Extensive Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis Post COVID-19 Vaccination.

Extensive cerebral sinus thrombosis following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination is rare. We report the case of a 42-year-old man who presented with a severe generalized headache that was not relieved by analgesics for nine days. It started four days after he received the third dose of BNT162b2 (BioNTech/Pfizer). He also complained of numbness at the back of the neck, vomiting, mild blurring of vision, and diplopia. The visual acuity (VA) in the right eye was 6/9 (improved to 6/7.5 with a pinhole) and 6/6 in the left eye. He was not able to abduct both eyes and noticed a double image at lateral gaze. Fundoscopy showed swollen optic discs with the presence of disc hemorrhages. A computed tomography venogram (CTV) of the brain showed loss of normal signal void with filling defects in the superior sagittal sinus, straight sinus, bilateral transverse sinuses, bilateral sigmoid sinuses, and bilateral internal jugular veins. The nasopharyngeal swab sample was negative for SARS-CoV-2. His platelet was normal (271x109/L) and his coagulation profile was normal. Workup for connective tissue disease was negative. He was diagnosed with extensive cerebral vascular thrombosis post-vaccination. He received a one-week course of subcutaneous clexane, followed by oral anticoagulant treatment. After treatment, his headache was relieved, and the diplopia subsided. The venous thrombosis was partially resolved. Both the swollen optic discs improved, and his VA improved to 6/6 in both eyes.

Ocular sporotrichosis from a tertiary referral center in Malaysia and review of literature in Southeast Asia.

Ocular sporotrichosis is rare in Malaysia and Southeast Asia and is increasingly reported in endemic areas of Brazil and Peru. We describe six cases of ocular sporotrichosis involving the bulbar conjunctiva and lid with a literature review on ocular sporotrichosis in Southeast Asia. In these series, four patients presented with similar findings of granulomatous lesion at the palpebral conjunctiva within 1-3 weeks. There was one case mistakenly diagnosed as conjunctival concretion due to its multiple yellowish nodules on the palpebral conjunctiva and another case as chalazion due to swelling of the lower lid. All patients showed immunocompetence. Four patients had an immediate contact with sick cats, one patient had a history of skin scratched by a healthy cat, and another patient had a history of gardening without direct contact with cat. Culture from conjunctival biopsy obtained from five patients and from ruptured lower lid nodules of one patient yielded Sporothrix schenckii. The patients were successfully treated with oral itraconazole 200 mg twice daily. Two patients developed symblepharon after completing treatment, while four patients showed good results without any sequelae.

The efficacy of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in severe post-operative fibrinous reaction after uneventful phacoemulsification - a case series and review.

Objective: To report the effectiveness of recombinant human tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) in severe post-operative fibrinous reaction. Method: The presentation of a case series. Result: Four patients developed severe post-operative inflammation about six days after an otherwise uneventful cataract surgery. Three women, with an average age of 63.25 years old, were included. At the same time, three patients had underlying comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The average duration of the operation was 31.25 minutes. All operations were performed by different surgeons. All underwent uneventful cataract surgery. They presented with a dense fibrin in anterior chamber within a week of post-operative review. All patients received 25 micrograms in 0.1 mL of intracameral rtPA injection. Assessment included anterior chamber fibrin reaction before and after injection by slit lamp biomicroscopy two hours, 24 hours and one week after rtPA application. Serial visual acuity and intraocular pressure (IOP) were taken pre and one-week post rtPA application. Injection of rtPA effectively caused fibrinolysis in all the cases presented. Conclusion: Fibrinolysis after cataract surgery with conventional topical medications can be time consuming and less efficient. Intracameral application of 25 µg rtPA is an efficient management of fibrin reaction in cataract surgery. Abbreviations: rtPA = recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, IOP = intraocular pressure, BCVA = best corrected visual acuity, PCIOL = posterior chamber intraocular lens.

Ocular Sporotrichosis with Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency: An Impostor with Blinding Sequelae.

