Evaluating Visual Acuity in the American Academy of Ophthalmology IRIS® Registry

OBJECTIVE: To describe visual acuity data representation in the American Academy of Ophthalmology Intelligent Research in Sight (IRIS) Registry and present a data-cleaning strategy. DESIGN: Reliability and validity study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with visual acuity records from 2018 in the IRIS Registry. METHODS: Visual acuity measurements and metadata were identified and characterized from 2018 IRIS Registry records. Metadata, including laterality, assessment method (distance, near, and unspecified), correction (corrected, uncorrected, and unspecified), and flags for refraction or pinhole assessment were compared between Rome (frozen April 20, 2020) and Chicago (frozen December 24, 2021) versions. We developed a data-cleaning strategy to infer patients\u27 corrected distance visual acuity in their better-seeing eye. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual acuity data characteristics in the IRIS Registry. RESULTS: The IRIS Registry Chicago data set contains 168 920 049 visual acuity records among 23 001 531 unique patients and 49 968 974 unique patient visit dates in 2018. Visual acuity records were associated with refraction in 5.3% of cases, and with pinhole in 11.0%. Mean (standard deviation) of all measurements was 0.26 (0.41) logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR), with a range of - 0.3 to 4.0 A plurality of visual acuity records were labeled corrected (corrected visual acuity [CVA], 39.1%), followed by unspecified (37.6%) and uncorrected (uncorrected visual acuity [UCVA], 23.4%). Corrected visual acuity measurements were paradoxically worse than same day UCVA 15% of the time. In aggregate, mean and median values were similar for CVA and unspecified visual acuity. Most visual acuity measurements were at distance (59.8%, vs. 32.1% unspecified and 8.2% near). Rome contained more duplicate visual acuity records than Chicago (10.8% vs. 1.4%). Near visual acuity was classified with Jaeger notation and (in Chicago only) also assigned logMAR values by Verana Health. LogMAR values for hand motion and light perception visual acuity were lower in Chicago than in Rome. The impact of data entry errors or outliers on analyses may be reduced by filtering and averaging visual acuity per eye over time. CONCLUSIONS: The IRIS Registry includes similar visual acuity metadata in Rome and Chicago. Although fewer duplicate records were found in Chicago, both versions include duplicate and atypical measurements (i.e., CVA worse than UCVA on the same day). Analyses may benefit from using algorithms to filter outliers and average visual acuity measurements over time. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES: Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

The Association of Race, Ethnicity, and Insurance Status with the Visual Acuity of Retinoblastoma Survivors in the IRIS® Registry

To identify sociodemographic factors associated with the visual outcomes of retinoblastoma survivors. Retrospective cohort study using a US-based clinical data registry. All individuals  This analysis included 1545 children with a history of retinoblastoma. The median length of follow-up was 4.1 years (IQR, 2.2–5.9 years) and the median age at most recent clinical visit was 12 years (IQR, 8–16 years). Retinoblastoma was unilateral in 54% of cases. Poor vision in at least one eye was identified in 78% of all children and poor vision in both eyes in 17% of those with bilateral disease. Poor visual outcomes were associated with unilateral diagnosis (OR, 1.55; 95% CI,1.13–2.12; p = .007), Black race (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.19–3.47; p = .010), Hispanic ethnicity (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.16–2.37; p = .006), and non-private insurance (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.02–2.10; p = .037). Poor visual outcomes appear to be more common among Black, Hispanic, and publicly insured children with a history of retinoblastoma, raising concerns regarding healthcare inequities. Primary care physicians should ensure that young children receive red reflex testing during routine visits and consider retinoblastoma in the differential diagnosis of abnormal eye exams.</p

Association Between Parental Leave and Ophthalmology Resident Physician Performance

Importance Although parental leave is essential in enhancing resident wellness and fostering inclusive workplace environments, residents may often feel discouraged from using parental leave owing to perceived stigma and concerns about possible negative effects on their training. Objective To examine parental leave usage across multiple institutions and compare residency performance metrics between residents who took parental leave vs their peers who did not take leave. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a retrospective cross-sectional analysis conducted from April 1, 2020, to July 28, 2022, of educational records. Multicenter data were obtained from 10 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)–accredited ophthalmology programs across the US. Included ophthalmology residents graduated between 2015 and 2019. Data were analyzed from August 15, 2021, to July 25, 2022. Exposures Performance metrics of residents who used parental leave during residency were compared with those of residents who did not take parental leave. Main Outcomes and Measures Measures of performance included the Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program (OKAP) scores, ACGME milestones scores, board examination pass rates, research activity, and surgical volumes. Results Of the 283 ophthalmology residents (149 male [52.7%]) included in the study, 44 (15.5%) took a median (IQR) parental leave of 4.5 (2-6) weeks. There were no differences in average OKAP percentiles, research activity, average ACGME milestones scores, or surgical volume between residents who took parental leave and those who did not. Residents who pursued fellowship were less likely to have taken parental leave (odds ratio [OR], 0.43; 95% CI, 0.27-0.68; P < .001), and residents who practiced in private settings after residency were more likely to have taken parental leave (OR, 3.56; 95% CI, 1.79-7.08; P < .001). When stratified by sex, no differences were identified in performance between female residents who took parental leave compared with residents who did not take leave, except a mild surgical number difference in 1 subspecialty category of keratorefractive procedures (difference in median values, −2; 95% CI, −3.7 to −0.3; P = .03). Conclusions and Relevance In this multicenter cross-sectional study, no differences in performance metrics were identified between residents taking parental leave compared with their peers. These findings may provide reassurance to trainees and program directors regarding the unlikelihood, on average, that taking adequate parental leave will affect performance metrics adversely

Incidence and Risk Factors for Retinal Detachment and Retinal Tear after Cataract Surgery

Objective: To report the incidence of and evaluate demographic, ocular comorbidities, and intraoperative factors for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and retinal tear (RT) after cataract surgery in the American Academy of Ophthalmology IRIS® Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight). Design: Retrospective cohort study. Participants: Patients aged ≥ 40 years who underwent cataract surgery between 2014 and 2017. Methods: Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate demographic, comorbidity, and intraoperative factors associated with RRD and RT after cataract surgery. Main Outcome Measures: Incidence and risk factors for RRD or RT within 1 year of cataract surgery. Results: Of the 3 177 195 eyes of 1 983 712 patients included, 6690 (0.21%) developed RRD and 5489 (0.17%) developed RT without RRD within 1 year after cataract surgery. Multivariable logistic regression odds ratios (ORs) showed increased risk of RRD and RT, respectively, among men (OR 3.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.99–3.32; P 70, peaking at age 40 to 50 for RRD (8.61; 95% CI, 7.74–9.58; P 40 years within 1 year of surgery. The presence of LD conferred the highest odds for RRD and RT after surgery. Additional risk factors for RRD included male gender, younger age, hypermature cataract, PVD, and high myopia. These data may be useful during the informed consent process for cataract surgery and help identify patients at a higher risk of retinal complications. Financial Disclosure(s): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article