Prevalence and causes of visual impairment in Dongaria indigenous (tribal) community. Tribal Odisha eye disease study # 12

Purpose: To document the spectrum and magnitude of eye disorders and visual impairment in the Dongaria—a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group in the Rayagada district of Odisha, India. Methods: A door?to?door screening protocol included a record of basic health parameters, visual acuity for distance, and near and flashlight examination of the eyes. Spectacles were dispensed to those who improved; those who failed the screening were referred to fixed (primary and secondary) eye care centers. Results: We examined 89% (n = 9872/11,085) of people who consented for screening. The mean age was 25.5 ± 18.8 years; 55% (n = 5391) were female; 13.8% (n = 1361) were under?five children, and 39% (n = 3884) were 6 to 16 years. 86% (n = 8515) were illiterate. 12.4% (n = 1224) were visually impaired, of which 9.9% had early moderate VI, and 2.5% had severe VI and blindness. Uncorrected refractive error was detected in 7.5% (n = 744) and cataracts in 7.6% (n = 754); among the adults, 41.5% (n = 924/2227) had presbyopia. In children, 20% (n = 790) had vitamin A deficiency, 17% (n = 234) had global acute malnutrition, and 18% (n = 244) were stunted for their age. Almost two?thirds (62%, n = 6144) confirmed habitual intake of alcohol, and 4% (n = 389) of adults had essential hypertension. Following the screening, 43.5% (n = 837) of referred patients reported to the fixed centers, and 55% (134/243) of people advised underwent cataract surgery. Spectacles were dispensed to 1496 individuals. Conclusion: Visual impairment and malnutrition are high in Dongaria indigenous community. Permanent health facilities and advocacy would improve this community’s health and health?seeking behavior.

Mumbai metropolitan region eye care facility survey: Mumbai Eye Disease Study (MEDiS) report #1

Purpose: To examine the eye care practice in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Methods: This study consisted of primary and secondary research conducted in five zones of MMR. The primary research included interviews with the patients, eye care providers, and key opinion leaders. The secondary research included analyzing data from the professional ophthalmology societies, public health domain, and health insurance providers. We divided people into three economic classes by annual income – low (<INR 0.3 m), middle (INR 0.31–1.8 m), and high (>1.8 m). We analyzed the collected data to estimate the eye care demand– supply, quality of eye care, health?seeking behavior, gap in eye care delivery, and eye care expenditure. Results: We examined 473 key eye care facilities and interviewed 513 people. The ophthalmologist density in MMR was 80/million, and it was the highest in North MMR. Most ophthalmologists visited several facilities. Cataract surgery and glaucoma care coverage were better than other specialties; it was poor for oncology and oculoplastic services. Annual eye examination practice was poor in the low? and middle?income groups than in the high?income group (48%–50% vs. 85%). Most people preferred visiting eye care facilities within 5 km of their residence. Out?of?pocket spending was between 60% and 83%. Lower?income group people preferred public facilities. Conclusion: MMR eye care needs further improvement in affordable and accessible eye care, health literacy, public health surveillance, research into the application of newer technologies to provide less?expensive home care for the elderly and minimize their hospital visits, and collection and analysis of big data to address city?specific eye health issues.

Application and validation of a novel inflammatory score in the clinical grading of infectious endophthalmitis: The endophthalmitis management study – Report 2

