Evaluation of Peripapillary and Macular Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Characteristics in Different Stages of Papilledema.

BACKGROUND: Prospective evaluation of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCT-A) characteristics in different stages of papilledema in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). METHODS: In this prospective, observational study patients of IIH with papilledema were recruited and divided into 3 groups-early/established (Group 1), chronic (Group 2), and atrophic papilledema (Group 3). Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) were recorded on OCT. Peripapillary and macular perfusion was documented at superficial retinal, deep retinal, and choriocapillary level using OCT-A. The investigations were repeated at 3 months. RESULTS: RNFL showed significant thinning in all groups on follow-up with the atrophic group showing maximum thinning ( P = 0.01-Group 3). GC-IPL was significantly reduced in all stages of papilledema at baseline compared with the controls. Thinnest GC-IPL was noted in the atrophic group (52.75 ± 7.44 µm; P = 0.00 in Group 3 vs controls) that showed further deterioration on follow-up. On Image J analysis, significant decrease was noted at various levels in the peripapillary and macular perfusion at baseline especially in the atrophic group which showed further deterioration noted on follow-up. The final visual acuity showed a statistically significant weak negative correlation with baseline RNFL (r = -0.306) and GC-IPL (r = -0.384) and moderately negative correlation with baseline superficial peripapillary retinal perfusion (r = -0.553). A significant negative correlation was seen between increasing grade of papilledema and superficial peripapillary retinal perfusion with both Image J and automated indices (r = -0.46; r = -0.61), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: GC-IPL may help identify early damage in papilledema even in the presence of thicker RNFL. Significant vascular changes can be observed on OCT-A that may help predict the final visual outcome in papilledema due to IIH.

Evaluation of the Levels of Low-dose Topical Atropine (0.01%) in Aqueous and Vitreous Humor in Human Eyes.

SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first human study that confirmed penetration of 0.01% topical atropine in aqueous and vitreous humor in live human eyes. This supports the possible mode of action of atropine via posterior ocular structures. This knowledge will help improve the outcomes in myopia management. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate penetration of low-dose atropine 0.01% in aqueous and vitreous humor. METHODS: In this cross-sectional interventional pilot study, 48 cataract cases were divided into four groups (12 each), and 30 epiretinal membrane/macular hole cases were divided into three groups (10 each). One drop of 0.01% atropine was put in the eye to be operated. Aqueous humor samples were taken from patients undergoing cataract surgery at 60 ± 15 minutes in group 1, 120 ± 15 minutes in group 2, 240 ± 15 minutes in group 3, and 360 ± 15 minutes in group 4. Vitreous humor samples were taken from patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery for epiretinal membrane/macular hole at 120 ± 15 minutes in group 1, 240 ± 15 minutes in group 2, and 360 ± 15 minutes in group 3. The assay of atropine was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Median concentrations of atropine in aqueous samples were 1.33 ng/mL (min-max, 0.6 to 6.46 ng/mL; interquartile range [IQR], 3.05 ng/mL) at 60 minutes, 2.60 ng/mL (min-max, 0.63 to 4.62 ng/mL; IQR, 1.97 ng/mL) at 120 minutes, 1.615 ng/mL (min-max, 0.1 to 3.74 ng/mL; IQR, 1.62 ng/mL) at 240 minutes, and 1.46 ng/mL (min-max, 0.47 to 2.80 ng/mL; IQR, 1.73 ng/mL) at 360 minutes, and those in vitreous samples were 0.102 ng/mL (min-max, 0 to 0.369 ng/mL; IQR, 0.366 ng/mL) at 120 minutes, 0.1715 ng/mL (min-max, 0 to 0.795 ng/mL; IQR, 0.271 ng/mL) at 240 minutes, and 0.2495 ng/mL (min-max, 0 to 0.569 ng/mL; IQR, 0.402 ng/mL) at 360 minutes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Measurable concentration of low-dose topical atropine (0.01%) was noted in aqueous and vitreous humor after instillation of a single drop of low-dose atropine. Muscarinic receptors located in the posterior segment such as the choroid and retina could be the possible site of action of low-dose atropine in myopia.

