Correlation of Macular Ganglion Cell Layer + Inner Plexiform Layer (GCL + IPL) and Circumpapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (cRNFL) Thickness in Glaucoma Suspects and Glaucomatous Eyes.

Purpose: The study aimed to correlate macular ganglion cell layer + inner plexiform layer (GCL + IPL) thickness and circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cRNFL) thickness and to determine the validity of GCL + IPL in the evaluation of glaucoma across different stages using the area under the curve (AUC) analysis in comparison to cRNFL. Patients and Methods: The charts of 260 adult glaucoma suspect and glaucoma patients having macular ganglion cell analysis, optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the cRNFL and automated visual field (AVF) were reviewed. GCL + IPL thickness (average, minimum and sectoral) and sectoral cRNFL thickness were obtained. Glaucomatous eyes were further classified into stages based on the Hodapp-Anderson-Parrish Visual Field Criteria of Glaucoma Severity. AUC analysis was used to compare GCL + IPL parameters with cRNFL in glaucoma suspects and glaucoma patients. Results: A total of 122 eyes were included in the study and were grouped into glaucoma suspects (n = 43), early or mild glaucoma (n = 40), and moderate-to-severe glaucoma (n = 39). Both GCL + IPL and cRNFL thickness parameters showed a significant decline with greater glaucoma severity. In the determination of visual field defects across all glaucoma stages, the highest AUC was obtained by minimum GCL + IPL (AUC = 0.859) with cut-off value at ≤70 µm. Average GCL + IPL had the highest AUC (0.835) in detecting progression from glaucoma suspect to mild glaucoma, while the inferior sector of the cRNFL had the highest AUC (0.937) in discerning mild from moderate-to-severe glaucoma. Conclusion: The results of this study highlight the significance of macular ganglion cell analysis in the screening, detection and staging of glaucoma. Compared to cRNFL, macular ganglion analysis may be more beneficial in glaucoma screening and detecting progression from glaucoma suspect to mild glaucoma.

Online Questionnaire-Based Study on the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Non-Ophthalmic Physicians-in-Training Regarding Exposure Keratopathy Among Patients Admitted in a Tertiary Referral Hospital.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practices of non-ophthalmic physicians-in-training regarding recognition and prevention of exposure keratopathy among patients admitted in a tertiary referral hospital. Methods: This study was a single-center cross-sectional study. An anonymous self-administered online questionnaire was distributed among non-ophthalmic physicians-in-training at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) using convenience and snowball sampling. Results: A total of 77 responses were recorded with a response rate of 37%. The majority of the respondents uniformly reported the absence of an established eye care protocol or policy being implemented for different subsets of patients at risk for developing exposure keratopathy. Ninety-six percent (96%) was aware of exposure keratopathy. The most urgent reason for referral to the ophthalmology service was the presence of whitish of opacity at 46.8%, while the least urgent reason was the presence of eye redness at 36.4%. Only 43% of the patients with incomplete eyelid closure was referred to the ophthalmology service. The most frequently used modality of prophylactic eye protection treatment was eyelid taping (84.4%) followed by lubricants (drops and gels, 79.1%). The most common reason for not referring was the absence of an established protocol on the appropriate indication for referral to the ophthalmology service. Conclusion: This study showed that the majority of non-ophthalmic physicians-in-training had adequate knowledge and favorable attitude regarding recognition and prevention of exposure keratopathy among patient admitted at the PGH; however, the absence or the unavailability of an eye care protocol among patients with inadequate eyelid closure in our institution on the prevention of exposure keratopathy and its early treatment and appropriate indications for ophthalmology referral resulted in non-uniformity and varied practice patterns on its management.

Comparison of Three Tonometers in Measuring Intraocular Pressure in Eyes That Underwent Myopic Laser in situ Keratomileusis and Photorefractive Keratectomy.

