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Purpose: TO report the corneal manifestations in patients with COVID?19?associated rhino?orbito?cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM). Methods: This study was a retrospective, observational, and record?based analysis of patients of ROCM with corneal involvement. Results: A total of 220 patients were diagnosed with ROCM over a period of 3 months. Thirty?two patients had developed corneal manifestations. The mean age at diagnosis was 52.84 ± 12.8 years. The associated risk factors were systemic mucormycosis, uncontrolled diabetes, recent COVID?19 infection, and injudicious use of systemic steroids. Twenty?nine patients were known diabetics, 32 had recent COVID?19 infection, and 13 gave a history of injudicious use of steroids. The right eye (RE) was affected in nine patients, the left eye (LE) in 20 patients, and both eyes in three patients. Nine patients had a round?oval corneal ulcer. One patient each had a perforated corneal ulcer with uveal prolapse, sealed perforated corneal ulcer, spontaneously healed limbal perforation, diffuse corneal haze with hyphemia, panophthalmitis, diffuse corneal stromal abscess, limbal ischemia, anterior uveitis with posterior synechiae, inferior corneal facet, and filamentary keratitis. Three patients each had a corneal melt and inferior conjunctival xerosis with chemosis. Orbital exenteration was performed in six patients. Five patients with corneal ulcers healed. Topical eye drops of amphotericin (0.5 mg/ ml) cycloplegic, antiglaucoma medications, and lubricant eye drops were started along with systemic antifungals. Conclusion: Central corneal ulcer was the most common manifestation of mucormycosis. A concentration as low as 0.5 mg/ml of amphotericin eye drops was effective in the treatment.
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Purpose: The aim of the study was to present the level of knowledge and practice patterns regarding exposure keratopathy in mechanically ventilated patients among Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses in Chhattisgarh state. Methods: A previously validated semi-structured questionnaire was administered in the ICU of six multispecialty hospitals in Chhattisgarh in 2014–2015. Demography included age, gender, level of education, and months of working in ICU. Most of the questions dealt with frequency of eyelid closure assessment, frequency of cleaning of eyes with saline gauze, using a protocol-based approach for eye care, and documentation of ophthalmic complications. Common barriers to delivery of eye care such as shortage of time and too much writing tasks were also inquired. Results: Our study included 120 nurses. They worked for mean 22.9 ± 17.8 months in ICU. Knowledge about high risk of exposure keratopathy in ventilated patient was present in 93% (78%; 95% confidence interval [CI]) nurses. Only six nurses (5%) followed a strict protocol for eye care, 52 nurses (43%) checked for eyelid closure in the ventilated patients, and 58 (48%) cleaned the eyes frequently. Those who were aware of exposure keratopathy checked eyelid closure (73% vs. 48%) and cleaned eyes with saline gauze more frequently (24% vs. 4%). Nurses in cardiac ICU were significantly lesser aware of exposure complications compared to medical ICU nurses (40% reduction in awareness, 95% CI = 0.37–0.98, P = 0.04). Conclusion: Although there is high awareness, practice patterns of ICU nurses were less than desired. Educational initiatives should focus on weaknesses in knowledge and practice noted to improve eye care of patients in ICU.
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PURPOSE: In this study we investigated the surgical outcome and effectiveness of using a 17-gauge spinal anesthesia needle for guiding insertion of the silicone rod in frontalis sling surgery for patients having severe myogenic or neurogenic ptosis with risk of exposure keratopathy. METHODS: This study included on 8 patients (11 eyes) who previously received frontalis sling surgery with a 17-gauge spinal anesthesia needle because of severe myogenic or neurogenic ptosis with risk of exposure keratopathy. We investigated the technique, surgical outcome, and clinical features following frontalis sling surgery, and evaluated the advantages of using a 17-gauge spinal anesthesia needle. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 54 years. Third nerve palsy was the most common etiology in severe ptosis with risk of exposure keratopathy (5 of 8, 62.5%). Main advantages of the 17-gauge spinal anesthesia needle are smaller skin incision that allows for minimal damage during tissue passage and easy guide for insertion. Other advantages included sterilization, minimizing infections, sharpness without distortion because it is disposable, and economic value. The mean follow-up period was 21.4 months, and the upper lid margin of all patients was adequately high above the pupil margin. Additionally, no major complications were observed in the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Frontalis sling surgery with a silicone rod is a safe and effective method for patients with severe myogenic or neurogenic ptosis with risk of exposure keratopathy. The 17-gauge spinal anesthesia needle is useful and economical in frontalis sling surgery for guiding insertion of the silicon rod as an alternative option to the Wright needle.
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Humans , Anesthesia, Spinal , Follow-Up Studies , Methods , Needles , Oculomotor Nerve Diseases , Pupil , Silicon , Silicones , Skin , SterilizationABSTRACT
AIM:To compare the efficacy of three types of eye care (artificial tear, moist chamber and polyethylene covers) for preventing exposure keratopathy in intensive care patients.METHODS: Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients were randomly divided to three treatment groups, including artificial tear group(29 cases), moist chamber group (27 cases) and polyethylene covers group (28 cases). Patients in artificial tear group received two drops of carboxymethylcellulose dropped to each eye every 2 hours. The moist chamber and polyethylene covers groups were changed every 12 hours or as needed if they became unclean or torn. Corneal fluorescein stain was performed daily.RESULTS:No one in the polyethylene covers group and one case(4%) in the moist chamber group had exposure keratopathy compared to 8 cases (28%) in the artificial tear group. There were statistical significance differences between both artificial tear group and moist chamber group (P=0.02), artificial tear group and polyethylene covers group (P=0.003). Everyday time of eye care in the artificial tear group, the moist chamber group and the polyethylene covers group was respectively 26.69±2.39, 35.33±2.63 and 7.48±0.87 minutes. Everyday time of eye care in the polyethylene covers group was statistically more time-saving than that in the artificial tear group (P<0.01) and the moist chamber group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Polyethylene covers are more effective and time-saving in reducing the incidence of corneal damage in intensive care patients.