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Introduction: This study aims to explore the effectiveness of the Seniors’ Eye Rehabilitation (SEER) pilot programme, a visual rehabilitation home therapy by specialised low vision occupational therapists (LVOT). Method: This was an interventional, longitudinal cohort study. Participants were recruited from Singapore National Eye Centre Low Vision Clinic. The occupational therapy interventions include activities of daily living retraining, activities/home modifications, functional/community mobility training and patient/family education. Each participant set two individualised goals (Priority Goal 1 and Priority Goal 2). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare baseline and 6-month follow-up scores for Australian Therapy Outcome Measures for Occupational Therapy (AusTOMs-OT) and the Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) ( p Results: Forty-one participants (mean age: 67, 48.8% male) completed SEER. There was statistically significant reduction in activity limitations (1 median point change (MPC), Z = −4.21, p Conclusion: The SEER programme was found to be effective in improving all domains of the AusTOMs-OT and GAS for Priority Goal 1. This provides evidence that visual rehabilitation home therapy by specialised LVOT is beneficial to older adults with visual impairment.

To evaluate the ability of handheld chromatic pupillometry to reveal and localise retinal neural dysfunction in diabetic patients with and without diabetic retinopathy (DR).This cross-sectional study included 82 diabetics (DM) and 93 controls (60.4 ± 8.4 years, 44.1% males). DM patients included those without (n = 25, 64.7 ± 6.3 years, 44.0% males) and with DR (n = 57, 60.3 ± 8.5 years, 64.9% males). Changes in horizontal pupil radius in response to blue (469 nm) and red (640 nm) light stimuli were assessed monocularly, in clinics, using a custom-built handheld pupillometer. Pupillometric parameters (phasic constriction amplitudes [predominantly from the outer retina], maximal constriction amplitudes [from the inner and outer retina] and post-illumination pupillary responses [PIPRs; predominantly from the inner retina]) were extracted from baseline-adjusted pupillary light response traces and compared between controls, DM without DR, and DR. Net PIPR was defined as the difference between blue and red PIPRs.Phasic constriction amplitudes to blue and red lights were decreased in DR compared to controls (p 0.001; p 0.001). Maximal constriction amplitudes to blue and red lights were decreased in DR compared to DM without DR (p 0.001; p = 0.02), and in DM without DR compared to controls (p 0.001; p = 0.005). Net PIPR was decreased in both DR and DM without DR compared to controls (p = 0.02; p = 0.03), suggesting a wavelength-dependent (and hence retinal) pupillometric dysfunction in diabetic patients with or without DR.Handheld chromatic pupillometry can reveal retinal neural dysfunction in diabetes, even without DR. Patients with DM but no DR displayed primarily inner retinal dysfunction, while patients with DR showed both inner and outer retinal dysfunction.

PURPOSE To evaluate associations between choroidal thickness and features of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) lesions based on multimodal imaging. METHODS This cross-sectional analysis included treatment-naive PCV eyes from a prospectively recruited observational cohort. Associations between of subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and qualitative and quantitative morphologic features of PCV lesions on color fundus photographs, indocyanine green and fluorescein angiography, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography were evaluated. RESULTS We included 100 eyes with indocyanine green angiography-proven PCV. Subfoveal choroidal thickness showed a bimodal distribution with peaks at 170 µm and 350 µm. There was a significant linear increase in the total lesion area (P-trend = 0.028) and the polypoidal lesion area (P-trend = 0.030 and P-continuous = 0.037) with increasing SFCT. Pairwise comparisons between quartiles showed that the total lesion area (4.20 ± 2.61 vs. 2.89 ± 1.43 mm2, P = 0.024) and the polypoidal lesion area (1.03 ± 1.01 vs. 0.59 ± 0.45 mm2, P = 0.042) are significantly larger in eyes in Q4 (SFCT ≥ 350 μm) than eyes in Q1 (SFCT ≤ 170 μm). Although there was no significant linear trend relating SFCT to best-corrected visual acuity, pairwise comparisons showed that eyes in Q4 (SFCT ≥ 350 μm) have significantly worse vision (0.85 ± 0.63 vs. 0.55 ± 0.27 logMAR, P = 0.030) than eyes in Q2 (SFCT 170-260 μm). CONCLUSION Total lesion areas and polypoidal lesion areas tend to be larger in eyes with increasing SFCT. Choroidal background may influence the phenotype or progression pattern of PCV.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put strain on healthcare systems and the availability and allocation of healthcare manpower, resources and infrastructure. With immediate priorities to protect the health and safety of both patients and healthcare service providers, ophthalmologists globally were advised to defer nonurgent cases, while at the same time managing sight-threatening conditions such as neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). The management of AMD patients both from a monitoring and treatment perspective presents a particular challenge for ophthalmologists. This review looks at how these pressures have encouraged the acceptance and speed of adoption of digitalization. A literature review was conducted on the use of digital technology during COVID-19 pandemic, and on the transformation of medicine, ophthalmology and AMD screening through digitalization. In the management of AMD, the implementation of artificial intelligence and "virtual clinics" have provided assistance in screening, diagnosis, monitoring of the progression and the treatment of AMD. In addition, hardware and software developments in home monitoring devices has assisted in self-monitoring approaches. Digitalization strategies and developments are currently ongoing and underway to ensure early detection, stability and visual improvement in patients suffering from AMD in this COVID-19 era. This may set a precedence for the post COVID-19 new normal where digital platforms may be routine, standard and expected in healthcare delivery. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2021 Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology.]

