Review of incidental ocular pathologies detected during the screening of retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants.

AIM: The aim of the study was to report the spectrum of ocular pathologies other than retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) occurring in preterm babies, suggesting the need for universal screening in all babies. METHODS: Babies born before 34 weeks of gestational age (GA) and/or weighing <2000 g were screened at around 4 weeks of postnatal age and those born before 28 weeks of GA and weighing <1200 g were examined at 2-3 weeks of postnatal age. Babies between 34 and 36 weeks of GA or birth weight of 1750-2000 g with additional risk factors were also screened. Pupils were dilated using a fixed dose combination of 0.4% tropicamide and 2.5% phenylephrine. The babies underwent retinal imaging using the 3nethra neo camera, Forus, India, by a skilled ophthalmic photographer. RESULTS: A total of 1437 preterm babies were screened in an outreach project which spanned 18 hospitals equipped with neonatal intensive care centers (neonatal intensive care units) in an urban setting during the study period. A total of 4339 screening sessions were conducted. Of these infants, 754 (52.47%) were male and 683 (47.52%) were female babies. Among the enrolled infants, 165 (12.16%) had ocular findings other than ROP. Of the 165 cases, 70 (42.42%) were anterior segment and globe pathologies, whereas the remaining 95 (57.57%) were posterior segment pathologies. CONCLUSION: Timely screening helps in identifying and managing potentially vision-threatening pathologies including ROP. This will help reduce the burden of childhood blindness worldwide.

Retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants born following assisted conception versus spontaneously conceived pregnancies - A 2-year retrospective observational study from an urban tertiary eye care referral center in South India.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine if in vitro fertilization (IVF) is associated with an increase in the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) among preterm infants. Methods: This retrospective, comparative study included all the preterm babies who were screened under an urban multicentric outreach project between April 2019 and August 2022. Infant details including gender, birth weight, mode of conception, single or multiple gestation, gestational age and post-menstrual age in weeks, age at presentation, and any presence of risk factors were recorded and analyzed. Results: Among 444 preterm babies included in the study, 373 (84%) were conceived normally and 71 (16%) were conceived by IVF. ROP was found in 99 (22.29%) babies in total. There was no significant difference in the incidence of any stage of ROP between the two groups; however, higher stages of ROP were found to be relatively more frequent in the spontaneous conception group in our study. We also found a statistically significant difference in the presence of ROP among singletons, twins, and triplets. Conclusion: IVF was found not to independently increase the risk of ROP in preterm infants. More prospective studies and randomized controlled trials are needed to establish the relationship between the mode of conception and development of severe ROP in preterm infants.

Single Low-dose Suprachoroidal Triamcinolone Acetonide Injection in Macular Edema Secondary to Noninfectious Posterior Uveitis.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to study the anatomical and functional outcome following single low-dose suprachoroidal triamcinolone acetonide (LD-SCTA) (2 mg) injection in noninfectious posterior uveitis. METHODS: Eleven patients with macular edema (ME) more than 280 µ secondary to noninfectious uveitis were included in the study. A single LD-SCTA (0.5 ml) injection was performed in the study eye with the help of a novel suprachoroidal microneedle (Pricon, Iscon Surgicals, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India). The study parameters were noted at 4 and 12 weeks post LD-SCTA injection. RESULTS: Ten of 11 patients had a significant decrease in central macular thickness (CMT). The mean CMT measurement at baseline was 513.6 ± 191.73 µm for the 10 patients who responded to the treatment, which reduced significantly to 265.1 ± 34.72 µm (P < 0.003) and 260.6 ± 34.72 µm (P < 0.002) at 4 and 12 weeks, respectively. The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at baseline was 0.84 ± 0.41 logMAR unit which improved to 0.52 ± 0.33 (P < 0.001) and 0.25 ± 0.22 (P < 0.000) at weeks 4 and 12, respectively. The mean intraocular pressure at baseline recorded was 16.36 ± 2.97 mmHg, 19.45 ± 4.80 mmHg (P = 0.06) at 4 weeks, and 17.27 ± 2.53 mmHg (P = 0.35) at 12 weeks. One eye which did not respond to LD-SCTA was a case of recurrent Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease. CONCLUSION: Single LD-SCTA injection is efficacious in reducing CMT in ME, improving BCVA, and controlling the inflammation in noninfectious posterior uveitis. LD-SCTA can be used as a first-line therapy in noninfectious uveitis over other routes of steroid administration with a favorable outcome and safety profile.

