ABSTRACT
Background: To find the prevalence of unexpected seropositive viral markers in the patients undergoing cataract surgery.Material & Methods:It was a longitudinal observational study. Total1180 cataract patients were studied. Patients were discovered unexpectedly positive for hepatitis B antigen, hepatitis C, human immunodeficiency virus during preoperative screening for cataract surgery. HBV and HCV patients were referred for medicine opinion and operated after treatment and clearance. HIV patients were referred to ART center for further management.Results:During the study period 1180 patients, 504 males and 676 females were studied. 34 patients work positive for HIV, twelve patients were positive for hepatitis B and 50 patients were found positive for HCV. The patients accidentally found positive were 18/34 for HIV, 6/12 for hepatitis B and 32/50 for hepatitis C.Conclusions:We concluded that preoperative screening should be done for viral markers before every cataract surgery to prevent spread of such infections. Mass immunization against hepatitis B should be done among health care workers.
ABSTRACT
Background: The aim is to evaluate the intraocular pressure-lowering efficacy and tolerability of Ripasudil (0.4%) ophthalmic solution in patients of primary open-angle glaucoma/ocular hypertension.Material & Methods:In this prospective, interventional, single-arm, open-label study, 50 patients of POAG/ocular hypertension attending the Outpatient Department of Ophthalmology, Government Medical College, Patiala were included.Results:Mean value of numerical change in IOP at four weeks, at eight weeks, at twelve weeks in IOP were 3.61 � 2.05, 3.98 � 1.47, 4.44 � 1.53 respectively. Among side effects, conjunctival hyperemia, blepharitis, and allergic conjunctivitis were reported among 62%, 10%, and 8% of the subjects at four weeks. Final results after 12 weeks showed that only conjunctival hyperemia was reported as a side effect among 16% of the subjects. Conclusions:Our present study showed significant IOP-lowering effects and safety of ripasudil (0.4%) over 12 weeks in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma/ocular hypertension. For the treatment of glaucoma and OHT, ripasudil is regarded as a possible second-line choice in spite of the high occurrence of conjunctival hyperemia.