PurposeChoroidal thickness increases linearly with intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering. We studied the relationship between the change in size of the choroidal vasculature and IOP lowering after glaucoma procedures.MethodsThirty eyes of twenty-nine patients were examined pre- and postoperatively for up to 6 months with standard clinical assessment, enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT), and axial length measurement. Each enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain OCT image was analyzed using three separate methods to determine the choroidal thickness, choroidal vessel thickness, choroidal interstitial thickness, large choroidal vessel layer thickness, medium choroidal vessel layer thickness, and light-dark ratio. Bivariate linear regression analysis was completed with largest change in IOP as the independent variable. The dependent variables included choroidal thickness, choroidal vessel thickness, and choroidal interstitial thickness, at the largest change in IOP. Multivariable regression analysis using a generalized estimating equation to account for multiple measurements per eye was also completed.ResultsMean choroidal vessel thickness increases 1.5 μm for every 1 mm Hg decrease in IOP (P < 0.0001; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.8, 2.1) and choroidal interstitial thickness increases 1.3 μm for every 1 mm Hg change in IOP (P < 0.0001; 95% CI, 0.8, 1.8). There was no significant association between change in IOP and change in large choroidal vessel layer temporally (P = 0.13), nasally (P = 0.20), or subfoveally (P = 0.18). There was also no association between IOP and the light-dark ratio (P = 0.16).ConclusionsThe increase in choroidal thickness at lower IOP is associated with approximately equal increases in its intravascular and extravascular compartments.

Background Child maltreatment (CM) is a major public health problem, affecting many lives, in the short and long term, and costing individuals, families, and society dearly. There is a need for broad implementation of evidence-based preventive interventions, such as the Safe Environment for Every Kid (SEEK) model, developed for pediatric primary care. Primary care offers an excellent opportunity to help address prevalent psychosocial problems (e.g., parental depression) that are risk factors for CM. By addressing such problems, SEEK can strengthen families and support parents; promote children’s health, development, and safety; help prevent CM; and benefit the health of the US population. This study will examine intervention strategies for optimizing SEEK’s adoption, implementation, and sustainment, and its effectiveness in preventing CM. Despite strong evidence from two federally funded randomized controlled trials, SEEK has not been widely adopted. The goal of this study is to examine technology-driven implementation strategies to scale-up SEEK—in pediatric and family medicine primary care settings. The aims are to (1) evaluate the effectiveness of training strategies on SEEK’s implementation in primary care practices, (2) evaluate barriers and facilitators to successful implementation and sustainment of SEEK, and (3) examine the model’s effectiveness in preventing CM and the economic costs of implementing SEEK. Methods This randomized type III hybrid mixed methods design will examine how advances in medical training can bolster SEEK’s adoption and implementation in pediatric and family medicine practices in different regions of the USA. These are independent online training and in-depth structured training via a quality improvement project, approved by the American Boards of Pediatrics and of Family Medicine. We will also evaluate SEEKonline, software that assists primary care practitioners implement the model, and a “Traditional” paper and pencil strategy for their impact on implementation. The study uses the EPIS framework and the Universal Stages of Implementation Completion, quantitative measures, qualitative interviews, and data abstracted from electronic health records. Discussion The knowledge gained should improve pediatric primary care to better address prevalent social determinants of health, benefiting many children and families. The outcomes should enhance the field of implementation science and guide future interventions in primary care. Trial registration NCT03642327, Clinical Trials, registered August 21, 2018.