Evaluation of Three-Dimensional Heads up Ophthalmic Surgery Demonstration From the Perspective of Surgeons and Postgraduate Trainees.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the satisfaction of surgeons and trainees with three-dimensional (3D) ophthalmic surgery during a demonstration compared to traditional surgery. METHODS: This validated questionnaire-based study was conducted over 1-month during which Ngenuity 3D surgery was demonstrated. All surgeons and trainees exposed were recruited to complete a questionnaire comprising visualization, physical, ease of use, teaching and learning, and overall satisfaction. RESULTS: All 7 surgeons and 33 postgraduate students responded. Surgeons reported no significant difference except overall (P = 0.047, paired t-test). Postgraduate trainees reported significantly better experience with 3D for illumination (P = 0.008), manoeuvrability (P = 0.01), glare (P = 0.037), eye strain (P = 0.008), neck and upper back strain (P = 0.000), lower back pain (P = 0.019), communication (P = 0.002), comfortable environment (P = 0.001), sharing of knowledge (P = 0.000), and overall (P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: During early experience, surgeons and trainees reported better satisfaction with 3D overall. Trainees had better satisfaction with 3D in various subcomponents of visualization, physical, ease of use, and education.

Clinical Outcomes of Topical Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Corneal Neovascularization.

Background and objective In corneal neovascularization, the peri-corneal vascular structure grows into a normally avascular cornea. This is due to an imbalance between the angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors that sustain corneal transparency. There are various etiologies of this condition, and they can be divided into infective or non-infective causes, such as inflammation, trauma, or surgical causes. Corneal neovascularization has been shown to improve with the current treatments using steroids and anti-vascular endothelial growth factors. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of topical bevacizumab as an anti-angiogenic agent in patients with corneal neovascularization. Methods This retrospective study included patients who suffered corneal neovascularization of various etiologies and completed six months of topical bevacizumab therapy between 2020 and 2022 at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre. Results A total of 16 patients received treatment with topical bevacizumab over the three-year study period. Based on specified inclusion and exclusion criteria, 12 patients were eligible for inclusion in this study. Eight patients (66%) showed improvement in terms of either 'clock hours' of improvement, morphology, or regression of corneal neovascularization. All infective causes of corneal neovascularization showed improvement on completion of bevacizumab compared to other causes. Conclusion Topical bevacizumab can be one of the treatment choices for corneal neovascularization. As the outcome varies depending on the severity and chronicity of the condition, the attending ophthalmologist should treat each case differently. Although topical bevacizumab is more effective in mild and moderate cases, the indications for its use in chronic cases remain debatable as the results are unfavorable in such cases.

Neovascular Glaucoma Complicating Central Retinal Artery Occlusion Despite Cilioretinal Artery Sparing.

This case report aims to describe a case of unilateral central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) with cilioretinal artery sparing, which was complicated by neovascular glaucoma (NVG). A 75-year-old Indian woman with underlying normal tension glaucoma presented with the sudden onset of painless generalized blurring of the right eye's vision for a week. Her right eye vision was hand motion with the presence of a right relative afferent pupillary defect. Fundus examination revealed retinal whitening over the macula sparing the papillomacular bundle with generalized retinal arteriolar attenuation, which was suggestive of right CRAO with cilioretinal artery sparing. Systemic examination revealed high blood pressure (175/75 mmHg) without ocular bruit or audible murmur on auscultation. Optical coherence tomography of the macula showed inner retinal thickening over the temporal macula. Ultrasound carotid Doppler and computed tomography angiography of the carotid showed more than 75% stenosis over the right distal internal carotid artery. Unfortunately, she developed rubeosis iridis over her right eye two weeks after her presentation, which required pan-retinal photocoagulation. She subsequently progressed to NVG, requiring maximum anti-glaucoma medications to stabilize intraocular pressure. In conclusion, CRAO is a sight-threatening medical emergency. Thorough investigations are required to determine the underlying cause so that early intervention can be done to reduce the risk of a similar attack in the fellow eye and the risk of a cerebrovascular event or cardiac ischemia, which could be life-threatening. The presence of a cilioretinal artery does not prevent ocular neovascularization in CRAO. Hence, patients should also be closely monitored after the initial diagnosis to prevent devastating complications such as NVG.

Depression and Nystagmus as the Rare Masquerading Presentations of Pineal Germinoma.

Convergence-retraction nystagmus alongside behavioral changes can be rare manifestations of a potentially life-threatening midbrain lesion. After experiencing headaches for three months, a 13-year-old boy was diagnosed with depression due to exhibiting reduced speech, hypersomnia, and psychomotor slowing for three weeks. It was preceded by headache for three months. Examination revealed visual acuity of 6/6 bilaterally, convergence-retraction nystagmus worst on upgaze, limited bilateral ocular motility in upgaze, and light-near dissociation on pupil examination, all of which point towards Parinaud's syndrome. However, there was no lid retraction to suggest Collier's sign. Fundus examination revealed papilledema. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a large pineal mass extending to both thalami, dilated ventricles due to obstructive hydrocephalus, and cerebral edema. An urgent external ventricular drain was inserted, and biopsy revealed pineal gland germinoma. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy resulted in adequate tumor shrinkage. This case report highlights that subacute behavioral changes may mask a potentially life-threatening intracranial tumor, especially when associated with abnormal eye movement.