INCIDENCE AND RISK FACTORS FOR EXUDATIVE RETINAL DETACHMENT FOLLOWING LASER PHOTOCOAGULATION FOR RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY

PURPOSE

Exudative retinal detachment (ERD) may result from laser photocoagulation for retinopathy of prematurity. Although risk factors have been hypothesized from case reports, comparative studies have not been reported. We sought to evaluate risk factors for ERD following laser, comparing affected and unaffected infants.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of infants undergoing retinopathy of prematurity laser at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia over 6 years. All received near-confluent laser of avascular retina. Demographic, medical, and procedural risk factors for ERD were evaluated in univariate analysis because of the rarity of ERD.

RESULTS

Among 149 lasered infants, 6 infants (4%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5%-8.6%) developed ERD. Race was a significant risk factor ( P = 0.01). Among 71 African American or Hispanic infants, 6 (8.5%, 95% CI 3.2%-17.5%) developed ERD. Among 78 non-African American or Hispanic infants, 0 (0%, 95% CI 0%-4.6%) developed ERD. There were no significant differences in the other studied factors.

CONCLUSION

Exudative retinal detachment was uncommon (4%) following retinopathy of prematurity laser. Despite so few cases, darker pigmented race with likely increased pigmented fundi was significantly associated with an increased ERD risk. Further study may reveal whether increased choroidal pigment causes greater laser tissue damage or makes it difficult to discern the ora, resulting in inadvertent lasering of the ciliary body, leading to ERD.

Levodopa/Carbidopa to Augment the Treatment of Amblyopia: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology

PURPOSE

To review the published literature on the use of levodopa/carbidopa to augment the treatment of amblyopia.

METHODS

Literature searches for English language studies were last conducted in October 2022 in the PubMed database with no date restrictions. The combined searches yielded 55 articles, of which 23 were reviewed in full text. Twelve of these were considered appropriate for inclusion in this assessment and were assigned a level of evidence rating by the panel methodologist. Nine studies were rated level I, and 3 studies were rated level II; there were no level III studies.

RESULTS

The duration of treatment was limited to 3 to 16 weeks because of concern about long-term adverse effects such as tardive dyskinesia. This complication was not reported in any of the study participants. The dose of levodopa ranged from 1.5 to 8.3 mg/kg/day, generally divided into 3 daily doses. The carbidopa dose was approximately 25% of the levodopa dose in all treatments. Evidence from these studies indicates that augmenting traditional patch occlusion therapy with the oral administration of levodopa/carbidopa can improve the vision of amblyopic children, but the effect was small (0.17-0.3 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR] units) and only statistically significant when compared with patching alone in 2 of the 12 studies cited. Regression of vision was reported in the majority of studies (9 of 12 reported; range, 0-0.17 logMAR unit regression) after discontinuation of therapy. Short-term side effects of the medications were not consistently reported but were most frequently mild and included headache and nausea.

CONCLUSIONS

The best available evidence is currently insufficient to show that augmenting amblyopia therapy using up to 16 weeks of levodopa/carbidopa will result in meaningful improvement in visual acuity. Given the potential for significant side effects such as tardive dyskinesia with long-term therapy, levodopa/carbidopa does not appear to be a viable option for amblyopia therapy FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Outcome of Primary Monocanalicular Stent Placement in Pediatric Down Syndrome Patients with Congenital Nasolacrimal Obstruction

PURPOSE

Congenital Nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) is a relatively common problem in children with Down syndrome (DS). Probing and irrigation (PI) with monocanalicular stent intubation may be less successful than in non-DS patients, thus raising some concerns regarding the preferred treatment in this population. We aimed to analyze the surgical outcome of PI along with monocanalicular stent intubation in children with DS compared with non-DS patients.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study. Thirty-five eyes of 19 children with DS and 1,472 eyes of 1,001 children without DS underwent PI-monocanalicular stent intubation as a primary treatment for CNLDO. All patients were operated on by a single surgeon at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia between 2009 and 2020. The main outcome measure was a surgical success, defined as the resolution of symptoms after surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 1,020 patients were included, 48% females; mean age of 1.9 ± 1.4 years. The mean follow-up time was 35.0 months. The DS patients group consisted of 19 patients. Higher rates of right nasolacrimal duct obstruction and bilateral obstructions were observed in the DS group (100% vs. 73.2%; p = 0.006, and 84.2% vs. 46.8%; p = 0.001, respectively). Patients with DS had a lower success rate (57.1% vs. 92.4%; p < 0 .0001). The median time to failure was 3.1 months in the DS group, and 5.2 months in the group of patients without DS. The hazard ratio comparing DS to the no-DS outcome was 6.6 (95% CI: 3.2-13.7; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

CNLDO in DS is more likely to be bilateral and less likely to resolve after primary monocanalicular stent placement.

Deep Learning Approach for Differentiating Etiologies of Pediatric Retinal Hemorrhages: A Multicenter Study

Retinal hemorrhages in pediatric patients can be a diagnostic challenge for ophthalmologists. These hemorrhages can occur due to various underlying etiologies, including abusive head trauma, accidental trauma, and medical conditions. Accurate identification of the etiology is crucial for appropriate management and legal considerations. In recent years, deep learning techniques have shown promise in assisting healthcare professionals in making more accurate and timely diagnosis of a variety of disorders. We explore the potential of deep learning approaches for differentiating etiologies of pediatric retinal hemorrhages. Our study, which spanned multiple centers, analyzed 898 images, resulting in a final dataset of 597 retinal hemorrhage fundus photos categorized into medical (49.9%) and trauma (50.1%) etiologies. Deep learning models, specifically those based on ResNet and transformer architectures, were applied; FastViT-SA12, a hybrid transformer model, achieved the highest accuracy (90.55%) and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 90.55%, while ResNet18 secured the highest sensitivity value (96.77%) on an independent test dataset. The study highlighted areas for optimization in artificial intelligence (AI) models specifically for pediatric retinal hemorrhages. While AI proves valuable in diagnosing these hemorrhages, the expertise of medical professionals remains irreplaceable. Collaborative efforts between AI specialists and pediatric ophthalmologists are crucial to fully harness AI's potential in diagnosing etiologies of pediatric retinal hemorrhages.

Genetic testing for infantile nystagmus syndrome with or without associated findings

PURPOSE

To review the published literature assessing the clinical utility of genetic testing in individuals with infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS), defined as binocular conjugate nystagmus and onset prior to 6 months of age, with or without associated findings.

METHODS

A literature search was last conducted in October 2022. The results were limited to articles published in English. The search yielded 517 abstracts, of which 72 papers were reviewed in full text. Of these papers, 4 met the criteria for inclusion and were graded by a study methodologist.

RESULTS

The 4 studies that met inclusion criteria used next-generation sequencing with gene panels ranging from 31 to 336 genes. The overall molecular diagnostic rate ranged from 35% to 60% in the included studies, although the yield was higher when genetic testing was guided by clinical phenotyping (approximately 80%) and in the subsets of patients with a family history (up to 88%). As many as 30% of patients tested had a reclassification of the diagnosis based on the genetic testing results.

CONCLUSIONS

Genetic testing has the potential to provide a definitive diagnosis and identify treatable conditions in patients presenting with INS, especially when considered in conjunction with clinical phenotyping and family history.

