Purpose: To characterize an asymptomatic carrier of ocular albinism without a known family history of visual impairment. Methods: Chart review of the patient’s medical records. Results: Genetic testing revealed a deletion of exon 3 in her GPR143 gene (LCA5 c.1273 deletion). Conclusions: The patient showed characteristics of heterozygous carrier status for GPR143 alterations, including linear pigmentary changes in the fundus. This case is notable for the absence of a known family history of visual impairment and may represent a sporadic GPR143 deletion. Further studies are needed to examine genetic variants and deletions with ocular albinism type 1.

Purpose: To report five cases of structural weakness at the haptic-optic junction of the CT Lucia 602 intraocular lens (IOL) (Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc., Dublin, CA), including two optic breakages and three optic microfractures, while using the Yamane flanged intrascleral haptic fixation surgery (FIHFS). Methods: A retrospective chart review of five cases that underwent Yamane FIHFS by the same surgeon between 2020 and 2022 was performed. Patients’ demographics, operative technique, postoperative outcomes, and adverse events were recorded over a 12-month followup period. Results: One case of optic breakage, noted on postoperative week 1 (POW1), had the optic with the trailing haptic suspended in the vitreous while both haptic flanges remained secured to the sclera, requiring IOL exchange. The second case of optic breakage was noted intraoperatively and required explantation of the IOL with subsequent placement of an iris-fixated IOL. Three cases of optic microfractures were observed with no long-term complications. All five fractures occurred at the junction of the leading haptic. Conclusion: Optic breakage and microfractures at the haptic-optic junction are unusual complications of intrascleral fixated IOL using the Yamane technique. To the best of our knowledge, this has not been previously reported with the CT Lucia 602 IOL. The authors recommend careful selection of the IOL material for this technique to prevent possible complications.

Purpose: To report the second documented case of spontaneous sickle cell retinopathy due to hemoglobin SE disease, and the third in association with this condition overall. Case Report: An asymptomatic 19-year-old African American woman with hemoglobin SE disease and no other significant past medical history presented for a routine eye exam. Fundoscopy revealed two sunburst lesions in the temporal periphery of her right eye and one such lesion in the temporal periphery of her left eye. No definitive signs of neovascularization were detected on fluorescein angiography, although multiple areas of abnormal vasculature and distal nonperfusion were observed. Conclusion: Spontaneous peripheral retinopathy can develop at an early age in hemoglobin SE disease. Given the risk for complications, pediatric screening with regular fundoscopic examination may benefit such patients.

Purpose: This study evaluates the association between supervising attending surgeons’ post-residency experience and complication rates during resident-performed phacoemulsification (cataract extraction) surgeries, and to determine whether this relationship changes as the academic year progresses. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 1263 cataract surgeries performed by eight PGY-4 residents under 14 board-certified attendings was conducted at a New York City residency program over two years. Attendings were divided into four groups based on years of post-residency experience. Primary complications included posterior capsule (PC) tears, anterior vitrectomy (AV), capsulorrhexis extensions (CE), and inability to place a one-piece intraocular lens (IOL). Chi-square analyses compared complication rates between attending groups overall, and between the first and second halves of the academic year. Results: A total of 167 primary complications (13.2%) were identified. Attendings with the fewest years of experience (Group 1) supervised significantly more cases with PC tears (χ² = 8.173, p = 0.004), AV usage (χ² = 7.748, p = 0.005), and inability to place a one-piece IOL (χ² = 4.753, p = 0.029), particularly during the first half of the academic year. Notably, supervising attending experience was not correlated with resident complications in the second half of the academic year. Conclusions: Early in the academic year, less experienced attendings supervised cases with higher complication rates, underscoring the critical role of strategic case assignment and targeted mentorship during early surgical training. These findings suggest that aligning resident progression with appropriate supervision can enhance outcomes and support skill development, optimizing both education and patient safety.