Purpose: This study was conducted to describe and validate a novel inflammatory score (IS) system in the management of infectious endophthalmitis. Methods: This was a prospective comparative non?interventional observational study. The study included the patients with clinical signs and symptoms of acute post?cataract surgery endophthalmitis (surgery within 6 weeks) with visual acuity from 6/18 to light perception. IS was scored by the clinical picture at two?levels of four ocular tissues on a scale of 0 (normal) to 4 (severe). Four masked graders of different levels of experience evaluated slit?lamp photographs. The concordance correlation coefficient was assessed between the slit?lamp clinical grading and photographic grading. We measured the concordance correlation coefficient, Pearson’s correlation (indicating precision), and the bias correction factor (indicating the accuracy). Results: The study included 43 eyes of 43 patients. The concordance correlation coefficient was 0.99 (95% CI 0.995 to 0.998). Both Pearson’s correlation coefficient and the bias correction were 0.99. The interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was measured. The intra?rater ICC was 0.833 with good agreement (95% CI, 0.711 to 0.906; P < 0.001). Inter?rater ICC for consistency was 0.92 (95% CI 0.87 to 0.95). Inter?rater ICC for absolute agreement was 0.86 (95% CI 0.66 to 0.93). Conclusion: Currently used IS scoring in the study is a reliable, reproducible, and easy?to?apply scale to measure inflammation severity in endophthalmitis. We propose that it can have applications in decision?making for primary treatment and monitoring progression in acute infectious endophthalmitis

Evaluation of a revised care plan for babies with retinopathy of prematurity during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in India

Purpose: To analyze the impact of a revised care plan for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) during SARS?CoV?2 pandemic in a tertiary eye care facility in eastern India. Methods: In a retrospective study, we analyzed the medical records of babies managed for ROP during the peak of the SARS?CoV?2 pandemic, with particular reference to the challenges, and the revised strategies addressing travel restrictions for five months, from April to August 2020. The strategy included selective referral (babies with higher treatment probability), longer follow?up intervals (babies with non?alarming findings), use of locally available workforce, and teleconsultation whenever feasible. Results: In the given period, 222 babies were examined versus 624 in the preceding year (P = 0.001). The average gestational age, birth weight, and postmenstrual age at presentation were 30.4 weeks, 1.31 kg, and 37.7 weeks, respectively. The first examination was on time in 40.1% of babies but was delayed by a median of 23 days in the remaining babies. In the cohort, 56.7% of babies had any ROP, and 27.9% required treatment (versus 8.8% in the previous year; P < 0.001). The intravitreal anti–vascular growth factor (anti?VEGF) injection was more often used than in the previous year (n = 72 vs 36; P < 0.0001). The treatment outcome was comparable before and after the SARS?CoV?2 lockdown period. There was no report of health issues among the care providers attributable to ROP care. Conclusion: The revised strategy resulted in a smaller pool of babies screened but a larger proportion of babies treated for ROP. This strategy could be used more profitably in future ROP care.

Vision centre helps reduce blindness and vision impairment. Proof of concept in a four-year longitudinal study in an urban area in India

Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of blindness and severe visual impairment (SVI) by using a door?to?door screening and vision center (VC) examination strategy in an urban area in western Maharashtra (Pune), India and repeat the exercise after 4 years to study its impact. Methods: Four trained community health workers measured the visual acuity and performed an external ocular examination in patients’ homes. People with vision <6/18 were requested to visit the VC for a comprehensive eye examination by an optometrist. An ophthalmologist examined people whose vision did not improve to 6/12. A home examination was done for people who did not visit the VC despite two requests. The same population was examined twice in an interval of 4 years. Results: In the study, 44,535 people in 2015–16 and 98.14% (n = 43,708) of them in 2018–19 were examined. Blindness (vision < 3/60 in better eye), and moderate?to?severe visual impairment (MSVI, vision 6/18–6/60 in better eye) were 0.26% and 1.3%, respectively, in the first cohort, and 0.16% and 1.1%, respectively, in the second cohort (P < 0.001). When the worse eye was considered, the prevalence of blindness reduced from 0.72% to 0.44%, SVI reduced from 0.1% to 0.07%, and MVI decreased from 1.7% to 1.49% between 2015 and 2019 (P < 0.001). Females (P < 0.001) and older individuals (P < 0.001) were more likely to have blindness or SVI. In the VC, 8211 people were examined in 4 years.Conclusion: The reduction of blindness and MSVI in the urban area of Pune can be partly ascribed to the presence of a VC and attendant screening in this locality.

