Intra-ocular pressure changes after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab.

Objective: To evaluate the short-term and sustained intraocular pressure changes after intravitreal bevacizumab in patients with diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: The quasi-experimental study was conducted at the District Headquarter Teaching Hospital, Gujranwala, Pakistan, from January to December 2020, and comprised diabetic patients of either gender aged 18-60 years with indication for intravitreal bevacizumab. Intraocular pressure was measured at 5, 10 and 30 minutes for short-term elevation, and the patients were followed up weekly for one month to record any sustained elevation in intraocular pressure. Data was analysed using SPSS 25. RESULTS: Of the 42 patients, 20(47.61%) were male and 22(52.38%) were female. The overall mean age was 52.4±5.7 years. Intraocular pressure increased significantly in the short term post-injection (p<0.001), while the difference was not significant in the weekly check-ups (p=0.264). Conclusion: There was short-term rise in intraocular pressure after intravitreal bevacizumab, but no sustained elevation was noted over the following month.

Efficacy of single dose dermatological 0.1% Tacrolimus Ointment in the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

Objectives: To assess the safety of dermatological 0.1% tacrolimus ointment when used topically and its efficacy in the treatment of vernal keratoconvinctivtis. METHODS: The quasi-experimental, multi-centre study was conducted at the Gujranwala Medical College/District Headquarters Teaching Hospital, Gujranwala, and the Gomal Medial College/Mufti Mehmood Teaching Hospital, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan, from July 2019 to March 2020, and comprised patients of severe vernal keratoconvinctivtis. Symptoms and clinical signs were graded on a pre-devised scale. Patients were given small amount of tacrolimus 0.1% ointment applied to the inferior conjunctival fornix before going to bed. The duration of treatment was 3 months and the patients were followed up for up to 6 months. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. RESULTS: Of the 50 patients, 30(60%) were males and 20(40%) were females. The overall mean age was 10.64±3.199 years. Mean symptom score and clinical signs score gradually reduced on each follow-up (p<0.05). Mild recurrence was noted in 12(24%) patients who were managed with lubricants and anti-histamine topical drops. No complication was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Tacrolimus 0.1% was found to be effective and safe in the treatment of severe refractory vernal keratoconvinctivtis even when given once a day. Clinical Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry Id: ChiCTR2000031929 link: www.chictr.org.cn/hvshowproject.aspx?id=28053.