Cataract in retinopathy of prematurity - A review

Safety of intravitreal chemotherapy in the management of retinoblastoma: A systematic review of the literature

Intravitreal chemotherapy is used as a salvage therapy for retinoblastoma with persistent or recurrent vitreous seeding after primary treatment. To assess the safety of this technique, we conducted a systematic review of all studies reporting ocular toxicity data. Forty-eight trials involving 2751 eyes were included. The most common complications were cataract, retinal toxicity, and vitreous hemorrhage. However, severe and permanent adverse events were limited, while the risk of extraocular dissemination, a significant concern, was practically eliminated through preventive techniques. Globe salvage rates ranged from 29 % to 100 %. In conclusion, intravitreal chemotherapy seems to improve prognosis of eyes with advanced disease, with an acceptable safety profile. Nevertheless, most relevant studies are retrospective, and no randomized trials have been performed. Recognizing the challenges regarding the conduct of randomized studies for such a rare pediatric cancer, we believe that multicenter trials through international collaborations can significantly enhance the available information.

Congenital Cataracts in Preterm Infants: A Review

A congenital cataract is one of the most treatable causes of visual impairment during infancy. Preterm infants who are born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy need special care, including proper age documentation, preoperative assessment, and monitoring postoperatively for at least 24 hours. Management of cataracts in preterm infants is critical as regards the timing of cataract surgery and the challenges associated with cataract surgery and posterior segment management for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). This narrative review aims to provide comprehensive insight and up-to-date clinical research findings regarding the pathophysiology and management of congenital cataracts in preterm infants.

Association of sex with the global burden of vision impairment caused by neonatal preterm birth: An analysis from the global burden of disease study 2019

Aims

To investigate the sex-specific global burden of neonatal preterm birth (NPB) vision impairment by year, age, and socioeconomic status using years lived with disability (YLDs).

Methods

The global, regional, and national sex-specific YLD numbers, crude YLD rates, and age-standardized YLD rates of NPB-related moderate and severe vision loss and blindness were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Wilcoxon test and linear regression were used to investigate the relationship between sex difference in age-standardized YLD rates and the Human Development Index (HDI).

Results

Between 1990 and 2019, the gender disparity in age-standardized YLD rates for NPB-related vision impairment remained stable, increasing from 10.2 [95% uncertainty interval (UI) 6.7–14.6] to 10.4 (95% UI 6.9–15.0) for men and 10.3 (95% UI 6.8–14.7) to 10.7 (95% UI 7.2–15.1) for women, with women consistently having higher age-standardized YLD rates. Between the ages of 25 and 75, women had higher YLD rates than males, with the biggest disparity in the 60–64 age group. In 2019, sex difference in age-standardized YLD rates across 195 nations was statistically significant. Women had higher age-standardized YLD rates than men in both low (Z = −3.53, p < 0.001) and very high HDI countries (Z = −4.75, p < 0.001). Additionally, age-standardized YLD rates were found to be adversely associated with HDI (male: Standardized β = −0.435, female: Standardized β = −0.440; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Despite advancements in worldwide NPB health care, sexual differences in NPB-related vision impairment burden showed little change. Female had higher burden than male, particularly in low and very high socioeconomic status countries.