Academy Express

VIDEOS

Interview: Dr. Michael Chiang discusses the

importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in
ophthalmology

1-Minute Video: Dr. Ajay Kuriyan repairs a

tractional retinal detachment using
viscodissection

JOURNAL STUDIES

Autologous retinal transplantation yields good anatomic, functional

outcomes for macular holes
A new retrospective study reports the outcomes of autologous retinal
transplantation for repair of primary or refractory macular holes, or macular holes
combined with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. The study included 130
surgeries that were performed by 33 surgeons worldwide. The procedure closed
89% of macular holes and 95% of macular holes with retinal detachment. After
surgery, 43% of eyes gained 3 or more lines in visual acuity and 29% gained 5 or
more lines. Reconstruction of the ellipsoid zone band and alignment of
neurosensory layers on OCT were tied to better final visual acuity. Rates of
complication were low. Ophthalmology, May 2021

Poor diabetes control does not significantly influence glaucoma

progression
This retrospective cohort study examined the association between diabetes control
and glaucoma progression in 222 patients with type 2 diabetes and primary open-
angle glaucoma. During a mean follow-up of 7 years, mean, peak and fluctuations
in 2 glycated hemoglobin levels—proxies for diabetes control—were not
significantly linked to visual field loss and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning.
In addition, metformin use was not significantly tied to slower rates of visual field
or global RNFL changes. These findings suggest that poor diabetes control does not
significantly influence glaucoma progression. Ophthalmology Glaucoma, March/
April 2021

New diagnostic test for congenital dyschromatopsia shows promise

Preliminary findings suggest the Color Vision Evaluation Test (CVET) is a rapid,
reliable and reproducible test for diagnosing congenital dyschromatopsia. In a
study of 155 children, the CVET had better reproducibility than the Farnsworth 15
Hue standard test (100% vs. 88%), with a higher mean sensitivity (97% vs. 76%)
and specificity (97% vs. 62%). Although CVET took longer to evaluate individuals
with dyschromatopsia, most children preferred it, possibly due to its playful design.
The CVET may allow for qualitative and quantitative assessment of all types of
congenital dyschromatopsia and warrants further evaluation, the authors conclude.
American Journal of Ophthalmology, March 2021

Benign prostate hyperplasia is tied to meibomian gland loss and tear film
instability
Investigators assessed the relationship between benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH)
and meibomian gland dysfunction. Compared with 46 control subjects, the 44 men
in the study group had a higher meiboscore (4.5 vs. 1.8), shorter breakup time of
tear film (3.6 vs. 5.6 seconds) and smaller Schirmer test value (9.8 vs. 13.3 mm).
However, the morphological changes in the BPH group were not accompanied by
ocular symptoms or lid margin abnormalities. The authors conclude BPH is
associated with meibomian gland loss and tear film instability. Cornea, April 2021

Extraocular muscle biopsy should be considered for atypical presentation

of orbital myositis
This paper presents the first methodological reference for the expected
histopathologic findings in extraocular muscle biopsy samples of idiopathic orbital
myositis (IOM). Among 9 patients with IOM, the most common indications for
muscle biopsy were high suspicion for malignancy or nonresolving orbital disease
with inadequate response to corticosteroids. The histopathologic features of the
involved muscles in IOM resembled those seen in idiopathic orbital inflammation
and differed from those seen in common differential diagnoses. The authors
suggest that extraocular muscle biopsy should be seriously considered if orbital
myositis presentation is atypical. Ophthalmology, April 2021

READ

Editors’ Choice: Dr. Rohit Adyanthaya discusses the use of

proparacaine drops as an ocular anesthetic for intravitreal
injections

DISCUSS

Diagnose This: Focal narrowing of the angle at 5 o'clock position

Share your tips for managing new glaucoma patients

ACADEMY NEWS

FDA adds warning to package for ophthalmic drop for ptosis (PDF)
The ophthalmic solution of oxymetazoline hydrochloride (Upneeq) will soon have a
new package insert explaining the potentially serious neurological and orbital
conditions associated with ptosis. The Academy, the American Society of
Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the North American Neuro-
Ophthalmology Society urged the FDA to add the new warning in response to
physician concerns.

Tune in for the next pediatric ophthalmology virtual journal club

Join Drs. Peter Campbell, Darius Moshfegi and Michael Wan on May 20 at 8:30 p.m.
ET for the latest AAO/AAPOS journal club. The authors will discuss AI in
telemedicine screening for ROP, racial and socioeconomic disparities in
retinoblastoma enucleation and indications for workup in pediatric Horner
syndrome.

Pay tribute to 2021 Orbital Gala honoree David Noonan

Join your colleagues for the 18th annual Orbital Gala and celebrate former
Academy deputy executive vice president Mr. David Noonan. Make a tribute gift
and include a message in the Orbital Gala booklet.

Find the right balance to beat burnout

Take a deep breath with Paul Sternberg, MD, at the Ophthalmology Business
Summit closing session on Saturday, May 22. Learn how to mitigate burnout
without compromising the patient experience. Registration closes May 20, so sign
up today.

Pinpoint knowledge gaps with vetted self-assessment tool

Quickly test your clinical knowledge and decision-making skills with more than
3,900 high-yield questions while earning self-assessment CME credits. With the
online BCSC Self-Assessment Program, you can brush up on your knowledge and
increase retention with BCSC excerpts. Subscribe today.

Find Savvy Coder articles quickly and easily

EyeNet’s Savvy Coder articles bring you the latest ophthalmology-specific coding
news and guidance from the Academy’s coding experts. To make them easier to
find, we have compiled links to articles published since September 2019. Bookmark
aao.org/savvy-coder today.

Editor-in-Chief
David W. Parke II, MD

Chief Medical Editor

Dianna L. Seldomridge, MD, MBA

AAO Advisory Panel

Terry L. Forrest, MD
Tineke Chan, MD
James C. Tsai, MD
Sunita Radhakrishnan, MD

Editors
Kanaga Rajan, PhD

Communications Specialist
Erik Cufino

The American Academy of Ophthalmology provides the items appearing in the Academy Express
as a service to members. The articles and studies come from news reports and peer-reviewed
journals, and are not the product, opinion or position of the Academy unless explicitly stated to
be so. The Academy does not endorse products, companies or organizations. Any advertisers
who purchase banners or otherwise support the Academy and this newsletter have no influence
on the editorial content or presentation and any such advertisements are not implied or express
endorsements of any product, service or company. The Academy disclaims all liability. This
electronic newsletter is sent to Academy members on a weekly basis.
Questions? Comments? Email Academy staff at news@aao.org.

Medical Professionals Public and Patients

© American Academy of Ophthalmology

This email is a service offered to you by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

655 Beach Street | San Francisco, CA 94109

Phone: +1 415.561.8500 | aao.org

Unsubscribe