Tribal Odisha Eye Disease Study # 11 - Particularly vulnerable tribal group eye health program. Program protocol and validation

Purpose: To describe and validate the eye health program protocol of Dongria tribal community, a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) in Rayagada district, Odisha, India. Methods: The program would consist of three segments. At people抯 residences, trained community health workers (CHWs) will measure the vision and collect demographic data. In addition, vision technicians (VTs) will refract using a hand?held device and prescribe spectacles to people who improve to >6/12, N8. Others would be referred to the vision center (VC). At VC, the VT will perform a slit?lamp examination and re?refract. They would refer people with vision ?6/12 to the secondary center (SC). At SC, referred people will receive a comprehensive eye examination and treatment. The ophthalmologist will assign the cause of blindness and visual impairment for people with visual acuity <6/12. The entire process was rehearsed in a pilot study. Results: The target population is approximately 10,000 people residing in 101 hutments on the hills of Rayagada district. The pilot study included 126 people. The mean age was 44 � 18 years; 70% of the people were illiterate, and in this cohort, 97.6% (n = 123) had never worn spectacles. In the pilot study, 41% of the people had cataract, and 12% had pterygium. The agreements between optometrist versus VTs and between optometrist versus CHWs were good (k = ~0.8�0) in all eye conditions except for strabismus (k = ~0.56�65). Conclusion: The pilot study confirms the program modality, and when completed, it would help in the planning and resource allocation of Odisha PVTG eye care

The retinal vascular growth rate in babies with retinopathy of prematurity could indicate treatment need

Purpose: To analyze the weekly rate of retinal vascular growth in treatment?na飗e babies with various stages of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and validate if this could be a predictor of treatment need. Methods: Retrospective review of medical charts and retinal images of babies with various stages of ROP. The images were enhanced using red?green image enhancement software. Using the length of the horizontal disc diameter (DD) of each eye, the vessel growth was measured from the disc margin up to the vessel tip in fixed quadrants. The rate of vessel growth was the ratio of vessel length to the number of weeks it took to reach this length. The babies were divided into treatment warranting ROP (group 1), low?risk pre?threshold (type II) ROP (group 2,), and no?ROP (group 3) for analysis. The 搉o?ROP� group acted as normal control. Group 1 was further subdivided into 1A (threshold ROP), IB (aggressive posterior ROP), 1C (hybrid ROP), and ID (high?risk pre?threshold ROP). Results: Out of 436 eyes, groups 1, 2, and 3 had 238, 108, and 90 eyes, respectively. The mean rate of vascular outgrowth along with 95% confidence interval (CI) was 0.490 [0.487,0.520], 0.612 [0.599, 0.638], and 0.719 [0.703, 0.740] DD/week, respectively, for babies with 搕reatment warranting,� 搇ow risk pre?threshold� and 搉o ROP� groups, respectively. In our estimate, more than 80% of eyes with a vessel growth rate of 0.54 DD/week or less required treatment. Conclusion: A rate of retinal vascular growth less than 0.54 DD/week can be used to determine treatment requirements in babies with ROP

Tribal Odisha Eye Disease Study (TOES). Report # 10. Disability inclusive eye health survey in a tribal district (Rayagada) in Odisha, India

Purpose: To estimate seeing and other disabilities in a population cohort in a tribal district, Rayagada, in the Indian state of Orissa. Methods: A door?to?door survey was conducted to identify the disabilities. The vision was measured at the residence of the subject, and other disabilities were documented from the history obtained from the subject/household/neighbor. All people with seeing disabilities were reexamined in the community eye center (primary or secondary), and required treatment was given at no cost to the patients. People with other disabilities were transported to the public health facility for appropriate care and disability certification. The results were compared with the 2011 national census data. Results: A total of 147,699 people were enumerated, and 106,339 (72%) were examined over one year period, 2016–17. In this cohort, 47.3% (n = 50,320) were male and 27.5% (n = 29,215) were 40 years or older. We recorded systemic disease in 0.6% (n = 689) people; hypertension was two times higher than diabetes mellitus. Disability was identified in 2.8% (n = 3022). Common disabilities were seeing (46.7%; n = 1411), hearing (36.8%; n = 1112), mobility (10.4%; n = 315), and mental retardation (3.2%; n = 98). Dual sensory disability (seeing and hearing) was seen in 6.4% (n = 251), and it was higher in the older age group. Seeing and hearing disabilities were higher than the 2011 state (P =< 0.001) and national (P =< 0.001) disability census. Conclusion: The first population?based survey in Rayagada, Odisha (India) in 2017 showed a higher proportion of people with seeing and hearing disabilities. It calls for an appropriate service strategy.

