Stanford University Network for Diagnosis of Retinopathy of Prematurity (SUNDROP): 24-month experience with telemedicine screening

Outcome of real-time telescreening for retinopathy of prematurity using videoconferencing in a community setting in Eastern India

PURPOSE

To evaluate the feasibility and outcome of a real-time retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) telescreening strategy using videoconferencing in a community setting in India.

METHOD

In a prospective study, trained allied ophthalmic personnel obtained the fundus images in the presence of the parents and local childcare providers. Analysis of images and parental counseling were done in real time by an ROP specialist located at a tertiary center using videoconferencing software. A subset of babies was also examined using bedside indirect ophthalmoscopy by an ROP care-trained ophthalmologist. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

Over 9 months, we examined 576 babies (1152 eyes) in six rural districts of India. The parents accepted the model as they recognized that a remotely located specialist was evaluating all images in real time. The strategy saved the travel time for ROP specialists by 477 h (47.7 working days) and for parents (47,406 h or 1975.25 days), along with the associated travel cost. In a subgroup analysis (100 babies, 200 eyes), the technology had a high sensitivity (97.2%) and negative predictivity value (92.7%). It showed substantial agreement (k = 0.708) with the bedside indirect ophthalmoscopy by ROP specialists with respect to the detection of treatment warranting ROP. Also, the strategy helped train the participants.

CONCLUSION

Real-time ROP telescreening using videoconferencing is sensitive enough to detect treatment warranting ROPs and saves skilled workforce and time. The real-time audiovisual connection allows optimal supervision of imaging, provides excellent training opportunities, and connects ophthalmologists directly with the parents.

Assessing retinal hemorrhages with non-invasive post-mortem fundus photographs in sudden unexpected death in infancy

INTRODUCTION

In the case of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), eye examination is systematic to detect retinal hemorrhages (RH) that are a crucial hallmark for abusive head trauma (AHT). The aim of this study is to assess the ability of non-invasive post-mortem fundus photographs (PMFP) to detect RH in case of SUDI.

METHODS

Bicentric retrospective analysis of consecutive cases of SUDI under 2 years of age were managed by two French SUDI referral centers with PMFP by RetCam (Clarity Medical Systems USA). PMFP were reviewed randomly, twice, by three independent ophthalmologists blinded for clinical data.

RESULTS

Thirty cases (60 eyes) were included. Median age was 3.5 months (interquartile [1.6; 6.0]). No child died of AHT. Image quality was sufficient to assert presence or absence of RH in 50 eyes (83%). Sufficient quality rate was significantly higher when the post-mortem interval was inferior to 18 h (91%, 42/46) as opposed to over 18 h (57%, 8/14, p=0.0096). RH were found in six eyes (10%), four children (13%), with excellent inter and intra-raters' concordance (Cohen's Kappa from 0.81 [0.56-1.00] to 1.00 [1.00-1.00]).

CONCLUSION

PMFP can detect RH in case of SUDI and is a relevant systematic screening test to be carried out as soon as the deceased child arrives in the hospital. It can decrease the need of eye removal for pathological examination, but further studies are needed to define the best decision algorithm.

Effective field of view of wide-field fundus photography in the Stanford University Network for Diagnosis of Retinopathy of Prematurity (SUNDROP)

Five-field 130° wide-angle imaging is the standard of care for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening with an ideal hypothetical composite field-of-view (FOV) of 180°. We hypothesized that in many real-world scenarios the effective composite FOV is considerably less than ideal. This observational retrospective study analyzed the effective FOV of fundus photos of patients screened for ROP as part of the Stanford University Network for Diagnosis of Retinopathy of Prematurity (SUNDROP) initiative. Five fundus photos were selected from each eye per image session. Effective FOV was defined as the largest circular area centered on the optic disc that encompassed retina in each of the four cardinal views. Seventy-three subjects were analyzed, 35 without ROP and 34 with ROP. Mean effective FOV was 144.55 ± 6.62° ranging from 130.00 to 153.71°. Effective FOV was not correlated with the presence or absence of ROP, gestational age, birth weight, or postmenstrual age. Mean effective FOV was wider in males compared to females. Standard five-field 130° fundus photos yielded an average effective FOV of 144.54° in the SUNDROP cohort. This implies that an imaging FOV during ROP screening considerably less than the hypothetical ideal of 180° is sufficient for detecting treatment warranted ROP.

