Refractive outcomes of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty triple procedures (combined with cataract surgery).

PURPOSE: To describe the refractive outcomes of triple Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: The study included patients with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy and cataract without coincident pathology. RESULTS: Outcomes of 108 sequential triple DMEK procedures were evaluated. With a mean follow-up of 11.9 months, the median corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was 20/20 (range 20/15 to 20/40) and the median uncorrected distance visual acuity in eyes with a distance target (n = 84) was 20/40 (range 20/20 to 20/200). Forty-five percent of patients gained 3 or more lines of CDVA. The median refractive error was +0.43 diopter (D) (interquartile range, -0.34 to +1.17 D). Aspheric intraocular lenses (IOLs) (n = 91) did not significantly change refractive astigmatism (mean: preoperative +0.926 D ± 0.144 [SD]; postoperative +0.945 ± 0.129 D) (P = .83), while toric IOLs (n = 9) did (mean: preoperative +2.47 ± 0.36 D; postoperative +0.94 ± 0.90 D) (P = .0015). The anterior curvature measured by Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam) did not significantly change (mean -0.06 ± 0.47) (P = .41); however, keratometry by partial coherence interferometry (IOLMaster) did (mean -0.6 ± 0.9 D) (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Triple DMEK safely achieved excellent CDVA. Selection of the optimum IOL power is complicated by several factors. Because Fuchs dystrophy induces changes predominately in the central cornea, measurements averaging curvature over a larger area might underreport significant refractive deviations. In the absence of an algorithm to more precisely individualize IOL calculations, a refractive target of -0.75 to -1.00 D will help reduce the proportion of eyes left hyperopic. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Effect of Two Novel Sustained-Release Drug Delivery Systems on Bleb Fibrosis: An In Vivo Glaucoma Drainage Device Study in a Rabbit Model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate two drug delivery systems, a nonbiodegradable poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (P[HEMA]) system with mitomycin C (MMC) and a biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) system with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with and without MMC for their ability to reduce fibrosis when attached to an Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) and implanted in a rabbit model. METHODS: New Zealand albino rabbits (48) were divided into six equal groups, and AGVs, modified as described below, were implanted in the right eye of each rabbit. The groups included (1) PLGA alone; (2) P(HEMA) plus MMC (6.5 µg); (3) PLGA plus 5-FU (0.45 mg); (4) PLGA plus 5-FU (1.35 mg); (5) PLGA plus 5-FU and MMC (0.45 mg and 0.65 µg, respectively); (6) PLGA plus 5-FU and MMC (1.35 mg and 0.65 µg, respectively). The rabbits were followed for 3 months prior to euthanasia. RESULTS: The bleb wall thickness was significantly less in groups 2, 5, and 6 compared to the rest. At 3 months, the PLGA polymer had completely disappeared, while the P(HEMA) polymer remained intact. There were no statistical differences in the degree of clinically graded conjunctival injection, histologic inflammation, or histologic fibrosis among the six groups. CONCLUSIONS: We successfully created a sustained-release drug delivery system that decreased the postoperative fibrosis using both a nonbiodegradable P(HEMA) polymer and a biodegradable (PLGA) polymer. Both systems appear to work equally well with no side effects. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: These results are supportive of the antifibrotic effect of the slow-release drug delivery system following glaucoma drainage device implantation, thus paving the way for human pilot studies.

