Subconjunctival Dirofilaria masquerading as nodular scleritis.

A man in his late 50s presented with a gradually enlarging, painless, reddish mass on the white portion of his left eye for 2 weeks. His best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes. Slit-lamp examination showed a congested, nodular, elevated lesion on the temporal bulbar conjunctiva with two pustule-like elevations. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography showed a subconjunctival solid mass rather than an abscess or a cyst. Scleral deroofing was performed and a long thread-like object resembling a dead worm was identified. The worm was removed intact, and its histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of Dirofilaria Peripheral blood smear did not show any microfilariae. No recurrences or new lesions were observed during the follow-up examinations at 1 and 5 months post-surgery. This case highlights the importance of considering a parasitic aetiology in cases of nodular or infectious scleritis.

Differentiating Occult Neuroretinitis and Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischaemic Optic Neuropathy: Clinical and Optical Coherence Tomography Characteristics.

We report clinical and optical coherence tomography (OCT) differences among patients with occult neuroretinitis and non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAAION). We retrospectively reviewed records of patients with a final diagnosis of occult neuroretinitis and NAAION seen at our institute. Data were collected regarding patient demographics, clinical features, concomitant systemic risk factors, visual function, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings at presentation and subsequent follow-up. Fourteen and 16 patients were diagnosed to have occult neuroretinitis and NAAION, respectively. Patients with NAAION were slightly older (median age 49, inter-quartile range [IQR]: 45-54 years, versus 41, IQR: 31-50 years) than patients with neuroretinitis. Seventy-five per cent of patients with NAAION were male versus 43% with neuroretinitis (p = 0.07). Systemic risk factors were present in 87.5% of patients with NAAION versus 21.4% in patients with neuroretinitis (p = 0.001). At presentation, all patients presented with blurred vision, had similar visual function, and had optic disc oedema. In addition, none of the patients had evident retinitis lesions, but 10 (71%) showed evident retinitis lesion at follow-up. Neuroretinitis patients had more often vitreous cells (64% versus 6%, p = 0.001), and subretinal fluid (78.6% versus 37.5%, p = 0.03) than the patients with NAAION. In summary, NAAION patients tended to be slightly older, more often male, and had associated systemic diseases more often than those with neuroretinitis. Neuroretinitis patients more often had posterior vitreous cells and subretinal fluid on OCT. However, larger prospective studies are needed.

Characteristics of posterior zone I retinopathy of prematurity.

OBJECTIVE: To report the demographic profile and clinical characteristics of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in posterior Zone I. METHODS: In a partly retrospective (ten years) and partly prospective (one year) study, we analysed the demographic profile and clinical characteristics of babies with ROP in posterior Zone I. RESULTS: The study included 130 eyes of 67 infants with a mean gestational age and birth weight of 29.3 (±2.2) weeks and 1217.3 (±381.9) grams, respectively. All babies had received unblended oxygen. In 47 of 51 (91.1%) babies, the weekly weight gain was <100 g (details were not available in 16 babies). The ROP subtypes included aggressive, threshold, hybrid, stage 4, and atypical types in 78 (60%), 20 (15.4%), 11 (8.5%), 15 (11.5%), and 6 (4.6%) eyes, respectively. Fibrovascular proliferation, when present, was prominent nasally, occasionally overriding the disc margin. Extensive arteriovenous tortuosity was more prominent than vascular dilatation. Atypical observations included bleb-like detachment (6 eyes; 4.6%) and candle wax-like preretinal deposits (23 eyes; 17.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Retinopathy of Prematurity in posterior Zone I in this cohort was strongly associated with 100% unblended oxygen supplementation, poor weight gain, and multiple systemic co-morbidities. ROP in posterior zone 1 has a distinct profile with several atypical characteristics different from ROP in other zones.

Electronic medical records driven big data analytics in retinal diseases, report number 1: non-oncological retinal diseases in children and adolescents in India.

