Ocular complications of dengue fever

Dengue fever is an endemic disease in the tropics and subtropics and has become a health threat worldwide in recent years. Dengue-related ocular complications are increasingly being reported from countries in South-East Asia. The authors report the first documented case of a patient with dengue fever who developed central retinal artery occlusion in addition to many other eye complications such as severe ptosis and complete internal and external ophthalmoplegia during her convalescent phase. The disease was confirmed by specific serological tests. Despite treatment, severe visual impairment occurred in this case.

Retrospective analysis of cases of acute endophthalmitis after surgery

To find out the prevalence and visual outcome of acute endophthalmitis after cataract surgery. Retrospective. 1[st] January 2001 to 31st December 2009. Wah Medical College, P.O.F. Hospital Wah Cantt, Rawalpindi. Fifty cases of acute endophthalmitis who had undergone treatment. Each case of acute endophthalmitis was evaluated in terms of presentation, detailed examination, treatment and outcome. Microbiological culture of the vitreous aspirates was also done to identify the causative organism. The analysis was also meant to identify the prognostic factors of visual outcome of these cases. Fifty patients presented with acute endophthalmitis out of the fifteen thousand cataract surgeries performed during the 9 year period. The incidence of endophthalmitis was 0.33% [95% CI]. A vitreous biopsy with intravitreal injection of antibiotics was done in all the cases presenting with acute endophthalmitis. Decreased visual acuity [90%] and pain [75%] were the main presenting features in these cases. There were 36 [72%] culture positive cases, with staphylococci [50%] being the most common organism found. Vitreous biopsy yielded positive results in 36 [72%] patients while negative results with no microbial growth was found in 14[28%] patients. There were 20 [40%] growths of coagulase negative staphylococci, 5 [10%] growths of streptococci, 8 [16%] growths of coagulase positive staphylococci, and 3 [6%] of gram negative organisms. The final visual outcome was recorded after one month. 8 [16%] patients achieved 6/12 or better, 26 [52%] patients achieved moderately good visual acuity 6/60 to 6/12, while 16 [32%] patients achieved poor visual acuity of less than 6/60. Of the latter group who had poor visual acuity, 2 [4%] patients had only perception of light while 1 [2%] patient had no perception of light and 1 [2%] patient had blind and painful eye who had to undergo evisceration. 6 [16%] patients achieved 6/12 or better visual acuity. The incidence of endophthalmitis is consistent with other studies. Laboratory diagnosis of the vitreous aspirates helps in the treatment. Achieving a good visual outcome is possible with treatment of the cases of acute endophthalmitis

Effect of diabetes on ocular lens thickness

To determine the effect of hyperglycemia on thickness of crystalline lens of eye in diabetic population and its comparison with non-diabetics of same age group. Cross sectional observational study. The study was conducted at Railway General Hospital, Rawalpindi. A total 112 patients over a period of six months were included in study. Ocular lens thickness was measured in 56 diabetic patients and 56 non-diabetic controls by using A-scan biometry. Parameters like duration of diabetes and type of medication were recorded. 112 patients were divided into two groups. In diabetic group [56 patients], most of the patients i.e. [42%] had BSR more than 200 mg/dl. Out of 56 controls, most of the subjects i.e. 54%] had BSR between 70-90mg/dl. Thickness of crystalline lens was in the range of 4.00-6.21 mm with mean of 5.10mm in diabetics and in range of 4.00-4.50mm with mean of 4.16mm in non-diabetic controls. Thickness of crystalline lens was increased in patients who had diabetes for at least 10 years as compared to normal controls

Visual outcome in strabismic and anisometropic amblyopia after patching therapy

To assess the visual outcome after occlusion therapy in amblyopia and to compare the results of occlusion therapy in strabismic and anisometropic amblyopia. A hospital based prospective interventional study. Pediatric Ophthalmology unit of Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital Rawalpindi from June 2000 to February 2001. Complete history of all patients was taken. Visual acuity was checked both for near and distance, with and without glasses, and with pinhole followed by cycloplegic refraction. Slit lamp / fundus examination was performed to rule out any organic pathology. Most accurate optical correction and then part-time occlusion therapy was instituted while alternate patching was advised in bilateral amblyopes. All the patients were followed for a minimum period of 6 months. The study population comprised of 50 amblyopic children. The age of these patients ranged from 3 to 8 years with a male to female ratio of 3:2. Unilateral amblyopia was detected in 40 [80%] patients while 10 [20%] had bilateral amblyopia. 15 [30%] patients had purely strabismic amblyopia, 22 [44%] patients had mixed amblyopia while 13 [26%] patients had purely refractive amblyopia. 10 [20%] patients had mild amblyopia, 30 [60%] patients had moderate amblyopia, 10 [20%] patients had severe amblyopia. After treatment 39 [78%] patients achieved the level of successful visual acuity [6/12 or better]. Younger the patient when treatment was first instituted, the better was the result. If the visual acuity was better in the amblyopic eye before treatment, the better was the prognosis. High anisometropia tends to worsen the prognosis