Gender-based differences in letters of recommendation written for ophthalmology residency applicants.

BACKGROUND:To determine whether gender-based differences may be present in letters of recommendation written for ophthalmology residency applicants. METHODS:All applications submitted through SF Match to the UCLA Stein Eye Institute Residency Training Program from the 2017-2018 application cycle were analyzed using validated text analysis software (Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (Austin, TX)). The main outcome measures were differences in language use in letters of recommendation by gender of applicant. RESULTS:Of 440 applicants, 254 (58%) were male and 186 (42%) were female. The two gender groups had similar United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step 1 scores, undergraduate grade point averages (uGPA's), proportions of underrepresented minority (URM) applicants and Gold Humanism Honor Society members, numbers of academic and service activities listed, and gender distributions of their letter writers (all P values > 0.05). However, letters written for male applicants were determined to use more "authentic" words than those written for female applicants (mean difference, 0.800; 95% CI, 0.001-1.590; P = 0.047). Letters written for male applicants also contained more "leisure" words (mean difference, 0.056; 95% CI, 0.008-0.104; P = 0.023) and fewer "feel" words (mean difference, 0.033; 95% CI, 0.001-0.065; P = 0.041) and "biological processes" words (mean difference, 0.157; 95% CI, 0.017-0.297; P = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS:There were gender differences detected in recommendation letters in ophthalmology consistent with prior studies from other fields. Awareness of these differences may improve residency selection processes

Combined Computerized Kinetic and Static Perimetry as an Alternative to Standard Static and Kinetic Perimetry

Kinetic perimetry is useful for screening patients with vision loss and for patients with peripheral defects, low vision,or who require technician/physician interaction. Static perimetry does not require a skilled perimetrist, and is more standardized andsensitive in the central 30. Recently, a semi-automated kinetic module has been added to the Octopus 101 perimeter allowing standardized, computerized kinetic examinations, and the combination of static and kinetic tests

Fixation Switch Diplopia

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a neurological disorder characterized by elevated intracranial pressure of unknown cause. Acetazolamide is widely used as the initial treatment option; however, previously published evidence suggests that this drug may also increase the risk of nephrolithiasis. The purpose of this study was to examine daily acetazolamide use and its relationship to nephrolithiasis and compare clinical presentation of IIH between those with and without nephrolithiasis.; ; We conducted a case-control study using patient data collected by the Intracranial Hypertension Registry. A total of 670 patients were identified as potential study participants, 19 meeting the case definition of developing a stone during acetazolamide treatment for IIH. From the remaining pool of eligible participants, 40 controls were randomly selected. Two-sampled t tests, Fisher exact testing, and exact logistic regression were used to examine differences between cases and controls and to ascertain associations with IIH clinical features and mean daily acetazolamide dosage.; ; Among all eligible patients, 19 (2.8%) developed a stone during acetazolamide treatment for IIH. Among these patients, 17 (89.5%) developed a stone within 1.5 years of initial acetazolamide treatment. Daily acetazolamide use was not significantly related to stone development (odds ratio = 0.95; 95% confidence intervals: 0.86-1.05). Additionally, the relationship between the clinical presentation of IIH at the time of diagnosis (signs and symptoms) and stone development did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.05).; ; Our results demonstrate that: 1) stone formation during acetazolamide treatment is a relatively infrequent occurrence within the IIH population; 2) among patients who develop a stone, formation is likely to occur within the first year and half; 3) there is no evidence to support the association between acetazolamide daily dosage and stone development; and 4) no unique IIH disease features at the time of diagnosis are associated with stone development. Treatment with acetazolamide should be administered to IIH patients with caution and closely monitored for stone development especially within the first year and a half of treatment