Sporotrichosis is a chronic granulomatous fungal infection caused by Sporothrix schenckii. Inoculation of the fungus through breached skin or mucosa typically results in nodular ulceration of the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue as well as its draining lymphatic nodules. However, reports on ocular involvement have recently increased. We describe a severe case of diffuse granulomatous conjunctivitis involving bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva, resulting in inevitable damage to the limbal stem cells. Isolation of S. schenckii from a conjunctival swab confirmed the diagnosis of sporotrichosis. A 6-month course of oral antifungal therapy was given through which the patient fully recovered. However, extensive corneal conjunctivalization secondary to total limbal stem cell deficiency has caused almost complete blindness in the affected eye. Clinical suspicion of this zoonotic disease is essential for early diagnosis and prompt treatment to prevent ocular surface complication and blindness.

Isolated Traumatic Bitemporal Hemianopia.

Bitemporal hemianopia is a rare presentation following severe head injury, which causes a delay in detection of the visual symptoms. This is a case of traumatic bitemporal hemianopia in a 20-year-old gentleman after an alleged motorbike accident. He was intubated following a severe head injury. The ophthalmologic assessment was performed after he regained consciousness and complained of acute blurring of vision in bilateral eyes. The visual acuity was 2/60 on the right eye and 4/60 on the left eye. Bilateral eyes anterior and posterior segments examination were unremarkable. Confrontation visual field testing discovered bitemporal hemianopia. Plain computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain showed right frontal bone fracture extending to the right orbital roof, superomedial wall of the right orbit, bilateral lamina papyracea, ethmoidal air cells, roof and bilateral walls of sphenoid sinus. He was treated conservatively by the ophthalmology team. Subsequent follow-ups showed improvement of visual acuity which were 6/6 on the right eye and 6/6 on the left eye. Humphrey visual field test confirmed the persistence of bitemporal hemianopia. His good visual acuity does not correlate with the severity of the field defect. Therefore, surveillance for bitemporal scotoma is necessary for all head injuries with severe midline facial bone fractures.

Bilateral Optic Atrophy in a Young Patient With Chronic Anaemia Secondary to End-Stage Renal Disease.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with a number of serious complications, including increased cardiovascular disease, anaemia and metabolic bone disease. Optic atrophy secondary to chronic anaemia in ESRD is rare. We report a case of bilateral optic atrophy in a young patient with chronic anaemia secondary to ESRD. A 23-year-old lady with ESRD, presented with progressive blurring of vision in her left eye for a period of six months. Visual acuity in the left eye was counting finger and the right eye was 6/6. Left optic nerve functions were significantly reduced. Bilateral anterior segments and intraocular pressure were normal. Funduscopy showed bilateral pale disc with arteriolar attenuation. The infective, autoimmune and demyelinating screening were negative. Serial full blood count indicated low haemoglobin and haematocrit value. The full blood picture revealed normocytic normochromic anaemia. Neuroimaging was normal. The patient was diagnosed as having bilateral optic atrophy secondary to chronic anaemia due to ESRD. Chronic anaemia is a potential cause of optic atrophy in a young patient with chronic disease. Management of anaemia in such cases is crucial to prevent irreversible complications including optic atrophy and blindness.

Evaluation of Cyclooxygenase-2 and p53 Expression in Pterygium Tissue Following Preoperative Intralesional Ranibizumab Injection.

Introduction: Overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and p53 are the postulated aetiopathogenesis in pterygium. VEGF is responsible for the induction of COX-2 expression, whereas p53 plays an important role in the regulation of VEGF. This study aimed to evaluate the immunohistochemistry of COX-2 and p53 expressions from excised pterygium tissue from patients who received intralesional ranibizumab (anti-VEGF) injection 2 weeks prior to pterygium surgery. Materials and Methods: An interventional comparative study involving patients presenting with primary pterygium was conducted between September 2015 and November 2017. The patients were randomized into either the intervention or control group. Patients in the intervention group were injected with intralesional ranibizumab (0.5 mg/0.05 ml) 2 weeks prior to surgery. Both groups underwent pterygium excision followed by conjunctival autograft. Immunohistochemistry staining was performed to evaluate COX-2 and p53 expressions in the excised pterygium tissue. Results: A total of 50 patients (25 in both the intervention and control groups) were recruited. There were 34 (68%) patients with grade III pterygium and 16 (32%) patients with grade IV pterygium. There was statistically significant difference in reduction of COX-2 expression in the epithelial layer [84.0% (95% CI: 63.9, 95.5)] (p = 0.007) and stromal layer [84.0% (95% CI: 63.9, 95.5)] (p < 0.001) between intervention and control groups. There was no significant difference in the reduction of p53 expression between the two groups. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the possible use of intralesional anti-VEGF treatment prior to pterygium excision as a potential future modality of adjunctive therapy for pterygium surgery.

