associated with IgG4-RON (6 patients) by univariate analyses. Asymmetric lacrimal gland enlargement and discrete orbital mass (both P<0.05) were associated with IgG4-ROL (9 patients) by multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: In this IgG4-ROD cohort, most patients had bilateral enlarged lacrimal glands, and the lateral rectus is the most frequently involved EOM. For the first time, unique radiological patterns associated with the development of IgG4-RON and IgG4-ROL are found.

Three-Year Clinical Trial of Low-Concentration Atropine for Myopia Progression (LAMP) Study: Continued Versus Washout: Phase 3 Report.

PURPOSE: (1) To compare the efficacy of continued and stopping treatment for 0.05%, 0.025%, and 0.01% atropine during the third year. (2) To evaluate the efficacy of continued treatment over 3 years. (3) To investigate the rebound phenomenon and its determinants after cessation of treatment. DESIGN: A randomized, double-masked extended trial. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 350 of 438 children aged 4 to 12 years originally recruited into the Low-Concentration Atropine for Myopia Progression (LAMP) study. METHODS: At the beginning of the third year, children in each group were randomized at a 1:1 ratio to continued treatment and washout subgroups. Cycloplegic spherical equivalent (SE) refraction and axial length (AL) were measured at 4-month intervals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in SE and AL between groups. RESULTS: A total of 326 children completed 3 years of follow-up. During the third year, SE progression and AL elongation were faster in the washout subgroups than in the continued treatment groups across all concentrations: -0.68 ± 0.49 diopters (D) versus -0.28 ± 0.42 D (P < 0.001) and 0.33 ± 0.17 mm versus 0.17 ± 0.14 mm (P < 0.001) for the 0.05%; -0.57 ± 0.38 D versus -0.35 ± 0.37 D (P = 0.004) and 0.29 ± 0.14 mm versus 0.20 ± 0.15 mm (P = 0.001) for the 0.025%; -0.56 ± 0.40 D versus -0.38 ± 0.49 D (P = 0.04) and 0.29 ± 0.15 mm versus 0.24 ± 0.18 mm (P = 0.13) for the 0.01%. Over the 3-year period, SE progressions were -0.73 ± 1.04 D, -1.31 ± 0.92 D, and -1.60 ± 1.32 D (P = 0.001) for the 0.05%, 0.025%, and 0.01% groups in the continued treatment subgroups, respectively, and -1.15 ± 1.13 D, -1.47 ± 0.77 D, and -1.81 ± 1.10 D (P = 0.03), respectively, in the washout subgroup. The respective AL elongations were 0.50 ± 0.40 mm, 0.74 ± 0.41 mm, and 0.89 ± 0.53 mm (P < 0.001) for the continued treatment subgroups and 0.70 ± 0.47 mm, 0.82 ± 0.37 mm, and 0.98 ± 0.48 mm (P = 0.04) for the washout subgroup. The rebound SE progressions during washout were concentration dependent, but their differences were clinically small (P = 0.15). Older age and lower concentration were associated with smaller rebound effects in both SE progression (P < 0.001) and AL elongation (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: During the third year, continued atropine treatment achieved a better effect across all concentrations compared with the washout regimen. 0.05% atropine remained the optimal concentration over 3 years in Chinese children. The differences in rebound effects were clinically small across all 3 studied atropine concentrations. Stopping treatment at an older age and lower concentration are associated with a smaller rebound.

A Review of Tolerance and Safety Profiles of Long-Term Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A in Asian Patients with Hemifacial Spasm and Benign Essential Blepharospasm.

This article reports the tolerance and long-term safety profiles of botulinum neurotoxin type A among Asian patients with benign essential blepharospasm (BEB) and hemifacial spasm (HFS). We performed a retrospective review of clinical documents and procedure records of consecutive BEB and HFS patients receiving onabotulinum toxin A (Botox) treatment in our clinic over the past 20 years. We reviewed the information of 105 patients diagnosed with BEB (n = 31) and HFS (n = 74). All of the patients were Asian. The mean age of disease onset was 59 (range 37-80) years old for BEB and 61 (range 31-83) for HFS. The mean follow up was 84 (range 12-240) months and the mean number of sessions per patient was 19 (range 1-61). The botulinum toxin dose per session increased significantly in both BEB (16.5 versus 21.6 units, p < .05) and HFS (22.6 versus 26.9 units, p < .05) patients after a mean of 18 sessions; however, the onset time, effective duration and subjective treatment outcome were similar over time in both BEB and HFS patients. At least one local complication was reported among 26% and 41% of patients with BEB and HFS respectively, with ptosis (32%) being most frequent.

Prevalence of strabismus and its risk factors among school aged children: The Hong Kong Children Eye Study.

