Preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain associated with cataract surgery under local anesthesia.

INTRODUCTION: Although cataract surgery is a routine outpatient surgery, anxiety and pain remain two significant concerns seen in patients. AIM: To describe preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain related to cataract surgery under local anesthesia and identify the factors determining their occurrence. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical, study which included patients who underwent cataract surgery for the first eye in the ophthalmology department of Habib Bourguiba University Hospital in Sfax-Tunisia. Preoperative anxiety was assessed using the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale. Postoperative pain was measured using the visual analog scale. RESULTS: A total of 203 patients were included with a sex ratio (M/F) of 0.79. The average age was 67.73±9.4 years. The mean overall preoperative anxiety score was 10.8±5.2. The average score for the need for information among patients was 3.45±1.5. The most anxiety-provoking factor was the possibility of surgery failure and loss of the operated eye. The determining factors for anxiety were young age and female gender. The average postoperative pain score in our patients was 3.51±1.8. A weakly positive correlation was noted between pain and duration of the procedure. CONCLUSION: Managing anxiety and pain related to cataract surgery through preoperative education and adequate management is necessary to improve patient comfort and well-being.

A rare ocular manifestation of mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.

INTRODUCTION: Ocular manifestations of Mycoplasma Pneumoniae infection are rare. We present a case of Mycoplasma Pneumoniae infection revealed by a recurrent retro-bulbar optic neuritis. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 38-year-old woman, initially treated for a typical retro-bulbar optic neuritis of the right eye with corticosteroid therapy at high doses, presented for a recurrent decreased vision in the same eye, associated with blepharospasm and conjunctival hyperemia. The etiological assessment revealed a recent Mycoplasma Pneumoniae infection. The patient was treated with corticosteroids and fluorquinolones. Her visual acuity improved to 20/20 and the other symptoms disappeared. She did not develop any recurrence during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Management of atypical optic neuritis in a young adult requires consideration and serologic testing for Mycoplasma Pneumoniae especially in endemic regions.

Clinical and therapeutic characteristics of childhood uveitis in a tertiary center in Tunisia.

INTRODUCTION: Childhood uveitis is a rare condition with various associated diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. AIM: We proposed to describe the distribution, clinical findings, treatment, complications, and visual outcomes of uveitis in children at a tertiary referral center in Sfax, Tunisia. METHODS: A retrospective study of 33 children (54 eyes) with uveitis collected over the period from January 2009 to December 2018 was carried out at the Ophthalmology Department of Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia. The data from the clinical examination, the etiological assessment, and the used treatments were collected. Standard diagnostic criteria were used for all uveitic syndromes or entities. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 11.42 years with a male-to-female ratio of 0.74. Uveitis was bilateral in 63% of the patients. The most common anatomical form was intermediate uveitis (39%). Idiopathic cases accounted for 52%. The major complications were posterior synechiae, optic disc edema, cataract, and cystoid macular edema. Anti-infective treatment was prescribed in 24% of the patients. Oral corticosteroid therapy was used in 67% of the patients. 18% of the patients received immunosuppressive therapy and 6% received a biological agent. The mean final visual acuity was 4.6/10. CONCLUSION: Childhood uveitis is a serious pathology with frequent and vision-threatening complications. The etiologies are variable and the assessment can remain negative. A rigorous diagnostic approach, an oriented etiological assessment in collaboration with the pediatrician, and an appropriate therapy are necessary for management.