Ophthalmology Commons^™

Low-Dose Bevacizumab Treatment For Retinopathy Of Prematurity, Makayla Ayres, Katherine Brown Md

Research Days

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an eye disease that affects very premature infants and causes blindness. Treatment for ROP consists of anti-VEGF intravitreal injections (e.g., bevacizumab), laser therapy, and cryotherapy. The concern of anti-VEGF intravitreal injections is systemic toxicity and potential detrimental effects on these developing infants. In research trials, doses as low as 0.031 mg of bevacizumab have been shown to be effective in treating ROP. However, in clinical practice, the most common doses used are 0.125-0.25 mg.

Objectives/Goal: At CMKC, 0.075 mg doses of bevacizumab have been used to treat Type 1 ROP since 2022. We aim …

Optimal Diagnostic Strategies For Concussion-Related Vision Disorders: A Review, Iniya K. Adhan, Kammi B. Gunton

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

Concussions are a mild form of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that is typically self-limited and transient with a high prevalence within our communities. Due to the vast visual network interconnectivity, visual symptoms secondary to a concussion occur about 90% of the time. A gold standard to confirm concussion acutely has not been well established. Visual function testing based on symptoms remains the standard of care in off-site evaluation for diagnosis of oculomotor dysfunction. This review covers the current diagnostic strategies for vision based disorders post-concussion for sideline testing, off-site testing, and research driven testing.

New First Trimester Circulating Angiogenic Biomarkers In Predicting Early-Onset And Late-Onset Fetal Growth Restriction: A Case-Control Study, Xiaoyi Bai, Wei Li, Wenjing Ding, Oi Ka Chan, Maran Bo Wah Leung, So Ling Lau, Daljit Singh Sahota, Chi Chiu Wang, Tak Yeung Leung

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: First trimester prediction of fetal growth restriction (FGR) remain suboptimal. We aimed to search for new circulating angiogenic biomarkers for improvement.

Methods: This case-control study compared 73 singleton pregnancies with early or late-onset FGR based on Delphi consensus and 73 matched normal controls. Their maternal serum samples stored during 11-13 weeks were retrieved for measurement of 36 angiogenic biomarkers by MILLIPLEX® human angiogenesis magnetic bead panels. Those biomarkers that showed significant differences between the study groups were further analysed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results: In the early-onset FGR group, log10MoM of soluble neuropilin-1 (sNRP-1: 0.08 ± 0.11 …

Demographic And Clinical Factors Associated With Mechanisms Of Open Globe Injury In The United States: A Multi-Center Study, Shruti Anant, Alicia Casella, Jason A. Greenfield, Sarah C. Miller, Kristine Y. Wang, Bita Momenaei, Karen Lee, Hana A. Mansour, Grant A. Justin, Kevin G. Makhoul, Racquel A. Bitar, Alice Lorch, Grayson W. Armstrong, Taku Wakabayashi, Yoshihiro Yonekawa, Kara M. Cavuoto, Fasika Woreta

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

PURPOSE: We sought to examine the demographic and clinical risk factors associated with specific mechanisms of open globe injuries (OGIs) and identify predictors of Zone III injuries across multiple tertiary eye care centers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: 1570 patients with OGIs presenting to the Wilmer Eye Institute, the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, and Wills Eye Hospital between 2018-2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Multinomial and binomial logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between demographic and clinical risk factors with injury mechanisms and Zone III injuries.

RESULTS: Among the study population (74.2% male, mean age 48.2 years), falls …

Latin American Prevalence Of Glaucoma: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Denisse J Mora-Paez, Jaime Guedes, Dillan Cunha Amaral, Marcelo Alves Ferreira, Bruno Fernandes, Sacha Pereira, Bruno Botton, Alisha Desai, Helena Messinger Pakter, Fabio Lavinsky, Adroaldo Alencar Costa Filho

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of all types of glaucoma in Latin America (LATAM) and evaluate potential demographic associations. This study followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024506330). A comprehensive search of PubMed, SciELO, and Web of Science was conducted to identify population-based or cross-sectional studies reporting glaucoma prevalence in LATAM. Studies were categorized into two groups: Group 1 included general population studies without selection based on visual acuity (VA), and Group 2 included studies limited to individuals with VA < 20/60. Data from five studies in Group 1 (25,288 individuals) and eight studies in Group 2 (29,882 individuals) were analyzed using R software. The pooled prevalence of glaucoma was 4% (95% CI: 1–3%) in Group 1 and 1% (95% CI: 0–1%) in Group 2. No statistically significant associations were found between glaucoma prevalence and sex (p = 0.08) or age (p = 0.5669). Although our findings …