Biofilm formation and its effect on the management of culture-positive bacterial endophthalmitis

Purpose: To compare the clinicomicrobiological features and outcomes in patients with infectious endophthalmitis caused by biofilm?positive (BP) and biofilm?negative (BN) bacteria. Methods: This was a prospective, interventional, comparative, nonrandomized, consecutive case series. Culture?positive bacterial endophthalmitis cases from August 1, 2018 to July 31st 31, 2019 were included. All vitreous samples were tested for biofilm using crystal violet plate and XTT (2,3?bis?(2?methoxy?4?nitro?5?sulfophenyl)?2H?tetrazolium?5?carboxanilide) methods and classified as BN and BP. The antibiotic susceptibility of all organisms was determined. Anatomic and functional success was defined as intraocular pressure >5 mm Hg and final best?corrected vision ?20/400, respectively, at last visit. Results: There were 50 eyes in the BN group and 33 eyes in the BP group. BN group eyes required 2.86 ± 1.45 surgical interventions, and BP group eyes needed surgical 6.36 ± 2.89 interventions, P < 0.0001, 95% Confidence Interval, CI: 2–4. Median follow?up was 6 and 5 months, respectively (P = 0.33). Final logMAR vision was a median of 1.2 and 1.9 respectively; P = 0.0005, 95% C.I.: 0.4–1.7. Functional success was achieved in 44% and 21.2% (P = 0.03, 95% C.I.: 1.86%–40.08%) and anatomic success was achieved in 68% and 42.42%, respectively (P = 0.02, 95% C.I.: 3.85%–45.47%). The antimicrobial resistance patterns between the two groups were comparable. Conclusion: Endophthalmitis caused by the biofilm?forming bacteria needs a greater number of surgical interventions. The anatomic and functional outcomes are poorer than non?biofilm?forming bacterial endophthalmitis. The increased virulence and poorer outcomes can be hypothesized to be due to the physical barrier effect of the biofilm on the antibiotics

Clinical features and microbiology of post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis with and without intracameral moxifloxacin prophylaxis: Endophthalmitis prophylaxis study report 3

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the clinical presentations, microbiology, and management outcomes of post–cataract surgery endophthalmitis, with and without intracameral moxifloxacin prophylaxis. Methods: This study was designed as a retrospective, consecutive, comparative case series. Records of consecutive cataract surgery from January 1, 2015, till June 30, 2020, were analyzed. The cases that developed endophthalmitis were analyzed. The endophthalmitis cases were divided by their prophylaxis treatment into two groups: with intracameral moxifloxacin (ICM) and without (N?ICM). Inclusion criteria were (1) age ? 18 years, (2) cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation, (3) endophthalmitis within 6 weeks of cataract surgery, and (4) cataract surgery in the institute by any of the three methods—phacoemulsification, manual small incision cataract surgery, and extracapsular cataract extraction. Results: In the study period, 66,967 cataract surgeries were performed; 48.7% (n = 32,649) did not receive ICM. There was no difference between the N?ICM and ICM groups in the incidence of clinical (n = 21, 0.064% and n = 15, 0.043%; P = 0.23) and culture proven (n = 19, 0.033% and n = 11, 0.023%; P = 0.99) endophthalmitis, respectively. Greater number of patients in the N?ICM group had lid edema (76.2% vs. 40%; P = 0.03), corneal edema (71.4% vs. 33.3%; P = 0.03) and lower presenting vision with available correction (logMAR [logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution] 1.26 ± 1.2 vs. logMAR 0.54 ± 0.85; P = 0.02). The final best?corrected visual acuity following treatment was worse in the N?ICM group (logMAR 1.26 ± 1.2 vs. 0.54 ± 0.85; P = 0.02). Conclusion: Endophthalmitis after intracameral moxifloxacin may have relatively milder signs and symptoms and may respond better to treatment.

