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Purpose: To assess and analyze the visual outcomes of patients with retinal vein occlusions in a real?world setting with a long?term follow?up of more than 5 years. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 56 patients having retinal vein occlusions from a tertiary eye center, with a mean follow?up of 7 years was performed. Primary outcome measures were mean change in best?corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, and final visit (?5 years), proportion of patients having BCVA better than 20/40 and worse than 20/200, and mean number of injections. Secondary outcome measures were change in central macular thickness (CMT), development of subsequent retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in same eye or the other eye, and development of neovascular complications. Results: The mean change in letter score was + 11.84 in branch RVO (BRVO), +7.14 in non?ischemic central RVO (CRVO), and ?9.5 in ischemic CRVO at 1 year, which changed to + 8.57, ?5 and ? 24, respectively, at the end of follow?up. CMT had improved from 506 ± 98.8 ?m, 576.44 ± 149 ?m, and 618 ± 178.27 ?m, respectively, at baseline to 267 ± 94 ?m, 345.20 ± 122.61 ?m, and 265.50 ± 107.75 ?m, respectively, in BRVO, non?ischemic, and ischemic hemi RVO (HRVO)/CRVO groups. The total mean number of injections given in BRVO, non?ischemic CRVO, and ischemic CRVO groups were 4.6, 6.6, and 4.1, respectively. None of the patients with BRVO developed neovascular glaucoma (NVG). Non?ischemic to ischemic HRVO/CRVO conversion was noted in 4/11 eyes at a mean duration of 12.6 months. NVG was noted in 7/9 eyes (77.8%) in initial ischemic CRVO/HRVO group and 3/4 (75%) converted eyes. Conclusion: Patients with BRVO have good visual outcomes with anti?VEGF, while in CRVO results may vary considerably owing to patient compliance and treatment burden on long?term follow?up in a real?world setting
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Purpose: A deep learning system (DLS) using artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a very promising technology in the future of healthcare diagnostics. While the concept of telehealth is emerging in every field of medicine, AI assistance in diagnosis can become a great tool for successful screening in telemedicine and teleophthalmology. The aim of our study was to assess the acceptability of AI?based retina screening. Methods: This was a prospective non?randomized study performed in the outpatient department of a tertiary eye care hospital. Patients older than 18 years who came for a regular eye check?up or a routine retina screening were recruited in the study. Fundus images of the posterior pole were captured on fundus on a phone camera (REMIDIOTM, India) with a built?in AI software (Netra.AI) that can identify normal versus abnormal retina. The patients were then given an 8?point questionnaire to assess their acceptance and willingness toward AI?based screening. We recruited 104 participants. Results: We found that 90.4% were willing for an AI?based fundus screening; 96.2% were satisfied with AI?based screening. Patients with diabetes (P = 0.03) and the male population (P = 0.029) were more satisfied with the AI?based screening. The majority (i.e., 97.1%) felt that AI?based screening gave them a better understanding of their eye condition and 37.5% felt that AI?based retina screening prior to a doctor抯 visit can help in routine screening. Conclusion: Considering the current COVID?19 pandemic situation across the globe, this study highlights the importance of AI?based telescreening and positive patient approach toward this technology.
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Coats’ disease is associated with poor outcomes, and there are limited studies on long?term outcomes of Coats’ disease. The purpose of our study is to identify various predictive factors to help in prognosticating the treatment outcomes in advanced Coats’ disease in children. Methods: This is a retrospective case series from a single tertiary eye care center of children (<18 years) diagnosed with coat’s disease. Sixty?seven patients with Coat’s disease were identified from the medical records from 2009 to 2020. Patients’ demographic data, clinical presentation, stage, extent of involvement, detailed treatment history, clinical sequelae post?treatment (including complications and anatomical and functional outcomes) were noted. Binary logistic regression was performed to correlate the predictive factors for anatomical and functional improvement. Results: Of the 67 patients, 51 eyes of 51 patients were included in the study. The male to female proportion was 2.2. Mean age at presentation was 4.98 ± 3.55 years (range: 2 months–15 years). Mean duration of follow?up was 31.53 ± 26.38 months. Overall, our globe salvage rate was 92.2%. We found that vitreoretinal fibrosis (P < 0.001), subretinal gliosis (P < 0.001), vitreous hemorrhage (P = 0.02), tractional or combined retinal detachment (P < 0.001), foveal scar (P < 0.006), and cataract (P < 0.001) to be important factors to affect the outcome. Conclusion: Advanced stage of presentation (stage 3B and above), diffuse involvement, cataract, vitreoretinal fibrosis (preretinal and subretinal), vitreous hemorrhage, tractional or combined retinal detachment, and anterior hyaloid proliferation are poor prognostic factors for globe salvage in advanced disease. Subretinal gliotic nodule or scar and lack of visual rehabilitation suggest poor functional outcomes