A Systematic Review of Current Teleophthalmology Services in New Zealand Compared to the Four Comparable Countries of the United Kingdom, Australia, United States of America (USA) and Canada

Background

Over 700,000 New Zealanders (NZ), particularly elderly and Māori, live without timely access to specialist ophthalmology services. Teleophthalmology is a widely recognised tool that can assist in overcoming resource and distance barriers. Teleophthalmology gained unprecedented traction in NZ during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown. However, its provision is still limited and there are equity issues. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review identifying, describing and contrasting teleophthalmology services in NZ with the comparable countries of Australia, USA, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Methods

The electronic databases Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Google were systemically searched using the keywords: telemedicine, ophthalmology, tele-ophthalmology/teleophthalmology. The searches were filtered to the countries above, with no time constraints. An integrative approach was used to synthesise findings.

Results

One hundred and thirty-two studies were identified describing 90 discrete teleophthalmology services. Articles spanned from 1997 to 2020. Models were categorised into general eye care (n=21; 16%); emergency/trauma (n=6; 4.5%); school screening (n=25; 19%); artificial intelligence (AI) (n=23; 18%); and disease-specific models of care (MOC) (n=57; 43%). The most common diseases addressed were diabetic retinopathy (n=23; 17%); retinopathy of prematurity (n=9; 7%); and glaucoma (n=8; 6%). Programs were mainly centred in the US (n=72; 54.5%), followed by the UK (n=29; 22%), then Canada (n=16; 12%), Australia (n=13; 10%), with the fewest identified in NZ (n=3; 2%). Models generally involved an ophthalmologist consultative service, remote supervision and triaging. Most models involved local clinicians transmitting fed-forward or live images.

Conclusion

Teleophthalmology will likely play a crucial role in the future of eye care. COVID-19 has offered a unique opportunity to observe the use of teleophthalmology services globally. Feed-forward and, increasingly, live-based teleophthalmology services have demonstrated feasibility and cost-effectiveness in similar countries internationally. New Zealand’s teleophthalmology services, however, are currently limited. Investing in strategic partnerships and technology at a national level can advance health equities in ophthalmic care.

Validation of smartphone-based screening for retinopathy of prematurity in a low-resource setting

PURPOSE

To study the validity of smartphone-based screening to detect moderate-to-severe levels of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in a low-resource setting.

METHODS

In this observational validation study, all new patients at a single center who met screening criteria for ROP (birth weight of ≤1700 g and gestational age of ≤35 weeks) were examined by a pediatric ophthalmologist using indirect ophthalmoscopy. At the first ROP examination, a trained photographer captured fundus images using a smartphone fitted on an adapter, the Paxos Scope. The photographs were graded by two retina specialists masked to results of the gold standard examination.

RESULTS

A total of 100 children (200 eyes) were included. ROP was detected in 27.4% by indirect ophthalmoscopy, 16% of whom had moderate-to-severe ROP, defined as stage 3 in zone I or II, stage 2 in zone I or II, or pre-plus or plus disease. Sensitivity of fundus images reviewed by grader 1 against the gold standard in detecting moderate-to-severe ROP was 87.5%, and specificity was 82.1%. The positive predictive value was 48.3 %; the negative predictive value, 97.2%. The sensitivity of fundus images reviewed by grader 2 was 87.5%; the specificity, 81.6%. Positive predictive value was 47.5%; negative predictive value, 97.2%. The measured κ coefficient for intergrader agreement was 0.94.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study is one of the few studies on smartphone-based telescreening for ROP. The results suggest that smartphones may have potential as a screening tool for ROP in low-resource settings.

