The Button Project: Using Chart Rounds for Teaching Clinical Ophthalmology with an Electronic Medical Record.

OBJECTIVE: Chart rounds have traditionally been used effectively for clinical teaching in ophthalmology. The introduction of the electronic health record has altered practice patterns and some evidence suggests interference with resident education. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of chart rounds in our ophthalmology department and to see if a simple intervention, an "education button", could positively impact clinical teaching. DESIGN: We used a cross-sectional survey, and pre- and post-intervention surveys to assess the utility of an intervention - an "education button". SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology at Duke University, a tertiary care academic ophthalmology practice, in Durham, North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS: Ophthalmology trainees (37), including residents and clinical fellows, and clinical faculty (50) in the department were surveyed anonymously. The overall response rate for the cross-sectional survey was 83% (72/87). The overall response rate for the educational study was 53% for the first time-point and 59% for the second time-point. RESULTS: For the cross-sectional survey, trainees found chart rounds to be useful and would like to increase their frequency. Most faculty reported doing them regularly, although not having enough time was the most common barrier (76% of the faculty). In the pre- and post-assessment of the "education button" (overall response rate 53%), the overall impression was positive with the button easy to use, but the implementation of the button did not appear to change the quality or frequency of chart rounds; nor did it appear to have an effect on covering learning objectives. CONCLUSION: While the "education button" could help with communication between the faculty and trainees during a busy clinic session to identify cases for discussion, it did not address the most common barrier identified by faculty members, that of not having enough time.

Risk Factors for Earlier Reexposure of Glaucoma Drainage Devices.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate factors associated with a second exposure of a glaucoma drainage device (GDD) following repair of an initial GDD exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This IRB-approved retrospective cohort study examined the incidence of a second exposure of a GDD following initial repair for exposure. Logistic regression was performed to assess the relationship between demographic and clinical characteristics and a second exposure of the GDD. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted and Cox regression was performed to examine factors impacting the time to a second GDD exposure. RESULTS: Ninety-four eyes of subjects that underwent initial revision for GDD exposure were reviewed. Approximately 44% (N=41/94) of subjects underwent surgical revision for a second exposure. Factors associated with reexposure in multivariate logistic regression included caucasian race (odds ratio, 2.99; P=0.02) and use of a nonscleral patch graft (odds ratio, 2.93; P=0.019). Time from revision of the initial exposure to reexposure was significantly shorter for those with a nonscleral patch graft (hazard ratio, 2.23; P=0.01) and caucasian race (hazard ratio, 2.08; P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Caucasian race and use of a nonscleral patch graft during revision surgery was associated with a higher risk of experiencing a sooner reexposure of the GDD following revision of an initial exposure. Future studies should examine whether particular graft materials increase the risk of GDD reexposure.

Effect of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy on choroidal thickness in diabetic macular edema.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy on choroidal thickness in eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME). DESIGN: A retrospective, cohort analysis of 59 eyes from 59 patients with DME without prior anti-VEGF therapy. METHODS: Choroidal thickness was measured using semiautomated segmentation of enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography images at 0.5-mm intervals from 2.5 mm nasal to 2.5 mm temporal to the fovea. Changes in choroidal thickness with and without anti-VEGF treatment over 6 months were compared. Best-corrected visual acuity and central foveal thickness were analyzed to evaluate the association of choroidal thickness with functional and anatomic outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 59 eyes with DME, 26 eyes were observed without treatment, whereas 33 underwent intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy (mean number of injections, 2.73) over 6 months. In untreated eyes, there was no significant change in best-corrected visual acuity (P = .098), central foveal thickness (P = .472), or choroidal thickness at all measurements along the macula (P = .057 at the fovea). In eyes treated with anti-VEGF injections, choroidal thickness decreased significantly at the fovea (246.6 to 224.8 µm; P < .001) and at 0.5 mm nasal (240.9 to 221.9 µm; P = .002) and 0.5 mm temporal (249.3 to 224.8 µm; P = .011) to the fovea. The decrease in subfoveal choroidal thickness after anti-VEGF treatment was not associated with the cumulative number of anti-VEGF injections (R(2) = 0.031; P = .327) or to changes in best-corrected visual acuity (R(2) = 0.017; P = .470) or central foveal thickness (R(2) = 0.040; P = .263). CONCLUSIONS: Central choroidal thickness decreases after anti-VEGF therapy for DME after 6 months, but may not be associated with functional or anatomic outcomes in eyes with DME.

