The Role of Widefield Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Assessing the Severity of Diabetic Retinopathy.

INTRODUCTION: Physicians need an accurate understanding of diabetic retinopathy (DR) severity to optimally manage patients. The aim of this prospective study is to correlate the severity of macular and peripheral retinal vascular abnormalities seen on widefield (WF) optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) with DR grading based on WF fundus photography. METHODS: The study included 150 eyes from 82 patients with treatment-naïve DR. All patients were imaged with WF fundus photography and swept-source WF OCTA. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) size and shape, and measurement of capillary nonperfusion (CNP) areas, were performed from the OCTA images. The mixed-effects model was used to compare the DR grading from WF photography with the vascular changes seen on WF-OCTA, and Bonferroni correction was applied to the gradings. RESULTS: The mean [± standard deviation (SD)] age of patients was 55.5 (± 9.4) years. The WF-OCTA showed that an increasing size of the FAZ (from 0.442 (± 0.059) µm to 0.933 (± 0.086) µm) correlated with increasing severity of the DR (as determined with WF photography). The deep capillary plexus, FAZ size, and CNP areas in eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) differed from those with mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) (p < 0.001). Most eyes with severe nonproliferative DR were found to have CNP in four quadrants [superficial capillary plexus (SCP) 60%, deep capillary plexus (DCP) 50%]. The WF-OCTA detected subtle neovascularization of the disc (NVD) in 7 eyes (10%) and neovascularization elsewhere (NVE) in 13 eyes (18%) that had been diagnosed with only moderate NPDR on WF photography. CONCLUSIONS: FAZ and CNP areas as measured by WF-OCTA correlate with DR severity. WF-OCTA can also detect subtle NVE and NVD that cannot be seen with fundus photography.

Peripheral defocus of monofocal intraocular lenses.

PURPOSE: To quantify the angular dependence of monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) power. SETTING: Ophthalmic Biophysics Laboratory, Kallam Anji Reddy campus, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India. DESIGN: Laboratory study. METHODS: Experiments were performed on IOLs from 2 different manufacturers (APPALENS 207, Appasamy Associates and SN60WF, Alcon Laboratories, Inc.). IOL powers ranged from 17 to 25 diopters (D). The IOLs were mounted in a fluid-filled chamber, and the on-axis and off-axis powers were measured using a laser ray tracing system over the central 3 mm zone with delivery angles ranging from -30 to +30 degrees in 5-degree increments. The position of the best focus was calculated for each IOL at each angle. The angular dependence of IOL power was compared with theoretical predictions. RESULTS: Peripheral defocus increased significantly with increasing incidence angle and power. The peripheral defocus at ±30 degrees increased from 5.8 to 8.5 D when the power increased from 17.5 to 24.5 D for APPALENS 207 and from 4.9 to 7.4 D when the power increased from 17 to 25 D for SN60WF. The mean difference between the measured and theoretical tangential power at ±30 degrees was 0.50 ± 0.16 D for the APPALENS 207 and -0.40 ± 0.10 D for the SN60WF, independent of IOL power. CONCLUSIONS: IOLs introduce a significant amount of peripheral defocus which varies significantly with IOL power and design. Given that peripheral defocus is related to lens power, replacement of the crystalline lens (approximately 24 D) with an IOL will produce a significant difference in peripheral defocus profile after surgery.

