Demographic profile of patients seeking teleophthalmology consultations through e-Sanjeevani: Retrospective analysis of 5138 patients from North India.

Purpose: To report the demographic profile of patients registered through e-Sanjeevani OPD seeking teleophthalmology services. Methods: This was a cross-sectional data analysis of patients with ocular complaints registered through the e-Sanjeevani platform at a tertiary care center. It was a doctor-to-doctor consultation, where teleophthalmology consultants provided teleconsultation services at subcenters (SCs), primary health centers (PHCs), and community health centers (CHCs). Data regarding the patient's age, gender, residential address, provisional diagnosis, and treatment prescribed were recorded from May 2021 to February 2022 (9 months). Results: In total, 5138 patients were teleconsulted from the mean age of the patients was 37.64 ± 19.34 years. Among these patients, 44% were males and 56% were females. Most of the teleconsultation calls were made from Palwal district (19.8%), followed by Hisar (14.5%) and Sonipat. The most common provisional diagnosis was dry eyes (21%), followed by allergic conjunctivitis (18%), refractive error (15%), and cataract (14%). These constituted approximately 70% of the diagnosis made through teleconsultations. The rest of the eye problems were diagnosed as stye, blepharitis, nasolacrimal duct obstruction, pterygium, subconjunctival hemorrhage, etc., The majority of the patients were managed medically (56.6%) and approximately 11.6% of the patients were referred for surgical intervention. Conclusion: e-Sanjeevani is an effective way to provide teleconsultations to patients in remote locations. The majority of the patients seeking ophthalmology consultations can be managed conservatively. Patients requiring surgical intervention can be referred timely, thus avoiding any delay in treatment.

Conjunctival Autofluorescence and Cytological Changes in Pterygium.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence and pattern of autofluorescence and its related cytological changes in pterygium. METHODS: Eighty-six patients with unilateral pterygium and 76 controls were recruited. We graded pterygium, looked for autofluorescence, performed cytology of the nasal conjunctiva, repeated evaluation after 6 months, compared findings with controls, and assessed the progression of pterygium from photographs with the help of ImageJ software. RESULTS: Autofluorescence was present in 51% of cases with pterygium. Autofluorescence at the leading edge (65.9%) was the predominant pattern seen. In total, 83.3% of grade 3 pterygia, 64.7% of grade 2 pterygia, and 28.9% of grade 1 pterygia (P value <0.0005) had autofluorescence. Impression cytology showed conjunctival epithelial cells in 60% of cases, significant squamous metaplasia in grade 3 pterygia (45%) compared with grade 2 pterygia (11.8%), and normal conjunctival epithelial cells in grade 1 pterygia (P value < 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: The presence and pattern of conjunctival autofluorescence and cytological changes, especially squamous metaplasia, are linked to the severity or grade of pterygium.

Peripheral ulcerative keratitis.

Peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK) is an inflammatory condition of the peripheral cornea with hallmark features of epithelial defects and stromal destruction as a result of a complex interplay of factors including host autoimmunity and the peculiar anatomic and physiologic features of the peripheral cornea and environmental factors. PUK may be the result of local or systemic causes and infectious or noninfectious causes. Arriving at a specific etiological diagnosis requires a meticulous clinical workup that may include a battery of laboratory and radiological investigations. Management by a team of internists or rheumatologists and ophthalmologists and judicious use of immunosuppressive agents may yield favorable results minimizing adverse effects. We review current clinical knowledge on the diagnosis and management of PUK.

Ophthalmic genetics practice and research in India: Vision in 2020.

Ophthalmic genetics is a much needed and growing area in India. Ethnic diversity, with a high degree of consanguinity, has led to a high prevalence of genetic disorders in the country. As the second most populous country in the world, this naturally results in a significant number of affected people overall. Practice involves coherent association between ophthalmologists, genetic counselor and pediatricians. Eye genetics in India in recent times has witnessed advanced research using cutting edge diagnostics, next generation sequencing (NGS) approaches, stem cell therapies, gene therapy and genomic editing. This article will highlight the studies reporting genetic variations in the country, challenges in practice, and the latest advances in ophthalmic genetic research in India.

An anterior segment optical coherence tomography study of the anterior chamber angle after implantable collamer lens-V4c implantation in Asian Indian Eyes.

