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The American Academy of Ophthalmology evaluated the practice of routine screening for intraocular infection from Candida septicemia. In the United States, ophthalmologists are consulted in the hospital to screen for intraocular infection routinely for patients with Candida bloodstream infections. This practice was established in the era before the use of systemic antifungal medication and the establishment of definitions of ocular disease with candidemia. A recent systematic review found a rate of less than 1% of routinely screened patients with endophthalmitis from Candida septicemia. Other studies found higher rates of endophthalmitis but had limitations in terms of inaccuracies in ocular disease classification, lack of vitreous biopsies, selection biases, and lack of longer-term visual outcomes. Some studies attributed ocular findings to Candida infections, rather than other comorbidities. Studies also have not demonstrated differences in medical management that are modified for eye disease treatment; therefore, therapy should be dictated by the underlying Candida infection, rather than be tailored on the basis of ocular findings. In summary, the Academy does not recommend a routine ophthalmologic consultation after laboratory findings of systemic Candida septicemia, which appears to be a low-value practice. An ophthalmologic consultation is a reasonable practice for a patient with signs or symptoms suggestive of ocular infection regardless of Candida septicemia.

Purpose Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) is increasingly performed at the time of cataract extraction. Understanding the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients undergoing MIGS procedures may provide insight into patient selection. This study evaluates racial-ethnic and other differences in the use of MIGS in persons with cataract and open-angle glaucoma (OAG). Design Retrospective cohort study using Intelligent Research in Sight (IRIS) Registry data. Participants Patients aged ≥ 40 years with a diagnosis of OAG and no history of MIGS or cataract surgery who were undergoing cataract extraction, with or without MIGS, during 2013 to 2017 in the United States. Methods Multivariable logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Main Outcome Measures Variables assessed include age, sex, race-ethnicity, disease severity, insurance type, census region, comorbidity, and cup-to-disc ratio (CDR). Results The odds of MIGS use was greater among patients who were aged ≥ 60 years (OR, 1.10 [95% CI, 1.05–1.16]); Black (OR, 1.11 [CI, 1.07–1.15]) compared with White; a Medicare recipient (OR, 1.12 [CI, 1.10–1.15]) versus privately insured; or in the Midwest (OR, 1.32 [CI, 1.28–1.36]) or Northeast (OR, 1.26 [CI, 1.22–1.30]) compared with the South. Having moderate rather than mild glaucoma (OR, 1.07 [CI, 1.04–1.11]) and a higher CDR (OR for 0.5 to 0.8 vs. 0.8 to 1.0 vs. Conclusions This analysis highlights the importance of capturing race-ethnicity data and other pertinent patient characteristics in electronic health records to provide insight into practice patterns. Such data can be used to assess the long-term performance of MIGS and other procedures in various patient populations.

In 2019, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) created the Task Force on Myopia in recognition of the substantial global increases in myopia prevalence and its associated complications. The Task Force, led by Richard L. Abbott, MD, and Donald Tan, MD, comprised recognized experts in myopia prevention and treatment, public health experts from around the world, and organization representatives from the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Optometry, and American Academy of Pediatrics. The Academy's Board of Trustees believes that myopia is a high-priority cause of visual impairment, warranting a timely evaluation and synthesis of the scientific literature and formulation of an action plan to address the issue from different perspectives. This includes education of physicians and other health care providers, patients and their families, schools, and local and national public health agencies; defining health policies to ameliorate patients' access to appropriate therapy and to promote effective public health interventions; and fostering promising avenues of research.

Purpose Detailed study of ophthalmic immune-related adverse events (AEs), including determination of incidence and recurrence rates, is of integral importance in cancer immunotherapy to inform management and treatment guidelines. Design Retrospective registry study. Participants Patients newly diagnosed with ophthalmic immune-related AEs between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2017, in the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Intelligent Research in Sight (IRIS®) Registry. Methods Data were collected from electronic health records of IRIS® Registry participating ophthalmology practices. Patients with select ophthalmic immune-related AEs were identified by International Classification of Diseases diagnosis codes. The primary exposure of interest was prior initiation of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Main Outcome Measures Incidence of ophthalmic immune-related AEs within 1 year after initiation of ICI therapy was determined. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were derived by comparing incidence of ophthalmic immune-related AEs after ICIs versus rates of the same ocular complications in patients not taking ICIs in the entire registry population. Rates of ophthalmic immune-related AEs in patients with a past history of ocular inflammation or other specific ophthalmic condition before initiation of ICIs were examined further. Results A total of 3123 patients who received anti-CTLA-4 or anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) therapy were identified, 112 of whom demonstrated an ophthalmic immune-related AE. Incidence rates for anterior uveitis, the most common ophthalmic immune-related AE, were 8209 per 100 000 for ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4), 2542 per 100 000 for nivolumab (anti-PD-1), 2451 per 100 000 for pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1), 5556 per 100 000 for ipilimumab plus nivolumab, and 3740 per 100 000 among all ICIs. Rates of ophthalmic immune-related AEs among patients receiving ICI therapy were higher compared with baseline rates in the general registry population (anterior uveitis IRR, 13.9; other uveitis IRR, 43.0; papilledema IRR, 38.3). Patients with a history of uveitis or other ocular inflammatory condition demonstrated high recurrence rates of ophthalmic immune-related AEs after initiating ICIs (up to 51.1%). Conclusions For patients initiating ICI therapy, early coordination with ophthalmic subspecialist care is important because rates of ophthalmic immune-related AEs are elevated compared with ocular complication rates in the entire registry population and patients with a history of prior autoimmune ocular disease are at high risk of recurrence of ocular complications.