Refractive outcomes following silicone oil tamponade in vitreoretinal surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the factors influencing the refractive outcomes following silicone oil tamponade (SOT) and silicone oil removal (SOR) in different lens statuses post-vitreoretinal surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of three different lens statuses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a descriptive study that included 150 eyes of 147 patients who had undergone pars plana vitrectomy with SOT and SOR between January 2017 and June 2021. Demographic profile, spherical equivalent refraction (SER), and its association with clinical features were evaluated with SOT and post-SOR. RESULTS: The mean (±standard deviation [SD]) age was 47 ± 17.8 years, including all three groups. SER was represented in diopters (D). The mean ± SD refraction with SOT in phakic, pseudophakic, and aphakic was 4.28 ± 2.59 D, 2.94 ± 2.58 D, and 3.98 ± 4.82 D. The mean SER post-SOR in phakic, pseudophakic, and aphakic was -2.72 ± 2.03 D, -1.12 ± 1.41 D, and 8.22 ± 3.70 D. The diagnosis of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) among 96 eyes (64%) is the common indicator to perform vitreoretinal (VR) surgery. A minority of subjects were managed with retinal lasers before VR surgery (14%). The macula was attached in 100 eyes (67.6%), the belt buckle was done in 37 eyes (24.7%), and the silicone oil viscosity with 1000 centistoke was chosen in 129 eyes (86%). CONCLUSION: SOT was used as a tamponade in VR surgeries irrespective of lens status. The significant predictor for post-SOR refraction in phakic and aphakic is post-SOT refraction. In pseudophakic, gender and diagnosis of RRD are the predictors of SOR refraction.

Aqueous misdirection syndrome: clinical outcomes and risk factors for treatment failure.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of postoperative aqueous misdirection and factors predicting failure of interventions. METHODS: This retrospective study included 49 eyes from 47 patients with aqueous misdirection following glaucoma or cataract surgery. Resolution of aqueous misdirection (AM) was deepening of the central anterior chamber (AC) and intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤ 21 mmHg. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to evaluate risk factors for failure of various treatments. RESULTS: 10/49 eyes (20%) resolved with conservative management, and 39/49 eyes (80%) needed multiple intervention, of which 95% (37/39) eyes achieved resolution of aqueous misdirection. Pseudophakia predicted the need for multiple interventions with a hazard ratio of 2.391 (1.158-4.935), p = 0.02). Among the risk factors assessed for resolution of AM, longer axial length (HR: 0.61 (0.414-0.891), p < 0.01) and eyes with prior glaucoma surgery predicted resolution (HR: 0.142 (0.027-0.741), p < 0.01) and delayed presentation predicted failure (HR: 1.002 (1.0002-1.0031), p < 0.02). CONCLUSION: Pseudophakic eyes were more refractory and predicted the need for multiple interventions. Eyes with prior glaucoma surgery and those with longer axial length had achieved resolution faster, and delayed presentation was a risk factor for failure to resolve.

OUTCOME OF EYES TREATED FOR RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY IN POSTERIOR ZONE I: An Eastern India Study.

PURPOSE: To analyze the outcomes of eyes treated for retinopathy of prematurity in posterior Zone I. METHODS: In a part retrospective (9 years) and part prospective (1 year) interventional study, we analyzed eyes treated for retinopathy of prematurity in posterior Zone I with a minimum follow-up for 6 months. RESULTS: This study included 109 eyes of 56 infants; mean gestational age and birth weights were 29.3 (±2.1) weeks and 1112.5 (±381.9) g, respectively. The treatment included intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor as the initial treatment modality in 101 eyes (92.6%), either alone (27 eyes) or combined with laser or vitreous surgery (73 eyes). Laser was the initial treatment modality in eight eyes, either alone (n = 3) or in combination with surgery (n = 5). With anti-vascular endothelial growth factor alone, 30.68% (n = 27) eyes responded favorably, and the remaining 69.32% (n = 59) eyes needed retreatment (laser in the majority). At the final follow-up, 89.9% (out of 109) of eyes did well anatomically. Good outcome was significantly linked to no detachment at presentation ( P < 0.0001) and the presence of well-defined central vascular trunks ( P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Treating the eyes before retinal detachment with bevacizumab followed by laser (and surgery, if needed) results in a favorable outcome in babies with posterior Zone I retinopathy of prematurity.