Racial Differences in Retinopathy of Prematurity

PURPOSE

To delineate racial differences in the incidence and time course of ROP in a large cohort of premature infants.

METHODS

The secondary analysis of data from the two Postnatal Growth and ROP Studies (G-ROP-1 and G-ROP-2) that were collected in 41 hospitals in North America from 2006 to 2017. According to self-reported maternal race, premature infants were classified into 3 groups: White (N = 5580), Black (N = 3252), and Asian (N = 353). Incidence, severity, and time course of ROP; plus disease; and postnatal weight gain rate were compared among racial groups.

RESULTS

Black infants had significantly smaller BW (mean 1035 vs. 1131 vs.1144 grams, P < .001) and lower GA (28.2 vs. 28.6, vs. 29.1 weeks, P < .001) than White and Asian infants. However, Black infants had lower incidences of severe ROP (11.1% vs. 12.4% vs. 11.9%), ROP (42.1% vs. 43.2% vs. 30.6%), and plus disease (3.6% vs. 6.3%, vs. 5.9%) than White and Asian infants (BW and GA adjusted risk ratio for Black vs. White 0.69 for severe ROP, 0.83 for ROP, 0.44 for plus disease, all P < .0001). Mean daily-weight-gain on days of life 11-20 and 21-30 were similar across groups (P > .05), but lower in Black and Asian infants on days 31-40 (P < .001). There were no differences in the timing of severe ROP and ROP across racial groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite relatively lower GA, BW, and daily-weight-gain, Black preterm infants had lower incidences of ROP and plus disease than White preterm infants. The mechanisms for these differences require further investigation.

Microbial patterns and culture utility in orbital cellulitis

PURPOSE

To determine the prevalence and types of pathogens found in children with orbital cellulitis and to evaluate the utility of nonoperative cultures.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of children with imaging-confirmed orbital cellulitis over a period of 8 years. Outcomes included prevalence and types of organisms, polymicrobial infection, mixed aerobic-anaerobic infection, effect of age, and culture utility.

RESULTS

Of 220 children with orbital cellulitis, 112 (51%) had cultures taken; 69 (31%) had surgical intervention. Culture sources for the 112 children with cultures included blood (57 patients [51%]), sinus (53 [47%]), orbit (42 [38%]), brain (6 [5%]), and skin/conjunctiva/lacrimal sac (6 [5%]). Streptococcus anginosus group strains grew in cultures from 19 children (17%); methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), in 15 (13%); Streptococcus pyogenes, in 12 (11%); methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), in 6 (5%); anaerobic/facultative gram negative rods, in 8 (7%); anaerobic Gram-positive cocci, other Viridans group streptococci, and Streptococci pneumoniae, in 3 (3%) each; and normal respiratory/skin flora, in 23 (21%). Polymicrobial infection (P = 0.08) and anaerobic organisms (P = 0.58) did not differ by age (range, 0.1-16.8 years). In all 220 (100%) children, nonoperative cultures were either not obtained (108 [49%]), not helpful in avoiding surgery (69 [31%]), showed no growth (39 [18%]), or grew an organism that did not change management from empiric therapy (4 [2%]).

CONCLUSIONS

While many organisms may be cultured from children with orbital cellulitis, Streptococcus and MSSA were the most common in our study cohort. MRSA is uncommon, so initial empiric coverage is not necessary. Rates of polymicrobial and anaerobic infection were similar across ages. Our results indicate that nonoperative cultures are not indicated in the initial medical management of orbital cellulitis; in our cohort, they neither resulted in treatment changes nor helped avoid surgery.

Uveitis in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

There are currently no official uveitis screening guidelines for children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this retrospective cohort study of children with IBD with at least 1 ophthalmologist examination over 12 years, we investigated the prevalence and characteristics of uveitis in pediatric IBD. Outcomes included prevalence of uveitis, age at onset, and clinical characteristics of uveitis. A total of 315 children with IBD (mean age, 11.7 ± 4.3) had 974 eye examinations. Five children (1.6%; 95% CI, 0.7%-3.7%) had uveitis, with mean age at onset of 14.3 ± 5.6 years. Three of 209 children with Crohn's disease (1.4%; 95% CI, 0.5%-4.1%), 2 of 55 with IBD-unclassified (3.6%; 95% CI, 1.0%-12.3%) and 0 of 51 with ulcerative colitis (95% CI, 0.0%-7.0%) had uveitis. All uveitis was symptomatic. In our study cohort, uveitis was rare and symptomatic in pediatric IBD.

Surgical Treatments to Improve Visual Acuity in Infantile Nystagmus Syndrome: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology

PURPOSE

To review the literature on the efficacy of surgical procedures to improve visual acuity (VA) in patients with infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS).

METHODS

Literature searches were last conducted in January 2022 in the PubMed database for English-language studies with no date restrictions. The combined searches yielded 354 abstracts, of which 46 were reviewed in full text. Twenty-three of these were considered appropriate for inclusion in this assessment and were assigned a level of evidence rating by the panel methodologist.

RESULTS

One included study was a randomized trial; the remaining 22 were case series. The 23 studies included children and adults with INS and a variable proportion with anomalous head position (AHP), strabismus, and sensory diagnoses. The surgical interventions evaluated included large recessions, tenotomy and reattachment (TAR), myectomy with or without pulley fixation, and anterior extirpation of the 4 horizontal rectus muscles, as well as various procedures to correct an AHP in which VA was reported as a secondary outcome. The data were mixed, with improvements in binocular best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ranging from no improvement to 0.3 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR), or 3 lines. (Most studies were in the range of 0.05-0.2 logMAR.) Statistically significant improvement in VA was noted in 12 of 16 studies (75%) that performed statistical analyses, with no clear advantage of any single procedure. Complications and reoperations were lowest in patients who underwent TAR and highest in those who underwent myectomy or anterior extirpation.

CONCLUSIONS

The best available evidence suggests that eye muscle surgery in patients with INS results in a modest improvement in VA.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S)

Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Association of Cardiovascular Disease with Retinopathy of Prematurity

PURPOSE

To determine the associations of presence and types of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) with development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in premature infants undergoing ROP examinations.

STUDY DESIGN

We performed secondary analyses of data from the multi-center Postnatal Growth and ROP Validation Study (GROP-2). CVD was categorized based on pulmonary blood flow (PBF), systemic blood flow (SBF), pulmonary hypertension (PPHN), or dysrhythmia. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated from multivariable logistic regression models that included any ROP or severe ROP as outcome variable and any CVD or type of CVD as independent variable, with adjustment of covariates including birth weight (BW), gestational age (GA), and days on supplemental oxygen in the first month of postnatal life.

RESULT

Among 3980 infants, 528 (13.3%) had CVD (304 had increased PBF, 101 had decreased PBF, and 49 had PPHN), 1643 (40.4%) developed ROP, and 503 (12.6%) developed severe ROP. In multivariable analyses, presence of CVD was not significantly associated with increased risk of any ROP (aOR = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.90-1.46, p = .26) or severe ROP (aOR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.72-1.34, p = .92). However, there were trends associating CVD resulting in increased PBF with a higher risk of ROP (aOR = 1.32, 95% CI: 0.97-1.80, p = .08) and PPHN with a higher risk of severe ROP (aOR = 2.04, 95% CI: 0.96-4.35, p = .07). When adjusting only for BW and GA, these associations were significant (aOR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.09-1.99, and aOR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.19-4.65, respectively).

