Exploring Reasons for Loss to Follow-up in Pregnancy of Unknown Location: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Objective: To quantify proportions of loss to follow-up in patients presenting with a pregnancy of unknown location and explore patients' perspectives on follow-up for pregnancy of unknown location. A pregnancy of unknown location is a scenario in which a patient has a positive pregnancy test but the pregnancy is not visualized on transvaginal ultrasound. Study Design: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with pregnancy of unknown location who presented to an urban academic emergency department or complex family planning outpatient office. We sought to calculate the proportion of patients lost to follow-up, defined as inability to contact the patient within 2 weeks. We then conducted focus groups of patients diagnosed with a pregnancy of unknown location. We used thematic analysis to identify themes related to follow-up. Results: We reviewed 464 charts of patients diagnosed with pregnancy of unknown location. The median age in this cohort was 27 with most patients identifying as Black (80%, n = 370) and using public insurance (67%, n = 315). When looking at loss to follow-up rates, Black patients experienced loss to follow-up (20%, n = 72) more often than White patients (4%, n = 2; p = 0.003). Focus group participants had a mean age of 31.8+/-4.8, and the majority were of Black race (n = 16, 72.7%). Participants identified barriers to follow-up including the long duration of management, general inconvenience, and poor communication with their health care team. Participants felt a burden of responsibility to learn about their condition and to self-advocate for their follow-up and communication of results. Conclusions: These data indicate that Black patients are more likely to experience loss to follow-up compared with White patients during monitoring for pregnancy of unknown location. Patients identified many barriers to follow-up and felt that successful follow-up required substantial self-efficacy.

Treatment outcomes and efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy-hyaloidotomy-zonulectomy-iridotomy in malignant glaucoma.

AIM: To study the treatment outcomes and efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy-hyaloidotomy-zonulectomy-iridotomy in malignant glaucoma. METHOD: A retrospective case series study of patients treated for malignant glaucoma between 2005 and 2017. The treatment included medical management as first-line in the form of cycloplegic with anti-glaucoma medications (AGM) or pars plana vitrectomy-hyaloidotomy-zonulectomy-iridotomy as second-line therapy. The resolution was defined as 'deepening of central anterior chamber' with intraocular pressure of ⩽ 21 mm Hg (minimum on two consecutive visits 1 week apart) with or without topical anti-glaucoma medications in the absence (complete success) or presence (qualified success) of systemic medications. RESULTS: Twenty-three eyes of 22 patients were included. At the time of diagnosis of malignant glaucoma preceding surgeries were cataract surgery (13 eyes) and trabeculectomy (4 eyes). One eye each had phacotrabeculectomy, Yag capsulotomy and optical keratoplasty. Eighteen eyes were pseudophakic and two eyes were phakic. At presentation, mean intraocular pressure was 26.25 ± 14.78 mmHg which was decreased to 15.90 ± 8.12 mmHg (p < 0.0001) at final follow-up (median follow-up was 15.50 months). Fifteen (75%) eyes had complete success, 3 (15%) eyes had qualified success and 2 (10%) eyes had treatment failure. Of 15 eyes that had achieved complete success, 3 eyes had undergone medical management and 12 eyes undergone second-line procedure. There was no significant difference in visual acuity or number of anti-glaucoma medication at presentation and final follow-up (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Though malignant glaucoma is highly refractory to treatment, appropriate management in the form of medical or vitrectomy-hyaloidotomy-zonulectomy-iridotomy could achieve 90% success in this series.

Long-term Outcome of Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implantation in Eyes With Intractably Raised Intraocular Pressure Following Pars Plana Vitrectomy.