Retinoblastoma in Asia: Clinical Presentation and Treatment Outcomes in 2112 Patients from 33 Countries.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical presentation and treatment outcomes of children who received a diagnosis of retinoblastoma in 2017 throughout Asia. DESIGN: Multinational, prospective study including treatment-naïve patients in Asia who received a diagnosis of retinoblastoma in 2017 and were followed up thereafter. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2112 patients (2797 eyes) from 96 retinoblastoma treatment centers in 33 Asian countries. INTERVENTIONS: Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, enucleation, and orbital exenteration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Enucleation and death. RESULTS: Within the cohort, 1021 patients (48%) were from South Asia (SA), 503 patients (24%) were from East Asia (EA), 310 patients (15%) were from Southeast Asia (SEA), 218 patients (10%) were from West Asia (WA), and 60 patients (3%) were from Central Asia (CA). Mean age at presentation was 27 months (median, 23 months; range, < 1-261 months). The cohort included 1195 male patients (57%) and 917 female patients (43%). The most common presenting symptoms were leukocoria (72%) and strabismus (13%). Using the American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Manual, Eighth Edition, classification, tumors were staged as cT1 (n = 441 [16%]), cT2 (n = 951 [34%]), cT3 (n = 1136 [41%]), cT4 (n = 267 [10%]), N1 (n = 48 [2%]), and M1 (n = 129 [6%]) at presentation. Retinoblastoma was treated with intravenous chemotherapy in 1450 eyes (52%) and 857 eyes (31%) underwent primary enucleation. Three-year Kaplan-Meier estimates for enucleation and death were 33% and 13% for CA, 18% and 4% for EA, 27% and 15% for SA, 32% and 22% for SEA, and 20% and 11% for WA (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: At the conclusion of this study, significant heterogeneity was found in treatment outcomes of retinoblastoma among the regions of Asia. East Asia displayed better outcomes with higher rates of globe and life salvage, whereas Southeast Asia showed poorer outcomes compared with the rest of Asia. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Estimation of the full shape of the crystalline lens from OCT: validation using stretched donor lenses.

Quantifying human crystalline lens geometry as a function of age and accommodation is important for improved cataract and presbyopia treatments. In previous works we presented eigenlenses as a basis of 3-D functions to represent the full shape of the crystalline lens ex vivo. Also, we presented the application of eigenlenses to estimate the full shape of the lens in vivo from 3-D optical coherence tomography (OCT) images, where only the central part of the lens -visible through the pupil- is available. The current work presents a validation of the use of eigenlenses to estimate in vivo the full shape of dis-accommodated lenses. We used 14 ex vivo crystalline lenses from donor eyes (11-54 y/o) mounted in a lens stretcher, and measured the geometry and the power of the lenses using a combined OCT and ray tracing aberrometry system. Ex vivo, the full extent of the lens is accessible from OCT because the incident light is not blocked by the iris. We measured in non-stretched (fully accommodated) and stretched (mimicking in vivo dis-accommodated lenses) conditions. Then, we simulated computationally in vivo conditions on the obtained ex vivo lenses geometry (assuming that just the portion of the lens within a given pupil is available), and estimated the full shape using eigenlenses. The mean absolute error (MAE) between estimated and measured lens' diameters and volumes were MAE = 0.26 ± 0.18 mm and MAE = 7.0 ± 4.5 mm3, respectively. Furthermore, we concluded that the estimation error between measured and estimated lenses did not depend on the accommodative state (change in power due to stretching), and thus eigenlenses are also useful for the full shape estimation of in vivo dis-accommodated lenses.

Long-term Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Primary Congenital Glaucoma between 1991 and 2000: A Single-Center Database Study.

