Perceptions of Vitreoretinal Surgical Fellowship Training in the United States

Descriptive Analysis of Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship Program Directors

Purpose: To evaluate the demographic, educational, and scholarly characteristics of Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology-accredited vitreoretinal surgery fellowship program directors in the United States and Canada. Methods: Demographic, educational, and scholarly profiles of identified program directors were collated from online public resources. Characteristics were compared by sex, program size, ranking, and affiliation. Results: Eighty-one program directors (mean age [±SD] 54.7 ± 11.0 years) from 78 fellowship programs were identified. The minority were women (14.8%), who were on average 6 years younger than their male counterparts (P = .07). The majority of program directors had an academic affiliation (90.1%), most commonly professor (54.8%). The mean h-index, 5-year h-index, and m-quotient were 20.9 ± 14.9, 5.9 ± 4.4, and 0.82 ± 0.42, respectively. Compared with their counterparts, program directors of both "top 10" and large programs published more manuscripts (P < .05), accrued more citations (P < .05), and had a higher h-index (P < .05). Fellowship programs with female program directors had a significantly larger proportion of female retina faculty (P = .002). Conclusions: The backgrounds of vitreoretinal surgery program directors are diverse. However, women remain underrepresented in this position, highlighting an area with the potential for greater equity in ophthalmology.

Management of uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachments: a comparison of practice patterns and clinical outcomes in a real-world setting

OBJECTIVE

To investigate practice patterns and clinical outcomes in the repair of uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRD) in a real-world setting over a 10-year period.

METHODS

We compared preferences for scleral buckling (SB), pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), PPV/SB, or pneumatic retinopexy (PR) over time, and examined the 1-year single surgery anatomic success (SSAS) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at a tertiary academic institution from 2008-2018.

RESULTS

Eight hundred eight eyes had RRD repair between 2008-2011 (n = 240), 2012-2014 (n = 271), and 2015-2017 (n = 297). Compared to 2008-2011, PPV was preferred over SB in 2012-2014 (OR: 2.93; 95% CI: 1.86-4.63) and 2015-2017 (OR: 5.94; 95% CI: 3.76-9.38), and over PPV/SB in 2012-2014 (OR: 2.74; 95% CI: 1.65-4.56) and 2015-2017 (OR: 3.16; 95% CI: 31.96-5.12). PR was uncommonly utilized (<10%). Younger surgeons (graduating 2010-2017) favored PPV over SB when compared to older surgeons [graduating 1984-2000 (OR: 1.77; 95% CI: 1.18-2.65) and 2001-2009 (OR 1.73; 95% CI: 1.14-2.65)], but similarly selected PPV vs. PPV/SB as their older counterparts (p > 0.05). Compared to PPV, SSAS was higher with SB (OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.03-2.26) and PPV/SB (OR: 2.55; 95% CI: 1.56-4.17). One-year BCVA was markedly improved compared to baseline only for eyes that achieved SSAS (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Over the past 10 years, PPV has become the favored approach to repair uncomplicated RRD and this appears to be driven by younger surgeons' preferences. Given the superior long-term SSAS in SB and PPV/SB as compared to PPV, SB and PPV/SB should be more frequently considered when determining the appropriate repair strategy for uncomplicated RRD.

Applicant Characteristics Associated with Retina Fellowship Match from 2010-2019

OBJECTIVE

To describe trends in the surgical and medical retina fellowship match and applicant characteristics associated with matching in retina fellowship.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SUBJECTS

Ophthalmology fellowship applicants who applied through the San Francisco (SF) Match.

METHODS

Publicly available SF Match data were used to describe trends in the number of programs participating and positions offered, filled, and left vacant in the retina fellowship match from 2014 to 2019. Deidentified applicant data for match cycles from 2010 to 2017 were stratified by match status, and characteristics were compared across groups. Trends in matched applicant characteristics were evaluated using linear regression on log-transformed variables. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine applicant characteristics that were associated with a successful match.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Match status.

RESULTS

From 2014 to 2019, the number of programs participating, positions filled, and positions left vacant in the retina fellowship match increased from 101 to 119 (P = 0.010), 118 to 123 (P = 0.078), and 18 to 37 (P = 0.045), respectively. Compared with unmatched applicants, matched applicants were more likely to have graduated from a top 10 residency program, US residency, or medical school; hold a United States (US) visa (J-1, H-1B, or O1); distribute more applications; complete more interviews; rank more programs; and score higher on the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step examinations 1-3. Matched applicants completed a median of 10 interviews. After controlling for potential covariates, graduating from a US residency (odds ratio [OR], 2.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.48-2.92), a top 10 residency (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.07-2.84), having an allopathic medical degree (MD; OR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.08-5.33), completing more interviews (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.23-1.33), and scoring higher on USMLE Step 3 (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03) were associated with matching into a retina fellowship.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the number of programs participating and positions offered in the retina fellowship match are increasing, the number of positions filled remained relatively stagnant. Factors associated with matching in both medical and surgical retina included graduating from a US and top 10-ranked residency program, having an MD, completing more interviews, and scoring higher on USMLE Step 3.