Effect of low-dose atropine (0.01%) on crystalline lens power among school-aged children with progressive myopia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the change in crystalline lens power (LP) in a cohort of Indian children with progressive myopia receiving atropine (0.01%) compared with an untreated control group. DESIGN: Nonrandomised clinical trial. METHODS: The study included 120 children (70 in the atropine group; 50 in the control group) with progressive myopia (≥0.5 D/year) with a 1-year follow-up. The atropine group received 0.01% atropine eye drops once daily in both eyes, whereas the control group received no treatment. Changes in cycloplegic spherical equivalent, axial length (AL), keratometry (KER), anterior chamber depth (ACD) and lens thickness (LT) were recorded. LP was calculated using the formula proposed by Bennett. RESULTS: Mean myopia progression at year 1 was significantly less in the atropine group (-0.18 D [0.2]) than in the control group (-0.59 [0.21]; p < 0.001). The increase in AL was significantly different between the two groups (atropine: 0.21 mm [0.12]; control: 0.29 mm [0.11], p < 0.001). A significantly greater loss of LP was noted in the atropine group (-0.67 D [0.34]) than in the placebo group (-0.28 D [0.42]; p < 0.001). The change in LT was significantly different between the atropine and control groups (p = 0.02), whereas the change in ACD and KER was similar in the two groups. CONCLUSION: The greater loss of LP could contribute to the anti-myopia effect of atropine and should therefore be evaluated in studies reporting the efficacy of atropine on myopia to assess its actual effect on myopic progression.

Acute intraocular toxicity caused by perfluorocarbon liquids: safety control systems of medical devices.

BACKGROUND: Acute retinal toxicity has been demonstrated to be associated with the intraoperative use of perfluorocarbon liquids (PFCLs), especially perfluorooctane (PFO). Recently, several cases of PFO-associated blindness have been reported in Spain, Holland, France, Italy, the Middle East, and South America. METHODS: As a result, a new ISO guideline (ISO 16672:2020) was drafted, discussed, approved, and released in 2019. This recent ISO16672:2020 guideline recommends performing direct cytotoxicity tests as an option along with chemical analysis to measure PFCL quality (purity and safety). RESULTS: In this review paper, it has been emphasized why an appropriate biological test, specifically direct exposure of PFCL to live cells, for measuring cytotoxicity must be performed with each PFCL batch along with chemical analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The paper intends to compile all available information to discuss possible approaches for avoiding adverse clinical cases in future.

Structural and white matter changes associated with duration of Braille education in early and late blind children.

In early (EB) and late blind (LB) children, vision deprivation produces cross-modal plasticity in the visual cortex. The progression of structural- and tract-based spatial statistics changes in the visual cortex in EB and LB, as well as their impact on global cognition, have yet to be investigated. The purpose of this study was to determine the cortical thickness (CT), gyrification index (GI), and white matter (WM) integrity in EB and LB children, as well as their association to the duration of blindness and education. Structural and diffusion tensor imaging data were acquired in a 3T magnetic resonance imaging in EB and LB children (n = 40 each) and 30 sighted controls (SCs) and processed using CAT12 toolbox and FSL software. Two sample t-test was used for group analyses with P < 0.05 (false discovery rate-corrected). Increased CT in visual, sensory-motor, and auditory areas, and GI in bilateral visual cortex was observed in EB children. In LB children, the right visual cortex, anterior-cingulate, sensorimotor, and auditory areas showed increased GI. Structural- and tract-based spatial statistics changes were observed in anterior visual pathway, thalamo-cortical, and corticospinal tracts, and were correlated with education onset and global cognition in EB children. Reduced impairment in WM, increased CT and GI and its correlation with global cognitive functions in visually impaired children suggests cross-modal plasticity due to adaptive compensatory mechanism (as compared to SCs). Reduced CT and increased FA in thalamo-cortical areas in EB suggest synaptic pruning and alteration in WM integrity. In the visual cortical pathway, higher education and the development of blindness modify the morphology of brain areas and influence the probabilistic tractography in EB rather than LB.

Visual Cortex Alterations in Early and Late Blind Subjects During Tactile Perception.

Involvement of visual cortex varies during tactile perception tasks in early blind (EB) and late blind (LB) human subjects. This study explored differences in sensory motor networks associated with tactile task in EB and LB subjects and between children and adolescents. A total of 40 EB subjects, 40 LB subjects, and 30 sighted controls were recruited in two subgroups: children (6-12 years) and adolescents (13-19 years). Data were acquired using a 3T MR scanner. Analyses of blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD), functional connectivity (FC), correlation, and post hoc test for multiple comparisons were carried out. Difference in BOLD activity was observed in EB and LB groups in visual cortex during tactile perception, with increased FC of visual with dorsal attention and sensory motor networks in EB. EB adolescents exhibited increased connectivity with default mode and salience networks when compared with LB. Functional results correlated with duration of training, suggestive of better performance in EB. Alteration in sensory and visual networks in EB and LB correlated with duration of tactile training. Age of onset of blindness has an effect in cross-modal reorganization of visual cortex in EB and multimodal in LB in children and adolescents.

