Inhibition of STEP61 ameliorates deficits in mouse and hiPSC-based schizophrenia models.

The brain-specific tyrosine phosphatase, STEP (STriatal-Enriched protein tyrosine Phosphatase) is an important regulator of synaptic function. STEP normally opposes synaptic strengthening by increasing N-methyl D-aspartate glutamate receptor (NMDAR) internalization through dephosphorylation of GluN2B and inactivation of the kinases extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and Fyn. Here we show that STEP61 is elevated in the cortex in the Nrg1+/- knockout mouse model of schizophrenia (SZ). Genetic reduction or pharmacological inhibition of STEP prevents the loss of NMDARs from synaptic membranes and reverses behavioral deficits in Nrg1+/- mice. STEP61 protein is also increased in cortical lysates from the central nervous system-specific ErbB2/4 mouse model of SZ, as well as in human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived forebrain neurons and Ngn2-induced excitatory neurons, from two independent SZ patient cohorts. In these selected SZ models, increased STEP61 protein levels likely reflect reduced ubiquitination and degradation. These convergent findings from mouse and hiPSC SZ models provide evidence for STEP61 dysfunction in SZ.

Intrarectal fixative for positioning of the prostate for intensity modulated radiotherapy.

Dose escalation improves local control in carcinoma prostate, but rectal toxicity remains a concern. Various techniques have been there to reduce the dose to the rectum. Mobility of the prostate results in a necessary expansion of the target volume. We describe a new intrarectal fixative, developed in-house with transrectal ultrasonography through the fixative itself for localization of the organ by reporting a case with early carcinoma prostate. Concerns of rectal toxicity limit dose escalation in the treatment of prostate cancer. Intra- and interfraction prostate motion is a concern in dose conformity techniques. The intrarectal fixative system developed in-house physically separates the prostate and rectum during radiation treatment. Thus, both intra- and inter-fractional movement of the organ are addressed, therefore planning target volume expansion can be kept minimal.

Comparative analysis between 5 mm and 7.5 mm collimators in CyberKnife radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia.

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is treated in CyberKnife (Accuray Inc, Sunnyvale, USA) with the 5 mm collimator whose dosimetric inaccuracy is higher than the other available collimators. The 7.5 mm collimator which is having less dosimetric uncertainty can be an alternative for 5 mm collimator provided the dose distribution with 7.5 mm collimator is acceptable. Aim of this study is to analyze the role of 7.5 mm collimator in CyberKnife treatment plans of TN. The treatment plans with 5 mm collimators were re-optimized with 7.5 mm collimator and a bi-collimator system (5 mm and 7.5 mm). The treatment plans were compared for target coverage, brainstem doses, and the dose to normal tissues. The target and brainstem doses were comparable. However, the conformity indices were 2.31 ± 0.52, 2.40 ± 0.87 and 2.82 ± 0.51 for 5 mm, bi-collimator (5mm and 7.5 mm), 7.5 mm collimator plans respectively. This shows the level of dose spillage in 7.5 mm collimator plans. The 6 Gy dose volumes in 7.5 mm plans were 1.53 and 1.34 times higher than the 5 mm plan and the bi-collimator plans respectively. The treatment time parameters were lesser for 7.5 mm collimators. Since, the normal tissue dose is pretty high in 7.5 mm collimator plans, the use of it in TN plans can be ruled out though the treatment time is lesser for these 7.5 mm collimator plans.

A study on rectal dose measurement in phantom and in vivo using Gafchromic EBT3 film in IMRT and CyberKnife treatments of carcinoma of prostate.

The objective of this study is to check the feasibility of in vivo rectal dose measurement in intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and CyberKnife treatments for carcinoma prostate. An in-house pelvis phantom made with bee's wax was used in this study. Two cylindrical bone equivalent materials were used to simulate the femur. Target and other critical structures associated with carcinoma prostate were delineated on the treatment planning images by the radiation oncologist. IMRT treatment plan was generated in Oncentra Master Plan treatment planning system and CyberKnife treatment plan was generated in Multiplan treatment planning system. Dose measurements were carried out in phantom and in patient using Gafchromic EBT3 films. RIT software was used to analyze the dose measured by EBT3 films. The measured doses using EBT3 films were compared with the TPS-calculated dose along the anterior rectal wall at multiple points. From the in-phantom measurements, it is observed that the difference between calculated and measured dose was mostly within 5%, except for a few measurement points. The difference between calculated and measured dose in the in-patient measurements was higher than 5% in regions which were away from the target. Gafchromic EBT3 film is a suitable detector for in vivo rectal dose measurements as it offers the possibility of analyzing the dose at multiple points. In addition, the method of extending this in vivo rectal dose measurement technique as a tool for patient-specific quality assurance check is also analyzed.

