PURPOSE: Assess whether cross-linking the carrier donor cornea of the Boston Keratoprosthesis (BKPro) improves retention of the device in participants at high risk of keratolysis. DESIGN: Prospective, double-masked randomized clinical trial. METHODS: In this multicenter study, sixty-eight adult participants who were scheduled for BKPro implantation were enrolled. Masked participants were randomized to receive either a cross-linked (CXL) or non-cross-linked (non-CXL) donor corneal carrier. Kaplan-Meier event-free survival was determined by the product-limit method and compared by the log-rank test to examine if survival curves were different between the CXL and non-CXL groups. The primary outcome of the study was time from surgery to BKPro removal. Secondary endpoint was twelve-month retention rate. RESULTS: Sixty-eight participants were enrolled and randomized 1:1 to each group. Average age at the time of surgery was 62 [24-89] years and 42 (62%) participants were male. Overall BKPro retention rate was 70% during a mean follow-up time of 93 (6 - 201) weeks. Twenty BKPros were removed, ten in the CXL group and ten in the non-CXL group, with 18 requiring removal because of sterile keratolysis. There was no difference in the time to removal between the groups during the study (P = 0.910). At twelve months, there was no significant difference in the retention rate in the CXL group (94%) versus the non-CXL group (82%, P = 0.150). CONCLUSION: In this prospective study, cross-linking of the carrier cornea prior to BKPro implantation did not reduce the incidence of sterile keratolysis or increase device retention among participants at high risk for retention failure.

PURPOSE: To determine the sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of a contiguous, perineural retinal vascular leakage fluorescein angiography (FA) pattern in birdshot chorioretinopathy (BSCR) patients. METHODS: Patients with BSCR and other posterior uveitis/retinal vasculitis and a FA were identified. Two graders reviewed the first FA for leakage primarily around the optic nerve and along the larger arcade vessels. We compared the rates of this pattern in BSCR and non-BSCR patients and calculated sensitivity and PPV. We compared clinical characteristics of BSCR patients with and without this pattern. RESULTS: 64 BSCR and 98 non-BSCR patients were identified. The FA pattern's sensitivity, specificity, and PPV were 57.8%, 91.8%, and 82.2%. This pattern was significantly more common in BSCR patients earlier in their disease (p = .004). CONCLUSIONS: A contiguous, perineural retinal vascular leakage FA pattern can help identify potential BSCR patients for further testing. This pattern is more common closer to symptom onset.

A 77-year-old Asian female with a history of left orbit exenteration and lid-sparing reconstruction for recurrent sebaceous carcinoma presented with fluid-like sensation of the left orbit. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated bright T2 signal and a cyst-like cavity within the exenterated orbit. Decision was made to proceed with surgical exploration and excision. A calcified, bone-like cavity was encountered intraoperatively and removed. Histopathology revealed dense fibrous connective tissue with areas of calcification without osseous metaplasia, suggestive of retained blood in the orbit that underwent dystrophic calcification. This case report illustrates a rare occurrence of a bone-like calcific cyst following exenteration.