Cost Effectiveness Of Sending Of Routine Collection Of Sinus Contents In Skull-Base Patients, Jonathan Grey, Caroline Roberts, Amanda Bachand, Jacob Keeley, Adam Folbe

Posters

• Following endoscopic skull-base surgeries, it is common practice to send sinus contents for histopathological review and examination, in addition to the tumor/pathology itself.
• Histologic analysis of standard surgical specimens has long been thought to enhance diagnostic precision, ensure quality control, and offer procedural documentation.1 However, with rising healthcare costs, the necessity of this practice has been challenged in specific situations, such as this one.1
• In this study, we sought to determine if the regular collection of sinus contents uncovers another disease process or informs clinical decision-making.
• We also determined the cost of routinely sending sinus contents to pathology for evaluation. …

A Quantitative Analysis On The Locations Of Phase 3 Retina Trials In The United States Over The Past 5 Years, Shahrukh Naseer, Tarek Hassan

Posters

• Clinical trials are essential for advancing treatments in ophthalmology, yet comprehensive data on institutional participation in Phase 3 retina trials is not readily available.

• The U.S. National Library of Medicine Clinical Trials database (NLM database) lists individual research sites for each study; however, aggregating and visualizing this data remains challenging.

• The lack of centralized and easily interpretable data on research site participation hinders understanding of institutional contributions to retinal clinical research.

• Identifying geographic and institutional trends can improve resource allocation and research collaboration.

• We aim to

• Quantify the number of unique institutions participating in …

Rare Jugular Bulb Tumor Presenting As Bilateral Papilledema, Yoona Choe, Matthew Boyle, Peter Maduka

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Optic disc edema, which may arise from a range of inflammatory, ischemic, compressive, infiltrative, or hereditary causes, can also indicate elevated intracranial pressure in the form of papilledema. Given its potential association with life-threatening conditions such as mass lesions or venous sinus thrombosis, timely identification and thorough evaluation are critical. In this case, a 61-year-old female presented with a complaint of a new-onset floater in her left eye. Despite minimal symptoms and an unremarkable systemic review, dilated fundus examination revealed bilateral optic disc edema with hyperemia and hemorrhages, prompting urgent neuroimaging. MRI and MRV identified venous thrombi in the right …

Adherence To Follow-Up Among High-Risk Nicu Patients, Iryna Muryn, Susan Mbullah Ndimah, Lisa Renee Eiland, Tara Lozy

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background:

Preterm infants, especially those ≤32 weeks' gestational age (GA) are at increased risk of vision and hearing loss. Risks of both vision and hearing loss can be ameliorated and in some cases prevented by conscientious screening, follow up and treatment. Universally, infants ≤32 weeks are cared for in neonatal intensive care units and there is considerable confidence that screenings and treatment occur according to established guidelines. At hospital discharge, follow up responsibility shifts to infant caretakers likely resulting in reduced compliance.

Objective:

We aimed to determine if preterm infants at risk for vision and hearing loss, attended follow up …

Is Increased Screen Time Associated With A Higher Prevalence Of Myopia In Elementary-Aged Children Globally?​, Katerina Kasatkin, Sree Gowri Sudharshan, Lakumi Dias, Adira Brenner, Emily Reilly, Maikel Mansour

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: The onset of myopia in children has emerged as a significant public health concern, especially with increased screen time and reduced outdoor activity following the COVID-19 pandemic. The global prevalence of myopia is expected to rise significantly, with children being particularly vulnerable. Various studies have explored how screen time, near-work activities, and outdoor exposure influence the increasing prevalence of myopia in pediatric populations worldwide.

Hypothesis: This paper aims to evaluate whether increased screen time, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, is associated with a higher prevalence of myopia in young children, providing a more robust understanding of this relationship across …

Impact Of The Acgme Merger On Ophthalmology Match Success: A Pre- And Post-Merger Comparative Analysis, Anna Flts

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background

In 2020, the ACGME merger unified the residency match process for MD and DO applicants into a single, standardized system. The merger aimed to promote equity in graduate medical education by streamlining training pathways and matching processes across applicant backgrounds.

