Clinical Characteristics of Migraine and Their Association With the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness.

BACKGROUND: Migraine is characterized by recurrent episodes of unilateral, pulsating headaches. At the cerebral and ocular levels, it is recognized that the vascular narrowing and loss of blood flow are transient; however, the chronic nature of migraine may result in long-term functional and structural changes in these structures. It could result in axonal loss and an alteration in the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layers (RNFL). This study aimed to measure the RNFL thickness, which provides a useful indication of the state of the axons and the loss of ganglion cells in migraine patients, and to find out if RNFL thickness and the clinical features of migraine are correlated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with migraine and 60 age-gender-matched controls were recruited. A complete neurological and ophthalmological examination was performed, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was done to measure RNFL. RESULTS: All quadrants of the retina on both sides showed non-statistically significant differences in RNFL thickness between migraine patients and controls (p-value >0.05). Furthermore, in all retinal quadrants on both sides, there was no statistically significant difference in RNFL thickness between migraine patients with aura and those without aura (p-value >0.05). Significant correlations were found between the duration of migraine disease and the superior RNFL thickness of both eyes, as well as the inferior RNFL in the right eye. There was also a significant correlation between the headache attack duration and RNFL thickness of the superior retina (p<0.05), Conclusion: Our key finding was that when comparing migraine patients to controls, RNFL thickness did not significantly change; however, the duration of migraine disease did significantly affect RNFL thickness.

Commencement and Monitoring: Microbiological Surveillance in Operation Theaters at a Tertiary Care Center in North India.

INTRODUCTION: Preserving sterility and safety in hospital operation theaters (OTs) is vital. We have implemented a comprehensive microbiological surveillance program for OTs, encompassing both commencement and ongoing monitoring. This study assesses the prevalence of microorganisms, identifies their types, and detects contamination on surfaces and in the air. METHODS: Commencement and monitoring samples were collected from October 2021 to July 2023, from nine OTs. OTs were cleaned with soap and water, disinfected, and fogged with quaternary ammonium compounds. After sealing the OTs overnight, samples were collected aseptically. Air was sampled using the settle plate method, and surfaces were swabbed. Six surfaces, namely, the floor, wall, table, light, anesthesia workstation, and door handle, were swabbed. Samples were transported immediately to the institution's microbiology laboratory. RESULTS: During OT commencement, 247 swabs from nine OTs yielded 19 (7.29%) positives for bacterial growth. These microorganisms were primarily non-pathogenic, including aerobic spore-forming bacilli and Micrococcus, with an average bioload of 9.5 colony-forming units (CFU)/m3 of air. During OT monitoring, swab positivity was 10.79% (23/213). The General Surgery OT and Obstetrics and Gynecology OT showed the highest bacterial growth (5/23). Surface sampling revealed prevalent methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCoNS) (9/23), followed by methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) (4/23) and methicillin-sensitive coagulase-negative staphylococci (MSCoNS) and aerobic spore-forming bacilli (ASB) (3/10). The General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and ENT OTs displayed elevated air bioloads of 53, 49, and 47 CFU/m3, respectively. CONCLUSION: In newly constructed non-operational OTs, non-pathogenic organisms prevailed. However, as the OTs became functional, pathogenic organisms became more prevalent. Sampling emphasized contamination in areas with high patient loads, such as General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and ENT OTs. Notably, OT tables and OT walls exhibited higher pathogenic microorganism presence. By combining both initial commencement and ongoing monitoring, the institution has effectively managed the microbial environment within its OTs.

A Rare Case of Cytomegalovirus Retinitis in a Young Immunocompetent Patient.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is known to be the most common opportunistic infection in immunocompromised cases, and CMV retinitis is the most common ocular manifestation. Severe retinitis with involvement of the macula or retinal necrosis can lead to vision loss. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can restrict the disease's progression. We describe the case of a 30-year-old man who presented with the chief complaint of progressive diminution of vision in both eyes for 15 days. Diminution of vision was associated with fever and skin rashes. The patient had no history of diabetes, hypertension, tuberculosis, ocular trauma, ocular surgery, organ transplant history, history of immunosuppression, or previous drug history except paracetamol tablets for fever. On ocular examination on the day of presentation, the patient's best corrected visual acuity on Snellen's visual acuity chart was 6/12 and 6/24 in the right and left eyes, respectively. Fundus examination revealed a well-defined optic disc with peripapillary flame-shaped hemorrhages with exudates and an epiretinal membrane. On spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), macular edema was 469 µm and 421 µm in the right and left eyes, respectively. On serological examination, only cytomegalovirus IgG came out positive (1196.65 AU/ml). Based on the clinical findings, fundus examination, and lab investigations, the patient was diagnosed as having a systemic CMV infection with CMV retinitis, and treatment was started with intravenous ganciclovir. With timely diagnosis and management, the patient's vision was recovered. This is a rare case report regarding the development of CMV retinitis in a completely immunocompetent individual.

