Endoscopic Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy under Local Anesthesia or Assisted Local Anesthesia.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy (EENDCR) is effective, safe and less time consuming procedure and scar free to manage patients with epiphora. Traditionally, EENDCR is performed under general anesthesia. Limited general anesthesia facility in our country has made EENDCR surgery limited to the hospitals with GA facilities. EENDCR surgery under local or assisted local anesthesia could be an alternative solution. The aim of the study was to study the pain tolerability of the patient undergoing EENDCR under local anesthesia (LA) or assisted local anesthesia (ALA). To the best of our knowledge, there is a lack of similar studies in Nepal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, nonrandomized, interventional study done at a tertiary eye care center. After sample collection the study was aimed to evaluate the pain tolerability of patients undergoing EENDCR under LA or ALA. The case collection and the surgery were done by a single surgeon from 2018 Jan- 2019 April and followed for 6 to 24 months. All consecutive cases were enrolled in the study. Informed consent was obtained from all the patients. Inclusion criteria included chronic dacryocystitis with NLDO (Nasolacrimal duct obstruction), lacrimal sac mucocele and lacrimal sac pyocele. Previously failed DCR surgery was not included in the study. Total of 100 patients of EENDCR with a tube who completed a minimum 6 months follow up postoperatively were included in the study. Verbal rating scale (VRS) was used to report response to pain during different steps of surgery. RESULTS: There were 100 patients within the age range of 13-41 years of age. One hundred and six EENDCR were performed on 100 patients. Eighty-seven patients were adult (19-41) years and 13 patients were of pediatrics age group (13-18) years. There were 74 female and 26 male patients. Thirty-seven were RE (right eye), 57 were LE (Left eye) and 6 were BL (bilateral). Duration of illness was less than 6 months in 9 patients and more than 6 months in 91 patients. Ninety-two eyes were operated under LA and fourteen eyes of 11 patients asked for sedation in addition to local anesthesia (ALA). Patients reported pain during the creation of the bony ostium with Keryson's rounger (24 eyes, VRS 3-4) and while using the drill (19 eyes, VRS 5-6). On pain scoring, there was no pain (0-2) in patients who underwent EENDCR under ALA. Pain scoring in patients who underwent EENDCR under LA showed no pain (0-2) in 51.08%, mild pain (3-4) in 26.08%, and moderate pain (5-6) in 20.65%. Duration of surgery ranged from 15 to 45 minutes. Duration of follow up was 6- 24 months. There was a 96.2% success rate in this study. CONCLUSION: EENDCR can be done under LA or ALA depending on the indication and demand of the patient.

Orbital Tumors and Tumor like Lesions: A Hospital Based Study.

BACKGROUND: Orbital tumors have rare incidence, still they play a significant role in terms of morbidity and mortality. Orbital tumors may be primary, secondary or metastatic. These consist of benign and malignant lesions with extreme variations in pediatric and adult groups. These lesions can have acute or chronic onset, slow to rapid progression with or without bony destructions leading to vision loss, deformity and sometimes death. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Ophthalmic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in Biratnagar Eye Hospital. Fifty-one patients who underwent histopathological evaluation for their orbital lesions from June 2018 to December 2019 were included in the study. RESULTS: Orbital tumor and tumor like lesions comprised 27 cases (52.94%) in adults and 24 (47.06%) in paediatrics. Histopathologically, the most common pediatric benign tumor was dermoid cyst and malignant was secondary to orbital extension of retinoblastoma. Also, the most common adult benign orbital tumor was cavernous hemangioma and malignant was non Hodgkins lymphoma. The clinico-pathological accuracy for diagnosis was 68.63%. Association between age groups and nature of orbital lesions and between clinical and histopathological diagnosis was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Orbital tumors and tumor like lesions are uncommonly encountered. These masses showed significant variation in incidence in children versus adults. Combined efforts by different specialties help in early and prompt management of the orbital tumors.

Orbital Myocysticercosis different Presentation and Management in Eastern Nepal.