The study aims to determine the prevalence of strabismus and its risk factors among school children in Hong Kong. This is a cross-sectional study involving 6-8 year old children from different districts in Hong Kong. 4273 children received comprehensive ophthalmological examination, cycloplegic auto-refraction, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), anterior segment examination, cover/uncover test, ocular motility, and fundus examination. Demographic information, pre- and post- natal background, parental smoking status, and family history of strabismus were obtained through questionnaires. Strabismus was found among 133 children (3.11%, 95% CI 2.59-3.63%), including 117 (2.74%) exotropia and 12 (0.28%) esotropia cases (exotropia-esotropia ratio: 9.75:1). There was no significant difference in prevalence across age (6-8 years) and gender. Multivariate analysis revealed associations of strabismus with myopia (≤ - 1.00D; OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.03-2.52; P = 0.037) hyperopia (≥ + 2.00D; OR 2.49; 95% CI 1.42-4.39; P = 0.002), astigmatism (≥ + 2.00D; OR 2.32; 95% CI 1.36-3.94; P = 0.002), and anisometropia (≥ 2.00D; OR 3.21; 95% CI 1.36-7.55; P = 0.008). Other risk factors for strabismus included maternal smoking during pregnancy (OR 4.21; 95% CI 1.80-9.81; P = 0.001), family history of strabismus (OR 6.36; 95% CI 2.78-14.50, P < 0.0001) and advanced maternal age at childbirth (> 35 years; OR 1.65; CI 1.09-2.49, P = 0.018). The prevalence of strabismus among children aged 6-8 years in Hong Kong is 3.11%. Refractive errors, family history of strabismus and maternal smoking history during pregnancy are risk factors. Early correction of refractive errors and avoidance of maternal smoking during pregnancy are potentially helpful in preventing strabismus.

Two-Year Clinical Trial of the Low-Concentration Atropine for Myopia Progression (LAMP) Study: Phase 2 Report.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 0.05%, 0.025%, and 0.01% atropine eye drops over 2 years to determine which is the optimal concentration for longer-term myopia control. DESIGN: Randomized, double-masked trial extended from the Low-Concentration Atropine for Myopia Progression (LAMP) Study. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred eighty-three of 438 children (87%) aged 4 to 12 years with myopia of at least -1.0 diopter (D) originally randomized to receive atropine 0.05%, 0.025%, 0.01%, or placebo once daily in both eyes in the LAMP phase 1 study were continued in this extended trial (phase 2). METHODS: Children in the placebo group (phase 1) were switched to receive 0.05% atropine from the beginning of the second-year follow-up, whereas those in the 0.05%, 0.025%, and 0.01% atropine groups continued with the same regimen. Cycloplegic refraction, axial length (AL), accommodation amplitude, photopic and mesopic pupil diameter, and best-corrected visual acuity were measured at 4-month intervals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in spherical equivalent (SE) and AL and their differences between groups. RESULTS: Over the 2-year period, the mean SE progression was 0.55±0.86 D, 0.85±0.73 D, and 1.12±0.85 D in the 0.05%, 0.025%, and 0.01% atropine groups, respectively (P = 0.015, P < 0.001, and P = 0.02, respectively, for pairwise comparisons), with mean AL changes over 2 years of 0.39±0.35 mm, 0.50±0.33 mm, and 0.59±0.38 mm (P = 0.04, P < 0.001, and P = 0.10, respectively). Compared with the first year, the second-year efficacy of 0.05% and 0.025% atropine remained similar (P >0.1), but improved mildly in the 0.01% atropine group (P = 0.04). For the phase 1 placebo group, the myopia progression was reduced significantly after switching to 0.05% atropine (SE change, 0.18 D in second year vs. 0.82 D in first year [P < 0.001]; AL elongated 0.15 mm in second year vs. 0.43 mm in first year [P < 0.001]). Accommodation loss and change in pupil size in all concentrations remained similar to the first-year results and were well tolerated. Visual acuity and vision-related quality of life remained unaffected. CONCLUSIONS: Over 2 years, the efficacy of 0.05% atropine observed was double that observed with 0.01% atropine, and it remained the optimal concentration among the studied atropine concentrations in slowing myopia progression.

Choroidal thickness in thyroid-associated orbitopathy.

