Comparative evaluation of intraoperative aberrometry and Barrett’s toric calculator in toric intraocular lens implantation

Purpose: Barrett toric calculator (BTC) is known for its accuracy in toric IOL (tIOL) calculation over standard calculators; however, there is no study in literature to compare it with real?time intraoperative aberrometry (IA). The aim was to compare the accuracy of BTC and IA in predicting refractive outcomes in tIOL implantation. Methods: This was an institution?based prospective, observational study. Patients undergoing routine phacoemulsification with tIOL implantation were enrolled. Biometry was obtained from Lenstar?LS 900 and IOL power calculated using online BTC; however, IOL was implanted as per IA (Optiwave Refractive Analysis, ORA, Alcon) recommendation. Postoperative refractive astigmatism (RA) and spherical equivalent (SE) were recorded at one month, and respective prediction errors (PEs) were calculated using predicted refractive outcomes for both methods. The primary outcome measure was a comparison between mean PE with IA and BTC, and secondary outcome measures were uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCDVA), postoperative RA, and SE at one month. SPSS Version?21 was used; P < 0.05 considered significant. Results: Thirty eyes of 29 patients were included. Mean arithmetic and mean absolute PEs for RA were comparable between BTC (?0.70 ± 0.35D; 0.70 ± 0.34D) and IA (0.77 ± 0.32D; 0.80 ± 0.39D) (P = 0.09 and 0.09, respectively). Mean arithmetic PE for residual SE was significantly lower for BTC (?0.14 ± 0.32D) than IA (0.001 ± 0.33D) (?0.14 ± 0.32D; P = 0.002); however, there was no difference between respective mean absolute PEs (0.27 ± 0.21 D; 0.27 ± 0.18; P = 0.80). At one?month, mean UCDVA, RA, and SE were 0.09 ± 0.10D, ?0.57 ± 0.26D, and ?0.18 ± 0.27D, respectively. Conclusion: Both IA and BTC give reliable and comparable refractive results for tIOL implantation.

Ocular conjunctival microbiome profiling in dry eye disease: A case control pilot study

Purpose: Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) or dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease that results in discomfort, visual disturbance, and tear film instability with potential damage to the ocular surface. A pilot study was undertaken to determine if there were any major substantial differences in the ocular microbiome in DED patients versus healthy controls. Methods: The bacterial communities residing in the conjunctiva of patients with DED (n = 4) and healthy controls (n = 4) were assessed by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing of the V4–V5 region. Results: The phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes were most dominant and accounted for 97% and 94.5% of all bacterial sequences in patients and controls, respectively. At the genus level, 27 bacterial genera were found with more than two?fold difference between patients and controls. Four of these – Acinetobacter, Corynebacterium, Lactobacillus, and Pseudomonas spp. – dominated the ocular microbiome of all subjects, but were proportionately lower in DED (16.5%) compared to controls (37.7%). Several bacterial genera were found to be unique in DED (34) and controls (24). Conclusion: This pilot study is an attempt to profile the ocular microbiome in patients with DED that demonstrated a higher concentration of microbial DNA compared to controls, with Firmicutes phyla dominating the bacterial population in patients with DED.

Evaluation of liposomal amphotericin B for the treatment of fungal keratitis in a tertiary eye care hospital

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of liposomal amphotericin B (L?AMB) for the treatment of fungal keratitis. Methods: Patients with fungal keratitis confirmed by potassium hydroxide (KOH) smear and/ or confocal microscopy were administered topical L?AMB and randomized into three groups treated with three different formulations. The medication was administered two hourly till clinical improvement was achieved, followed by six hourly till complete resolution. The outcome measures were time to clinical improvement, resolution of epithelial defect, stromal infiltrate, hypopyon, extent and density of corneal opacity, neovascularization, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 3 months. Results: Mean age of the patients was 46.6 ± 14.8 years, and trauma with vegetative matter was the most common predisposing factor. Aspergillus flavus (36%) was the most common fungus cultured, followed by Fusarium (23%). Mean time to clinical improvement, time to resolution of epithelial defect, mean time to resolution of infiltrate, and time to resolution of hypopyon were 3.45 ± 1.38, 25.35 ± 8.46, 37.97 ± 9.94, and 13.33 ± 4.90 days, respectively, and they were comparable among the three groups. There was a significant difference between treatment failure and success cases in terms of days of presentation (P < 0.01), size of the epithelial defect (P?value 0.04), and infiltrate size at presentation (P?value 0.04). At 3 months follow?up, no statistically significant difference was noted in BCVA and mean scar size among groups. Conclusion: L?AMB in a gel form is an effective antifungal agent that promotes the healing of fungal ulcers with notably least vascularization and better tolerance.

