Does the Difference in Axial Length Affect the Refractive Outcome?

Background: The purpose of this study is to compare axial length (AL) and the refractive outcome after phacoemulsification surgery from 2014 to 2019 at Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah, Terengganu, Malaysia. Method: This was a retrospective record review of all cataract patients who met the inclusion criteria and underwent uneventful superior wound phacoemulsification with nontoric intraocular lens (IOL) by a single surgeon from 2014 to 2019. Using optical biometry or immersion technique, the preoperative AL determined solely via the Sanders, Retzlaff and Kraff 2 (SRK2) formula was selected. The postoperative spherical equivalent (SE) at 6 weeks-12 weeks was retrieved. Using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 24.0, the mean differences between targeted and actual postoperative SE were analysed based on the AL. Result: In this study, 490 eyes of 472 patients aged 25 years old-88 years old (mean age 65.72 years old [SD 8.83]) were involved. There were 162 eyes (33%) in Group A (< 23 mm), 189 eyes (39%) in Group B (23.01 mm-24.0 mm) and 139 eyes (28%) in Group C (> 24.0 mm). The mean AL was 23.63 mm (SD 1.19). The mean differences between the targeted and actual postoperative SE were: -0.09 D (SD 0.60) in Group A, -0.07 D (SD 0.53) in Group B and -0.16 D (SD 0.52) in Group C. No significant difference was found between these groups (P = 0.327). Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the refractive outcome using the SRK2 formula in different ALs after phacoemulsification surgery. Hence, there is no reason to modify or adjust the targeted SE based on AL.

Comparing the Effectiveness and Adherence between Fixed and Non-Fixed Dorzolamide/Timolol Maleate in Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Introduction: Glaucoma is an irreversible chronic eye disease in which intraocular pressure (IOP) control is important. This study aimed to assess the IOP-lowering effects and adherence scores between fixed combination dorzolamide/timolol maleate (FCDT) and non-fixed combination dorzolamide and timolol XE (NFDT) in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) patients. Methods: A randomised controlled trial in a parallel, single-blinded study involving 60 OAG patients was conducted. The patients were randomised into FCDT or NFDT based on a block randomisation technique. A pre-study run-in with Gutt timolol was administered for two weeks. IOP was assessed at baseline, month 1 and month 3, with a bottle weight measurement at month 3. Results: Only 55 OAG patients were analysed, with 8.4% dropping out. A statistically significant mean IOP reduction was observed in each group from baseline to month 1 (FCDT: mean difference [MD] = 4.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.00, 5.86); NFDT: MD = 4.92, 95% CI = 4.024, 5.82) and from baseline to month 3 (FCDT: MD 5.17, 95% CI = 4.19, 6.15; NFDT: MD = 4.85, 95% CI = 3.874, 5.82). The overall FCDT mean IOP was significantly lower by 1.02 mmHg (95% CI = -2.01, -0.02) than NFDT (F(1, 53) = 4.19; P = 0.046). A significant interaction was observed between time and treatment at month 3, with the mean IOP for FCDT being lower by 1.22 mg than for NFDT (P = 0.037). The mean adherence score was significantly higher in the FCDT group than in the NFDT group (t stat (df) = 3.88 (53); P < 0.001). The reduction in IOP between the groups became non-significant after adherence was adjusted (F(1, 52) = 2.45; P = 0.124). Conclusion: Both drugs showed a decrease in IOP but more so in FCDT. However, no difference was found in terms of medication adherence. An emphasis on treatment compliance is needed.

ABCC5, a gene that influences the anterior chamber depth, is associated with primary angle closure glaucoma.