IMPORTANCE: To investigate the choroidal thickness (CT) in patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO). BACKGROUND: To compare CT of TAO patients and healthy subjects. DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional study in a public hospital. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and four eyes of 52 TAO patients and 52 eyes of 26 healthy subjects. METHODS: CT was measured with enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) at the subfoveal, macular and peripapillary regions. Multivariate linear regression was used to evaluate the associations of subfoveal CT with systemic and ocular variables among TAO eyes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: CT of both groups. RESULTS: CT of eyes with TAO was significantly increased at the subfoveal region, 1 and 2 mm from the fovea nasally, temporally and superiorly, and 1 mm inferior to the fovea (all P < .05). No significant difference was found in CT at 2 mm inferior to the fovea (P = .094) and all four quadrants of the peripapillary region (superior, P = .096; nasal, P = .732; inferior, P = .179; temporal, P = .052). Among TAO eyes, thinner subfoveal choroid was associated with worsening exophthalmos (P = .043), poorer visual acuity (P = .017), increasing age (P = .040) and axial length (P < .001). There was no association between CT and clinical activity score (P = .239). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: TAO patients showed thicker choroid than controls over the macula, but not the peripapillary regions. Thinner subfoveal choroid was associated with worsening exophthalmos and poorer vision. EDI-OCT can monitor choroidal vascular changes associated with TAO and its complications.

Low-Concentration Atropine for Myopia Progression (LAMP) Study: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial of 0.05%, 0.025%, and 0.01% Atropine Eye Drops in Myopia Control.

PURPOSE: Low-concentration atropine is an emerging therapy for myopia progression, but its efficacy and optimal concentration remain uncertain. Our study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-concentration atropine eye drops at 0.05%, 0.025%, and 0.01% compared with placebo over a 1-year period. DESIGN: Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked trial. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 438 children aged 4 to 12 years with myopia of at least -1.0 diopter (D) and astigmatism of -2.5 D or less. METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to receive 0.05%, 0.025%, and 0.01% atropine eye drops, or placebo eye drop, respectively, once nightly to both eyes for 1 year. Cycloplegic refraction, axial length (AL), accommodation amplitude, pupil diameter, and best-corrected visual acuity were measured at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 months, 8 months, and 12 months. Visual Function Questionnaire was administered at the 1-year visit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in spherical equivalent (SE) and AL were measured, and their differences among groups were compared using generalized estimating equation. RESULTS: After 1 year, the mean SE change was -0.27±0.61 D, -0.46±0.45 D, -0.59±0.61 D, and -0.81±0.53 D in the 0.05%, 0.025%, and 0.01% atropine groups, and placebo groups, respectively (P < 0.001), with a respective mean increase in AL of 0.20±0.25 mm, 0.29±0.20 mm, 0.36±0.29 mm, and 0.41±0.22 mm (P < 0.001). The accommodation amplitude was reduced by 1.98±2.82 D, 1.61±2.61 D, 0.26±3.04 D, and 0.32±2.91 D, respectively (P < 0.001). The pupil sizes under photopic and mesopic conditions were increased respectively by 1.03±1.02 mm and 0.58±0.63 mm in the 0.05% atropine group, 0.76±0.90 mm and 0.43±0.61 mm in the 0.025% atropine group, 0.49±0.80 mm and 0.23±0.46 mm in the 0.01% atropine group, and 0.13±1.07 mm and 0.02±0.55 mm in the placebo group (P < 0.001). Visual acuity and vision-related quality of life were not affected in each group. CONCLUSIONS: The 0.05%, 0.025%, and 0.01% atropine eye drops reduced myopia progression along a concentration-dependent response. All concentrations were well tolerated without an adverse effect on vision-related quality of life. Of the 3 concentrations used, 0.05% atropine was most effective in controlling SE progression and AL elongation over a period of 1 year.

Association of antenatal steroid and risk of retinopathy of prematurity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is one of the leading causes of childhood blindness. Use of antenatal steroid can reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality in preterm births, but its effect on ROP remained controversial. We aim to determine the association between antenatal steroid and risk of ROP by a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: Reported studies on the association between antenatal steroid and risk of ROP or severe ROP were identified from MEDLINE and Embase databases from their inception to November 2016. Outcome measures were ORs with 95% CIs. Extracted data were pooled using a random-effect model or fixed-effect model where appropriate. Heterogeneity was assessed, and sensitivity analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 434 relevant studies were identified, and 28 studies were eligible for the meta-analysis, involving 20 731 neonates with 4202 cases of ROP. Among the 28 studies included, 13 studies provided data evaluating the association between antenatal steroid use and severe ROP, involving 4999 neonates with 792 cases of severe ROP. Antenatal steroid administration was associated with a reduced risk of ROP development (ORunadjusted=0.82, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.98; ORadjusted=0.67, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.94) and progression to severe ROP (ORunadjusted=0.58, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.86). CONCLUSION: Antenatal steroid administration is associated with a reduced risk of ROP development and progression to severe ROP. Our results strengthened the indications of antenatal steroid therapy to high-risk mothers giving preterm births, especially in low-income and middle-income countries where antenatal steroid are not yet widely used.