To describe the normative quantitative parameters of the macular retinal vasculature, as well as their systemic and ocular associations using OCT angiography (OCTA).Population-based, cross-sectional study.Adults aged50 years were recruited from the third examination of the population-based Singapore Malay Eye Study.All participants underwent a standardized comprehensive examination and spectral-domain OCTA (Optovue) of the macula. OCT angiography scans that revealed pre-existing retinal disease, revealed macular pathology, and had poor quality were excluded.The normative quantitative vessel densities of the superficial layer, deep layer, and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) were evaluated. Ocular and systemic associations with macular retinal vasculature parameters were also evaluated in a multivariable analysis using linear regression models with generalized estimating equation models.We included 1184 scans (1184 eyes) of 749 participants. The mean macular superficial vessel density (SVD) and deep vessel density (DVD) were 45.1 ± 4.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 37.8%-51.4%) and 44.4 ± 5.2% (95% CI, 36.9%-53.2%), respectively. The mean SVD and DVD were highest in the superior quadrant (48.7 ± 5.9%) and nasal quadrant (52.7 ± 4.6%), respectively. The mean FAZ area and perimeter were 0.32 ± 0.11 mmThis study provided normative macular vasculature parameters in an adult Asian population, which may serve as reference values for quantitative interpretation of OCTA data in normal and disease states.

This study aimed to describe the topographic variation of the macula’s choroidal angioarchitecture using three-dimensional (3D) choroidal vascularity index (CVI) of healthy eyes from an Asian population and to investigate the associations of CVI. 50 participants were recruited via stratified randomisation based on subfoveal choroidal thickness from the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study. Macular volume scans were acquired using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography with enhanced depth imaging. CVI was assessed based on B-scan binarisation and choroid segmentation. The 3D CVI of the whole, superior, central, and inferior macula were 62.92 ± 1.57%, 62.75 ± 1.93%, 63.35 ± 1.72%, and 62.66 ± 1.70%, respectively, pairwise comparisons P all > 0.05). 3D CVI (Whole Macula) and 2D CVI (Subfoveal) were associated only with each other and not with other ocular and systemic factors. 2D CVI (Subfoveal) had a moderate agreement with 3D CVI (Central Macula) [intraclass corelation coefficient (ICC) = 0.719], and had poorer agreement with 3D CVI of the whole macula, superior, and inferior macula (ICC = 0.591, 0.483, and 0.394, respectively). Scanning volume did not influence 3D CVI measurements. In conclusion, 3D CVI demonstrated no significant topographic variation. CVI was not correlated with demographic or ocular structural features. 2D CVI of the fovea is partially representative of 3D CVI of the macula.

COVID-19 has led to massive disruptions in societal, economic and healthcare systems globally. While COVID-19 has sparked a surge and expansion of new digital business models in different industries, healthcare has been slower to adapt to digital solutions. The majority of ophthalmology clinical practices are still operating through a traditional model of ‘brick-and-mortar’ facilities and ‘face-to-face’ patient–physician interaction. In the current climate of COVID-19, there is a need to fuel implementation of digital health models for ophthalmology. In this article, we highlight the current limitations in traditional clinical models as we confront COVID-19, review the current lack of digital initiatives in ophthalmology sphere despite the presence of COVID-19, propose new digital models of care for ophthalmology and discuss potential barriers that need to be considered for sustainable transformation to take place.