Open Globe Injury Secondary to "Durian" Fruit Fall.

A devastating ocular injury can be caused by durian, the "king of fruits." We report a case of open globe injury secondary to a durian fruit fall. A 54-year-old unfortunate male was accidentally hit by a durian fruit that fell from a tree. The fruit hit directly his right face and eye. He experienced a transient loss of consciousness. He sustained extensive corneal and multiple scleral lacerations with total hyphema, iridodialysis, posterior dislocation of the lens, and retinal detachment. There were also multiple sites of a puncture wound on the right side of the face and right upper lid laceration. Primary suturing of corneal and scleral laceration with anterior chamber washout was performed. The right visual acuity remained poor postoperatively. Durian fruit injury to the eye may lead to severe devastating ocular complications that lead to blindness. The prognosis depends on the severity of the injury.

Mycotic Keratitis in a Tertiary Hospital in Northeastern Malaysia

Objectives: To identify the clinical profile, etiology, and outcome of culture-positive mycotic keratitis in a tertiary referral centre in the Northeastern part of Malaysia. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of all patients with culture-positive mycotic keratitis in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia over a 3-year period, from January 2015 to December 2017. Results: This study included 27 eyes of 27 patients treated for mycotic keratitis based on a positive fungal culture. The most common predisposing factor was ocular trauma, in 22 patients (81.5%). Eleven patients (40.7%) had a presenting visual acuity worse than 6/60, due to central ulcer involvement. Approximately half of these (6 patients) experienced visual improvement post-treatment. Fusarium spp. was the most common fungus isolated (37%), followed by non-sporulating fungi and Curvularia spp. Three patients (7.4%) had corneal microperforations, which healed after gluing and bandage contact lens application. One patient (3.7%) required tectonic penetrating keratoplasty and 1 patient (3.7%) underwent evisceration. The final visual acuity was 6/18 or better in approximately half (14 patients) of our cohort and worse than 3/60 in approximately 20% (5 patients). Conclusion: Mycotic keratitis occurred mainly in males and secondary to ocular trauma. The most common organism isolated was Fusarium spp. Although treatment may improve vision, the visual outcome is guarded.

Meningioma Mimicking Fibrous Dysplasia.

Despite being among the common primary intracranial tumors, intraosseous craniofacial meningioma is the least common subtype of meningioma accounting for only 1-2% of intracranial meningiomas. Interestingly, it can display clinical and radiologic features that can be confused for fibrous dysplasia. Scan imaging and biopsy are crucial for the diagnosis as well as for further proper treatment. We report a case of unilateral eye proptosis and optic neuropathy which was initially thought for fibrous dysplasia. Later the histopathology revealed meningioma grade 1. As the clinical presentations are almost undifferentiated, diagnosis and further prompt treatment are challenging.

Optic Perineuritis in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder.

Optic perineuritis (OPN) involvement in demyelinating disease is rarely encountered. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of bilateral OPN associated with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). We present a case of a healthy young gentleman who presented with OPN, initially presumed to have a young stroke but later diagnosed to be NMOSD. Early neuroimaging is essential to help distinguish optic neuritis (ON), and prolonged treatment of systemic immunosuppression is the mainstay of treatment.

Hidden Choroidal Melanoma Presented with Bullous Non-rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment in a Myopic Asian Lady: A Rare Manifestation.

Choroidal melanoma is an uncommon malignant melanoma among non-Caucasians. We report here a case of a high myope patient who presented with symptoms of acute retinal detachment, which had been diagnosed as possible rhegmatogenous retinal detachment from the initial assessment. A detailed vitreoretinal evaluation revealed a glimpse of an obscured intraocular mass underneath the detached retina, which later proved to be a choroidal melanoma. This is an unexpected cause of retinal detachment in a myopic eye. Furthermore, the rare nature of choroidal melanoma in this particular region of the world makes this an ignored diagnosis at presentation.