PURPOSE: To describe the spectrum and demographic distribution of non-oncological retinal diseases in children and adolescents presenting to a multi-tier ophthalmic hospital network in India. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional hospital-based retrospective study over nine years (March 2011-March 2020) from a pyramidal eye care network in India. The analysis included 477,954 new patients (0-21 years), collected from an International Classification of Diseases (ICD) coded electronic medical record (EMR) system. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of retinal disease (non-oncological) in at least one eye were included. Age-wise distribution of these diseases in children and adolescents was analysed. RESULTS: In the study, 8.44% (n = 40,341) of new patients were diagnosed with non-oncological retinal pathology in at least one eye. The age group-specific distribution of retinal diseases was 47.4%, 11. 8%, 5.9%, 5.9%, 6.4%, 7.6% in infants (< 1 year), toddlers (1-2 years), early childhood (3-5 years), middle childhood (6-11 years), early adolescents (12-18 years) and late adolescents (18-21 years), respectively. 60% were male, and 70% had bilateral disease. The mean age was 9.46 ± 7.52 years. The common retinal disorders were retinopathy of prematurity (ROP, 30.5%), retinal dystrophy (19.5%; most commonly, retinitis pigmentosa), and retinal detachment (16.4%). Four-fifth of the eyes had moderate to severe visual impairment. Nearly one-sixth of patients needed low vision and rehabilitative services, and about 1 in 10 patients required surgical intervention (n = 5960, 8.6%). CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: About 1 in 10 children and adolescents seeking eye care in our cohort had non-oncological retinal diseases; the common ones were ROP (in infants) and retinitis pigmentosa (in adolescents). This information would help future strategic planning of eye health care in the institution in pediatric and adolescent age groups.

Clinical Presentations, Management, and Factors Affecting Outcomes in Posterior Segment Open Globe Injuries: An Analysis of 2,360 Eyes.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to report the clinical presentations, management, and factors affecting the outcomes of posterior segment open globe injuries in 2,360 consecutive eyes. METHODS: This was a retrospective, consecutive, non-comparative interventional case series. All cases with scleral and corneoscleral wounds presenting to these centers from January 2014 to January 2021 were included. The cases were defined according to the Birmingham Eye Traumatology Terminology system (BETTs) classification. The Ocular Trauma Score (OTS) was applied to the dataset. RESULTS: Mean age of presentation was 36.63 ± 19.92 years (median 35 years). Penetrating trauma accounted for 70.92%, rupture for 18.6%, perforation for 4.60%, and IOFB in 5.88% eyes. In 76.60%, the location of injury involved zone 1 extending till zone 2, while in 23.40% it involved zone 2 and/or zone 3. Vision at presentation was logMAR 3.03 ± 0.99 and at the last visit was logMAR 2.47 ± 1.42 (p < 0.0001). Time interval between presentation to the treatment center and globe repair was 13.93 ± 19.56 h (median 7.60 h). Favorable functional outcomes were seen in 29.20% eyes and favorable anatomic outcomes in 66.90%. Decreasing age at presentation, penetrating injury instead of rupture or perforating injury, a higher OTS, absence of corneal involvement, absence of retinal detachment at presentation, and absence of concurrent orbital fracture were associated with a favorable functional outcome (>20/200). Final visual acuity in logMAR correlated with the OTS value calculated at presentation. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of retinal detachment and orbital fracture, posterior open globe injuries typically have a favorable functional outcome. OTS correlated with the final visual acuity.

Effectiveness and future implications of COVID-19-related risk stratification for managing retinopathy of prematurity: The Indian twin cities retinopathy of prematurity study report number 10.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness and future implications of COVID-related risk stratification for managing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods: A prospective study was conducted at a tertiary eye care center from the beginning of the lockdown in India from 23 March 2020 till the end of the first phase of lockdown on 29 May 2020. We evaluated 200 prematurely born infants (< 34 weeks of gestational age) using the new safety guideline protocols for low-risk babies developed in conjunction with the Indian ROP Society for care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Low risk included babies born at more than 30 weeks of gestational age, post menstrual age 34 weeks or above at presentation, more than 1000 grams of birth weight, and stable systemically with good weight gain. Results: New guidelines were implemented in 106 (53%) infants who were low risk while 94 (47%) infants with high risk were followed up as per the old guidelines. Out of the 106 infants (212 eyes) managed by the new guidelines, good outcome (group 1) was seen in 102 (96.2%) infants. Twenty-seven of the 102 infants had some form of ROP and 5 of these infants needed treatment. None of the low-risk babies with no detachment at presentation managed by new guidelines required surgery later (group 2). Two (1.9%) infants came with retinal detachment at presentation and underwent successful surgery (group 3) and two infants (1.9%) were lost to follow up. Conclusion: New risk stratification during the COVID-19 pandemic was an efficient and safe strategy in managing low-risk ROP babies.