Anterior chamber depth (ACD) is a key anatomical risk factor for primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG). We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on ACD to discover novel genes for PACG on a total of 5,308 population-based individuals of Asian descent. Genome-wide significant association was observed at a sequence variant within ABCC5 (rs1401999; per-allele effect size =  -0.045 mm, P = 8.17 × 10(-9)). This locus was associated with an increase in risk of PACG in a separate case-control study of 4,276 PACG cases and 18,801 controls (per-allele OR = 1.13 [95% CI: 1.06-1.22], P = 0.00046). The association was strengthened when a sub-group of controls with open angles were included in the analysis (per-allele OR = 1.30, P = 7.45 × 10(-9); 3,458 cases vs. 3,831 controls). Our findings suggest that the increase in PACG risk could in part be mediated by genetic sequence variants influencing anterior chamber dimensions.

Endogenous Endophthalmitis: A 10-Year Review of Cases on the East Coast of Malaysia.

Purpose Our study aimed to describe the clinical profile of endogenous endophthalmitis, focusing on patient demographics, infection sources, microbial profiles, clinical outcomes, and factors affecting the final visual outcome. Methods A retrospective review was performed on data from 68 eyes of 60 patients diagnosed with endogenous endophthalmitis and hospitalized in two tertiary hospitals on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia from January 2011 to December 2020. The analysis encompassed evaluating patient age, gender, laterality, risk factors, infection origins, presenting and final visual acuity, microbial results, treatment responses, and factors affecting final visual outcomes. Results The average age of the patient cohort was 54.9 ± 13.3 years. Females were more likely to have endogenous endophthalmitis than males (33, 55.0% vs. 27, 45.0%). Twenty-seven patients (45.0%) presented with endogenous endophthalmitis in the left eye, while 25 patients (41.7%) had it in the right eye, and eight patients (13.3%) had bilateral involvement. Most patients had underlying predisposing conditions, predominantly diabetes mellitus (53, 88.3%). Infection sources were identified in 42 patients (70.0%), out of which urinary tract infections account for the majority (11, 18.3%). Klebsiella species(14, 22.7%) were the leading pathogens and were significantly associated with liver abscess cases. In this series, the majority of patients had poor presenting and final visual acuity of worse than 3/60 (56, 82.4% and 53, 77.9%, respectively). Thirty-six eyes (52.9%) underwent vitrectomy, resulting in only four eyes (11.11%) achieving final visual acuity better than 6/12. Presenting visual acuity was identified as the factor contributing to the blind final visual outcome (r = 0.707, p < 0.001). Conclusion Females were found to be more commonly affected by endogenous endophthalmitis than males. Klebsiella species were the most commonly isolated microorganisms and were typically associated with liver abscesses. Urinary tract infection was the most common predisposing factor. A majority of the patients had poor presenting and final visual acuity, in which poor visual acuity is a significant indicator of blind visual outcomes.

Ocular surface infections in northeastern state of malaysia: a 10-year review of bacterial isolates and antimicrobial susceptibility.

OBJECTIVE: Ocular surface infections that include infections of conjunctiva, adnexa, and cornea have the potential risk of causing blindness within a given population. Empirical antibiotic therapy is usually initiated based on epidemiological data of common causative agents. Thus, the aims of this study were to determine the bacterial agents and their susceptibility patterns of isolates from ocular surface specimens in our hospital. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis and records of bacterial isolates from ocular surface specimens in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia from January 2001 to December 2010 were examined. Specimens were processed according to standard laboratory procedures. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted based on Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute recommendations. Only single, nonrepetitive isolates were included in the analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1,267 isolates were obtained during the study period, which comprised Staphylococcus aureus (n = 299, 23.6%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 194, 15.3%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 108, 8.5%), Haemophilus influenzae (n = 100, 7.9%), Haemophilus parainfluenzae (n = 84, 6.6%), and Enterobacter spp. (n = 81, 6.4%). Fungi contributed to 4.4% of the total isolates. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing demonstrated that gram-positive bacteria were generally resistant to gentamicin (19%-57%), whereas gram-negative bacteria were resistant to chloramphenicol (27%-58%). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the above results, knowledge of the initial Gram stain findings is imperative before the commencement of empirical antibiotic therapy. Therefore, a simple Gram staining for all eye specimens is highly recommended.

