Ophthalmic Epidemiology

PURPOSE: To determine if weather patterns are associated with the frequency of ophthalmology consultations in the Emergency Room (ER) and trauma settings. METHODS: Hospital-based ophthalmology consultations between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2020 at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) were included in the BALCITE (BALtimore Consultation, Inpatient, and Trauma of the Eye) database. Encounters were filtered to the general ER, the R. Crowley Adams Shock Trauma Center, and consultations within 24 h of admission where a delay was attributed to bed assignment...

BACKGROUND: In baseline trachoma prevalence surveys, six districts in two governorates of Yemen were identified as requiring interventions. We set out to estimate the prevalence of trachoma 6-12 months after one round of antibiotic mass drug administration (MDA) and implementation of measures to encourage facial cleanliness. METHODS: A population-based prevalence survey was conducted in each of the four evaluation units in October 2019. Contemporary World Health Organization recommendations for trachoma surveys were followed...

PURPOSE: We quantify the association between visit adherence and visual acuity (VA) in retinal vein occlusions (CRVO). METHODS: The SCORE2 protocol included a visit every 4 weeks (every 28-35 days) during the first year. Visit adherence was measured as follows: number of missed visits, average and longest (avg and max days) visit interval, and average and longest (avg and max missed days) and unintended visit interval. Avg and max missed days were categorized as on time (0 days), late (>0-60 days), and very late (>60 days)...

PURPOSE: To assess the change in eye health disparities due to trachoma using longitudinal country-level data (1990-2019) from the global burden of disease study 2019. METHODS:STATEMENT We obtained data on the burden of trachoma and population statistics from the Global Health Data Exchange website. We assessed the geographic distribution of trachoma at the global level and World Bank regional level from year to year using Gini coefficients and statistics of inequality that ranged from 0 (total equality) to 1 (total inequality)...

PURPOSE: Our study compares the sensitivity, specificity and cost of visual acuity screening as performed by all class teachers (ACTs), selected teachers (STs) and vision technicians (VTs) in north Indian schools. METHODS: Prospective cluster randomized control studies are conducted in schools in a rural block and an urban-slum of north India. Consenting schools, with a minimum of 800 students aged 6 to 17 years, within a defined study region in both locations, were randomised into three arms: ACTs, STs or VTs...

PURPOSE: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and main causes of blindness and visual impairment in population aged 50 years and older in Armenia using Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) methodology. METHODS: The study team randomly selected 50 clusters (each consisting of 50 people) from all 11 regions of Armenia. Data on participants' demographics, presenting visual acuity, pinhole visual acuity, principal cause of presenting visual acuity, spectacle coverage, uncorrected refractive error (URE), and presbyopia were collected using the RAAB survey form...

PURPOSE: We conducted a scoping review of studies examining ambient air pollution as a risk factor for chronic eye disease influencing the lens, retina, and intraocular pressure in adults. METHODS: Terms related to air pollution and eye disease outcomes were used to search for publications on Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, Global Health, PubMed, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from January 1, 2010, through April 11, 2022. RESULTS: We identified 27 articles, focusing on the following non-mutually exclusive outcomes: cataract (n = 9), presbyopia (n = 1), retinal vein occlusion or central retinal arteriolar and venular equivalents (n = 5), intraocular pressure (IOP) (n = 3), glaucoma (n = 5), age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (n = 5), diabetic retinopathy (n = 2), and measures of retinal morphology (n = 3)...

PURPOSE: To examine the association between neighborhood-level social vulnerability and adherence to scheduled ophthalmology appointments. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, records of all patients ≥18 years scheduled for an ophthalmology appointment between September 12, 2020, and February 8, 2021, were reviewed. Primary exposure is neighborhood-level Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) based on the patient's residential location. SVI is a rank score of 15 social factors into four themes (socioeconomic status, household composition/disability, minority status/language, and housing type/transportation), ranging from 0 to 1...

PURPOSE: To compare disparities in outpatient ophthalmic care during early and later periods of the COVID-19 public health emergency. METHODS: This cross-sectional study compared non-peri-operative outpatient ophthalmology visits by unique patients at an adult ophthalmology practice affiliated with a tertiary-care academic medical center in the Western US during three time periods: pre-COVID (3/15/19-4/15/19), early-COVID (3/15/20-4/15/20), and late-COVID (3/15/21-4/15/21)...