Analysis of high-dose rate brachytherapy dose distribution resemblance in CyberKnife hypofractionated treatment plans of localized prostate cancer.

The present study is to analyze the CyberKnife hypofractionated dose distribution of localized prostate cancer in terms of high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy equivalent doses to assess the degree of HDR brachytherapy resemblance of CyberKnife dose distribution. Thirteen randomly selected localized prostate cancer cases treated using CyberKnife with a dose regimen of 36.25Gy in 5 fractions were considered. HDR equivalent doses were calculated for 30Gy in 3 fractions of HDR brachytherapy regimen. The D5% of the target in the CyberKnife hypofractionation was 41.57 ± 2.41Gy. The corresponding HDR fractionation (3 fractions) equivalent dose was 32.81 ± 1.86Gy. The mean HDR fractionation equivalent dose, D98%, was 27.93 ± 0.84Gy. The V100% of the prostate target was 95.57% ± 3.47%. The V100% of the bladder and the rectum were 717.16 and 79.6mm(3), respectively. Analysis of the HDR equivalent dose of CyberKnife dose distribution indicates a comparable resemblance to HDR dose distribution in the peripheral target doses (D98% to D80%) reported in the literature. However, there is a substantial difference observed in the core high-dose regions especially in D10% and D5%. The dose fall-off within the OAR is also superior in reported HDR dose distribution than the HDR equivalent doses of CyberKnife.

A preliminary study suggests that nicotine and prefrontal dopamine affect cortico-striatal areas in smokers with performance feedback.

Nicotine and tonic dopamine (DA) levels [as inferred by catechol-O-methyl tranferase (COMT) Val158Met genotype] interact to affect prefrontal processing. Prefrontal cortical areas are involved in response to performance feedback, which is impaired in smokers. We investigated whether there is a nicotine × COMT genotype interaction in brain circuitry during performance feedback of a reward task. We scanned 23 healthy smokers (10 Val/Val homozygotes, 13 Met allele carriers) during two fMRI sessions while subjects were wearing a nicotine or placebo patch. A significant nicotine × COMT genotype interaction for BOLD signal during performance feedback in cortico-striatal areas was seen. Activation in these areas during the nicotine patch condition was greater in Val/Val homozygotes and reduced in Met allele carriers. During negative performance feedback, the change in activation in error detection areas such as anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)/superior frontal gyrus on nicotine compared to placebo was greater in Val/Val homozygotes compared to Met allele carriers. With transdermal nicotine administration, Val/Val homozygotes showed greater activation with performance feedback in the dorsal striatum, area associated with habitual responding. In response to negative feedback, Val/Val homozygotes had greater activation in error detection areas, including the ACC, suggesting increased sensitivity to loss with nicotine exposure. Although these results are preliminary due to small sample size, they suggest a possible neurobiological mechanism underlying the clinical observation that Val/Val homozygotes, presumably with elevated COMT activity compared to Met allele carriers and therefore reduced prefrontal DA levels, have poorer outcomes with nicotine replacement therapy.

Monte Carlo and ray tracing algorithms in the cyberknife treatment planning for lung tumours- comparison and validation.

Multiplan treatment planning system, used with Cyberknife system, provides the option of using either the ray tracing algorithm or the Monte Carlo algorithm for the final dose calculation. In order to compare and validate the dose calculations of these algorithms, especially in a heterogeneous medium, a lung phantom study was carried out. Validation has been done with thermoluminiscent dosimetry (TLD) using lithium fluoride rods for the point doses and film dosimetry using EBT2 films for the dose distribution. In the point dose measurements, an agreement of 100.1+2.6 % (1 SD) is observed with the Monte Carlo dose calculation, whereas it is only 91.2+ 3.2% (1 SD) with the ray tracing calculation. On subjecting the dose distributions from irradiated EBT2 films for validation of Monte Carlo calculation MC , over 96% of the pixels pass the gamma criteria of 3mm and 3cGy.On analyzing the dose profiles from EBT2 films and the corresponding profiles from the plan calculated using the Monte Carlo algorithm, it is seen that the maximum distance-to-agreement values are within the 3mm criteria set, whereas the maximum values are as high as 8 mm when compared with plan calculated using ray tracing algorithm. The results of the actual measurements are more consistent with the dose calculation by the Monte Carlo algorithm.