Lockdown: The Impact on Management of Glaucoma in a Suburban Tertiary Centre in Malaysia.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill in 2020. Many countries have imposed lockdowns, known as the movement-control order (MCO) in Malaysia, to prevent transmission of the disease. AIM: The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of the MCO on the management of glaucoma patients in a suburban tertiary hospital. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 194 glaucoma patients between June 2020 and August 2020 in the glaucoma clinic at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. We evaluated the patients' treatment, visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements, and potential signs of progression. We compared the results with those of their last clinic visits prior to the MCO. RESULTS: We studied 94 (48.5%) male and 100 (51.5%) female glaucoma patients with a mean age of 65 ± 13.7. The mean duration between pre-MCO and post-MCO follow-up was 26.4 ± 6.7 weeks. There was a significant increase in the number of patients with deterioration of visual acuity, and one patient lost his vision after the MCO. There was also a significant elevation of the mean IOP of the right eye: pre-MCO, 16.7 ± 7.8 mmHg, compared to post-MCO, 17.7 ± 8.8 mmHg (p = 0.027). The cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) for the right eye increased significantly from pre-MCO, 0.72 ± 0.18, to 0.74 ± 0.19 post-MCO (p < 0.001). However, there were no significant changes in IOP or CDR in the left eye. Twenty-four patients (12.4%) missed medications during the MCO period, and 35 patients (18%) required additional topical medications due to the progression of the disease. Only one patient (0.5%) required admission due to uncontrolled IOP. CONCLUSION: Lockdown, as a preventive step in the COVID-19 pandemic, indirectly caused the progression of glaucoma and uncontrolled IOP.

Evaluation of Anatomical and Functional Outcome of Epiretinal Membrane Surgery in Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane Patients.

Objective To evaluate the anatomical and functional outcomes of an idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) between the observation group and intervention group at six months postoperative. Design Prospective cohort study. Participants Patients who met the clinical diagnosis of idiopathic ERM in the age frame of 18-80 years; patients with reduced visual acuity (VA), with best corrected VA of 0.2 LogMar or worse, with symptoms of significant metamorphopsia, who visited our center from June 2021 to June 2022. Methods All idiopathic ERM patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected. The data recorded included the year of ERM diagnosis, duration of symptoms, age at diagnosis, gender, ethnicity, and presence of other ocular pathologies. Corrected VA, lens status, ERM configuration, and central subfield mean thickness (CST) in spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), ellipsoid zone integrity (EZ), and disorganized retinal inner layer (DRIL) were recorded for all patients at diagnosis, as well as 3 and 6 months after diagnosis for non-operated patients. For patients who underwent surgery (pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), internal limiting membrane (ILM), and ERM peel), data were recorded similarly with additional data on the type of surgery (vitrectomy or combined phaco vitrectomy) and the development of intra or post-surgical complications. Patients receive information on the symptoms associated with ERM, treatment options, and disease progression. After counseling, the patient makes informed consent to the treatment plan. Patients are seen in the 3rd and 6th month from diagnosis. Combined phaco vitrectomy is performed if there is also significant lens opacity. Main outcome measures VA, CST, EZ, and DRIL at diagnosis and 6 months. Results Sixty subjects (30 interventional and 30 observational arms) were recruited for this study. The mean age in the intervention and observation groups was 62.70 and 64.10 years, respectively. Most ERM patients were female in the intervention group compared to males with 55.2% and 45.2% respectively. The mean pre-op CST was 410.03 µm in the intervention group compared to the pre-op CST 357.13 µm observation group. There were significantly different among groups in pre-op CST (p=0.009) using the independent T-test. Furthermore, the mean difference and 95% confidence interval in post-op CST were -69.67 (-99.17, -40.17). There were significant differences among groups in post-op CST (p<0.001) using the independent T-test. Meanwhile, there is no significant association of DRIL between both groups (p=0.23), with 95% CI of mean difference (-0.13, -0.01) using repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. There was a significant association of EZ integrity between groups (p=<0.001), 95% CI of mean difference: (-0.13, -0.01) using a repeated measure ANOVA test. Furthermore, the mean post-op VA between pre and post-op VA was significantly different (p<0.001), with a 95% CI of mean difference (-0.85, -0.28). Finally, there is a significant factor association between the duration of ERM and post-op VA (b=.023, 95% CI .001, .05, p<0.05) with our patients. Conclusion ERM surgery has shown positive outcomes on anatomical and functional aspects with minimal safety-related risks. It is evident that a longer duration of ERM does give a minimal impact on the outcome. SD-OCT biomarkers, such as CST, EZ, and DRIL, can be used as reliable prognosticators in decision-making for surgical intervention.

