Characteristics and Trends of Strabismus Surgeries at a Tertiary Hospital Over 2 Decades - What Can Be Learned for Years to Come?

PURPOSE: To analyze characteristics and trends of strabismus surgeries in an Israeli hospital over 2 decades. METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective study including all strabismus surgeries (666) performed during 2000-2019 at an Israeli tertiary hospital. Electronic medical records (EMRs) were directly retrieved to produce an anonymized database. RESULTS: No trends were evident for age, sex, or ethnicity (p = .294, 0.914 and p = .167, respectively). The mean number of horizontal muscles remained stable, while an increase was noted in the mean number of muscles operated on to repair vertical strabismus (p < .0001). Among acquired cases, a 2.67-fold increase was noted in the proportion of spontaneous strabismus and a decrease of traumatic causes to a third (p < .001). An increase was noted in the proportion of exotropia among horizontal strabismus corrections (p = .022), and esotropia correction techniques distribution changed (p = .004). Reoperations comprised a third of all cases during both decades (p = .198). Reoperations were more prevalent among younger and Jewish patients (p < .001 and p = .024, respectively). Techniques to correct esotropia and exotropia differed significantly between primary surgeries and reoperations (p < .00001 each). CONCLUSIONS: The complexity of surgical techniques increased over time. Ethnic minorities were less prone to reoperations.

Trends and patterns in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus surgeries: a decade review from a leading Portuguese university hospital.

PURPOSE: Strabismus and Pediatrics Ophthalmology surgeries are pivotal in addressing early-onset visual disorders. An 11-year retrospective study at a tertiary hospital center aimed to elucidate evolving surgical trends, focusing on esotropia cases. METHODS: The surgical records from January 2009 to January 2020 were analyzed according to the baseline diagnosis. Esotropia cases were evaluated based on the patients' deviation types, surgical techniques, and pre-operative characteristics. A total of 2050 surgeries were performed over the study period. RESULTS: Strabismus surgery accounts for 70% of the department's surgical activity. A trend toward a decrease in esotropia surgeries and a proportional increase in exotropia surgeries was noticeable. Esotropia cases, with a median surgical age of 6 years (p25-p75, 4-10) and uniform gender distribution (females, 54.8%), predominantly involved high angular deviations. Posterior fixation sutures emerged as the preferred surgical technique for esotropia. CONCLUSION: The study's insights, while aligning with prior European research, introduce new dimensions to the understanding of strabismus surgeries, emphasizing the significance of early interventions, evolving surgical preferences, and the challenges posed by severe deviations.

Research Progress of the Application of Hypothermia in the Eye.

Hypothermia is widely used in the medical field to protect organs or tissues from damage. Different research fields have different explanations of the protection mechanism of hypothermia. Hypothermia is also widely used in the field of ophthalmology, for example, in the eye bank, the preservation of corneal tissue and the preservation of the eyeball. Low temperature can also be applied to some ophthalmic diseases, such as allergic conjunctivitis, retinal ischemia, and retinal hypoxia. It is used to relieve eye symptoms or reduce tissue damage. Hypothermic techniques have important applications in ophthalmic surgery, such as corneal refractive surgery, vitrectomy surgery, and ciliary body cryotherapy for end-stage glaucoma. Hypothermia can reduce the inflammation of the cornea and protect the retinal tissue. The eyeball is a complex organ, including collagen tissue of the eyeball wall and retinal nerve tissue and retinal blood vessels. The mechanism of low temperature protecting eye tissue is complicated. It is important to understand the mechanism of hypothermia and its applications in ophthalmology. This review introduces the mechanism of hypothermia and its application in the eye banks, eye diseases (allergic conjunctivitis, retinal ischemia, and hypoxia), and eye surgeries (corneal transplant surgery, corneal refractive surgery, and vitrectomy).

