Prevailing practice patterns in keratoconus among Indian ophthalmologists

Objective: The past few years have seen a rapid advancement in the management of keratoconus (KC). However, there is no prescribed standard of care for the management of KC. This study evaluated the prevailing practice patterns among Indian ophthalmologists in the diagnosis and treatment of KC via an online survey. Methods: This was a survey?based cross?sectional study in which a questionnaire (Supplement 1) was created. Questions pertaining to the practicing experience, setting of practice, and training background were asked in addition to the investigations done and decision making in KC management. Responses were collected via Survey Monkey (Survey Monkey, Palo Alto, California, USA) and statistical analysis performed using R software (4.1.3). Results: The survey was answered by 273 ophthalmologists. Pentacam was the most used topographer (195 users), followed by Orbscan (41 users), Sirius (34 users), and Galilei (3 users). The lowest limit of pachymetry for performing collagen crosslinking (CXL) was 400? for most practitioners. More than half the respondents (50.55%) did not perform photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) or intracorneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation in a suitable patient. Accelerated 10?minute protocol (9 mW/cm2 for 10 minutes) was the most commonly (54.21%) used for CXL, followed by Dresden protocol (3 mW/cm2 for 30 minutes) (36.63%). When a patient was unsuitable for CXL, 55.31% surgeons advise contact lens (CL) trial, 35.16% surgeons advise keratoplasty, 26.74% surgeons perform stromal augmentation, and 7.69% surgeons advise spectacle correction. Corneal scar was the most common indication (49.45%) for performing keratoplasty. Conclusion: Topography remains the most used diagnostic modality for initial diagnosis. Optical coherence tomography and epithelial mapping are increasingly being used for early diagnosis of KC. Not all ophthalmologists were comfortable performing ICRS or PRK. When patients are unsuitable for CXL, CL trial remains the most frequently advised option followed by keratoplasty.

A goat eye, wet lab model for training in Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty

Here we describe a new, non-human, ex-vivo model (goat eye model) for training surgeons in DMEK surgeons. In a wet lab setting, goat eyes were used to obtain a pseudo-DMEK graft of 8 mm from the goat lens capsule that was injected into another goat eye with the same maneuvers described for human DMEK. The DMEK pseudo-graft can be easily prepared, stained, loaded, injected, and unfolded into the goat eye model reproducing the similar maneuvers used for DMEK in a human eye, except for the descemetorhexis, which cannot be performed. The pseudo-DMEK graft behaves similar to human DMEK graft and useful for surgeons to experience and understand steps of DMEK early in learning curve. The concept of a non-human ex-vivo eye model is simple and reproducible and obviates the need for human tissue and the issues of poor visibility in stored corneal tissue.

Keratoconus in pre-teen children: Demographics and clinical profile

Purpose: To study the demographics and clinical profile of keratoconus (KC) presenting in pre?teen children in India. Methods: This was a retrospective case series conducted as a single?institutional study at a tertiary eye center in India. A total of 586 eyes from 294 KC patients (aged 12 years or less) without any active comorbid conditions of the eye were included in the study. Slit?lamp biomicroscopy was used to document the clinical signs of KC. Information on age; gender; reason for consultation; family history; history of allergy, atopy, and eye rubbing; manifest refraction; uncorrected and best?corrected distance visual acuity (UCVA and BCVA, respectively); clinical presentation; and contact lens usage were also analyzed, along with data on types of medical and surgical treatments for KC and their outcomes. Results: The mean age of this pediatric KC patient cohort was 9.3 ± 1.8 years, and there was a male (70%) preponderance. Baseline mean UCVA, BCVA, steep keratometry, and flat keratometry were 0.86 ± 0.58 logMAR, 0.44 ± 0.38 logMAR, 54.82 ± 8.4 D, and 48.21 ± 9.5 D, respectively. Progression, necessitating collagen crosslinking (CXL), was noted in 12.7% eyes. Post?CXL, visual and topographic parameters remained stable without any complications till 6 months posttreatment. However, in eyes that did not undergo CXL, significant progression over time (P < 0.001) was observed. A keratoplasty was required in 2.3% eyes. Conclusion: KC was present at an advanced stage in 25% of the pre?teens in our series, and therefore, it is an important diagnostic entity when a refractive error is diagnosed, even in very young children.

