Comparing clinical outcomes of macular hole surgeries performed by trainee surgeons using a 3D heads-up display viewing system versus a standard operating microscope.

PURPOSE: To compare the surgical outcomes of macular hole (MH) surgery performed by trainee surgeons using a three-dimensional heads-up display (3D HUD) versus a standard operating microscope (SOM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of all consecutive medical records patients operated on for MHs by a trainee surgeon between 2017 and 2020 using either 3D HUD or SOM was performed. Minimum hole diameter, maximum hole diameter, total surgical time, and MH closure rates were compared between the two groups. MH retinal detachments, traumatic MHs, and MHs for which inverted internal limiting membrane flaps were used were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Trainee surgeons operated on 51 patients using 3D HUD and 63 patients using SOM. Age at presentation, intraocular pressure (IOP) at diagnosis, maximum hole diameter, minimum hole diameter, surgical time, duration between diagnosis and surgery were comparable between both groups. MH closure rate was significantly (p < 0.004) higher in the 3D HUD group (n = 44, 86.3%) than that of the SOM group (n = 38, 60.3%). There were no postoperative adverse events such as glaucoma or retinal detachment in either group. Other than the viewing technique, there were no significant variables associated with MH closure in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Surgeries conducted by trainee surgeons using 3D HUD had higher MH closure rates than those using SOM.

Accidental Self-Inflicted Handheld Laser-Induced Maculopathy.

PURPOSE: To report a case of accidental self-inflicted handheld Laser-Induced Maculopathy (HLIM). METHODS: Observational case report with clinical and ocular imaging features of a patient with HLIM. RESULTS: A 31-year-old male patient presented with sudden diminution of vision in both eyes after accidental exposure to a handheld green laser. At presentation, best corrected visual acuity in both eyes was 20/100. Fundus examination showed vertical linear lesions radiating in dendritic patterns involving fovea in both eyes. Swept source OCT revealed hyper-reflectivity in outer nuclear and outer plexiform layers and disruption of the ellipsoid zone. OCT angiography at the level of choriocapillaris showed flow void areas suggesting choroidal ischaemia. CONCLUSION: Handheld laser pointers can cause direct photothermal injury to retinal pigment epithelium and inner choroid. It is important to be aware of this clinical entity and its characteristic pattern of plaque like lesions at macula with linear radiating dendritic extensions.

Cytomegalovirus retinitis in a patient of granulomatosis with polyangiitis on long-term immunosuppressants.

A 69-year-old male patient presented to the retina clinic with a sudden decrease in vision in his right eye since 1 day. He was a known case of granulomatosis with polyangiitis and was on systemic immunosuppression for the past 3 years. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in his right eye was 20/60 and he has no perception of light in the left eye. Fundus examination revealed the presence of retinitis lesions in the right eye and total optic atrophy in the left eye. A vitreous biopsy was done and the PCR was found to be positive for cytomegalovirus (CMV). He was treated with intravitreal ganciclovir injections. Subsequently, the retinitis lesions regressed and BCVA in the right eye improved to 20/40.This case report elaborates on the risks of the development of opportunistic ocular infections in patients receiving long-term systemic immunosuppressants and the need for regular ocular examinations in such cases.

Radiation Retinopathy: Detection and Management Strategies.

A gradual shift in trend from primary enucleation to globe salvaging radiation therapy for the management of ocular tumors has resulted in the rise of several post-treatment ocular complications including radiation retinopathy. Radiation retinopathy is a chronic, progressive, and occlusive vasculopathy that can manifest anytime between 1 month to 15 years after starting radiation therapy. The aim of treatment in most of these cases is to prevent further vision loss. Treatment options such as laser photocoagulation, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor and intraviral steroids have been described. However, despite several advances in diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, a significant proportion of eyes with radiation retinopathy eventually go blind. This review summarises some of the clinical features, investigative modalities, and recent therapeutic strategies used in the management of radiation retinopathy.

Endoscopic visualization-assisted corneal bee sting removal.

