Evaluating peripheral blood inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers as predictors in diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema

Purpose: To determine the correlation between serum inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers of patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods: Serum samples were obtained from 100 diabetic patients. Patients were divided into three groups: group 1 (patients with no DR, n = 27), group 2 (DR with DME, n = 34), and group 3 (DR without DME, n = 39). Serum concentrations of C?reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin?6 (IL?6) were measured by quantitative turbidimetric immunoassay and sandwich chemiluminescence immunoassay, respectively. Metabolic parameters such as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol, low?density lipoprotein (LDL), high?density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG), serum creatinine, and blood urea were determined by automated analyzer om?360 after standardization. Results: The levels of IL?6 and CRP differed significantly in patients with DR and without DR (P < 0.001 and P = 0.045, respectively). We also found a positive correlation between IL?6 and CRP with the severity of DR. When DR patients with DME were compared to patients without DME, only IL?6 was observed to be significantly elevated (P < 0.001). None of the metabolic markers correlated significantly with DR and DME. Conclusion: Significantly raised levels of serum inflammatory biomarkers can be used to elucidate the significant role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of DR. Therefore, circulating biomarkers can serve as diagnostic and therapeutic predictors for monitoring the onset and progression of DR and DME.

Demographic and Clinical Profile of Patients with Low Vision: A Hospital Based Study

Background: Vision impairment is a significant problem in our country. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the causes and to record the demographic profile of patients with low vision. Material & Methods: After taking permission from ethical committee, the study was conducted on 250 patients presenting in low vision clinic of Regional Institute of Ophthalmology punjab in north India .A detailed examination and information regarding the demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded .the visual acuity of all the patients were determined using Snellen chart followed by anterior and posterior segment examination using a slit-lamp bio microscope and direct and /or indirect ophthalmoscope.Refraction was done in all the subjects and Best corrected visual acuity was recorded. Their demographic and clinical profile were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Majority of the patients presenting with low vision were found to be above 56 years of age with higher prevalence in rural (54.40%) than in urban (45.60%) population. Male (65.60%)were predominant than females(34.40%) .Major etiological causes were Diabetic retinopathy 76 (30 .40%) followed by Pathological Myopia (21.20%), ARMD (14.80%), Retinitis pigmentosa (6.80%) and Glaucoma (6.00%). Conclusion: Diabetic retinopathy and pathological myopia were the predominant causes of low vision. Patients from rural background were more affected than urban areas.

Evaluation and correlation of corneal endothelium parameters with the severity of primary glaucoma

Purpose: To evaluate and correlate corneal endothelium parameters with the severity of primary glaucoma. Methods: This prospective case?control study was conducted on 150 eyes of 80 newly diagnosed primary open?angle glaucoma (POAG), chronic primary angle?closure glaucoma (cPACG), and normal?tension glaucoma (NTG) patients in a tertiary care center. Endothelial parameters including endothelial cell count (ECC), percentage of hexagonal cells, and coefficient of variation of cell size were analyzed. Glaucoma cases were further sub?grouped into early, moderate, and severe glaucoma and compared for endothelial parameters. Chi?square, Fischer’s exact test, independent sample t?test, and analysis of variance were performed using IBM® SPSS® Statistics version 28. Results: The ECC was markedly reduced in cases (2281 cells/mm2) versus controls (2611 cells/mm2) (P < 0.001). The POAG (2251 cells/mm2) and cPACG (2287 cells/mm2) eyes had significantly a lower ECC compared to healthy controls (P < 0.001), whereas NTG eyes had a lower mean ECC (2538 cells/mm2), but it was not statistically significant (P > 0.05) when compared with controls. The ECC decreased with an increase in severity as patients with early glaucoma had an ECC of 2284 cells/mm2, moderate 2261 cells/mm2, and severe 2086 cells/mm2, and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: A significant decrease in corneal ECC was observed in POAG and cPACG patients when compared with healthy controls of the same age group. Mechanical damage following an elevated intra?ocular pressure for a longer duration may be attributed to morphological and consequent functional damage to endothelial cells.

Case series: Megalopapillae in twins – Congenital or hereditary?

To the best of the author’s knowledge, bilateral megalopapilla are entities with an unknown inheritance pattern, and this is the first case presentation of bilateral megalopapilla in twin siblings. One of the twins presented to the outpatient department with a frontal headache, while the other was asymptomatic. Upon examination of the first family members, the asymptomatic paternal grandfather had a similar presentation of megalopapilla. As a result, this report will help in determining the genetic pattern of development of this optic disc anomaly, as well as its crucial differential diagnosis.

Comparative Evaluation of Functional and Anatomical Outcome of Strabismus Surgery Performed Before Completion of Amblyopia Therapy and After Completion of Amblyopia Therapy in Children Under Nine Years of Age

Background: To determine timing of strabismus surgery, is it better to do strabismus surgery before completion of Amblyopia therapy or after completion of amblyopia therapy. Methods: 40 children were taken for this study. These children were divided into two groups of 20 each. Amblyopia was fully treated in group A and in group B children underwent surgery before full treatment of amblyopia in the form of occlusion therapy. Motor success (10 PD of orthophoria) was assessed after three months of surgery and at the child’s most recent visit. Sensory success was assessed by comparing the frequency of detectable stereoacuity. Results: There was no significant difference in motor success (65% vs 80%) and sensory success (65% vs 75%) whether amblyopia was fully treated or partially treated. Conclusion: It is not mandatory to treat ambloypia prior to surgery and amblyopia therapy can be continued post operatively.

To Study Nutritional Factors and Postnatal Growth as Predictors of Retinopathy of Prematurity in Neonates Weighing <1750g and/ or Gestation <34 Weeks

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative disorder of the developing retinal vessels of premature infants. ROP remains one of the leading causes of childhood blindness worldwide. India and other developing countries are facing the third epidemic of ROP. Various risk factors for development of ROP include low gestational age, low birth weight, hyaline membrane disease, sepsis, shock, prolonged oxygen therapy, poor nutrition and weight gain and blood transfusions. Objective: To study nutritional factors and postnatal growth as predictors of ROP in neonates weighing <1750g and/ gestation <34 weeks. Methods: It is a prospective observational study conducted over one year (May 2017 to April 2018) in NICU, Department of Pediatrics, Govt. Medical College Amritsar, in collaboration with Department of Ophthalmology. All antenatal, perinatal and neonatal factors along with nutritional factors and postnatal growth mointoring were recorded. Screening for ROP was done by indirect opthalmoscopy at 4 weeks of postnatal age and followed up till retinal vascularization was complete. Data was analysed using univariate and multivariate regression analysis to evaluate risk factors. Results: Out of 79 babies screened 44 were found to have ROP of which 4 required treatment. Important risk factors found significant on univariate analysis were low birth weight (p=0.023) gestational age (p=0.003), duration of i/v fluid therapy (p=0.004), day of start of feed (p=0.032), day of attainment of full feed (p=0.005), relative weight gain at 4 weeks (p=0.041) and 6 weeks of life (p=0.04). On mutivariate logistic analysis, relative weight gain (g/kg/day) at 4 weeks of life was found to be an independent risk factor. Conclusion: Relative weight gain (g/kg/day) at 4 weeks of life was found to be an independent risk factor for development of ROP. This result may be regarded as providing emphasis on the importance of weight gain at an earlier postnatal age.