INTRODUCTION: Ocular cysticercosis is a preventable cause of blindness. It is caused by parasitic infestation caused by the larval form of Taenia solium. Poor sanitation and improper management of food and meat products are the major causes for cysticercosis infestation. CASE: Two cases of myocysticercosis presented to our hospital differently. A 12 years boy, first case presented with drooping of right eye (RE) upper lid with recurrent swelling, pain, redness with mild headache and intermittent vomiting for 1 and half months. On examination swelling of RE upper lid, mild ptosis, abaxial proptosis with restricted motility in upgaze was noted. Orbital CT (computer tomography) scan and ocular ultrasound reports showed findings suggestive of myocysticercosis of superior rectus muscle of RE. Routine microscopic examination (RME) of stool demonstrated eggs of Taenia. Complete blood count (CBC) showed eosinophilia. As a suspected case of myocysticercosis and since the patient resided at an endemic zone, empirical therapy with albendazole and steroid was started to continue for 4 weeks. After one week the patient presented with features suggestive of RE orbital cellulitis. With proper counseling about medical therapy and cyst excision, the patient recovered well with only mild RE upper lid ptosis of 2mm. The histopathological examination (HPE) of the excised cyst was suggestive of inflammatory cystic lesion. A 55 years male presented as a second case to us with gradually increasing mass in the RE lower lid with a history of pain, difficulty in opening RE and intermittent swelling of RE 2 months back. On examination RE lower lid mass with exotropia of 15 degree, mild hypertropia was noted. CT scan showed presence of cystic mass 3.5x2x1.5cm in the right orbit involving the right inferior rectus muscle, abutting and displacing the globe superolaterally. CBC showed eosinophilia. Post cyst excision patient recovered well with remaining mild restriction in infraduction most probably due to fibrosis. HPE was conclusive of cysticercus cellulosae. Both the patients improved well with no recurrence until last visit 17 months in 12 years boy and 6 months in 55 years male after which he lost to follow. CONCLUSION: Myocysticercosis can occur at any age. There is equal importance of clinical, radiological, microbiological and histopathological support for proper diagnosis and management of cysticercosis. Medical therapy along with surgical excision of the cyst with it's content may be needed in the management of myocysticersosis.

Canalicular Curettage to the Rescue: a report of three cases.

INTRODUCTION: Canalicular curettage is a surgical procedure used to remove canalicular contents and debris from canaliculi. It is usually indicated for chronic, persistent or recalcitrant canalicular diseases with no resolution of symptoms after conservative management. We describe 3 different cases of persistent canalicular diseases which needed canalicular curettage to rescue from the conditions leading to successful outcomes. Cases and observations: • Case 1: A 45-year-old male presented with recurrent punctal granuloma 3 months after DCR surgery. Canalicular exploration and curettage with one-snip punctoplasty following excision of the mass revealed a segment of remnant silicone stent. There was no recurrence of mass in subsequent follow up visits. • Case 2: A 35-year-old female presented with recurrent canaliculitis for last 6 months. Canalicular curettage revealed multiple small calcified masses of varying size and shape. The patient had good postoperative recovery and showed no recurrence of symptoms. • Case 3: A 32-year-old female presented with gradually increasing pedunculated mass arising out of punctum for last one month. Excision of mass with canalicular curettage was done. Biopsy proved it to be squamous papilloma of the canaliculi. There was no recurrence of mass. CONCLUSION: Canalicular curettage is a simple, safe and effective surgical intervention to rescue from the recalcitrant canalicular conditions like canaliculitits, retained foreign bodies, canalicular neoplasms leading to successful outcomes.

Choroidal Melanoma: Our Experience.

