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Somporn Chantra,1,2 Peranut Chotcomwongse,1 Supachase Jittreprasert,1 Wirapha Senarak,1,* Anyarak Amornpetchsathaporn,1,* Parinee Kemchoknatee,1,2 Paisan Ruamviboonsuk1,2 1Department of Ophthalmology, Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand; 2College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Somporn Chantra, Department of Ophthalmology, Rajavithi Hospital, 2 Phayatai Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand, Tel +66 86-541-3765, Email chantrasomporn@yahoo.comObjective: To evaluate the direct healthcare cost of admission and examine the effects of cost drivers of treating presumed microbial keratitis (MK) at a tertiary referral hospital.Design: Retrospective study.Methods: A total of 741 patients who presented with MK were included. All information regarding costs was collected, and demographic data were employed for risk factor analysis.Results: The total cost of treating MK over a 7-year period at Rajavithi Hospital was US$14,514,625.04, while the median cost was US$10,840.17 per patient (Q1– 3, US$5866.56– 24,172.28). The medical professional services were the highest cost category in terms of both total cost of treatment over 7 years and median cost per patient, accounting for US$6,474,718.43 and US$5235.20 (Q1– 3, US$2582.79– 10,474.24) respectively. In 2020, the total cost of treatment declined, corresponding with fewer hospitalized patients; however, the median cost per patient was the highest of all years, amounting to US$15,089.90 (Q1– 3, US$8064.17– 29102.50), while the median cost per patient from 2014 to 2019 was US$9969.96 (Q1– 3, US$5177.98– 21,942.68). Statistical significance was found in the median cost per patient in 2020 compared to the median cost per patient in 2014– 2019 (p-value 0.019). Risk factors associated with the more expensive cost of treatment were longer length of stay (LOS); age more than 60 years old; readmission; diabetes mellitus (DM); hypertension; and heart disease.Conclusion: There were several key factors impacting the direct healthcare costs of severe MK treatment. Medical professional services emerged as the most substantial cost category, while longer hospital stays, older age groups, readmission cases, and comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and heart disease were all linked to elevated treatment expenses. There were no statistically significant differences in the direct medical expenses during hospitalization associated with treating severe MK, whether the culture results were positive or negative, or regardless of the type of cultured organism utilized.Keywords: corneal ulcer, infectious keratitis, healthcare cost, economic burden

Sermsiri Sangroongruangsri,1 Usa Chaikledkaew,1,2 Prut Hanusaha,3 Tanapat Ratanapakorn,4 Paisan Ruamviboonsuk5 1Social and Administrative Pharmacy Division, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; 2Mahidol University Health Technology Assessment (MUHTA) Graduate Program, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; 3Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; 4Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; 5Department of Ophthalmology, Rajavithi Hospital, College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Bangkok, ThailandCorrespondence: Usa Chaikledkaew Tel +662-644-8679 ext 5317Fax +662-644-8694Email usa.chi@mahidol.ac.thPurpose: The aim of this study was to estimate the cost-utility and budget impact of pharmacological treatments for the eye with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in Thailand.Methods: A Markov model-based cost-utility analysis (CUA) and budget impact analysis were conducted. The lifetime cost and outcomes of PCV treatments were estimated. We discounted costs and outcomes at 3% per annum. Parameters were estimated using data from published literatures, local cost and utility data, and epidemiology data among Thai patients. Univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to account for parameter uncertainty.Results: Intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) resulted in the lowest lifetime cost, followed by IVB plus verteporfin photodynamic therapy (IVB+vPDT) and intravitreal aflibercept (IVA). The combination of IVB or intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) and verteporfin photodynamic therapy (IVB+vPDT or IVR+vPDT) yielded the highest quality-adjusted life-years (QALY). When compared with IVB from a societal perspective, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for patients with PCV receiving IVB+vPDT, IVR+vPDT, IVA were 10,304; 54,135; and 82,738 the United States dollar (USD) per QALY gained, respectively. At the Thai societal willingness to pay threshold of 4884 USD, IVB had the highest probability of being cost-effective (99%) followed by IVB+vPDT (1%). IVB+vPDT could be a cost-effective strategy and required a budget of 12.61 million USD over five fiscal years when the price of verteporfin reduced by approximately 45%.Conclusion: None of the drug treatments for PCV was cost-effective in the Thai context. The decreased price of verteporfin is required to support the inclusion of IVB+vPDT in the Thai National List of Essential Medicines for the treatment of PCV.Keywords: PCV, verteporfin, anti-VEGF agent, retinal disease, economic evaluation, Thailand