Analysis of the Effectiveness of Metaheuristic Methods on Bayesian Optimization in the Classification of Visual Field Defects.

Bayesian optimization (BO) is commonly used to optimize the hyperparameters of transfer learning models to improve the model's performance significantly. In BO, the acquisition functions direct the hyperparameter space exploration during the optimization. However, the computational cost of evaluating the acquisition function and updating the surrogate model can become prohibitively expensive due to increasing dimensionality, making it more challenging to achieve the global optimum, particularly in image classification tasks. Therefore, this study investigates and analyses the effect of incorporating metaheuristic methods into BO to improve the performance of acquisition functions in transfer learning. By incorporating four different metaheuristic methods, namely Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) Optimization, Harris Hawks Optimization, and Sailfish Optimization (SFO), the performance of acquisition function, Expected Improvement (EI), was observed in the VGGNet models for visual field defect multi-class classification. Other than EI, comparative observations were also conducted using different acquisition functions, such as Probability Improvement (PI), Upper Confidence Bound (UCB), and Lower Confidence Bound (LCB). The analysis demonstrates that SFO significantly enhanced BO optimization by increasing mean accuracy by 9.6% for VGG-16 and 27.54% for VGG-19. As a result, the best validation accuracy obtained for VGG-16 and VGG-19 is 98.6% and 98.34%, respectively.

Ocular Cat Bite Injury: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Ocular injury related to cat bites is rare, and no proper guidelines have been suggested for the treatment of such injuries. We report a rare case of zone II penetrating ocular injury secondary to a cat bite. A 49-year-old lady presented with left eye pain following a cat bite over the left eye, which occurred four hours prior to the presentation. Immediate primary closure with intravitreal antibiotic injections was given. Systemic and topical antibiotic treatments were administered. Presenting visual acuity was hand motion, which improved to 20/20 at six months follow-up. Throughout this period, there were no signs of endophthalmitis. Prompt and effective antibiotic administration with early surgical intervention contributed to a good visual prognosis in this case.

Recurrent Miller Fisher Syndrome.

Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) is an uncommon systemic autoimmune condition. Recurrent Miller Fisher syndrome is extremely rare. We want to highlight a rare case of recurrent Miller Fisher syndrome, which manifested as external and internal ophthalmoplegia, areflexia, and ataxia following an episode of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). The patient developed a recurrent attack of Miller Fisher syndrome two months later with only internal and external ophthalmoplegia symptoms. Both episodes wholly resolved in a month without treatment. Miller Fisher syndrome can mimic various other neurological illnesses. Therefore, diagnosing this disease is often challenging. However, prompt diagnosis and management can be achieved with awareness of this rare illness.

The Clinical Profile of Unilateral and Bilateral Optic Disc Swelling in a Tertiary Center in Northern Malaysia.

