Purpose To assess the value of microperimetry in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration previously treated with ranibizumab and now in the maintenance phase of therapy. Methods A total of 21 eyes (14 patients) were included. Microperimetry was performed using the Macular Integrity Assessment Device on at least three occasions for each eye. Intravitreal ranibizumab was administered if visual acuity (VA) or optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed signs of active disease. Results Five eyes showed no change in VA or OCT findings, and required no intravitreal injections. In these eyes, mean threshold sensitivity (TS) decreased by 13% (paired t-test, P ¼ 0.05) during the study period, but fixation stability (FS) was unchanged. In all, 16 eyes showed signs of disease activity, and therefore required ranibizumab injections during the study. In these eyes, VA, central retinal thickness (CRT), FS, and TS remained unchanged during follow-up. Peak TS was noted when CRT was 210 lm; above or below 210 lm, there was a gradual reduction in TS. Conclusion This study has provided novel information on the relationship between macular sensitivity, CRT, and VA in the maintenance phase of ranibizumab therapy. Patients with stable VA and CRT may still have deteriorating retinal sensitivity. This is usually a late manifestation and may indicate subclinical CNV activity.

Background/aims Maintaining emergency eye services is crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article describes the introduction of a new restructured referral pathway to reduce the burden on healthcare providers and create a safe environment. Methods During January and February 2020 (group 1), all appointments were face-to-face with a walk-in eye casualty. The first audit cycle comprised all patients in group 1. The primary audit criteria were discharge rates, referral to subspeciality and reattendance. In April 2020, a remodelled system was implemented in which walk-in attendance ceased and was replaced with telephone triage coupled with digital imaging via NHS email for remote clinical review. Patients requiring further assessment following this triage were invited in for face-to-face appointments. A reaudit was conducted during April–July 2020 (group 2) following implementation of these COVID-19 protocol changes. Results In group 1, 2868 appointments (100.0%) were face-to-face and in group 2 4870 (100.0%) appointments were telephone consults that resulted in 2639 (54.2%) face-to-face appointments. The rate of discharge in the first cycle and second cycle were 55.3% and 76.9% respectively (P<0.0001). Furthermore 2298 (47.2%) patients were able to be discharged following telephone consultation in group 2. Conclusions Using this telephone and digital imaging review triage system, the authors have demonstrated a significant reduction in the need for face-to-face reviews. The reduction in avoidable patient face-to-face reviews allows the system to move from saturated to sustainable while increasing accessibility to services for patients who may not be able to present for face-to-face review. This complete audit cycle successfully charts interventions that maximise accessibility, reduce unnecessary hospital visits and deliver safe and prompt management during the pandemic.

IntroductionDefecation pain is a common problem with many etiologies implicated. Elucidating a cause requires a thorough medical history, examination and appropriate investigations, which may include endoscopy, barium enema, examination under anesthesia and magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography. Coccydynia is a term used to describe pain in the region of the coccyx, often due to abnormal mobility of the coccyx. Non-surgical management options remain the gold-standard for coccydynia with surgery being reserved for complicated cases.Case presentationThis is a case of a 67-year-old Caucasian man who presented with a two-and-a-half-year history of worsening rectal pain.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, we describe the first case in the literature of an abnormally mobile anteverted coccyx causing predominantly defecation pain and coccydynia, successfully treated by coccygectomy. When first-line investigations fail to elucidate a cause of defecation pain one must, in the presence of unusual symptoms, consider musculoskeletal pathologies emanating from the coccyx and an orthopedic consultation must then be sought for diagnostic purposes.

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