PRECIS: Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation led to a significant reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) and in antiglaucoma medications in vitrectomized eyes in previously nonglaucomatous eyes. The most common indication for vitrectomy was ocular trauma-related complications. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to report the long-term outcomes of AGV implantation in patients of uncontrolled IOP after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of patients (age 18 y and above) who underwent AGV implantation between January 2006 and December 2017 for uncontrolled IOP following PPV with ≥2 years follow-up were reviewed. The underlying etiology for PPV, IOP, best-corrected visual acuity, and number of antiglaucoma medications (AGMs) were recorded at baseline. The main outcomes measures were IOP, number of AGM, best-corrected visual acuity, and postoperative complications. Postoperative complications were classified as early (≤3 mo)/intermediate (>3 mo to ≤1 y), or late (>1 y). RESULTS: In all, 78 eyes of 78 patients with a mean age of 38.06±17.83 years were included. The mean follow-up was 70.46±36.96 (range: 24 to 180) months. The main underlying etiology for PPV was trauma (38.4%) followed by rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (28.2%). The mean preoperative IOP was 29.33±9.84 mm Hg with an average of 4.07±1.2 AGM. The mean IOP and number of AGM was significantly reduced in all follow-up visits (P<0.0001) following AGV implantation. The cumulative probability of success was 92.3%, 80.7%, and 74% at 2, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Thirty-one complications were observed in 25 (32%) eyes and reoperation (23 procedures) was performed in 22 (28.2%) eyes. CONCLUSIONS: AGV implantation had good outcome in patients with intractably elevated IOP following PPV. Trauma-related pathologies were a major contributor to the indications for PPV and had more chances of failure following AGV implantation.

Ophthalmic Complications in Pediatric Uveitis.

Purpose: We aim to look at the complications encountered by a cohort of pediatric uveitis patients from north India.Methods: Retrospectively, complications seen in patients younger than 16 years diagnosed with uveitis between January 2006 to March 2015 were noted.Results: Data of 104 children, with a mean follow-up of 3.40 ± 2.34 years was studied. Cataract (n = 42, 24.00%), band-shaped keratopathy (n = 32, 18.29%) and Glaucoma/OHT (n = 11, 6.29%) were most encountered complications at presentation. Glaucoma/OHT (29.71%; n = 52), cataract (18.86%; n = 33) and maculopathy (n=12;6.86%) were the most common complications at follow up. Maculopathy (35%) and Glaucoma/OHT (20%) were the most common causes of visual acuity ≤3/60.Conclusions: Cataract is the most critical complication in children with uveitis at presentation and raised intraocular pressure occurs at follow-up, perhaps attributed to the treatment. Maculopathy is the most common cause of blindness in these children.

Long-term outcome of low-cost glaucoma drainage device (Aurolab aqueous drainage implant) compared with Ahmed glaucoma valve.

PURPOSE: To compare the long-term outcome of Aurolab aqueous drainage device (AADI) and Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV). METHOD: Retrospective analysis of patients with refractory glaucoma who underwent AGV (AGV-FP7) and AADI (AADI Model 350) implantation. The outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP), requirement of antiglaucoma medications (AGMs) and re-surgery for IOP control. The postoperative complications were classified as early (≤3 months), intermediate (>3 months to ≤1 year) or late (>1 year). RESULTS: 173 patients (189 eyes) underwent AGV implantation (AGV Group) while 201 patients (206 eyes) underwent AADI implantation (AADI group). The IOP in AADI group was significantly lower than AGV group at all time points till 2 years and comparable at 3 years. AADI group had significantly higher number of AGM in preoperative period and significantly lower number in postoperative period till 3 years compared with AGV group. AADI group had more hypotony-related complications but statistically insignificant (p = 0.07). The surgical interventions were significantly higher in AGV (n = 18) compared with AADI group (n = 5) in late postoperative period (p = 0.01). At 3 years, overall success was seen in 58.18% in AGV and 73.08% in AADI group (p = 0.15). Complete success was seen in 7.27% patients in AGV and 25.00% patients in AADI group (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Both AADI and AGV implant had comparable mean IOP at 3 years with lesser requirement of AGM in the AADI group. Both procedures appear to be safe with slight preponderance of hypotony-related complications in AADI group.

Predictors of visual impairment in primary and secondary glaucoma in a tertiary institute in North India.