Digital technology, tele-medicine and artificial intelligence in ophthalmology: A global perspective

The simultaneous maturation of multiple digital and telecommunications technologies in 2020 has created an unprecedented opportunity for ophthalmology to adapt to new models of care using tele-health supported by digital innovations. These digital innovations include artificial intelligence (AI), 5th generation (5G) telecommunication networks and the Internet of Things (IoT), creating an inter-dependent ecosystem offering opportunities to develop new models of eye care addressing the challenges of COVID-19 and beyond. Ophthalmology has thrived in some of these areas partly due to its many image-based investigations. Tele-health and AI provide synchronous solutions to challenges facing ophthalmologists and healthcare providers worldwide. This article reviews how countries across the world have utilised these digital innovations to tackle diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, refractive error correction, cataract and other anterior segment disorders. The review summarises the digital strategies that countries are developing and discusses technologies that may increasingly enter the clinical workflow and processes of ophthalmologists. Furthermore as countries around the world have initiated a series of escalating containment and mitigation measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, the delivery of eye care services globally has been significantly impacted. As ophthalmic services adapt and form a "new normal", the rapid adoption of some of telehealth and digital innovation during the pandemic is also discussed. Finally, challenges for validation and clinical implementation are considered, as well as recommendations on future directions.

Key factors in a rigorous longitudinal image-based assessment of retinopathy of prematurity

To describe a database of longitudinally graded telemedicine retinal images to be used as a comparator for future studies assessing grader recall bias and ability to detect typical progression (e.g. International Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ICROP) stages) as well as incremental changes in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Cohort comprised of retinal images from 84 eyes of 42 patients who were sequentially screened for ROP over 6 consecutive weeks in a telemedicine program and then followed to vascular maturation or treatment, and then disease stabilization. De-identified retinal images across the 6 weekly exams (2520 total images) were graded by an ROP expert based on whether ROP had improved, worsened, or stayed the same compared to the prior week’s images, corresponding to an overall clinical “gestalt” score. Subsequently, we examined which parameters might have influenced the examiner’s ability to detect longitudinal change; images were graded by the same ROP expert by image view (central, inferior, nasal, superior, temporal) and by retinal components (vascular tortuosity, vascular dilation, stage, hemorrhage, vessel growth), again determining if each particular retinal component or ROP in each image view had improved, worsened, or stayed the same compared to the prior week’s images. Agreement between gestalt scores and view, component, and component by view scores was assessed using percent agreement, absolute agreement, and Cohen’s weighted kappa statistic to determine if any of the hypothesized image features correlated with the ability to predict ROP disease trajectory in patients. The central view showed substantial agreement with gestalt scores (κ = 0.63), with moderate agreement in the remaining views. Of retinal components, vascular tortuosity showed the most overall agreement with gestalt (κ = 0.42–0.61), with only slight to fair agreement for all other components. This is a well-defined ROP database graded by one expert in a real-world setting in a masked fashion that correlated with the actual (remote in time) exams and known outcomes. This provides a foundation for subsequent study of telemedicine’s ability to longitudinally assess ROP disease trajectory, as well as for potential artificial intelligence approaches to retinal image grading, in order to expand patient access to timely, accurate ROP screening.

Systemic Solutions in Retinopathy of Prematurity

PURPOSE

To describe a framework for screening and treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) using telemedicine screening with laser and/or vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor treatment strategies.

DESIGN

Literature review and perspective.

METHODS

Review of the literature and the author's experience.

RESULTS

Undetermined.

CONCLUSIONS

Telemedicine can be deployed on a national basis to provide quaternary-level screening for ROP. At-risk patients for treatment could then be directed to receive either laser photocoagulation or vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor intravitreal injections followed at a later time by examination under anesthesia, fluorescein angiography, and diode laser photocoagulation as indicated.

Diagnostic accuracy of a digital fundus photographic system for detection of retinopathy of prematurity requiring treatment (ROP-RT)

Objectives

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a digital fundus photographic system that consists of taking fundus photographs by a trained technician using a RetCam^® shuttle and interpreting fundus images by an expert to detect Retinotapthy of Prematurity requiring treatment (ROP-RT) which defined as type I ROP according to the Early Treatment for ROP study (ETROP).