Ethambutol Optic Neuropathy: Vigilance and Screening, the Keys to Prevent Blindness with the Revised Anti-tuberculous Therapy Regimen.

There has been change in the guidelines for the management of tuberculosis in India. The new guidelines advocate the daily use of Ethambutol for both intensive and continuation phase of the treatment. This may be a matter of concern as increased cumulative dose may lead to increase in incidence of toxic optic neuropathy due to ethambutol. Indian Neuro-Ophthalmology Society has taken cognizance of the issue and has come-up with guidelines for prevention and early detection of the toxic optic neuropathy.

Evaluation of Memory and Language Network in Children and Adolescents with Visual Impairment: A Combined Functional Connectivity and Voxel-based Morphometry Study.

Functional network changes associated with Braille reading are different in early blind (EB) and late blind (LB) participants. The objectives were to study the functional connectivity (of memory and language areas based on blood oxygen level-dependent [BOLD] mapping) and structural changes in EB and LB children and adolescents. A total of 110 participants (all right-handed) were recruited in two age groups of 6-12 years (children) and 13-19 years (adolescents) consisting of EB (n = 20), LB (n = 20), and sighted controls (SC, n = 15) in each group. Group differences were estimated between children and adolescent groups. Structural changes in visual cortex and medial temporal area, increased BOLD activations and altered functional connectivity in the primary visual cortex, inferior frontal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, and hippocampus during Braille reading task were observed in adolescents as compared with children blind groups (pFDR corrected <0.05). Functional results were positively correlated with duration of Braille reading and age at onset in EB and LB groups (p ≤ 0.01). Visual, language, and learning memory networks were different in adolescents and children of both EB and LB groups, and also between EB and LB groups suggesting cross-modal plasticity. The functional and structural results revealed education dependent cross-modal plasticity in visually impaired participants. Memory and language network were affected more in the LB group than the EB group, and more in children than adolescents.

Ophthalmic genetics practice and research in India: Vision in 2020.

Ophthalmic genetics is a much needed and growing area in India. Ethnic diversity, with a high degree of consanguinity, has led to a high prevalence of genetic disorders in the country. As the second most populous country in the world, this naturally results in a significant number of affected people overall. Practice involves coherent association between ophthalmologists, genetic counselor and pediatricians. Eye genetics in India in recent times has witnessed advanced research using cutting edge diagnostics, next generation sequencing (NGS) approaches, stem cell therapies, gene therapy and genomic editing. This article will highlight the studies reporting genetic variations in the country, challenges in practice, and the latest advances in ophthalmic genetic research in India.

Recommendations for hemodynamic monitoring for critically ill children-expert consensus statement issued by the cardiovascular dynamics section of the European Society of Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care (ESPNIC).

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular instability is common in critically ill children. There is a scarcity of published high-quality studies to develop meaningful evidence-based hemodynamic monitoring guidelines and hence, with the exception of management of shock, currently there are no published guidelines for hemodynamic monitoring in children. The European Society of Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care (ESPNIC) Cardiovascular Dynamics section aimed to provide expert consensus recommendations on hemodynamic monitoring in critically ill children. METHODS: Creation of a panel of experts in cardiovascular hemodynamic assessment and hemodynamic monitoring and review of relevant literature-a literature search was performed, and recommendations were developed through discussions managed following a Quaker-based consensus technique and evaluating appropriateness using a modified blind RAND/UCLA voting method. The AGREE statement was followed to prepare this document. RESULTS: Of 100 suggested recommendations across 12 subgroups concerning hemodynamic monitoring in critically ill children, 72 reached "strong agreement," 20 "weak agreement," and 2 had "no agreement." Six statements were considered as redundant after rephrasing of statements following the first round of voting. The agreed 72 recommendations were then coalesced into 36 detailing four key areas of hemodynamic monitoring in the main manuscript. Due to a lack of published evidence to develop evidence-based guidelines, most of the recommendations are based upon expert consensus. CONCLUSIONS: These expert consensus-based recommendations may be used to guide clinical practice for hemodynamic monitoring in critically ill children, and they may serve as a basis for highlighting gaps in the knowledge base to guide further research in hemodynamic monitoring.