A study on comparison of Gafchromic EBT2 film response under single and cumulative exposure conditions.

Gafchromic films are used as dosimeter for in vivo and in phantom dose measurements. The dose response of Gafchromic EBT2 film under single and repeated exposure conditions is compared in this study to analyze the usability of Gafchromic EBT2 films in cumulative dose measurements. The post-irradiation change in response of the film is studied for up to 4 days after irradiation. The effect of repeated exposure to scanner light on the response of the film is also studied. To check usability of Gafchromic EBT2 films in cumulative dose measurements, three EBT2 films were exposed to a daily fraction dose of 100 cGy, 150 cGy and 200 cGy, respectively, for 4 days. The dose response of the films exposed to cumulative irradiation was compared with the dose measured from films exposed to the same dose but in a single exposure. It is observed that the post-irradiation darkening of the film does not saturate and continue to take place even 4 days after irradiation. The dose measured from the EBT2 films after 4 days from irradiation was around 2% higher than the dose measured from the same films at 24 hours post-irradiation. It was also observed that the repeated exposure to scanner light does not produce any significant change in the film response. The dose response of films exposed to cumulative irradiation agrees with the dose response of films exposed to the same dose in a single irradiation with less than 3% difference. Gafchromic EBT2 films can be used to measure the cumulative dose delivered over multiple fractions, when the delivered dose is uniform across the film.

Influence of smoothing algorithms in Monte Carlo dose calculations of cyberknife treatment plans: a lung phantom study.

AIM: The Monte Carlo dose calculation algorithm yields accurate dose distributions in heterogeneous media and interfaces. The Monte Carlo calculation algorithm provided in the Multiplan Cyberknife treatment planning system (Accuray, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) has five different dose-smoothing algorithms in it. As the principle of smoothing of these algorithms is different, they can produce a disparity in the final dose distribution. The aim of the present study is to analyze the influence of these Monte Carlo smoothing algorithms in the final dose distribution of cyberknife treatment plans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An anthropomorphic lung phantom with a tumor mimicking ball target was taken for this study. The basic optimization was performed with the Ray tracing algorithm. The Monte Carlo calculations were introduced with each smoothing algorithm on the basic plan and the plans were compared. RESULTS: The Monte Carlo doses were found to be lesser than the Ray tracing doses. The dose conformity index was above 4 for all the smoothing algorithms, while it was only 1.19 for Ray tracing. The least coverage of 6.34 was obtained for a weighted average algorithm. The deviation between the V100% values of different smoothing algorithms was higher than the deviation in V80%. CONCLUSION: The deviations between the smoothing algorithms are higher in the high-dose regions, including the prescribing isodose, than the low-dose regions of the target, as well as in the organs at risk (OAR).

Dosimetric analysis of trigeminal nerve, brain stem doses in CyberKnife radiosurgery of trigeminal neuralgia.

CyberKnife radiosurgery treatment of Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is performed as a non-invasive image guided procedure. The prescription dose for TN is very high. The brainstem is the adjacent critical organ at risk (OAR) which is prone to receive the very high target dose of TN. The present study is to analyze the dose distribution inside the tiny trigeminal nerve target and also to analyze the dose fall off in the brain stem. Seven TN cases treated between November 2010 and January 2012 were taken for this study retrospectively. The treatment plans were analyzed for target dose conformity, homogeneity and dose coverage. In the brainstem the volume doses D(1%), D(2%) were taken for analyzing the higher doses in the brain stem. The dose fall off was analyzed in terms of D(5%) and D(10%). The mean value of maximum dose within the trigeminal nerve target was 73.5±2.1Gy (P=0.0007) and the minimum dose was 50.0±4.1Gy (P=0.1315). The mean conformity index was 2.19 and the probable reason could be the smallest CyberKnife collimator of 5mm used in the treatment plan. The mean D(1%), of the brainstem was 10.5± 2.1Gy (P=0.5316) and the mean value of the maximum point dose within the brainstem was 35.6±3.8Gy. This shows the degree of dose fall off within the brainstem. Though the results of the present study are showing superior sparing of brain stem and reasonable of target coverage, it is necessary to execute the treatment plan with greater accuracy in CyberKnife as the immobilization is noninvasive and frameless.