Background Optic disc swelling (ODS) is a pathological condition with a variety of causes, including optic neuritis (ON), anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, and papilledema. Determining the causes of ODS is critical due to the possibilities of vision- or life-threatening diseases, such as space-occupying lesions. This study aimed to investigate the clinical profile of unilateral and bilateral ODS in Penang Hospital, Malaysia. Methodology This retrospective, descriptive study was conducted in Penang Hospital. Medical records of patients who were diagnosed with ODS from June 2018 until June 2020 in Penang Hospital Eye Emergency Clinic were reviewed. We excluded patients who defaulted on subsequent three months of follow up and those with pseudo-ODS. Results ODS was diagnosed in 43 patients who were all included in the study. Majority were females 55.8% (n = 24), with age ranging from 16 to 78 years. ON contributed most (41.9%, n = 18), followed by non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION) (34.9%, n = 15), and papilledema (9.3%, n = 4). Other causes (14%, n = 6) included diabetic papillitis (n = 1), hypertensive retinopathy (n = 1), and central retinal vein occlusion (n = 4). Poor mean initial visual acuity was seen in patients with ON (1.07 ± 0.68) and NA-AION (1.33 ± 0.67). ON showed better final visual outcomes compared to NA-AION at the one-year follow-up. Conclusions ON and NA-AION were identified as the two most common causes of ODS in Penang Hospital for both unilateral and bilateral presentations. Most cases presented with poor initial visual acuity. After one year of follow-up, good visual recovery was seen in ON cases compared to other cases. These results were comparable with studies conducted in other Asian counties.

Clinical Audit on the Effectiveness of Clinic-Based Intraocular Pressure Phasing for Patients With Glaucoma and Glaucoma Suspect.

INTRODUCTION: Glaucoma is a complex disease with intraocular pressure (IOP) playing an important role in its diagnosis and management. IOP has shown diurnal and nocturnal variations, which may affect the course of the disease. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of clinic-based office hour phasing in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma and glaucoma suspect (GS). METHODS: A retrospective clinical audit was conducted on patients who were subjected to office hour phasing in a glaucoma clinic, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, between January 2015 and December 2019. The office hour phasing was conducted for various indications such as confirmation of diagnosis, screening, and effectiveness of treatment. IOP was recorded every two hours between 0800 and 1600 using an air puff tonometer by a trained nurse. Measurement of IOP was repeated with Goldmann applanation tonometer at sitting position by a trainee when the IOP ≥ 20 mmHg or discrepancy of IOP > 2 mmHg between two eyes. Other investigations including a Humphrey visual field and gonioscopy were conducted in between the IOP measurements. Diagnosis and clinical decisions on management were made at the end of the office hour clinic phasing. RESULTS: A total of 83 patients (163 eyes) were included in this clinical audit. Their mean age was 59.3 (16.5) years with 59% of male patients. Both eyes showed an almost similar pattern of mean IOP over five daytime readings in the clinic. A total of 35 eyes (21.5%) showed fluctuation ≥ 6 mmHg, and 128 eyes (78.5%) showed stable IOP during the clinic hour phasing. There was a significant difference in the mean IOP pattern between groups with stable and fluctuating IOP based on repetitive measure analysis of variance (RM ANOVA) (p = 0.008). The final diagnosis was made for 39 eyes (21 OD [right eye] and 18 OS [left eye]) out of 131 eyes (29.8%) with GS. Confirmation of diagnosis was achieved in all eyes (100%) with suspected ocular hypertension (OHT) and normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). Progression of glaucoma was confirmed in four eyes (2 OD and 2 OS) out of 17 eyes (23.5%) with suspected progression. CONCLUSION: Clinic hour IOP phasing provides a practical approach in confirmation of diagnosis and adjustment in the management of patients with glaucoma and GS.

A Noteworthy Case of Bilateral Idiopathic Optic Perineuritis With No Perception to Light Eye.