Boonsong Wanichwecharungruang,1,2 Aungnapa Kongthaworn,1,3 Doreen Wagner,4 Paisan Ruamviboonsuk,1 Kasem Seresirikachorn1 1Department of Ophthalmology, Rajavithi Hospital, Rangsit Medical College, Bangkok, Thailand; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Priest Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand; 3Department of Ophthalmology, Nakorn-Nayok Hospital, Nakorn-nayok, Thailand; 4Senior Clinical Project Manager, Wuppertal, GermanyCorrespondence: Boonsong WanichwecharungruangRajavithi Hospital, 2, Rajavithi Road, Bangkok, 10400, ThailandTel +66 813135040Email boonsongw@yahoo.comPurpose: To compare lamina cribrosa thickness (LCT) of primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) using the enhanced depth-imaging mode of the Heidelberg Spectralis spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT).Patients and Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted. We enrolled 34 patients with PACG, 38 with POAG, and 62 controls, testing only one eye of each participant. Lamina cribrosa thickness was determined at the center of the optic nerve head using EDI-OCT. Nine points of LCT were measured, and LCT averages were analyzed.Results: Mean age, number of glaucoma medications, current intraocular pressure (IOP), cup to disc ratio, and visual field indices, were not significantly different between PACG and POAG eyes. The maximum IOP (SD) was higher in PACG than in POAG, at 32.5 (10.46) vs 25.05 (6.42) mmHg (p = 0.001), and LCTs were significantly different among the PACG, POAG and control groups. Mean (SD) LCTs were 226.99 (31.08), 257.17 (19.46), and 290.75 (28.02) μm, respectively (p < 0.001). Lamina cribrosa thickness was correlated with mean deviation of the visual field (p = 0.001; correlation coefficient, rs = 0.347), while it was inversely correlated with maximum IOP (p < 0.001; correlation coefficient, rs = − 0.592). Linear regression analysis revealed that LCT was inversely related to age (p = 0.008), female (p = 0.018), and maximum IOP (p = 0.002). LCT was marginally related to visual field MD (p = 0.053).Conclusion: Glaucomatous eyes had thinner LCT than controls, and maximum IOP was inversely correlated to the LCT. PACG eyes had higher maximum IOP and thinner LCT than POAG ones. In living eye, EDI-OCT emphasizes the pressure-dependent mechanism of glaucoma on lamina cribrosa deformation and the higher IOP-loaded stress which leads to a greater lamina cribrosa strain.Keywords: lamina cribrosa thickness, primary angle-closure glaucoma, optical coherence tomography, Asian, intraocular pressure

Abstract A large language model (LLM) is an artificial intelligence (AI) model that uses natural language processing (NLP) to understand, interpret, and generate human-like language responses from unstructured text input. Its real-time response capabilities and eloquent dialogue enhance the interactive user experience in human–AI communication like never before. By gathering several sources on the internet, LLM chatbots can interact and respond to a wide range of queries, including problem solving, text summarization, and creating informative notes. Since ophthalmology is one of the medical fields integrating image analysis, telemedicine, AI, and other technologies, LLMs are likely to play an important role in eye care in the near future. This review summarizes the performance and potential applicability of LLMs in ophthalmology according to currently available publications.

The medical condition referred to as “central retinal artery occlusion” (CRAO) was first documented by Albrecht von Graefe in 1859. Subsequently, CRAO has consistently been identified as a serious medical condition that leads to substantial visual impairment. Furthermore, it is correlated with vascular complications that have the potential to affect crucial organs such as the brain and heart. A considerable amount of research has been extensively published on the various aspects of this topic, which is marked by notable debates and misconceptions, especially regarding its management and outcomes. The primary aim of this review article is to analyze the latest developments in the understanding of CRAO, which includes its causes, techniques for retinal imaging, systemic evaluation, and therapeutic strategies, such as vitrectomy. This review article offers readers a comprehensive learning experience to gain knowledge on the fundamental principles and recent advancements in CRAO.

Patchima Chantaren1, Paisan Ruamviboonsuk1, Mathurose Ponglikitmongkol2, Montip Tiensuwan3, Somying Promso41Department of Ophthalmology, Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok, 2Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 3Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 4Virology and Molecular Microbiology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, ThailandPurpose: To investigate the association in a Thai population between the major age-related macular degeneration (AMD) susceptibility loci, Y402H and I62V in the complement factor H (CFH) and A69S in the age-related maculopathy susceptibility 2 (ARMS2) genes, and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).Methods: A case-control study included 97 PCV cases and 102 age- and gender-matched controls without any retinopathy. The genotypic profiles of the three polymorphisms were obtained using a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. The allelic and genotypic association between the polymorphisms and PCV were compared with those from the compiled data of other Asian populations reported previously.Results: Strong associations between the Y402H, I62V, and A69S polymorphisms and PCV were observed in the present study (P = 0.002, 0.003, and 0.0008 respectively) and in the compiled data (P < 0.0001 for all three polymorphisms). The risk allele frequencies of the polymorphisms in PCVs and in controls from the present study (15.0% and 5.4% for Y402H, 71.7% and 57.4% for I62V, and 54.1% and 37.3% for A69S respectively) were also comparable with the frequencies from the compiled data (10.3% and 6.4% for Y402H, 75.2% and 58.3% for I62V, and 56.8% and 36.8% for A69S respectively). The genotype distribution for each polymorphism was also comparable in both datasets.Conclusion: The findings of this study support a significant genetic association between the major AMD susceptibility genes and PCV across Asian populations. This suggests that AMD and PCV, despite different phenotypic manifestation, may share common genetic risk factors.Keywords: genetic, association, PCV, age-related macular degeneration, CFH gene, ARMS2 gene