To present multivariable analyses of factors associated with amblyopia treatment success using outcomes from a clinical registry.Retrospective database study.New patients 3 to 12 years of age being enrolled in the registry from 2013 to 2019.The IRIS-50 is an outcome measure for amblyopia treatment developed by the American Academy of Ophthalmology for use with data in the Intelligent Research in Sight (IRIS®) Registry. The measure specifications include unilateral amblyopia associated with strabismus, refractive error, or both.Clinical care prescribed by the ophthalmologist.Eighteen thousand eight hundred forty-one children 3 to 7 years of age were eligible for IRIS-50, with 77.3% successful. Nine thousand seven hundred sixty-two children 8 to 12 years of age were eligible, with 55.5% successful. For the younger age group, multivariable analyses found that odds ratios (ORs) for success were significantly lower for Black children (0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.62-0.83) compared with White children. Medicaid insurance was associated independently with significantly lower success (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.60-0.71). Among older children, Black children were less likely to be treated successfully (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.68-0.96) compared with White children, whereas Hispanic children showed an increased chance of success (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.03-1.31). Medicaid insurance for the older children also was associated with a decreased chance of success (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.77-0.93).Amblyopia treatment outcomes measured by IRIS-50 were significantly poorer for Black children and those with Medicaid insurance 3 to 12 years of age. Disparate health outcomes demonstrated for these two factors emphasize the need to develop and test strategies to improve treatment outcomes for these children.

Purpose To model Medicare Part B and patient savings associated with increased bevacizumab payment and utilization for intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy. Design Cost analysis. Methods Medicare claims and IRIS® Registry data were used to calculate Medicare Part B expenditures and patient co-pays for anti-VEGF agents with increasing reimbursement and utilization of bevacizumab relative to ranibizumab and aflibercept. Main outcome measures Medicare Part B costs and patient co-pays for anti-VEGF agents in the Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) population. Results Increasing bevacizumab reimbursement to $125.78, equalizing the dollar margin with aflibercept, would result in Medicare Part B savings of $468 million and patient savings of $119 million with a 10% increase in bevacizumab market share. Conclusions Increased utilization of bevacizumab achievable with increased reimbursement to eliminate the financial disincentive to its use would result in substantial savings to the Medicare Part B program and to patients receiving anti-VEGF intravitreal injections.

Purpose To determine recent incidence and visual outcomes for acute-onset endophthalmitis after cataract surgery performed in the United States. Design Retrospective cohort study. Participants United States cataract surgery patients, 2013-2017 (5 401 686 patients). Methods Cases of acute-onset postoperative endophthalmitis occurring within 30 days after cataract surgery were identified using diagnosis codes in the American Academy of Ophthalmology IRIS (Intelligent Research in Sight) Registry database, drawn from electronic health records in ophthalmology practices across the nation. Annual and aggregate 5-year incidences were determined for all cataract surgeries and specifically for standalone procedures versus those combined with other ophthalmic surgeries. Patient characteristics were compared. Mean and median visual acuity was determined at 1 month preoperative as well as 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperative among patients with and without endophthalmitis. Main Outcome Measures Incidence of acute-onset postoperative endophthalmitis after cataract surgery. Results A total of 8 542 838 eyes underwent cataract surgery, 3629 of which developed acute-onset endophthalmitis (0.04%; 95% confidence interval, 0.04%–0.04%). Endophthalmitis incidence was highest among patients aged 0 to 17 years (0.37% over 5 years), followed by patients aged 18 to 44 years (0.18% over 5 years; P Conclusions Acute-onset endophthalmitis occurred in 0.04% of 8 542 838 cataract surgeries performed in the United States between 2013 and 2017. Risk factors may include younger age, cataract surgery combined with other ophthalmic surgeries, and anterior vitrectomy. Visual acuity outcomes vary; however, patients can recover excellent vision after surgery. Big data from clinical registries like the IRIS Registry has great potential for evaluating rare conditions such as endophthalmitis, including developing benchmarks, longer-term time trend investigation, and comprehensive analysis of risk factors and prophylaxis.

This retrospective analysis of the IRIS ® Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight) sought to characterize real-world treatment patterns and visual outcomes among patients with diabetic macular edema in US clinical practice.