The aim of this study is to report an interesting case of bilateral idiopathic optic perineuritis (OPN) presented with severe visual loss. A 64-year-old male with underlying hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and schizophrenia presented with consecutively sudden onset of the right eye (RE) painless blurring of vision for two weeks and left eye (LE) painless blurring of vision for three days. The patient has no other symptoms such as red-eye, floaters, or headache. The patient had constitutional symptoms of loss of weight for the past three months; otherwise, he has no loss of appetite or persistent low-grade fever. Upon examination, RE visual acuity was no perception to light (NPL) at all quadrants, LE 6/36, and not improved with pinhole. The relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) was positive over the RE. Optic nerve functions of the RE were absent; meanwhile, over LE was reduced. The anterior segment was unremarkable, with no evidence of uveitis or dense cataract. Fundus examination showed diffuse 360-degree optic disk swelling with peripapillary splinter hemorrhage, mild tortuous vessel, and minimal vitreous hemorrhage inferiorly, with no evidence of neovascularization. The LE showed diffuse 360-degree optic disk swelling with normal macula and vessel. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and orbit showed bilateral optic nerve sheath (ONS) enhancement with doughnut sign and tram-track sign. The patient was treated with bilateral OPN and started on intravenous methylprednisolone 1 g OD for five days followed by oral prednisolone 1 mg/kg OD with a tapering dose for one month. Patient visual acuity regained to RE 6/18 but did not improve with pinhole and LE 6/9 with full recovery of optic nerve function. Bilateral idiopathic OPN is a rare idiopathic inflammatory condition of ONS that typically presents with recurrent painless loss of vision with good recovery outcomes with intravenous steroids.

Infectious Sclerouveitis in an Immunocompetent Patient: A Probable Case of Simultaneous Ocular Tuberculosis and Toxoplasmosis.

Simultaneous infections of tuberculosis and toxoplasmosis are uncommon in immunocompetent patients. We report a case of a 30-year-old male who presented with right eye redness and blurring of vision for one month. The visual acuities were hand movement and Snellen 20/30 in the right and left eyes, respectively. Panuveitis and scleritis were found in the right eye, together with dense vitritis and a large choroidal lesion that extended from the inferonasal to the superotemporal quadrants. B-scan ultrasonography of the right eye showed a choroidal detachment with scleral thickening and subtenon fluid. His IgM anti-Toxoplasma antibody was detected, and his QuantiFERON Gold testing was positive. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the orbit revealed an enhancing intraocular mass at the lateral and inferior aspects of the right globe. The diagnosis of right eye sclerouveitis with presumed tuberculosis and toxoplasmosis co-infections was made. He was treated with a course of oral azithromycin and anti-tubercular therapy along with systemic prednisolone and a topical steroid. The treatment reduced the inflammation; however, the patient suffered from a sequela of chronic uveitis with prolonged hypotony. Medical treatment alone may be insufficient in treating severe infective sclerouveitis, hence surgical intervention might be warranted to provide favorable clinical outcomes.

A Comprehensive Performance Analysis of Transfer Learning Optimization in Visual Field Defect Classification.

Numerous research have demonstrated that Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) models are capable of classifying visual field (VF) defects with great accuracy. In this study, we evaluated the performance of different pre-trained models (VGG-Net, MobileNet, ResNet, and DenseNet) in classifying VF defects and produced a comprehensive comparative analysis to compare the performance of different CNN models before and after hyperparameter tuning and fine-tuning. Using 32 batch sizes, 50 epochs, and ADAM as the optimizer to optimize weight, bias, and learning rate, VGG-16 obtained the highest accuracy of 97.63 percent, according to experimental findings. Subsequently, Bayesian optimization was utilized to execute automated hyperparameter tuning and automated fine-tuning layers of the pre-trained models to determine the optimal hyperparameter and fine-tuning layer for classifying many VF defect with the highest accuracy. We found that the combination of different hyperparameters and fine-tuning of the pre-trained models significantly impact the performance of deep learning models for this classification task. In addition, we also discovered that the automated selection of optimal hyperparameters and fine-tuning by Bayesian has significantly enhanced the performance of the pre-trained models. The results observed the best performance for the DenseNet-121 model with a validation accuracy of 98.46% and a test accuracy of 99.57% for the tested datasets.