CONCLUSION

CVD with increased PBF likely increases the risk of ROP. PPHN likely increases the risk of severe ROP.

The eye in child abuse

Child physical abuse may result in a range of injuries to the globe and surrounding tissues. These injuries have varying degrees of specificity for abuse, and no pattern of injury is unique to abuse. Easily overlooked eye injuries in non-ambulatory infants often portend more severe abuse and require careful evaluation for occult injury when they are unexplained. Retinal hemorrhages are most often a sign of significant trauma and the severity of the hemorrhages generally parallels the severity of neurological trauma. Ophthalmologists contribute important data that more easily distinguish medical disease from trauma, but caution is needed in differentiating accidental from inflicted trauma. This distinction requires careful consideration of the complete clinical data and occasionally on additional law enforcement or child welfare investigation.

Effectiveness of Laser Refractive Surgery to Address Anisometropic Amblyogenic Refractive Error in Children: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology

PURPOSE

To review the published literature assessing the safety and effectiveness of laser refractive surgery to treat anisometropic amblyogenic refractive error in children aged ≤ 18 years.

METHODS

A literature search of the PubMed database was conducted in October 2021 with no date limitations and restricted to publications in English. The search yielded 137 articles, 69 of which were reviewed in full text. Eleven articles met the criteria for inclusion and were assigned a level of evidence rating.

RESULTS

The 11 included articles were all level III evidence and consisted of 1 case-control study and 10 case series. Six studies used laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), 1 used photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), 1 used refractive lenticule extraction/small incision lenticule extraction, and the rest used a combination of LASIK, PRK, laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK), or refractive lenticule extraction/small incision lenticule extraction. Five studies enrolled patients with anisometropic myopia, 2 studies enrolled patients with anisometropic hyperopia, and the remainder were mixed. Although all studies demonstrated an improvement in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), the magnitude of improvement varied widely. As study parameters varied, a successful outcome was defined as residual refractive error of 1 diopter (D) or less of the target refraction because this was the most commonly used metric. Successful outcomes ranged between 38% and 87%, with a mean follow-up ranging from 4 months to 7 years. Despite this wide range, all studies demonstrated an improvement in the magnitude of anisometropia. Regression in refractive error occurred more frequently and to a greater degree in myopic eyes and eyes with longer follow-up, and in younger patients. Although one study reported 2 free flaps, most studies reported no serious adverse events. The most common complications were corneal haze and striae.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from included studies suggest that laser refractive surgery may address amblyogenic refractive error in children and that it appears to decrease anisometropia. However, the evidence for improvement in amblyopia is unclear and long-term safety data are lacking. Long-term data and well-designed clinical studies that use newer refractive technologies in standardized patient populations would help address the role of refractive surgery in children and its potential impact on amblyopia.

Pediatric glaucoma suspects: characteristics and outcomes

PURPOSE

To determine the characteristics of children diagnosed with glaucoma suspect (GS) status, their clinical outcomes, and risk factors for progression to a diagnosis of glaucoma.

METHODS

This was a retrospective sequential cohort study of children <18 years diagnosed as GS between 2013 and 2019, based on clinical (C-GS) and CGRN (CGRN-GS) criteria. Children with penetrating ocular trauma, steroid-response, treated ocular hypertension, and glaucoma at presentation were excluded. Outcomes included glaucoma, treated ocular hypertension, nonglaucomatous cupping (pseudoglaucomatous or physiologic), or persistent GS. Secondary outcomes were characteristics of children who progressed to glaucoma.

RESULTS

A total of 887 children (mean age, 9.3 ± 4.7 years) were diagnosed as C-GS, because of optic nerve appearance (83%), family history (25%), ocular hypertension (15%), periocular lesion (4% [eg, Sturge-Weber]), blunt-trauma history (3%), ocular anomaly (2%), and systemic/genetic syndrome (1.5%). Outcomes among 487 children with one or more follow-up visits (mean, 1.7 ± 1.6 years) included 14 (3%) with glaucoma, 98 (20%) with physiologic cupping, 50 (10%) with prematurity-associated cupping, and 1 (0.2%) with treated ocular hypertension; 324 (67%) remained GS. Of children lost to follow-up, 116 (29%) were suspected physiologic or pseudoglaucomatous. Glaucoma diagnosis occurred at a mean age of 8.4 ± 5.5 years, based on elevated intraocular pressure (IOP; 79%), optical coherence tomography changes (43%), disk changes (21%), or field defects (14%). Risk factors for glaucoma were baseline IOP of ≥24 (P = 0.01) and periocular lesion (P = 0.008). Results from 773 children who met CGRN-GS criteria were similar.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk of conversion to glaucoma diagnosis among children with glaucoma suspect status appears low. Baseline cup:disk ratio and family history of glaucoma were not predictive of glaucoma diagnosis. Baseline IOP >24 and presence of a periocular lesion carry higher risk.

Ocular Findings in Children with Headache

PURPOSE

To determine the prevalence of ophthalmological findings suggesting an ocular cause for headache or occult neurological disease, among children with headache.

METHODS

Retrospective cross-sectional study on children with headache at a tertiary outpatient ophthalmology clinic. All children underwent sensorimotor, anterior segment, and dilated fundoscopic examinations, with or without cycloplegic refraction. Prevalence of one or more new findings of ocular or occult neurological cause of headache, including glaucoma, uveitis, optic nerve elevation, or possible asthenopia from strabismus or refractive issues. Headache characteristics and associated symptoms were evaluated as risk factors for ocular findings.

RESULTS

Among 1,878 children with headache (mean age 10 yrs, range 2-18), 492 (26.1%, 95% CI 24.3-28.2%) children had one or more new ocular findings that could cause headache or indicate intracranial disease: refractive issues (342, 18.2%), strabismus (83, 4.4%), optic nerve elevation (51, 2.7%; 26 with papilledema, 25 with pseudopapilledema), uveitis (6, 0.3%), and glaucoma (2, 0.1%). Shorter headache duration was associated with ocular findings (p = .047), but headache frequency, photophobia, nausea/vomiting, and visual changes were not. In univariable analysis, visual changes (p ≤ .001), nausea/vomiting (p ≤ .002), and morning headache (p = .02) were associated with optic nerve elevation.

CONCLUSION

An ophthalmologic examination including cycloplegic refraction is indicated in children with headache, as one-quarter have a treatable ocular condition, which may be related to the headache, or sign of intracranial pathology. While nausea, visual changes, or morning headache should raise concern, coincident visual, ocular, or systemic symptoms are not reliable predictors of discovering ocular pathology in a child with headache.

Daily Oxygen Supplementation and Risk of Retinopathy of Prematurity

PURPOSE

Excessive oxygen supplementation increases risk of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). While numerous oxygen parameters could be considered when predicting ROP (saturation targets, actual saturation, fraction of inspired oxygen, etc.), complicated measures are impractical as screening criteria. We sought to develop a simple, clinically useful measure of daily oxygen supplementation during ages 0-28 days to improve prediction of ROP.