Preferred practice guidelines for retinopathy of prematurity screening during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the leading cause of preventable infant blindness in the world and predominantly affects babies who are born low birth weight and premature. India has the largest number of surviving preterm births born annually. ROP blindness can be largely prevented if there is a robust screening program which detects treatment requiring disease in time. ROP treatment must be provided within 48 h of reaching this threshold of treatment making it a relative emergency. During the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in 2020 ROP screening was disrupted throughout the world due to lockdowns and restriction of movement of these infants, their families, specialists and healthcare workers. The Indian ROP Society issued guidelines for ROP screening and treatment in March 2020, which was aimed at preserving the chain-of-care despite the potential limitations and hazards during the (ongoing) pandemic. This preferred practice guideline is summarized in this manuscript.

Asymmetric diabetic retinopathy.

Increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus warrants recognition of factors related to asymmetric diabetic retinopathy (DR). This thematic synthesis based on an iterative literature review conducted in Medline and Google Scholar pertaining to diabetes with coexistent asymmetry of retinopathy included 45 original articles, 21 case reports and series, and 18 review articles from 1965 to 2020. Asymmetric DR is defined as proliferative DR (PDR) in one eye and nonproliferative, preproliferative, background, or no DR in the other eye lasting for at least 2 years. It is observed in 5%-10% of patients with PDR. Associated factors can be divided into (i) vascular: carotid obstructive disease, ocular ischemic syndrome, and retinal vascular diseases; (ii) Inflammatory: uveitis, endophthalmitis, and Fuchs' heterochromic cyclitis; (iii) degenerative: posterior vitreous detachment, high myopia and anisometropia, uveal coloboma, retinal detachment, retinitis pigmentosa, and chorioretinal atrophy and scarring; (iv) cataract surgery and vitrectomy; and (v) miscellaneous: elevated intraocular pressure, glaucoma, amblyopia, retinal detachment, and optic atrophy. The gamut of diagnostic modalities for asymmetric DR includes thorough ocular examination, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, fundus photography, fundus fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography, and newer modalities such as ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography angiography, along with a complete systemic evaluation and carotid Doppler studies. The differential diagnosis includes other causes of retinal neovascularization that may present in an asymmetric manner, such as sickle cell retinopathy, retinal vein occlusions, and featureless retina. This review discusses in detail the aforementioned considerations and draws a comprehensive picture of asymmetric DR in order to sensitize ophthalmologists to this important condition.

Improving Retinopathy of Prematurity Care: A Medico-Legal Perspective.

ABSTRACT: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the leading cause of preventable infant blindness in the world. India leads all nations with the highest number of premature infants born each year. Asia has the highest estimated incidence, where visual loss from ROP is over twice as high per million live births compared to established market economies. The problems of ROP management in these countries are compounded by a large cohort of babies who require screening, relatively few ROP specialists, and more recently medico-legal challenges. The authors share the Indian jurisprudence literature from the past decade relating to ROP, summarizing key clinical lessons learned from these legal judgments. The authors endeavor to enlist good clinical practices for various key steps involved in ROP care to help mitigate future litigations as well as protect the clinical interest of the infants who require ROP screening and treatment.

Retinopathy of Prematurity: How to Prevent the Third Epidemics in Developing Countries.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is vasoproliferative disease affecting preterm infants and is a leading cause of avoidable childhood blindness worldwide. The world is currently experiencing the third epidemic of ROP, where majority of the cases are from middle-income countries. Over 40% of the world's premature infants were born in India, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Indonesia. Together with other neighboring nations, this region has unique challenges in ROP management. Key aspects of the challenges including heavier and more mature infants developing severe ROP. Current strategies include adoption of national screening guidelines, telemedicine, integrating vision rehabilitation and software innovations in the form of artificial intelligence. This review overviews some of these aspects.

Evolving consensus on managing vitreo-retina and uvea practice in post-COVID-19 pandemic era.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new challenges to the health care community. Many of the super-speciality practices are planning to re-open after the lockdown is lifted. However there is lot of apprehension in everyone's mind about conforming practices that would safeguard the patients, ophthalmologists, healthcare workers as well as taking adequate care of the equipment to minimize the damage. The aim of this article is to develop preferred practice patterns, by developing a consensus amongst the lead experts, that would help the institutes as well as individual vitreo-retina and uveitis experts to restart their practices with confidence. As the situation remains volatile, we would like to mention that these suggestions are evolving and likely to change as our understanding and experience gets better. Further, the suggestions are for routine patients as COVID-19 positive patients may be managed in designated hospitals as per local protocols. Also these suggestions have to be implemented keeping in compliance with local rules and regulations.

Comparison of the Safety and Efficacy of Intravitreal Ranibizumab with or without Laser Photocoagulation Versus Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant with or without Laser Photocoagulation for Macular Edema Secondary to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion.