Evaluation of a revised care plan for babies with retinopathy of prematurity during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in India.

Purpose: To analyze the impact of a revised care plan for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in a tertiary eye care facility in eastern India. Methods: In a retrospective study, we analyzed the medical records of babies managed for ROP during the peak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, with particular reference to the challenges, and the revised strategies addressing travel restrictions for five months, from April to August 2020. The strategy included selective referral (babies with higher treatment probability), longer follow-up intervals (babies with non-alarming findings), use of locally available workforce, and teleconsultation whenever feasible. Results: In the given period, 222 babies were examined versus 624 in the preceding year (P = 0.001). The average gestational age, birth weight, and postmenstrual age at presentation were 30.4 weeks, 1.31 kg, and 37.7 weeks, respectively. The first examination was on time in 40.1% of babies but was delayed by a median of 23 days in the remaining babies. In the cohort, 56.7% of babies had any ROP, and 27.9% required treatment (versus 8.8% in the previous year; P < 0.001). The intravitreal anti-vascular growth factor (anti-VEGF) injection was more often used than in the previous year (n = 72 vs 36; P < 0.0001). The treatment outcome was comparable before and after the SARS-CoV-2 lockdown period. There was no report of health issues among the care providers attributable to ROP care. Conclusion: The revised strategy resulted in a smaller pool of babies screened but a larger proportion of babies treated for ROP. This strategy could be used more profitably in future ROP care.

Clinical and visual electrophysiological characteristics of vitelliform macular dystrophies in the first decade of life.

Purpose: To evaluate patterns of pediatric vitelliform macular dystrophy (PVMD). Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of Indian children with vitelliform macular dystrophy (VMD) presenting within the first decade of life. Records were evaluated for clinical findings, family screening, and investigative findings including optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus autofluorescence (FAF), full-field electroretinogram (ERG) and electrooculogram (EOG). Electrophysiology was scrutinized and audited for acquisition and interpretation errors. Findings on follow-up were also recorded. Results: 46 eyes of 24 patients were included. Mean age at presentation was 7.17 ± 2.17 years. Mean follow-up duration was 1.55 ± 1.69 years. Best disease was the commonest type of VMD detected (21 patients), while autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy was seen in three cases. Mean logMAR BCVA was 0.364 which decreased to 0.402 on follow-up. Hyperopia was noted in 29 out of 46 eyes (mean being +3.87 D, range ebing +0.75 to +8.75 D). Four eyes of four children had choroidal neovascular membrane at presentation, while another child developed while in follow-up. Solid type subretinal deposit was the commonest OCT finding (n = 29/38) and central hyper FAF was the commonest pattern (n = 18/32). EOG was available for review in 32 eyes, but was unreliable in 11 eyes. Seven eyes demonstrated complete absence of light rise on EOG. Conclusion: PVMD can present in advanced forms. Progression to complications with loss of visual acuity can happen within the first decade of life. EOG shows grossly suppressed waveforms in the light phase in a large number of such children.

Compassionate and standard operating procedure-based counseling and practice are essential in high-risk infantile anesthesia and managing death in eye surgery.

Physicians have to play the role of a team leader and counselor and take written informed consent for high-risk surgeries in many cases. This is the first step toward initiating a mutually trustworthy relationship with the patient and family. The situation is more sensitive when vulnerable patients like small premature babies or the elderly are under consideration. In the event of a death, leadership and processes in place become extremely critical. We share our experience and practice pattern during this process, especially suited to India, but the broad principles would apply to most human situations. Hopefully, some of these can be incorporated into the existing training curriculum for team building and the art of effective physician-patient communication that should be intricately woven into the curriculum for the Science of Ophthalmic care.

Is immediate treatment necessary for diabetic macular edema after pars plana vitrectomy for tractional complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy?