Opportunistic Eye Screening Among First-Degree Relatives of Glaucoma Patients at a Suburban Tertiary Center in Malaysia.

Background and objective The majority of glaucoma patients are asymptomatic and are usually diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of glaucoma screening among known first-degree relatives of primary glaucoma patients. Materials and methods This study involved primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG), primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and juvenile open-angle glaucoma (JOAG) patients who attended the glaucoma clinic at the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia between January 2014 and December 2015. First-degree relatives of the patients underwent a preliminary eye-screening evaluation, including visual acuity (Snellen chart), intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement (air-puff tonometry), and non-mydriatic fundus photography. Patients with visual acuity worse than 6/12, IOP measuring more than 21 mmHg or a difference of more than 3 mmHg between the eyes, and a vertical cup-disc ratio (VCDR) of 0.7 or higher were given a comprehensive eye examination. Results Seventy indexed glaucoma patients were recognized, and 368 first-degree relatives were identified. Forty-five relatives underwent the preliminary screening. Of these, 29 showed normal findings (62%), one had corneal pathology (2%), and 16 (36%) underwent a complete eye examination after failing the initial screening. Among the indexed JOAG group, five relatives (11%) were diagnosed as having JOAG; two were treated medically, while the remaining three required surgical intervention. Conclusion Opportunistic glaucoma screening of high-risk groups, especially JOAG is a feasible and cost-effective way to detect early glaucoma and prevent irreversible blindness. However, improvement in our healthcare system, including the involvement of multicentre clinics in other states in screening initiatives, is required to promote and facilitate the response to screening opportunities.

Pineal Gland Tumour With Drop Metastases: A Case Report.

Pineal gland tumours are reported rarely in Malayasia and early diagnosis and intervention promise a better prognosis for patients. We report a rare case of pineal gland tumour with drop metastases in the fourth ventricle in a 20-year-old young male with Parinaud syndrome. The patient, who had no underlying medical illnesses, presented with neurological symptoms and limb weakness associated with tremors and blurring of vision which worsened over a span of four months. The patient was having difficulty in ambulating with reduced power over the lower limbs with tremors as well as Parinaud syndrome indicated through the limitation of upward gaze, light-near dissociation of the pupils and convergence nystagmus. An MRI showed the presence of a pineal gland tumour with drop metastases in the fourth ventricle with calcification. The patient underwent an endoscopic third ventriculostomy and tumour biopsy. The biopsy indicated a pineal gland tumour with a germinoma subset and the patient was subjected to radiotherapy. Latency of diagnosis is an important prognostic factor as it reduces the survival rate for these patients hence the following discussion on the pineal gland tumour and its diagnostic dilemma.

Clinical Audit on Badminton-Related Ocular Injuries in a Tertiary Hospital in Malaysia.

