No abstract

Three dimensional rapid large depth range imaging of the anterior segments of the human eye by an optical frequency domain imaging system is presented. The tunable source spans from 1217 to 1356 nm with an average output power of 60 mW providing a measured axial resolution of 10 μm in air based on the coherence envelope. The effective depth range is 4 mm, defined as the distance over which the sensitivity drops by 6 dB, achieved by frequency shifting the optical signal using acousto-optic modulators. The measured maximum sensitivity is 109 dB at a sample arm power of 14.7mW and A-lines rate of 43,900 per second. Images consisting of 512 depth profiles are acquired at an acquisition rate of 85 frames per second. We demonstrate an optical frequency domain imaging system capable of mapping in vivo the entire area of the human anterior segment (13.4 x 12 x 4.2 mm) in 1.4 seconds.

This multicenter, randomized, double-blind clinical trial was undertaken to compare the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering efficacy and safety of topical bimatoprost 0.03% with that of latanoprost 0.005% for the treatment of patients with normal-tension glaucoma. After washout of all ocular hypotensive medications, patients with normal-tension glaucoma (n=60) were randomly assigned to oncedaily bimatoprost 0.03% or latanoprost 0.005% for 3 mo. Diurnal IOP measurements were taken at each study visit. Primary outcome measures consisted of mean change from baseline IOP (8 AM, Noon, 4 PM) and change in visual field. Secondary measures included mean IOP, ophthalmologic examination findings, results of clinical evaluation, and adverse events. Mean change from baseline IOP at each study visit was statistically significant at all diurnal measurements for patients taking bimatoprost and for those taking latanoprost (P<.001). The 8 AM mean change from baseline IOP measurement showed a significant between-group difference (P< or =.033) in favor of bimatoprost at both follow-up visits. After 3 mo of treatment, mean IOP reductions from baseline ranged from 2.8 to 3.8 mm Hg (17.5%-21.6%) with bimatoprost and from 2.1 to 2.6 mm Hg (12.7%-16.2%) with latanoprost. Overall mean reduction in IOP after 3 mo of treatment was 3.4 mm Hg (19.9% rpar; with bimatoprost and 2.3 mm Hg (14.6%) with latanoprost (P=.035). No significant between-group differences were observed in incidence of adverse events, clinical success, or demographic variables. Bimatoprost was found to be more effective than latanoprost in lowering IOP in the patient with normal-tension glaucoma. Both drugs were efficacious and well tolerated.

Background COVID-19, a highly contagious respiratory virus, presents unique challenges to ophthalmology practice as a high-volume, office-based specialty. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many operational changes were adopted in our ophthalmology clinic to enhance patient and provider safety while maintaining necessary clinical operations. The aim of this study was to evaluate how measures adopted during the pandemic period affected retina clinic performance and patient satisfaction, and to model future clinic flow to predict operational performance under conditions of increasing patient and provider volumes. Methods Clinic event timestamps and demographics were extracted from the electronic medical records of in-person retina encounters from March 15 to May 15, 2020 and compared with the same period in 2019 to assess patient flow through the clinical encounter. Patient satisfaction was evaluated by Press Ganey patient experience surveys obtained from randomly selected outpatient encounters. A discrete-events simulation was designed to model the clinic with COVID-era restrictions to assess operational performance under conditions of increasing patient and provider volumes. Results Retina clinic volume declined by 62 % during the COVID-19 health emergency. Average check-in-to-technician time declined 79 %, total visit length declined by 46 %, and time in the provider phase of care declined 53 %. Patient satisfaction regarding access nearly doubled during the COVID-period compared with the prior year (p < 0.0001), while satisfaction with overall care and safety remained high during both periods. A model incorporating COVID-related changes demonstrated that wait time before rooming reached levels similar to the pre-COVID era by 30 patients-per-provider in a 1-provider model and 25 patients-per-provider in a 2-provider model (p < 0.001). Capacity to maintain distancing between patients was exceeded only in the two 2-provider model above 25 patients-per-provider. Conclusions Clinic throughput was optimized in response to the COVID-19 health emergency. Modeling these clinic changes can help plan for eventual volume increases in the setting of limits imposed in the COVID-era.