BACKGROUND: Choroidal melanomas are diagnosed in approximately 6 out of one million Americans per year, and although their incidence is low, they are the most common primary intraocular tumor in adults. METHODS: Choroidal melanoma is rare tumors and till date no such reports with sclera involvement has been reported from Nepal. It is a prospective case series. The aim of this study is for awareness of the severity of the Choroidal melanoma and it's management. Besides, it is also to study the demography, presentation, histopathological variations and management of cases of choroidal melanoma. All the consecutive cases of Choroidal melanoma presenting between Jan 2017 to May 2018 and those who were within the inclusion criteria were included in this study. RESULTS: There were eight patients, five male and three female, within age range of 18-73, median age was 47. All patients presented with decreased vision ranging from 6/24 to PL of less then three months to 2 years duration. Fund us showed choroidal mass associated with Vitreous hemorrhage (VH), and retinal detachment (RD). Two patients were managed with enucleation with External beam radiotherapy (EBRT). Four underwent only enucleation. One patient with lesion size less then 10mm under went plaque brachy therapy. One patient underwent initially Plaque brachy therapy but later had to undergo Enucleation. Histopathological examination (HPE) of enucleated patient revealed epitheloid cell melanoma grade three in four and Spindle cell melanoma in three patients. Each one patient of epitheloid cell melanoma and spindle cell melanomahad scleral involvement. Indication for radiotherapy was scleral involvement. CONCLUSION: With 8 cases of Choroidal melanoma in a single year in a single hospitalgives us a clue that there may be much more undiagnosed cases of Choroidal melanomain Nepal that should be taken seriously. Going for annual eye examination with routine dilated fund us exams can help in prevention and early diagnosis of this life and sight threatening condition and to reduce the mortality rate.

Congenital Microphthalmia with Orbital Cyst: A Case Series.

Microphthalmos results from incomplete invagination of the optic vesicle or closure of the embryonic fissure. We present three patients with unilateral congenital microphthalmia with cyst. None of them had vision in the affected eye since birth. There was gradually increasing left eye orbital mass encroaching towards lower fornix and lower eyelid ectropion. On examination and investigations, patients had large orbital cyst with microphthalmia pushing the eyeball superiorly and posteriorly in affected orbit. Microphthalmic globe with cyst was surgically excised and histopathologically studied. Orbital cavity was big enough to occupy the conformer and the prosthetic eye after 6 weeks. Diagnosis was confirmed as large communicating orbital cyst with microphthalmia without systemic association in all the patients. None of the mothers of patients had regular antenatal check up. All the parents had consanguineous marriage. Antenatal check up with ultrasound at 14 to16 weeks of pregnancy is important for genetic counselling. Targeted abdominal ultrasound examination of pregnant women focused on the orbital region of foetus is recommended, in mothers who have children with congenital eye anomalies. Keywords: congenital anomaly; cyst; eye; microphthalmos.

Amniotic membrane transplantation: Current indications in a tertiary eye hospital of eastern Nepal.

INTRODUCTION: Amniotic membrane has unique properties that can be helpful to treat different ocular surface diseases. OBJECTIVES: To report our experience with 100% glycerol preserved amniotic membrane at 4°C and fresh amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) with and without limbal graft for ocular surface reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective case study of 211 eyes of 211 patients was conducted at Biratnagar Eye Hospital from June 2008 to March 2014. The cases were evaluated in terms of demographic parameters, preoperative diagnosis and the type of surgery performed. RESULTS: The most common indication for surgery was Pterygium (90 eyes, 42.65%), followed by symblepharon (57 eyes, 27.01%), chemical injury (35 eyes, 16.58%), socket reconstruction (9 eyes, 4.26%), shield ulcer (6 eyes, 2.84%), PED (4 eyes, 1.89%), Steven Jonson's syndrome (5 eyes, 2.36%), dry Eye (2 eyes, 0.94%), Corneal Degeneration (2 eyes, 0.94%), bullous keratopathy (1 eye, 0.47%). The mean age was 28.12 ±17.2 years (age range 3-78 years). More men (161, 76.30%) underwent surgery than women (50 eyes, 23.69%). Symblepharon (24 eyes, 36.36%) was the major cause of surgery in pediatric group. The mean follow-up was 7 months (range 2-36, months). Resurgery was needed in (18 eyes, 8.53%) of which symblepharon (7eyes, 39%) was the major cause. AMT was done in 189 (89.57%) eyes and AMT with conjunctival limbal graft was done in 22(10.42 %) cases. Infectious, inflammatory, or allergic reactions were not encountered in any patient. CONCLUSION: All patient experienced increased ocular comfort with anatomical restoration of corneal and conjunctival surfaces. AMT alone or in combination with limbal graft aids in ocular surface reconstruction.