Tendencias actuales de la cirugía de estrabismo en un hospital terciario / Current trends of strabismus surgery in a tertiary hospital

OBJETIVO: Analizar las cirugías de estrabismo y los resultados durante un año y medio en un hospital terciario. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes operados de estrabismo. Se analizó: edad media, sexo, diagnóstico, diplopía, técnica y anestesia, suturas ajustables, resultados, re-intervenciones y tiempo de seguimiento desde la cirugía. Se consideró buen resultado una desviación horizontal < 10 dioptrías prismáticas (dp) y vertical < 5 dp, sin diplopía. RESULTADOS: Se operaron 153 casos, con una edad media de 43,14 ± 25,58 años (61,4% mujeres). El 74,5% eran ≥ 18 años (33,33% ≥ 60). El 51% tenían diplopía. La desviación más frecuente fue horizontal: 83,6%. El diagnóstico más frecuente fue la parálisis de los nervios craneales: 32% (VI nervio: 12,4%), los estrabismos restrictivos representaron un 7,2% y la esotropía asociada a la edad, un 6,5%. Se emplearon suturas ajustables en el 19,7% y anestesia tópica en el 65,4%. El 79,2% obtuvieron buenos resultados al final del seguimiento. Las re-intervenciones fueron el 25,5%. El tiempo medio de seguimiento fue de 11,87 meses ± 6,5. El sexo femenino (p = 0,012) y la cirugía de oblicuo superior (p = 0,017) se asociaron a un peor resultado. CONCLUSIÓN: La cirugía del estrabismo del adulto fue tres veces más frecuente que la de los niños. La tercera parte de los adultos que se operaron eran ≥ 60 años. Las parálisis fueron la patología más frecuente. Las suturas ajustables se emplearon en escaso número de pacientes. Se obtuvieron buenos resultados en la mayoría de los casos

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the strabismus surgeries and the outcomes during a year and a half in a tertiary hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of patients who underwent strabismus surgery. The mean age, sex, diagnosis, diplopia, surgery, anesthesia, adjustable sutures, results, reoperations and follow up time from surgery were analyzed. A good outcome was considered when the final horizontal deviation was less than 10 prism diopters (pd) and the vertical deviation less than 5 pd without diplopia. RESULTS: A total of 153 cases were operated on, mean age: 43.14 ± 25.58 years (61.4%: women).74.5% of patients were ≥ 18 years (33.33% ≥ 60). Diplopia was present in 51% of patients. The most frequent deviation was horizontal: 83.6%. The most frequent diagnosis was cranial nerve palsies: 32% (VI nerve: 12.4%), restrictive strabismus: 7.2%, and the aged related distance esotropia: 6.5%. Adjustable sutures were used in 19.7% of cases and topical anesthesia in 65.4%. Good outcomes was present in 79.2% of cases at the end of follow-up. Reoperations were needed in 25.5%. Follow-up evolution time was 11.87 months ± 6.5. The sex female (P = .012) and the oblique superior surgery (P = .017) were associated with bad outcome. CONCLUSIÓN: The adult strabismus surgery was three times more frequent than the children strabismus surgery. The third of the adults that were operated on were ≥ 60 years. The cranial nerve palsies were the most frequent diagnosis. Adjustable sutures were rarely used. Good outcomes were obtained in most of the patients at the end of follow-up

Current trends of strabismus surgery in a tertiary hospital. / Tendencias actuales de la cirugía de estrabismo en un hospital terciario.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the strabismus surgeries and the outcomes during a year and a half in a tertiary hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of patients who underwent strabismus surgery. The mean age, sex, diagnosis, diplopia, surgery, anesthesia, adjustable sutures, results, reoperations and follow up time from surgery were analyzed. A good outcome was considered when the final horizontal deviation was less than 10prism diopters (pd) and the vertical deviation less than 5pd without diplopia. RESULTS: A total of 153 cases were operated on, mean age: 43.14 ±25.58years (61.4%: women). 74.5% of patients were ≥18years (33.33% ≥60). Diplopia was present in 51% of patients. The most frequent deviation was horizontal: 83.6%. The most frequent diagnosis was cranial nerve palsies: 32% (VI nerve: 12.4%), restrictive strabismus: 7.2%, and the aged related distance esotropia: 6.5%. Adjustable sutures were used in 19.7% of cases and topical anesthesia in 65.4%. Good outcomes was present in 79.2% of cases at the end of follow-up. Reoperations were needed in 25.5%. Follow-up evolution time was 11.87 months ±6.5. The sex female (P=.012) and the oblique superior surgery (P=.017) were associated with bad outcome. CONCLUSION: The adult strabismus surgery was three times more frequent than the children strabismus surgery. The third of the adults that were operated on were ≥60 years. The cranial nerve palsies were the most frequent diagnosis. Adjustable sutures were rarely used. Good outcomes were obtained in most of the patients at the end of follow-up.