PURPOSE: To estimate the long-term surgical and visual outcomes in patients with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) who completed at least 20 years of follow-up. DESIGN: Retrospective study. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred twenty eyes of 121 patients undergoing surgery for PCG between January 1991 and December 2000 and who returned for a follow-up visit from January 2021 through January 2022. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records of patients who underwent primary combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy (CTT) without mitomycin C as an initial procedure. Success was defined as complete when intraocular pressure (IOP) was ≥ 6 mmHg and ≤ 21 mmHg without glaucoma medication and as qualified when up to 2 glaucoma medications were required. Failure was defined as uncontrolled IOP with more than 2 glaucoma medications, need for a second IOP-lowering procedure, chronic hypotony (IOP < 6 mmHg on 2 consecutive visits), or any sight-threatening complication. A mixed-effects model using maximum likelihood estimation was used in estimation of eye-based variables and to make comparisons between different visits. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to estimate the probabilities of surgical and functional successes. Cox proportional hazards regression using sandwich clustered estimation was used to evaluate risk factors for failure and poor visual outcome. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients who demonstrated complete success over the 20-year follow-up. Secondary outcome measures included rate of surgical failure and need for reoperation for glaucoma, visual acuity, refractive errors, risk factors for poor outcome, and complications. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed 1-year, 10-year, and 20-year complete success rates of 90.7%, 78.9%, and 44.5%, respectively. In univariate analysis, surgical failure was higher among patients with any additional non-glaucoma intraocular surgery. None of the clinical parameters were associated significantly with failure in multivariable analysis. Overall, the proportion of eyes with good, fair, and poor visual outcomes was 33.2%, 16.4%, and 50.4%, respectively. Myopia was seen in 68.9% eyes. Twenty-eight eyes of those who underwent primary CTT (14.4%) required second surgery for IOP control. No significant intraoperative complications occurred. Six eyes required enucleation because of painful blind eye. CONCLUSIONS: In this large cohort of patients with PCG, CTT is a useful procedure. It provides good IOP control and moderate visual recovery that remained over a 20-year follow-up after surgery. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Visual outcomes and safety profile of intraocular lens implantation versus aphakia in children with microspherophakia with no subluxation.

OBJECTIVE: To study the visual, refractive and surgical outcomes of intraocular lens (IOL) implantation versus aphakia in children with microspherophakia. DESIGN: Retrospective, comparative, non-randomised interventional study. METHODS: All consecutive children with microspherophakia who satisfied the inclusion criteria were included. The eyes that underwent in-the-bag IOL implantation and those that were left aphakic were included in groups A and B, respectively. The postoperative visual outcomes, IOL stability and complications during the follow-up period were studied. RESULTS: 22 eyes (13 patients, male 76%), of which 12 eyes were in group A and 10 eyes in group B. The mean±SE of age at surgery was 9.4±1.4 and 7.3±0.9 years in group A and group B, respectively (p value 0.18). The mean follow-up of group A was 0.9±0.4 years (median 0.5 years; Q1 0.04, Q3 2.16) and group B was 1.3±0.9 years (median 0.147 years; Q1 0.08, Q3 0.39) (p value 0.76). All the baseline biometric variables including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were comparable in each group. The final BCVA in logMAR adjusted for follow-up was comparable in both group A (0.29±0.06) and group B (0.52±0.09) (p value 0.06). Mean predictive error of IOL power in microspherophakia was 0.17±0.43.The most common complication in group A was visual axis opacification of two eyes (16.7%, 95% CI 2.9% to 49.1%), of which one eye (8.3%, 95% CI 0.4% to 40.2%) needed membranectomy. Vitreous in anterior chamber was the most common complication in group B, seen in two eyes (20%, 95% CI 3.5% to 55.8%), of which one eye (10%, 95% CI 0.5% to 45.9%) underwent YAG laser vitreolysis. The survival analysis (p value 0.18) was comparable in each group. CONCLUSION: In-the-bag IOL is an option, which can be considered in selected cases of microspherophakia in developing nations where regular follow-up and economic constraints are a major concern.

Scleral thickness in normal Indian eyes measured using spectral domain anterior segment optical coherence tomography.