Prevalence of pre-perimetric primary open angle glaucoma in hypertensives of North India.

Background: Systemic hypertension is alleged to increase the risk of glaucoma. As clinically Primary Open angle Glaucoma (POAG) is diagnosed only after approximately 40% of ganglion cell loss has occurred, therefore this study was commenced with an aim to determine the prevalence of pre-perimetric glaucomatous damage and its association with systemic hypertension using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Materials and Methods: A total of 680 study participants were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Among them 340 patients were of systemic hypertension (Group 1) and 340 patients without hypertension (Group 2). All patients underwent detailed history, ocular and systemic examination including slit lamp examination, fundus examination by +90 D lens, Humphrey field analyser for field charting and OCT for nerve fiber analysis. For glaucomatous nerve damage. Results: Group 1 and Group 2 had Male: Female ratio of 1:8 and 1:9, respectively (P = 0.809). Maximum participants 48.8% and 54.4% in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively, were in age group 50-59 years. Statistically significant difference was seen in the percentage of pre-perimetric glaucomatous patients between the two groups (P < 0.001). On OCT analysis between pre-perimetric glaucomatous eyes and healthy eyes significant difference in thickness was seen in temporal inner macula, inferior outer macula, temporal outer macula, superior outer macula and nasal outer macula. Significant difference in volume was seen for inferior temporal and nasal outer macula (P < 0.001). Conclusion: In hypertensives, glaucomatous optic nerve damage starts much earlier before the obvious clinical signs of POAG appear, as compared to normotensive individuals.

Dry Eye Disease after Cataract Surgery: Study of its Determinants and Risk Factors

Objectives: To study the incidence of dry eye and its determinants in patients undergoing cataract surgery. Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty patients with senile cataract underwent Schirmer's test, tear break-up time (TBUT) test, lissamine green staining of the cornea and conjunctiva, and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) for evaluation of dry eye preoperatively and again at first and second follow-up examinations at 1 week and 1 month after cataract surgery. Results: Mean age of the patients was 59.25+9.77 years and 73 (60.8%) were men. None of the patients had dry eye at the time of enrollment as per the criteria of our study. Postoperatively, Schirmer's test values ranged from 12-35 mm and 8-24 mm at first and second follow-ups, respectively. Mean TBUT was 13.16±2.45 and 9.64±2.20 seconds, while lissamine green staining score was 3 in 67 (55.8%) and 1 in 67 (55.8%) subjects at first and second follow-up, respectively. OSDI values ranged from 1-30 and 10-33 with a mean of 25.97±5.34 and 11.96±7.47 respectively at first and second follow-up. At first follow-up, 89.1% of the 56 patients who underwent phacoemulsification were found to have grade 2 dry eye (p<0.001), while 92.2% of the 64 patients who underwent small-incision cataract surgery (SICS) had grade 2 dry eye (p<0.001). At second follow-up, grade 0 dry eye was observed in 92.2% of the patients who underwent phacoemulsification and 82.1% of the patients who underwent SICS (p<0.001). Conclusion: The incidence of dry eye after cataract surgery was high and mostly independent of demographic and anthropometric profile, type of surgical procedure, time of microscope exposure, and amount of energy used. This dryness was transient in nature and showed a declining trend, tending to achieve normalization by the end of 1 month.

Serum vitamin D is a biomolecular biomarker for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D is a multi-functional fat-soluble metabolite essential for a vast number of physiological processes. Non-classical functions are gaining attention because of the close association of vitamin D deficiency with diabetes, and its complications. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the role of vitamin D as a biomarker for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: A tertiary care center based cross-sectional study was undertaken. Seventy-two consecutive cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus were included. Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus was made using American Diabetes Association guidelines. Study subjects included: diabetes mellitus with no retinopathy (No DR) (n = 24); non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (n = 24); and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (n = 24) and healthy controls (n = 24). All of the study subjects underwent complete ophthalmological evaluation. Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) was measured on the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) scale. Serum 25-OH Vitamin D assay was done using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay technology. Diagnostic accuracy of vitamin D was assessed using receiver operating characteristics curve analysis and area under curve (AUC) was determined for the first time. RESULTS: ANOVA revealed a significant decrease in serum vitamin D levels with severity of diabetic retinopathy (F = 8.95, p < 0.001). LogMAR BCVA was found to increase significantly with the severity of DR (F = 112.64, p < 0.001). On AUC analysis, a cut off value of 18.6 ng/mL for Vitamin D was found to be significantly associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy [sensitivity = 86.36% (95% CI 65.1-96.9); specificity = 81.82% (95% CI 59.7-94.7); AUC = 0.91 (excellent); and Z value = 8.17]. CONCLUSIONS: Serum vitamin D levels of ≤ 18.6 ng/mL serve as sensitive and specific indicator for proliferative disease, among patients of DR.