Purpose: To quantitatively assess anterior chamber and angle parameters by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) in myopic eyes undergoing Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL V4c) implantation. Methods: Prospective noncomparative observational case series. Pre and postoperative (1st and 3rd month) AS-OCT angle parameters (anterior chamber depth [ACD], anterior chamber angle [ACA], Angle opening distance [AOD], trabecular iris space area [TISA], scleral spur angle [SSA]) were evaluated in 32 eyes (16 patients). SPSS version 20 with paired t-test for intragroup and Mann-Whitney U value test for intergroup comparisons. Results: It included 6 (37.5%) males and 10 (62.5%) females. Preoperative ACA of 34.6 ± 2.3° reduced to 32.2 ± 2.4°, 31.9 ± 2.5° at 1 and 3 months postoperatively (P = 0.001). Preoperative mean AOD500, AOD750, TISA500, TISA750, SSA of 0.34 ± 0.06 mm, 0.52 ± 0.15 mm, 0.09 ± 0.02 mm2, 0.20 ± 0.04 mm2, 34.27 ± 4.6° decreased to 0.32 ± 0.06 mm, 0.48 ± 0.15 mm, 0.08 ± 0.02 mm2, 0.17 ± 0.05 mm2, 32.5 ± 4.3° at 1-month (P = 0.001); 0.32 ± 0.06 mm, 0.47 ± 0.13 mm, 0.08 ± 0.02 mm2, 0.17 ± 0.05 mm2 and 32.4 ± 4.6° (P = 0.001) at 3-months, respectively. Correlation analysis between preoperative ACD/intraocular pressure (IOP) was - 0.62 (P = 0.0002) [1st month], -0.40 (0.024) [third month]; between IOP/postoperative ACA, AOD500, AOD750, TISA500, TISA750, SSA was - 0.04 (0.81), -0.03 (0.85), -0.08 (0.64), -0.12 (0.48), -0.10 (0.57), -0.06 (0.73) at 1 month; -0.09 (0.58), 0.04 (0.78), 0.12 (0.48), -0.02 (0.9), -0.04 (0.79), 0.02 (0.88) at 3 months; between ICL vault/ACA, AOD500, AOD750, TISA500, TISA750, SSA was 0.38 (0.02), 0.24 (0.17), 0.21 (0.25), 0.05 (0.75), 0.15 (0.41), 0.27 (0.13) at 1st month; 0.19 (0.28), 0.06 (0.71), -0.03 (0.85), 0.005 (0.97), 0.05 (0.78), 0.07 (0.68) at 3rd month. Conclusion: Postoperatively significant angle narrowing was noted. There was a negative correlation between IOP and preoperative ACD. There was no significant correlation between IOP and ICL vault with postoperative AS-OCT angle parameters.

To compare intralesional and oral propranolol for treating periorbital and eyelid capillary hemangiomas.

Purpose: A pilot randomized control trial to compare the efficacy and side effects of intralesional and oral propranolol in periorbital and eyelid capillary hemangiomas. Methods: Twenty patients were prospectively randomized to two groups of ten each. Group 1 was initiated on oral propranolol 1 mg/kg/day titrated to final dose of 3 mg/kg/day over 1 week which was continued for 6 months and then tapered over 1 week; Group 2 received 3 doses of direct intralesional propranolol hydrochloride 1 mg/ml; 0.2 ml/cm 4-6 weeks apart. Hemangioma area and corneal astigmatism were measured. Results: Within each group at 6 months there was a significant reduction in area (group 1: 83.48 ± 11.67%,P= 0.0019; group 2: 67.78 ± 21.71%,P= 0.0019) and improvement in astigmatism (pre, post: group 1: 2.98D @ 179.8°, 1.13D @ 179.8°,P= 0.0045; group 2: 1.62D @ 90.16°, 0.75D @ 179.9°,P= 0.0001). There was no difference in area reduction (P = 0.056), change in appearance (P = 0.085), ptosis (P = 0.23) and side effects (lethargy, poor feeding;P= 0.171) between the two groups. Conclusion: Efficacy and side effects with intralesional propranolol are comparable to oral propranolol for periorbital and eyelid lesions.

Evaluation of strip meniscometry, tear meniscus height and depth in the diagnosis of dry eye disease in asian Indian eyes.

PURPOSE: Evaluate role of Strip Meniscometry (SMT) and lower tear meniscus [height (LTMH) & depth (LTMD)] in diagnosis of Dry Eye Disease (DED) and its comparison with TBUT. METHODS: In a prospective observational cross-sectional study of 120 eyes [60 eyes of 30 DED (Group 1) & 60 eyes of 30 controls (Group 2)] TBUT, Schirmer's, SMT, LTMH and LTMD was done. Subjects >18 years diagnosed with DED (aqueous deficient) as per Tear film and Ocular surface society-Dry Eye Workshop (TFOS DEWS) II protocol and Ocular surface disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, with no associated systemic risk factor and previous ocular medical/surgical treatment were included as cases and subjects with no history of ocular surface disease as controls. The data was analyzed using t-test & receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: TBUT & Schirmer's values were significantly lower in group 1 (p < 0.05). SMT was 2.28 ±â€¯1.28 (Range 0-6) & 8.11 ±â€¯1.39 (Range 3-10) in group 1 & 2 respectively (p < 0.05). LTMH was 169.32 ±â€¯29.84 µm (Range 85.78-209.11) and 234.41 ±â€¯19.51 µm (Range 203.89-289.53) in Group 1 & 2 respectively (p < 0.05). LTMD was 144.32 ±â€¯33.60 µm (Range 57.49-190.12) and 206.69 ±â€¯14.17 µm (Range 187.12-251.50) in Group 1 & 2 respectively (p < 0.05). The SMT, LTMH and LTMD showed a cutoff value of < 5 mm (AUC 0.994, sensitivity 96.7%, specificity 96.7%), 204.96 µm (AUC 0.998, sensitivity 98.3%, specificity 96.7%) & 190 µm (AUC 0.995, sensitivity 96.7%, specificity 95%) respectively. CONCLUSION: SMT, ASOCT, LTMD & LTMH are useful non invasive diagnostic tests for DED comparable with TBUT.