A clinical study to evaluate the results after toric intraocular lens implantation in cases of corneal astigmatism.

BACKGROUD: Modern day cataract surgery aims at a spectacle free vision which becomes difficult in cases with pre-operative astigmatism more than 1.5 D. Implantation of toric intra-ocular lenses (IOL) after phacoemulsification in such eyes is one of the ways to counteract this problem. METHODS: Thirty eyes with pre-operative astigmatism between 1.5 D and 4.5 D were implanted with toric IOLs following uneventful phaco-emulsification. The estimation of the axis of implantation of this toric IOL included calculating the surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) of the surgeon. RESULTS: Post-operatively, 20 (66.67%) patients had a visual acuity 6/9 or better and 17 (57%) had a visual acuity of 6/6 at 12 weeks. The mean postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 0.12 ± 0.15 at 12 weeks. The difference between means of preoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) LogMAR and postoperative UCVA at 12 wk LogMAR was found to be statistically significant at p = 0.001. Mean (SD) scores of pre-op astigmatism of study group was -2.20 (0.67) and residual astigmatism was -0.32 (0.44). CONCLUSIONS: The difference between means of pre-op astigmatism and residual astigmatism in the study group was significant at p = 0.001 with 95% CI -2.22 to -1.50. This significant difference was because of the toric IOL implantation.

A clinical correlation of conjunctival microangiopathy with grades of retinopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Conjunctival microangiopathy has been described among diabetics similar to retinal vessel angiopathy. Correlation of these conjunctival microangiopathy changes with retinopathy may form the basis of screening by external examination without expert fundus evaluation. METHODS: Conjunctival vessels widths and tortuous segment length of conjunctival vessels of 96 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were photographed and measured by the Zeiss Fundus camera Visupac software. The measurements were correlated with retinopathy grade in those eyes. RESULTS: The mean conjunctival vessel width was 40.61 µ (SD 17.25) with a uniform increase from 34.4 µ (SD 8.70) in mild NPDR to 53.50 µ (SD 33.45) in the PDR group which was statistically significant (p < 0.01). The tortuous conjunctival vessel segment length increased from 711.51 µ (SD 83.90) in the mild NPDR group to 921.94 µ (SD 129.26) in those with PDR (p < 0.01). Vessel width greater than 80 µ was seen only in PDR and tortuosity values greater than 900 µ were seen in severe grades (severe NPDR and PDR). Both conjunctival vessel width and tortuosity showed a positive statistical correlation with increasing severity of retinopathy (r = 0.386, r2 = 0.149 and r = 0.645, r2 = 0.415). CONCLUSION: A positive correlation was seen between conjunctival vessel width and tortuosity with severity of retinopathy. Widths over 80 µ and tortuous segment length over 900 µ are suggestive of severe grades of retinopathy.

A prospective interventional study of effect of accelerated orthokeratology on the corneal curvature and refraction among young adults with myopia.

BACKGROUND: Orthokeratology with reverse geometry contact lens is a non-surgical alternative to conventional contact lenses for correction of myopia. However, the strength of evidence for its efficacy and safety is limited to retrospective studies and only a few prospective studies. This prospective study, the first on Indian subjects, evaluated the outcome of orthokeratology among young myopes. METHODS: Fifty eyes of 25 young myopes (age 19-29 years) with myopia of -1 to 5.0 diopter underwent accelerated orthokeratology using the reverse geometry ortho K - LK lenses for correction of myopia. They were followed up prospectively with weekly vision, refraction, corneal topography, and pachymetry to assess the correction of myopia. RESULTS: The mean Log MAR vision corrected from 0.748 ± 0.225 at base line to 0.025 ± 0.0630 at 12 weeks with 86% achieving 6/6 unaided day time vision. This was associated with significant central corneal flattening and thinning. The lenses were well tolerated with no significant complications. CONCLUSION: Overnight accelerated orthokeratology effectively corrects moderate degree of myopia and provide excellent spectacle free day time vision without any significant adverse effects in the short term.

Comparison of efficacy of three surgical methods of conjunctival autograft fixation in the treatment of pterygium.

Our aim primarily was to compare the recurrence rate with three techniques of conjunctival fixation (suture versus fibrin glue versus autologous in situ blood coagulum) over bare sclera following pterygium excision. Ninety eyes of 90 patients with primary pterygium were randomly divided into three groups: group I (30 eyes) underwent autografting and fixation with 8-0 vicryl sutures, group II (30 eyes) with fibrin glue and group III (30 eyes) with autologous in situ blood coagulum. The patients were reviewed on 2nd day, weeks 1 and 4, and at every 3 months till 12 months after surgery. Rate of recurrence was similar (p = 0.585) across the three groups. Time taken for surgery for Group 1 was more as compared to group 2 (p < 0.001) and group 3 (p < 0.001). Also, group 2 cases took significantly more time as compared to group 3 (p < 0.001). Postoperative patient discomfort (foreign body sensation, epiphora, pain and irritation) was more in suture-assisted autografting as compared to the other two groups. However, at some points along the time line, patient discomfort was significantly more in group III as compared to group II. Complications like graft retraction, graft displacement and cyst formation were seen in a few patients but were not statistically significant across the three groups. All three techniques were found to be useful methods and were associated with similar rate of recurrence.

