Ophthalmology
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To explore the cost-effectiveness of telemedicine for the screening of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and identify changes within the demographics of a patient population after telemedicine implementation. ⋯ The current teleretinal screening program is effective in terms of being cost-effective and increasing population reach. Future screening policies should give consideration to the age of patients receiving screenings and the system's patient pool size because our results indicate it is not cost-effective to screen patients aged older than 80 years or in populations with <3500 patients.
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Hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol ≥ 200 mg/dl) is a significant risk factor for ischemic heart, cerebrovascular, and peripheral vascular disease. Increased cholesterol in the glandular secretion has been postulated to be necessary for the development of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), a common form of chronic blepharitis. The purpose of this study was to investigate a possible correlation between MGD and hypercholesterolemia in young and middle-aged patients (aged 18-54 years). ⋯ The results suggest that young and middle-aged patients with MGD with no history of hypercholesterolemia may have higher blood cholesterol levels than controls of similar age without MGD. If this finding is confirmed by larger studies, MGD may become a marker of previously unknown hypercholesterolemia and ophthalmologists may increase their role in the early detection of an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Ranibizumab versus Bevacizumab for Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration: Results from the GEFAL Noninferiority Randomized Trial.
To evaluate the relative efficacy and safety profile of bevacizumab versus ranibizumab intravitreal injections for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). ⋯ Bevacizumab was noninferior to ranibizumab for visual acuity at 1 year with similar safety profiles. Ranibizumab tended to have a better anatomic outcome. The results are similar to those of previous head-to-head studies.
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Multicenter Study
Isolated third, fourth, and sixth cranial nerve palsies from presumed microvascular versus other causes: a prospective study.
To estimate the proportion of patients presenting with isolated third, fourth, or sixth cranial nerve palsy of presumed microvascular origin versus other causes. ⋯ In our series of patients with acute isolated ocular motor nerve palsies, a substantial proportion of patients had other causes, including neoplasm, GCA, and brain stem infarction. Brain MRI and laboratory workup have a role in the initial evaluation of older patients with isolated acute ocular motor nerve palsies regardless of whether vascular risk factors are present.
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To analyze ophthalmologists who are National Institutes of Health (NIH) K grant awardees to characterize clinician-scientists in ophthalmology. ⋯ The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.