Telementoring versus face-to-face mentoring in the training of scleral fixation surgery of intraocular lenses.

PURPOSE: To assess telementoring as a complementary tool for surgical training of a scleral fixation technique. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, two-arm, blinded clinical trial. METHODS: Using a 3D visualization system, 132 participants were randomized in order of enrollment into traditional face-to-face mentoring (n = 66) and telementoring (n = 66). A single surgeon mentored all participants in the 2 groups. The procedure was performed in a model suitable for training in intraocular lens fixation SimulEYE® (INSEYET, WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA, USA). In the telementoring group, the images captured on a local computer were sent to a second computer located in another room through a teleconferencing platform in real-time. Nine steps of the recorded procedure were evaluated and scored by two masked independent surgeons experienced in the technique. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The primary outcomes evaluated were the global score (the sum of each score on the rubric), surgical failure, and surgical time (in seconds). RESULTS: Surgical success was achieved in 98.5% in the face-to-face group and in 95.5% in the telementoring group (p-value = 0.619). Minimal technical problems were reported in 8 procedures in the telementoring group (12%), without interfering with the surgical result, and completion of the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Telementoring is an encouraging educational tool that can overcome geographical barriers to ease the transfer of abilities and knowledge. We lack evidence in terms of group differences for superiority comparing face-to-face and telementoring, in addition to presenting comparable results regarding surgical success and failure. More studies are needed to explore the impact of telementoring in other ophthalmological surgeries. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Federal University of São Paulo institution's Research Ethics Committee reviewed and approved this study protocol (approval number, 5.383.484).

Visualization of Short Posterior Ciliary Artery Insertion Due to Posterior Staphyloma and Myopic Chorioretinal Atrophy.

This case report describes the visualization of a short posterior ciliary artery insertion as a result of posterior staphyloma and chorioretinal atrophy in a patient in their 50s with pathologic myopia.

Novel OCT findings in choroidal osteoma: brief report.

The aim of this article is to report the presence of choroidal loculation of fluid and choroidal cavern in a case of choroidal osteoma, previously undescribed in this disease.

A perspective on retina education through social media.

Since the beginning of the Internet, new ways of providing medical education have emerged. Social media networks are one of the most influential communication tools and allow content sharing, collaborative modification and interaction. Its relevance for teaching and learning in medical education has been extensively studied. These new media have also heightened the need for a new way of communication. The purpose of this article is to discuss the value of communication in medical education through social media and present an eight-year personal experience on this field.

Sickle cell retinopathy: What we now understand using optical coherence tomography angiography. A systematic review.

For over four decades, efforts have been underway for the evaluation of sickle cell retinopathy (SCR) in an attempt to identify peripheral high-risk vascular abnormalities based on Goldberg's classification (gold-standard) (1971). The macula is an area in the center of the retina that is responsible for high-resolution central vision and is also affected in SCR. With the development of new technologies for retinal imaging, the macula became a main focus of interest in the study of sickle cell disease (SCD). Optical coherence tomography angiography is a modern non-invasive method that allows qualitative and quantitative analysis of the retinal vascular network in the macular region. We identified 86 studies on SCD and optical coherence tomography angiography. Of those, 12 met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. The prevalence of sickle cell maculopathy was 45.6% in the SCD population and it increased with age. We present the main vascular findings and discuss visual impairment and pathophysiology, genotypes, and peripheral high-risk vascular abnormalities. The role of the hematologist, general practitioner, and pediatrician in treatment is also reviewed.

Angiopoetin-like 4 in sickle cell retinopathy.

This correspondence provides a comment on the recent review article by Yang et al. [Biosci. Rep. (2018) 38, BSR20180557, https://doi.org/10.1042/BSR20180557].