The tyrosine phosphatase STEP: implications in schizophrenia and the molecular mechanism underlying antipsychotic medications.

Glutamatergic signaling through N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) is required for synaptic plasticity. Disruptions in glutamatergic signaling are proposed to contribute to the behavioral and cognitive deficits observed in schizophrenia (SZ). One possible source of compromised glutamatergic function in SZ is decreased surface expression of GluN2B-containing NMDARs. STEP(61) is a brain-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase that dephosphorylates a regulatory tyrosine on GluN2B, thereby promoting its internalization. Here, we report that STEP(61) levels are significantly higher in the postmortem anterior cingulate cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of SZ patients, as well as in mice treated with the psychotomimetics MK-801 and phencyclidine (PCP). Accumulation of STEP(61) after MK-801 treatment is due to a disruption in the ubiquitin proteasome system that normally degrades STEP(61). STEP knockout mice are less sensitive to both the locomotor and cognitive effects of acute and chronic administration of PCP, supporting the functional relevance of increased STEP(61) levels in SZ. In addition, chronic treatment of mice with both typical and atypical antipsychotic medications results in a protein kinase A-mediated phosphorylation and inactivation of STEP(61) and, consequently, increased surface expression of GluN1/GluN2B receptors. Taken together, our findings suggest that STEP(61) accumulation may contribute to the pathophysiology of SZ. Moreover, we show a mechanistic link between neuroleptic treatment, STEP(61) inactivation and increased surface expression of NMDARs, consistent with the glutamate hypothesis of SZ.

Equivalent normalized total dose estimates in cyberknife radiotherapy dose delivery in prostate cancer hypofractionation regimens.

As the α/ß value of prostate is very small and lower than the surrounding critical organs, hypofractionated radiotherapy became a vital mode of treatment of prostate cancer. Cyberknife (Accuray Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA) treatment for localized prostate cancer is performed in hypofractionated dose regimen alone. Effective dose escalation in the hypofractionated regimen can be estimated if the corresponding conventional 2 Gy per fraction equivalent normalized total dose (NTD) distribution is known. The present study aims to analyze the hypofractionated dose distribution of localized prostate cancer in terms of equivalent NTD. Randomly selected 12 localized prostate cases treated in cyberknife with a dose regimen of 36.25 Gy in 5 fractions were considered. The 2 Gy per fraction equivalent NTDs were calculated using the formula derived from the linear quadratic (LQ) model. Dose distributions were analyzed with the corresponding NTDs. The conformity index for the prescribed target dose of 36.25 Gy equivalent to the NTD dose of 90.63 Gy (α/ß = 1.5) or 74.31 Gy (α/ß = 3) was ranging between 1.15 and 1.73 with a mean value of 1.32 ± 0.15. The D5% of the target was 111.41 ± 8.66 Gy for α/ß = 1.5 and 90.15 ± 6.57 Gy for α/ß = 3. Similarly, the D95% was 91.98 ± 3.77 Gy for α/ß = 1.5 and 75.35 ± 2.88 Gy for α/ß = 3. The mean values of bladder and rectal volume receiving the prescribed dose of 36.25 Gy were 0.83 cm3 and 0.086 cm3, respectively. NTD dose analysis shows an escalated dose distribution within the target for low α/ß (1.5 Gy) with reasonable sparing of organs at risk. However, the higher α/ß of prostate (3 Gy) is not encouraging the fact of dose escalation in cyberknife hypofractionated dose regimen of localized prostate cancer.

Dose linearity and monitor unit stability of a G4 type cyberknife robotic stereotactic radiosurgery system.