Purpose To investigate ophthalmologists’ rate of attestation to meaningful use (MU) of their electronic health record (EHR) systems in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program and their continuity and success in receiving payments in comparison with other specialties. Design Administrative database study. Participants Eligible professionals participating in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program. Methods Based on publicly available data sources, subsets of payment and attestation data were created for ophthalmologists and for other specialties. The number of eligible professionals attesting was determined using the attestation data for each year and stage of the program. The proportion of attestations by EHR vendor was calculated using all attestations for each vendor. Main Outcome Measures Numbers of ophthalmologists attesting by year and stage of the Medicare EHR Incentive Program, incentive payments, and number of attestations by EHR vendor. Results In the peak year of participation, 51.6% of ophthalmologists successfully attested to MU, compared with 37.1% of optometrists, 50.2% of dermatologists, 54.5% of otolaryngologists, and 64.4% of urologists. Across the 6 years of the program, ophthalmologists received an average of $17 942 in incentive payments compared with $11 105 for optometrists, $16 617 for dermatologists, $20 203 for otolaryngologists, and $23 821 for urologists. Epic and Nextgen were the most frequently used EHRs for attestation by ophthalmologists. Conclusions Ophthalmology as a specialty performed better than optometry and dermatology, but worse than otolaryngology and urology, in terms of the proportion of eligible professionals attesting to MU of EHRs. Ophthalmologists were more likely to remain in the program after their initial year of attestation compared with all eligible providers. The top 4 EHR vendors accounted for 50% of attestations by ophthalmologists.

In 2019, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) created the Task Force on Myopia in recognition of the substantial global increases in myopia prevalence and its associated complications. The Task Force, led by Richard L. Abbott, MD, and Donald Tan, MD, comprised recognized experts in myopia prevention and treatment, public health experts from around the world, and organization representatives from the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Optometry, and American Academy of Pediatrics. The Academy's Board of Trustees believes that myopia is a high-priority cause of visual impairment, warranting a timely evaluation and synthesis of the scientific literature and formulation of an action plan to address the issue from different perspectives. This includes education of physicians and other health care providers, patients and their families, schools, and local and national public health agencies; defining health policies to ameliorate patients' access to appropriate therapy and to promote effective public health interventions; and fostering promising avenues of research.

Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) is increasingly performed at the time of cataract extraction. Understanding the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients undergoing MIGS procedures may provide insight into patient selection. This study evaluates racial-ethnic and other differences in the use of MIGS in persons with cataract and open-angle glaucoma (OAG).Retrospective cohort study using Intelligent Research in Sight (IRIS) Registry data.Patients aged ≥ 40 years with a diagnosis of OAG and no history of MIGS or cataract surgery who were undergoing cataract extraction, with or without MIGS, during 2013 to 2017 in the United States.Multivariable logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Variables assessed include age, sex, race-ethnicity, disease severity, insurance type, census region, comorbidity, and cup-to-disc ratio (CDR).The odds of MIGS use was greater among patients who were aged ≥ 60 years (OR, 1.10 [95% CI, 1.05-1.16]); Black (OR, 1.11 [CI, 1.07-1.15]) compared with White; a Medicare recipient (OR, 1.12 [CI, 1.10-1.15]) versus privately insured; or in the Midwest (OR, 1.32 [CI, 1.28-1.36]) or Northeast (OR, 1.26 [CI, 1.22-1.30]) compared with the South. Having moderate rather than mild glaucoma (OR, 1.07 [CI, 1.04-1.11]) and a higher CDR (OR for 0.5 to 0.8 vs.0.5, 1.24 [CI, 1.21-1.26]; OR for0.8 to 1.0 vs.0.5, 1.27 [CI, 1.23-1.32]) were also each associated with increased odds of MIGS use. Use of MIGS was less likely in women (OR, 0.96 [CI, 0.94-0.98]); patients taking 5 to 7 glaucoma medications (OR, 0.94 [CI, 0.90-0.99]) compared with 1 to 2 medications; and patients with severe, compared with mild, glaucoma (OR, 0.64 [CI, 0.61-0.67]).This analysis highlights the importance of capturing race-ethnicity data and other pertinent patient characteristics in electronic health records to provide insight into practice patterns. Such data can be used to assess the long-term performance of MIGS and other procedures in various patient populations.

Thirty cases of ocular injuries during civil protests were identified, with 27% suffering a ruptured globe, 23% with an orbital fracture, 20% with a resultant macular hole, and 33% with permanent blindness in the involved eye.

Purpose To describe the rates of strabismus, strabismus surgery, and strabismus surgery reoperations among all age groups in the United States. Design Retrospective analysis of electronic health record data. Participants Patients from the IRIS (Intelligent Research in Sight) Registry. Methods Description of the types and rates of strabismus and strabismus surgery from 2013 to 2016 with subgroups by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and region of the United States. Main Outcome Measure The 1-year reoperation rate for strabismus surgery performed during 2013–2015 for all age groups. Results A total of 30 827 185 unique patients were identified; 846 477 (2.75%) had a diagnosis of strabismus: 3.02% of male patients and 2.55% of female patients (difference = 0.47%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.46–0.48, P Conclusions Strabismus is an uncommonly reported diagnosis in ophthalmologic practice. Overall, approximately 1 in 750 patients in the IRIS Registry received strabismus surgery (1 in 20 with a strabismus diagnosis) during a 4-year period. Reoperations during the first year after surgery were performed for 1 in 15 patients, increasing with age at surgery. “Big” data from clinical data registries represent real-world care that can be used to develop benchmarks for clinical outcomes and to identify areas for practice improvement and training program design.