BACKGROUND: There is an ambiguity regarding the therapy of choice for patients with macular edema following branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). AIM: The purpose of the study was to compare the efficacy and safety of ranibizumab (3 injections 0.5 mg) versus ranibizumab (1 injection 0.5 mg) with laser photocoagulation (LP) versus dexamethamethasone intravitreal (IVT) implant (0.7 mg) with or without LP in patients with macular edema following BRVO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 60 eyes of 60 patients were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 received IVT ranibizumab (3 injections 0.5 mg), Group 2 received IVT ranibizumab (1 injection 0.5 mg) + LP, Group 3 received dexamethasone IVT implant (0.7 mg), and Group 4 received dexamethasone IVT implant (0.7 mg) + LP. The endpoints were the difference in mean changes in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and inter-group differences in contrast sensitivity (CS), retinal sensitivity (RS), and intraocular pressure (IOP). RESULTS: BCVA gains in Group 1 (18.00±8.51) patients were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than patients in Groups 2 (10.00±10.26), 3 (9.50±9.60), and 4 (10.50±10.97), after 6 months of therapy. No significant inter-group variation was found in the CMT, CS, and RS. CONCLUSIONS: Ranibizumab (3 injections 0.5 mg) showed significantly higher BCVA gains at 6 months post-therapy. Improvements in the BCVA, CMT, CS, and RS were comparable initially in all the therapies.

Posterior laser barrage in advancing retinopathy of prematurity: A prospective randomized study.

Purpose: To compare the outcomes of conventional laser photocoagulation versus additional posterior barrage laser in advanced stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods: A total of 20 infants with bilateral symmetric zone 2 stage 3 advancing ROP were treated with conventional laser treatment followed by randomization of one eye to receive additional posterior retinal laser treatment. Disc-fovea and inter-arcade distance was measured. The patients were followed up prospectively for 3 months. Structural and functional outcomes and safety profile were analyzed. Results: 18/20 (90%) eyes in the study group and 19/20 (95%) eyes in the control group achieved regression of disease. Faster and complete regression was observed at 4 weeks after posterior laser compared to the control group (P = 0.024). Disc-fovea and inter-arcade distance was comparable in both groups. Conclusion: Additional posterior barrage laser is a safe technique that led to faster and more complete regression in eyes with advancing ROP. Final regression profile was comparable in both treatment modalities.

Habilitation services for children blind from retinopathy of prematurity: Health care professionals' perspective in Maharashtra.

Purpose: To explore the knowledge of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and habilitation services for children with visual loss from ROP, among health care professionals (HCPs) involved in care of preterm children and to explore their attitudes and practices in relation to referral for habilitation. Methods: A modified knowledge, attitude and practice questionnaire were administered to ophthalmologists and paediatricians associated with ROP care. Data were collected about their knowledge, beliefs and practices of ROP and referral to rehabilitation facilities. Data were analysed to establish level of knowledge, type of attitude and practices and its association with speciality. Results: Response rate was 78% (25/32). Most (14/25, 56%) were ophthalmologists. All (100%) participants knew that ROP can cause blindness. Knowledge about Indian ROP screening criteria was poor among a third (8/25, 32%), more so in paediatricians (5/11, 45.5%). Most (21/25, 84%) did not have knowledge of what a habilitation service entails and where such facilities are located. More than two-thirds (18/25, 72%) believed that special education should be preferred over inclusive education. Overall, 10/25 (40%) of the HCPs had never referred a child for rehabilitation. More than a half (13/25, 52%) were not confident of counselling parents of blind children. All agreed that rehabilitation services are not part of but should be included in medical curriculum. Conclusion: Indian guidelines for ROP screening are not universally known among HCPs. Educating medical undergraduates, providing counselling training to professionals and integration of rehabilitation into the health system will ensure continuity of care for children with visual loss and their families.

LINCOFF RULES ARE NOT FOLLOWED IN RETINAL DETACHMENT WITH POSTERIOR BREAKS AND ATTACHED CORTICAL VITREOUS.

PURPOSE: 1) To evaluate factors governing flow of subretinal fluid and validate Lincoff rules (LRs) in cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. 2) To identify cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment where LRs are not followed. METHOD: This was a retrospective study where 253 patients of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were identified through surgery records. Two hundred and twenty-nine case sheets with complete record of ocular examination and surgical findings were analyzed. Seventy-five of the 229 patients, having subtotal rhegmatogenous retinal detachment where LR could be applied were included for analysis. Validity of LR was analyzed about location of break, lattice degeneration, posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), proliferative vitreoretinopathy, lens status, myopia, and trauma. RESULT: The mean age of the patients was 40.12 years. Sixty-one were men. Lincoff rule was validated in 59 of the 75 patients. Anterior breaks (P < 0.008) and PVD (P < 0.001) were found to have a significant association with validity of LR. Other attributes did not have a statistically significant association with validity of LR. CONCLUSION: Presence of posterior retinal breaks and absent PVD is associated with unusual flow of subretinal fluid. Lincoff rules are valid in most of the clinical scenarios.

