The Ahmed Glaucoma Valve in refractory glaucoma: experiences in Indian eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of the Ahmed Glaucoma Valve implant in refractory glaucomas in Indian eyes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on the charts of 122 eyes of 122 patients with refractory glaucoma treated with Ahmed Glaucoma Valve implant placement at Guru Nanak Eye Centre, New Delhi between January 1996 and December 1999. The main outcome measure was success at the last follow-up. Success was defined as an intraocular pressure (IOP) of 22 mmHg or less and 5 mmHg or more and at least a 30% reduction in IOP without visually devastating complications or additional glaucoma surgery. RESULTS: The mean postoperative IOP (17.29+/-3.79 mmHg) was significantly (P<0.001) lower than the mean preoperative IOP (31.47+/-7.86 mmHg) at last follow up (mean 12.51+/-8.37 months; range 3-24 months). The cumulative probability of success by Kaplan-Meier analysis was 85.95% at 12 months and 82.83% at 24 months. The mean number of postoperative antiglaucoma medications (0.75+/-0.80) was also significantly lower (P<0.001) than the mean preoperative number of antiglaucoma medications (2.83+0.72). The most common complication was corneal-tube contact, which occurred in five (4.10%) eyes. Retinal detachment occurred postoperatively in one eye with the clinical diagnosis of neovascular glaucoma secondary to Eale's disease. Two patients had tube extrusion requiring repositioning and reinforcement with scleral patch graft. CONCLUSIONS: Ahmed Glaucoma Valve implantation is an effective and relatively safe therapy for the treatment of refractory glaucoma in Indians.

Rhinosporidiosis and peripheral keratitis.

Report of a case of peripheral keratitis caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi. The patient was seen in a referral practice. Corneal scraping was performed on a middle-aged female patient presenting with peripheral keratitis and progressive nasal obstruction that revealed spores suggestive of rhinosporidiosis. The patient was started on topical amphotericin B 0.15% eye drops. Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) examination showed presence of a polypoid lesion in the left nostril for which a polypectomy was performed. Histopathological examination confirmed rhinosporidiosis. Complete resolution of the keratitis was observed. Topical amphotericin B is an effective drug in the management of this condition. Keratitis secondary to rhinosporidial infection has not been described although occasional patients with limbal and scleral involvement have been reported. Corneal scraping was effective in helping us make a tentative diagnosis.

Small incision trabeculectomy: experiences with this new procedure for glaucoma surgery in Indian eyes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential advantages and disadvantages, success rate and complications of this new procedure for glaucoma surgery, which includes the formation of a filtration fistula without any dissection of the Tenon's capsule; as an alternative to trabeculectomy with or without pharmacological wound modulation. METHODS: Small Incision Trabeculectomy avoiding Tenon's capsule was performed in 40 glaucomatous eyes through a 2.5 mm limbal incision and intraocular pressure was monitored serially over a period of 12 months. RESULTS: The mean postoperative intraocular pressure (16.60+/-5.93 mmHg) at 12 months follow-up was significantly lower than the mean preoperative IOP (30.20+/-10.70 mmHg). Thirty-six eyes (90%) had IOP less than 22 mmHg without antiglaucoma medications at the end of the 12-month follow-up. Blebs were pale and diffusely elevated. No serious complications were encountered. CONCLUSION: This new technique is a low-cost and safe alternative to conventional trabeculectomy that effectively reduces intraocular pressure. The use of a small 2.5 mm incision which obviates the dissection of the Tenon's capsule and subsequent subconjunctival fibrosis, the absence of requirement of any sophisticated instruments, and the absence of any major complications which are encountered with the use of anti-metabolites entails that this procedure be performed more often in glaucomatous eyes needing filtration surgery.

Extraocular muscle cysticercosis presenting as Brown syndrome.

PURPOSE: Report of a case of acquired Brown syndrome caused by infestation of the superior oblique muscle by Cysticercus cellulosae. METHOD: Case seen in a referral practice. A 20-year-old man presented with recurrent attacks of conjunctivitis and diplopia in upgaze. Clinical examination of ocular motility established a diagnosis of acquired Brown syndrome of the right eye. Computed tomography of the right orbit unequivocally established the diagnosis of superior oblique muscle cysticercosis. The patient was started on systemic steroids and albendazole in the prescribed doses for a month. RESULT: Serial computed tomography scans of the orbit revealed resolution of the cystic lesion after a month. Clinically, although there was restoration of ocular motility in upgaze, mild restriction of movement of the right eye in levoelevation persisted. However, the patient was symptomatically better with amelioration of the recurrent conjunctivitis and diplopia in primary gaze. CONCLUSION: Extraocular muscle cysticercosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acquired motility disorder. The presentation of extraocular muscle cysticercosis as an acquired Brown syndrome is unusual. Response to medical therapy was satisfactory.