Purpose: To establish normative data on anterior scleral thickness using the spectral domain anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). Methods: In total, 200 eyes of 100 healthy subjects underwent AS-OCT scans in the temporal and nasal quadrants. The scleral + conjunctival complex thickness (SCT) was measured by a single examiner. Mean SCT was analyzed for differences across age groups, gender, and location (nasal versus temporal). Results: Mean age was 46.4 ± 18.3 (21-84) years; male to female ratio was 54:46. Mean SCT (nasal + temporal) of the right eye (RE) was 682.3 ± 64.2 µm in males and 660.6 ± 57.1 µm in females. In the left eye (LE), it was 684.6 ± 64.9 µm in males and 661.8 ± 49.3 µm in females. These differences between male and female for both eyes were statistically significant (P = 0.006 and P = 0.002). The mean SCT of temporal and nasal quadrants in the RE was 678.54 ± 57.50 and 666 ± 66.2 µm, respectively. In the LE, the temporal mean SCT quadrant was 679.6 ± 55.8 µm, and the nasal was 668.6 ± 63.6 µm. Age had a negative correlation with SCT (-0.62 µm/year; P = 0.03), and males had a higher temporal SCT than females (22 µm higher; P = 0.03). After adjusting for age and gender in a multivariate analysis, temporal SCT was significantly (P < 0.001) higher than nasal SCT. Conclusion: In our study, mean SCT decreased with age and males had a higher temporal SCT. This is the first study to evaluate scleral thickness in the Indian population, and the data can be used as a baseline for comparing variations in scleral thickness in disease.

Lost-to-follow-up: A study on corneal transplantation from Eastern India.

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the pattern of follow-ups and the reasons for follow-up loss in keratoplasty cases in a tertiary eye care center. Methods: This is a single-center retrospective cross-sectional study. During the study period, 165 eyes underwent corneal transplantation. The data on the demographic features of the recipients and the indications of keratoplasty, including visual acuity before and after surgery, duration of follow-up, and the condition of the graft at the last follow-up, were collected. The primary outcome was to determine the factors causing lost-to-follow-up (LTFU) among graft recipients. LTFU was defined when a patient failed to adhere to any of the following seven follow-up visits since the surgery: 4 ± 2 weeks, 3 ± 1 months, 6 ± 1 months, 12 ± 2 months, 18 ± 2 months, 24 ± 3 months, and 36 ± 6 months. The secondary outcome was to analyze the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) among patients available for the final follow-up. Results: The recipient follow-up rates at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months were 68.5%, 57.6%, 47.9%, 42.4%, and 35.2%, respectively. Old age and distance to the center were significant factors for lost-to-follow-up. A failed graft as an indication for transplantation and those undergoing penetrating keratoplasty for optical purposes were significant factors for completing follow-up. Conclusion: The inability to follow-up after corneal transplantation is a common challenge. Elderly patients and those living in remote areas must be prioritized for follow-ups.

Characteristics of posterior zone I retinopathy of prematurity.

OBJECTIVE: To report the demographic profile and clinical characteristics of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in posterior Zone I. METHODS: In a partly retrospective (ten years) and partly prospective (one year) study, we analysed the demographic profile and clinical characteristics of babies with ROP in posterior Zone I. RESULTS: The study included 130 eyes of 67 infants with a mean gestational age and birth weight of 29.3 (±2.2) weeks and 1217.3 (±381.9) grams, respectively. All babies had received unblended oxygen. In 47 of 51 (91.1%) babies, the weekly weight gain was <100 g (details were not available in 16 babies). The ROP subtypes included aggressive, threshold, hybrid, stage 4, and atypical types in 78 (60%), 20 (15.4%), 11 (8.5%), 15 (11.5%), and 6 (4.6%) eyes, respectively. Fibrovascular proliferation, when present, was prominent nasally, occasionally overriding the disc margin. Extensive arteriovenous tortuosity was more prominent than vascular dilatation. Atypical observations included bleb-like detachment (6 eyes; 4.6%) and candle wax-like preretinal deposits (23 eyes; 17.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Retinopathy of Prematurity in posterior Zone I in this cohort was strongly associated with 100% unblended oxygen supplementation, poor weight gain, and multiple systemic co-morbidities. ROP in posterior zone 1 has a distinct profile with several atypical characteristics different from ROP in other zones.