Purpose To investigate the rate of return to the operating room after vitrectomy surgery to treat macular hole or epiretinal membrane. Design A retrospective registry cohort. Participants Individuals receiving care in ophthalmology practices participating in the Academy IRIS (Intelligent Research in Sight) Registry. Methods Data from the IRIS Registry were analyzed for patients who underwent vitrectomy for macular holes or epiretinal membranes. Cases were identified by the combination of International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision code (362.54, 362.56) and a current procedural terminology (CPT) code for vitrectomy surgery between January 1, 2013 and June 30, 2017. Main Outcome Measures The eyes that underwent additional eye surgery within 1 year after initial vitrectomy for macular hole or epiretinal membrane were identified, as was the nature of the additional procedures per CPT code. Results A total of 41 475 eyes underwent vitrectomy for macular hole and 73 219 eyes underwent vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane during the study period. In the macular hole group, 7573 had a second surgery within 1 year, and 2827 (6.8%) had a second surgery that was not cataract related. In the epiretinal membrane group, 12 433 had a second surgery within 1 year, 4022 (5.5%) of which were not cataract related. In the macular hole group, 4.6% of eyes returned to the operating room for another macular hole repair surgery, and 2.0% returned for retinal detachment repair. In the epiretinal membrane group, 1.4% returned for a second vitrectomy with membrane stripping, and 2.5% returned for retinal detachment repair. Conclusions This registry-based study encompassed a large number of patients but was limited by the inaccessibility of some information and the potential for inaccurate medical records or coding, as it obtained data from multiple electronic health records entities. Excluding cataract surgery, approximately 6% of eyes that underwent vitrectomy to address macular hole or epiretinal membrane returned for a second ophthalmic procedure within a year. In the macular hole group, most secondary non-cataract surgeries were for another macular hole repair procedure. For both macular holes and epiretinal membranes, approximately 2% of eyes required retinal detachment repair surgery within 1 year.

Purpose To describe the characteristics of the patient population included in the 2016 IRIS ® Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight) database for analytic aims. Design Description of a clinical data registry. Participants The 2016 IRIS Registry database consists of 17 363 018 unique patients from 7200 United States–based ophthalmologists in the United States. Methods Electronic health record (EHR) data were extracted from the participating practices and placed into a clinical database. The approach can be used across dozens of EHR systems. Main Outcome Measures Demographic characteristics. Results The 2016 IRIS Registry database includes data about patient demographics, top-coded disease conditions, and visit rates. Conclusions The IRIS Registry is a unique, large, real-world data set that is available for analytics to provide perspectives and to learn about current ophthalmic care and treatment outcomes. The IRIS Registry can be used to answer questions about practice patterns, use, disease prevalence, clinical outcomes, and the comparative effectiveness of different treatments. Limitations of the data are the same limitations associated with EHR data in terms of documentation errors or missing data and the lack of images. Currently, open access to the database is not available, but there are opportunities for researchers to submit proposals for analyses, for example through a Research to Prevent Blindness and American Academy of Ophthalmology Award for IRIS Registry Research.

Purpose To identify sustained differences in intraocular pressure (IOP) after intravitreous injections of anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs. Design Database study. Participants Patients seeing an ophthalmic provider who contributes to the database. Methods We identified a total of 23 776 unique patients who received only a single type of anti-VEGF medication (bevacizumab, aflibercept, or ranibizumab) by injection in the right eye in the American Academy of Ophthalmology Intelligent Research in Sight Registry. Subgroups included patients with age-related macular degeneration only and patients who had not received an anti-VEGF injection for at least 1 year before the study. We examined those with at least 12, 18, and 25 injections for each of these 3 medications. For all groups, we used fellow, untreated eyes for comparison. Main Outcome Measures The mean change in IOP from baseline at a minimum of 1 year of follow-up and the proportion of eyes with a clinically significant IOP increase (defined as sustained rise of at least 6 mmHg to an IOP of more than 21 mmHg). Results All patients in all groups receiving all drugs showed a decrease in IOP from baseline, with a mean of 0.9 mmHg in treated eyes compared with an average decrease of 0.2 mmHg in fellow untreated eyes, a statistically significant difference. A generalized linear model accounting for confounders associated bevacizumab with slightly less lowering of IOP than aflibercept and ranibizumab in most subgroups. A clinically significant IOP increase was seen in 2.6% of eyes receiving injections compared with 1.5% in the associated untreated fellow eyes. Clinically significant IOP increases occurred at a rate of 1.9%, 2.8%, and 2.8% for aflibercept, ranibizumab, and bevacizumab, respectively, which was significantly higher than untreated fellow eyes for bevacizumab and ranibizumab, but not for aflibercept. Conclusions These analyses from real-world data indicate that anti-VEGF intravitreous injections are associated with a small but statistically significant decrease in IOP over time. A proportion of patients, on average 2.6%, experienced a sustained clinically significant IOP rise with these drugs overall compared with 1.5% in the fellow untreated eyes. However, such an increase was not seen with aflibercept.

