Ocular biometric measurements and optical coherence tomography parameters in children with refractive errors and emmetropia.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to estimate and compare the differences in ocular biometric measurements (OBMs), central macular thickness (CMT), and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) between children with refractive errors and those with emmetropia. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study of 205 children (334 eyes) aged between six and 18 years consisting of four groups (emmetropia, hypermetropia, myopia, and astigmatism) was carried out. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), a detailed ocular examination, OBMs, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) for RNFLT and CMT in both eyes were evaluated for each child. Results: Mean age of 205 children was 12.4 ± 3.2 years. 55.6% (n = 114) were girls and 44.4% (n = 91) were boys. There was a significant difference between the four groups for the parameters spherical equivalent (SE), keratometer readings K1and K2, axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), vitreous chamber depth (VCD) and lens thickness (LT) (P < 0.0001). The mean central corneal thickness (CCT) was not significantly different between the four groups (P = 0.076). The mean RNFLT was thinner in the myopic group compared with the emmetropic group (P = 0.0048) There was no significant difference in the mean CMT across the four groups (P = 0.458). Conclusion: The data obtained are helpful in providing the normative as well as a comparative database on OBMs, RNFLT and CMT of the pediatric population. This also facilitates evaluation of RNFLT and CMT measurements in children with amblyopia, optic neuropathies, glaucoma, macular and retinal diseases.

Ocular Injury due to Arecanut: A Unique Occupational Hazard in Central Karnataka.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ocular manifestations and visual outcomes of ocular injury by arecanut. METHODS: We analysed cases with ocular injury by arecanut from August 2018 to December 2019, retrospectively. Mode of injury, visual acuity and ocular manifestations of trauma were recorded. RESULTS: Out of the 40 cases, closed globe injuries were seen in 97.5% of cases. All the injuries were due to the direct impact of arecanut during harvesting. The mean age was 45.15 ± 12.84 years. The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at presentation was 20/40. A significant number of cases (35%) required surgical intervention. Mean BCVA at final follow-up was 20/30 but 16.66% of cases had BCVA of <20/60 even after definitive therapy. CONCLUSION: Ocular trauma due to arecanut is an important and preventable cause of visual impairment in central Karnataka. Modifications in harvesting technique would prevent ocular injuries.

A study of effect of hemodialysis on macular thickness in patients with end-stage renal disease.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to study the effect of hemodialysis (HD) on macular thickness in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and end-stage renal disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective observational study, patients undergoing HD for diabetic nephropathy were recruited. None of the patients received treatment for DR per se during the study duration. Patients underwent ocular examination and optical coherence tomography before HD and were followed up on day 3 and day 30. At each visit, central subfield macular thickness (CSMT) and total macular volume (TMV) were measured and compared with baseline values using analysis of variance and post hoc test (Wilcoxon's matched-pairs signed-rank test). RESULTS: Thirty-one eyes of 19 patients were recruited in the study. The mean CSMT decreased from baseline value of 278.93 ± 45.01 µ to 239.81 ± 40.54 µ at the end of 30 days (P < 0.005). The mean TMV decreased from baseline value of 8.14 ± 0.68 mm3 to 7.80 ± 0.63 mm3 on day 30 (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: There was a statistically significant reduction in CSMT and TMV after HD at 30 days as compared to baseline values. HD alone results in reduction of macular thickness over short term.

A rare and an unusually delayed presentation of orbital actinomycosis following avulsion injury of the scalp.

We report a rare case of orbital swelling presenting one year after head trauma. An initial fine needle aspiration cytology revealed it to be an infected organizing hematoma. However, broad-spectrum antibiotics did not resolve the infection and the orbital lesion continued to grow in size, as evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging. Incisional biopsies were done, which were reported as orbital actinomycosis. Patient has responded well to treatment with penicillin. This case is of interest due to the delayed presentation of an orbital complication of head trauma and the rare infection with actinomyces. It also highlights the importance of using appropriate antibiotics, as well as the need for long-term treatment.