Comparison of Surgical Outcomes Between Phacocanaloplasty and Phacotrabeculectomy at 12 Months' Follow-up: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: To compare operative outcomes of patients after phacocanaloplasty and phacotrabeculectomy through 12 months' follow-up. DESIGN: Retrospective, nonrandomized, comparative case series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 36 eyes of 36 patients with open-angle glaucoma who underwent combined phacoemulsification and canaloplasty (phacocanaloplasty) and 41 eyes of 41 patients with open-angle glaucoma who underwent combined phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (phacotrabeculectomy) with 12 months' of postoperative follow-up. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon (R.S.A.) between January 2007 and May 2011. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Failure was based on intraocular pressure (IOP; >18 or <4 mm Hg at 1 y), second operative procedure (any eye requiring reoperation), or decrease in visual acuity by 0.20 logMAR. Change in IOP, visual acuity (VA), glaucoma medications, and complication rates at 12 months were analyzed. RESULTS: There were no differences in demographics other than the sex between the groups. There were also no significant differences in previous surgery or in preoperative VA, IOP, or use of glaucoma medications between the groups, though the phacotrabeculectomy group had a higher preoperative IOP at baseline and a larger SD. Both groups showed significant reduction in IOP from baseline at every time point (P<0.001). No significant difference in mean IOP at 12 months was found, with a mean of 14.1±4.4 mm Hg in the phacocanaloplasty group and 11.8±5.4 mm Hg in the phacotrabeculectomy group (P=0.07). The phacotrabeculectomy group showed a significantly greater median absolute (8 vs. 5 mm Hg) and percent (40% vs. 28%) reduction in IOP at 12 months (P=0.02). Postoperative glaucoma medication use was similar between the 2 groups.Overall failure rates at 1 year were comparable between the 2 groups: 22% for phacocanaloplasty versus 20% for phacotrabeculectomy (P=0.79). Phacotrabeculectomy eyes experienced more visual failures (5% vs. 0%, P=0.50), whereas phacocanaloplasty experienced more IOP failures (17% vs. 12%, P=0.75). No difference in operative failure rate was found between the phacocanaloplasty and phacotrabeculectomy groups (6% vs. 5%, P=1.00) and this held after controlling for covariates. Final VA was not statistically different between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Phacocanaloplasty and phacotrabeculectomy both achieved significant reduction in IOP and improvement in VA at 12 months with comparable success rates. Phacotrabeculectomy achieved a statistically greater median percentage decrease in IOP, but the 2 procedures resulted in comparable mean IOP at 12 months.

Modification of Siepser sliding suture technique for iris repair and endothelial keratoplasty.

We describe a technique for closed-chamber iris repair that prevents knot and suture tail exposure into the anterior chamber. This modification of the Siepser sliding slipknot suture technique is particularly important in the setting of combined or future endothelial keratoplasty to prevent mechanical damage to donor endothelium during transplantation.

Numeracy among trainees: are we preparing physicians for evidence-based medicine?

INTRODUCTION: In the era of evidence-based medicine, all physicians who communicate with patients need numerical literacy (numeracy). Single-institution studies suggest imperfect numeracy among medical students. Therefore, we sought to examine numeracy and understanding of risk analysis among medical students and surgical residents at several institutions. METHODS: Following a validated 3-item numeracy questionnaire, 308 medical students and 50 surgical residents from 4 institutions were asked whether they would recommend adjuvant chemotherapy for a patient based on presented survival data. Main outcome measures included numeracy, understanding of risk with a question requiring simple calculation of risk reduction, and confidence in understanding risk reduction using a Likert score (0 = no confidence and 7 = complete confidence). Binary logistic regression analysis identified predictors of misunderstanding of risk and Pearson correlation coefficients measured differences in confidence by level of training and numeracy. RESULTS: Students across institutions did not differ demographically and were grouped by educational level. Of all participants, 69.0% had perfect basic numeracy (score = 3), with no significant difference in numeracy across training levels (p = 0.433). Mean (standard deviation) confidence in recommending treatment increased from 4.5 (1.6) for first-year medical students to 4.8 (1.1) for fourth-year medical students, and 4.9 (1.5) for surgical residents (p = 0.580). Controlling for other demographics, poorly numerate students had a 7-fold increased likelihood (odds ratio: 7.330; 95% confidence interval: 1.384-38.809) of misunderstanding risk compared with more numerate students. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of students at various levels of medical training lack numeracy skills, which increases misunderstanding and miscommunication of risk that can be communicated to patients and families. This deficiency could potentially affect patient safety and care.

Bridging dermatologists with patient advocacy organizations through smartphones.

IMPORTANCE: Patient advocacy organizations seek to increase their benefits for patients with skin disease; low awareness and patient referrals among dermatologists have presented an obstacle to this. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the Skin Advocate iPhone App would increase awareness and referrals to patient advocacy organizations in the Coalition of Skin Diseases (CSD) among Texas dermatologists and dermatology residents and patient registrations among CSD member organizations. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We present results of an institutional review board-exempted investigation conducted among member organizations of the CSD and among dermatologists and dermatology residents in Texas from April 1, 2011, through March 31, 2013. Effects were measured in a blinded fashion subjectively through pre-intervention and post-intervention surveys and objectively through internal analytics that tracked downloads and use of the iPhone app, as well as pre-intervention and post-intervention numbers of registrations for CSD member organizations. INTERVENTION: The Skin Advocate iPhone App. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Awareness and referrals to patient advocacy organizations in the CSD among Texas dermatologists and dermatology residents and patient registrations among CSD member organizations. RESULTS: Throughout the study, mean app use ranged from 3.3 to 3.6 uses per user per month, maintaining the 3-fold improvement compared with self-reported referral for 90% of the study population and a 12-fold improvement for 64% of the study population. Our data revealed substantial improvement in self-reported physician awareness and referrals, and increased patient registrations for CSD organizations. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The Skin Advocate iPhone App improved physician awareness and subsequent referrals to CSD member organizations.