Purpose To characterize treatment patterns and outcomes in eyes with treatment-naive myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) in the United States. Design Retrospective cohort study. Participants Individuals aged 18 years and older seen in clinics participating in the American Academy of Ophthalmology's IRIS (Intelligent Research in Sight) Registry. Methods We analyzed data from the IRIS Registry, from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2014, to identify cases of treatment-naive mCNV, which was defined as the presence of myopic refractive error worse than −6.0 diopters with the presence of subretinal/choroidal neovascularization as indicated by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis of "362.16: Retinal Neovascularization NOS." Main Outcome Measures Type of initial treatment for mCNV was categorized as the administration of 1 of the following within the first 365 days after the diagnosis date: (1) observation (i.e., no treatment); (2) intravitreal anti-VEGF injection; (3) verteporfin photodynamic therapy (vPDT); or (4) laser photocoagulation. We assessed the difference between logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity (VA) on the diagnosis date (baseline) and 1 year after the diagnosis date. Anti-VEGF injection frequency per treated eye over a 1-year period was also estimated. Results We identified 185 patients with treatment-naive mCNV in 1 or both eyes. Treatment within 1 year of diagnosis was recorded for 73.0% (135/185); the remainder was classified as "observation." Nearly all treatment (134/135; 99.3%) consisted of anti-VEGF injections; 0.7% (1/135) received vPDT. Those treated with anti-VEGF injections showed significant improvement in VA at 1 year (mean logMAR VA improvement of 0.17 units, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.12–0.20, P P Conclusions In the United States, anti-VEGF injection was the most frequently utilized treatment for mCNV. Those treated were observed to gain vision. However, one quarter of patients received no treatment and lost vision. Further studies are needed to understand the sociodemographic and health-systems barriers surrounding the delivery of anti-VEGF injections to patients with mCNV.

To determine recent incidence and visual outcomes for acute-onset endophthalmitis after cataract surgery performed in the United States.Retrospective cohort study.United States cataract surgery patients, 2013-2017 (5 401 686 patients).Cases of acute-onset postoperative endophthalmitis occurring within 30 days after cataract surgery were identified using diagnosis codes in the American Academy of Ophthalmology IRIS (Intelligent Research in Sight) Registry database, drawn from electronic health records in ophthalmology practices across the nation. Annual and aggregate 5-year incidences were determined for all cataract surgeries and specifically for standalone procedures versus those combined with other ophthalmic surgeries. Patient characteristics were compared. Mean and median visual acuity was determined at 1 month preoperative as well as 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperative among patients with and without endophthalmitis.Incidence of acute-onset postoperative endophthalmitis after cataract surgery.A total of 8 542 838 eyes underwent cataract surgery, 3629 of which developed acute-onset endophthalmitis (0.04%; 95% confidence interval, 0.04%-0.04%). Endophthalmitis incidence was highest among patients aged 0 to 17 years (0.37% over 5 years), followed by patients aged 18 to 44 years (0.18% over 5 years; P0.0001). Endophthalmitis occurred 4 times more often after combined cases (cataract with other ophthalmic procedures) than after standalone cataract surgeries (0.20% vs. 0.04% of cases), and occurred in 0.35% of patients receiving anterior vitrectomy. Mean 3-month postoperative visual acuity was 20/100 (median, 20/50) among endophthalmitis patients, versus a mean of approximately 20/40 (median, 20/30) among patients without endophthalmitis. However, 4% of endophthalmitis patients still achieved 20/20 or better visual acuity, and 44% achieved 20/40 or better visual acuity at 3 months.Acute-onset endophthalmitis occurred in 0.04% of 8 542 838 cataract surgeries performed in the United States between 2013 and 2017. Risk factors may include younger age, cataract surgery combined with other ophthalmic surgeries, and anterior vitrectomy. Visual acuity outcomes vary; however, patients can recover excellent vision after surgery. Big data from clinical registries like the IRIS Registry has great potential for evaluating rare conditions such as endophthalmitis, including developing benchmarks, longer-term time trend investigation, and comprehensive analysis of risk factors and prophylaxis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate ophthalmologists’ rate of attestation to meaningful use of their electronic health record (EHR) systems in the Medicare EHR Incentive program and their continuity and success in receiving payments in comparison to other specialties. DESIGN: Administrative database study PARTICIPANTS: Eligible professionals participating in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program METHODS: Based on publicly available data sources, subsets of payment and attestation data were created for ophthalmologists and for other specialties. The number of eligible professionals attesting was determined using the attestation data for each year and stage of the program. The proportion of attestations by EHR vendor was calculated using all attestations for each vendor. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Numbers of ophthalmologists attesting by year and stage of the Medicare EHR Incentive program, incentive payments, and number of attestations by EHR vendor RESULTS: 51.6% of ophthalmologists successfully attested to meaningful use in the peak year of participation, compared to 37.1% of optometrists, 50.2% of dermatologists, 54.5% of otolaryngologists, and 64.4% of urologists. Across the six years of the program, ophthalmologists received an average of $US 17,942 in incentive payments compared to $US 11,105 for optometrists, $US 16,617 for dermatologists, $US 20,203 for otolaryngologists, and $US 23,821 for urologists. Epic and Nextgen were the most frequently used EHRs for attestation by ophthalmologists. CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmology as a specialty performed better than optometry and dermatology but worse than otolaryngology and urology in terms of the proportion of eligible professionals attesting to meaningful use of EHRs. Ophthalmologists were more likely to remain in the program after their initial year of attestation compared to all eligible providers. The top 4 vendors accounted for 50% of attestations by ophthalmologists.