PURPOSE: We investigate the impact of COVID-19 and lockdowns on anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Victoria (Australian state with highest burden of COVID-19 in 2020) and Australia, by examining anti-VEGF prescriptions supplied for AMD treatment between 2018 and 2020. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, population-based analysis of aflibercept and ranibizumab prescriptions supplied for the treatment of AMD in Victoria and Australia between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2020, as recorded by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Repatriation PBS, the Australian Government program subsidising medication costs for Australian residents and veterans...

PURPOSE: As training of trachoma graders using live participants grows increasingly difficult and expensive, alternative ways are needed possibly through replacement of field grading with photography. However, minimum specifications for a camera system capable of capturing high quality images have not been defined. This study compared images captured using four smartphones with those from a Nikon SLR camera for image quality and assessment of trachomatous inflammation - follicular (TF)...

PURPOSE: To evaluate the occurrence and outcome of open globe injury during state-mandated COVID-19 stay-at-home orders compared to historical averages at a tertiary medical center in Portland, Oregon. METHODS: Open globe injury between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2020 was identified using relevant procedure codes. The number of injuries, mechanism of trauma, and short-term outcomes of globes repaired during the study period of March 23, 2020 to July 6, 2020 when stay-at-home orders were in effect were compared to a cohort from the same 15-week time frame in 2015-2019...

PURPOSE: To examine trends in ophthalmic trauma secondary to five major sports (baseball, soccer, tennis, football, basketball) and identify differences between patient characteristics and time period (pre-COVID vs COVID) of injury. METHODS: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System was queried to extract cases related to the sports of interest from 2011-2020. Entries were analyzed by age, sex, diagnosis, location, and disposition, with narrative descriptions assessed to characterize the mechanism of injury and visual sequelae...

PURPOSE: To investigate prevalence of diabetes (DM), diabetic retinopathy (DR), and areas with highest rates of undetected DR. To quantify and map locations of disparities as they relate to poverty and minority populations. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study from large regional health data repository (HealthLNK). Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis mapped rates of DM and DR in Chicago area ZIP Codes. RESULTS: Of 1,086,921 adults who met the inclusion criteria, 143,790 with DM were identified...

PURPOSE: Evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of depression in diabetic retinopathy (DR). Compare subjective and objective measures of visual function predictivity of depression. METHODS: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2008 participants aged ≥40 who underwent fundus photography, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9, and Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25) were included in the study. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate whether DR was a significant risk factor for depression and to evaluate the risk factors for depression in those with DR...

INTRODUCTION: Decreased public transit, no‑visitor policies, and other restrictions to reduce the spread of COVID‑19 may limit healthcare access for vision impaired adults. This study aimed to assess rates of healthcare delayed or forgone due to COVID‑19 among adults with low vision. METHODS: Data were analyzed from the 2021 National Health Interview Survey, a representative sample of US adults. Vision and hearing impairment were determined by self‑report...

PURPOSE: To delineate racial differences in the incidence and time course of ROP in a large cohort of premature infants. METHODS: The secondary analysis of data from the two Postnatal Growth and ROP Studies (G-ROP-1 and G-ROP-2) that were collected in 41 hospitals in North America from 2006 to 2017. According to self-reported maternal race, premature infants were classified into 3 groups: White (N = 5580), Black (N = 3252), and Asian (N = 353)...

PURPOSE: The application of myopia definition varies considerably within the literature. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between different myopia and high myopia definitions and resultant prevalence estimates. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study of 1,588,508 Israeli adolescents assessed for medical fitness before mandatory military service at the age of 17 years between 1993 through 2015. Participants underwent non-cycloplegic autorefraction...

PURPOSE: Ocular injuries pose a significant threat to performance of military functions by the U.S. service members. To estimate the burden of ocular injuries in service members, administrative health records from the Military Health System were collected and analyzed, inclusive of ocular injuries incurred during deployment, military training, or outside of duty hours. METHODS: Patient encounters which matched the predesignated ICD10 codes for ocular injury and complications were extracted and were longitudinally analyzed to categorize patients into complicated (documentation of surgical procedure performed or ocular condition requiring further treatment) or uncomplicated (documentation of injury only)...

PURPOSE: Interventions to reduce the prevalence of trachoma and transmission of ocular Chlamydia trachomatis have been implemented in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Following an impact survey in which the trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) prevalence in 1-9-year-olds is <5%, a surveillance survey is recommended 2 years later, without additional antibiotic treatment. We report results of surveillance surveys in 11 evaluation units (EUs) covering 12 districts in Oromia Region, to plan whether future interventions are needed...