Evaluation of antifungal susceptibility and clinical characteristics in fungal keratitis in a tertiary care center in North India

Purpose: To study the antifungal susceptibility of common corneal pathogenic fungi to antifungal agents in the North Indian population. Methods: Prospective study of the antifungal sensitivity testing (natamycin, amphotericin B, voriconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, posaconazole, caspofungin, micafungin) of fungal isolates from 50 cases of culture positive fungal keratitis by using E test method. Details noted included demographic data, visual acuity, clinical details, grade of keratitis, healing time, and success in medical management. Results: Of 50 patients with fungal keratitis (mean age: 40.28 ± 16.77 years), 12 eyes healed within 3 weeks, 14 had a delayed healing response, and 24 had chronic keratitis. Among the 15 cases of Fusarium isolates, 93.3% were sensitive to natamycin, while 40% to amphotericin B; 66.6% to voriconazole, 13.4% to itraconazole and fluconazole each. 80% of Fusarium cases (n = 12) showed susceptibility to posaconazole. Among Aspergillus flavus isolates, 53.4% (n = 8) were sensitive to natamycin, with only 40% (n = 7) showing sensitivity to amphotericin B and good susceptibility to azoles. MIC against susceptible Fusarium spp. for natamycin was 3–16 ?g/mL, amphotericin B: 1–8 ?g/mL, voriconazole: 0.5–1.5 ?g/ mL, itraconazole: 0.5–12 ?g/mL, posaconazole: 0.094–1.5 ?g/mL. MIC against Aspergillus flavus was natamycin: 8–32 ?g/mL, amphotericin B: 0.5–16 ?g/mL, voriconazole: 0.025–4 ?g/mL, itraconazole: 0.125–8 ?g/mL, posaconazole: 0.047–0.25 ?g/mL; against Aspergillus niger isolates, to natamycin was 6 ?g/mL (n=1), amphotericin B 8–12 ?g/mL (n = 3), voriconazole: 0.125–0.19 ?g/mL (n = 3), itraconazole: 0.38–0.75 ?g/mL, posaconazole: 0.064–0.19 ?g/mL and against Aspergillus fumigatus (n = 1), was natamycin4 ?g/ mL, amphotericin B ? 8 ?g/mL, voriconazole 0.25 ?g/mL, itraconazole 1 ?g/mL, and posaconazole 0.19 ?g/mL. MIC against susceptible Acremonium spp. for natamycin was 1.5–16 ?g/mL, amphotericin B: 0.5–8 ?g/mL, voriconazole: 0.19–3 ?g/mL, itraconazole: 0.125 ?g/mL, posaconazole: 0.125–0.5 ?g/mL and against susceptible Curvularia was natamycin 0.75–4 ?g/mL, amphotericin B 0.5–1 ?g/mL, voriconazole 0.125–0.19 ?g/mL, itraconazole 0.047–0.094 ?g/mL, posaconazole 0.047–0.094 ?g/mL. MIC against Mucor spp.+ Rhizopus spp. (n = 1) was natamycin: 8 ?g/mL, amphotericin B: 0.75 ?g/mL, posaconazole: 1.5 ?g/ mL. MIC against of Alternaria (n = 1) was voriconazole: 0.19 ?g/mL, posaconazole: 0.094 ?g/mL. MIC against Penicillium (n=1) was natamycin: 8 ?g/mL, voriconazole: 0.25 ?g/mL, itraconazole: 0.5 ?g/mL, and Posaconazole: 0.125 ?g/mL. Conclusion: Our observations highlight the variations in susceptibility to antifungal agents. Posaconazole seems to be effective with low MIC against common corneal pathogenic fungal isolates

Current status of trachoma in India: Results from the National Trachoma Prevalence Survey