To describe the rates of strabismus, strabismus surgery, and strabismus surgery reoperations among all age groups in the United States.Retrospective analysis of electronic health record data.Patients from the IRIS (Intelligent Research in Sight) Registry.Description of the types and rates of strabismus and strabismus surgery from 2013 to 2016 with subgroups by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and region of the United States.The 1-year reoperation rate for strabismus surgery performed during 2013-2015 for all age groups.A total of 30 827 185 unique patients were identified; 846 477 (2.75%) had a diagnosis of strabismus: 3.02% of male patients and 2.55% of female patients (difference = 0.47%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.46-0.48, P0.0001). Strabismus surgery was performed in 40 780 (0.13%) unique patients during the 4 years. The rate of surgery ranged from 1.99% for children birth to 5 years of age to 0.05% for adults 40 years of age and older. Horizontal surgical codes were reported 38 813 times, vertical surgery codes were reported 9304 times, and superior oblique codes were reported 711 times. Adjustable sutures were used for 3027 patients (7.42%). Cases with a code for repeat eye muscle surgery or restrictive myopathy were reported for 6098 patients (14.9%). Esotropia accounted for 30.06% and exotropia in 21.77% of diagnoses reported for surgery. The rate of undergoing a reoperation within 1 year of a strabismus surgery was 6.72%, lowest for the group 6 to 9 years of age (3.95%) and increasing with age (P0.001) to 11.5% for patients 65 years of age and older.Strabismus is an uncommonly reported diagnosis in ophthalmologic practice. Overall, approximately 1 in 750 patients in the IRIS Registry received strabismus surgery (1 in 20 with a strabismus diagnosis) during a 4-year period. Reoperations during the first year after surgery were performed for 1 in 15 patients, increasing with age at surgery. "Big" data from clinical data registries represent real-world care that can be used to develop benchmarks for clinical outcomes and to identify areas for practice improvement and training program design.

To investigate the rate of return to the operating room after vitrectomy surgery to treat macular hole or epiretinal membrane.A retrospective registry cohort.Individuals receiving care in ophthalmology practices participating in the Academy IRIS (Intelligent Research in Sight) Registry.Data from the IRIS Registry were analyzed for patients who underwent vitrectomy for macular holes or epiretinal membranes. Cases were identified by the combination of International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision code (362.54, 362.56) and a current procedural terminology (CPT) code for vitrectomy surgery between January 1, 2013 and June 30, 2017.The eyes that underwent additional eye surgery within 1 year after initial vitrectomy for macular hole or epiretinal membrane were identified, as was the nature of the additional procedures per CPT code.A total of 41 475 eyes underwent vitrectomy for macular hole and 73 219 eyes underwent vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane during the study period. In the macular hole group, 7573 had a second surgery within 1 year, and 2827 (6.8%) had a second surgery that was not cataract related. In the epiretinal membrane group, 12 433 had a second surgery within 1 year, 4022 (5.5%) of which were not cataract related. In the macular hole group, 4.6% of eyes returned to the operating room for another macular hole repair surgery, and 2.0% returned for retinal detachment repair. In the epiretinal membrane group, 1.4% returned for a second vitrectomy with membrane stripping, and 2.5% returned for retinal detachment repair.This registry-based study encompassed a large number of patients but was limited by the inaccessibility of some information and the potential for inaccurate medical records or coding, as it obtained data from multiple electronic health records entities. Excluding cataract surgery, approximately 6% of eyes that underwent vitrectomy to address macular hole or epiretinal membrane returned for a second ophthalmic procedure within a year. In the macular hole group, most secondary non-cataract surgeries were for another macular hole repair procedure. For both macular holes and epiretinal membranes, approximately 2% of eyes required retinal detachment repair surgery within 1 year.

To describe the characteristics of the patient population included in the 2016 IRISDescription of a clinical data registry.The 2016 IRIS Registry database consists of 17 363 018 unique patients from 7200 United States-based ophthalmologists in the United States.Electronic health record (EHR) data were extracted from the participating practices and placed into a clinical database. The approach can be used across dozens of EHR systems.Demographic characteristics.The 2016 IRIS Registry database includes data about patient demographics, top-coded disease conditions, and visit rates.The IRIS Registry is a unique, large, real-world data set that is available for analytics to provide perspectives and to learn about current ophthalmic care and treatment outcomes. The IRIS Registry can be used to answer questions about practice patterns, use, disease prevalence, clinical outcomes, and the comparative effectiveness of different treatments. Limitations of the data are the same limitations associated with EHR data in terms of documentation errors or missing data and the lack of images. Currently, open access to the database is not available, but there are opportunities for researchers to submit proposals for analyses, for example through a Research to Prevent Blindness and American Academy of Ophthalmology Award for IRIS Registry Research.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to compare real-world visual acuity (VA) in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with a single anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drug monotherapy for 1 year from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Intelligent Research in Sight (IRIS) Registry. Design Retrospective, nonrandomized, comparative study. Participants IRIS Registry patients with nAMD who received bevacizumab, ranibizumab, or aflibercept only for 1 year between 2013–2016. Methods Participants were divided into 3 groups based on monotherapy type. Multivariate analysis of covariance models (ANCOVA) was constructed in a stepwise fashion. Main Outcome Measures The logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) VA at 1 year and mean change in logMAR VA between baseline and 1 year were compared between drug types. Results Of 13 859 patients, 6723 received bevacizumab, 2749 received ranibizumab, and 4387 received aflibercept only for 1 year. A total of 84 828 injections were performed. The mean number of injections (standard deviation) at 1 year was higher in the ranibizumab (6.4 [±2.4]) and aflibercept groups (6.2 [±2.4]) compared to bevacizumab group (5.9 [±2.4]; P 0.0001). In the age-adjusted model, both ranibizumab and aflibercept achieved better logMAR VA at 1 year compared with bevacizumab (0.50 [±0.49], 0.49 [±0.44], 0.55 [±0.57]; P 0.0001). However, this difference was not significant after multivariate adjustment (age, baseline VA, diabetes, posterior vitreous detachment, number of injections, race, insurance). There was no statistical difference in the age-adjusted or multivariate-adjusted mean logMAR VA change (standard deviation) at 1 year among treatment groups (−0.048 [0.44] bevacizumab, −0.053 [0.46] ranibizumab, −0.040 [0.39] aflibercept; P = 0.46). A higher percentage of patients achieved a ≥3-line VA improvement at 1 year in the bevacizumab group (22.7%) compared with ranibizumab (20.1%; P = 0.0093) and aflibercept (17.8%; P 0.0001). However, after multivariate adjustment, aflibercept exhibited a greater log odds of a ≥3-line VA loss compared with bevacizumab only (1.25 log odds ratio; P 0.0016). Conclusions This study suggests that all 3 drugs improve VA similarly over 1 year of monotherapy.