METHODS

Secondary analysis of two Postnatal Growth and ROP (G-ROP) Study cohorts (G-ROP-1 and G-ROP-2) at 45 hospitals. Infants with a known ROP outcome and complete oxygen data were included. Associations between severe ROP and days on supplemental oxygen (FiO2 > 21%), during ages 0-28 days (DSO28) were assessed, controlling for birth weight (BW) and gestational age (GA). New screening criteria incorporating DSO were developed and compared to current guidelines.

RESULTS

Among 8,949 studied infants, 459 (5.1%) developed type 1 ROP. DSO28 was associated with severe ROP (adjusted-OR 1.05 per day supplemental oxygen, 95%CI 1.03-1.07, p < .0001). The following criteria had 100% sensitivity for type 1 ROP and higher specificity than current guidelines: new BW/GA criteria with DSO (BW<901 g, GA<26 weeks, or DSO >3), 23.4% fewer infants examined; modified G-ROP criteria including DSO, 29.0% fewer infants; original G-ROP criteria, 31.8% fewer infants.

CONCLUSION

In high-level neonatal-care settings, incorporating DSO (a simple measure of oxygen supplementation) into screening criteria improves sensitivity and specificity for type 1 ROP over current BW-GA criteria, but does not perform as well as the validated G-ROP criteria.

Primary Monocanalicular Stent Intubation for Children With Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction: Surgical Outcome and Risk Factors

PURPOSE

To determine the risk factors impacting the surgical success of primary monocanalicular stent intubation for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO).

METHODS

This is a retrospective interventional case series of patients 18 years and younger treated more than a 12-year period with monocanalicular stent intubation with inferior turbinate fracture for CNLDO by a single surgeon. Patients with dacryocystoceles, dacryocystitis, Down syndrome and previous tear duct surgery were excluded. An intraoperative grading scale of tear duct stenosis, date of stent removal, stent length, and postoperative symptoms were recorded. Surgical success was defined as the complete resolution of symptoms.

RESULTS

One thousand four hundred sixty-nine stents were placed in 1,001 pediatric participants (533 unilateral, 468 bilateral). The mean age at surgery was 1.86 years (0.1-18.07). The mean follow up was 34.99 months (0.43-134.3) with mean in-office stent removal at 3.41 months (0.63-36.9). Early stent loss occurred in 14.8% intubations (217/1,469). The overall success rate was 92.4% (1,357/1,469 eyes). Subjects less than the age of 4 years had a success rate of 92.8% (1,296/1,397) compared with 84.7% (61/72) in children more than 4. In multivariable analysis, bilateral surgery, severe tear duct stenosis, and early stent loss were significantly associated with higher risk of surgical failure.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe tear duct stenosis, early stent loss, and bilateral surgery were significant risk factors for surgical failure. While the success rate stratified by age at surgery suggested a lower success after the age of 4. Primary monocanalicular stent intubation is an effective and safe treatment for CNLDO sparing a child the need for multiple staged surgeries.

Prevalence and Causes of Subconjunctival Hemorrhage in Children

OBJECTIVE

Subconjunctival hemorrhage (SCH) is a reported sign of occult abusive injury, but there are limited published data about SCH during childhood. We sought to determine the prevalence and causes of SCH in children.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of children seen by pediatric ophthalmologists in an outpatient setting over 4 years. Primary outcomes were prevalence and causes of SCH, based on history, physical ocular and nonocular findings, and laboratory and imaging studies. Subconjunctival hemorrhage prevalence was determined including and excluding eye surgery to reduce bias in the prevalence estimate.

RESULTS

We studied 33,990 children, who underwent 86,277 examinations (median age, 5 years; range, 2 days to 18 years; 9282 younger than 2 years, 13,447 age 2-7 years, 11,261 age 8-18 years). There were 949 cases of SCH (1.1%; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.2). When surgery was excluded, there were 313 cases (prevalence, 0.4%; 95% confidence interval, 0.3-0.4), of which 261 (83%) were due to trauma; 40 (13%) ocular surface inflammation, including infectious conjunctivitis; 7 (2%) orbital or conjunctival lesion; 3 (1%) vessel rupture from choking or cough; and 2 (1%) coagulopathy related. Across all ages, including less than 2 years, trauma and inflammation together accounted for 94% to 97% of all cases of SCH.

CONCLUSIONS

Subconjunctival hemorrhage is uncommon in children. The great majority of cases are due to trauma. All children with SCH, including infants and young children, should be closely examined to identify other ocular or nonocular signs of trauma.

Ocular examinations, findings, and toxicity in children taking vigabatrin

BACKGROUND

The antiepileptic medication vigabatrin has been associated with ocular toxicity, and close ophthalmic monitoring has been recommended; however, there is no clear consensus regarding the value and feasibility of such monitoring in children. We describe ophthalmic assessments in children in a real-world clinical setting, the incidence of vigabatrin-related ocular toxicity, and the utility of regular screening or ancillary testing in children taking vigabatrin.

METHODS

The medical records of children taking vigabatrin with one or more ophthalmic assessments at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia or University of California, San Francisco, between May 2010 and May 2021, were reviewed retrospectively. Abnormalities on ophthalmic examination, visual field (VF), electroretinogram (ERG), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were reviewed and categorized as attributable to vigabatrin, possibly attributable to vigabatrin, or not attributable to vigabatrin.

RESULTS

A total of 1,281 assessments of 284 children (mean age, 2.09 years) were included. Of these, 283 (99.6%) had funduscopic examination(s), 37 (13.0%) had ERG, 19 (6.7%) had OCT, and 6 (2.1%) had formal VF. Rate of examinations and ERGs per child decreased over the 10-year study period. Two children (0.7%) had definite vigabatrin-related ocular toxicity, both identified on ERG. An additional 4 children (1.4%) had optic atrophy of unclear relation to vigabatrin, categorized as possible toxicity. The remaining 278 children did not have abnormal examination or testing findings attributable to vigabatrin.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of vigabatrin-related ocular toxicity in children was low in our cohort. Ocular and neurologic comorbidities and limited examinations in children make identification of such toxicity challenging and the value of screening is unclear.

A comparison of primary laser versus laser after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor for type 1 retinopathy of prematurity

PURPOSE

To compare characteristics of laser treatment for high-risk type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in eyes treated with primary laser versus laser after an initial treatment with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF).

METHODS

The medical records of consecutive patients at a single academic institution treated for type 1 ROP before 36 weeks' postmenstrual age with primary laser versus laser after initial treatment with anti-VEGF were reviewed retrospectively. Outcome measures were laser spot number, mean laser power, total laser energy (Joules), and retinal vascularization to the nasal ora at time of laser treatment.

RESULTS

Compared with the 46 eyes treated with primary laser, the 46 eyes treated with laser after anti-VEGF required fewer spots (mean, 775 vs 1418 [P < 0.01]), less power (182 vs 223 mW [P < 0.01]), and less total energy (27 vs 61 Joules [P < 0.01]), and showed greater vascularization to the nasal ora at the time of laser treatment (47.8% vs 6.5% [P < 0.01]).

CONCLUSIONS

In our study cohort, laser after initial anti-VEGF treatment may have allowed for greater retinal vascularization and been less destructive than primary laser for high-risk type 1 ROP.

A baby carrier fall leading to intracranial bleeding and multilayered retinal hemorrhages

Significant intracranial and retinal hemorrhages are often seen in infants with abusive head trauma, although accidental injury and previously undiagnosed medical disorders are important considerations in the differential diagnosis. We present the case of an infant with confirmed accidental trauma sustained from an adult-worn baby carrier fall with superimposed head crush injury, which resulted in significant cranial, intracranial, and retinal findings.