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to characterize the relationship between retinal ganglion cell layer (GCL) soma density and capillary density in glaucomatous eyes. Methods Six glaucoma subjects with known hemifield defects and 6 age-matched controls were imaged with adaptive optics – optical coherence tomography (AO-OCT) at 6 locations: 3 degrees, 6 degrees, and 12 degrees temporal to the fovea above and below the midline. GCL soma density and capillary density were measured at each location. Coefficients of determination (pseudo R 2 ) and slopes between GCL soma and capillary density were determined from mixed-effects regressions and were compared between glaucoma and control subjects, between more and less affected hemifield in subjects with glaucoma, and between subjects with early and moderate glaucoma, both in a local, bivariate model and then a global, multivariable model controlling for eccentricity and soma size. Results The global correlation between GCL soma and capillary density was stronger in control versus subjects with glaucoma (R 2 = 0.59 vs. 0.22), less versus more affected hemifields (R 2 = 0.55 vs. 0.01), and subjects with early versus moderate glaucoma subjects (R 2 = 0.44 vs. 0.18). When controlling for eccentricity and soma size, we noted an inverse soma-capillary density local relationship in subjects with glaucoma (−388 ± 190 cells/mm 2 per 1% change in capillary density, P = 0.046) and more affected hemifields (−602 ± 257 cells/mm 2 per 1% change in capillary density, P = 0.03). Conclusions An inverted soma-capillary density local relationship in areas affected by glaucoma potentially explains weaker global correlations observed between GCL soma and capillary density, suggesting cell–vessel mismatch is associated with the disease.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare autoregulation of retinal arteriolar and venular blood flow in patients with glaucoma, glaucoma suspect participants, and control participants using erythrocyte mediated velocimetry. Methods This prospective cohort pilot study included 7 eyes of 5 participants with glaucoma, 15 eyes of 8 glaucoma suspect participants, and 11 eyes of 6 control participants. Mean erythrocyte velocity in retinal arterioles and venules was measured using erythrocyte mediated velocimetry at room air and after oxygen supplementation. Change in erythrocyte velocity was compared among all groups using generalized estimating equations. Results In total, 64 vessels (18 with glaucoma, 31 that were glaucoma suspect, and 15 controls) of 33 eyes of 19 participants were analyzed. There was no significant difference in baseline velocities in arterioles or venules among the three groups. With induction of hyperoxia, mean arterial erythrocyte velocity decreased in glaucoma (−7.2 ± 13.7%), which differed from controls and glaucoma suspects where erythrocyte velocity increased with hyperoxia by 4.6 ± 13.3% ( P = 0.002) and 7.2 ± 21.7% ( P = 0.03), respectively. A higher baseline arteriolar velocity (β = −3.9% per mm/s, P = 0.002), glaucoma diagnosis (β = −21.1%, P = 0.03), and White race (β = −20.0%, P = 0.01) were associated with decreased velocity in response to arterial hyperoxia. Conclusions Hyperoxia increased erythrocyte velocity in control and glaucoma suspect participants, but decreased erythrocyte velocity in glaucoma participants, possibly due to impaired autoregulation. Baseline velocity, glaucoma diagnosis, and White race were associated with a decrease in velocity with induction of hyperoxia. Translational Relevance The European Medicines Agency (EMA) permits precision measurements of blood flow which may aid in the development of biomarkers of glaucoma-related dysregulation of blood flow.

Background: To investigate the repeatability in vessel caliber measurements by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods: In this prospective study, 28 patients (47 eyes) underwent sequential OCTA imaging of the optic nerve head and macula. Two independent masked graders measured vessel caliber for sequential images of the optic nerve head and macula. The average vessel width was determined and variability between graders and images. Results: A total of 8400 measurements of 420 vessels from 84 OCTA images were included in the analysis. Overall, inter-grader agreement was excellent (ICC 0.90). The coefficient of variation (CoV) for all repeated OCTA images was 0.10. Greater glaucoma severity, older age, macular location, and diagnosis of diabetes were associated with thinner vessels (p < 0.05). CoV was higher in the peripapillary region (0.07) as compared to the macula (0.15). ICC was high for all subgroups except for the macula (ICC = 0.72). Conclusions: Overall, the repeatability of vessel caliber measurements by OCTA was high and variability low. There was greater variability in the measurement of macular vessels, possibly due to technical limitations in acquiring accurate vessel widths for smaller macular vessels.