Telemedicine in diabetic retinopathy: Access to rural India.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a growing concern in India. The first step in management of DR is timely screening. With 10% prevalence in rural India, 11 million people are likely to have DR by the year 2030. With limited resources and skilled manpower, it will not be possible to have routine eye examination to identify and treat these patients on a regular basis. Telemedicine is a possible answer in these situations where patients could be remotely screened and appropriately advised. With the advent of several technological advances such as low cost hand‐held nonmydriatic camera, increased capabilities of the smartphones to take external eye and retinal photographs coupled with improving broadband connectivity; teleophthalmology in the management of DR could be a reality in the not too distant future.

Diabetic care initiatives to prevent blindness from diabetic retinopathy in India.

It is estimated that 65 million (17%) of 382 million persons with diabetes mellitus (DM) globally reside in India. While globally 35% persons with DM have diabetic retinopathy (DR), this proportion is reportedly lower in India, other countries in South Asia and China. We reviewed published data from 2008 onwards from PubMed, which ascertained DR in population‑based representative samples. We also reviewed the risk factors for DR, on awareness regarding eye complications and on accessing an eye examination. Thirteen research studies have reported on the prevalence of DR among persons with DM; this prevalence was lower than the global level in China, India, and Nepal. Eleven studies reported DR risk factors association. The duration of diabetes and level of glycemic control were universally acknowledged DR risk factors. We identified 7 studies in the Asia region that researched the level of awareness about diabetes eye complications and the practice of accessing an eye examination. Excepting 1 study in China, others reported a significant proportion being aware that diabetes leads to eye complications. But the awareness was not translated into a positive practice‑most studies reported only 20–50% of the persons with diabetes actually having had their eyes examined. The present review highlights the observation that the risk factors for DR need an integrated diabetic care pathway where the eye care team has to work in close collaboration and partnership with a diabetic care team has to reduce the risk of blindness from DR.

Evidence‑based review of diabetic macular edema management: Consensus statement on Indian treatment guidelines.

The purpose of the study was to review the current evidence and design a diabetic macular edema (DME) management guideline specific for India. The published DME guidelines from different organizations and publications were weighed against the practice trends in India. This included the recently approved drugs. DME management consisted of control of diabetes and other associated systemic conditions, such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia, and specific therapy to reduce macular edema. Quantification of macular edema is precisely made with the optical coherence tomography and treatment options include retinal laser, intravitreal anti‑vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), and implantable dexamethasone. Specific use of these modalities depends on the presenting vision and extent of macular involvement. Invariable eyes with center‑involving macular edema benefit from intravitreal anti‑VEGF or dexamethasone implant therapy, and eyes with macular edema not involving the macula center benefit from retinal laser. The results are illustrated with adequate case studies and frequently asked questions. This guideline prepared on the current published evidence is meant as a guideline for the treating physicians.

Optical coherence tomography findings and retinal changes after vitrectomy for optic disc pit maculopathy.

Purpose: To study the optical coherence tomography (OCT) patterns in optic disc pit maculopathy and retinal changes after vitreous surgery. Materials and Methods: Retrospective review of consecutive cases with optic disc pit maculopathy seen at two tertiary eye institutes from January 2005 to June 2009. Results: Twenty-four eyes of 23 patients are included. The presenting visual acuity ranged from 20/400 to 20/20 (median:20/80). The median age at presentation was 24 years (range, 6-57 years). Optical coherence tomography demonstrated a combination of retinoschisis and outer layer detachment (OLD) in 19 (79.17%) eyes, OLD only in 3 (12.5%) eyes and retinoschisis only in 2 (8.33%) eyes. An obvious communication (outer layer hole) between the schisis and OLD was seen in 14 (73.68%) of the 19 eyes with both features. Of the 21 eyes with retinoschisis, schisis was present in multiple layers in 15 (71.43%) and single layer in 6 (28.57%) eyes. Eleven eyes underwent pars plana vitrectomy including creation of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), fluid-air exchange, low intensity laser photocoagulation at the temporal edge of the optic disc pit and non-expansile perfluoropropane gas (14%) injection. Five (45.45%) of 11 eyes undergoing vitrectomy had complete resolution and 4 (36.36%) eyes had partial resolution of maculopathy. Visual acuity improved in 8 (72.72%) of 11 eyes. Conclusion: Optical coherence tomography demonstrates multiple layer schisis and outer layer detachment as main features of optic disc pit maculopathy. Vitrectomy with PVD induction, laser photocoagulation and gas tamponade results in anatomical and visual improvement in most cases with optic disc pit maculopathy.