Hypothesis

Despite the merger’s goal of standardization and equity, disparities in ophthalmology match outcomes between MD and DO applicants may persist.

Methods

Data from the SF Match and AUPO were collected for ophthalmology applicants from 2016 to 2024. Applicants were divided into pre-merger (2016–2019) and post-merger (2020–2024) cohorts. Match rates for MD and DO applicants were calculated and compared …

Custom Gene Panel Sequencing Of Fevr Patients And Family Members, Rima Stepanian, Gabrielle Abdelmessih, Kim Drenser, Antonio Capone Jr, Michael T. Trese, Wendy Dailey, Ken Mitton

Posters

Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy, or FEVR, defines a group of inherited retinal diseases marked by abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina, causing poor vascular development in the peripheral retina. It is linked to increased vessel permeability and may result in retinal ischemia, exudative retinal detachment, and subsequent vision loss. It can be inherited through autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, or X-linked recessive patterns. There is no definitive treatment or cure, but is treated based on staging of disease on an individual case-by-case basis. Genomics is a rapidly growing field in personalized medicine. Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) enables fast and cost-effective identification …

Functional Vision Assessment Over 4 Years In Ush2a Using The Veteran Affairs Low-Vision Visual Functioning Questionnaire, Bela Parekh, Nicholas Peck-Dimit, Jacque L Duncan, Lassana Samarakoon, Maria Fernanda Abalem, Chris A Andrews, Isabelle Audo, Allison R Ayala, Chris Bradley, Janet K Cheetham, Gislin Dagnelie, Todd A Durham, Rachel M Huckfeldt, Gabrielle D Lacy, Brett Malbin, Michel Michaelides, David C Musch, Katarina Stingl, Christina Y Weng, Alex Z Zmejkoski, Michele Melia, K Thiran Jayasundera, Foundation Fighting Blindness Clinical Consortium Investigator Group

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of the Veterans Affairs Low Vision Visual Functioning Questionnaire (VALVVFQ-48) functional vision scores (FVS) in patients with USH2A-associated retinal degeneration. In addition, to correlate the change in the VALVVFQ-48 FVS with the change in visual function (VF) measurements.

Methods: The VALVVFQ-48 was administered verbally to participants ≥18 years of age at baseline, and after 2 and 4 years. Associations among changes in FVS and changes in VF measures were assessed using the Spearman correlation coefficients. Mixed effects regression models with a random intercept were used to estimate annual rates …

Glands Of Moll: History, Current Knowledge And Their Role In Ocular Surface Homeostasis And Disease, Michael Stopfer, Ingrid Zahn, Katharina Jüngert, Gerhard Aumüller, Frans L Moll, Martin Schicht, Helen P Makarenkova, Cintia S De Paiva, Friedrich P Paulsen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Over the last 20 years, research into the Meibomian glands of the eyelids has increased exponentially and is now widely recognized as a field of research. It is all the more astonishing that knowledge about another type of gland in the eyelids, the Moll glands or ciliary glands, has almost stagnated and there has been little to almost no progress, even though this type of gland as a whole takes up a relatively large volume in the upper and lower eyelids. There is not much information about the namesake Moll or the function of the glands although these are listed …

Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (Sans) And Its Countermeasures, Tuan Nguyen, Joshua Ong, Tyson Brunstetter, C Robert Gibson, Brandon R Macias, Steven Laurie, Thomas Mader, Alan Hargens, Jay C Buckey, Mimi Lan, Peter Wostyn, Cihan Kadipasaoglu, Scott M Smith, Sara R Zwart, Benjamin J Frankfort, Sarah Aman, Jessica M Scott, Ethan Waisberg, Mouayad Masalkhi, Andrew G Lee