Objective: To compare the intraocular pressure (IOP) obtained by Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT), correcting applanation tonometer surface (CATS) and biomechanically corrected IOP (bIOP) of Corvis ST tonometer (CVS); and to determine the effects of manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE), central corneal thickness (CCT) and mean corneal curvature (Km) on the IOP measurements of corneal refractive patients. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, cross-sectional study of 120 eyes of 64 patients from May 1, 2020 to June 1, 2021 who underwent laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). The level of agreement between the three tonometers was evaluated, and correlation between parameters was calculated using Pearson correlation. Results: Mean preoperative to postoperative IOP in LASIK and PRK was 15.1 ± 3 to 11.3 ± 2.1 and 14.4 ± 2.6 to 12.1 ± 3 using GAT, 16.4 ± 2.8 to 13.1 ± 2.3 and 15.9 ± 2.6 to 13.7 ± 3 using CATS and 14.8 ± 2.4 to 12.9 ± 1.5 and 14.2 ± 2.4 to 12.6 ± 1.9 using CVS-bIOP. Preoperative IOP correlation between each tonometer pair showed that the lowest mean difference was between GAT and CVS-bIOP (0.32 in LASIK, 0.15 in PRK). Preoperative to postoperative IOP correlation of each tonometer resulted in a difference of 3.77, 2.30 in GAT; 3.32, 2.28 in CATS and 1.88, 1.62 in CVS-bIOP in the LASIK and PRK groups, respectively. Percentage change in CCT and Km was not correlated while change in MRSE had a weak relationship with percentage change in CVS-bIOP. Conclusion: Preoperatively, GAT and CVS-bIOP had the best agreement in IOP measurements. CATS recorded the highest IOP preoperatively and postoperatively. IOP decreased in the three tonometers after LASIK and PRK with GAT having the largest decrease. CVS-bIOP had the lowest change between preoperative and postoperative IOP measurements. Only percentage change in MRSE was correlated with percentage change in CVS-bIOP in the LASIK group.

Central Corneal Thickness Among Filipino Patients in an Ambulatory Eye Surgery Center Using Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to determine the central corneal thickness (CCT) among Filipino patients that may contribute to different glaucoma diagnosis using the anterior segment optical coherence tomography in an ambulatory eye surgery center. METHODS: A single-center retrospective, cross-sectional study design including 1232 eyes of 641 patients of the Asian Eye Institute, Makati, Philippines from January 2019 to December 2019 who had their CCT measured with Visante anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). CCT was correlated with age, sex, presence of diabetes and/or hypertension, and glaucoma diagnosis. RESULTS: Among 641 patients who had their CCT measured by Visante AS-OCT, 723 eyes of 369 patients were included. Nearly half of the study population were normal or glaucoma suspects. The mean CCT among Filipino patients was 535.59 ± 34.06 µm. Ocular hypertensive patients had the thickest CCT, while normal tension glaucoma patients had the thinnest CCT. After adjusting for multiple variables, CCT had a direct relationship with the presence of diabetes, IOP level and the diagnosis of ocular hypertension, while inverse relationship with age. Most of the patients presenting with angle closure glaucoma were females aged 60 and above. CONCLUSION: Visante AS-OCT is a non-contact and non-aerosol generating instrument allaying the fear of disease transmission from contact or aerosolization of tears. Our study confirms similar relationships of CCT with age, presence of diabetes, IOP level, and diagnosis of ocular hypertension or normal tension glaucoma among Filipino patients with the available literature from other ethnicities.

Late-onset Subconjunctival Abscess Secondary to Serratia marcescens Associated With Unexposed Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implant.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to report a rare case of late-onset subconjunctival abscess associated with an unexposed Ahmed glaucoma valve implant secondary to Serratia marcescens, a rare conjunctival pathogen. METHODS: Case description including clinical imaging and literature review of glaucoma drainage device (GDD)-related infections. CASE PRESENTATION: A 73-year-old man presented with blurring of vision, redness, and pain on his right eye 2 months after Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation for advanced postpenetrating-keratoplasty glaucoma. The patient was nonsmoker, had fairly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus on insulin, and had undergone multiple eye surgeries on the right eye. On ocular examination, the conjunctiva was injected with fairly delineated yellowish-white subconjunctival material in the superotemporal quadrant with no associated tube exposure or leak, and the anterior chamber was quiet. The patient was assessed with Ahmed glaucoma valve infection with subconjunctival abscess and was treated by Ahmed glaucoma valve explant with directed systemic and topical antimicrobial therapy. The culture and sensitivity results revealed S. marcescens sensitive to ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime, gentamicin, and amikacin. Despite the virulence of the pathogen, the eye was saved. CONCLUSIONS: Ahmed glaucoma valve infection with subconjunctival abscess secondary to S. marcescens is rare. GDD-related infections should be suspected in patients presenting with blurring of vision, pain, and redness even in the absence of tube exposure. Early diagnosis and treatment with culture-guided antimicrobial therapy combined with GDD explant is fundamental in optimizing the visual outcome.