Purpose: Deeply embedded corneal foreign bodies and intrastromal foreign body removal can often be a challenge. The aim of this report was to describe the utility of endoscopy in visualization and removal of an embedded corneal bee stinger. Methods: A 44-year-old male patient developed toxic keratopathy after injury from a bee stinger. On examination, the bee stinger was noted to be deeply embedded in the corneal stroma. A superficial keratectomy was initially attempted; however, the stinger was noted to be intrastromal and protruding into the anterior chamber and could not be removed. An Endoscopy-assisted visualization was used to remove the stinger. Results: The bee stinger was successfully removed and the patient's vision improved to 20/100 from an initial CFCF (counting fingers close to face) at time of presentation. At the end of 3 months follow-up, there was residual corneal edema along with cataractous changes in the lens as a sequelae of the initial bee sting injury. The patient subsequently underwent an endothelial keratoplasty along with phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation and the final BCVA improved to 20/40. Conclusion: Endoscopyassisted visualisation of anterior chamber and angle structures can be valuable in removal of retained and deeply embedded corneal or intracameral foreign bodies.

Cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: clinical presentations and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in patients with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) can occur even in the presence of high CD 4 counts and can behave differently when compared to CMV retinitis in human immunodeficiency (HIV) patients. It, therefore, becomes important to understand its varied presentations and the challenges in management of these cases. The aim of this study was to analyse the various patterns of presentations and outcomes of CMV Retinitis in patients with NHL. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review of seven eyes of four patients of NHL presenting with CMV retinitis between June 2017 and May 2020 was done. METHODS: Clinical patterns of CMV Retinitis, CD4 counts at the time of presentation and the duration of treatment along with recurrences and time for recurrence of retinitis were assessed. RESULTS: Granular or indolent retinitis (6 out of 7 eyes) was the commonest form of CMV retinitis in patients of NHL. Three patients had a presenting CD4 count above 150 cells/mm3 and none of them were below 50 cells/mm3. Floaters were the commonest presenting complaint. All patients had vitritis and majority of the patients (3 out of 4) had anterior chamber (AC) inflammation. Two out of the 4 patients had a recurrence (mean time 33.8 days) after stopping the maintenance phase of ganciclovir and one patient had significant myelosuppression related to oral valganciclovir which required discontinuation of the drug. CONCLUSION: CMV retinitis in NHL patients is usually of an indolent or granular type and can occur even in the presence of high CD4 counts as compared to patients with HIV. These patients may require a long term maintenance in view of frequent recurrences after discontinuation of treatment.

Coats retinopathy with pachychoroid and central serous chorioretinopathy in the fellow eye.

A 37-year-old man presented with blurring of vision and scotoma in the left eye since last 2 weeks and has a history of poor vision in his right eye since childhood. On examination, his best corrected visual acuity in the right eye was counting finger 1 m and 20/20, N/12 in the left eye. Fundus examination revealed features of Coats disease in the right eye and central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) in the left eye. He was given intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection in the right eye for reducing subretinal exudation. Simultaneously, focal laser photocoagulation was done to the CSCR leaks in the left eye to prevent the possible worsening of CSCR due to steroid injection in the fellow eye. He underwent cryotherapy to the retinal telangiectatic vessels 3 weeks after steroid injection in the right eye. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) of both eyes showed pachy vessels with a compression of overlying choriocapillaries. After 1 month, the condition of the right eye was unchanged and the CSCR in the left eye was completely resolved with the recovery of near visual acuity.

Systemic immunosuppressive therapies for uveitis in developing countries.

There are multiple approaches to inhibit inflammatory molecules and pathways in noninfectious uveitis. The cornerstone of local and systemic anti-inflammatory treatment is corticosteroid therapy. Corticosteroids remain the most potent and efficacious drugs for treating intraocular inflammation. However, their long-term use is limited by their medium- and long-term side effects, which are a major concern. The approach taken to limit corticosteroid side effects is to introduce steroid-sparing agents that suppress the inflammatory pathways and immune response differently than corticosteroids. There are several classes of such drugs that are affordable, effective, and generally well-tolerated. Relatively recently, an increasing range of biologic agents has become available to treat intraocular inflammation. However, the relatively expensive cost of these therapies limits their use in the developing world. This systemic review aimst to discuss the use of corticosteroids and different immunosuppressive regimens in the management of various uveitides.