Endophthalmitis patients seen in a tertiary eye care centre in Odisha: A clinico-microbiological analysis.

Background & objectives: Geographical variations are known to influence different aspects of endophthalmitis. We report the epidemiological, clinical and microbiological profile of patients with infectious endophthalmitis presented to a tertiary eye care centre in Odisha, India, and compare the results with published reports from other parts of India. Methods: Retrospective review of medical records of 107 patients, seen between December 2006 and January 2009 was done. All patients had undergone parsplana vitrectomy with intraocular antibiotics and the management was based on microbiological analysis of the vitreous fluid. Results: Forty six (43.0%) patients had post-operative (PO), 43 had post-traumatic (PT) and 18 (16.8%) had endogenous (EG) endophthalmitis. Males were predominant in all three types of endophthalmitis. Significantly younger individuals constituted PT group. While culture established microbial diagnosis in 45 patients (42%), direct microscopy was positive in 38 patients (35.5%). Fungal aetiology was found in 13 patients (PO-7, PT-4, EG-2) and bacteria accounted for 32. Similar to studies from north, central and south India, fungi and Gram-negative bacteria accounted for a large number of PO endophthalmitis cases. Two PT patients had polymicrobial infection. All Gram-positive bacteria were susceptible to vancomycin. Susceptibility to ceftazidime was variable among the Gram-negative bacteria. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at presentation was less than 20/200 in majority (93%) of the patients. While the treatment outcome was variable in fungal and sterile endophthalmitis, the BCVA was either unchanged or improved in 100 per cent of bacterial endophthalmitis patients. Interpretation & conclusions: The spectrum of infection and outcome of infectious endophthalmitis in Odisha was similar to other parts of the country. Fungi and bacteria were involved in all three types of endophthalmitis. Empirical use of standard intravitreal therapy is recommended while emphasizing on vitreous biopsy for culture and sensitivity whenever possible.

DNA chip-assisted diagnosis of a previously unknown etiology of intermediate uveitis – Toxoplasma gondii.

We report the use of DNA chip technology in the identification of Toxoplasma gondii as the etiological agent in two patients with recurrent intermediate uveitis (IU). Both patients had recurrent episodes of vitritis (with no focal retinochoroidal lesion) over varying time intervals and were diagnosed to have IU. The tuberculin test was negative in both. Blood counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and serum angiotensin convertase enzyme levels were normal. In both cases, the vitreous fluid tested positive for the T. gondii DNA sequence by using a uveitis DNA chip (XCyton Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, India). It contained complimentary sequences to “signature genes” of T. gondii, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. chelonae, and M. fortuitum. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detected elevated serum antitoxoplasma IgG levels in both. They responded to the antitoxoplasma therapy with oral co-trimoxazole (and additional intravitreal clindamycin in patient 1), with no recurrence during follow-ups of 6 and 8 months, respectively.

Two years follow-up outcome of verteporfin therapy for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in pathologic myopia in Indian eyes.