Estimation of the full shape of the crystalline lens in-vivo from OCT images using eigenlenses.

Quantifying the full 3-D shape of the human crystalline lens is important for improving intraocular lens power or sizing calculations in treatments of cataract and presbyopia. In a previous work we described a novel method for the representation of the full shape of the ex vivo crystalline lens called eigenlenses, which proved more compact and accurate than compared state-of-the art methods of crystalline lens shape quantification. Here we demonstrate the use of eigenlenses to estimate the full shape of the crystalline lens in vivo from optical coherence tomography images, where only the information visible through the pupil is available. We compare the performance of eigenlenses with previous methods of full crystalline lens shape estimation, and demonstrate an improvement in repeatability, robustness and use of computational resources. We found that eigenlenses can be used to describe efficiently the crystalline lens full shape changes with accommodation and refractive error.

Clinical differentiation of keratitis due to fungus and Pythium: A photographic survey.

Purpose: To evaluate the knowledge and skills of clinicians in differentiating cases of Pythium from fungal keratitis based on their clinical appearance. Methods: Thirty slit-lamp photographs from culture-proven cases of Pythium and fungal keratitis were selected for conducting a prospective online-based photographic survey. The participants were asked to identify the causative organism and enlist the specific clinical features which helped in reaching the diagnosis. Both cornea specialists and clinical fellows/trainees participated in the survey. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were estimated, and the factors associated with these, including the identification rates of clinical signs, were evaluated using bivariate and multivariate linear regression analyses. The identification rates between the consultants and fellows were compared. Results: A total of 42 cornea specialists (28 consultants and 14 clinical fellows) participated in the survey. Clinicians were able to differentiate Pythium from fungal etiology in only 56% of cases. The differentiating ability between the consultants and fellows was statistically insignificant. Average sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for differentiating Pythium from fungus were 56%, 65%, 56%, and 66%, respectively. The specific clinical features enlisted by the participants to differentiate Pythium from fungus were the presence of tentacles, peripheral guttering, dot-like infiltrates, and elevated plaques. Conclusion: Clinical knowledge regarding the signs and symptoms and the microbiological identification of features for Pythium are still lacking among clinicians. As the treatment protocols are distinctly different for both, it is imperative to enhance the knowledge and diagnosing ability to tackle this emerging microorganism which causes high morbidity.

Randomized Double-Masked Placebo-Controlled Trial for the Management of Pythium Keratitis: Combination of Antibiotics Versus Monotherapy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of monotherapy (topical linezolid 0.2%) versus a combination of antibiotics (topical linezolid 0.2% and topical azithromycin 1%) for the treatment of Pythium insidiosum keratitis. METHODS: Cases of P. insidiosum keratitis were prospectively randomized into group A on topical 0.2% linezolid along with topical placebo (sodium carboxymethyl cellulose [CMC] 0.5%) and group B on a combination of topical 0.2% linezolid and topical 1% azithromycin. Both groups were compared by proportion of both clinical resolution and worsening of keratitis along with the number of therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty (TPK) performed at 3 months. RESULTS: We initially planned N = 66 patients but later limited to 20 (N = 10 in each group) patients owing to one interim analysis. The average size of the infiltrate in group A and B was 5.6 ± 1.5 mm and 4.8 ± 2.0 mm, respectively, with a mean Logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution (logMAR) visual acuity of 2.74 ± 0.55 and 1.79 ± 1.19. At 3 months, from group A, 7 (70%) patients needed TPK and 2 patients had signs of resolution, whereas from group B, 6 (60%) patients achieved complete resolution ( P = 0.0003) and 2 were improving while only 1 needed TPK ( P = 0.02). The median duration of treatment in group A and B, with the study drugs, was 31 days (17.8-47.8) and 101.5 days (80-123.3), P value = 0.003, respectively. Final visual acuity at 3 months was 2.50 ± 0.81 and 0.75 ± 0.87, P = 0.02, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of topical linezolid and topical azithromycin was found to have superior efficacy than the monotherapy with topical linezolid for the management of Pythium keratitis.