Peripapillary Retinal and Choroidal Perfusion in Nonarteritic Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

SIGNIFICANCE: Nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) has been linked with vascular insufficiency, although the pathophysiology remains elusive. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a promising technology that noninvasively evaluates optic disc perfusion and that may help to characterize peripapillary vascular changes in NAION. PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate peripapillary vascularity in NAION eyes and to compare it with fellow unaffected eyes and healthy control eyes using OCTA. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, OCTA of the optic nerve head was obtained in 10 nonacute unilateral NAION and 12 healthy age-matched controls using ZEISS Angioplex. Quantitative analysis of peripapillary retinal and choroidal vascularity of NAION eyes was done using the instrument's inbuilt algorithm and ImageJ software and compared with fellow and control eyes. RESULTS: Mean total peripapillary superficial retinal vessel and perfusion density as calculated by the instrument was significantly reduced in NAION eyes compared with fellow eyes (13.93 ± 4.27 mm/0.36 ± 0.07 for NAION eyes; 17.77 ± 1.26 mm/0.43 ± 0.08 for fellow eyes; P = .01/P = .05). Using the ImageJ software technique, the mean superficial retinal perfusion was found to be significantly reduced in NAION eyes (0.17 ± 0.07) compared with fellow eyes (0.25 ± 0.06; P < .01) and control eyes (0.25 ± 0.04; P < .01). At the level of choriocapillaris, it was not significantly affected in NAION eyes (0.37 ± 0.13) versus fellow (0.34 ± 0.14; P = .1) and control eyes (0.31 ± 0.34; P = .83). Analysis with the two techniques yielded differing results: the ImageJ analysis technique found a 32% reduction in superficial retinal perfusion in NAION eyes, whereas the instrument's inbuilt algorithm found a 16% reduction compared with fellow and control eyes (P ≤.01). CONCLUSIONS: Peripapillary vascularity can be estimated both at the retinal and choroidal levels using ImageJ software to analyze OCTA images. Retinal peripapillary vascularity is compromised in NAION eyes, but vascularity is not significantly affected at the choroidal level.

Possible role of differentially expressing novel protein markers (ligatin and fibulin-7) in human aqueous humor and trabecular meshwork tissue in glaucoma progression.

The pathological mechanism underlying glaucoma has always been a complex aspect of this permanently blinding disease but proteomic studies have been helpful in elucidating it to a great extent in several studies. This study was designed to evaluate the expression and to get an idea about the function of two novel markers (ligatin and fibulin-7) identified in human aqueous humor (hAH) in relation to glaucomatous progression. A significant increase in the protein content of glaucomatous hAH compared to that of non-glaucomatous controls (NG-Ctrls) was observed. Ligatin, fibulin-7, and its proteolysis were revealed in hAH of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) and NG-Ctrls. Quantification confirmed no significant difference in expression of ligatin, whereas fibulin-7 was significantly (P < 0.05) low in hAH of PACG in comparison to NG-Ctrls and POAG. Importantly the immunohistochemical assay for both indicated their possible involvement in the maintenance of the appropriate structure of TM in vivo. Since oxidative stress is a major contributor to glaucomatous pathogenesis, in vitro analysis of nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions indicated intracellular changes in localization and expression of ligatin upon oxidative insult of human trabecular meshwork (TM) cells. While no such changes were found for fibulin-7 expression. This was also corroborated with the immunocytochemical assay. Though a study with a small sample size, this is the first report which confirms the presence of ligatin and fibulin-7 in hAH, quantified their differential expression, and indicated the possibility of their involvement in the maintenance of the TM structure.

Spectacle Coverage among Urban Schoolchildren with Refractive Error Provided Subsidized Spectacles in North India.