Retinal hemorrhage after pediatric neurosurgical procedures

BACKGROUND

Neurosurgical procedures may occur prior to eye examination in children with suspected abusive head trauma and raise questions by child abuse physicians and ophthalmologists regarding the contribution of neurosurgery to retinal hemorrhage found postoperatively. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and patterns of retinal hemorrhage attributable to neurosurgical intervention in children.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children undergoing neurosurgery who had postoperative ophthalmoscopy. Some children were also examined preoperatively. Primary outcome measures were the prevalence and patterns of retinal hemorrhage attributable to neurosurgical intervention. Medical records were reviewed to identify confounding coexistent diseases.

RESULTS

Among 267 children undergoing 289 neurosurgical procedures, there were no cases in which children had post-procedural retinal hemorrhage that could be attributed to neurosurgery. Retinal hemorrhage was seen in 32 (12%) cases, but in every case they were either already present on preoperative examination (13 cases) or matched the pattern of a coexistent known cause of retinal hemorrhage, including head trauma with unambiguous history and/or nonocular signs (13), hydrocephalus-related increased intracranial pressure with papilledema-associated peripapillary retinal hemorrhage (5), and retinopathy of prematurity ridge-associated retinal hemorrhage (1). No retinal hemorrhage could be attributed only to neurosurgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Although children undergoing child abuse evaluations may have intracranial hemorrhage requiring neurosurgery that occurs before a dilated retinal examination can be performed, our data suggest that neurosurgery independently is unlikely to produce retinal hemorrhage and therefore is not a significant confounding factor in the interpretation of retinal hemorrhage patterns in child abuse evaluations.

International Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity, Third Edition

PURPOSE

The International Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity is a consensus statement that creates a standard nomenclature for classification of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). It was initially published in 1984, expanded in 1987, and revisited in 2005. This article presents a third revision, the International Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity, Third Edition (ICROP3), which is now required because of challenges such as: (1) concerns about subjectivity in critical elements of disease classification; (2) innovations in ophthalmic imaging; (3) novel pharmacologic therapies (e.g., anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents) with unique regression and reactivation features after treatment compared with ablative therapies; and (4) recognition that patterns of ROP in some regions of the world do not fit neatly into the current classification system.

DESIGN

Review of evidence-based literature, along with expert consensus opinion.

PARTICIPANTS

International ROP expert committee assembled in March 2019 representing 17 countries and comprising 14 pediatric ophthalmologists and 20 retinal specialists, as well as 12 women and 22 men.

METHODS

The committee was initially divided into 3 subcommittees-acute phase, regression or reactivation, and imaging-each of which used iterative videoconferences and an online message board to identify key challenges and approaches. Subsequently, the entire committee used iterative videoconferences, 2 in-person multiday meetings, and an online message board to develop consensus on classification.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Consensus statement.

RESULTS

The ICROP3 retains current definitions such as zone (location of disease), stage (appearance of disease at the avascular-vascular junction), and circumferential extent of disease. Major updates in the ICROP3 include refined classification metrics (e.g., posterior zone II, notch, subcategorization of stage 5, and recognition that a continuous spectrum of vascular abnormality exists from normal to plus disease). Updates also include the definition of aggressive ROP to replace aggressive-posterior ROP because of increasing recognition that aggressive disease may occur in larger preterm infants and beyond the posterior retina, particularly in regions of the world with limited resources. ROP regression and reactivation are described in detail, with additional description of long-term sequelae.

CONCLUSIONS

These principles may improve the quality and standardization of ROP care worldwide and may provide a foundation to improve research and clinical care.

Randomized Controlled Trial of a Dichoptic Digital Therapeutic for Amblyopia

PURPOSE

Digital therapeutics are a new class of interventions that are software driven and are intended to treat various conditions. We developed and evaluated a dichoptic digital therapeutic for amblyopia, a neurodevelopmental disorder for which current treatments may be limited by poor adherence and residual vision deficits.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred five children 4 to 7 years of age with amblyopia were enrolled at 21 academic and community sites in the United States. Participants were randomized 1:1 to the treatment or comparison group, stratified by site.

METHODS

We conducted a phase 3 randomized controlled trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a dichoptic digital therapeutic for amblyopia. Participants in the treatment group used the therapeutic at home for 1 hour per day, 6 days per week and wore glasses full-time. Participants in the comparison group continued wearing glasses full-time alone.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary efficacy outcome was change in amblyopic eye visual acuity (VA) from baseline at 12 weeks, and VA was measured by masked examiners. Safety was evaluated using the frequency and severity of study-related adverse events. Primary analyses were conducted using the intention-to-treat population.

RESULTS

Between January 16, 2019, and January 15, 2020, 105 participants were enrolled; 51 were randomized to the treatment group and 54 were randomized to the comparison group. At 12 weeks, amblyopic eye VA improved by 1.8 lines (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-2.3 lines; n = 45) in the treatment group and by 0.8 lines (95% CI, 0.4-1.3 lines; n = 45) in the comparison group. At the planned interim analysis (adjusted α = 0.0193), the difference between groups was significant (1.0 lines; P = 0.0011; 96.14% CI, 0.33-1.63 lines) and the study was stopped early for success, according to the protocol. No serious adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support the value of the therapeutic in clinical practice as an effective treatment. Future studies should evaluate the therapeutic compared with other methods and in additional patient populations.

Adjustable Sutures in the Treatment of Strabismus: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology

PURPOSE

To review the scientific literature that evaluates the effectiveness of adjustable sutures in the management of strabismus for adult and pediatric patients.

METHODS

Literature searches were performed in the PubMed database through April 2021 with no date limitations and were restricted to publications in English. The searches identified 551 relevant citations, of which 55 were reviewed in full text. Of these, 17 articles met the inclusion criteria and were assigned a level of evidence rating by the panel methodologist. The search included all randomized controlled studies regardless of study size and cohort studies of 100 or more patients comparing the adjustable versus nonadjustable suture technique, with a focus on motor alignment outcomes or reoperation rates.

RESULTS

The literature search yielded no level I studies. Of the 17 articles that met the inclusion criteria, 11 were rated level II and 6 were rated level III. Among the 12 studies that focused on motor alignment outcomes, 4 small randomized clinical trials (RCTs) did not find a statistically significant difference between groups, although they were powered to detect only very large differences. Seven of 8 nonrandomized studies found a statistically significant difference in motor alignment success in favor of the adjustable suture technique, both overall and in certain subgroups of patients. Successful motor alignment was seen in both exotropia (in 3 studies that were not limited to children) and esotropia (in 1 study of adults and 2 of children). The majority of included studies that reported on reoperation rates found the rates to be lower in patients who underwent strabismus surgery with adjustable sutures, but this finding was not uniformly demonstrated.

CONCLUSIONS

Although there are no level I studies evaluating the effectiveness of adjustable sutures for strabismus surgery, the majority of nonrandomized studies that met the inclusion criteria for this assessment reported an advantage of the adjustable suture technique over the nonadjustable technique with respect to motor alignment outcomes. This finding was not uniformly demonstrated among all studies reviewed and warrants further investigation in the development and analysis of adjustable suture techniques.