Frequency doubling technology and standard automated perimetry in detection of glaucoma among glaucoma suspects.

BACKGROUND: Frequency Doubling perimetry (FDT) has been found to precede visual loss detected by standard automated perimetry (SAP) by as much as four years and the initial development of glaucomatous visual field loss as measured by SAP was found to occur in regions that had previously demonstrated abnormalities on FDT testing. METHODS: A study on 55 glaucoma suspects (determined as per American Academy Guidelines, Preferred Practice Pattern, Oct 2010), was compared to 50 healthy participants (HP). Both glaucoma suspects and HP underwent SAP and FDT in random order. Only reliable fields were compared. RESULTS: Mean deviation of FDT Matrix was significantly lower than SAP SITA in suspect and healthy group ; two devices showed significant correlation amongst both groups (suspects p = 0.002, healthy p = 0.011). Significant difference was found in PSD of SAP SITA and FDT Matrix (p = 0.001) in the glaucoma suspect group, PSD of FDT Matrix was significantly higher than PSD of SAP SITA in the healthy group (p < 0.001). PSD of SAP SITA significantly correlated with FDT Matrix PSD in glaucoma group (r = 0.579; p = 0.001) but no significant correlation found in healthy group (r = 0.153; p = 0.290). Percentages of normal test locations significantly higher in FDT Matrix compared to SAP SITA in glaucoma suspects and healthy participants. CONCLUSION: FDT correlates well with SAP and may be used for patients who are unable to perform well and reliably with SAP but does not show any features of earlier glaucoma changes in this study.

Iris retractors: the saviours in cataract surgery for cataract in lens coloboma.

A 67-year-old woman presented with features of bilateral cataract and lens coloboma. The lens coloboma was from 1 to 8 o'clock and from 5 to 9 o'clock positions in right and left eye, respectively. With some modifications, phacoemulsification was performed in both eyes at an interval of 1 month. A smaller (4.5 mm) anterior capsulorrhexis was made due to poor peripheral lenticular support. Three iris retractors were used to stabilise anterior capsulorrhexis margin to the limbus. Phacoemulsification was performed by direct chop technique under low phacodynamics. A capsular tension ring was placed in a bag followed by tangential cortical clean up and implantation of a foldable intraocular lens (IOL). One month following surgery, both eyes had a visual acuity of 20/20 with a stable IOL. This case report highlights the rarest malformation of the lens with cataract and its successful management by phacoemulsification using iris retractors as capsule supporting device.

A clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal Anti-VEGF therapy in treating macular edema due to retinal venous occlusions.

BACKGROUND: A non-randomized, interventional study was carried out various types of retinal venous occlusions with significant macular edema who required an Anti-VEGF injection. METHOD: One hundred and one consecutive patients diagnosed as a case of CRVO/HCRVO/BRVO were enrolled in the study provided they had significant macular edema. Atleast three intra-vitreal injections of Anti-VEGFs were given and both the pre and post injections BCVA and CMT on OCT were observed and analyzed. RESULTS: 87 patients (86.14%) showed a significant improvement of vision of atleast two lines on the Snellen's and mean BCVA improved from log MAR +1.084 to log MAR +0.455. CMT on OCT showed reduction in thickness after Anti-VEGF therapy in 99 patients out of 101 and mean CMT decreased from 586.30 µ at baseline to 329.50 µ. Both of these findings were statistically very significant. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-VEGF therapy had a marked improvement in BCVA along with a dramatic reduction in CMT in the vast majority of RVOs patients with no serious ocular or systemic side effects.