Materials and methods

One hundred infants were examined by (1) an expert ophthalmologist experienced in ROP care using indirect ophthalmoscopy; (2) digital wide-field imaging by a trained technician using a RetCam^® shuttle and images were sent remotely for interpretation by two ophthalmologists experienced in ROP care (Reader A, and Reader B); and (3) local ophthalmologists using indirect ophthalmoscopy. The diagnostic acurracy consisting of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), positive likelihood ratio (LR+), and negative likelihood ratio (LR-) were calculated. Agreement between all examiners and readers were evaluated.

Results

A total of 100 infants (mean gestational age 31.1 weeks, mean birth weight 1,511.1 grams) participated in the study. Nine infants were classified as ROP-RT. Reader A and B had very good agreement in detection of ROP- RT (Kappa 1.00, 95% CI 1.00, 1.00). For reader A, diagnostic performance parameters (95% confidence intervals) for detecting ROP-RT were; sensitivity 100.0% (66.4, 100.0), specificity 97.8% (92.1, 99.7), PPV 81.8% (48.2, 97.7), NPV 100.0% (95.8, 100.0), LR+ 44.5 (11.3, 175.2), and LR- 0.1 (0.0, 0.8). For reader B these were; sensitivity 100.0% (66.4, 100.0), specificity 95.6% (89.0, 98.8), PPV 69.2% (38.6, 90.9), NPV 100.0% (95.8, 100.0), LR+ 22.5 (8.6, 58.6), LR- 0.1 (0.0, 0.8). No adverse events were reported.

Conclusions

Diagnosis of ROP-RT from RetCam^® images taken by trained technicians and evaluated remotely by an expert ophthalmologist had good diagnostic accuracy for screening purposes.

Retinopathy of prematurity: Past, present and future

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative disorder of the retina occurring principally in new born preterm infants. It is an avoidable cause of childhood blindness. With the increase in the survival of preterm babies, ROP has become the leading cause of preventable childhood blindness throughout the world. A simple screening test done within a few weeks after birth by an ophthalmologist can avoid this preventable blindness. Although screening guidelines and protocols are strictly followed in the developed nations, it lacks in developing economies like India and China, which have the highest number of preterm deliveries in the world. The burden of this blindness in these countries is set to increase tremendously in the future, if corrective steps are not taken immediately. ROP first emerged in 1940s and 1950s, when it was called retrolental fibroplasia. Several epidemics of this disease were and are still occurring in different regions of the world and since then a lot of research has been done on this disease. However, till date very few comprehensive review articles covering all the aspects of ROP are published. This review highlights the past, present and future strategies in managing this disease. It would help the pediatricians to update their current knowledge on ROP.

Current understanding and management of aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity

Aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), previously referred to as “Rush disease”, is a rapidly progressive form of ROP. This form of ROP typically presents in very low birth weight babies of early gestational age. Historically, anatomical and functional outcomes have been poor with standard treatment. This review is designed to discuss current knowledge and treatment regarding this aggressive form of ROP. Recommendations regarding management of these difficult cases are detailed.

Comparison of digital imaging screening and indirect ophthalmoscopy for retinopathy of prematurity

The aims of this study were to determine the incidence and severity of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) using digital imaging screening, confirm findings by indirect opthalmoscopy, and document risk factors of ROP in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a large tertiary hospital in a developing country. This prospective cohort study included infants with gestational age (GA) ≤ 32 wk, birth weight (BW) ≤ 1,500 g, or older and heavier neonates who were critically ill. Two hundred twenty two eyes (111 infants) were screened with digital imaging (Ret-Cam) and indirect ophthalmoscopy until retinal vascularization was complete or the disease regressed. Perinatal risk factors for ROP were analyzed. The overall incidence of ROP was 18.9 %. The incidence of ROP requiring treatment was 5.4 % (12/222) of the total eyes screened. Lower GA and blood transfusion were independent risk factors associated with ROP by multivariate analysis (p = 0.001, OR = 0.562, 95 % CI = 0.395-0.802, and p = 0.027, OR = 6.11, 95 % CI = 1.22-30.44, respectively). Digital imaging facilitated timely screening and detection of ROP, and enabled transfer of images, allowing early intervention for patients who required treatment.