Trend of surgery for orbital cellulitis: An analysis of state inpatient databases.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To evaluate the trend and factors associated with surgical management of orbital cellulitis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective database study. METHODS: Study using the State Inpatient Databases (SIDs) from 2008 to 2015. Patients with an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnosis code for orbital cellulitis were identified in the SIDs for the following states: Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska, New York, and Wisconsin. Surgery was defined as an ICD-9-CM procedure code for orbitotomy and/or functional endoscopic sinus surgery. The trend of surgery over time was evaluated using the Cochran-Armitage test. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify patient- and hospital-level factors associated with surgery. RESULTS: From 2008 to 2013, the number of hospitalizations for orbital cellulitis ranged from 1,349 to 1,574, but declined to 865 in 2014. From 2008 to 2015, the number of surgeries ranged from 103 to 154. For children (n = 3,041), age, ophthalmologic comorbidity, and conjunctival edema were significantly associated with surgery, whereas for adults (n = 7,961), male gender, private insurance, optic neuritis, and cranial nerves III/VI/VI palsy were associated with surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Although the number of inpatient hospitalizations for orbital cellulitis has markedly declined, the number of surgeries for orbital cellulitis has remained fairly stable, leading to an observed higher proportion of hospitalized patients undergoing surgery. Future directions include extending the time frame to the present day to assess current rates of hospitalization and surgery. Knowledge of surgical trends and patient- and hospital-level characteristics associated with surgery may help improve management guidelines for and understanding of this vision-threatening disease. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 130:567-574, 2020.

Population trends in adult strabismus surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To review the trends in adult strabismus procedures in Ontario from 2000-2013. DESIGN: Population-based, retrospective data analysis. PARTICIPANTS: All patients 18 years or older who underwent a strabismus related procedure in Ontario and all ophthalmologists who performed these procedures from 2000-2013. METHODS: Ontario Health Insurance Plan billing claims for strabismus procedures were collected and subdivided by number of muscles repaired, the use of adjustable sutures, repeat procedures, and pharmacological injection of the extraocular muscles adjusted by the total adult population. The number of ophthalmologists performing adult strabismus surgery was also analyzed, subdivided by high-volume and low-volume surgeons. RESULTS: From 2000-2013, per 100 000 adult population, the number of total strabismus surgeries in Ontario increased 26.0%; single-muscle surgery increased 24.2%, 2-muscle surgery increased 43.1%, and 3 or more muscle surgery increased 3.8%. During the study period, strabismus procedures using adjustable sutures increased 30.3%, and repeat procedures increased 19.1%. The number of surgeons performing adult strabismus surgery decreased 30.0% from 2000-2013. In 2013, 92.6% of surgeries were performed by 35.7% of surgeons who performed adult strabismus surgery. CONCLUSION: From 2000-2013, more strabismus surgery was performed in adults by fewer surgeons, including procedures using adjustable sutures and repeat procedures. These increases may be due to increases in health care funding and a heightened awareness of the functional and psychosocial benefits of strabismus surgery.

Corneal injury: Clinical and molecular aspects.

Currently, over 10 million people worldwide are affected by corneal blindness. Corneal trauma and disease can cause irreversible distortions to the normal structure and physiology of the cornea often leading to corneal transplantation. However, donors are in short supply and risk of rejection is an ever-present concern. Although significant progress has been made in recent years, the wound healing cascade remains complex and not fully understood. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine are currently at the apex of investigation in the pursuit of novel corneal therapeutics. This review uniquely integrates the clinical and cellular aspects of both corneal trauma and disease and provides a comprehensive view of the most recent findings and potential therapeutics aimed at restoring corneal homeostasis.

Eight-year trends in the Australian surgical approach to pterygium removal.

