Feasibility and clinical utility of handheld fundus cameras for retinal imaging.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Handheld fundus cameras are portable and cheaper alternatives to table-top counterparts. To date there have been no studies comparing feasibility and clinical utility of handheld fundus cameras to table-top devices. We compare the feasibility and clinical utility of four handheld fundus cameras/retinal imaging devices (Remidio NMFOP, Volk Pictor Plus, Volk iNview, oDocs visoScope) to a table-top camera (Zeiss VisucamNM/FA). SUBJECTS/METHODS: Healthy participants (n = 10, mean age ± SD = 21.0 ± 0.9 years) underwent fundus photography with five devices to assess success/failure rates of image acquisition. Participants with optic disc abnormalities (n = 8, mean age ± SD = 26.8 ± 15.9) and macular abnormalities (n = 10, mean age ± SD = 71.6 ± 15.4) underwent imaging with the top three scoring fundus cameras. Images were randomised and subsequently validated by ophthalmologists masked to the diagnoses and devices used. RESULTS: Image acquisition success rates (100%) were achieved in non-mydriatic and mydriatic settings for Zeiss, Remidio and Pictor, compared with lower success rates for iNview and oDocs. Image quality and gradeability were significantly higher for Zeiss, Remidio and Pictor (p < 0.0001) compared to iNview and oDocs. For cup:disc ratio estimates, similar levels of bias were seen for Zeiss (-0.09 ± SD:0.15), Remidio (-0.07 ± SD:0.14) and Pictor (-0.05 ± SD:0.16). Diagnostic sensitivities were highest for Zeiss (84.9%; 95% CI, 78.2-91.5%) followed by Pictor (78.1%; 95% CI, 66.6-89.5%) and Remidio (77.5%; 95% CI, 65.9-89.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Remidio and Pictor achieve comparable results to the Zeiss table-top camera. Both devices achieved similar scores in feasibility, image quality, image gradeability and diagnostic sensitivity. This suggests that these devices potentially offer a more cost-effective alternative in certain clinical scenarios.

Lacrimal gland biopsies-results from a tertiary centre in the UK.

PURPOSE: To report the histopathological results of lacrimal gland biopsies over a 21-year period in a tertiary referral centre in the United Kingdom. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the largest series to be published in the United Kingdom. METHODS: A retrospective observational review was carried out for patients who underwent lacrimal gland biopsies in a tertiary referral centre at the University Hospitals of Leicester, United Kingdom between the years of 2000 and 2021. RESULTS: Lacrimal gland biopsies were performed on 248 patients during the specified 21-year period. They comprised 157 (63.3%) females and 91 (36.7%) males. The mean age at presentation was 50.8 years (range 15-94 years). The majority of patients were Caucasian (69.4%, n = 172) followed by Asians (25.0%, n = 62), African/Afro-Caribbean (4.8%, n = 12) and other ethnicities (0.8%, n = 2). The most common histopathological diagnosis was chronic inflammation dacryoadenitis (69.0%, n = 171) followed by lymphomas (15.3%, n = 38). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that chronic inflammation accounts for the majority of histopathological diagnosis followed by lymphoproliferative disorders.

Patterns of attendances to the hospital emergency eye care service: a multicentre study in England.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To characterise the patterns of presentation and diagnostic frequencies in Hospital Emergency Eye Care Services (HEECS) across 13 hospitals in England. METHODS: Retrospective, cross-sectional, observational multi-centre (n = 13) study to assess HEECS attendances over a 28-day study period. Data derived included: number of consecutive attendances, patient demographics and diagnoses. Age and gender variations, the impact of day of the week on attendance patterns, diagnostic frequencies and estimates of the annual incidence and attendance rates were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 17,667 patient (mean ± standard deviation age = 49.6 ± 21.8 years) attendances were identified with an estimated HEECS annual new attendance rate of 31.0 per 1,000 population. Significantly more females (53%) than males (47%) attended HEECS (p < 0.001). Female attendances were 13% higher in those ≥50 years of age. Weekends were associated with a significant reduction in attendances compared to weekdays (χ2 = 6.94, p < 0.001). Among weekdays, Mondays and Fridays were associated with significantly higher attendances compared with midweek (χ2 = 2.20, p = 0.032). Presenting pathologies involving the external eye, cornea and conjunctiva accounted for 28.6% of the caseload. CONCLUSION: This is the largest multicentre study assessing attendance patterns in HEECS in England. We have, for the first time, observed a "weekend effect" in relation to attendance to HEECS. Differences in health-seeking behaviour and lack of awareness of HEECS weekend services may be partly attributed to the differences observed. Our findings, along with the type of presentations, have the potential to guide commissioners with future planning of HEECS.

Prevalence, indications and demographic characteristics of Botulinum neurotoxin use in a tertiary oculoplastic centre.

OBJECTIVES: Over the past 40 years, Botulinum Neurotoxin (BoNT) treatment has been used in many presentations to the hospital eye service. There is little published on its practice in an ophthalmology setting. We aim to report on the prevalence of BoNT use, indications for treatment, age, gender, socioeconomic and ethnic variations observed, and dosages used. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cross sectional observation study on the use of botulinum neurotoxin treatment in the oculoplastic department of a busy tertiary centre in the University Hospitals of Leicester, United Kingdom. RESULTS: The prevalence of BoNT in the service was 13.7 per 100,000 people. Of the 145 cases identified, the commonest indications for treatment were hemifacial spasm (62% of cases) and blepharospasm (29% of cases). Proportionally, twice as many females than males received BoNT (χ2 = 17.3, p < 0.0001). For those >30 years of age, the prevalence increased with age with those >90 years having a seven times higher prevalence than the mean. Overall, no significant differences were found in ethnicity and median index of multiple deprivation rank between those with treatment and the general population although specific district council variations were noted. CONCLUSIONS: These findings would assist commissioners in providing adequate resources to meet demand based on the demographics of their local population. Further qualitative and quantitative research is required to enhance our understanding of some of these trends.

