ABSTRACT
Purpose: To study the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED), further categorize using DEWS II protocol, grade squamous metaplasia in each group, and determine associated risk factors in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This cross?sectional hospital?based study screened 897 patients ?30 years via systematic random sampling. Patients with both symptoms and signs as defined by the Dry Eye Workshop II protocol were considered as DED, further categorized, and subjected to impression cytology. Categorical data were assessed using the Chi?square test. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In total, 265 (of 897) patients were defined as DED based on the presence of symptoms (DEQ?5 ?6) and at least one positive sign (fluorescein breakup time [FBUT] <10 s or OSS ?4). DED prevalence was thus 29.5% with aqueous deficient dry eye (ADDE), evaporative dry eye (EDE), and mixed type seen in 92 (34.71%), 105 (39.62%), and 68 (25.7%) patients, respectively. The risk of developing dry eye was higher in the age above 60 years (33.74%) and in the third decade. Females, urban dwellers, diabetics, smokers, history of previous cataract surgery, and usage of visual display terminal devices were found to be significantly associated with risk factors of DED. Squamous metaplasia and goblet cell loss were more severe in mixed compared to EDE and ADDE. Conclusion: Hospital?based prevalence of DED is 29.5% with a preponderance of EDE (EDE 39.62%, ADDE 34.71%, and mixed 25.71%). A higher grade of squamous metaplasia was seen in the mixed type compared to other sub?types.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To assess Photo Activated Chromophore for Infective Keratitis?Cross Linking (PACK?CXL) and its efficacy as a treatment modality in managing microbial keratitis. Methods: Single Centre prospective interventional study in infectious keratitis. A total of eleven patients were taken who had corneal thickness (CT) more than 400?m. PACK?CXL was performed according to Dresden’s protocol. The response was assessed by slit lamp examination, BCVA and AS?OCT at the time of complete healing. Results: The mean visual acuity at presentation was 1.207logMAR (0.3?3) which improved to mean value of 0.53logMAR (0.3?1). Mean time taken for complete epithelization was 17.45 days (14? 30 days) and that for complete healing was 33.72 days (21? 60 days). Mean CT at the baseline was 650.5± 108?m which reduced on consecutive follow up visits. There was reduction in the symptoms in nine patients except in two. One case reported increase in symptoms with worsening increase in endoexudates and hypopyon, and the other developed drug toxicity due to topical medications. Conclusion: Patients who underwent PACK?CXL showed good and early healing, good remodelling of cornea and improved visual acuity. The recalcitrant cases became responders to the same medications after PACK?CXL. Thus, PACK?CXL works well for both fungal and bacterial keratitis