Refractive Errors and Concomitant Strabismus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the risk of development of concomitant strabismus due to refractive errors. Eligible studies published from 1946 to April 1, 2016 were identified from MEDLINE and EMBASE that evaluated any kinds of refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and anisometropia) as an independent factor for concomitant exotropia and concomitant esotropia. Totally 5065 published records were retrieved for screening, 157 of them eligible for detailed evaluation. Finally 7 population-based studies involving 23,541 study subjects met our criteria for meta-analysis. The combined OR showed that myopia was a risk factor for exotropia (OR: 5.23, P = 0.0001). We found hyperopia had a dose-related effect for esotropia (OR for a spherical equivalent [SE] of 2-3 diopters [D]: 10.16, P = 0.01; OR for an SE of 3-4D: 17.83, P < 0.0001; OR for an SE of 4-5D: 41.01, P < 0.0001; OR for an SE of ≥5D: 162.68, P < 0.0001). Sensitivity analysis indicated our results were robust. Results of this study confirmed myopia as a risk for concomitant exotropia and identified a dose-related effect for hyperopia as a risk of concomitant esotropia.

Association of Gestational Hypertensive Disorders with Retinopathy of prematurity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

The role of gestational hypertensive disorders, which includes both pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension, in the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) has been controversial. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the association between gestational hypertensive disoders and ROP. Eligible studies published up to June 5, 2016 were identified from MEDLINE and EMBASE that evaluated the association between the two conditions. Totally 1142 published records were retrieved for screening, 925 of them eligible for detailed evaluation. Finally 19 studies involving 45281 infants with 5388 cases of ROP met our criteria for meta-analysis. Gestational hypertensive disorders were not associated with ROP (unadjusted OR: 0.89; P = 0.38; adjusted OR: 1.35; P = 0.18). Subgroup analyses also revealed no significant association between ROP with pre-eclampsia (unadjusted OR: 0.85; P = 0.29; adjusted OR:1.29; P = 0.28) or with gestational hypertension (unadjusted OR: 1.10; P = 0.39; adjusted OR: 1.25; P = 0.60) separately. Sensitivity analysis indicated our results were robust. We concluded no significant association between gestational hypertensive disorders and ROP. More large scale well-conducted prospective cohorts on the topic are needed.

The Natural Course of Intermittent Exotropia over a 3-year Period and the Factors Predicting the Control Deterioration.

The natural course of intermittent exotropia and the factors affecting its control has been unclear. We aim to report the natural course of our cohort of 117 Chinese children with intermittent exotropia and to identify baseline parameters that may have predictive value in the control deterioration of the disease. The visual acuity, spherical equivalent, compliance to orthoptic exercise, angle of deviation fusional convergence parameters and Newcastle Control Score were recorded for all children at baseline and at 3 years apart. Patients were divided into two groups according to the change in control over the 3 years: group 1 included patients who had no deterioration or had improvement in disease control; and group 2 were those who had deteriorated control or had undergone surgery. There were 77 patients (66%) in group 1 and 40 (34%) patients in group 2. Comparing the baseline parameters of the two groups, group 1 had statistically significantly smaller angle of deviation, larger fusional reserve, larger fusional recovery, and higher fusional reserve ratio (p < 0.05). Other baseline parameters were similar between the two groups. The baseline fusional parameters may have predictive value in determining the control of intermittent exotropia.

Predictive factors affecting the short term and long term exodrift in patients with intermittent exotropia after bilateral rectus muscle recession and its effect on surgical outcome.

PURPOSE: To determine the predictive factors that affect short term and long term postoperative drift in intermittent exotropia after bilateral lateral rectus recession and to evaluate its effect on surgical outcome. METHODS: Retrospective review of 203 patients with diagnosis of intermittent exotropia, who had surgical corrections with more than 3 years of followup. Different preoperative parameters were obtained and evaluated using Pearson's correlation analysis. RESULTS: The proportion of exodrift increased from 62% at 6 weeks to 84% at 3 years postoperatively. The postoperative drift was 4.3 ± 8.1 PD at 6 weeks, 5.8 ± 8.4 PD at 6 months, 7.2 ± 8.3 PD at 1 year, 7.4 ± 8.4 PD at 2 years, and 7.7 ± 8.5 PD at 3 years. Preoperative deviation and initial overcorrection were significant factors affecting the postoperative drift at 3 years (r = 0.177, P = 0.011, r = -0.349, and P < 0.001, resp.). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative exodrift along three years occurs in a majority of patients after bilateral lateral rectus recession for intermittent exotropia. The long term surgical success is significantly affected by this postoperative exodrift. A larger preoperative deviation and a larger initial overcorrection are associated with a larger early and late postoperative exodrift.