Association of Surgical Necrotizing Enterocolitis and its Timing with Retinopathy of Prematurity

OBJECTIVE

 The study aimed to determine the association of surgical necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and its timing, with the development and timing of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

STUDY DESIGN

 This was a secondary data analysis of 7,483 preterm infants from the Postnatal Growth and Retinopathy of Prematurity Study. Associations between infants with surgical NEC, early-onset surgical NEC (8-28 days), and late-onset surgical NEC (over 28 days) with ROP were evaluated by using multivariable logistic regression models, controlling for birth weight, gestational age, small for gestational age status, chronic lung disease, intraventricular hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, patent ductus arteriosus, and periventricular leukomalacia.

RESULTS

 Three hundred fifty-six (4.8%) infants had surgical NEC, with 56% having early surgical NEC. Infants with surgical NEC had a higher risk of any ROP and severe ROP (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 2.7; 95% CI: 1.9-3.7) and 2.5 (95% CI: 1.9-3.3), respectively; p < 0.001) compared with infants without surgical NEC. Infants with early surgical NEC were at the highest risk of developing ROP and severe ROP (adjusted OR: 3.1 [95% CI: 2.1-4.8], and 3.3 [95% CI: 2.3-4.7] respectively, p < 0.001). Infants with late surgical NEC were also at increased risk of developing ROP and severe ROP (adjusted OR: 2.1 [95% CI: 1.3-3.4], and 1.9 [95% CI: 1.3-2.8] respectively, p < 0.001) compared with infants without surgical NEC.

CONCLUSION

 Infants with surgical NEC, especially early surgical NEC, are at higher risk of ROP and severe ROP.

KEY POINTS

· Infants with surgical NEC are at higher risk of ROP and severe ROP than those without surgical NEC.. · Increased ROP risk is seen in infants with both early- or later onset surgical NEC.. · Early-onset surgical NEC is associated with a higher ROP risk compared with later onset surgical NEC..

Validation of the Postnatal Growth and Retinopathy of Prematurity Screening Criteria

Importance

The first Postnatal Growth and Retinopathy of Prematurity Study (G-ROP-1) developed new screening criteria with 100% sensitivity for type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and 30% reduction of infants requiring examinations in a retrospective development cohort of 7483 infants from 29 North American hospitals in 2006-2012. Infants meeting 1 or more of the following criteria undergo examinations: gestational age less than 28 weeks or birth weight less than 1051 g; weight gain less than 120 g during age 10 to 19 days, weight gain less than 180 g during age 20 to 29 days, or weight gain less than 170 g during age 30 to 39 days; or hydrocephalus.

Objective

To evaluate the generalizability of the G-ROP screening criteria in a new cohort of at-risk infants.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This prospective validation cohort study (G-ROP-2) was conducted at 41 hospitals in the United States and Canada (25 G-ROP-1 hospitals and 16 new hospitals) from September 8, 2015, to June 13, 2017, among 3981 premature infants at risk for ROP and with known ROP outcomes.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Sensitivity for Early Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity Study type 1 ROP and potential reduction in infants receiving examinations.

Results

Among the 3981 infants in the study (1878 girls and 2103 boys; median gestational age, 28 weeks [range, 22-35 weeks]; median birth weight, 1072 g [range, 350-4080 g]; 1966 white; 942 black; 321 Latino; 120 Asian; 22 Native Hawaian or Pacific Islander; and 25 American Indian or Alaskan Native), the G-ROP criteria correctly predicted 219 of 219 cases of type 1 ROP (sensitivity, 100%; 95% CI, 98.3%-100%), while reducing the number of infants undergoing examinations by 35.6% (n = 1418). In a combined G-ROP-1 and G-ROP-2 cohort of 11 463 infants, the G-ROP criteria predicted 677 of 677 cases of type 1 ROP (sensitivity, 100%; 95% CI, 99.4%-100%), reducing the number of infants receiving examinations by 32.5% (n = 3730), while current criteria (birth weight <1501 g or gestational age ≤30 weeks 0 days) predicted 674 of 677 type 1 cases (sensitivity, 99.6%; 95% CI, 98.7%-99.8%).

Conclusions and Relevance

This study found that the G-ROP screening criteria were generalizable on validation and, if used clinically in the United States and Canada, could reduce the number of infants receiving examinations. The large G-ROP cohorts provide evidence-based screening criteria that have higher sensitivity and higher specificity (fewer infants receiving examinations) for type 1 ROP than currently recommended guidelines.

Botulinum Toxin Injection for the Treatment of Strabismus: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology

PURPOSE

To review the available evidence comparing the effectiveness of extraocular muscle botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) injection with eye muscle surgery for restoring ocular alignment in children and adults with nonparalytic, nonrestrictive horizontal strabismus.

METHODS

Literature searches in the PubMed Cochrane Library, and clinical trial databases with no date restrictions, but limited to articles published in English, were conducted last on January 10, 2021. The searches yielded 515 citations, 40 of which were reviewed in full text by the first author. Fourteen articles met the criteria for inclusion (randomized or nonrandomized comparative studies, or case series with a minimum 50 patients; evaluating extraocular muscle BTXA injection for initial or repeat treatment of horizontal, nonparalytic, nonrestrictive strabismus; with at least 6 months of follow-up) and were graded by a methodologist.

RESULTS

The 14 included studies consisted of 2 randomized clinical trials, 3 nonrandomized comparative studies, and 9 case series. All 5 comparative studies were graded level II evidence, and the 9 case series were graded level III evidence. Successful motor outcomes after BTXA injection were relatively consistent across 4 of the 5 comparative studies at 60%, when adjustment was made for differential selection bias in 1 of the studies. In the 4 studies, successful motor outcomes after surgery ranged from 66% to 77% with a mean follow-up of 23 to 75 months, and the outcomes were not significantly different from those after BTXA injection. In the fifth level II study, success was significantly higher with BTXA injection than with surgery (94% vs. 72%). The level III BTXA case series demonstrated higher motor success rates of 87% to 89% when children were treated in 2 muscles at a time; rates were lower in adults treated with single-muscle BTXA injection.

CONCLUSIONS

Extraocular muscle injection of BTXA achieves a high rate of successful motor alignment, comparable with that achieved after eye muscle surgery for nonparalytic, nonrestrictive horizontal strabismus. Good alignment may require multiple BTXA injections, and it is not yet clear whether sensory outcomes are equivalent for BTXA injections versus eye muscle surgery in young children.

Home- and Office-Based Vergence and Accommodative Therapies for Treatment of Convergence Insufficiency in Children and Young Adults: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology

PURPOSE

To review home- and office-based vergence and accommodative therapies for treatment of convergence insufficiency (CI) in children and young adults up to 35 years of age.

METHODS

Literature searches were conducted through October 2020 in the PubMed database for English-language studies. The combined searches yielded 359 abstracts, of which 37 were reviewed in full text. Twelve of these were considered appropriate for inclusion in this assessment and assigned a level of evidence rating by the panel methodologist.