Dose linearity studies on conventional linear accelerators show a linearity error at low monitor units (MUs). The purpose of this study was to establish the dose linearity and MU stability characteristics of a cyberknife (Accuray Inc., USA) stereotactic radiosurgery system. Measurements were done at a depth of 5 cm in a stereotactic dose verification phantom with a source to surface distance of 75 cm in a Generation 4 (G4) type cyberknife system. All the 12 fixed-type collimators starting from 5 to 60 mm were used for the dose linearity study. The dose linearity was examined in small (1-10), medium (15-100) and large (125-1000) MU ranges. The MU stability test was performed with 60 mm collimator for 10 MU and 20 MU with different combinations. The maximum dose linearity error of -38.8% was observed for 1 MU with 5 mm collimator. Dose linearity error in the small MU range was considerably higher than in the medium and large MU ranges. The maximum error in the medium range was -2.4%. In the large MU range, the linearity error varied between -0.7% and 1.2%. The maximum deviation in the MU stability was -3.03%.

Patient dose analysis in total body irradiation through in vivo dosimetry.

Total body irradiation (TBI) is a special radiotherapy technique, administered prior to bone marrow transplantation. Due to the complex nature of the treatment setup, in vivo dosimetry for TBI is mandatory to ensure proper delivery of the intended radiation dose throughout the body. Lithium fluoride (LiF) TLD-100 chips are used for the TBI in vivo dosimetry. Results obtained from the in vivo dosimetry of 20 patients are analyzed. Results obtained from forehead, abdomen, pelvis, and mediastinum showed a similar pattern with the average measured dose from 96 to 97% of the prescription dose. Extremities and chest received a dose greater than the prescription dose in many instances (more than 20% of measurements). Homogeneous dose delivery to the whole body is checked by calculating the mean dose with standard deviation for each fraction. Reasons for the difference between prescription dose and measured dose for each site are discussed. Dose homogeneity within ±10% is achieved using our in-house TBI protocol.

Dosimetric comparison of Linac-based (BrainLAB®) and robotic radiosurgery (CyberKnife ®) stereotactic system plans for acoustic schwannoma.

A dosimetric comparison of linear accelerator (LA)-based (BrainLAB) and robotic radiosurgery (RS) (CyberKnife) systems for acoustic schwannoma (Acoustic neuroma, AN) was carried out. Seven patients with radiologically confirmed unilateral AN were planned with both an LA-based (BrainLAB) and robotic RS (CyberKnife) system using the same computed tomography (CT) dataset and contours. Gross tumour volume (GTV) was contoured on post-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan [planning target volume (PTV) margin 2 mm]. Planning and calculation were done with appropriate calculation algorithms. The prescribed isodose in both systems was considered adequate to cover at least 95% of the contoured target. Plan evaluations were done by examining the target coverage by the prescribed isodose line, and high- and low-dose volumes. Isodose plans and dose volume histograms generated by the two systems were compared. There was no statistically significant difference between the contoured volumes between the systems. Tumour volumes ranged from 380 to 3,100 mm(3). Dose prescription was 13-15 Gy in single fraction (median prescribed isodose 85%). There were no significant differences in conformity index (CI) (0.53 versus 0.58; P = 0.225), maximum brainstem dose (4.9 versus 4.7 Gy; P = 0.935), 2.5-Gy volume (39.9 versus 52.3 cc; P = 0.238) or 5-Gy volume (11.8 versus 16.8 cc; P = 0.129) between BrainLAB and CyberKnife system plans. There were statistically significant differences in organs at risk (OAR) doses, such as mean cochlear dose (6.9 versus 5.4 Gy; P = 0.001), mean mesial temporal dose (2.6 versus 1.7 Gy; P = 0.07) and high-dose (10 Gy) volume (3.2 versus 5.2 cc; P = 0.017). AN patients planned with the CyberKnife system had superior OAR (cochlea and mesial temporal lobe) sparing compared with those planned with the Linac-based system. Further evaluation of these findings in prospective studies with clinical correlation will provide actual clinical benefit from the dosimetric superiority of CyberKnife.

Dosimetric analysis and comparison of IMRT and HDR brachytherapy in treatment of localized prostate cancer.