Purpose: In the mid?twentieth century, trachoma was endemic in the northwestern states of India. We aimed to generate recent estimates of prevalence of trachomatous inflammation, follicular (TF) and trachomatous trichiasis (TT) in ten suspected?endemic districts across seven previously hyper?endemic states and union territories for trachoma in India including Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttarakhand and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Methods: Population?based prevalence surveys were undertaken in 10 districts. In each of those districts, two?stage cluster sampling was used to select a sample of 2000 children aged 1–9 years and all adults aged ?15 years in the enumerated households from a total of 20 clusters per district. Consenting eligible participants were examined for trachoma by trained ophthalmologists using the World Health Organization’s simplified grading system. Data were analyzed at the district level. Results: A total of 13,802 households were surveyed in which 19,662 children were examined for TF and 44,135 adults aged ?15 years were examined for TT. District?level TF prevalence in 1–9?year?olds ranged from 0.1% in Bikaner (95% CI: 0.01–0.3) to 2.1% in Dholpur (95% CI: 1.6–2.8) and that of trichiasis ranged from 0.7 per 1000 in Pauri Garhwal (95% CI: 0.01–1.4) to 22.1 per 1000 (95% CI: 15.8–28.4) in Car Nicobar. In four districts (Car Nicobar, Dholpur, Hoshiarpur, Tonk), trichiasis prevalence in adults aged ?15 years was ?0.2%. Conclusion: TF was not a public health problem in any of the districts surveyed; thus, antibiotic mass drug administration is not needed. However, TT among adults was found to be above 0.2% in four districts; thus, further trichiasis surgery interventions at the public health level are warranted to achieve elimination. These findings will facilitate planning for elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in India.

Effect of Integrated People-Centred Eye Care (IPEC) Model on Eye Care Seeking Behaviour of Community

Background: World report on vision makes integrated people-centered eye care as care model of choice. Integrating eye care with the existing public health system makes services available, accessible, affordable, and sustainable. Being from the community, Accredited Social Health Activists(ASHAs) are better suited to improve people’s eye health-seeking behavior. Objectives: This study aims to assess the eye care-seeking behavior of community and to understand their response toward the approach of integrated vision centers (VC) with ASHA involvement. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in South Delhi district where integrated VC were functional for more than a year. These centers were supervised by medical officer in?charge, under whom ophthalmic assistants, ASHAs, auxiliary nurse midwives, and pharmacist work. ASHAs were trained in community-based primary eye care. The community survey was conducted on eye health-seeking behavior and utilization of VC services. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results: Out of 1571 study participants, 998 reported any ophthalmic illness in family in the past 6 months as against 1302 who reported nonophthalmic illness in family. The majority (1461, 90%) were aware about integrated VC and half of them (748, 51.2%) visited it. Of them, 64.2% were motivated through ASHAs. ASHAs spread awareness about eye diseases, eye treatment facility, and referred patients from the community. The majority (93%) were happy with the integrated VC and 87.8% were happy with ASHAs. Conclusion: Integrated VC with ASHA engagement could pave the way for universal eye health. Understanding people’s needs and engaging community would increase the demand for eye care.

Spectrum of bacterial keratitis in North India: A retrospective analysis of six years at a tertiary care eye center

Purpose: To analyze the pattern of bacterial pathogens causing infective keratitis and their resistance to the recommended antibiotics over six years. Methods: It was a retrospective study of 9,357 cases of bacterial keratitis from January 2015 to December 2020, at a tertiary care ophthalmic center. A total of 9,547 corneal specimens were obtained from the study subjects. Demographic details of the patients, pathogenic bacteria isolated, and their antimicrobial susceptibility were noted and analyzed. Results: Bacterial pathogens were identified in 23.52% of the specimens. The most common isolates were coagulase?negative Staphylococci (60.75%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14.23%), Staphylococcus aureus (13.92%), gram negative bacilli of the family Enterobacterales (8.64%), Streptococcus spp. (1.72%), Acinetobacter spp. (0.13%), and other non?fermenting gram?negative bacilli (0.57%). In Staphylococci, 55–80% of isolates were resistant to erythromycin, and 40–70% to fluoroquinolones, while no resistance was observed against vancomycin. 40–60% of isolates of P. aeruginosa were resistant to cephalosporins, 40–55% to fluoroquinolones, and 30–60% to aminoglycosides. Also, 40–80% of isolates of Enterobacterales were resistant to cephalosporins, and 50–60% to fluoroquinolones. Most gram?negative isolates were susceptible to carbapenems and polymyxin B. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, our study is the largest compilation of microbiological profile of bacterial keratitis from North India. It highlights the current trend of the bacterial pathogens that cause infectious keratitis. Staphylococci and Pseudomonas were found to be the most common pathogens. Increased resistance was seen against some of the commonly prescribed empirical antibiotics. Such evidence is useful for restructuring the empirical prescription practices from time to time.