Impact of teleconsultation on visual and refractive outcomes in patients undergoing laser refractive surgery during COVID-19

Purpose: To assess the role of remote teleconsultation (TC) follow?up care following a successful and uneventful laser vision correction. Methods: The study is a retrospective, comparative analysis of patients undergoing laser vision correction at tertiary care eye hospital in Southern India. The patients were divided into two groups. The first group included patients operated on before the coronavirus disease (COVID?19) pandemic and were followed up with physical consultations during their follow?up visit (Group 1). The second group comprised patients operated on during the pandemic and had at least one remote TC during their post?operative follow?up (Group 2). Results: A total of 1088 eyes of 564 patients and 717 eyes of 372 patients were included in Group 1 and 2, respectively. The mean number of visits for the patients from Group 2 during the COVID period (2.56 +/? 0.74 days) was significantly lesser (P < 0.0001) than that of Group 1 in the pre?COVID period (3.53 +/? 1.07 days). Close to 90% of the eyes achieved an uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/20 in both groups (P = 0.925). 96.50% of the eyes in Group 1 and 98.18% of the eyes in Group 2 achieved UCVA 20/25 or better (P = 0.049). Eight eyes (0.73%) in Group 1 and one eye (0.14%) in Group 2 reported a loss of 2 or more lines. However, the results were not statistically significant (P = 0.156). None of the groups had any patients who had a sight?threatening complication. Conclusion: Remote TC following refractive surgery is safe and can be effectively integrated into routine refractive practice to reduce travel to the hospital for a physical consult

Feasibility study for measuring patients’ visual acuity at home by their caregivers

Purpose: To assess the feasibility of measuring patients’ visual acuity (VA) in their homes by their caregivers. Methods: Patients consulting in a tertiary eye care institute were prospectively enrolled with informed consent. All underwent standard COMPlog distance VA testing. Patients and caregivers were oriented to test distance VA using the Peek Acuity app. The app was installed on the caregiver’s or patient’s smartphone. The patient’s VA was measured by the caregiver in the clinic (baseline value) under supervision. After 1 week, the caregivers recorded the patient’s VA with the Peek Acuity app at their home and reported the value in a telephone consultation. A questionnaire to assess the ease of using the app was administered at both the baseline visit and 1 week later. Results: A total of 100 patients (age group: 13 to 76 years) and 100 caregivers (age group: 17 to 65 years) participated. VA measurements with the Peek Acuity app were comparable with COMPlog (P > 0.1) both during the baseline and after 1?week measurement, regardless of the underlying ocular condition or educational level of the caregivers/patients. Most caregivers (95%) felt the app was easy to use. Conclusion: Though the Peek Acuity app was originally developed for health care workers to be used in field visits, we found that with proper orientation, the layperson can also use it. Such orientation can enable caregivers to effectively measure VA at home. Such a tool would enhance teleophthalmology consultations and can minimize the need for short follow?up visits

Vitamin B12 deficiency in a large cohort of healthcare professionals across the network of an eyecare organization in India

Purpose: To evaluate Vitamin B12 levels in healthcare professionals at a tertiary eyecare centre in India. Methods: This was a cross?sectional study conducted among healthcare professionals working at a tertiary eyecare centre in India. The sample included 2,374 employees. Chemiluminescent immunoassay method (reference range, 211–911 pg/ml) was used to assess serum vitamin B12 levels. Effect of age and gender was analyzed in vitamin B12 normal and vitamin B12 deficient groups. To evaluate risk factors, questions related to vitamin B12 deficiency were asked to the study participants in a survey. Results: The mean age of employees was 29.2 ± 0.7 years. Around 26% of them were vitamin B12 deficient. The proportion of males in the vitamin B12 deficient group (61.2%) was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than that of the vitamin B12 normal group (44.9%). There was no effect of age on vitamin B12 levels in both vitamin B12 normal and vitamin B12 deficient groups. Mean vitamin B12 levels in males (289.1 ± 22.2 pg/ml) was significantly lower (P < 0.0001) than that of females (338.7 ± 30.0 pg/ml). Conclusion: This is the first such study on eyecare professionals. One?fourth of the eyecare professionals were vitamin B12 deficient. The proportion of males was higher in the vitamin B12 deficiency group. Males had lower vitamin B12 levels than females. Annual blood tests for vitamin B12 are recommended for timely diagnosis and management of vitamin B12 deficiency, particularly in males.

