A n estimated 2.7 million people in the United States have hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. 1 HCV principally replicates in the liver and its cardinal manifestation is progressive hepatic failure from fibrosis. 2-4 Evidence of HCV replication also has been reported in peripheral blood cells, and abnormal blood counts have been noted in clinic patients with HCV infection. [5][6][7][8] However, the frequency and severity of peripheral blood cell count abnormalities in the majority of HCV-infected individuals are unknown.No universally accepted normal range exists for most components of the peripheral blood count. In addition, a number of factors are known to affect both the peripheral blood count and the prevalence of HCV infection. 1,9-11 Thus, the objective of this investigation was to evaluate the frequency and severity of peripheral blood cell abnormalities in HCV-infected patients in the general population after accounting for age, race, and other potential confounding factors.
Introduction Hypotony maculopathy is ocular hypotony complicated by papilledema and/or folding of the retina and choroid in the posterior pole. Our objective was to examine the current literature regarding hypotony maculopathy and treatment methods.MethodsA systematic review of the English-language literature was conducted by performing a broad search of PubMed from 1972 through 2015 using the keywords hypotony maculopathy and hypotony. Additional articles were identified from bibliographies of relevant articles.ResultsHypotony maculopathy was infrequent before the introduction of antimetabolite agents in glaucoma-filtering surgery, and the incidence of this entity is now up to 20%. Risk factors for developing hypotony maculopathy include male gender, young age, myopia, and primary filtering surgery. Correctly identifying the etiology of hypotony is essential for successful treatment. Treatment of hypotony maculopathy includes procedures to elevate the intraocular pressure, thus reversing the collapse of the scleral wall and chorioretinal wrinkling.ConclusionThis review discusses the definition, clinical presentation, pathophysiology, incidence and risk factors, prevention and treatment of hypotony maculopathy.
uring the initial portion of the COVID-19 pandemic, eye care professionals needed to reduce the risk of exposure to patients while continuing to provide highquality health care. The Casey Eye Institute at Oregon Health and Science University saw a decrease in clinic visits to 25% of prepandemic levels in April 2020 and did not return to baseline until March 2021. 1 With the need to limit clinic visits and an increase in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid reimbursement for telehealth services, 2 teleophthalmology has played a critical role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. 1,3,4 Although published data are limited regarding teleophthalmology during the pandemic, a study looking at ophthalmology visits insured by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan found a 4-fold increase in virtual visits compared with baseline data from the first 3 months of the pandemic. 5 A study at Casey Eye Institute demonstrated positive clinician attitudes with telehealth implementation during the pandemic 1 ; however, access to an easy-to-use, validated at-home visual acuity (VA) test for adults limited telehealth care.With increased use of telehealth technology, it is crucial to ensure that quality of care remains optimal. A key factor in evaluating and treating patients during eye care visits is the VA measurement. During a clinical encounter, this measurement is taken at specific distances using standardized charts, including Snellen, Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS), HOTV, and Tumbling E charts. 6 Historically, VA test-IMPORTANCE Visual acuity (VA) is one of the most important clinical data points in ophthalmology. However, few options for validated at-home VA assessments are currently available.OBJECTIVE To validate 3 at-home visual acuity tests in comparison with in-office visual acuity.DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Between July 2020 and April 2021, eligible participants with VA of 20/200 or better were recruited from 4 university-based ophthalmology clinics (comprehensive, cornea, glaucoma, and retina clinics). Participants were prospectively randomized to self-administer 2 of 3 at-home VA tests (printed chart, mobile phone app, and website) within 3 days before their standard-of-care clinic visit. Participants completed a survey assessing usability of the at-home tests. At the clinic visit, best-corrected Snellen distance acuity was measured as the reference standard. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURESThe at-home VA test results were compared with the in-office VA test results using paired and unpaired t tests, Pearson correlation coefficients, analysis of variance, χ 2 tests, and Cohen κ agreement. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of each at-home test were calculated to detect significant VA changes (Ն0.2 logMAR) from the in-office baseline. RESULTSA total of 121 participants with a mean (SD) age of 63.8 (13.0) years completed the study. The mean in-office VA was 0.11 logMAR (Snellen equivalent 20/25) with similar numbers of participants from the 4 clinics....
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.