To compare the safety and efficacy of methotrexate (MTX), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and azathioprine (AZA) in non-anterior sarcoidosis-associated uveitis. Retrospective study including non-anterior sarcoidosis-associated uveitis according to the revised International Workshop on Ocular Sarcoidosis criteria. The primary outcome was defined as the median time to relapse or occurrence of serious adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation. 58 patients with non-anterior sarcoidosis-associated uveitis (MTX (n=33), MMF (n=16) and AZA (n=9)) were included. The time to treatment failure (ie, primary outcome) after adjustment for corticosteroids dose and the presence of vasculitis was significantly higher with MTX (median time of 34.5 months with MTX (IQR: 11.8 -not reached) vs 8.4 months (3.1-22.9) with MMF and 16.8 months (8.0-90.1) with AZA (p=0.020)). The risk of relapse at 12 months was more than twice lower in MTX as compared with MMF (p=0.046). Low visual acuity at the last visit was significantly lower with MTX (4% vs 9% in MMF vs 57% in AZA group (p=0.008)). Regarding all 75 lines of treatment (MTX (n=39), MMF (n=24) and AZA (n=12)), MTX was more effective than MMF and AZA to obtain treatment response at 3 months (OR 10.85; 95% CI 1.13 to 104.6; p=0.039). Significant corticosteroid-sparing effect at 12 months (p=0.035) was only observed under MTX. Serious adverse events were observed in 6/39 (15%), 5/24 (21%) and 2/12 (17%) with MTX, MMF and AZA, respectively. In non-anterior sarcoidosis-associated uveitis, MTX seems to be more efficient compared with AZA and MMF and with an acceptable safety profile.

BackgroundDespite, the potential clinical utility of 60–4 visual fields, they are not frequently used in clinical practice partly, due to the purported impact of facial contour on field defects. The purpose of this study was to design and test an artificial intelligence-driven platform to predict facial structure-dependent visual field defects on 60–4 visual field tests.MethodsSubjects with no ocular pathology were included. Participants were subject to optical coherence tomography, 60–4 Swedish interactive thresholding algorithm visual field tests and photography. The predicted visual field was compared with observed 60–4 visual field results in subjects. Average and point-specific sensitivity, specificity, precision, negative predictive value, accuracy, and F1-scores were primary outcome measures.Results30 healthy were enrolled. Three-dimensional facial reconstruction using a convolution neural network (CNN) was able to predict facial contour-dependent 60–4 visual field defects in 30 subjects without ocular pathology. Overall model accuracy was 97%±3% and 96%±3% and the F1-score, dependent on precision and sensitivity, was 58%±19% and 55%±15% for the right eye and left eye, respectively. Spatial-dependent model performance was observed with increased sensitivity and precision within the far inferior nasal field reflected by an average F1-score of 76%±20% and 70%±29% for the right eye and left eye, respectively.ConclusionsThis pilot study reports the development of a CNN-enhanced platform capable of predicting 60–4 visual field defects in healthy controls based on facial contour. Further study with this platform may enhance understanding of the influence of facial contour on 60–4 visual field testing.

BackgroundOptimal utilisation of investigations in glaucoma management remains unclear. We aimed to assess whether a temporal association exists between such testing and management changes.MethodsRetrospective observational study using nationwide healthcare insurance claims database. Glaucoma outpatient encounters from patients aged ≥40 years with/without Humphrey visual field (HVF) and/or optical coherence tomography (OCT) were identified. An encounter was considered associated with an intervention if surgery occurred within 90 days, or if medication change or laser trabeculoplasty (LT) occurred within 30 days.Results12 669 324 outpatient encounters of 1 863 748 individuals from 2003 to 2020 were included. HVF and OCT was performed during 32.8% and 22.2% of encounters respectively. Of the 36 763 (0.3%) encounters preceding surgery, 28.1% included HVF, 11.9% had OCT and 8.5% both. 79 181 (0.6%) visits preceded LT, of which 28.2% had HVF, 13.2% OCT and 9.3% both. Of the 515 899 (4.5%) encounters preceding medication changes, 29.1% had HVF, 16.7% OCT and 12.2% both. Compared with encounters with no investigations, those with HVF and/or OCT were associated with a 49% increased odds of a management change (p<0.001). In multivariate analyses, compared with encounters without investigations, visits with HVF alone had higher odds of subsequent surgery and LT, while HVF and/or OCT were associated with higher odds of medication change (p<0.001 for all).ConclusionGlaucoma therapeutic changes occurred following approximately 5% of outpatient encounters. Surgery and LT were more likely to occur following a visit with a HVF rather than an OCT, while either investigation was associated with a higher odds of medication change.

