The electroretinogram (ERG) represents the biopotential evoked by the retina in response to a light stimulus. The flash evoked ERG (fERG) is the ERG modality most frequently used clinically to ...diagnose and monitor retinal disorders. We hereby present a new method to record spontaneous retinal activity, without the use of a flash stimulus, that we named the resting-state ERG (rsERG). The recordings were done in normal subjects under light- and dark-adaptation and with different background light conditions (i.e., variations of wavelength and intensity). Additionally, rsERG recordings were obtained in five patients with retinopathies. The signals were subsequently analyzed in the frequency domain, extracting both periodic (i.e., frequency peaks) and aperiodic (i.e., background trend) components of the signal. The later was further assessed through a multifractal analysis using Wavelet Leaders. Results show that, irrespective of the recording conditions used, the rsERG always includes the same 90 Hz component; a frequency component also present in the fERG response, suggesting a retinally-intrinsic origin. However, in addition, the fERGs also includes a low-frequency component which is absent in the rsERGs, a finding supporting a retinally-induced origin. Comparing rsERGs with fERGs in selected patients with various retinal disorders indicates that the two retinal signals are not always similarly affected (either as a result of underlying retinal pathology or otherwise), suggesting an added value in the assessment of retinal function. Thus, the rsERG could have a similar role in clinical visual electrophysiology as that of the resting-state EEG in neurology namely, to quantify changes in spontaneous activity that result from a given disease processes.
To describe the anatomic changes and natural history of vitelliform lesions in Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD) using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT).
Prospective ...comparative case series.
Twenty patients (40 eyes) with molecular confirmation of mutation in the BEST1 gene and 20 age-matched controls were included.
Color fundus photographs, fundus autofluorescence, and spectral-domain OCT were obtained, and these findings were compared between the 2 groups. Fifteen of the 20 patients with Best disease had more than 1 visit, and the imaging studies from each visit were compared with each other over time.
Evolution of visual acuity and clinical stage of BVMD correlated to OCT measurement parameters, including retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) thickness, central macular thickness, and integrity of the ellipsoid zone.
Patients with BVMD demonstrated progressive disorganization and thinning of the submacular RPE on OCT when compared with normal controls. Concurrent with the appearance of "egg-yolk lesions," the OCT showed a cleft in the outer retina, creating an apical and basal separation of retinal layers. The apical complex of the vitelliform lesion eventually degenerated and flattened. Patients with such lesions nevertheless maintained reasonable visual acuity into the advanced vitelleruptive stages despite the disruption of normal anatomic changes.
Our study suggests that in BVMD, subretinal vitelliform material accumulation leads to a clear separation of the outer retinal layers. The level at which this cleft forms is a topic of discussion and interest, with the most likely levels of least resistance being the interdigitation zone or between the RPE and the Bruch's membrane. It is possible that RPE may continue to form a preserved photoreceptor-RPE complex that provides essential nutrients to the photoreceptors and in turn helps patients maintain better than expected visual acuity for years.
To evaluate the role of anterior segment (AS) optical coherence tomography (OCT) as a standardized method of imaging Boston type I keratoprosthesis (KPro) after surgery, particularly in the ...visualization of iris and angle structures.
Prospective case series.
Twenty patients who underwent KPro implantation in 1 eye.
Patients underwent AS OCT imaging before surgery. After KPro implantation, patients were imaged using the AS single, dual, and quad scans to obtain transverse images of the eye every 15° over 360°. High-resolution, corneal quad, and anterior chamber scans were also obtained. This imaging protocol allowed juxtaposition and comparison of the same imaging coordinates obtained before surgery and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery.
Postoperative visual acuity (VA), glaucoma progression on clinical examination and formal visual field testing, and anatomic angle changes on AS OCT defined by angle closure, peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS), iris-KPro backplate touch, and graft-host interface changes over time.