Pediatric Optic Neuritis Prospective Outcomes Study

To determine whether the size of the bony optic canal is associated with the severity of papilledema and poor visual function in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).; ; We performed a retrospective review of definite patients with IIH with requisite brain magnetic resonance imaging allowing for optic canal measurement. Clinical characteristics and automated (Humphrey) visual field results were reviewed; papilledema was graded according to the modified Frisén scale. Cross-sectional area of the optic canals was measured independently by 2 readers and averaged for each canal. Logistic regression modeling was applied.; ; Sixty-nine patients with IIH were included (mean age: 33; 91% women; 65% black). Controlling for age, sex, body mass index, race, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opening pressure, each mm increase in canal size was associated with a 0.50 dB reduction in Humphrey visual field mean deviation (P = 0.006); this was likely mediated by the increased odds of Grade 4-5 papilledema or optic atrophy in patients with larger canals (odds ratio: 1.30 [95% CI: 1.10-1.55; P = 0.003] for Grade 4-5 papilledema or atrophy vs grade <4 papilledema per mm increase in canal size).; ; Poor visual function and severe papilledema or optic atrophy were associated with a larger optic canal. Potential mechanisms include alteration of local CSF flow or bony remodeling at the optic canals

Binocular Inhibition (BI) in Strabismic Patients is Associated with Diminished Quality of Life (QoL)

Binocular summation (BiS) is defined as the superiority of visual function for binocular over monocular viewing, and is decreased in patients with strabismus.1 This study aimed to determine if BiS is related to quality of life (QoL) in strabismus

Presence of Erdheim-Chester Disease and Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis in the Same Patient- A Report of 2 Cases

The histiocytic disorders Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) and Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD), can both present with multisystem involvement, with the central nervous system and the bone, skin, neuroendocrine, cardiac, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems potentially affected. The 2 entities occasionally can be difficult to distinguish. Both rarely affect the orbit and the central nervous system, and although there are rare reports of patients with coexistent LCH and ECD, there are no reported cases of the 2 diseases that involve both the orbital and neuroendocrine systems. We report 2 such cases, and review the literature of cases of LCH and ECD occurring in the same patient. The presentation of LCH and ECD in certain patients suggests a possible abnormality in the common CD34 progenitor cell. The coexistence of the 2 disease states should be suspected in patients with atypical presentations of either disorder

Risk of Fractures and Musculoskeletal Injuries in Medicare Beneficiaries with Disorders of Binocular Vision

Disorders of binocular vision (DBVs) are increasingly prevalent among aged fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries. Visual impairment is a known risk factor for fractures, a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly population. Despite the known association of visual impairment and fall risk, no studies have examined the association of DBV (strabismus, nystagmus, amblyopia) with musculoskeletal injury and falls in the elderly

Outcomes in patients with esotropic duane retraction syndrome and a partially accommodative component

Background: The management of Duane retraction syndrome (DRS) is challenging and may become more difficult if an associated accommodative component due to high hyperopia is present. The purpose of this study is to review clinical features and outcomes in patients with partially accommodative esotropia and DRS. Setting and Design: Retrospective, non-comparative case series. Materials and Methods: Six cases of DRS with high hyperopia were reviewed. Results: Of the patients studied, the mean age of presentation was 1.3 years (range: 0.5-2.5 years). The mean amount of hyperopia was + 5D (range: 3.50-8.50) in both eyes. The mean follow up period was 7 years (range: 4 months-12 years). Five cases were unilateral while one was bilateral. Four cases underwent vertical rectus muscle transposition (VRT) and one had medial rectus recession prior to presentation; all were given optical correction. Two (50%) of the four patients who underwent vertical rectus transposition cases developed consecutive exotropia, one of whom did not have spectacles prescribed pre-operatively. All other cases (four) had minimal residual esotropia and face turn at the last follow-up with spectacle correction. Conclusion: Patients with Duane syndrome can have an accommodative component to their esotropia, which is crucial to detect and correct prior to surgery to decrease the risk of long-term over-correction. Occasionally, torticollis in Duane syndrome can be satisfactorily corrected with spectacles alone