A randomized controlled trial on the effects of oxymetazoline nasal spray after dacryocystorhinostomy among adult patients.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to determine the effect of oxymetazoline nasal spray on the patency of the fistula created after dacryocystorhinostomy, specifically: to compare the success of fistula formation with oxymetazoline versus placebo, and to compare the incidence of post-operative congestion, pain and bleeding with oxymetazoline versus placebo. RESULTS: The study was a single-center, randomized controlled, triple-masked study involving the patients of the Plastic-Lacrimal service of a national university hospital. Block randomization was done. Dacryocystorhinostomy was performed by a single-masked surgeon. The intervention group used oxymetazoline. The placebo group used sodium chloride. The data were collected by another masked investigator. The study showed no significant difference in terms of congestion, pain and epistaxis between the two groups at day 2 post-operation. The patency, presence of silicone tube, granuloma formation, and presence of bleeding on both day 2 and day 16 post-operation had no difference between the two groups. This study doesn't support the use of oxymetazoline nasal spray after DCR, since it does not decrease the symptoms of congestion, pain and epistaxis after DCR. Aside from being an additional expense for patients, it also does not affect fistula formation and success rate of the surgery. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry: ACTRN12619001394134, Date registered 10/11/2019, Retrospectively Registered.

Acute angle closure glaucoma from spontaneous massive subretinal hemorrhage.

Purpose: To report a case of acute angle closure glaucoma from spontaneous massive hemorrhagic retinal detachment from hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Methods: A 52-year-old woman with controlled systemic hypertension and newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus presented with sudden onset painful loss of vision of the right eye. Examination of the right eye showed no light perception, an intraocular pressure of 60 with shallow anterior chamber, microystic corneal edema, closed angles on gonioscopy, and massive subretinal hemorrhage on indirect ophthalmoscopy. The left eye was essentially normal except for arterio-venous crossing changes. Ocular ultrasound revealed massive subretinal hemorrhage with possible intraocular mass. Enucleation of the painful blind eye was done for histologic diagnosis. Results: The ocular pathology revealed complete angle closure with total retinal detachment from massive subretinal hemorrhage with no mass or tumor seen. Metastatic work-up included liver enzymes, mammography, transvaginal ultrasound, chest radiography, and cranial and abdominal computerized tomography which were all normal. Conclusion: Hypertension and diabetes mellitus may cause spontaneous massive subretinal hemorrhagic retinal detachment resulting in secondary angle closure glaucoma. Enucleation is a therapeutic option if a suspicion of an intraocular tumor is present.

Eight-and-a-half syndrome: a rare potentially life-threatening disease.

Purpose: To report a case of eight-and-a-half syndrome presenting with a conjugate horizontal gaze palsy, an ipsilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia, and an ipsilateral lower motor neuron-like facial palsy. Methods: A 56-year-old male who came in for limitation of extraocular muscle motion - wherein the only remaining movement is abduction of the left eye - and right-sided facial weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-defined lesion resembling a cavernoma, at the level of the ponto-medullary junction. Results: Eight-and-a-half syndrome results from a lesion affecting the paramedian pontine reticular formation, the median longitudinal fasciculus, and the facial nerve fascicle on one side. In this case, a cavernoma at the level of the ponto-medullary junction was compressing the important pontine structures. Conclusion: Although eight-and-a-half syndrome is most commonly caused by an infarction or demyelination, in rare instances, a space-occupying lesion at the level of the pons can be the etiology. It is of utmost importance to recognize the features of this disease entity to be able to exhaust the proper diagnostic exams, localize the lesion and determine the proper treatment regimen catered to each patient.