Mean follow-up was 18.8±3.2 months. The average preoperative VA was 1.9±0.5 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution. After surgery, VA improved to 1.0±0.9 at last follow-up (P = 0.002). Fourteen of 20 patients had glaucoma before surgery. After surgery, 5 of these patients deteriorated clinically and 1 de novo diagnosis of glaucoma was made. On OCT, the average total degrees of angle closure for all patients increased from 158.5±158.9° before surgery to 205.4±154.0° after surgery (P = 0.04). The number of eyes with 360° of PAS increased from 6 of 20 before surgery to 9 of 20 after surgery. Iris-backplate touch was demonstrated in 5 of 20 patients, with an average area of involvement of 24.2±36.2°. Overall, of the 12 of 20 patients with clear signs of anatomic angle narrowing and synechiae progression on imaging, 3 had glaucoma deterioration detected by clinical examination. In the other 9 patients, angle changes on OCT were not accompanied by any detectable clinical signs of glaucomatous deterioration.
Anterior segment OCT can be used to observe anatomic changes after KPro implantation that cannot be detected otherwise. We were unable to demonstrate a correlation between anatomic features and clinical progression.
Choroideremia (CHM) is an X-linked inherited retinal disease mostly affecting males. However, women with phenotypic and/or genotypic evidence of CHM may develop degenerative visual disability with ...advancing age. Our objective was to determine the visual impacts of phenotypic and/or genotypic evidence of CHM in women and its associated psychosocial burden and influence on activities of daily living (ADLs).INTRODUCTIONChoroideremia (CHM) is an X-linked inherited retinal disease mostly affecting males. However, women with phenotypic and/or genotypic evidence of CHM may develop degenerative visual disability with advancing age. Our objective was to determine the visual impacts of phenotypic and/or genotypic evidence of CHM in women and its associated psychosocial burden and influence on activities of daily living (ADLs).We conducted an international cross-sectional survey from April to December 2022 using an e-questionnaire distributed through not-for-profit stakeholder organizations and social media plat-forms.METHODSWe conducted an international cross-sectional survey from April to December 2022 using an e-questionnaire distributed through not-for-profit stakeholder organizations and social media plat-forms.With a total of 55 respondents (n = 55), most women with phenotypic and/or genotypic evidence of CHM (76%) reported a change in their visual acuity. When assessing its impact on ADLs, Pearson's correlation coefficient showed a negative correlation between driving (p = 0.046) and mobility capabil-ities (0.046) with the respondent's age. More than half of women reported being afraid, anxious, and stressed, with women below the age of 50 years old reporting a significantly higher level of distress and hopelessness (p = 0.003), anxiety (p = 0.00007), issues with relaxing (p = 0.025), and negative personal thoughts (p = 0.042).RESULTSWith a total of 55 respondents (n = 55), most women with phenotypic and/or genotypic evidence of CHM (76%) reported a change in their visual acuity. When assessing its impact on ADLs, Pearson's correlation coefficient showed a negative correlation between driving (p = 0.046) and mobility capabil-ities (0.046) with the respondent's age. More than half of women reported being afraid, anxious, and stressed, with women below the age of 50 years old reporting a significantly higher level of distress and hopelessness (p = 0.003), anxiety (p = 0.00007), issues with relaxing (p = 0.025), and negative personal thoughts (p = 0.042).Overall, this survey outlines both physical and psychological burden of being a woman with phenotypic and/or genotypic evidence of CHM. Given the limited clinical research in females affected by CHM, this patient-centered survey is a crucial advocacy tool for these individuals.CONCLUSIONOverall, this survey outlines both physical and psychological burden of being a woman with phenotypic and/or genotypic evidence of CHM. Given the limited clinical research in females affected by CHM, this patient-centered survey is a crucial advocacy tool for these individuals.
PURPOSE:To explore whether community college (CC) applicants were a significant contributor to the diversity of matriculants to physician assistant (PA) programs and whether CC applicants were less ...likely to matriculate to PA programs than non-CC applicants.
METHOD:The authors used national data from the 2016-2017 application cycle. They categorized applicants to PA programs into 5 pathwaysHS-CC (applicant attended CC while in high school), first-CC (applicant attended CC prior to a 4-year university), 4Y-CC (applicant attended CC while at a 4-year university), post-CC (applicant attended CC after graduating from a 4-year university), and no-CC (applicant never attended CC). The authors used Pearson chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis H tests and the appropriate post-hoc tests to assess whether applicants in the 4 CC pathways were more diverse in terms of their race, ethnicity, gender, rurality, and socioeconomic status than those in the no-CC pathway. They used logistic regressions to assess the associations between the CC pathways and matriculation to a PA program.