To identify sustained differences in intraocular pressure (IOP) after intravitreous injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs.Database study.Patients seeing an ophthalmic provider who contributes to the database.We identified a total of 23 776 unique patients who received only a single type of anti-VEGF medication (bevacizumab, aflibercept, or ranibizumab) by injection in the right eye in the American Academy of Ophthalmology Intelligent Research in Sight Registry. Subgroups included patients with age-related macular degeneration only and patients who had not received an anti-VEGF injection for at least 1 year before the study. We examined those with at least 12, 18, and 25 injections for each of these 3 medications. For all groups, we used fellow, untreated eyes for comparison.The mean change in IOP from baseline at a minimum of 1 year of follow-up and the proportion of eyes with a clinically significant IOP increase (defined as sustained rise of at least 6 mmHg to an IOP of more than 21 mmHg).All patients in all groups receiving all drugs showed a decrease in IOP from baseline, with a mean of 0.9 mmHg in treated eyes compared with an average decrease of 0.2 mmHg in fellow untreated eyes, a statistically significant difference. A generalized linear model accounting for confounders associated bevacizumab with slightly less lowering of IOP than aflibercept and ranibizumab in most subgroups. A clinically significant IOP increase was seen in 2.6% of eyes receiving injections compared with 1.5% in the associated untreated fellow eyes. Clinically significant IOP increases occurred at a rate of 1.9%, 2.8%, and 2.8% for aflibercept, ranibizumab, and bevacizumab, respectively, which was significantly higher than untreated fellow eyes for bevacizumab and ranibizumab, but not for aflibercept.These analyses from real-world data indicate that anti-VEGF intravitreous injections are associated with a small but statistically significant decrease in IOP over time. A proportion of patients, on average 2.6%, experienced a sustained clinically significant IOP rise with these drugs overall compared with 1.5% in the fellow untreated eyes. However, such an increase was not seen with aflibercept.

Objective To assess the current state of electronic health record (EHR) use by ophthalmologists, including adoption rate, user satisfaction, functionality, benefits, barriers, and knowledge of meaningful use criteria. Design Population-based, cross-sectional study. Participants A total of 492 members of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Methods A random sample of 1500 AAO members were selected on the basis of their practice location and solicited to participate in a study of EHR use, practice management, and image management system use. Participants completed the survey via the Internet, phone, or fax. The survey included questions about the adoption of EHRs, available functionality, benefits, barriers, satisfaction, and understanding of meaningful use criteria and health information technology concepts. Main Outcome Measures Current adoption rate of EHRs, user satisfaction, benefits and barriers, and availability of EHR functionality. Results Overall, 32% of the practices surveyed had already implemented an EHR, 15% had implemented an EHR for some of their physicians or were in the process of implementation, and another 31% had plans to do so within 2 years. Among those with an EHR in their practice, 49% were satisfied or extremely satisfied with their system, 42% reported increased or stable overall productivity, 19% reported decreased or stable overall costs, and 55% would recommend an EHR to a fellow ophthalmologist. For those with an electronic image management system, only 15% had all devices integrated, 33% had images directly uploaded into their system, and 12% had electronic association of patient demographics with the image. Conclusions The adoption of EHRs by ophthalmology practices more than doubled from 2007 to 2011. The satisfaction of ophthalmologists with their EHR and their perception of beneficial effects on productivity and costs were all lower in 2011 than in 2007. Knowledge about meaningful use is high, but the percentage of physicians actually receiving incentive payments is relatively low. Given the importance of imaging in ophthalmology, the shortcomings in current image management systems need to be addressed. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