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Astronauts can develop a distinct collection of neuro-ophthalmic findings during long duration spaceflight, collectively known as Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS). These clinical characteristics include optic disc edema, hyperopic refractive shifts, globe flattening, and chorioretinal folds, which may pose a health risk for future space exploration. Obtaining knowledge of SANS and countermeasures for its prevention is crucial for upcoming crewed space missions and warrants a multidisciplinary approach. This review examines the potential causes and countermeasures of SANS, including space anticipation glasses, lower body negative pressure, venoconstrictive thigh cuffs, impedance threshold devices, translaminar pressure gradient modulation, centrifugation, artificial gravity, pharmaceuticals, and …

Advancing Research On Retinitis Pigmentosa: An Investigation Of Natural History, Visual System Plasticity, And Mutation-Independent Treatment., Cecilia A. Attaway

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited retinal disease characterized by rod and then cone photoreceptor degeneration. ~25% of cases are caused by a genetic mutation that results in autosomal dominant RP (adRP). There has been a lack of exploration of the progression of degeneration in adRP models. In Chapter Two, I examined visual acuity (VA) changes, retinal structure, and function from early to late-stage disease in a murine P23H Rho ‘knock-in’ mouse model (Rho^P23H/+), the most common form of adRP in North America. To establish a natural history, I evaluated behavioral VA, using the visual water task, …

Oculomics: Current Concepts And Evidence, Zhuoting Zhu, Yueye Wang, Ziyi Qi, Wenyi Hu, Xiayin Zhang, Siegfried K Wagner, Yujie Wang, An Ran Ran, Joshua Ong, Ethan Waisberg, Mouayad Masalkhi, Alex Suh, Yih Chung Tham, Carol Y Cheung, Xiaohong Yang, Honghua Yu, Zongyuan Ge, Wei Wang, Bin Sheng, Yun Liu, Andrew G Lee, Alastair K Denniston, Peter Van Wijngaarden, Pearse A Keane, Ching-Yu Cheng, Mingguang He, Tien Yin Wong

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The eye provides novel insights into general health, as well as pathogenesis and development of systemic diseases. In the past decade, growing evidence has demonstrated that the eye's structure and function mirror multiple systemic health conditions, especially in cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and kidney impairments. This has given rise to the field of oculomics-the application of ophthalmic biomarkers to understand mechanisms, detect and predict disease. The development of this field has been accelerated by three major advances: 1) the availability and widespread clinical adoption of high-resolution and non-invasive ophthalmic imaging ("hardware"); 2) the availability of large studies to interrogate associations …

Alphamissense Predictions And Clinvar Annotations: A Deep Learning Approach To Uveal Melanoma, David J. Taylor Gonzalez, Mak B. Djulbegovic, Meghan Sharma, Michael Antonietti, Colin K. Kim, Vladimir N. Uversky, Carol L. Karp, Carol L. Shields, Matthew W. Wilson

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

OBJECTIVE: Uveal melanoma (UM) poses significant diagnostic and prognostic challenges due to its variable genetic landscape. We explore the use of a novel deep learning tool to assess the functional impact of genetic mutations in UM.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional bioinformatics exploratory data analysis of genetic mutations from UM cases.

SUBJECTS: Genetic data from patients diagnosed with UM were analyzed, explicitly focusing on missense mutations sourced from the Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC) database.

METHODS: We identified missense mutations frequently observed in UM using the COSMIC database, assessed their potential pathogenicity using AlphaMissense, and visualized mutations using AlphaFold. Clinical …

Normative Variability In Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness: Does It Matter Where The Peaks Are?, Sowjanya Gowrisankaran, Ashkan Abbasi, Xubo Song, Joel Schuman, Gadi Wollstein, Bhavna Antony, Hiroshi Ishikawa

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

PURPOSE: Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), a glaucoma biomarker, has a wide normative range affecting its sensitivity and specificity for abnormality detection. The interindividual RNFLT peak location variability contribution to this wide normative range has not been directly evaluated. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of RNFLT peak normalization (PN) on normative variability.

METHODS: Circumpapillary RNFLT profiles at 1.7 mm radius from the optic nerve head (ONH) were re-sampled from optical coherence tomography (OCT) volumes (Cirrus HD-OCT, 200 × 200) obtained from one eye of 83 healthy individuals. Fovea-ONH axis (FOA) was calculated from corresponding …

Eye Dissection Video Guide: An Innovative Approach To Anatomy Education Of The Orbit, Eye, And Intraocular Lens, Jack Dryden, Malli Barremkala

Posters

No abstract provided.