AIM: To find out and compare various predictors of glaucoma-related visual impairments in primary and secondary glaucoma. METHODS: A prospective observational study of patients, who were above 30 years of age. They were diagnosed as primary/secondary glaucoma with visual acuity <20/200 Snellen's/visual field showing less than 20° isopter in at least one eye, with a minimum follow-up of one year at a tertiary center. Patients were classified into advanced and end-stage glaucoma and outcome was assessed according to visual acuity and visual fields to see predictors of visual impairments. RESULTS: There were 169 (99 primary/70 secondary) glaucoma patients with mean age of 62.67 ± 11.9 and 54.65 ± 15.26 years, respectively. Trauma (21.4%), complicated cataract surgery (15.7%), and silicon oil tamponade (14.3%) were common causes of secondary glaucoma. There was significant delay in diagnosis in primary compared to secondary glaucoma (57.57% vs 32.85%) and non-compliance was significantly higher in primary glaucoma (34.3% vs 17.1%, p = 0.01). In univariate analysis, literacy, income status, locality, and delayed or missed diagnosis were found to be significant (p < 0.05) according to visual acuity criteria. Out of the 33 patients who had undergone glaucoma filtration surgery, 18 (54.5%) were in the end-stage group. While 105 (77.2%) of 136 patients who were not subjected to any glaucoma filtration surgery reached end-stage glaucoma as per visual fields criteria (p = 0.011). CONCLUSION: Lack of awareness, delayed diagnosis, low literacy, and income were associated with poor visual outcome. Patients who underwent glaucoma filtration surgery had significantly better visual outcome in comparison to patients managed medically.

Late onset pupillary block glaucoma following phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation.

Secondary angle closure in a pseudophakic eye due to pupillary block, more than a decade following phacoemulsification, has not been reported. We managed a 75-year-old female presenting with sudden, painful diminution of vision and raised intraocular pressure in the right eye. The key finding was an almost flat anterior chamber with intraocular lens in normal position clinically as well as on ultrasound biomicroscopy. The posterior chamber was ballooned up by vitreous, which was cleared surgically to restore the anatomy. Meticulous clinical examination augmented by ultrasound biomicroscopy findings helped us to diagnose and manage this case for satisfactory intraocular pressure and visual outcome.

Intraocular pressure reduction in a spectrum of angle closure disease following cataract extraction.

Purpose: The purpose is to study the effect of cataract extraction on intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with angle closure disease (ACD). Methods: In this retrospective study, patients with ACD including medically uncontrolled and advanced primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) who underwent only cataract surgery were included. The IOP trend was analyzed at postoperative day 1, day 7, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and final follow-up along with requirement of antiglaucoma medication (AGM)/surgery. Results: A total of 110 eyes of 79 patients [primary angle closure suspect (PACS): 21, PAC: 34, PACG: 55 eyes] were analyzed. Of these patients, 31 eyes had advanced PACG and 20 eyes had medically uncontrolled glaucoma. Best-corrected visual acuity >6/12 was seen in 51 eyes at baseline and 87 eyes at final follow-up. After cataract surgery alone, there was significant reduction (median) in IOP [19.1 ± 18.00% (18.8) in PACS (P < 0.01), 8.55 ± 17.9% (10) in PAC (P = 0.04), 22.82 ± 15.45%(14.3) in PACG (P < 0.01), 18.27 ± 15.99% (14.5) in advanced PACG (P = 0.01) and 36.56 ± 14.58% (28.57) in medically uncontrolled glaucoma (P < 0.01)] and AGM [51.85% (1) in PAC, 32.35% (2) in PACG, 17.71% (2) in advanced PACG, and 40.74% (1.5) in medically uncontrolled PACD] at median follow-up of 1, 2.5, 1, 1.3, and 1 year. Eleven PACG patients, who were on systemic medication preoperatively, were off systemic therapy at final follow-up, while six other PACG eyes (10.9%) required glaucoma surgery. Conclusion: Cataract surgery leads to significant drop in IOP across the spectrum of ACD with visually significant cataract. Cataract surgery may be considered initially for IOP control even in advanced or medically uncontrolled PACG followed by glaucoma surgery later if required.

Iridocorneal endothelial syndrome: Evaluation of patient demographics and endothelial morphology by in vivo confocal microscopy in an Indian cohort.