Context: In India, refractive errors are a major cause of treatable blindness. Population surveys in southern India have shown prevalence of high myopia to be 4.32-4.54%. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) caused by pathologic myopia is beneficial. Aims: To report the 24 months outcome of PDT with verteporfin for subfoveal CNV caused by pathologic myopia in Indian eyes Settings and Design: Prospective case series Materials and Methods: Review of prospectively collected data of Indian patients with pathologic myopia and subfoveal CNV treated with verteporfin therapy between 2001 and 2005 using standard regimen for PDT. Statistical Analysis Used: Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to see the difference in the mean letter acuity at intervals compared to baseline. Kaplan Meier Survival analysis was done to estimate the success rate of verteporfin therapy for CNV caused by pathologic myopia. Results: Fifteen patients (15 eyes) treated with standard fluence PDT and who had completed 24 months follow-up were analyzed. The mean spherical equivalent was -13.36 +/- 5.88 diopter. Five out of 15 eyes in six months, three out of 15 eyes at 12 months and four eyes out of 15 at 24 months had improved vision by > 10 letters. The mean number of treatment session was 2.2 in two years. Conclusions: PDT with verteporfin for subfoveal CNV caused by pathologic myopia in Indian eyes is effective.

Activity of newer fluoroquinolones against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria isolated from ocular infections: an in vitro comparison.

BACKGROUND: To determine the antibacterial activity of newer fluoroquinolones and compare their activity between ciprofloxacin-susceptible and resistant bacterial isolates from patients with keratitis and endophthalmitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, levofloxacin, gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin was determined for 123 bacterial isolates, using E test. Among the 123 isolates, 68 were gram-positive (Staphylococcus spp, Streptococcus spp, Corynebacterium spp, Bacillus spp.) and 55 were gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The bacterial isolates were divided into three groups: susceptible/intermediate/resistant to ciprofloxacin. The MIC values for various fluoroquinolones were compared between the three groups and between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. RESULTS: For gram-positive isolates, median MICs of fourth generation fluoroquinolones were lower than second generation. The median MIC was lowest for gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin (0.094 mg/ml) in ciprofloxacin-susceptible isolates of gram-positive bacteria. For ciprofloxacin-susceptible gram-negative bacteria, the median MIC of ciprofloxacin (0.19 mg/ml) was significantly lower than ofloxacin, levofloxacin, gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin (1.5, 0.5, 0.5 and 2 mg/ml respectively). Ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates of gram-positive bacteria showed higher MIC of levofloxacin, moxifloxacin and gatifloxacin though they remained susceptible to them. None of the fluoroquinolones were effective against ciprofloxacin-resistant gram-negative bacteria. Overall, for gram-positive bacteria, median MICs of levofloxacin, moxifloxacin and gatifloxacin were below ciprofloxacin, the MIC of gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin was equal for gram-positive bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: Levofloxacin, gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin are statistically more effective against gram-positive bacteria, the latter two being equally effective. Ciprofloxacin remains the most effective fluoroquinolone against gram-negative bacteria.

Combination therapy of intravitreal triamcinolone and photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization.

AIM: To evaluate the six months follow-up outcome of combined intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization compared to PDT alone. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective interventional pilot study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with six months follow-up of IVTA following PDT (Group I, eight eyes) and PDT alone (Group II, eight eyes) were included. Four mg/ 0.1 ml of IVTA was injected 7-10 days following PDT. The patients were reevaluated every month for the first two months and every three months thereafter in both the groups. RESULTS: Group I: The mean age was 65.8+/-11.8 years (range: 47-79 years). Five patients were male. The total treatment sessions in six months were 11 (mean: 1.36). At six months, one eye had >or= 10 letters gain and three eyes had > 10 letters loss. Four eyes had stable vision. Two eyes (25%) developed increased intraocular pressure (>40 mmHg) during follow-up. Group II: The mean age was 58.7+/-11.7 years (range: 46-76 years). Five patients were male. The total treatment sessions in six months were 17 (mean: 2.13). At six months, six eyes had >or= 10 letters gain and none had > 10 letters loss. Two eyes had stable vision. CONCLUSION: The mean number of treatment sessions following combination therapy of IVTA (4 mg) and PDT appears relatively less (1.36 at six months) compared to PDT alone (mean: 2.13). (P =0.02).