Intravitreal low-dosage bevacizumab for retinopathy of prematurity

PURPOSE

To report on the therapeutic effect of intravitreal low-dose bevacizumab for treatment for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

METHODS

The single-centre retrospective, non-comparative case series study included all infants who consecutively underwent intravitreal injection of 0.375 mg bevacizumab (0.03 ml) under light sedation in topical anaesthesia as therapy of ROP in zone I or zone II.

RESULTS

The clinical charts of 29 patients (57 eyes) with a median birth weight of 630 g (range: 290-1390 g) and median gestational age of 25 + 1 weeks (range: 23 + 1-30 weeks) were reviewed. Six children (12 eyes) were graded as ROP with zone I retinopathy and plus disease. The 23 remaining infants had extraretinal neovascularizations in zone II or partly zone I. The intravitreal bevacizumab injection was injected at a median age of 12 + 1 weeks (range: 7 + 4-21 + 4), the median follow-up was 4.2 months (range: from 3 days to 45.1 months). In all eyes treated, a regression of plus disease occurred within two to six days, retinal neovascularizations regressed within 2-3 weeks and pupillary rigidity improved. None except one child in exceptionally bad general health conditions needed a second intravitreal bevacizumab injection. In none of the infants, any ophthalmologic side-effects of the bevacizumab application were detected during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

The intravitreal injection of a low dose of 0.375 mg bevacizumab showed a high efficacy as treatment for ROP. The question arises whether the low dosage of bevacizumab as compared to the dosage of 0.625 mg bevacizumab may be preferred.

Telemedicine approaches to evaluating acute-phase retinopathy of prematurity: study design

PURPOSE

Detecting sight-threatening retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) relies on a diagnostic examination (DE) performed by an experienced ophthalmologist. An alternative may be a telemedicine system where retinal images of at-risk infants are graded by readers to determine features of ROP indicating the need for a DE.

METHODS

The multicenter Telemedicine Approaches to Evaluating Acute-phase ROP (e-ROP) Study is a cohort study of 2000 infants with birth weights <1251 g. At each visit, ophthalmologists perform DEs and non-physician imagers obtain iris and five retinal images with the disc positioned in the center, right, left, up and down. Images are uploaded to a secure server for grading by non-physician readers for the detection of plus disease, stage 3 ROP and/or zone I disease, any of which indicates "referral-warranted ROP" (RW-ROP). Images from all infants with RW-ROP and a random sample of infants without RW-ROP (based on DEs) are selected for grading. Gradings are compared to DEs to determine the validity and evaluate reliability, feasibility, safety, and cost-effectiveness of the telemedicine system.

RESULTS

e-ROP is conducted in 12 Clinical Centers in the US and Canada with Study Headquarters, the Data Coordinating Center and the Image Reading Center in Philadelphia and the ROP Data Center in Oklahoma City. A total of 27 study center coordinators, 34 ophthalmologists, 26 imagers, and 4 readers have been certified. All study data are submitted using a secure web-based system.

CONCLUSION

The design and findings of this study will be useful to conduct other ROP studies or evaluate telemedicine for other diseases.

Stanford University Network for Diagnosis of Retinopathy of Prematurity (SUNDROP): five years of screening with telemedicine

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To report the 5-year results of the Stanford University Network for Diagnosis of Retinopathy of Prematurity (SUNDROP) telemedicine initiative.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Infants requiring retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening at six neonatal intensive care units from December 1, 2005, to November 30, 2010, were evaluated with remote retinal photography by an ROP specialist. Every infant received outpatient binocular indirect ophthalmoscope examinations until termination criteria were achieved or until treatment. Outcomes were treatment-warranted ROP (TW-ROP, ETROP type 1) and adverse anatomical events.

RESULTS

Five hundred eleven infants (1,022 eyes) were screened. Fifteen infants had TW-ROP and underwent laser photocoagulation. The TW-ROP cohort had significantly lower birth weight and gestational age (both P < .001). No patient progressed to adverse anatomical outcomes and no case of TW-ROP was missed. Tele-medicine had 100% sensitivity, 99.8% specificity, 93.8% positive predictive value, and 100% negative predictive value for detection of TW-ROP.