Purpose: To evaluate the patient demographics and morphological characteristics of corneal endothelium by in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM), in patients with Iridocorneal Endothelial (ICE) Syndrome. Methods: In this retrospective observational series, IVCM acquired endothelial images of patients with ICE syndrome were evaluated. 'ICE cells' morphology was classified as "-" or "+" if they were larger or smaller than contralateral normal endothelium. It was correlated with patient demographics and clinical manifestations. Results: IVCM was performed on 41 eyes of 21 patients, with 13 males (62%) and 8 females (38%). The disease was unilateral in 19 (90.5%) and bilateral but asymmetric in two (9.5%) patients. Total ICE was seen in 91% eyes. Eighty percent patients (12 out of 15) with ICE-cells were males while 83.3% (5 out of 6) patients with ICE + cells were females. Mean age of patients with ICE- cell type and ICE + cell type was 45.8 ± 17.8 years and 40.3 ± 9.2 years respectively (P = 0.02). Both ICE - and ICE + eyes had similar incidence (33.3%) of corneal edema. ICE + eyes had more severe (grades 2/3) glaucoma (n = 5/6 eyes, 83.3%) compared to ICE - eyes (n = 8/15 eyes, 53.3%). Conclusion: A male preponderance, predilection of ICE - and + cell variants for male and female gender respectively, lack of association of the endothelial cell morphology with corneal edema, and apparent association of ICE + phenotype with more severe glaucoma occurring at a relatively younger age, are some novel findings of the present study. In the clinical setting correlation of patient demographics with these IVCM findings may help in better long-term prognostication of eyes with ICE syndrome.

Long-term outcomes of cataract surgery in children with uveitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of cataract surgery in children with uveitis. METHODS: Retrospective, noncomparative review of medical records of children (≤16 years) with uveitic cataract who had undergone cataract surgery between January 2001 and December 2014 at a tertiary care center was done. The main outcome measures were visual acuity and postoperative complications. RESULTS: We recruited 37 children (58 eyes) who were diagnosed with uveitic cataract and underwent cataract surgery. The etiology of uveitis included juvenile idiopathic arthritis (n = 19), presumed intraocular tuberculosis (n = 8), idiopathic (n = 4), Behçet's disease (n = 2), Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome (n = 2), human leukocyte antigen B-27 associated uveitis (n = 1), and toxocariasis (n = 1). Phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation was performed in 17 patients (27 eyes; 46.55%), while 20 patients (31 eyes; 53.44%) were left aphakic after pars plan lensectomy and vitrectomy. At an average follow-up of 3.69 ± 7.2 (SD) years, all cases had significant improvement in corrected distance visual acuity post cataract extraction; visual acuity of 20/40 or more was achieved in 32 eyes (55.17%). The most common complication was capsular opacification (37.93%). Incidence of secondary procedures as well as glaucoma was not statistically different in patients undergoing IOL implantation from those who were aphakic. CONCLUSION: Even though number of secondary procedures was more in pseudophakic group, meticulous choice of surgical technique and adequate immunosuppression lead to a modest gain of visual acuity in children undergoing IOL implantation in uveitis. However, scrupulous case selection and aggressive control of pre- and postoperative intraocular inflammation are the key factors in the postoperative success of these patients.

Glaucoma Secondary to Uveitis in Children in a Tertiary Care Referral Center.

Purpose: To study outcome of secondary glaucoma in pediatric uveitis patients. Methods: Retrospective analysis of records of uveitis patients ≤16 years. Results: Of 182 pediatric uveitis patients, secondary glaucoma was seen in 48 patients (75 eyes, 26.23%) with female preponderance (F:M-29:19) . JIA was the most common etiology (35.71%). BCVA of ≥20/40 was seen in 22 eyes at presentation and in 38 eyes at final follow up (p<0.001). Twenty eight children (66.67%) received systemic antiglaucoma therapy while 17 children (21 eyes) required surgery (60.71%). Logistic regression showed pseudophakia could predict the higher use of oral antiglaucoma medication (p=0.03) while anatomical site of involvement was predictive of higher chances of surgery (p=0.003). Overall success was seen in 82.10% and 71.64% using IOP limit of 21 and 18 mmHg respectively at mean follow-up of 3.9 years. Conclusion: Pediatric uveitic glaucoma though require multitude of therapies, can be managed effectively with appropriate therapy.

Comparison of Short-term Outcomes of Aurolab Aqueous Drainage Implant with Ahmed Glaucoma Valve in Post-Penetrating Keratoplasty Glaucoma: A Retrospective Follow-up Study at a Tertiary Care Center.