RESULTS:Among the 8,577 matriculants in the 2016-2017 application cycle, more than 75% attended a CC at some point. First-CC and post-CC matriculants were more likely to be Black (P < .001) or Hispanic (P < .001) and come from a disadvantaged background (P < .001) than no-CC matriculants. After adjusting for applicant demographics, academic performance, rurality and socioeconomic status, and application strategy, first-CC applicants had 17% lower odds of matriculating to a PA program than no-CC applicants (P < .001).
CONCLUSIONS:CCs are an important pathway to the PA profession, with 3 of 4 matriculants having a CC background. However, lower matriculation rates among similarly qualified applicants who transferred from a CC to a 4-year university compared to applicants with no CC background suggest that PA programs are missing important opportunities for increasing student diversity and thereby the profession.
Background
Inadequate screening of treatment-warranted retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) can lead to devastating visual outcomes. Especially in resource-poor communities, the use of an affordable, ...portable, and easy to use smartphone-based non-contact fundus photography device may prove useful for screening for high-risk ROP. This study evaluates the feasibility of screening for high-risk ROP using a novel smartphone-based fundus photography device, RetinaScope.
Methods
Retinal images were obtained using RetinaScope on a cohort of prematurely born infants during routine examinations for ROP. Images were reviewed by two masked graders who determined the image quality, the presence or absence of plus disease, and whether there was retinopathy that met predefined criteria for referral. The agreement between image-based assessments was compared to the gold standard indirect ophthalmoscopic assessment.
Results
Fifty-four eyes of 27 infants were included. A wide-field fundus photograph was obtained using RetinaScope. Image quality was acceptable or excellent in 98% and 95% of cases. There was substantial agreement between the gold standard and photographic assessment of presence or absence of plus disease (Cohen’s
κ
= 0.85). Intergrader agreement on the presence of any retinopathy in photographs was also high (
κ
= 0.92).
Conclusions
RetinaScope can capture digital retinal photographs of prematurely born infants with good image quality for grading of plus disease.
If wider application of retinal laser photo-coagulation is necessary, use of a long-acting gas or silicone oil is recommended. Since a single posterior break was the origin of the RRD, a pneumatic ...retinopexy with laser could have been an alternative option. The retina flattened completely, and endolaser was used to apply laser to the hole and drainage retinotomy, with a light-grey laser reaction observed. ...the posterior hyaloid configuration in this case was typical of that seen in patients with inherited retinal degenerations, in which a partially retained hyaloid is present over the entire retina except at the optic nerve (and, sometimes, fovea). Long-term natural history of atrophy in eyes with choroideremia-a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual-level data.
Treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is challenging. More research is needed to understand treatment outcomes and associated factors.A retrospective cohort study was conducted to ...assess trends and predictors of treatment success among 398 MDR-TB and extensively drug resistant TB patients who started treatment in 2011 to 2015 in Hangzhou, China. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristic data were obtained from the national reporting database. Chi-square test for trend was used to evaluate changes in treatment success rates over the study years, and Cox regression analysis was used to identify predictors for poor treatment outcomes.The treatment success rate was 76% (301/398) for all participants, 77% (298/387) for MDR-TB cases and 27% (3/11) for extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis -TB cases. Treatment success increased significantly from 66% among patients who started treatment in 2011 to 85% in 2015 (P < .01). Of the 97 (24.4%) patients with unsuccessful treatment outcomes, 10 (2.5%) died, 64 (16.1%) failed treatment, and 23 (5.8%) were lost to follow-up. Patients who started treatment in 2013 to 2015 were less likely to have unsuccessful outcomes than those who started in 2011-2012 (adjusted odds ratio AOR 0.4, 95% confidence interval CI 0.3-0.6), patients ≥25 years were more likely to have unsuccessful outcomes than younger patients (AOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.3-2.1), and cases with kanamycin resistance was associated with three times the odds of having unsuccessful outcomes than kanamycin-susceptible cases (AOR 3.0, 95% CI 1.5-5.8).With proper case management of MDR-TB, patients can achieve a high treatment success rate. Hangzhou's program offers clinical evidence that can be used to inform MDR-TB programs elsewhere in China and abroad.
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