Profile of glaucoma in a major eye hospital in north India.

PURPOSE: To study the clinical profile and distribution of various subtypes of glaucoma in a referral practice in North India. METHOD: A retrospective analysis was done of 2425 patients who attended the glaucoma clinic in a tertiary eye-care centre for five years from January 1995 to December 1999. A detailed history was obtained and a thorough examination was performed, including gonioscopy, disc assessment, applanation tonometry and automated perimetry. Diurnal variation of IOP and provocative tests for glaucoma were done where applicable. RESULT: Primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) was the most common glaucoma subtype. The primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) to the PACG ratio was 37:63. Chronic angle closure glaucoma (CACG) was the most common PACG subtype. The majority of CACG cases were relatively asymptomatic. Male dominance was seen for POAG, juvenile open angle glaucoma (JOAG), CACG, normal tension glaucoma (NTG) and secondary glaucomas. Female dominance was seen for ocular hypertension (OHT), acute or intermittent ACG and developmental glaucomas. The mean age in years at presentation was POAG:60.54 years (males 61.54 years, females 59.01 years) and PACG: 55.13 years (males 57.25 years, females 53.60). The three common secondary glaucomas were: glaucoma secondary to adherent leucoma, aphakic and pseudophakic glaucomas and traumatic glaucomas. Advanced glaucoma was detected in 42 to 53% of patients and bilateral blindness in 8 to 14% of patients in various subtypes. CONCLUSION: Compared to Caucasians, glaucoma patients in North India seem to present nearly a decade earlier and the disease is more advanced at presentation. While PACG is the most commonly encountered glaucoma, NTG and exfoliative glaucoma are relatively rare.

Lateral rectus split in the management of Duane's Retraction Syndrome.

This case reports Type I Duane's Retraction Syndrome with marked upshoot of the globe in adduction. An 18-year-old patient presented with complaints of not being able to move his left eye outwards since childhood. A 'Y' split of the lateral rectus muscle was performed in the affected eye. There was marked cosmetic and functional improvement in the patient which was stable after 6 months of follow-up. Y splitting of the lateral rectus muscle is a simple technique that can be used effectively in the treatment of marked upshoot or downshoot in Duane's Retraction Syndrome.

Extraocular muscle cysticercosis: a clinical masquerade.

PURPOSE: To highlight the different presentations of extraocular muscle cysticercosis, which can result in acquired ocular motility disorders. METHODS: Ten cases of acquired motility disorders examined between January 1998 and January 1999 were diagnosed as extraocular muscle cysticercosis with computed tomography (CT). All patients were treated with corticosteroid therapy and albendazole. Repeat CT scans were performed in 5 patients. RESULTS: The inferior rectus muscle was most commonly affected with double elevator palsy the most common clinical presentation. Response to treatment was satisfactory with complete resolution of the ocular motility disorder in 8 patients. Initiating therapy with corticosteroids prior to the addition of cysticidal drugs prevented severe inflammatory reactions and residual strabismus. CONCLUSION: A high index of suspicion should be entertained for extraocular muscle cysticercosis in every case of recent acquired ocular motility disorder. Response to medical therapy is satisfactory.

Limbal papilloma with massive corneal extension.

The authors report a case of limbal papilloma with extensive corneal involvement. The limbal lesion was excised completely, leaving a clear corneal bed. Histopathologically, the lesion was found to be a limbal papilloma. Massive superficial involvement of the cornea by papilloma is rare. Simple excision is effective in treating the condition with restoration of vision and cosmesis.

Sensory deviations subsequent to senile cataract.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in patients with sensory deviations subsequent to senile cataract. METHODS: Twenty patients with dense cataract and associated sensory deviations underwent follow-up between April 1996 and April 1998 after extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber IOL implantation in the deviating eye. All patients underwent follow-up for a minimum period of 6 months. RESULTS: Preoperatively, all patients had a visual acuity of PL positive (perception of light present) and PR (projection of rays) accurate in the deviating eye. Two patients had an esodeviation, and 18 patients had an exodeviation. Postoperatively, all patients had a corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better in the operated eye at 12 weeks. Nineteen patients had ocular alignment within +/-8 prism diopters of orthophoria at 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: Sensory deviations subsequent to senile cataract usually resolve spontaneously after cataract surgery if visual gains are 20/40 or better. The prognosis for binocular vision is good.