To characterize treatment patterns and outcomes in eyes with treatment-naïve myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) in the United States.Retrospective cohort study.Individuals aged 18 years and older seen in clinics participating in the American Academy of Ophthalmology's IRIS (Intelligent Research in Sight) Registry.We analyzed data from the IRIS Registry, from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2014, to identify cases of treatment-naïve mCNV, which was defined as the presence of myopic refractive error worse than -6.0 diopters with the presence of subretinal/choroidal neovascularization as indicated by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis of "362.16: Retinal Neovascularization NOS."Type of initial treatment for mCNV was categorized as the administration of 1 of the following within the first 365 days after the diagnosis date: (1) observation (i.e., no treatment); (2) intravitreal anti-VEGF injection; (3) verteporfin photodynamic therapy (vPDT); or (4) laser photocoagulation. We assessed the difference between logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity (VA) on the diagnosis date (baseline) and 1 year after the diagnosis date. Anti-VEGF injection frequency per treated eye over a 1-year period was also estimated.We identified 185 patients with treatment-naïve mCNV in 1 or both eyes. Treatment within 1 year of diagnosis was recorded for 73.0% (135/185); the remainder was classified as "observation." Nearly all treatment (134/135; 99.3%) consisted of anti-VEGF injections; 0.7% (1/135) received vPDT. Those treated with anti-VEGF injections showed significant improvement in VA at 1 year (mean logMAR VA improvement of 0.17 units, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.12-0.20, P0.01), whereas those who were not treated showed a significant decline in VA at 1 year (mean logMAR VA decline: 0.03 units, 95% CI, 0.008-0.05, P0.01). The mean number of anti-VEGF injections for an eye with mCNV during the first year after diagnosis was 2.8 (standard deviation, 2.5) (median, 2.0; interquartile range, 1.0-4.0).In the United States, anti-VEGF injection was the most frequently utilized treatment for mCNV. Those treated were observed to gain vision. However, one quarter of patients received no treatment and lost vision. Further studies are needed to understand the sociodemographic and health-systems barriers surrounding the delivery of anti-VEGF injections to patients with mCNV.

To determine the prevalence of high myopia (HM), progressive high (degenerative) myopia (PHM), and myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) in the United States.Cross-sectional study.Individuals aged 18 years and older participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and patients aged 18 years and older seen in clinics participating in the American Academy of Ophthalmology's Intelligent Research in Sight (IRIS(®)) Registry.We analyzed NHANES data from 2005 to 2008 to determine the prevalence of HM in the United States. This prevalence was then applied to estimates from the US Population Census (2014) to arrive at a population burden of HM at the diopter level in the United States. Data from the IRIS Registry were used to calculate the real-world prevalence rates of PHM and mCNV among patients with HM at the diopter level. This was subsequently applied to this reference population with HM to calculate the diopter-adjusted prevalence and population burden of PHM and mCNV in the United States in 2014.High myopia was defined as myopic refractive error of ≤6.0 diopters in the right eye. Progressive HM was defined as HM with the International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) code of "360.21: Progressive High (Degenerative) Myopia." Myopic CNV was defined as HM with the presence of subretinal/choroidal neovascularization indicated by the ICD-9-CM diagnosis of "362.16: Retinal Neovascularization NOS."The estimated diopter-adjusted prevalence of HM, PHM, and mCNV was 3.92% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.82-5.60), 0.33% (95% CI, 0.21-0.55), and 0.017% (95% CI, 0.010-0.030), respectively, among adults in the United States aged 18 years and older in 2014. This translated into a population burden of approximately 9 614 719 adults with HM, 817 829 adults with PHM, and 41 111 adults with mCNV in the United States in 2014.Although HM and PHM impose a relatively large burden among adults in the United States, mCNV seems to be a rare disease. Relating data from the IRIS Registry and NHANES could be a novel method for assessing ophthalmic disease prevalence in the United States. Future studies should aim to better assess current treatment patterns and optimal management strategies of this condition.

Purpose To assess the current burden of ocular toxocariasis (OT) and to gain knowledge regarding the diagnostic and treatment practices used in the ophthalmologic community in the United States. Design Web-based, cross-sectional survey. Participants Subspecialty ophthalmologists who are currently practicing in the United States. Methods An electronic survey was sent to 3020 ophthalmologic subspecialists belonging to the American Uveitis Society (AUS), the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS), or the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) to capture demographic, clinical, diagnostic, and treatment data on patients with OT seen in their practices between September 2009 and September 2010. Main Outcome Measures The demographic, epidemiologic, and clinical characteristics of each reported patient with OT. Results A total of 159 patients with OT were reported by 559 respondents (19%). The median patient age was 11.5 years (range, 1–66 years). Seventy-two patients (45%) with OT lived in the Southern region of the United States. Thirty-one (69%) of 45 patients with OT owned a dog or cat. Vision loss was reported in 46 (85%) of 54 patients with OT; 32 (71%) of 45 patients had permanent vision loss, 13 patients (29%) had temporary vision loss, and duration of vision loss was unreported for 1 patient. Of the 32 patients with OT with permanent vision loss, 30 (94%) had a subretinal granulomatous mass/scar, peripheral granuloma with traction bands, or posterior pole granuloma noted on ophthalmologic examination. Subretinal granulomatous mass/scar, vitritis, and scotoma were the most common ophthalmologic signs found on examination of patients with OT. Conclusions Ocular toxocariasis continues to occur in the United States, where it affects mainly children and causes permanent vision loss in many patients. Healthcare professionals should counsel patients and their family members about prevention strategies in an effort to decrease infection rates and morbidity due to Toxocara . Further improvement of diagnostic and treatment tools is needed to assist ophthalmologists in treating patients with OT. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.