Tear film lipid layer thickness measurement from Ocular Surface Analyzer as a marker to monitor treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction in a study comparing physiological detergent-free eyelid wipes with conventional therapy: A randomized trial

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of physiological, non?detergent eyelid wipes with conventional lid hygiene in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Methods: Fifty participants with MGD were recruited and randomized into two groups. Participants in group I used Evolve Pure? Eyewipes twice a day to clean the eyelid debris along with standard therapy (antibiotic and lubricants) and participants in group II followed lid hygiene with warm compresses along with standard therapy. Symptoms, ocular surface assessment (lipid layer thickness, tear meniscus height, non?invasive tear film breakup time, and meibography), slit?lamp biomicroscopy (eyelash contamination, meibomian gland blockage, meibomian gland secretion, and meibomian gland telangiectasia) and tear film osmolarity were noted at baseline and 90 days after therapy. Results: Significant improvement in symptoms and signs of MGD was observed in both groups after treatment (P < 0.001); however, the clinical improvement was better with the use of eyelid wipes. Lipid layer thickness increased significantly in group I (P = 0.0006) and group II (P = 0.0002), which was maintained even after adjusting for sociodemographic variables such as age, sex, and severity score of symptoms and signs. Conclusion: Lipid layer thickness of the tear film is a sensitive marker in monitoring response to treatment in patients with MGD. The use of physiological detergent?free eyelid wipes is non?inferior to lid hygiene and warm compresses, which remains the mainstay for treatment of MGD; the clinical improvement with eyelid wipes was noted to be better

Noninvasive ocular surface analyzer as an adjunct in diagnosis and estimating prevalence of meibomian gland dysfunction: Hospital-based comparative study

Purpose: To assess the role of noninvasive ocular surface analyzer (OSA) in workup of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and to estimate hospital?based prevalence of MGD using this objective device. Methods: The study recruited 113 consecutive participants attending the ophthalmology outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital. All participants were administered a symptom questionnaire. Participants underwent a comprehensive ocular examination, including slit?lamp biomicroscopy and meibomian gland expression. Lipid layer thickness (LLT), noninvasive tear breakup time (NIBUT), tear meniscus height (TMH), and meibomian gland loss (MGL) were assessed using OSA. The presence of either or both reduced/absent meibum secretion and cloudy to toothpaste?like secretion was diagnosed as MGD. Results: Prevalence of total MGD was 57.52% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 48.3%–66.8%) and that of symptomatic MGD was 42.5% (95% CI: 33.2%–51.7%). Prevalence of total and symptomatic MGD was highest in those aged ?50 years (P < 0.001 and P = 0.004, respectively). Computer vision syndrome increased the odds of symptomatic MGD (odds ratio [OR]: 4.3). NIBUT and MGL significantly differed in MGD and non?MGD groups (P = 0.023 and P < 0.001, respectively). LLT significantly differed between asymptomatic and symptomatic cases (P = 0.033). MGL >25% increased the odds of having MGD (OR: 19.1). Significant negative correlations were observed between MGL and NIBUT (P = 0.04) and between MGL and LLT (P = 0.02). MGL demonstrated the highest diagnostic accuracy for MGD (AUC = 0.827, sensitivity = 75.4%, specificity = 85.4%, cut?off value: ?26%). Conclusion: MGD is a common disorder in adults attending the ophthalmology outpatient services of a tertiary eye care hospital. Incorporating noninvasive OSA in clinical practice can aid in rapid and reliable measurements of MGD?related parameters

A study to assess the knowledge and skills of Accredited Social Health Activists and its retention after training in community-based primary eye care

Purpose: Community volunteers like Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) could be utilized for linking community and eye care services. Research is needed to effectively utilize them. This study was to assess whether ASHAs could imbibe new knowledge in eye care and conduct vision screening. Methods: Settings and Design: A pre?post?intervention study in South Delhi Integrated Vision Centres. It was conducted from January 2016 to March 2017. One day of conceptual training followed by hands?on training in vision screening was imparted to ASHAs. The knowledge was assessed thrice: before, immediately after, and following 1 year after training. The vision screening skill was assessed twice. Descriptive analysis using percentages, mean and standard deviations. Paired t?test was used for assessing the change in scores. Results: A total of 102 ASHAs were recruited. A significant increase in the knowledge score of ASHAs before (14.96) and after training (25.38) (P < 0.001) was noted. The knowledge score was sustained at 1 year (21.75). The satisfactory skill of vision screening was seen in 88 (86.3%) ASHAs after training, while 79 (77.5%) ASHAs still retained it after 1 year. Conclusion: The potential to involve ASHAs in community?based frontline eye care activities: awareness generation of eye diseases, identification of referrable conditions, and facilitating individuals to seek eye care facilities. This study informs about the duration, frequency, and content of the training. It also provides evidence on the improvement and sustainability of eye care knowledge and skills by ASHAs after conceptual and hands?on training

Prevalence of visual impairment due to uncorrected refractive error: Results from Delhi‑Rapid Assessment of Visual Impairment Study.