SIGNIFICANCE: Provision of subsidized spectacles to schoolchildren with refractive error in Delhi was associated with increased spectacle coverage. PURPOSE: Studies involving free spectacle distribution and self-purchase of spectacles often report poor compliance. We assessed 1-year spectacle coverage among schoolchildren with refractive error who were provided subsidized spectacles. METHODS: This was a study of a prospective cohort of 10,114 students from 20 randomly selected schools of Delhi. Children were presumed to have refractive error when unaided visual acuity was worse than or equal to 6/12 in either eye and a best-corrected visual acuity better than or equal to 6/9.5 in both eyes (n = 1503). Children with unmet need of spectacles (presenting with a visual acuity worse than 6/9.5 in the worse eye) were provided subsidized spectacles (n = 1191). Coverage was established by direct observation at baseline and after 1 year through unannounced visits. RESULTS: Mean age of cohort was 12.0 ± 2.0 years, and 566 (37.7%) were girls. Baseline spectacle coverage was 29.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 27.1 to 31.7%), which improved to 65.9% (95% CI, 56.0 to 61.6%) among all children (n = 1470) and 58.8% (95% CI, 56.0 to 61.6%) among children with unmet need (n = 1163) at 1 year. Uptake of the subsidized spectacles was 98.6%. On multivariate regression, the odds of spectacle use were greatest when unaided vision was poor: 55.5% when visual acuity was better than or equal to 6/9.5, 74.8% when visual acuity was 6/19 to 6/60 (adjusted odds ratio, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.7 to 3.5), and 91.5% when visual acuity was worse than 6/60 (adjusted odds ratio, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.0 to 9.5). Sex (boys, 66.3%; girls, 65.3%) and socioeconomic status (lower, 58.6%; middle, 61.8%; upper middle, 70.7%) were not associated with coverage. Increasing maternal education and baseline spectacle use were associated with coverage. However, 38.0% were wearing spectacles prescribed by the project, and 61.9% of the spectacles being used at 1 year were purchased in the open market. CONCLUSIONS: Spectacle coverage after 1 year increased through a subsidized spectacle scheme, particularly for children with poor uncorrected vision.

Comparative evaluation of the aqueous humor proteome of primary angle closure and primary open angle glaucomas and age-related cataract eyes.

PURPOSE: To analyze and compare the total proteome of aqueous humor (AH) from patients having primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG), primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and age-related cataract. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: Aqueous humor was collected from age-matched PACG, POAG and cataract patients who underwent surgery, and it was immediately stored at - 80 °C until analysis. From each sample, 25 µg of total protein was subjected to trypsin digestion and subsequently LC-MS/MS analysis was performed for the deep proteome analysis. The data acquired after the LC-MS/MS analysis were analyzed using Proteome Discoverer 1.4. The identified peptide matches were validated using percolator, at less than 1% false discovery rates. RESULTS: A total of 625, 594 and 636 proteins were identified in PACG, POAG and cataract groups, respectively (n = 9 in each group). The inter-group comparison among all these groups showed that 246 proteins were identified in all the three groups. An average of 236 ± 42, 218 ± 40 and 214 ± 62 proteins from each AH sample of PACG, POAG and cataract, respectively, was identified. There were 53 proteins commonly found in all 9 PACG AH, 59 proteins in POAG AH and 42 proteins in 9 cataracts AH samples. In the individual analysis, there were 28 proteins found in all the samples analyzed representing the "constitutive AH proteome." Spectral counting analysis of 246 proteins identified in all three group types showed significant differences in protein abundance. In proteins unique to PACG AH, 7 proteins viz. ARHGEF12, APC2, WAS, PIK3CG, ITGB1, MSN and PFN1 out of 226 were found in "Regulation of Actin Cytoskeleton" pathway, whereas in POAG 5 out of 206 proteins viz. ADCY2, ITPR1, MAPK3, MAP3K2 and TUBB1 were found in "Gap Junction" pathway. CONCLUSIONS: A qualitative as well as a quantitative comparison of proteomes of AH from PACG, POAG and age-related cataract eyes showed significant differences, thus providing clues to the disease pathophysiology.