Analysis of short-term change in subfoveal choroidal thickness in eyes with age-related macular degeneration using optical coherence tomography.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To measure the subfoveal choroidal thickness in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) over 6 months. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective, observational study of patients with AMD followed up for 6 months at the New England Eye Center. Baseline and 6-month follow-up subfoveal choroidal thickness was measured using spectral-domain OCT and compared. RESULTS: For the entire cohort, there was statistically significant thinning of the subfoveal choroidal thickness at 6 months compared to baseline that was driven by the cohort of patients with neovascular AMD (181.2 ± 75 µm to 173.4 ± 63 µm; P = .049). CONCLUSION: There was a statistically significant decrease in subfoveal choroidal thickness observed in this cohort of patients with AMD over 6 months, but it was driven by the subgroup of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Optical coherence tomography-guided facedown positioning for macular hole surgery.

PURPOSE: To use spectral domain optical coherence tomography-guided duration of facedown positioning to study anatomical macular hole closure rates. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients with macular holes undergoing 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy and intraocular gas tamponade. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography imaging was done on postoperative Day 1. Patients remained facedown for 2 more days if the macular hole was closed or 6 more days facedown if the macular hole was open or indeterminate. RESULTS: There were 8 Stage 2, 12 Stage 3, and 12 Stage 4 macular holes. On postoperative Day 1, 24 holes were closed by spectral domain optical coherence tomography and instructed to remain facedown for two more days. Twenty-three of 24 holes remained closed during the postoperative period. Eight holes were open or indeterminate on postoperative Day 1 and remained facedown for 6 more days. Six of 8 holes (75%) were closed at their last follow-up. The overall closure rate was 29/32 (90.6%). Average follow-up was 334 days. CONCLUSION: Confirming early closure of macular holes with spectral domain optical coherence tomography imaging can serve as an important guide to significantly shorten the duration of prone positioning while maintaining high closure rates.

Analysis of choroidal thickness in age-related macular degeneration using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To understand the relationship between choroidal thickness and various disease factors in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, retrospective analysis. METHODS: Fifty-seven eyes of 47 patients with wet and dry AMD seen between November 2009 and January 2010 at the New England Eye Center, Boston, Massachusetts, were analyzed. Choroidal thickness was measured by 2 independent observers at 11 sites with high-definition horizontal 1-line raster scans through the foveal center. A retrospective chart review was performed to obtain data concerning duration of disease, number of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections, visual acuity, lens status, and concomitant retinal pathologic features. The Pearson correlation and Student t test were used for statistical analysis for assessment of choroidal thickness changes in wet and dry AMD. RESULTS: The choroid in eyes with wet and dry AMD demonstrated a wide range of thicknesses above and below the normal mean (range, 77.5 to 399.5 µm; standard deviation [SD], 90.2). Nearly one third (33.3%) of the eyes with AMD measured less than 1 SD below the mean. Eyes with wet AMD demonstrated a mean subfoveal choroidal thickness of 194.6 µm (SD, 88.4; n = 40) compared with 213.4 µm (SD, 92.2; n = 17) in the dry AMD group. The choroidal thickness in eyes with dry AMD was correlated inversely with age (r = -0.703; P = .002); however, analysis of the number of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections, number of years of disease, and visual acuity failed to demonstrate any significant correlations with choroidal thickness. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that choroidal thickness can be measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and that variable choroidal thickness exists among patients with the clinical diagnosis of wet and dry AMD. However, it is unclear at this time why in some eyes, choroidal thickness either increases or decreases with the disease. Further studies need to be carried out to understand the significance of choroidal thickness with respect to visual function and disease progression over time.

Analysis of peripapillary atrophy using spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

OBJECTIVE: To study retinal morphologic changes around the optic disc in patients with peripapillary atrophy (PPA) with high-resolution spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT). DESIGN: Cross-sectional, retrospective analysis. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 103 eyes of 73 patients with PPA and 21 eyes of 12 normal patients seen at the New England Eye Center, Tufts Medical Center, between January 2007 and August 2009. METHODS: Spectral domain optical coherence tomography images taken through the region of PPA were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. Inclusion criteria included eyes with at least 300 µm of temporal PPA as detected on color fundus photographs. The study population was divided into subgroups according to the following clinical diagnoses: glaucoma (n=13), age-related macular degeneration (n=11), high myopia (n=11), glaucoma and high myopia (n=3), and optic neuropathy (n=11). Fifty-four patients were classified with other diagnoses. By using OCT software, retinal thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness were both manually measured perpendicular to the internal limiting membrane and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) 300 µm temporal to the optic disc, within the region of PPA. Qualitative analysis for morphologic changes in the atrophic area was also performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Qualitative assessment and quantitative measures of retinal and RNFL thickness in PPA. RESULTS: The study group was categorized by 6 characteristics demonstrated in the area of PPA by SD OCT: RPE loss with accompanying photoreceptor loss, RPE disruption, RNFL thickening with plaque-like formation, intraretinal cystic changes, inner and outer retinal thinning, and abnormal retinal sloping. Statistical analysis of measurements revealed a statistically significant difference in the total retinal thickness between normal eyes and eyes with PPA (P=0.0005), with normal eyes 15% thicker than the eyes with PPA; however, the RNFL thickness was not significantly different between the normal eyes and the eyes with PPA (P=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Eyes with PPA manifest characteristic retinal changes that can be described via SD OCT.