Aim: To estimate the prevalence of visual impairment (VI) due to uncorrected refractive error (URE) and to assess the barriers to utilization of services in the adult urban population of Delhi. Materials and Methods: A population‑based rapid assessment of VI was conducted among people aged 40 years and above in 24 randomly selected clusters of East Delhi district. Presenting visual acuity (PVA) was assessed in each eye using Snellen’s “E” chart. Pinhole examination was done if PVA was <20/60 in either eye and ocular examination to ascertain the cause of VI. Barriers to utilization of services for refractive error were recorded with questionnaires. Results: Of 2421 individuals enumerated, 2331 (96%) individuals were examined. Females were 50.7% among them. The mean age of all examined subjects was 51.32 ± 10.5 years (standard deviation). VI in either eye due to URE was present in 275 individuals (11.8%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.5–13.1). URE was identified as the most common cause (53.4%) of VI. The overall prevalence of VI due to URE in the study population was 6.1% (95% CI: 5.1–7.0). The elder population as well as females were more likely to have VI due to URE (odds ratio [OR] = 12.3; P < 0.001 and OR = 1.5; P < 0.02). Lack of felt need was the most common reported barrier (31.5%). Conclusions: The prevalence of VI due to URE among the urban adult population of Delhi is still high despite the availability of abundant eye care facilities. The majority of reported barriers are related to human behavior and attitude toward the refractive error. Understanding these aspects will help in planning appropriate strategies to eliminate VI due to URE.

A rare case of benign isolated schwannoma in the inferior orbit.

A rare case of unilateral orbital schwannoma arising from the infraorbital nerve is presented. An excision biopsy with complete removal of the mass in the inferior orbit was performed. A definitive diagnosis was made on histopathological examination. The clinical and histological features of schwannoma are discussed. A need for early removal of such tumors is recommended to prevent complications.

Investigative modalities in infectious keratitis.

Standard recommended guidelines for diagnosis of infectious keratitis do exist. Based on an extensive Medline literature search, the various investigative modalities available for aiding the diagnosis of microbial keratitis have been reviewed and described briefly. Preferred practice patterns have been outlined and the importance of routine pre-treatment cultures in the primary management of infectious keratitis has been highlighted. Corneal scraping, tear samples and corneal biopsy are few of the specimens needed to carry out the investigative procedures for diagnosis and for initiating therapy in cases of microbial keratitis. In bacterial, fungal and amoebic keratitis, microscopic examination of smears is essential for rapid diagnosis. Potassium hydroxide (KOH) wet mount, Gram's stain and Giemsa stain are widely used and are important for clinicians to start empirical therapy before microbial culture results are available. The usefulness of performing corneal cultures in all cases of suspected infectious keratitis has been well established. In cases of suspected viral keratitis, therapy can be initiated on clinical judgment alone. If a viral culture is needed, scrapings should directly be inoculated into the viral transport media. In vivo confocal microscopy is a useful adjunct to slit lamp bio-microscopy for supplementing diagnosis in most cases and establishing early diagnosis in many cases of non-responding fungal and amoebic keratitis. This is a non-invasive, high resolution technique which allows rapid detection of Acanthamoeba cysts and trophozoites and fungal hyphae in the cornea long before laboratory cultures give conclusive results. Other new modalities for detection of microbial keratitis include molecular diagnostic techniques like polymerase chain reaction, and genetic finger printing by pulsed field gel electrophoresis.

Duodenal angiomyolipoma: a case report.

The authors present a case of duodenal angiomyolipoma. Angiomyolipoma is a benign neoplasm, the most common site being the kidney. Extrarenal angiomyolipomas are rare. Only one case of duodenal angiomyolipoma has been reported. A 66 year old man presented with GI bleeding for two years. Endoscopy revealed a duodenal polyp which on histopathology revealed features of angiomyolipoma. On immunohistochemistry, smooth muscle component was positive for Smooth Muscle Actin. HMB-45 showed mild focal positivity. Patient had no history of tuberous sclerosis. Surgical excision of angiomyolipoma is usually curative with rare cases of local recurrence.