PurposeTo assess the optimal number and orientation of anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) images for accurately measuring ocular biometric parameters in angle closure eyes.MethodsSubjects with angle closure, defined as >3 quadrants of non-visible pigmented trabecular meshwork on static gonioscopy, were selected from the Chinese American Eye Study. Mean angle opening distance (AOD500) was calculated using four images (0°−180°, 45°−225°, 90°−270° and 135°−315° meridians) from one eye per subject. Ten eyes from each quartile of AOD500 measurements were randomly selected for detailed 32-image analysis of 10 biometric parameters, including AOD500, iris curvature (IC), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens vault (LV), and anterior chamber area (ACA). Mean and range of measurements from 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 images were compared with 32-image values for all parameters.Results40 out of 335 eyes with angle closure were selected for 32-image analysis. Deviation from the 32-image mean was between 0.44% and 19.31% with one image, decreasing to 0.08% to 4.21% with two images for all parameters. Deviation from the 32-image range of measurements was between 54.67% to 88.94% with one image, decreasing to <7.00% with eight images for all parameters except ACD and ACA. Orienting the first image analysed along the 25°−205° meridian better approximated the range of measurements when four or fewer images were analysed.ConclusionsSectoral anatomical variations in angle closure eyes are easily misrepresented based on current AS-OCT imaging conventions. A revised multi-image approach can better capture the mean and range of biometric measurements.

Background/aimsTo assess surgical patterns in ophthalmology by subspecialty in the USA.MethodsOphthalmic surgeons were categorised as comprehensive/subspecialist based on billed procedures in the 2017–2018 Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data. Poisson regression models assessed factors associated with physicians performing surgeries in the core domain (eg, cataract extractions) and subspecialty domain. Models were adjusted for provider gender, time since graduation, geographical region, practice setting and hospital affiliation.ResultsThere were 10 346 ophthalmic surgeons, 74.7% comprehensive and 25.3% subspecialists. Cataract extractions were performed by 6.0%, 9.9%, 21.0%, 88.1% and 95.3% of specialists in surgical retina, neuro-ophthalmology/paediatrics, oculoplastics, glaucoma and cornea, respectively. Retina specialists were more likely to perform cataract surgery if they were 20–30 or>30 years in practice (relative risk: 2.20 (95% CI: 1.17 to 4.12) and 3.74 (95% CI: 1.80 to 7.76), respectively) or in a non-metropolitan setting (3.78 (95% CI: 1.71 to 8.38)). Among oculoplastics specialists, male surgeons (2.71 (95% CI: 1.36 to 5.42)), those in practice 10–20 years or 20–30 years (1.93 (95% CI: 1.15 to 3.26) and 1.91 (95% CI: 1.11 to 3.27), respectively) and in non-metropolitan settings (3.07 (95% CI: 1.88 to 5.02)) were more likely to perform cataract surgery. Only 26 of the 2620 subspecialists performed surgeries in two or more subspecialty domains.ConclusionsThere is a trend towards surgical subspecialisation in ophthalmology in the USA whereby some surgeons focus their surgical practice on subspecialty procedures and rarely perform surgeries in the core domain.

Background/aimsPathological myopia (PM) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. We aimed to evaluate microvascular and chorioretinal changes in different stages of myopia with wide-field (WF) swept-source (SS) optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).MethodsThis prospective cross-sectional observational study included 186 eyes of 122 patients who had undergone imaging between November 2018 and October 2020. Vessel density (VD) and vessel skeletonised density (VSD) of superficial capillary plexus, deep capillary plexus and whole retina, as well as foveal avascular zone parameters, retinal thickness (RT) and choroidal thickness (CT), were calculated.ResultsThis study evaluated 75 eyes of 48 patients with high myopia (HM), 43 eyes of 31 patients with mild to moderate myopia and 68 eyes of 53 age-matched controls. Controlling for age and the presence of systemic hypertension, we found that HM was associated with decrease in VD and VSD in all layers on 12×12 mm² scans. Furthermore, HM was associated with a VD and VSD decrease in every Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study grid, with a larger decrease temporally (βVD=−0.39, βVSD=−10.25, p<0.01). HM was associated with decreased RT and CT. Reduction in RT was outside the macular region, while reduction in CT was in the macular region.ConclusionUsing WF SS-OCTA, we identified reduction in microvasculature and structural changes associated with myopia. Decrease in VD and VSD was greater in the temporal quadrant, and reductions in RT and CT were uneven across the retina. Further work may help identify risk factors for the progression of PM and associated vision-threatening complications.

AimsTo evaluate visual acuity (VA) outcomes of cataract surgery, and factors associated with good visual outcomes, among a population with diabetes.MethodsParticipants with type 2 diabetes enrolled in The Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) study and ACCORD-eye substudy. 1136 eyes of 784 ACCORD participants receiving cataract surgery during follow-up (2001–2014) were included. Of these, 362 eyes had fundus photographs gradable for diabetic retinopathy. The main outcome measure was the achievement of postoperative VA of 20/40 or better.ResultsIn the sample of 1136 eyes, 762 eyes (67.1%) achieved good visual outcome of 20/40 or better. Factors predictive of good visual outcome were higher level of educational attainment (college vs some high school, OR 2.35 (95% CI 1.44 to 3.82)), bilateral cataract surgery (OR 1.55 (1.14 to 2.10)) and preoperative VA (20/20 or better vs worse than 20/200, OR 10.59 (4.07 to 27.54)). Factors not significantly associated (p>0.05) included age, sex, race, smoking, diabetes duration, blood pressure, lipid levels and haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C). In the subsample of 362 eyes, absence of diabetic retinopathy was associated with good visual outcome (OR 1.73 (1.02 to 2.94)).ConclusionAmong individuals with diabetes, two-thirds of eyes achieved good visual outcome after cataract surgery. Notable factors associated with visual outcome included preoperative VA and diabetic retinopathy, but not HbA1C, underscoring that while certain ocular measures may help evaluate visual potential, systemic parameters may not be as valuable. Sociodemographic factors might also be important considerations. Although the current visual prognosis after cataract surgery is usually favourable, certain factors still limit the visual potential in those with diabetes.