RESULTS

Of the 12 studies included in this assessment, 8 were graded as level I evidence, 2 were graded as level II evidence, and 2 were graded as level III evidence. Two of the level I studies included older teenagers and young adults; the remainder of the studies exclusively evaluated children. Two randomized controlled trials found that office-based vergence and accommodative therapies were effective in improving motor outcomes in children with symptomatic CI. However, the studies reported conflicting results on the efficacy of office-based therapy for treating symptoms of CI. Data were inconclusive regarding the effectiveness of home-based therapies (including pencil push-ups and home computer therapy) compared with home placebo. In young adults, office-based vergence and accommodative therapies were not superior to placebo in relieving symptoms of CI.

CONCLUSIONS

Level I evidence suggests that office-based vergence and accommodative therapies improve motor outcomes in children with symptomatic CI, although data are inconsistent regarding symptomatic relief. Evidence is insufficient to determine whether home-based therapies are effective.

Poor postnatal weight growth is a late finding after sepsis in very preterm infants

OBJECTIVE

To characterise the association between sepsis and postnatal weight growth when accounting for the degree of growth restriction present at birth.

DESIGN

Retrospective matched cohort study using data from the Postnatal Growth and Retinopathy of Prematurity study. Participants were born with birth weights of <1500 g or gestational ages of <32 weeks between 2006 and 2011 at 29 neonatal centres in the USA and Canada. Sepsis was defined as a culture-confirmed bacterial or fungal infection of the blood or cerebrospinal fluid before 36 weeks' postmenstrual age (PMA). Growth was assessed as the change in weight z-score between birth and 36 weeks' PMA.

RESULTS

Of 4785 eligible infants, 813 (17%) developed sepsis and 693 (85%) were matched 1:1 to controls. Sepsis was associated with a greater decline in weight z-score (mean difference -0.09, 95% CI -0.14 to -0.03). Postnatal weight growth failure (decline in weight z- score>1) was present in 237 (34%) infants with sepsis and 179 (26%) controls (adjusted OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.97). Longitudinal growth trajectories showed similar initial changes in weight z-scores between infants with and without sepsis. By 3 weeks after sepsis onset, there was a greater decline in weight z-scores relative to birth values in those with sepsis than without sepsis (delta z-score -0.89 vs -0.77; mean difference -0.12, 95% CI -0.18 to -0.05). This significant difference persisted until 36 weeks or discharge.

CONCLUSION

Infants with sepsis had similar early weight growth trajectories as infants without sepsis but developed significant deficits in weight that were not apparent until several weeks after the onset of sepsis.

Retinal Detachment after Treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity with Laser versus Intravitreal Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

PURPOSE

To compare rates of short-term retinal detachment (RD) of infants treated for type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy with infants treated with laser therapy. The choice between these 2 treatments remains controversial. Comparative data are limited and describe re-treatment rates rather than retinal structural outcomes predictive of long-term vision. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor acts faster than laser therapy, which may be beneficial for more aggressive ROP.

DESIGN

Nonrandomized, comparative cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

The study included 1167 eyes of 640 infants treated for type 1 ROP. Among these, 164 eyes received anti-VEGF therapy and 1003 eyes received laser therapy.

METHODS

Pretreatment and posttreatment examinations and treatments were completed by ophthalmologists with expertise in ROP. The study was a secondary analysis of data from the retrospective Postnatal Growth and Retinopathy of Prematurity Study (G-ROP) 1 study (2006-2012) and the prospective G-ROP 2 study (2015-2017).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Rate of RD (ROP stages 4A, 4B, or 5) within 8 weeks of initial treatment, an end point predictive of poor long-term vision. The results were stratified by postmenstrual age (PMA) at treatment as occurring before versus at or after 36 weeks and 0 days, because earlier disease may be considered more aggressive.

RESULTS

Among 458 eyes treated before PMA 36 weeks and 0 days, the short-term RD rate was higher after laser therapy (29/368 eyes [7.9%]) than after anti-VEGF therapy (0/90 eyes [0%]; P < 0.001). Of 709 eyes treated at or after PMA 36 weeks and 0 days, short-term RD risk did not differ between groups (laser [20/635 eyes], 3.1%; anti-VEGF [1/74 eyes], 1.4%; P = 0.27).

CONCLUSIONS

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy results in better short-term structural outcomes than laser therapy when type 1 ROP is treated before 36 weeks' PMA. After this age, both treatments have very low rates of short-term RD. The faster action of anti-VEGF agents likely is responsible for these findings.

Office- or Facility-Based Probing for Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology

PURPOSE

To review the published literature assessing the efficacy and safety of in-office probing compared with facility-based probing to treat congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO).

METHODS

Literature searches were conducted in March 2020 in the PubMed database with no date restrictions and limited to studies published in English and in the Cochrane Library database with no restrictions. The combined searches yielded 281 citations. Of these, 21 articles were deemed appropriate for inclusion in this assessment and assigned a level of evidence rating by the panel methodologist. Four articles were rated level I, 2 articles were rated level II, and 15 articles were rated level III.

RESULTS

Treatments consisted of observation, in-office nasolacrimal probing, or facility-based nasolacrimal probing. Success rates and complications or recurrences were recorded from 1 week to 6 months after surgery. Complete resolution of symptoms after surgery ranged from 66% to 95.6% for office-based procedures versus 50% to 97.7% for facility-based procedures. Level I evidence indicated that 66% of cases spontaneously resolved after 6 months of observation in infants between 6 and 10 months of age. Success rates for in-office probing were lower for bilateral than for unilateral NLDO (67% vs. 82%), whereas success rates were high in both unilateral (83%) and bilateral (82%) patients who underwent facility-based probing after 6 months of observation. Cost data did not indicate a definitive cost savings of either treatment method ($562 for in-office vs. $701 for facility-based, depending on cost models predicting spontaneous resolution rates at different ages). No serious adverse events with treatment or anesthesia were reported for either treatment method.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence supports the efficacy and safety of both in-office and facility-based surgery for congenital NLDO. However, treating bilateral NLDO in a facility setting may be better. Because a significant percentage of children achieved resolution spontaneously before 12 months of age, deferring treatment until 12 to 18 months of age is a reasonable option. Additional research may address symptom burden on families and the impact of anesthesia and emotional trauma of nonsedated office probings on patients and may explore further the cost of treatment for each treatment method.

Incidence, timing and risk factors of type 1 retinopathy of prematurity in a North American cohort

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Early detection and timely treatment of type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) can reduce the risk of blindness. To evaluate the incidence, timing and risk factors of type 1 ROP in a large, broad-risk cohort of premature infants.

METHODS

Secondary analysis of data from the two Postnatal Growth and Retinopathy of Prematurity studies. Main outcomes are the incidence and timing of type 1 ROP.

RESULTS

Among 11 463 infants (mean birth weight (BW), 1095 g; mean gestational age (GA), 28 weeks), 677 (5.9%, 95% CI 5.5% to 6.3%) developed type 1 ROP. Rate of type 1 ROP decreased with larger GA (28.8% for GA ≤23 weeks, 0.2% for GA of 31-32 weeks) and no infants with GA >32 weeks developed type 1 ROP. Type 1 ROP was first diagnosed at a median postmenstrual age (PMA) of 36 weeks (range 30-46 weeks) or postnatal age (PNA) of 11 weeks (range 5-21 weeks). The mean PMA at diagnosis of type 1 ROP increased with GA (35 weeks for GA of 22-24 weeks, 41 weeks for GA of 29-30 weeks), but the mean PNA at diagnosis of type 1 ROP was similar (11-13 weeks) across GA of 22-29 weeks. GA and BW dominate the association (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve=0.87, 95% CI 0.86 to 0.88).