CONCLUSION

Telemedicine demonstrates high diagnostic accuracy for detection of TW-ROP and can complement ROP screening.

Progress on retinal image analysis for age related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in those over the age of 50 years in the developed countries. The number is expected to increase by ∼1.5 fold over the next ten years due to an increase in aging population. One of the main measures of AMD severity is the analysis of drusen, pigmentary abnormalities, geographic atrophy (GA) and choroidal neovascularization (CNV) from imaging based on color fundus photograph, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and other imaging modalities. Each of these imaging modalities has strengths and weaknesses for extracting individual AMD pathology and different imaging techniques are used in combination for capturing and/or quantification of different pathologies. Current dry AMD treatments cannot cure or reverse vision loss. However, the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) showed that specific anti-oxidant vitamin supplementation reduces the risk of progression from intermediate stages (defined as the presence of either many medium-sized drusen or one or more large drusen) to late AMD which allows for preventative strategies in properly identified patients. Thus identification of people with early stage AMD is important to design and implement preventative strategies for late AMD, and determine their cost-effectiveness. A mass screening facility with teleophthalmology or telemedicine in combination with computer-aided analysis for large rural-based communities may identify more individuals suitable for early stage AMD prevention. In this review, we discuss different imaging modalities that are currently being considered or used for screening AMD. In addition, we look into various automated and semi-automated computer-aided grading systems and related retinal image analysis techniques for drusen, geographic atrophy and choroidal neovascularization detection and/or quantification for measurement of AMD severity using these imaging modalities. We also review the existing telemedicine studies which include diagnosis and management of AMD, and how automated disease grading could benefit telemedicine. As there is no treatment for dry AMD and only early intervention can prevent the late AMD, we emphasize mass screening through a telemedicine platform to enable early detection of AMD. We also provide a comparative study between the imaging modalities and identify potential study areas for further improvement and future research direction in automated AMD grading and screening.

Retinopathy of prematurity

The immature retinas of preterm neonates are susceptible to insults that disrupt neurovascular growth, leading to retinopathy of prematurity. Suppression of growth factors due to hyperoxia and loss of the maternal-fetal interaction result in an arrest of retinal vascularisation (phase 1). Subsequently, the increasingly metabolically active, yet poorly vascularised, retina becomes hypoxic, stimulating growth factor-induced vasoproliferation (phase 2), which can cause retinal detachment. In very premature infants, controlled oxygen administration reduces but does not eliminate retinopathy of prematurity. Identification and control of factors that contribute to development of retinopathy of prematurity is essential to prevent progression to severe sight-threatening disease and to limit comorbidities with which the disease shares modifiable risk factors. Strategies to prevent retinopathy of prematurity will depend on optimisation of oxygen saturation, nutrition, and normalisation of concentrations of essential factors such as insulin-like growth factor 1 and ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, as well as curbing of the effects of infection and inflammation to promote normal growth and limit suppression of neurovascular development.

The importance of keeping a broad differential in retina clinic: the spectrum of ophthalmic disease seen by retina specialists in a tertiary outpatient clinic setting

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To describe the new patient population referred to retina specialists at tertiary ophthalmic academic centers in the United States.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Retrospective chart review of all new patients seen by retina specialists at Stanford University from 2008 to 2011.

RESULTS

Retina specialists saw 7,197 new patients during the study period, with a mean age of 52.2 ± 25.6 years (range: 0 to 108 years). Younger patients (0 to 10 years) were more likely male (P < .001) while older patients were more likely female (P < .01 for 61 to 70, 81+ years). The most common diagnoses were diabetic eye disease (17.0%), retinopathy of prematurity (9.9%) and age-related macular degeneration (9.5%).

CONCLUSION

Retina specialists treat patients of all ages, and the most common diagnoses vary with age and gender. Patients present to retinal clinic with a vast spectrum of disease from various ophthalmic and systemic etiologies; therefore, it is important to maintain a broad differential diagnosis.