A review of fitness to practise referrals and investigations of ophthalmologists by the General Medical Council in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: The General Medical Council (GMC) is a public body which regulates doctors in the United Kingdom (UK). One of its main roles is to investigate any concerns raised regarding a doctor. We aimed to study the current trends in referrals of ophthalmologists to the GMC. METHODS: A request was made to the GMC under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for all complaints of ophthalmologists received by the GMC between 2007 and 2019, their outcomes and types of allegations. We have also calculated the annual incidences of suspension and erasure. RESULTS: There were 1032 complaints received by the GMC against ophthalmologists in 2007-2019. No actions were taken in 569 cases (55%). GMC investigations were carried out in 347 cases (34%). Sixty cases were referred to the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service tribunal (6%), some of which cases resulted in suspension (28, 3%) and erasure (11, 1%). The commonest allegation types were Clinical Care, Knowledge, Skills and Performance, Maintaining Trust, Communication, Partnership and Teamwork and Probity. Annual incidences of complaints and serious outcomes between 2009 and 2017 were 30.54 (range 18.7-42.4) and 1.1 (range 0.8-2.0) per 1000 ophthalmologists respectively. CONCLUSION: There is an overall increase in the number of complaints to the GMC for ophthalmologists from 2007 to 2015 but since then there has been a gradual reduction. The annual incidences of complaints and serious outcomes have remained stable.

Redeployment of ophthalmologists in the United Kingdom during the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: During the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some ophthalmologists across the United Kingdom (UK) have been redeployed to areas of need across the National Health Service (NHS). This survey was performed to assess aspects of this process including training & education, tasks expected, availability of personal protection equipment (PPE) used and the overall anxiety of ophthalmologists around their redeployment. METHOD: Online anonymous survey around the existing guidance on safe redeployment of secondary care NHS staff and PPE use by NHS England and Public Health England respectively. The survey was open to all ophthalmologists across the UK irrespective of their redeployment status. FINDINGS: 145 surveys were completed and returned during a 2-week period between 17th April 2020 and 1st May 2020, when 52% of ophthalmologists were redeployed. The majority of this group consisted of ophthalmologists in training (79%). 81% of those redeployed were assigned to areas of the hospital where patients with confirmed Coronavirus disease were being treated as inpatients. There was a statistically significant improvement in anxiety level following redeployment which was mainly attributed to the support received by staff within the redeployed area. 71% of the redeployed group were found to have sufficient PPE was provided for the area they worked in. INTERPRETATION: This is the first national survey performed on redeployment of ophthalmologists in the UK. The study showed that ophthalmologists across all grades were able to contribute in most aspects of patient care. Anxiety of redeployment was reduced by prior training and good support in the redeployment area.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use among emergency eye care professionals in the UK during the COVID19 pandemic.

EEC staff were provided with rapidly changing personal PPE guidance by Public Health England (PHE) with specific subspecialty advice from the British Emergency Eye Care Society (BEECS) and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) UK during the COVID19 pandemic. BEECS undertook a baseline survey of its members after the initial response from the RCOphth 16/3/20 mirroring Public Health England (PHE) advice and a follow- up survey after the guidance was updated on 9/4/20. A combined total of 84 responses were received. Improvements after RCOphth changes between the two surveys from hospital respondents showed increases in temperature screening (13%), scrub use (34%), use of aprons (31%), masks (4%), eye protection (35%), gloves (25%) and slit lamp guard (1%). Our findings demonstrate a positive and significant adaptation of PPE in response to change in guidance published by PHE, RCOphth and BEECS between 16/3/20 and 11/4/20. The COVID19 pandemic has rapidly taken over the normal activity of Ophthalmic departments creating unprecedented challenges. Following initial confusion and vulnerability expressed by EEC professionals to PPE guidance, most Trusts appear to have adapted and are doing similar things. The response has been swift and effective as a result of good team work and early advice from BEECS and the RCOphth. On the whole, management teams are listening.

Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy associated with interferon and ribavirin in a patient with hepatitis C.

PURPOSE: To report a case of a temporal artery biopsy negative anterior ischemic optic neuropathy associated with a recently completed course of pegylated interferon 2 α with ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C. OBSERVATIONS: Despite the early presentation with symptoms and prompt treatment with systemic intravenous steroids the patient experienced deterioration of their optic neuropathy over the following few days. Although nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy is a common disorder with known risk factors, the timing of onset of symptoms in our patient was suggestive of a possible etiology related to treatment with ribavirin and interferon 2 α, as found in the previously reported cases. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: There have been a few reported cases of the association between the use of interferon/ribavirin for treatment of chronic hepatitis with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. In these cases stopping the drug caused some improvement of symptoms or halting the progression of optic neuropathy. Having reviewed the literature on previous cases, we postulate that there may be a dose related reaction to explain the delay and deterioration of vision in some cases despite stopping the drugs. We also advise that any person who is started on this treatment for chronic hepatitis are appropriately counselled as to the potential optic nerve side effect of the drug, based on the evidence reported in the literature.