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Background: Caesarean section is most frequently performed surgery worldwide. Patients experience moderate to severe pain in the first 48 hours post-operatively. Aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone as an adjunct to bupivacaine in ultrasound guided TAP block for postoperative analgesia in patients of caesarean section.Methods: A total 120 ASA I and II patients undergoing elective and emergency caesarean section under subarachnoid block were randomly divided into three groups B, BDM, BDX to receive bupivacaine alone or dexmedetomidine or dexamethasone as an adjunct to bupivacaine in ultrasound guided TAP block. Postoperatively, the patients were evaluated for pain level at rest and on movement with a 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS) pain score (0 = no pain and 10 = worst pain), time to demand of first analgesic request, number of analgesic requirements, nausea or vomiting, sedation and patient satisfaction at 0 hours and at 2, 4, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours.Results: VAS score was significantly higher in group B in comparison to BDM and BDX, and higher in BDX in comparison to group BDM. Mean duration of analgesia was significantly higher in group BDM in comparison to group B and BDX. Total number of rescue analgesic demands were significantly lower in group BDM in comparison to group B and BDX. Sedation score and satisfaction score was higher in group BDM as compared to group B and BDX.Conclusions: Addition of dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone as an adjunct to bupivacaine reduces postoperative pain, prolongs analgesia, decreases demand for additional analgesics and provides better maternal satisfaction as compared to plain bupivacaine group in TAP block in patients undergoing caesarean section under subarachnoid block. Among dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone, dexmedetomidine had prolonged analgesia as compared to dexamethasone group.
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Background: Ultrasound guided TAP block is safe, simple and effective method of providing postoperative analgesia in surgeries involving abdominal wall incision by blocking anterior branches of thoracolumbar nerves originating from T6-L1. Our aim to study the efficacy of dexmedetomidine and clonidine as an adjunct to levobupivacaine in ultrasound guided TAP block for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing TAH.Methods: Prospective, double blind randomized control study. Ninety ASA I and II patients scheduled for TAH were randomly assigned in a double blinded study and divided into three groups. Group L received 18ml of 0.25% levobupivacaine+2ml of NS to make total volume of 20ml on each side. Group LC and Group LD received 18ml of 0.25% levobupivacaine + 1 mcg/kg of clonidine or dexmedetomidine diluted in NS to make total volume of 20ml on each side. USG guided TAP block was given when subarachnoid block level regressed to T10 level. Postoperatively patients were assessed for pain scores, HR, SBP, DBP, nausea vomiting, sedation and satisfaction scores at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 12 and 24 hours. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software 17. p value<0.05 was considered significant.Results: Pain scores were significantly lower in LD and LC groups as compared to L group and demand for first rescue analgesic was delayed in LD group (491.50±73.29min) and group LC (268.00±35.47min) as compared to group L (129.17±10.67min). The total number of demand doses in 24 hours were significantly less in group LD (1.00±0.00) followed by group LC (2.03±0.18) and group L (2.77±0.57) respectively. Incidence of hypotension, bradycardia and sedation was more in LD group as compared to LC and L groups.Conclusions: TAP block with dexmetomidine as an adjunct to levobupivacaine provides prolonged postoperative analgesia as compared to clonidine as an adjunct and plain levobupivacaine.
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OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between tobacco advertisements, counter-advertisements, and smoking status among Indian youth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) data was used; the data encompassed a representative two-stage probability sample of 60,001 students aged 13-15 years in 24 states in India. These students were interviewed with an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed with smoking status as the dependent variable, and exposure to cigarette advertisements or counter-advertisements as independent variables. RESULTS: Students watching anti-smoking media messages were less likely to be current smokers, which was true for both boys [OR = 0.89, 95% CI (0.81-0.98)] and girls [OR = 0.79, 95% CI (0.69-.90)]. This relationship was stronger among past smokers for boys [OR = 0.56, 95%CI (0.52-0.60)] and girls [OR = 0.49, 95% CI (0.45-0.53)]. On the other hand, students who were exposed to cigarette brand names during sports events and other televised programs, newspapers or magazines, and being offered free cigarette or cigarette-branded merchandise promotions were significantly more likely to be smokers, with effects ranging from moderate (OR=1.19) to very strong (OR=3.83). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first attempt from India to investigate the relationship between smoking and advertising. When the data were collected, cigarette advertising was legal and highly correlated with smoking behavior. Today, indirect surrogate advertising still exists; future research should examine its effect, as it is likely to have the same impact as direct advertising on smoking behavior. Finally, counter-advertising has a protective effect on youth and may function as a cessation aid.