CONCLUSIONS

Type 1 ROP developed in about 6% of premature infants over wide time windows in terms of both PMA and PNA. BW and GA are the dominant risk factors for type 1 ROP, while other prenatal factors add minimal predictive power for type 1 ROP.

Postnatal Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor I and Retinopathy of Prematurity in Latin American Infants

PURPOSE

Identifying at-risk infants for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is complex in countries with emerging economies as infants that lack conventional risk factors, such as low birth weight (BW) and young gestational age (GA), still go on to develop severe ROP. Potential biomarkers, like serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and slow postnatal weight gain, have been identified as good predictors for ROP in developed countries. We sought to determine the relationship between IGF-1 levels and ROP in two Latin American countries where the burden of disease is still significant.

METHODS

Prospective cohort study of infants in Guadalajara, Mexico and La Plata, Argentina. Filter-paper bloodspot IGF-1 assays were performed weekly from birth until hospital discharge or 40 weeks' postmenstrual age (PMA).

RESULTS

112 infants were studied with a median BW of 1412 g (range 620 g-2390 g) and a median GA of 33 weeks (range 25-37). There was no significant difference in IGF-1 between infants who developed ROP and those who did not.

CONCLUSION

Low IGF-1 was not associated with ROP in these infants. The lack of an association between ROP and IGF-1 in Latin America supports the observation that growth-based predictive models do not perform as well in this setting where more mature babies still develop severe ROP.

Symmetry of Disease in Retinopathy of Prematurity in the Postnatal Growth and Retinopathy of Prematurity (G-ROP) Study

PURPOSE

To determine the symmetry of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) between fellow eyes in a broad-risk cohort.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study, the Postnatal Growth and ROP (G-ROP) Study, of 7483 infants undergoing ROP examinations conducted at 29 hospitals in the United States and Canada from 2006 to 2012. The main outcomes were the symmetry for the highest stage and the most severe type (1, 2, not 1 or 2, no ROP) of ROP and disease course of the fellow eye when only one eye developed type 1.

RESULTS

93% of infants had eyes symmetric for the highest stage and 94% for type. Among 459 infants who developed type 1, 379 (82.6%) did so in both eyes simultaneously and were treated bilaterally; 44 (10%) were treated for type 1 in one eye and type 2 in the fellow eye; and 36 (8%) were treated unilaterally initially, of which 6 fellow eyes developed type 1 and were treated (4 within 2 weeks, all within 4 weeks); 5 developed type 2 and regressed; and 25 developed ROP less than type 1 or 2, which was treated in 13 cases and regressed spontaneously in 12 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

ROP was highly symmetric between eyes with respect to the presence and severity of disease in a large, broad-risk cohort representative of infants undergoing ROP screening. When type 1 develops in one eye and type 2 in the fellow eye, the risk of progression to type 1 in the fellow eye appears very low if it has not occurred within 4 weeks.

A Comparison of Respiratory Outcomes after Treating Retinopathy of Prematurity with Laser Photocoagulation or Intravitreal Bevacizumab

PURPOSE

To compare respiratory outcomes after treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) between infants treated with laser therapy under general anesthesia and infants treated with intravitreal bevacizumab under bedside sedation.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred thirty-eight consecutive infants treated for ROP from September 2010 through September 2018 at 1 institution.

METHODS

Retrospective medical, procedural, and ophthalmologic data were collected, including preprocedure (baseline) and postprocedure (24 hours, 48 hours, 7 days, and 28 days) respiratory status, birth weight, gestational age, gender, ROP treatment method, postmenstrual age at treatment, and coincident nonocular procedures during anesthesia. Respiratory outcomes at 48 hours were compared between infants treated with laser therapy under general anesthesia and infants treated with intravitreal bevacizumab under local sedation using multivariate logistic regression analysis to control for potentially confounding factors.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Proportion of infants who had returned to their respiratory baseline by 48 hours after ROP treatment.

RESULTS

Return to respiratory baseline was significantly less common among 119 infants initially treated with laser therapy compared with 19 infants initially treated with bevacizumab at 24 hours (40% vs. 74%; P = 0.0115), 48 hours (53% vs. 79%; P = 0.0453), and 7 days (79% vs. 100%; P = 0.0242). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, infants treated with laser therapy were less likely to return to respiratory baseline at 48 hours (odds ratio, 0.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.04-0.54). At 28 days, no difference was found between groups (laser, 97%; bevacizumab, 100%; P > 0.99).

CONCLUSIONS

Infants treated with intravitreal bevacizumab using bedside sedation returned to their preprocedure respiratory baseline faster than infants treated with laser under general anesthesia, with the differences persisting at least to 7 days or more after the procedure.

Anatomic and visual outcomes of corneal transplantation during infancy

PURPOSE

To determine the effect of age at penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) on graft survival and visual outcome in children with corneal opacities transplanted during infancy.

METHODS

In this two-center retrospective consecutive cohort study, the medical records of infants who underwent unilateral or bilateral PKP during the first year of life between 2004 and 2011 were reviewed retrospectively. PKP was categorized as early (age 0-90 days) or late (age 91-365 days). Main outcome measures were graft survival and vision (classified as poor, fair, or good, considering both testing method and age norms).

RESULTS

A total of 62 eyes of 52 infants were included: 19 eyes underwent early PKP; 43 eyes, late PKP. Of the 62 eyes, 61 had central congenital corneal opacities; 1 was acquired. Median follow-up was 38.1 months (range, 12.2-150.5 months). Kaplan-Meier graft survival estimates were 0.92 at 1 year (95% CI, 0.81-0.96) and 0.61 at 5 years (0.44-0.74). Graft survival (early PKP, 73.7%; late PKP, 65.1% [P = 0.57]) did not differ between groups. Of the 55 eyes with recorded visual acuities, no significant difference existed in proportion with ambulatory or better vision at latest follow-up between early and late PKP (42.1% vs 55.6%; P = 0.61).

CONCLUSIONS

Visual outcomes were better for PKP performed during infancy compared to results of prior reports of late PKP; however, clearing of congenital opacities in the first 3 months of life did not improve visual outcomes compared to later PKP. One-half of grafts survived >5 years. Early PKP did not worsen graft survival, but PKP may be technically easier to perform later in infancy.

Improved adherence and treatment outcomes with an engaging, personalized digital therapeutic in amblyopia

Given the prevalence of poor adherence to therapy and the biases of self-reporting across healthcare, we hypothesized that an engaging, personalized therapy may improve adherence and treatment outcomes in the home. We tested this hypothesis in the initial indication of amblyopia, a neurodevelopmental disorder for which available treatments are limited by low adherence. We designed a novel digital therapeutic that modifies patient-selected cinematic content in real-time into therapeutic visual input, while objectively monitoring adherence. The therapeutic design integrated a custom-designed headset that delivers precise visual input to each eye, computational algorithms that apply real-time therapeutic modifications to source content, a cloud-based content management system that enables treatment in the home, and a broad library of licensed content. In a proof-of-concept human study on the therapeutic, we found that amblyopic eye vision improved significantly after 12 weeks of treatment, with higher adherence than that of available treatments. These initial results support the utility of personalized therapy in amblyopia and may have broader relevance for improving treatment outcomes in additional indications.