Factors affecting the epithelial integrity of human donor corneas.

Purpose: To evaluate various factors affecting the integrity of human donor corneal epithelium. Methods: Donor corneal buttons were evaluated for epithelial defect (ED) and exposure. The slit-lamp photographs were taken on day 01, and the data such as age and gender of the donor, cause of death, refrigeration of cadavers, death-to-preservation time (DPT), experience of technician, and distance from site of collection to eye bank were collected. Results: A total of 100 consecutive corneal buttons belonging to 56 donors were evaluated. The median age of donors was 50 years. Males constituted 45 (80.4%). The mean DPT was 9.7 ± 5.3 hours. After death, 34 donors (60.7%) were refrigerated before the collection/retrieval. Most of the corneas (80%) were recovered by technicians having an experience of 0-5 years. Thirty-one donors (55.3%) were located at 1-50 km from the eye bank. The mean area of exposure was 15 ± 4.3 mm2. The mean area of ED was 28.7 ± 5.9 mm2. ED was significantly associated with refrigeration of cadavers and longer DPT. On multivariate analysis, only DPT was found to be significantly associated (P = 0.006; odds ratio [OR] = 1.54 ± 0.24) with the presence of ED. After transplantation, only two corneas had persistent epithelial defects and were treated successfully using various interventions. Conclusion: Integrity of donor corneal epithelium is mainly influenced by the refrigeration of cadavers and DPT.

Ocular surface squamous neoplasia with 360° limbal involvement: a study of 130 patients.

PURPOSE: To describe the risk factors, clinical features and management outcomes of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) with 360° of limbal involvement (360-OSSN) and compare with segmental limbal involvement (SL-OSSN). METHODS: Retrospective comparative study of 360-OSSN vs SL-OSSN. All 360-OSSN and every 10th patient with SL-OSSN during the study period (2012-2020) were included. Lesions with uncertain diagnosis were excluded. RESULTS: Of 1250 patients diagnosed with OSSN during the study period, 30 (2%) had 360-OSSN. A total of 100 patients of OSSN with SL-OSSN were included for comparison. 360-OSSN patients more often had longer duration of symptoms (mean, 17 vs 8 months; p, 0.003), prior misdiagnosis (17% vs 6%, p, 0.13) and prior intervention (47% vs 13%; p, 0.0002) than patients with SL-OSSN. 360-OSSN had higher incidence of scleral fixity (57% vs 16%; p < 0.0001), corneal/scleral melt (17% vs 0%; p, 0.0005), intraocular tumor extension (17% vs 0%; p, 0.003), orbital tumor extension (33% vs 1%; p < 0.0001), and advanced T stage at presentation (Tis: 37% vs 76%, T1: 0% vs 15%; T2: 7% vs 4%; T3: 27% vs 4%; T4: 30% vs 1%; p < 0.001). Over a mean follow-up of 14 months, lymph node metastasis (8% vs 0%; p, 0.05) and distant metastasis (4% vs 0%; p, 0.23) were more common in 360-OSSN group compared to SL-OSSN group. CONCLUSION: Risk factors of 360-OSSN include prolonged symptoms, prior misdiagnosis and prior intervention. It represents an advanced form of disease with propensity for corneo-scleral melt and invasive disease which requires aggressive management.

Sebaceous gland carcinoma: analysis based on the 8th edition of American Joint Cancer Committee classification.