Pediatric glaucoma is a constellation of challenging ophthalmic conditions that, left untreated, can result in irreversible vision loss. The mainstay of treatment for primary congenital glaucoma and select secondary glaucoma subtypes is angle surgery, either trabeculotomy or goniotomy. More recently, MIGS devices have been utilized to enhance the efficacy of these procedures. Despite the high success rates of these primary surgical options, refractory cases are challenging to manage. There is no consensus on the next step of treatment following primary angle surgery. Glaucoma drainage devices and trabeculectomies have been the traditional options, with laser treatment reserved for more severe cases. The benefits and disadvantages of each of these options are discussed.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the relationships between the cumulative incidences of long-term complications in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and assess whether observed associations are independent of age, duration of diabetes, and glycemic levels. METHODS: Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), clinically significant macular edema (CSME), reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), amputations, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and mortality were assessed in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications Study over ∼30 years. RESEARCH DESIGN AND RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of complications ranged from 3% (amputations) to 37% (CSME). There were large differences in the cumulative incidence of PDR between participants with versus without prior CSME (66% vs. 15%), reduced eGFR (59% vs. 29%), and amputation (68% vs. 32%); reduced eGFR with or without prior PDR (25% vs. 9%), amputation (48% vs. 13%), and CVD (30% vs. 11%); CVD with or without prior reduced eGFR (37% vs. 14%) and amputation (50% vs. 16%); and mortality with or without prior reduced eGFR (22% vs. 9%), amputation (35% vs. 8%), and CVD (25% vs. 8%). Adjusted for age, duration of T1D, and mean updated HbA1c, the complications and associations with higher risk included PDR with CSME (hazard ratio [HR] 1.88; 95% CI 1.42, 2.50), reduced eGFR (HR 1.41; 95% CI 1.01, 1.97), and CVD (HR 1.43; 95% CI 1.06, 1.92); CSME with higher risk of PDR (HR 3.94; 95% CI 3.18 4.89), reduced eGFR (HR 1.49; 95% CI 1.10, 2.01), and CVD (HR 1.35; 95% CI 1.03, 1.78); reduced eGFR with higher risk of CVD (HR 2.09; 95% CI 1.44, 3.03), and death (HR 3.40; 95% CI 2.35, 4.92); amputation(s) with death (HR 2.97; 95% CI 1.70, 2.90); and CVD with reduced eGFR (HR 1.59; 95% CI 1.08, 2.34) and death (HR 1.95; 95% CI 1.32, 2.90). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term micro- and macrovascular complications and mortality are highly correlated. Age, diabetes duration, and glycemic levels do not completely explain these associations.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) who develop any retinopathy at any time prior to 5 years of diabetes duration have an increased subsequent risk for further progression of retinopathy or onset of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), clinically significant macular edema (CSME), diabetes-related retinal photocoagulation, or anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections. Additionally, to determine the influence of HbA1c and other risk factors in these individuals. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) was assessed longitudinally using standardized stereoscopic seven-field fundus photography at time intervals of 6 months to 4 years. Early-onset DR (EDR) was defined as onset prior to 5 years of T1D duration. Cox models assessed the associations of EDR with subsequent risk of outcomes. RESULTS: In unadjusted models, individuals with EDR (n = 484) had an increased subsequent risk of PDR (hazard ratio [HR] 1.51 [95% CI 1.12, 2.02], P = 0.006), CSME (HR 1.44 [1.10, 1.88], P = 0.008), and diabetes-related retinal photocoagulation (HR 1.48 [1.12, 1.96], P = 0.006) compared with individuals without EDR (n = 369). These associations remained significant when adjusted for HbA1c, but only the association with PDR remained significant after adjustment for age, duration of T1D, HbA1c, sex, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, pulse, use of ACE inhibitors, albumin excretion rate, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (HR 1.47 [95% CI 1.04, 2.06], P = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that individuals with any sign of retinopathy within the first 5 years of T1D onset may be at higher risk of long-term development of advanced DR, especially PDR. Identification of early-onset DR may influence prognosis and help guide therapeutic management to reduce the risk of future visual loss in these individuals.

INTRODUCTION: Compared to the United States population as a whole, physicians are more likely to identify as men, identify as Asian or non-hispanic White, and be raised in wealthier households. Racial, ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic representation in ophthalmology is often blamed on the pipeline of matriculants. METHODS: This review collects recent data from the US census, AAMC, and primary literature on gender, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity from medical school to ophthalmology practice. RESULTS: Data from the medical and ophthalmology literature shows that medical students are less diverse than medical school applicants, ophthalmology residencies are less diverse than graduating medical students, and ophthalmology departments are less diverse than those of most other specialties. DISCUSSION: At each level, there are limitations in representation beyond the pipeline of medical school applicants or medical students applying to ophthalmology. There are many practical steps the field can take at each level of training to move the specialty toward more equitable representation.