Comparative evaluation of modified crater (endonucleation) chop and conventional crater chop techniques during phacoemulsification of hard nuclear cataracts: A randomized study.

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical outcomes of endonucleation chop (EC) versus conventional crater (CC) chop techniques in phacoemulsification of hard nuclear cataracts. METHODS: In this Prospective, longitudinal, randomized controlled study with double-blinding. Hundred consecutive eyes with uncomplicated cataracts (nucleus grades 3 and 4) were equally divided into Group A (EC) and Group B (CC). Intraoperative effective phacoemulsification time (EPT) and balanced salt solution (BSS) volume used was noted. Postoperative central corneal thickness (CCT), endothelial cell density (ECD), uncorrected Visual Acuity (UCVA), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and IOP were recorded at days 1, 7, 30, and 90 postoperatively. The Chi-square test (categorical data), Mann-Whitney U test, and t-tests for other parameters were done. RESULTS: The mean EPT in Groups A and B were 6.6 and 14.25 s, respectively (P < 0.001). The BSS volume used was 105.9 and 221.7 mL, respectively (P < 0.001). At 3 months, the ECD loss was 4.35 and 8.6%, respectively (P = 0.025). The-first day CCT was significantly increased in Group B but was the same in both groups at 3 months. A significant improvement in BCVA was noted in both groups. This new technique significantly reduces EPT, the BSS used, and ECD loss. CONCLUSION: Compared with the CC chop technique, the EC technique for phacoemulsification of hard nuclear cataracts conserved phacoemulsification energy and minimized exposure to the intraocular irrigating solution, provided a significant reduction in corneal endothelial damage, and led to faster visual rehabilitation.

Orbital magnetic resonance imaging profile and clinicoradiological correlation in COVID-19-associated rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis: A single-center study of 270 patients from North India.

PURPOSE: To study the clinical profile and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features in patients of COVID-19-associated rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (CA-ROCM) with orbital involvement and perform a clinicoradiological correlation. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed at a tertiary care center in north India from May 2021 to June 2021. Consecutive patients with clinical, nasal endoscopic, and/or microbiological evidence of CA-ROCM underwent MRI of paranasal sinuses, orbit, and brain as per the study protocol. Orbital MRI findings were studied in detail and were correlated with clinical signs. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy patients were studied. The mean age was 48.4 (± 16.82) years. A male predilection was noted (male:female = 1.77). Orbital involvement was seen in 146 (54%) patients on clinical evaluation and in 184 (68%) patients on MRI. Unilateral orbital involvement was more common (134; 92%). The most common presenting symptom was periorbital and/or facial pain (141; 52.2%) and the most common clinical sign was periorbital edema (116; 43%). The most common MRI finding was suggestive of orbital cellulitis (160; 59%). Orbital compartment syndrome was found in 17 (6.3%) patients. The inter-rater agreement between clinical and radiological assessments to detect the involvement of infraorbital nerve and frontal nerve was found to be 85.56%, (κ 0.621) and 93.70% (κ 0.776), respectively. The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of MRI to detect medial orbital wall defect were found to be 87.9%, 65%, and 97%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Orbital imaging features of a cohort of ROCM patients have been presented with clinicoradiological correlation.

Evaluating the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the intraocular fluid of COVID-19 patients.

PURPOSE: To detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in aqueous and vitreous humor of COVID-19 patients in a pilot study. METHODS: : Consecutive patients planned for emergency ophthalmic surgeries after ocular trauma were subjected to naso-oropharyngeal RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2. Laboratory-confirmed cases were enrolled for the study. During surgery, 0.1 mL aqueous and vitreous each was aspirated. The vitreous tap was collected on clinical suspicion of endophthalmitis. RT-PCR test was used to detect SARS-COV-2 nucleotide in the samples. Cycle threshold (Ct) for E gene of ≤35 along with confirmatory results on one of the two target genes (RdRp or ORF1b) was considered as positive. RESULTS: : One hundred and thirty two patients were found positive on naso-oropharyngeal RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 preoperatively. Seven patients with ocular trauma were studied. The mean age was 31.8 years. There were six male and one female patient. Two patients had symptoms of mild COVID-19 disease and the rest were asymptomatic. The mean Ct value of the E gene on naso-oropharyngeal RT-PCR was 23.14 ± 4.7. Corneal and corneoscleral laceration repair was done in five patients, intracorneal wooden foreign body was removed in one patient, and injection of intravitreal antibiotics was done in one patient. Aqueous and vitreous tap was collected in 7 and 5 patients, respectively. None of the aqueous or vitreous samples was found positive for SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSION: : SARS-CoV-2 was not detected by RT-PCR in aqueous or vitreous humor in this pilot study. Future studies with a larger sample size are needed to further explore the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in intraocular fluids.