Abstract Introduction The EVEREST II study previously reported that intravitreally administered ranibizumab (IVR) combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT) achieved superior visual gain and polypoidal lesion closure compared to IVR alone in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). This follow-up study reports the long-term outcomes 6 years after initiation of the EVEREST II study. Methods This is a non-interventional cohort study of 90 patients with PCV from 16 international trial sites who originally completed the EVEREST II study. The long-term outcomes were assessed during a recall visit at about 6 years from commencement of EVEREST II. Results The monotherapy and combination groups contained 41 and 49 participants, respectively. The change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline to year 6 was not different between the monotherapy and combination groups; − 7.4 ± 23.0 versus − 6.1 ± 22.4 letters, respectively. The combination group had greater central subfield thickness (CST) reduction compared to the monotherapy group at year 6 (− 179.9 vs − 74.2 µm, p = 0.011). Fewer eyes had subretinal fluid (SRF)/intraretinal fluid (IRF) in the combination versus monotherapy group at year 6 (35.4% vs 57.5%, p = 0.032). Factors associated with BCVA at year 6 include BCVA (year 2), CST (year 2), presence of SRF/IRF at year 2, and number of anti-VEGF treatments (years 2–6). Factors associated with presence of SRF/IRF at year 6 include combination arm (OR 0.45, p = 0.033), BCVA (year 2) (OR 1.53, p = 0.046), and presence of SRF/IRF (year 2) (OR 2.59, p = 0.042). Conclusion At 6 years following the EVEREST II study, one-third of participants still maintained good vision. As most participants continued to require treatment after exiting the initial trial, ongoing monitoring and re-treatment regardless of polypoidal lesion status are necessary in PCV. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT01846273.

Center-involved diabetic macular edema (ci-DME) is a major cause of vision loss. Although the gold standard for diagnosis involves 3D imaging, 2D imaging by fundus photography is usually used in screening settings, resulting in high false-positive and false-negative calls. To address this, we train a deep learning model to predict ci-DME from fundus photographs, with an ROC-AUC of 0.89 (95% CI: 0.87-0.91), corresponding to 85% sensitivity at 80% specificity. In comparison, retinal specialists have similar sensitivities (82-85%), but only half the specificity (45-50%, p

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) continues to be a challenge both to clinicians and patients. The systemic variables involved, local mediators implicated, and the coexistence of other ocular conditions such as cataract requires careful planning and delivery of treatment. With the advent of antivascular endothelial growth factor agents, there has been a paradigm shift in the management of DR. Nevertheless, other treatment options such as retinal laser therapy, intravitreal steroids, and vitreoretinal surgery are equally important in selected clinical scenarios. We have a stellar panel of experts who are world-renowned experts in the field of DR. For the benefit of our readers, they distill the essence of evidence-based medicine and share their expertise with particular focus on real-world scenarios in DR.

AIM:To determine healthcare resource utilization and the economic burden associated with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in ThailandMETHODS:This study included patients diagnosed with wet AMD that were 60 years old or older, and had best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measured at least two times during the follow-up period. We excluded patients having other eye diseases. Two separate sub-studies were conducted. The first sub-study was a retrospective cohort study; electronic medical charts were reviewed to estimate the direct medical costs. The second sub-study was a cross-sectional survey estimating the direct non-medical costs based on face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. For the first sub-study, direct medical costs, including the cost of drugs, laboratory, procedures, and other treatments were obtained. For the second sub-study, direct non-medical costs, e.g. transportation, food, accessories, home renovation, and caregiver costs, were obtained from face-to-face interviews with patients and/or caregivers.RESULTS: For the first sub-study, sixty-four medical records were reviewed. The annual average number of medical visits was 11.1±6.0. The average direct medical costs were $3 604±4 530 per year. No statistically-significant differences of the average direct medical costs among the BCVA groups were detected (P=0.98). Drug costs accounted for 77% of total direct medical costs. For direct non-medical costs, 67 patients were included. Forty-eight patients (71.6%) required the accompaniment of a person during the out-patient visit. Seventeen patients (25.4%) required a caregiver at home. The average direct non-medical cost was $2 927±6 560 per year. There were no statistically-significant differences in the average costs among the BCVA groups (P=0.74). Care-giver cost accounted for 87% of direct non-medical costs.CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that wet AMD is associated with a substantial economic burden, especially concerning drug and care-giver costs.