Background Badminton-related ocular injuries are among the commonest causes of blunt trauma to the eye, which can lead to significant damage to the ocular structures. This study aimed to assess the clinical presentations, complications, and visual outcomes of patients who sustained ocular injuries related to badminton treated in a single tertiary center in Malaysia. Materials and methods A retrospective clinical audit was conducted in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), Malaysia, involving patients diagnosed with ocular injuries related to badminton, either as players or spectators, between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2017. The demographic data, mechanism of injury, and clinical presentation were recorded. In addition, visual acuity, anterior and posterior segment, and intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements were recorded at the initial presentation and at the present recruitment period. Management at the initial presentation was also obtained and recorded. The final visual outcome and complications were based on the finding of the most recent follow-up. Visual acuity was categorized as follows: mild or no visual impairment (6/18 or better), moderate and severe visual impairment (<6/18 and worse). Results A total of 23 patients (23 eyes) were included in this clinical audit. The average age was 24 years, with a range of 6-56 years, with the highest incidence occurring at the age of 20 years old and younger. The majority of the injuries were sustained during the single-player game. All the injuries were caused by shuttlecock hits. In 18 cases (78%), the trauma was caused by an opponent, in four cases (17%) by a partner, and in one case involving a bystander. Most of the patients in this series were not using any protective eyewear while playing the game 96% (22). Most injuries (22 eyes) involved the anterior segment, with hyphaema as the commonest clinical presentation. The mean IOP at presentation was 23.5 (11.2) mmHg. Angle recession was detected as early as one-week post initial presentation in 17 eyes. Commotio retinae (5 eyes) and vitreous hemorrhage (4 eyes) were the common posterior segment findings. There were eight eyes with visual acuity of worse than 6/18 at the initial presentation, but only three eyes had poor final visual acuity. There was a statistically significant improvement in visual acuity at the last follow-up compared to the initial presentation (Fisher's exact test) (p=0.032). Conclusion Ocular injuries related to badminton is common and cause a detrimental effect on the long-term visual outcome. Traumatic hyphaema and commotio retinae are the most common presenting signs related to poor visual outcomes. Therefore, protective eyewear and promoting awareness of badminton-related ocular injuries are essential to prevent monocular blindness in young adults.

Subjective Wellbeing and Its Associated Factors among University Community during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Northern Malaysia.

Lockdown implementation during COVID-19 pandemic has caused many negative impacts in various aspect of life, including in the academic world. Routine disruption to teaching and learning environment has raised concerns to the wellbeing of university staff and students. This study aimed to examine the subjective wellbeing of the university community in Northern Malaysia during lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic and the factors affecting it. An online cross-sectional survey involving 1148 university staff and students was conducted between March and April 2020. The research tools include the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI) to assess subjective wellbeing and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress 21 (DASS-21) scale for psychological distress. While we found the subjective wellbeing score in our study population was stable at 7.67 (1.38), there was high prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress with 27.4%, 18.4%, and 11.5%, respectively. The students reported higher levels of psychological distress compared to staff. The PWI score was seen to be inversely affected by the depression and stress score with a reduction in the PWI score by 0.022 (95% CI -0.037 to -0.007) and 0.046 (95% CI -0.062 to -0.030) with every one-unit increment for each subscale, respectively. Those who perceived to have more difficulty due to the lockdown also reported low subjective wellbeing. Thus, it is crucial to ensure policies and preventative measures are in place to provide conducive teaching and learning environment. Additionally, the detrimental psychological effects especially among students should be addressed proactively.

Orbital Cellulitis Secondary to Dental Abscess in Children.

Paediatric orbital cellulitis is a potential sight- and life-threatening condition. It is a serious infection in children that can result in significant complications, including blindness, cavernous sinus thrombosis, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, meningitis, subdural empyema, and brain abscess. Of the patients with orbital cellulitis, 17% died from meningitis, and 20% of the survivors had permanent loss of vision. Therefore, the potential for sight- and life-threatening complications makes prompt diagnosis and early treatment very important. We report here a case of a two-year-old girl who presented with a three-day history of left periorbital swelling, preceded by left upper perioral swelling that extended upward to the left cheek and left lower lid and was associated with low-grade fever. The patient had been admitted and was treated as having left preseptal with facial cellulitis; the patient was started on intravenous amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (200 mg three times per day dose), and chloramphenicol ointment was applied to the periorbital area. On day 3, the condition worsened, and dental examination showed multiple dental caries, upper gum swelling and abscess, and mobility of teeth 61 and 62 (two baby teeth). Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) of the orbit, paranasal, and brain showed a left periosteal abscess collection extending to the inferomedial region of the orbit. Examination and tooth extraction were performed under general anesthesia. The intraoperative results showed the presence of a left upper gum abscess, which was possibly the primary source of infection. Clinical improvement was observed postoperatively. Orbital cellulitis can be a complication of a dental abscess. This case emphasizes the importance of primary tooth care in children. A lack of care can result in fatal complications.