Intraretinal deposition of triamcinolone acetonide after treatment of diabetic macular edema.

PURPOSE: To report a case of intraretinal triamcinolone acetonide crystal deposition visualized both clinically and on optical coherence tomography after intravitreal injection for diabetic macular edema refractory to focal/grid laser treatment. METHODS: Observational case report. A 46-year-old man with severe bilateral diabetic macular edema underwent focal/grid laser therapy, Avastin (Genetech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA) injections, and multiple intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide treatments but remained refractory to treatment. RESULTS: Visual acuity continued to worsen, and clinical and optical coherence tomography examination revealed scattered hyperreflective deposits throughout the retina. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide can deposit within the retina after treatment of refractory diabetic macular edema.

Posterior lattice degeneration characterized by spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to use high-resolution spectral domain optical coherence tomography in the characterization of retinal and vitreal morphological changes overlying posterior lattice degeneration. METHODS: A cross-sectional retrospective analysis was performed on 13 eyes of 13 nonconsecutive subjects with posterior lattice degeneration seen at the New England Eye Center, Tufts Medical Center between October 2009 and January 2010. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography images taken through the region of lattice degeneration were qualitatively analyzed. RESULTS: Four characteristic changes of the retina and vitreous were seen in the 13 eyes with lattice degeneration: 1) anterior/posterior U-shaped vitreous traction; 2) retinal breaks; 3) focal retinal thinning; and 4) vitreous membrane formation. The morphologic appearance of vitreous traction and retinal breaks were found to be consistent with previous histologic reports. CONCLUSION: It is possible to image posterior lattice degeneration in many eyes using spectral domain optical coherence tomography and to visualize the spectrum of retinal and vitreous changes throughout the area of lattice degeneration.

Choroidal thickness in normal eyes measured using Cirrus HD optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To examine choroidal thickness and area in healthy eyes using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). DESIGN: Retrospective, observational case series. METHODS: Thirty-four eyes (34 subjects), with no retinal or choroidal disease, underwent high-definition raster scanning using SD-OCT with frame enhancement software. Choroidal thickness was measured from the posterior edge of the retinal pigment epithelium to the choroid/sclera junction at 500-microm intervals up to 2500 microm temporal and nasal to the fovea. The central 1-mm area of the choroid was also measured, along with foveal thickness of the retina. All measurements were performed by 2 independent observers. Statistical analysis was used to correlate inter-observer findings, choroidal thickness and area measurements with age, and choroidal thickness with retinal foveal thickness. RESULTS: The 34 subjects had a mean age of 51.1 years. Reliable measurements of choroidal thickness were obtainable in 74% of eyes examined. Choroidal thickness and area measurements had strong inter-observer correlation (r = 0.92, P < .0001 and r = 0.93, P < .0001 respectively). Area had a moderate negative correlation with age (r = -0.62, P < .0001) that was comparable to the correlation between mean subfoveal choroidal thickness and age (r = -0.61, P < .0001). Retinal and choroidal thickness were found to be poorly correlated (r = -0.23, P = .18). Mean choroidal thickness showed a pattern of thinnest choroid nasally, thickening in the subfoveal region, and then thinning again temporally. Mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was found to be 272 microm (SD, +/- 81 microm). CONCLUSIONS: Choroidal thickness can be measured using SD-OCT high-definition raster scans in the majority of eyes. Choroidal thickness across the macula demonstrates a thin choroid nasally, thickest subfoveally, and again thinner temporally, and a trend toward decreasing choroidal thickness with age.

The atypical protein kinase C in Aplysia can form a protein kinase M by cleavage.

In vertebrates, a brain-specific transcript from the atypical protein kinase C (PKC) zeta gene encodes protein kinase M (PKM) zeta, a constitutively active kinase implicated in the maintenance of synaptic plasticity and memory. We have cloned the atypical PKC from Aplysia, PKC Apl III. We did not find a transcript in Aplysia encoding PKMzeta, and evolutionary analysis of atypical PKCs suggests formation of this transcript is restricted to vertebrates. Instead, over-expression of PKC Apl III in Aplysia sensory neurons leads to production of a PKM fragment of PKC Apl III. This cleavage was induced by calcium and blocked by calpain inhibitors. Moreover, nervous system enriched spliced forms of PKC Apl III show enhanced cleavage. PKC Apl III could also be activated through phosphorylation downstream of phosphoinositide 3-kinase. We suggest that PKM forms of atypical PKCs play a conserved role in memory formation, but the mechanism of formation of these kinases has changed over evolution.