Acute ophthalmic artery occlusion in decompression illness with underlying anterior cerebral artery A1 segment hypoplasia.

A diver presented with total loss of vision in the left eye and right hemiparesis following a routine no-stop scuba dive to 20 metres' depth. A diagnosis of decompression illness (DCI) with acute ophthalmic artery air embolism and left carotid artery insult causing acute anterior circulatory ischaemia was made. He underwent seven hyperbaric treatments leading to a full recovery. Magnetic resonance angiography revealed an underlying left anterior cerebral artery A1 segment hypoplasia. Making a prompt diagnosis and early hyperbaric oxygen treatment are crucial to halt further tissue damage from ischaemia in central nervous system DCI. In this case, the finding of a left A1 anterior cerebral artery segment hypoplasia variant may have increased the severity of DCI due to deficient collateral circulation.

Burkholderia cepacia: a rare cause of bacterial keratitis.

We describe the first clinical case of Burkholderia cepacia keratitis registered in Southeast Asia. A man in his mid-70s with underlying poorly controlled diabetes mellitus came with complaints of painful red left eye for 4 days. This was accompanied with photophobia and blurring of vision after being injured by a wooden particle while cutting grass. Slit-lamp examination showed a paracentral anterior corneal stromal infiltrates with overlying epithelial defect. Culture of the corneal smear isolated B. cepacia that was sensitive to ceftazidime, meropenem and bactrim (trimethorprim and sulfomethoxazole). Topical ceftazidime was given intensively to the patient and the infection resolved after 6 weeks of treatment.

Correlation of the anterior ocular segment biometry with HbA1c level in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the anterior ocular segment biometry among Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) with no diabetic retinopathy (DR) and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), and to evaluate the correlation of anterior ocular segment biometry with HbA1c level. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan from November 2013 till May 2016 among Type 2 DM patients (DM with no DR and DM with NPDR). The patients were evaluated for anterior ocular segment biometry [central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber width (ACW), angle opening distance (AOD) and anterior chamber angle (ACA)] by using Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography (AS-OCT). Three ml venous blood was taken for the measurement of HbA1c. RESULTS: A total of 150 patients were included in this study (DM with no DR: 50 patients, DM with NPDR: 50 patients, non DM: 50 patients as a control group). The mean CCT and ACW showed significant difference among the three groups (p < 0.001 and p = 0.015 respectively). Based on post hoc result, there were significant mean difference of CCT between non DM and DM with NPDR (mean difference 36.14 µm, p < 0.001) and also between non DM and DM with no DR (mean difference 31.48 µm, p = 0.003). The ACW was significantly narrower in DM with NPDR (11.39 mm SD 0.62) compared to DM with no DR (11.76 mm SD 0.53) (p = 0.012). There were no significant correlation between HbA1c and all the anterior ocular segment biometry. CONCLUSION: Diabetic patients have significantly thicker CCT regardless of retinopathy status whereas ACW was significantly narrower in DM with NPDR group compared to DM with no DR. There was no significant correlations between HbA1c and all anterior ocular segment biometry in diabetic patients regardless of DR status.

Indications, Clinical Outcomes, and Survival Rate of Pediatric Penetrating Keratoplasty in Suburban Malaysia: A 10-year Experience.

