ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to describe the visual outcomes of anterior chamber iris-claw intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in pediatric ectopia lentis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on the medical records of children with ectopia lentis who underwent primary anterior iris-claw IOL implantation at a national referral hospital in Indonesia in the years 2013-2020. Primary outcomes include visual acuity (VA) and postoperative complications. Postoperative data were collected at 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 26 eyes of 17 patients were included, the average age at surgery was 9 (5-14) years. Uncorrected VA significantly improved (P = 0.000) from an average of 1.6 ± 0.35 logMAR preoperatively to 0.7 ± 0.33 logMAR postoperatively, best-corrected VA also significantly improved, and 77% of eyes that achieved a postoperative best-corrected VA of 0.3 logMAR. Postoperative complications were reported in three eyes, including elevated intraocular pressure, IOL de-enclavation, severe inflammation, and endophthalmitis; all cases were promptly treated and had good visual outcomes. The mean onset of complications was roughly 3 months (77 ± 129 days) after surgery. CONCLUSION: Anterior iris-claw implantation in children with ectopia lentis appear to be effective in achieving good visual outcome. With its relatively simple technique, anterior iris-claw implantation can potentially serve as a favorable option for the treatment of pediatric ectopia lentis. Long-term prospective research with larger sample sizes is needed.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Diabetes has been linked with poorer outcomes in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients. However, the question to whether continue or withdraw metformin therapy in COVID-19 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus remains contentious. This study aims to investigate the association between metformin and poor COVID-19 outcomes. Methods: Eligible studies published up to 21 October 2020 were included and appraised for validity, importance, and applicability. The included studies were further ranked according to the level of evidence (LOE). Results: Nine studies were included for further assessments, of which seven studies stated that metformin was not associated with poor COVID-19 outcomes (LOE II-V), while the other two with poorer designs stated otherwise (LOE V). Although metformin may increase the risk of developing acidosis and lactic acidosis (LOE IV), the observed risks were more accentuated in patients with severe COVID-19 disease or kidney impairment and in patients with > 2 daily metformin doses. Interestingly, one study revealed that metformin may even yield therapeutic role in reducing the risk of COVID-19 mortality (LOE II), although further studies are required to confirm these findings. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that metformin may be safely continued in COVID-19 patients. The benefit of metformin therapy with simultaneous continuous monitoring of COVID-19 severity and kidney function may outweigh the risks of lactic acidosis, of which incidence is relatively rare. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13410-021-00924-w.
ABSTRACT
Ocular trauma occurring in children often leads to visual impairment or blindness when it is not properly managed. This often occurs in underdeveloped regions with difficult access to professional care at local health facilities. We report a case of post-trauma corneal staphyloma in an underdeveloped region of eastern Indonesia to illustrate the importance of proper management of ocular trauma in areas lacking such expertise and where patients have difficulty accessing even basic health care. During a community health outreach in Southwest Sumba, eastern Indonesia in May 2017, a 7-year-old boy presented with white protrusion of the left eye of 3 years' duration following an event of sharp trauma. The patient lived in an inaccessible and impoverished area. Upon contemporary examination, visual acuity of the left eye was 1/300 while that of the right eye was 6/6. Anterior examination revealed corneal staphyloma of the left eye, and its posterior segment could not be evaluated. The patient was transported to an eye care center in Jakarta, receiving a stock prosthesis implant while awaiting a corneal evisceration procedure with dermofat graft. Ocular trauma is one of the most common causes of visual impairment in children. This case illustrates the consequences of inadequate post-trauma management and the importance of prevention of infection.