Radical radiotherapy is one of the options for the management of prostate cancer. In external beam therapy, 3D conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) are the options for delivery of increased radiation dose, as vital organs are very close to the prostate and a higher dose to these structures leads to an increased toxicity. In brachytherapy, low dose rate brachytherapy with permanent implant of radioactive seeds and high dose rate brachytherapy (HDR) with remote after loaders are available. A dosimetric analysis has been made on IMRT and HDR brachytherapy plans. Ten cases from each IMRT and HDR brachytherapy have been taken for the study. The analysis includes comparison of conformity and homogeneity indices, D100, D95, D90, D80, D50, D10 and D5 of the target. For the organs at risk (OAR), namely rectum and bladder, V100, V90 and V50 are compared. In HDR brachytherapy, the doses to 1 cc and 0.1 cc of urethra have also been studied. Since a very high dose surrounds the source, the 300% dose volumes in the target and within the catheters are also studied in two plans, to estimate the actual volume of target receiving dose over 300%. This study shows that the prescribed dose covers 93 and 92% of the target volume in IMRT and HDR brachytherapy respectively. HDR brachytherapy delivers a much lesser dose to OAR, compared to the IMRT. For rectum, the V50 in IMRT is 34.0cc whilst it is 7.5cc in HDR brachytherapy. With the graphic optimization tool in HDR brachytherapy planning, the dose to urethra could be kept within 120% of the target dose. Hence it is concluded that HDR brachytherapy may be the choice of treatment for cancer of prostate in the early stage.

Absence of lymphatic filariasis infection among secondary-school children in Oman.

The endemicity status of lymphatic filariasis in Oman is uncertain, with only sporadic cases reported, mostly imported. Immunochromatographic card test surveys were carried out to assess the presence of circulating Wuchereria bancrofti antigenaemia as a marker for active infection in children from suspected high-risk areas of Oman (South Batinah and Dhofar). Lot quality assurance sampling surveys were carried out on a minimum of 250 secondary-school children aged 17-18 years in each of 8 districts from February 2004 to March 2004. All tested students were negative for circulating W. bancrofti antigen. Based on these findings as well as previous data, Oman may possibly be classified as a nonendemic country, with no evidence of indigenous lymphatic filariasis transmission.

Absence of lymphatic filariasis infection among secondary-school children in Oman

The endemicity status of lymphatic filariasis in Oman is uncertain, with only sporadic cases reported, mostly imported. Immunochromatographic card test surveys were carried out to assess the presence of circulating Wuchereria bancrofti antigenaemia as a marker for active infection in children from suspected high-risk areas of Oman [South Batinah and Dhofar]. Lot quality assurance sampling surveys were carried out on a minimum of 250 secondary-school children aged 17-18 years in each of 8 districts from February 2004 to March 2004. All tested students were negative for circulating W. bancrofti antigen. Based on these findings as well as previous data, Oman may possibly be classified as a nonendemic country, with no evidence of indigenous lymphatic filariasis transmission

Magnitude and causes of unilateral absolute blindness in a region of Oman: a hospital-based study.

PURPOSE: To report the magnitude and causes of unilateral absolute blindness (no light perception) and barriers faced by persons with unilateral blindness in the South Batinah region of Oman. METHODS: Between January and June 2002, 12,000 patients were evaluated for visual acuity, ocular pressure, anterior ocular biomicroscopic examination, and posterior segment indirect ophthalmoscopy examination by ophthalmologists at Al Rustaq hospital in Oman. Patients having no perception of light in at least one eye were included in the cohort. A closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect data on the personal profile, history of blindness, barriers perceived as the cause of blindness, and participants' attitude towards eye care and quality of life following visual disability. RESULTS: In the 12,000 patients studied, absolute unilateral blindness (no perception of light) was present in 122 persons, a rate of 1.0% in our series. The onset of blindness was gradual in 78 (63.9%) persons and 64 (54.9%) persons had unilateral blindness for more than 10 years. The main causes of blindness e phthisis/absent/disorganized blind eye, which was present in 64 (52.5%) persons; glaucoma, seen in 49 (40.2%) participants; and corneal opacity, seen in 8 (6.5%) persons. Eighty 4.8%) persons had <3/60 vision in the fellow eye. Thirty (24.6%) persons had cataract and 19 (15.6%) persons glaucoma in the fellow eye. Forty-eight (39.3%) persons had undergone cataract surgeries while 2 (1.6%) persons were operated for glaucoma in the fellow eye. Lack of access to ophthalmic services and use of traditional medicines during the onset of blindness were reported by nearly half of the cohort. The attitude towards blindness was negative in two thirds of subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Cataract and glaucoma were important determinants of visual impairment in the fellow eyes of this cohort. These patients are at higher risk of developing bilateral impairment and need special care to prevent/treat visual disabilities in the fellow eyes. Using appropriate services, one can attempt attitudinal changes, rehabilitate them, and create a positive attitude towards life.