PURPOSE: To assess the prognostic value of T category of the 8th edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) classification in periocular sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC). METHODS: Retrospective interventional case series of 119 cases. RESULTS: Based on the T category of 8th edition of AJCC classification, 119 periocular SGCs were classified into T1 (n = 33, 28%), T2 (n = 37, 31%) T3 (n = 17, 14%) and T4 (n = 32, 27%). There were no statistically significant differences in the rate of tumour recurrence based on T category. The outcome measures that showed significant increase with increase in T category included regional lymph node metastasis (3% for T1, 3% for T2, 12% for T3, and 44% for T4; p < 0.0001), systemic metastasis (0% for T1, 0% for T2, 12% for T3, and 25% for T4; p = 0.002) and death due to metastasis (0% for T1, 0% for T2, 12% for T3, and 22% for T4; p = 0.005). The 5-year Kaplan-Meier estimate rate for regional lymph node metastasis, systemic metastasis and metastasis-related death were all higher for the T4 category tumours (42%, p = 0.005; 34%, p = 0.0002; and 43%, p = 0.0001 respectively) compared to T1 (9%, 0%, and 0%), T2 (5%, 0%, and 0%) and T3 (10%, 17 and 8%) tumours. CONCLUSION: Primary tumour (T) category of the 8th edition AJCC classification predicts the prognosis of patients with periocular SGC. The rates of lymph node metastasis, systemic metastasis, and death is much higher in T4 tumours compared to T1, T2, and T3 tumours. There was no association between T category and tumour recurrence.

The role of maternal age & birth order on the development of unilateral and bilateral retinoblastoma: a multicentre study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Retinoblastoma is a common childhood intraocular malignancy, the bilateral form of which most commonly results from a de novo germline pathogenic variant in the RB1 gene. Both advanced maternal age and decreasing birth order are known to increase the risk of de novo germline pathogenic variants, while the influence of national wealth is understudied. This cohort study aimed to retrospectively observe whether these factors influence the ratio of bilateral retinoblastoma cases compared to unilateral retinoblastoma, thereby inferring an influence on the development of de novo germline pathogenic variants in RB1. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Data from 688 patients from 11 centres in 10 countries were analysed using a series of statistical methods. RESULTS: No associations were found between advanced maternal age, birth order or GDP per capita and the ratio of bilateral to unilateral retinoblastoma cases (p values = 0.534, 0.201, 0.067, respectively), indicating that these factors do not contribute to the development of a de novo pathogenic variant. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a lack of a definitive control group and genetic testing, this study demonstrates that advanced maternal age, birth order or GDP per capita do not influence the risk of developing a bilateral retinoblastoma.

Evaluation of Vitreous Galactomannan and (1, 3) ß-D-Glucan Levels in the Diagnosis of Fungal Endophthalmitis in Southern India.

PURPOSE: To evaluate vitreous Galactomannan(GM) and 1,3 ß-D-Glucan (BDG) levels in the diagnosis of fungal endophthalmitis, with emphasis on culture-negative cases. METHODS: Vitreous from 31 clinically suspected fungal endophthalmitis patients and 11 controls were evaluated for GM and BDG using ELISA Kits. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves and diagnostic significance was calculated. RESULTS: The median vitreous GM in culture-positive (60.83pg/ml) and culture-negative (59.9pg/ml) samples were higher than the (51.2pg/ml) control group. The median vitreous BDG in culture-positive (1.47pg/ml) and culture-negative (1.52pg/ml) samples were also similar, and higher than the control group (1.18pg/ml). ROC analysis showed that at a cut-off of 51.35pg/ml, the sensitivity and specificity for GM were 0.88 and 0.73.Similarly, for BDG at a cut-off of 1.18pg/ml, the sensitivity and specificity were 0.94 and 0.82 respectively. CONCLUSION: Vitreous GM and BDG above the indicated threshold level could suggest a fungal infection, even when cultures are negative.