Steroids versus No Steroids in Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: To examine the role of oral steroid therapy in the treatment of nondiabetic cases of acute nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAAION). DESIGN: Randomized double-blind clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-eight patients with acute nondiabetic NAAION divided into 2 arms of 19 patients each. One arm constituted the cases and the other constituted the controls. METHODS: Cases received oral steroid therapy and were designated the steroid group, whereas controls received placebo and were designated the nonsteroid group. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), visual evoked response (VER), and OCT were performed at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after recruitment into the trial. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Best-corrected visual acuity, VER, and retinal nerve fiber layer changes on OCT. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant improvement in BCVA, VER latency, and resolution of disc edema on OCT parameters over 6 months. Final outcome showed no statistically significant difference with regard to visual acuity, although VER was better in the steroid group (P = 0.011). Best-corrected visual acuity, VER amplitude, and VER latency (P = 0.02, P = 0.02, and P = 0.04, respectively) showed a greater percentage improvement in the steroid group, which also saw a faster resolution of disc edema on OCT (1-month follow-up). CONCLUSIONS: Oral steroids in acute NAAION did not improve the visual acuity significantly at 6 months. However, they improved resolution of disc edema significantly and enabled a greater improvement in VER parameters. This subtle benefit of oral steroids in NAAION is clinically unimportant and does not provide support for its use.

Congenital Third Nerve Palsy Associated With Midbrain Hypoplasia Due to Bilateral Segmental Internal Carotid Artery Agenesis.

A 15-year-old girl, diagnosed with a partial right third nerve palsy, was found to have bilateral internal carotid artery agenesis. Neuroimaging with 3D-constructive interference in steady state scanning identified the possible etiology of the third nerve palsy as midbrain hypoplasia.

Neuro-Ophthalmology at a Tertiary Eye Care Centre in India.

BACKGROUND: Neuro-ophthalmology as a specialty is underdeveloped in India. The aim of our study was to determine the spectrum and profile of patients presenting to a tertiary eye care center with neuro-ophthalmic disorders. METHODS: A retrospective hospital-based study was conducted, and records of all patients seen at the neuro-ophthalmology clinic of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India, over a 1-year period were retrieved and evaluated. RESULTS: Of a total of 30,111 patients referred to various specialty clinics in a span of 1 year, 1597 (5%) were referred for neuro-ophthalmology evaluation. The mean patient age was 30.8 ± 19.5 years, with a male dominance (M:F = 2.02:1). Among these patients, optic nerve disorders were noted in 63.8% (n = 1,020), cranial nerve palsy in 7% (n = 114), cortical visual impairment in 6.5% (n = 105), and others (eye/optic nerve hypophasia, blepharospasm, and optic disc drusen) in 6% (n = 95). Among the patients with optic nerve disorders, optic neuropathy without disc edema/(traumatic optic neuropathy, hereditary, tumor-related, retrobulbar neuritis, toxic, and idiopathic) was noted in 42.8% (n = 685) and optic neuropathy with disc edema (ischemic optic neuropathy, papilledema, post-papilledema optic atrophy, papillitis, neuroretinitis, and inflammatory optic neuropathy) in 20.9% (n = 335). Sixteen percent of patients (n = 263) were incorrect referrals. CONCLUSION: The neuro-ophthalmic clinic constitutes a significant referral unit in a tertiary eye care center in India. Traumatic and ischemic optic neuropathies are the most common diagnoses. Neuro-ophthalmology requires further development as a subspecialty in India to better serve the nation's population.

Zingiber officinale attenuates retinal microvascular changes in diabetic rats via anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic mechanisms.

PURPOSE: Diabetic retinopathy is a common microvascular complication of long-standing diabetes. Several complex interconnecting biochemical pathways are activated in response to hyperglycemia. These pathways culminate into proinflammatory and angiogenic effects that bring about structural and functional damage to the retinal vasculature. Since Zingiber officinale (ginger) is known for its anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic properties, we investigated the effects of its extract standardized to 5% 6-gingerol, the major active constituent of ginger, in attenuating retinal microvascular changes in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. METHODS: Diabetic rats were treated orally with the vehicle or the ginger extract (75 mg/kg/day) over a period of 24 weeks along with regular monitoring of bodyweight and blood glucose and weekly fundus photography. At the end of the 24-week treatment, the retinas were isolated for histopathological examination under a light microscope, transmission electron microscopy, and determination of the retinal tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels. RESULTS: Oral administration of the ginger extract resulted in significant reduction of hyperglycemia, the diameter of the retinal vessels, and vascular basement membrane thickness. Improvement in the architecture of the retinal vasculature was associated with significantly reduced expression of NF-κB and reduced activity of TNF-α and VEGF in the retinal tissue in the ginger extract-treated group compared to the vehicle-treated group. CONCLUSIONS: The current study showed that ginger extract containing 5% of 6-gingerol attenuates the retinal microvascular changes in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes through anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic actions. Although precise molecular targets remain to be determined, 6-gingerol seems to be a potential candidate for further investigation.