Large Spot Laser for Treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To compare large spot versus standard spot laser for treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty eyes of 40 infants with bilateral type 1 ROP were randomized for laser photocoagulation using laser indirect ophthalmoscope with either standard spot or large spot size laser. During the procedure, total time taken and Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) scores were noted. Regression of disease and refractive error were noted on follow-up. RESULTS: The infants were randomized into two groups. All infants in both groups had regression of ROP. Large spot laser significantly reduced total treatment duration in zone I by 32% (P = .005) and zone II by 63.4% (P = .0006). Moderate-to-severe pain occurred in PIPP scores in both groups throughout the procedure (under topical anesthesia) and was comparable between the groups. Mean change in refractive error (myopia) from pre-laser (2.090 diopters [D] ± 1.345 D) to 3 months' post-laser (2.465 D ± 1.399 D) was not statistically significant between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Large spot laser significantly reduced total duration of laser treatment in zone I/II ROP. Large spot laser is a useful alternative for treatment of ROP in terms of faster procedure, lesser total duration of pain, and similar regression profile. It does not cause additional myopia and can be performed without additional training. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:e233-e239.].

A national curriculum for ophthalmology residency training.

We present a residency curriculum for Ophthalmology in India. The document derives from a workshop by the All India Ophthalmological Society (AlOS) which adapted the International Council of Ophthalmology residency curriculum and refined and customized it based on inputs by the residency program directors who participated in the work shop. The curriculum describes the course content, lays down the minimum requirements of infrastructure and mandates diagnostic and therapeutic procedures required for optimal training. It emphasises professionalism, management, research methodology, community ophthalmology as integral to the curriculum. The proposed national ophthalmology residency curriculum for India incorporates the required knowledge and skills for effective and safe practice of ophthalmology and takes into account the specific needs of the country.

Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Changes Following Primary Retinal Detachment Repair with Silicone Oil Tamponade and Subsequent Oil Removal.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the correlation between the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), particularly the temporal RNFL (TRNFL), and visual outcomes following surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). METHODS: This retrospective study was performed at a tertiary center; 32 patients underwent single and successful vitrectomy for total RRD using silicone oil as tamponade. Data were collected after oil removal. RNFL thickness and central foveal thickness (CFT) were measured using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. RNFL thickness and CFT of normal eyes were acquired as a control to calculate percentage changes in the affected eyes. The correlation between postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and TRNFL changes was the primary outcome measure. RESULTS: Postoperative BCVA correlated negatively with retinal detachment (RD) duration (Pearson coefficient 0.56, P = 0.001) and percentage loss in TRNFL thickness (Pearson Coefficient 0.41, P = 0.02). The macula lost the maximum RNFL thickness (26%). The mean percentage loss of TRNFL was significantly higher in patients with postoperative BCVA <6/60 (42.63% vs. 24.06%, P = 0.009). Patients with postoperative BCVA <6/60 had a significantly longer mean RD duration (29 days) than those with postoperative BCVA >6/60 (17.5 days) (P = 0.026). CONCLUSION: When eyes with RRD are successfully repaired using silicone oil tamponade, the thickness of the RNFL decreases, particularly in the macula, and less macular neuronal loss is associated with better visual outcomes.

Vitreous hemorrhage as a clue to late presenting Pulmonary Arterio Venous Malformation.

Retinal vasculature is frequently altered in systemic vascular disorders such as Diabetes and Hypertension. We present a rare case in which vitreous hemorrhage was the presenting sign of an underlying congenital cyanotic heart disease.

Clinical Patterns and risk factors for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment at a tertiary eye care centre of northern India.

PURPOSE: To identify patterns and risk factors for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) in northern India. METHODS: This was a retrospective study conducted at a tertiary care centre in northern India. 378 consecutive records of patient, operated between January 2011 to June 2012 were included for analysis. Clinical history, signs and risk factors of RD were evaluated. Comparison was done with available literature from other developing nations. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 40.12 + 20.43 years (Range 12-85 years); 81% were male and half of the patients presented after 1 month of visual symptoms. Retinal breaks were discovered commonly in the temporal region, while no break was found in10% of the patients. PVR more than grade C was seen in a third of the patients. Prior surgery for cataract was found to be the most common identifiable risk factor for RD (40%). Bilateral RD was seen in 13% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Pseudophakia is the commonest risk factor for RD. If no retinal break is discovered pre operatively, the surgeon should seek a retinal break temporally during surgery. Bilateral RD is a serious concern for rural northern India, probably linked to delayed presentation.