Use of digital retinal imaging in screening for retinopathy of prematurity

The frequency of premature births is increasing world-wide. This factor, combined with improved survival and revised screening criteria, is resulting in an increased workload in screening for retinopathy of prematurity. Digital retinal imaging is emerging as an important alternative tool for diagnosing retinopathy of prematurity, and its use has even been extended to developing countries. Neonatal nurses and technicians can be trained to use digital imaging devices effectively. This is important in areas that do not have ready access to paediatric ophthalmologists. The ability to transfer images electronically makes it a valuable tool in telemedicine, while the ability to store and retrieve images is also advantageous from a medico-legal perspective. Image analysis software can further improve the accuracy of diagnosis. The main limitation of this technology is its high capital cost.

Detection of clinically significant retinopathy of prematurity using wide-angle digital retinal photography: a report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the accuracy of detecting clinically significant retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) using wide-angle digital retinal photography.

METHODS

Literature searches of PubMed and the Cochrane Library databases were conducted last on December 7, 2010, and yielded 414 unique citations. The authors assessed these 414 citations and marked 82 that potentially met the inclusion criteria. These 82 studies were reviewed in full text; 28 studies met inclusion criteria. The authors extracted from these studies information about study design, interventions, outcomes, and study quality. After data abstraction, 18 were excluded for study deficiencies or because they were superseded by a more recent publication. The methodologist reviewed the remaining 10 studies and assigned ratings of evidence quality; 7 studies were rated level I evidence and 3 studies were rated level III evidence.

RESULTS

There is level I evidence from ≥5 studies demonstrating that digital retinal photography has high accuracy for detection of clinically significant ROP. Level III studies have reported high accuracy, without any detectable complications, from real-world operational programs intended to detect clinically significant ROP through remote site interpretation of wide-angle retinal photographs.

CONCLUSIONS

Wide-angle digital retinal photography has the potential to complement standard ROP care. It may provide advantages through objective documentation of clinical examination findings, improved recognition of disease progression by comparing previous photographs, and the creation of image libraries for education and research.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S)

Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity

Retinal development involves a complex coordination of events that may be affected by premature delivery, leading to retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a potential blinding childhood disease. The avascular retina drives further disease progression, with laser ablation reducing unfavorable anatomic outcomes as well as maintaining visual acuity. Trials have stressed the importance of early identification and treatment of threshold and high-risk prethreshold disease to improve outcomes. Retinal ablation with laser photocoagulation should involve entire treatment of avascular retina with a confluent laser spot density, avoiding skip lesions. The current review highlights the use of laser photocoagulation in the treatment of ROP.

Telemedicine model to prevent blindness from familial glaucoma

BACKGROUND

To develop, implement and evaluate a telemedicine model to reduce glaucoma blindness through the early detection of undiagnosed glaucoma in high-risk individuals.

DESIGN

Prospective study, private ophthalmology practice and public outpatient clinics in Tasmania.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred and thirty-three individuals with primary open-angle glaucoma were invited to enrol their first-degree relatives (FDRs) to undergo an eye examination. Within the study period, 211 FDRs were available for examination.

METHODS

A registered nurse was trained to perform the required assessments. Clinical data were entered into a purpose-built database, converted to a portable document format and graded offsite by an ophthalmologist to determine the presence, absence or risk of developing glaucoma. Participants were notified of the grading result and recommendations for review.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Incidence of undiagnosed glaucoma in a high-risk population.

RESULTS

Previously undiagnosed glaucoma was identified in 5% of those examined. For every 19 participants screened, one new case of previously undiagnosed case of glaucoma was identified. Additionally 15% of participants showed suspicious signs of glaucoma, and 6% had ocular hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

A telemedicine model is an efficient method for screening, grading and notifying participants of examination results. Nurses can be adequately trained to undertake the initial screening examinations, with grading of the results performed offsite by a suitably qualified ophthalmologist. Targeted screening for glaucoma increases the yield of identifying individuals with undiagnosed glaucoma or those at greatest risk. Cost efficiencies for this model of glaucoma screening should be further explored and implemented to prevent blindness from familial glaucoma.