Phototherapeutic keratectomy for recurrent granular dystrophy in postpenetrating keratoplasty eyes.

Purpose: The purpose is to assess the clinical and visual outcome after phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) procedure in eyes with prior penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) for granular corneal dystrophy (GCD) and the time of performance of repeat PTK for recurrence. Methods: PTK was performed for visually significant recurrence: A reduction in best‑corrected visual acuity (BCVA) by >2 lines over BCVA before recurrence was considered as visually significant recurrence. Three eyes had amniotic membrane patch performed with PTK. The main outcome measures were a recurrence of GCD, clinical course, and visual outcome. Intervals between repeat PTK procedures were noted. Results: Six patients (n = 10 eyes; males: 4, mean age 39 ± 13.97 years) underwent PTK. The mean pachymetry before first PTK was 527.1 ± 34 microns. The mean duration between PKP and first PTK was 85.1 months (range: 37–108 months). Two and three PTK procedures were done for seven and five eyes, respectively. Mean duration between first and second and second and third PTK was 62.12 ± 34.41 and 42.8 ± 13.54 months respectively. The average cut depth was 43.66 ± 19.57, 75 ± 43.30 and 39 ± 19.79 microns after the first, second and third PTK procedures, respectively. All eyes had a corneal haze. Prefirst PTK mean BCVA was 20/200 and improved significantly after the first two PTK procedures to 20/40 and after the third PTK procedure to 20/32 (P < 0.001). Five eyes had hyperopia. One acute graft rejection was managed successfully at 5 months with medical therapy. Conclusion: Multiple PTK procedures can be performed safely with improved visual acuity in grafts without compromising graft survival.

Cross-linking for microbial keratitis.

The success of collagen cross-linking as a clinical modality to modify the clinical course in keratoconus seems to have fueled the search for alternative applications for this treatment. Current clinical data on its efficacy is limited and laboratory data seems to indicate that it performs poorly against resistant strains of bacteria and against slow growing organisms. However, the biological plausibility of crosslinking and the lack of effective strategies in managing infections with these organisms continue to focus attention on this potential treatment. Well-conducted experimental and clinical studies with controls are required to answer the questions of its efficacy in future.

Boston ocular surface prosthesis: An Indian experience.

Context: Boston ocular surface prosthesis (BOSP) is a scleral contact lens used in the management of patients who are rigid gas permeable (RGP) failures as with corneal ectasias such as keratoconus and in those patients who have ocular surface disease such as Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS). Aim: To report utilization of BOSP in a tertiary eye care center in India. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed charts of 32 patients who received BOSP from July 2008 to May 2009. Indications for fitting these lenses, improvement in visual acuity (VA) before and after lens fitting and relief of symptoms of pain and photophobia were noted. Paired t-test was used for statistical analysis using SPSS version 16.0 for Windows. Results: Thirty-two patients (43 eyes) received these lenses. These consisted of 23 eyes of 17 patients who failed RGP trials for irregular astigmatism and corneal ectasia such as keratoconus and post radial keratotomy and scar and 20 eyes of 15 patients with SJS. Mean age of RGP failures was 27.94 years. Pre- and post-BOSP wear mean LogMAR VA was 1.13 and 0.29, respectively, in RGP failures. The P value was statistically significant (P < 0.001). In patients with SJS, LogMAR VA was 0.84 ± 0.92 before and 0.56 ± 0.89 after lens wear. The P value was statistically significant (P < 0.001). VA improved by >2 lines in 7/20 eyes (35%) with SJS, with improvement in symptoms. Conclusion: BOSP improves VA in patients who have irregular astigmatism as in ectasias and RGP failures and improves vision and symptoms in patients with SJS.