Surgical outcomes of DSAEK in patients with prior Ahmed glaucoma drainage device placement.

PURPOSE: To study the surgical outcomes of Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) in eyes with previous Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent DSAEK by a single surgeon in the setting of prior AGV implantation between December 2009 and September 2011 with at least 12 months follow-up. Preoperative and postoperative endothelial cell counts, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and glaucoma medications were recorded. RESULTS: Eighteen eyes of 13 patients were included. The average endothelial cell count (cells/mm2) was 3087.7 (SD 390.8) preoperatively, 1974.3 (SD 646.0) at 6 months, 1831.7 (SD 851.2) at 12 months, and 1821.3 (SD 762.2) at 24 months. The average IOP (mm Hg) was 13.7 (SD 4.3) preoperatively, 15.1 (SD 5.0) at 6 months, 15.5 (SD 6.6) at 12 months, and 15.1 (SD 4.8) at 24 months. Average visual acuity (VA) preoperatively was 20/100 (logMAR 0.73, SD 0.27) and average best VA postoperatively was 20/60 (logMAR 0.5, SD 0.27). Nine of the 18 eyes (50%) had failed DSAEK grafts at 9.3 (SD 6.0) months. Six of these eyes had peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS) preoperatively, 3 had a history of uveitis, and 4 failures had multiple AGVs. Intraocular pressure control (<21 mm Hg) was maintained without additional medications in 11 eyes (61%) and with additional medication in 4 eyes (22%). Intraocular pressure control was not maintained in 3 eyes (17%). CONCLUSIONS: Though challenging, DSAEK surgery can be successful in the setting of previous AGV implantation, with success rates comparable to those of penetrating keratoplasty in the same population. Higher failure rate of DSAEK with prior AGV appears to be associated with the presence of chronic angle closure glaucoma with 360-degree PAS with shallow chambers, the presence of multiple AGVs, and presence of uveitis.

Traumatic superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis in a child.

Superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis (SOVT) is a rare condition of multiple etiologies that generally presents with proptosis, ophthalmoplegia, periorbital edema, and occasionally decreased visual acuity. We describe a unique case of a two-year-old child presenting with extensive superior forniceal chemosis obstructing the visual axis after trauma in a motor vehicle accident. Angiography revealed complete thrombosis of the superior ophthalmic vein. Management and outcome are also discussed.

Major depression drives severity of American Urological Association Symptom Index.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the unclear relationship between depression and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by assessing depression's effect on the American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUA-SI) scores. Depression is a common illness associated with chronic inflammatory disease states. Data have suggested a significant role of inflammation in the progression of BPH. METHODS: The present prospective study involved 547 male patients who completed the Geriatric Depression Scale and the AUA-SI. We evaluated whether the mean AUA-SI score and the severity categories differed by the state of depression. We then conducted binary logistic regression analysis with forward stepwise regression to assess the relationship between depression and the severity symptoms as determined by the AUA-SI score. RESULTS: Of the cohort, 22% screened positive for depressive symptoms. The depressed patients (Geriatric Depression Scale score >5) reported significantly more severe symptoms (mean AUA-SI score 16.61 ± 9.89) compared with the nondepressed patients (Geriatric Depression Scale score of ≤5 and mean AUA-SI score 10.65 ± 7.29; F = 40.19, P <.001). After controlling for socioeconomic and demographic variables, depressed patients were 3 times more likely to present with severe symptoms (odds ratio 3.079, 95% confidence interval 1.129-8.402, P = .028). CONCLUSIONS: A significant association was found between depression and BPH. However, it remains unclear whether this relationship represents unidirectional or bidirectional causality. Additional research is imperative to assess the nature of this correlation, either to address comorbid depression in patients with BPH or to ensure that depressed patients do not report falsely elevated symptoms.