IMPORTANCE: Pterygium is a very common disease in Australia but the statistical data on the provision of pterygium surgical services is poorly understood. BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the trends in the types of surgeries performed for pterygium in Australia over an eight period. DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: All surgeries performed for pterygium in Australia from 2005 to 2010 in the Medicare system. METHODS: Eight years of Medicare data were analysed for services performed with pterygium removal. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Concurrently used MBS item numbers 42 686 (pterygium removal) with 42 641 (conjunctival autograft) and also 42 686 with any other ophthalmic item number. RESULTS: Pterygium removal was undertaken together with conjunctival autografting in 73% of patients in 2005 rising to 88% in 2010. Five other non-related surgical procedures were performed simultaneously with pterygium removal in 10% of patients in 2005 decreasing to 5.9% in 2012. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: About 12% of pterygium surgeries are not combined with a conjunctival autograft. It is possible that these may have been used with an adjuvant such as mitomycin or radiotherapy, or performed as simple excision. Allowing for the possibility that billing errors may have occurred it is still likely that in 5.9% of patients, other procedures that would normally not be performed with pterygium surgery, are undertaken simultaneously and may have an adverse outcome on the inappropriate concurrent surgery and on the recurrence rate of the pterygium. The surgeon should carefully review billing codes before submitting them to Medicare.

Redefiniendo la cirugía de glaucoma mínimamente invasiva. Cirugía mínimamente penetrante / Redefining minimally invasive glaucoma surgery. Minimally penetrating glaucoma surgery

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Wet Lab-Based Cataract Surgery Training Curriculum for the PGY 2/PGY 3 Ophthalmology Resident.

Introduction: Studies have shown that structured cataract surgery training curricula are beneficial for resident surgeons-in-training, yet nearly one-third of US training programs do not have one, and public dissemination of said curricula are lacking. Methods: We created a microsurgical simulation center and accompanying structured training curriculum. Weekly lectures focused on the steps of cataract surgery, variations on technique, and complications. Each didactic was followed by a 1.5- to 2-hour time block with faculty supervision in the wet lab. Finally, to demonstrate proficiency, residents submitted a recorded video illustrating their competency within 1 week of the lecture. We reviewed videos and provided written feedback via a standardized form. Curriculum effectiveness was evaluated through formative feedback on the course itself and complication rates for resident-performed cataract surgery before and after implementation of the curriculum. Results: The course was implemented in 4 consecutive academic years, allowing time for nine junior residents to participate in the course at least once before operating as a senior. The incidence of posterior capsule tears for senior residents decreased from 3.07% in the 4 years preceding curriculum implementation to 1.13% for the senior residents who completed the course at least once as juniors (p = .0571). Supervised wet lab sessions and submitted videos allowed faculty to identify surgically struggling residents early. Discussion: Implementation of a cataract surgery training curriculum for junior ophthalmology residents provides a safe and effective environment to practice surgical techniques. Such a curriculum may decrease the complication rates of beginner surgeons.

[Biomaterials or Donor Tissue - What is the Future of Tissue Engenieering for Cornea Reconstruction?] / Keratin, Kollagen oder doch Spendergewebe ­ wo liegt die Zukunft in der Entwicklung neuer Biomaterialien zur Hornhautrekonstruktion?

For the replacement of corneal tissue, corneal grafts or amniotic membrane are still used as a standard material. Since this is biological tissue, there is only a limited standardization regarding preparation, tissue properties and behaviour after transplantation. In addition, there is a risk of disease transmission, and the availability of both human corneas and amniotic membrane is insufficient in many regions of the world, which is why alternative biomaterials have been explored for many years now. Among the natural biomaterials, materials based on collagen or keratin provide characteristics that make them good candidates for corneal tissue replacement. However, there are still many unsolved problems, particularly regarding the degradation after implantation and the seam strength of the materials. Initial clinical studies with different biomaterials based on collagen prove their good biocompatibility to integrate and their low immunogenicity. Currently, there is no biomaterial that meets the requirements in every situation. It can be assumed that different biomaterials will be available in the future, which, depending on the underlying corneal disease, will fulfill different functions and thus make a patient- and disease-specific care possible.