OCT Based Macular Thickness in a Normal Indian Pediatric Population.

PURPOSE: Cirrus optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides high resolution cross-sectional images of the retina, vitreous humor, and optic nerve head with an axial resolution of 5 µm and a reproducibility of 1.6 µm. An integrated normative database is available only for adult subjects ≥18 years of age; the normal reference ranges of the macular thicknesses of pediatric subjects are not available. The purpose of this study was to determine the normal reference range of macular thickness of pediatric. METHODS: A total of 340 eyes of 170 children 5-17 years of age were recruited for this study. Participants received a full ophthalmic examination including a vision assessment, cycloplegic refraction, fundus examination, intraocular pressure measurement, assessment of ocular motility, and alignment. Macular thickness measurements were obtained through dilated pupils using Cirrus HD-OCT. RESULTS: The mean macular thickness was 114.88 ± 14.74 in the right eye and 113.99 ± 15.62 in the left eye (P = 0.589). On further evaluation, macular thickness was highest in the inner macula, followed by the outer macula and central fovea (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The normative data of macular thickness in pediatric subjects 5-17 years of age will help diagnose macular disorders.

A prospective study of ocular toxicity in patients receiving ethambutol as a part of directly observed treatment strategy therapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: India is among the largest countries to implement the revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP). This program provides intermittent regimens to the patients, where the doses of isoniazid and ethambutol are more as compared to the daily regimen, which is a cause of concern, particularly with regard to the ocular toxicity of ethambutol. The present study was undertaken to explore the ocular toxicity in the patients registered under the program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective single center cohort study of 64 patients of categories I and II, coming to the RNTCP-Directly Observed Treatment Strategy (DOTS) center at a tertiary care referral hospital. The detailed history, best corrected visual acuity, fundus examination, and color vision test were carried out in all patients at the start of treatment and then at the first and second month of treatment. RESULTS: Loss in visual acuity from the baseline was noted at the second month follow up in 12 (9.4%) eyes (P = 0.001), visual field defects were seen in eight (6.3%) eyes (P = 0.0412), and optic disc abnormalities were observed in six (4.7%) (P = 0.013) eyes. Color vision abnormalities were noted in 16 (12.6%) eyes (P = 0.003), four eyes showed impairment in red-green color perception, and the others showed impairment in blue-yellow color perception as well. Patients with ocular symptoms were advised to stop ethambutol and they showed improvement in visual acuity after follow up of one to two months. The overall outcome of treatment was not affected by discontinuation of ethambutol in these patients. CONCLUSION: Ethambutol when taken according to program could cause ocular toxicity. The early recognition of ocular symptoms is important to prevent unnecessary delay in diagnosis and probable irreversible visual loss.

Retinal profile: a clinical indicator of severity in dengue fever in a suburban Indian environment.

PURPOSE: To study the retinal changes in subjects suffering from dengue fever and check if these changes can be taken as sufficient indicator of severity and progression of the disease. PATIENTS/METHODS: A detailed history was recorded of 118 patients on whom ocular examination, including direct ophthalmoscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy and coloured fundus photography, was performed. RESULTS: Forty-seven percent of patients were found to have posterior segment abnormalities. Retinal vein dilatation or tortuosity was the most common finding followed by changes in the optic disc (8.4% of patients) and background haemorrhage (6.7% of patients). With increasing severity of thrombocytopenia, the proportion of patients with retinal abnormalities increased. In patients with grade I thrombocytopenia, no fundal abnormality was found. In those with grade II thrombocytopenia, fundal abnormality was found in 13.63% patients, whereas in the grade III category it was 27.90%. CONCLUSIONS: Severity of thrombocytopenia had a significant association with retinal abnormalities. Occurrence of fundus changes increases with an increase in severity of thrombocytopenia. Fundus changes were found in all patients with grade IV thrombocytopenia.

Orbital cysticercosis: masquerading as orbital inflammatory disorder.

An eight-year-old female presented with symptoms and signs of orbital inflammation and proptosis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of extraocular myocysticercosis. Oral treatment with albendazole and steroids was followed by spontaneous extrusion and resolution of the disease.