(EVICT) Study: Outcomes, Laboratory Analysis, and Vision Quality of Life (VRQoL) in Ebola Survivors
Purpose
Report long-term visual acuity outcomes in Ebola (EVD)survivors undergoing cataract surgery, describe the lens analysis, and evaluate VRQoL in this unique cohort.
Methods
Fifty EVD survivors were prospectively enrolled into the EVICT Study. Thirty-four underwent cataract surgery. Histopathology and in situ hybridization (ISH) using RNAscope® was performed to detect Ebolavirus (EBOV) in 8 uveitic cataracts. The NEI VFQ was administered pre and post cataract surgery. NEI-VFQ-25 scores and logMAR visual acuity (VA) were analyzed using paired and unpaired t-tests and linear regression to detect the changes from pre- to post-surgery and associations between NEI-VFQ-25 and final logMAR VA.
Results
There was a significant improvement in logMAR VA from 3 at baseline to 0.56 at 2 years (p< 0.05). The average pre and post-surgery NEI-VFQ-25 were 54 and 57 respectively, with no significant change in the composite score (p > 0.85). There was no association between the change in VFQ-25 composite score and the change in VA (p = 0.54). Posterior capsule opacity was very common with 65% of patients requiring YAG capsulotomy. Histopathology showed mineralization and thickening of lens capsules and vacuolation, clefts, and Morgagnian globules with lens fibers. All lens tissues were EBOV ISH negative.
Conclusion
Good visual acuity was maintained in EVD survivors and no evidence of EBOV was observed in lens material. While no clear association between VA and VRQoL was observed, differences in quality-of-life metrics and activities in resource-limited settings may limit analyses.
Conflict of interest
No
Author 1
Last name
SHANTHA
Initials of first name(s)
J
Department
Emory
City
Atlanta
Country
United States
Author 2
Last name
Taraborelli
Initials of first name(s)
D
City
Atlanta
Country
United States
Author 3
Last name
Sugar
Initials of first name(s)
E
City
Baltimore
Country
United States
Author 4
Last name
Yeh
Initials of first name(s)
S
City
Atlanta
Country
United States
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