Purpose To evaluate the clinical performance of the intravitreal injection assistant device (InVitria) compared with the conventional freehand technique for delivering intravitreal injections. Methods Seventy patients were randomized to receive intravitreal injections via the conventional freehand technique while 70 received injections using the InVitria. Half of all procedures in each group were performed by junior surgeons, while the rest were performed by senior surgeons. Results Mean injections times were 90.0 ± 23.3 seconds and 64.9 ± 26.8 seconds for conventional versus InVitria (P < 0.001). Mean injection times with the conventional technique were 85.5 ± 23.0 seconds vs. 94.2 ± 23.0 seconds for senior versus junior surgeons (P = 0.120). Mean injection times with the InVitria were 56.1 ± 26.1 seconds vs. 66.3 ± 26.9 seconds (P = 0.211) for senior versus junior surgeons. There were no significant differences in pain scores regardless of technique (conventional versus In Vitria: 2.03 ± 1.73 vs. 2.13 ± 2.20, P = 0.770). Conclusions In our experience, the InVitria is a comparable alternative to the conventional freehand technique of delivering intravitreal injections, with the potential for faster injection times and without compromising on patient comfort. Translational Relevance The study provides evidence to suggest that the InVitria may be deployed effectively in clinical practice.

Purpose To evaluate the long-term corneal graft survival and risk factors for graft failure in pediatric eyes. Design Retrospective, interventional consecutive case series. Methods Unilateral eyes of 105 patients aged 16 years and below were included from the Singapore Corneal Transplant Study between April 4, 1991 and April 4, 2011. Corneal graft survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and survival distributions were compared using log-rank test. Results Mean recipient age was 8.38 ± 5.63 years (range 0.18–15.92 years). Mean follow-up time was 34.16 ± 39.10 months. Main diagnoses were corneal scar (22.9%), limbal dermoid (21.9%), anterior segment dysgenesis (15.2%), and keratoconus (14.3%). Forty-four eyes (41.9%) underwent penetrating keratoplasty (PK), 37 (35.2%) underwent anterior lamellar keratoplasty (ALK), 22 (21.0%) underwent lamellar corneal patch graft, and 2 (1.9%) underwent Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). Kaplan-Meier survival rates for PK were 92.8% at 1 year, 88.9% at 2–4 years, and 80.9% at 5–16 years; survival rates for ALK were 88.0% at 1 year and 84.3% at 2–7 years; survival rates for corneal patch graft were 100% at 1–3 years and 90% at 4–10 years; these were not statistically significant ( P = .362). Deep corneal vascularization ( P = .012), preexisting active inflammation ( P = .023), preexisting glaucoma drainage device ( P = .023), and preexisting ocular surface disease ( P = .037) were associated with reduced graft survival in a univariate analysis. Conclusions We report good long-term graft survival following pediatric keratoplasty for various indications. Lamellar keratoplasty, when indicated, should be the procedure of choice in high-risk keratoplasties.

To describe 12-month changes in choroidal thickness after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy for typical age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).Prospective, consecutive, noninterventional, longitudinal case series.This study included patients with typical AMD and PCV who received anti-VEGF therapy over a 12-month period. We used spectral-domain optical coherence tomography with enhanced depth imaging mode to measure choroidal thickness.Of the 163 patients, 77 had typical AMD and 86 had PCV. Patients with PCV were younger (67.6 vs 72.5 years, P.01) and received fewer anti-VEGF injections (3.9 vs 5.6, P = .02) than patients with typical AMD. Baseline subfoveal choroidal thickness was not significantly different between PCV and typical AMD eyes, and was thicker in the study eye compared to fellow eye in the typical AMD group (223.1 vs 208.8 μm, P.01). Subfoveal choroidal thickness decreased significantly in both typical AMD (213.7 μm to 190.3 μm, P.001) and PCV (240.8 μm to 213.4 μm, P.01) eyes, but no significant change was noted in fellow unaffected eyes. Reduction in choroidal thickness was associated with elevated C-reactive protein (odds ratio [OR]: 1.4, P = .04) and smoking (OR: 7.6, P = .03) at baseline, but not with age, refractive error, diagnosis of typical AMD or PCV, number or type of anti-VEGF injections, PDT therapy, or baseline choroidal thickness.A significant reduction in subfoveal choroidal thickness was noted after anti-VEGF therapy in typical AMD and PCV. Choroidal thickness changes were similar despite differences in number of anti-VEGF treatment.