Experience gained during vitreoretinal fellowships in the United Kingdom

Background

There are 16 vitreoretinal (VR) fellowships listed on the British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons (BEAVRS) website offering places to 23 applicants, however, this list is not exhaustive. The purpose of this survey was to evaluate surgical volume, training, and experience of VR fellows in the UK.

Methods

An anonymous survey was disseminated online to current and past VR fellows who are members of BEAVRS. Participants were asked about their surgical experience and confidence, before and during their fellowship, in performing a variety of procedures. Participants were also asked about their academic achievements and their career prospects.

Results

All 26 respondents felt that their fellowship met their surgical needs and would recommend it to others. Upon completion, 92% felt prepared to work as a consultant.

Following fellowship completion, the median (IQR) number of procedures performed were: phacoemulsification: 91 (51–131), pars-plana vitrectomy (PPV): 351 (226–451), simple-retinal detachment (RD): 176 (126–226), complex-RD: 31 (16–51), scleral buckle (SB): 16 (80–26), membrane-peels: 76 (41–88), intraocular-foreign body (IOFB) removal: 3 (3–3), indirect laser: 51 (11–91), scleral-fixated intraocular-lens (sfIOL): 3 (3–8), removal-of-dropped-nucleus (RODN): 16 (8–26), diabetic membrane delaminations: 16 (8–16); with an increase of confidence in performing all VR procedures (p < 0.001).

Participants completed 2 (1–2) presentations and 2 (0–3) papers with no difference in academic performance between those with/without postgraduate qualifications (p = 0.409).

Conclusions

Overall, fellowships in the UK are of a high quality and prepare the fellow adequately for progression into a consultant post. They help increase surgical confidence and provide opportunities to complete academic work. Fellowships without VR on-call commitments can be improved by incorporating on-call duties. Finally, COVID-19 impacted exposure to elective cases.

Vitrectomy versus Vitrectomy with Scleral Buckling in the Treatment of Giant Retinal Tear Related Retinal Detachments: An International Multicenter Study

PURPOSE

To determine the practice pattern for treating giant retinal tear (GRT) related detachments, and their anatomic and visual outcomes with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with or without scleral buckling (SB).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SUBJECTS

Eyes with GRT detachments repaired from 2008-2020 with at least 6 months of follow-up from seven institutions in North and South America, Europe, and Asia.

METHODS

Eyes repaired using PPV versus PPV/SB were compared.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Anatomic and functional outcomes.

RESULTS

A comparable number of eyes underwent PPV (n=101) and PPV/SB (n=99). Except for prior intraocular surgery and lens status, no differences in baseline demographics, ocular characteristics, or intraoperative surgical adjuncts were observed. Overall single surgery anatomic success (SSAS) at 6 months and 1 year was similar between the groups (82.2% and 77.2% of PPV, and 87.9% and 85.7% of PPV/SB). However, when stratified by age, the 1-year SSAS rate was higher for PPV/SB (88.5%) than PPV (56.3%) (p=0.03) for children < 18 years. For both children and adults, mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at baseline did not differ between the PPV and PPV/SB groups. However, for children, mean BCVA at 1 year was better in the PPV/SB than PPV groups (p=0.001) while for adults, no difference was found between the two groups. The mean time to first redetachment was 7.9 months in the PPV group and 5.5 months in the PPV/SB group (p=0.8). PVR was the most common cause for redetachment (70.4% of PPV and 93.8% of PPV/SB in redetached eyes; p=0.1). Postoperative complications were also similar between the two groups including ocular hypertension, epiretinal membrane, and cataract.

CONCLUSIONS

PPV and PPV/SB are equally popular among surgeons globally for managing GRT detachments and have comparable anatomic and visual outcomes in adults. In children, PPV/SB is superior to PPV for anatomic and functional success at one year. In adults, the relief of traction by the GRT may reduce peripheral traction and obviate the need for a SB. However, in children, a supplemental SB can be beneficial as complete vitreous shaving and posterior hyaloid detachment, and postoperative positioning are difficult in this group.