Factors affecting the visual outcomes and central macular thickness in diabetic maculopathy after intravitreal bevacizumab.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcomes of intravitreal bevacizumab in patients of diabetic maculopathy by anatomical outcomes and best-corrected visual acuity, and to assess the prognostic factors that influence the efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab. METHODS: The quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from January 2019 to January 2020, and comprised patients with diabetic maculopathy who were administered intravitreal bevacizumab on a monthly basis for three months with further injections administered on an as-needed basis in cases of persistent macular oedema or deterioration of best-corrected visual acuity. The assessment was done pre-injection, and three and six months after the injection. Outcome variables were best-corrected visual acuity and central macular thickness. Data was analysed using SPSS 22. RESULTS: Of the 34 patients, 2(5.9%) were males and 32(94.1%) were females. The overall mean age was 58±10 years. Of the 55 eyes, 27(49.1%) were right and 28(50.9%) were left eyes. After 3 months, the best-corrected visual acuity improved by one line in 20(36.4%) eyes. At 6 months, it improved by one line in 25(45.4%) eyes. After 3 months, the central macular thickness of 48(87.2%) eyes improved anatomically. At 6 months, a further decrease in central macular thickness resulted in 50(90.9%) eyes. The best-corrected visual acuity at 6 months was inversely correlated with central macular thickness and disruption of inner segment/outer segment integrity. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal bevacizumab injection led to appreciable improvement in best-corrected visual acuity and central macular thickness at 6 months. Disruption of inner segment/outer segment integrity, presence of exudates and cystic changes were noted that lead to poor visual prognosis.

Risk factors, causative organisms and sensitivity patterns of infective keratitis in a tertiary care hospital in Rawalpindi.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk factors, causative organisms, sensitivity patterns and treatment outcomes of infective corneal ulcers. METHODS: The prospective cohort study was conducted from January 2018 to December 2019 at the Department of Ophthalmology, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and comprised eyes of patients with corneal ulcer. Corneal scrapes were sent for microbiological assessment. Variables studied were age, gender, risk factors, onset and duration of symptoms, best corrected visual acuity, treatment and complications. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. RESULTS: Of the 65 eyes of as many patients, 40(61.5%) were from female patients and 25(38.4%) from males. The most common local risk factor was ocular surgery 19(29.2%), followed by ocular trauma 15(23.1%). Diabetes was present in 29(44.6%) cases. Culture results after corneal scrapings were positive for 39(60%) samples, while 26(40%) had no growth. Bacterial growth was present in 20(51.3%) eyes, fungal in 11(28.2%) and polymicrobial organisms were present in 8(20.5%). The most common pathogens were pseudomonas 10(25.6%) that were most sensitive to ciprofloxacin. By the end of the follow-up, 40(61.5%) cases showed improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated pseudomonas was the most common pathogen. Prompt diagnosis with culture sensitivity tests are needed in developing countries to avoid blindness due to infective corneal ulcers.