Evaluation of the effectiveness of diagnostic & management decision by teleophthalmology using indigenous equipment in comparison with in-clinic assessment of patients.

Background & objectives: There is a concern on the quality and the usefulness of teleophthalmology images, particularly those using indigenous equipment, in making a diagnosis and treatment decisions in ophthalmology. The present study was done to compare the level of agreement and sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis and management decisions of various eye diseases by teleophthalmology using indigenous equipment, compared to the in-clinic assessment. Methods: Patients having different eye diseases were evaluated by two ophthalmologists – one ophthalmologist examined the patient in clinic setting while the other ophthalmologist made the diagnosis and management decision based on images sent by teleophthalmology. The images were taken by the ophthalmic technician using digital imaging system and fundus camera. The clinical findings and management decisions by the two ophthalmologists were masked to each others. Results: In diagnosis of anterior segment eye diseases such as cataract and corneal diseases there was good to very good agreement (kappa values of 0.68 and 0.91 for cataract and corneal diseases respectively) between in-clinic assessment and assessment by teleophthalmology. There was moderate agreement (kappa values of 0.52 and 0.48 for glaucoma and retinal diseases respectively) between in-clinic assessment and assessment by teleophthalmology for the diagnosis of glaucoma and retinal diseases. For the management decisions of patients, there was moderate level of agreement in all groups of eye diseases. Interpretation & conclusions: Teleophthalmology, using indigenous equipment was found to be effective in diagnosis and management decision of anterior segment eye diseases such as cataract and cornea, and with some modification and continuous training to the technicians could become an effective tool for screening and referral of glaucoma and retinal diseases.

Revision of dysfunctional filtering bleb by conjunctival advancement with bleb preservation: a simple choice for massive choroidals with hypotony following trabeculectomy

A 65-year-old diabetic and hypertensive male presented with a sudden diminution of vision after sustaining a trivial fingernail injury to his only good-seeing [right] eye. The patient underwent phacotrabeculectomy with posterior chamber intraocular lens [PCIOL] implantation 22 years previously. In his right eye visual acuity at presentation was counting fingers at 1.5 m with an accurate projection of light. Intraocular pressure [IOP] was 4 mmHg. The anterior chamber was uniformly shallow with a peripheral iridocorneal touch. Angle details could not be visualized. The bleb was avascular, thin and cystic with a positive forced Seidel test. Fundus examination showed 360degree choroidal detachments. B-scan ultrasound revealed massive choroidals. Revision of dysfunctional filtering bleb by conjunctival advancement with bleb preservation and anterior chamber reformation with healon was performed. Postoperatively, the first day visual acuity improved to 6/36, the anterior chamber was deep, bleb was well covered with conjunctiva, the IOP was 10 mmHg and fundus examination revealed resolving choroidals. At the final follow up at 4 months, the patient did not require medication and visual acuity was 6/12, the bleb was functioning well with an IOP of 14 mmHg. Examination of the fundus revealed a cup-to-disc ratio of 0.5 with moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy changes. The patient has been advised to maintain a strict glycemic control and return for routine follow up after 3 months.

Anterior plagiocephaly with contralateral superior oblique overaction.

Anterior plagiocephaly is a craniofacial anomaly related to premature unilateral synostosis. We present three cases of anterior plagiocephaly with contralateral superior oblique dysfunction. A detailed ophthalmic examination, including orthoptic assessment for the extraocular muscle misalignment, with appropriate radio-imaging was done in all the three cases. All of them showed a right-sided plagiocephaly, with overaction of the left superior oblique muscle, alternating exotropia and a dissociated vertical deviation. Two underwent surgical correction of squint. Both were well aligned after squint surgery. Plagiocephaly has been reported to simulate superior oblique muscle paresis. We report a rare occurrence of contralateral superior oblique muscle overaction in three children with anterior plagiocephaly.