PURPOSE: Comparison of short-term outcomes of the Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI) with the Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) in post-penetrating keratoplasty glaucoma (PPKG). DESIGN: Retrospective study design. PARTICIPANTS: We analyzed the data of patients who underwent glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation for PPKG between the time period of 2008 to 2017. A total of 57 eyes of 55 patients were included. METHODS: Parameters including age, sex, corneal graft clarity, duration between the keratoplasty and glaucoma surgery, visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), the number of antiglaucoma drugs (topical and oral) before surgery, and type of GDD were studied. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group I, patients undergoing AADI implantation; and group II, patients undergoing AGV implantation. Patients with at least 6 months follow-up were included. The postoperative VA and IOP were analyzed on day 1 and at 1 week, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. The success of GDD was defined as complete success (IOP > 5 mmHg or <21 mmHg without topical antiglaucoma drug) or qualified success (IOP > 5 mmHg or <21 mmHg with up to 2 topical antiglaucoma drugs). Failure was defined as IOP < 5 mmHg or >21 mmHg with or without antiglaucoma medication; IOP < 21 mmHg with 3 or more topical medications or use of systemic medications irrespective of the IOP; loss of perception of light; and/or need for further glaucoma surgery. RESULTS: Nineteen eyes in group I (mean age = 40.16±16.36 years) and 38 eyes in group II (mean age = 56.61±19.35 years) were studied. The mean baseline IOP in group I and group II was not significantly different (28.63±11.21 vs. 30±14.61 mmHg, P = 0.72). Mean postoperative IOP at 6 months was not significantly different in the 2 groups (12.11±4.86 mmHg vs. 14.95±6.35 mmHg, P = 0.2). There was statistically significant fall in IOP at each visit compared to preoperative IOP in both the groups (P = 0.001), but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups at any time point (P > 0.05). At 6 months overall success rate was 84.21% in both groups (P = 1.00), though the complete success was slightly higher in group II, which was nonsignificant (31.58% vs. 39.47%, P = 0.56). There was no significant difference between baseline and final VA in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Both AADI and AGV are equally effective in controlling IOP in post-penetrating glaucoma. The AADI, being a cost-effective implant, may be more suitable for developing countries.

Lack of association between lysyl oxidase-like 1 polymorphism in pseudoexfoliation syndrome and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma in North Indian population.

INTRODUCTION: Pseudoexfoliation syndrome is commonly associated with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma. The two nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms rs1048661 (R141L) and rs3825942 (G153D) within exon 1 of LOXL1 gene have been found to confer risk of pseudoexfoliation syndrome and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma in different geographical populations. This study aims to find association between two nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms with pseudoexfoliation syndrome and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma in North Indian population. METHODS: North Indian subjects clinically diagnosed with pseudoexfoliation syndrome/pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and normal age-matched control were enrolled in the study. Genomic DNA was extracted and the two single-nucleotide polymorphisms of LOXL1 gene were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. The association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms with pseudoexfoliation syndrome/pseudoexfoliation glaucoma was evaluated by chi-square test. RESULTS: A total of 30 pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, 27 pseudoexfoliation syndrome and 61 control subjects were enrolled in the study. Patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma did not show any genetic association with either single-nucleotide polymorphism rs1048661 or rs3825942. CONCLUSION: The study shows lack of association between LOXL1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms and pseudoexfoliation in North Indian population.

Clinico-radiological features and treatment outcomes in children with traumatic orbital subperiosteal hematoma.

PURPOSE: To study the clinical findings, imaging features, and treatment outcomes in children diagnosed with traumatic orbital subperiosteal hematoma (OSpH). METHODS: The medical records of eligible OSpH children treated either via needle aspiration or open surgical drainage were reviewed retrospectively. Three anatomical factors (inferior globe displacement, superior orbital sulcus fullness, extraocular movements) and two functional parameters (visual acuity, pupillary reactions) were used to determine overall success. RESULTS: A total of 10 children (mean age, 6.8 years; 8 males) were included. All had a history of blunt trauma, unilateral presentation, inferior globe displacement, fullness of superior orbital sulcus, and raised retrobulbar resistance. Diminution of vision and restricted elevation was noted in 7 children, and 4 had a relative afferent pupillary defect. Computed tomography (CT) revealed superior OSpH in all 10 children and, additionally, orbital wall fracture in 4. Needle aspiration of the OSpH was performed in 8 children; 2 underwent open surgical drainage. At a mean follow-up of 8.5 months, all children showed satisfactory improvement in both anatomical and functional parameters:1 child had a persistent nebulomacular corneal opacity, and 1 had minimal upper eyelid edema. CONCLUSIONS: A high index of suspicion, appropriate radiology (CT of orbits), and early management through needle aspiration of OSpH may help in early and satisfactory anatomical and functional outcomes.