Purpose To describe the demographics, indications, clinical outcomes and survival rate of penetrating keratoplasty in Malaysian children living in a suburban area, and discuss the literature on paediatric penetrating keratoplasty. Methodology A retrospective review of medical records was performed on children younger than 17 years of age who had undergone penetrating keratoplasty in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia from January 2008 to December 2017. We recorded demographic data, presenting visual acuity, indications, final visual acuity, and graft survival at 12 months into the postoperative period. Results Sixteen eyes of 14 children had penetrating keratoplasty. Mean age was 7.8 ± 5.9 years. Both genders were equally affected. The main indications were infective keratitis (56.25%), congenital corneal opacity (18.75%) and trauma (12.50%). There were 62.50% of patients who had a preoperative visual acuity worse than 6/60. Fifty percent had other combined procedures during the surgery, including lens aspiration, peripheral iridectomy, pupilloplasty and glaucoma tube implant. Best corrected visual acuity of 6/12 or better was achieved in 18.75% of patients. A hazy graft was noted in 68.75% of patients, and was attributed to graft rejection, glaucoma and graft failure. There was a statistically significant association between the presence of vascularized cornea, intraocular inflammation and combined surgery with survival rate of the graft at one-year postoperative period (p < 0.05). Conclusions Infective keratitis is the main indication for penetrating keratoplasty in our pediatric patients. Good visual outcome was documented in a small percentage of the patients. Amblyopia and hazy graft were the main barriers to success in this group of patients. Vascularized cornea, inflammation and combined surgery had significantly affected the survival rate of the grafts in our series.

Severe panuveitis in neuro-Behçet's disease in Malaysia: a case series.

Behçet's disease (BD) is a multisystemic disease that is very rare in Malaysia. About 5% of patients develop central nervous system involvement, termed neuro-Behçet's. Neuro-Behçet's is one of the most serious causes of long-term morbidity and mortality. We report two cases of neuro-Behçet's associated with uveitis (ocular BD) highlighting the clinical presentation, diagnostic measurement, and therapeutic management of these cases.

Unilateral rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis with contralateral endogenous fungal endophthalmitis.

Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) is an uncommon but fatal fungal infection. We report a rare case of unilateral ROCM with ipsilateral central retinal artery occlusion and contralateral choroiditis, which later progressed to endogenous fungal endophthalmitis. The patient was successfully treated with sinuses debridement, systemic liposomal amphotericin B, and intravitreal amphotericin B. The endophthalmitis completely resolved with good vision, but the ROCM eye remained blind due to central retinal artery occlusion.

Refractory Scedosporium apiospermum Keratitis Successfully Treated with Combination of Amphotericin B and Voriconazole.

Aim. To report a case of refractory fungal keratitis caused by Scedosporium apiospermum. Methods. Interventional case report. Results. A 47-year-old Malay housewife presented with left eye cornea ulcer as her first presentation of diabetes mellitus. There was no history of ocular trauma, contact lens used, or cornea foreign body. Scedosporium apiospermum was isolated from the cornea scrapping. Her cornea ulcer initially responded well to topical Amphotericin B within 3 days but subsequently worsened. Repeat cornea scrapping also yields Scedosporium apiospermum. This refractory keratitis was successfully treated with a combination of topical Amphotericin B and Voriconazole over 6 weeks. Conclusion. Scedosporium apiospermum keratitis is an opportunistic infection, which is difficult to treat despite tight control of diabetes mellitus and intensive antifungal treatment. The infection appeared to have very quick onset but needed long duration of treatment to completely heal. Surgical debridement always plays an important role as a therapeutic procedure as well as establishes the diagnosis through repeat scrapping.

Candida glabrata endophthalmitis following penetrating keratoplasty in a patient with negative donor rim culture.

BACKGROUND: Candida glabrata endophthalmitis following keratoplasty is rare and almost always associated with positive donor rim culture. CASE PRESENTATION: A 63-year-old patient, diagnosed Fuch's endothelial dystrophy in both eyes underwent a penetrating keratoplasty in his right eye. He had multiple underlying medical problems, which included diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypoadrenalism on oral dexamethasone and fatty liver secondary to hypertrigliseridemia. He developed multiple suture abscesses, corneal haziness, retrocorneal white plaques and a level of hypopyon two weeks after an uneventful penetrating keratoplasty in his right eye. Cultures of the donor button and the transport media culture were negative. Candida glabrata was isolated successfully from the aqueous and vitreous taps. He was treated with a combination of topical, intracameral, intravitreal and intravenous Amphotericin B. His final visual acuity remained poor due to the haziness of the corneal button. CONCLUSION: Candida glabrata endophthalmitis following penetrating keratoplasty can occur in negative donor rim and transport media cultures. The growth of the organism is facilitated by the patient's immunocompromised status. Awareness by the ophthalmologists and appropriate choice of antibiotics are mandatory in this challenging condition.