Effect of 0.5 mm larger donor corneal size on intraocular pressure following penetrating keratoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Glaucoma can develop after penetrating keratoplasty resulting in irreversible loss of vision. The incidence of post-penetrating keratoplasty glaucoma varies from 31% in the early postoperative period to 29% after three months. Various factors are responsible for the rise of intraocular pressure (IOP). This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of 0.5 mm larger donor corneal size on IOP following penetrating keratoplasty. METHODS: Patients were divided into two groups: group I was phakic and group II consisted of aphakic and pseudophakic patients. The same surgical technique was used for obtaining and suturing the donor graft. The viscoelastics and the postoperative regime also remained the same in all cases. IOP was measured by the rebound tonometer. RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative raised IOP in the first seven days in the phakic group was found to range from 16 mmHg to 25 mmHg and IOP in the aphakic/pseudophakic group ranged from 16 mmHg to 42 mmHg. The IOP in the phakic group after three weeks of surgery was around 12.3 mmHg and that in the pseudophakic/aphakic group was 14.8 mmHg-16.2 mmHg. In aphakic patients, IOP was controlled in the first six months with eyedrops Timolol 0.5% and tablet acetazolamide which was given only for short periods. IOP settled to < 12 mmHg with timolol 0.5% after six months. In the pseudophakic patients, IOP became normal by six months. These were inclusive of patients who had undergone anterior reconstruction and/or vitrectomy. CONCLUSION: The study proves that keeping the donor corneal size 0.5 mm larger does not affect IOP and that aphakia itself is a factor responsible for rise of IOP due to anterior chamber angle compression.

Pleomorphic adenoma of a subconjunctival ectopic lacrimal gland.

This report describes a case of pleomorphic adenoma of an ectopic lacrimal gland arising subconjunctivally in the lateral fornix in a 13-year-old girl. The tumor was removed surgically in toto with the capsule. This is probably the first reported case.

5-Fluoro-Uracil and Low Molecular Weight Heparin in the Management of Proliferative Vitreo-retinopathy.

BACKGROUND: Proliferative vitreo-retinopathy (PVR) is the most common cause of failed repair of a primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). The success rates for the surgery of complicated RRD has doubled with improved vitreous techniques from 35-40% to approximately 65-75% at six months. However, despite these advances, recurrent vitreo-retinal traction leads to re-detachment in more than one-fourths of the initially successful cases. The use of adjunctive treatments to prevent cellular proliferation holds promise for the prevention of PVR or recurrences after surgery. One focus has been on the use of intra-vitreal antimetabolites to prevent the occurrence of PVR. METHODS: Thirty patients of complicated retinal detachment associated with PVR, C1 or more were managed by vitreo-retinal (VR) surgery with the addition of 250 µg / ml of 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and 1 IU / ml of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) to the vitreous infusion. The patients were examined for any evidence of PVR till 180 days as also for any systemic or other ophthalmic complication. RESULT: Out of the 30 cases in the study group, 25 (83.34%) cases had retinal settlement at the end of six weeks, which is similar to the outcomes of conventional VR surgery. There was no case of any serious complication. CONCLUSION: The addition of LMWH and 5FU did not enhance the outcome of VR surgery.

Evaluation of Vitreous Substitutes in Managing Complicated Vitreo-retinal Surgeries.

BACKGROUND: Vitreous substitutes presently in use for intraoperative tamponade are perfluorocarbon liquids (PFCL) and for post operative tamponade are silicon oil (SO), sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) and perfluorocarbon gas (PFC). Several factors are important for a thorough understanding of each of these vitreous substitutes. The absorption or necessity for removal, indications for use (including clinical studies and special surgical methods), additives and complications of use have to be considered. METHODS: Three port standard pars plana vitrectomy was performed in 60 consecutive cases requiring intra-vitreal intervention. PFCL was used intra-operatively in 30 cases (PFCL group and X group). The eyes were implanted with SO (silicon oil subgroup), PFC (C3F8 sub-group) and SF6 (SF6 sub-group) in twenty cases each. Apart from best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), the retinal status and the longevity of gas when used, changes and reaction in both the anterior and posterior segments were noted. RESULT: The difference of postoperative BCVA in the PFCL and non-PFCL groups was statistically significant with p < 0.001. In both the PFCL and non-PFCL groups the difference between preoperative and postoperative BCVA was statistically significant with p < 0.0001. All three vitreous substitutes studied are effective given the case where they had been utilised. CONCLUSION: PFCL is invaluable in the management of complicated retinal detachment (RD). Where a vitreous microsurgery is indicated, the visual outcome is good. SF6 is useful for short-term tamponade. Silicon oil and C3F8 are useful for longer tamponade.

Primary 360° Broad Buckling in Retinal Detachment.

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment behaves like proliferative vitreo-retinopathy (PVR) even without evidence of the same. Surgery could be done either with conventional buckling procedures where the extent of buckling is determined by the number and location of the breaks or by primary vitreous surgery. In this study these cases were managed with primary 360°encircling broad buckle without a vitreous procedure. METHODS: 210 eyes, with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment of more than six months duration and with PVR up to C3 (CP3 focal) were subjected to buckling surgery. Trans-scleral cryopexy of the breaks, 360°encircling buckle with a 276 - 279 tire and subretinal fluid drainage was performed. RESULT: Most (85.74%) of the eyes showed anatomical retinal re-attachment. CONCLUSION: Primary broad encircling buckling can be conducted successfully in cases of long standing retinal detachment.