Inherited retinal disease (IRD) affects approximately 1 in 3000 individuals in North America and Europe, and is a significant cause of visual impairment and blindness among children and working-age adults, with major personal and societal impact.1 2 Accurate clinical phenotypic and genotypic diagnosis of IRD is challenging, but increasingly important and relevant. Traditionally, genotypic diagnosis has been considered ‘nice to have’, but not ‘essential’, with implications usually related to patient prognostication and genetic counselling. However, an accurate genetic diagnosis is now of paramount importance because of rapid advances in potential gene replacement and other therapies for these previously untreatable conditions. In 2017, the first gene therapy for IRD was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of RPE65 -mediated retinal dystrophy, and shortly after by the European Medicines Agency as well.3 Multiple clinical trials are currently underway for other IRDs, including choroideraemia, Stargardt disease and retinitis pigmentosa (RP).4 5 Besides gene replacement therapy, progress in other areas such as antisense oligonucleotide therapy and gene editing with clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated proteins also rely on accurate genetic diagnosis.5 6 Successful genotypic diagnosis remains elusive for many patients globally, due in part to remaining gaps in knowledge, but also due to limited access to testing, which remains relatively expensive, along with scarcity and an uneven distribution of institutions with expertise in IRD. In certain tertiary centres in the western world, patients have a high chance of an accurate genetic diagnosis. Recent studies have demonstrated the successful characterisation of large cohorts of patients with IRD using systematic clinical phenotyping and genetic testing protocols.7–10 Typically, historical, clinical, electrophysiological and multi-modal imaging data are used to assign each patient a clinical phenotypic category and to facilitate the selection of a genetic …

PurposeQuantification of dark adaptation (DA) response using the conventional rod intercept time (RIT) requires very long testing time and may not be measurable in the presence of impairments due to diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The goal of this study was to investigate the advantages of using area under the DA curve (AUDAC) as an alternative to the conventional parameters to quantify DA response.MethodsData on 136 eyes (AMD: 98, normal controls: 38) from an ongoing longitudinal study on AMD were used. DA was measured using the AdaptDx 20 min protocol. AUDAC was computed from the raw DA characteristic curve at different time points, including 6.5 min and 20 min (default). The presence of AMD in the given eye was predicted using a logistic regression model within the leave-one-out cross-validation framework, with DA response as the predictor while adjusting for age and gender. The DA response variable was either the AUDAC values computed at 6.5 min (AUDAC6.5) or at 20 min (AUDAC20) cut-off, or the conventional RIT.ResultsAUDAC6.5 was strongly correlated with AUDAC20 (β=86, p<0.001, R2=0.87). The accuracy of predicting the presence of AMD using AUDAC20 was 76%, compared with 79% when using RIT, the current gold standard. In addition, when limiting AUDAC calculation to 6.5 min cut-off, the predictive accuracy of AUDAC6.5 was 80%.ConclusionsAUDAC can be a valuable measure to quantify the overall DA response and can potentially facilitate shorter testing duration while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.

Corneal blindness is the third leading cause of blindness worldwide.1 Corneal transplantation remains the only method of restoring vision in eyes with end-stage corneal decompensation and is the most frequently performed type of transplant worldwide.2 Due to the immunological and lymphogenic privilege of the avascular cornea, keratoplasty is the most successful tissue transplantation procedure currently performed in humans.3 However, as with most solid-organ transplants, the risk of transmitting infectious diseases and viruses is an important aspect of corneal transplantation that can affect recipients or those handling donor tissue.4 Thus, the rapid emergence of a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) since December 2019 has led to a devastating impact on corneal transplantation worldwide. To date, the SARS-CoV-2 has infected close to 13 million people and led to more than 560000 deaths worldwide in a short space of 6 months (WHO COVID-2019 situation report as of July 13, 2020). Since its emergence in Wuhan China, the SARS-CoV-2 has been reported to cause conjunctivitis and detected in tears or conjunctival secretions.5 The potential for SARS-CoV-2 to affect the ocular surface had immediate implications for eye banking around the world. Furthermore, travel restrictions and curtailed elective procedures have led to the reduction in the supply, retrieval and demand for corneal transplantation.6 Thus, the future of corneal transplantation faces an unprecedented threat, as access to this sight-restoring surgery is affected on a global scale.7 Beyond the pandemic, COVID-19 may have lasting effects on corneal transplantation, as healthcare services resume to face long waiting lists and a potential shortage of donors. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a consensus on recommendations for restoring corneal transplantation services, even as the outbreak evolves and we learn more about the SARS-CoV-2. In order to do this, there are several …