Multimedia version of a standard medical questionnaire improves patient understanding across all literacy levels.

PURPOSE: Low health literacy is a significant problem in the United States. At the same time written screening tools such as the American Urological Association symptom score are used more frequently at hospitals and clinics. We previously reported that many patients do not fully understand this tool and often provide inaccurate information. To combat this problem we developed a novel multimedia version of the American Urological Association symptom score. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized, controlled trial we divided 232 patients into a control arm that self-administered the traditional written version of the symptom score and an experimental arm that self-administered the new multimedia version. Patients in each arm were later administered the tool a second time by an interviewer for comparison. Using multivariate analysis we measured disagreement between the self-administered and interviewer administered scores, and compared the 2 arms. RESULTS: Patients assigned the written and the multimedia version showed an average error of 3.48 and 1.97, respectively (p <0.001), for a 43% decrease. Improvement was noted regardless of patient literacy. Errors by patients with low and high literacy decreased from 4.55 to 2.24 and 3.10 to 1.86 (p = 0.03 and <0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: As a model, the American Urological Association symptom score multimedia version represents an exciting opportunity to improve many other written screening tools since it increased understanding and decreased scoring errors across all literacy levels, possibly allowing physicians to treat patients more effectively.

Assessment of the performance of the American Urological Association symptom score in 2 distinct patient populations.

PURPOSE: Recent research suggests that low education and illiteracy may drive misunderstanding of the American Urological Association Symptom Score, a key tool in the American Urological Association benign prostatic hyperplasia guidelines. It is unclear whether misunderstanding is confined to patients of low socioeconomic status. Therefore, we reevaluated the prevalence and impact of this misunderstanding in a county vs university hospital population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study involved 407 patients from a county hospital and a university hospital who completed the American Urological Association Symptom Score as self-administered and then as interviewer administered. Responses were compared by calculating correlation coefficients and weighted kappa statistics to assess patient understanding of the American Urological Association Symptom Score. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between patient characteristics and poor understanding of the American Urological Association Symptom Score. RESULTS: Of the patients 72% understood all 7 American Urological Association Symptom Score questions. Of the measured demographic variables only education level significantly affected this understanding. Compared to patients with more than 12 years of education county hospital patients with less than 9 years of education were 57.06 times more likely to misunderstand the American Urological Association Symptom Score (95% CI 14.32-329.34) while university hospital patients with less than 9 years of education were 38.27 times more likely to misunderstand the American Urological Association Symptom Score (95% CI 1.69-867.83). Of county hospital patients 31% and of university hospital patients 21% significantly misrepresented their symptom severity according to current guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with low education regardless of location are more likely to misunderstand the American Urological Association Symptom Score, misrepresent their symptoms and, therefore, receive inappropriate treatment.

Patient misunderstanding of the individual questions of the American Urological Association symptom score.

PURPOSE: Lower urinary tract symptoms are often assessed using the American Urological Association symptom score. However, some patients may experience difficulty completing the AUA questionnaire. We hypothesized that certain individual questions may generate more misunderstanding than others. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study involved patients at 2 hospitals who completed the American Urological Association symptom score twice, that is 1) self-administered and 2) physician assisted. Analyses compared self-reported and physician obtained responses to each individual question. One-way ANOVA with the Tukey HSD post hoc test was done to assess whether mean disagreements between self-reported and physician administered American Urological Association symptom scores differed significantly by patient education level. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 998 patients. For each symptom score question we found an inverse relationship between education level and symptom misrepresentation. This discrepancy was the largest for questions on frequency (question 2) and urgency (question 4), which are related to irritative symptoms. Mean misrepresentation of the total American Urological Association symptom score was 2.42 and 5.33 for patients with greater than 12 and fewer than 9 years of education, respectively (p <0.001). Of patients with more than 12 years of education 28% misreported their symptoms by 4 points or greater and 1% misreported them by 10 points or greater, while 58% with fewer than 9 years of education misreported their total score by 4 points or greater and 21% misreported it by greater than 10 points. CONCLUSIONS: While the American Urological Association symptom score is a useful tool for the rapid diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia, patients with low education misrepresent their scores more often and to a higher degree, possibly predisposing them to inappropriate care.