PURPOSE: To assess the treatment benefit of eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME) in vitrectomized eyes for tractional complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: In a retrospective multicentre observational study in India, the clinical outcomes of eyes with center-involving DME in vitrectomized eyes for tractional complications of PDR in people with type 2 diabetes with at least 12 months follow-up data were assessed. The DME status and visual acuity outcomes were compared between those who received treatment versus those observed. RESULTS: In the 10-year study period, 45 eyes of 44 patients from 5 tertiary centers in India met the inclusion criteria. Center-involving DME was documented after a mean of 7 ± 7 months following pars plan vitrectomy (PPV) for tractional complications of PDR. More than half of the (n = 25) eyes were immediately treated for DME, and treatment was deferred for the rest. At one year, there was a statistically significant reduction in mean central subfield thickness in treated (467.9 ± 124.8 µm to 367.8 ± 143.7 µm; p < 0.001) as well as observed (405.2 ± 132.6 µm to 325.6 ± 149 µm; p < 0.001) eyes, and the change was comparable (p = 0.574). The change in vision was also comparable (0.12 ± 0.31 and 0.22 ± 0.54 Log MAR in the treated and observed group, respectively; p = 0.443). CONCLUSION: Treatment for pre-existing or new-onset DME after PPV for tractional complications of PDR may be deferred for up to one year because the DME may resolve spontaneously with time.

Imaging the pediatric retina: An overview.

Recent decade has seen a shift in the causes of childhood blinding diseases from anterior segment to retinal disease in both developed and developing countries. The common retinal disorders are retinopathy of prematurity and vitreoretinal infections in neonates, congenital anomalies in infants, and vascular retinopathies including type 1 diabetes, tumors, and inherited retinal diseases in children (up to 12 years). Retinal imaging helps in diagnosis, management, follow up and prognostication in all these disorders. These imaging modalities include fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, ultrasonography, retinal vascular and structural studies, and electrodiagnosis. Over the decades there has been tremendous advances both in design (compact, multifunctional, tele-consult capable) and technology (wide- and ultra-wide field and noninvasive retinal angiography). These new advances have application in most of the pediatric retinal diseases though at most times the designs of new devices have remained confined to use in adults. Poor patient cooperation and insufficient attention span in children demand careful crafting of the devices. The newer attempts of hand-held retinal diagnostic devices are welcome additions in this direction. While much has been done, there is still much to do in the coming years. One of the compelling and immediate needs is the pediatric version of optical coherence tomography angiography. These needs and demands would increase many folds in future. A sound policy could be the simultaneous development of adult and pediatric version of all ophthalmic diagnostic devices, coupled with capacity building of trained medical personnel.

Management of aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity in oculocutaneous albinism.

A male infant, born preterm at 32 weeks of gestation, was referred at 36-week postmenstrual age for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening. He had nystagmus, generalised hypopigmentation of skin, hair and eyes with preaxial polydactyly. The fundus was depigmented with prominently visible choroidal vessels. The retinal vessels were dilated, tortuous at zone 1. There was presence of arcading, shunting of vessels with presence of vitreous haemorrhage in the left eye. A diagnosis of aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity (APROP) in association with oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) was made.Half-dose intravitreal bevacizumab was used to treat the vascular condition. After 2 weeks, there was complete regression of APROP with a completely mature retina observed at 4 months post-treatment. Herein, we describe the role of red-free light for screening ROP in infants with OCA; challenges in the management of ROP with laser photocoagulation compared with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy.

Ocular decompression retinopathy following intracameral bevacizumab injection in a case of proliferative diabetic retinopathy with neovascular glaucoma.

A 49-year-old diabetic female was diagnosed to have both eyes proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and neovascular glaucoma (NVG [rubeosis stage in the right eye and angle-closure stage in the left eye]). The right eye anterior and posterior segment new vessels regressed 2 weeks following intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection. The left eye fundus revealed fibrovascular proliferation (FVP) for which panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) was started and subsequently intracameral bevacizumab (ICB) was injected. Following this intervention, the left eye new vessels of iris regressed but fundus showed multiple peripapillary white-centered intraretinal and subhyaloid hemorrhage suggestive of decompression retinopathy. Ocular decompression retinopathy presents as retinal hemorrhages following the acute lowering of the intraocular pressure (IOP). This case describes the rare occurrence of ocular decompression retinopathy following ICB in a case of PDR with NVG.

Clinical presentations, microbiology and management outcomes of culture-proven endogenous endophthalmitis in India.

Purpose: To report the clinical presentation, microbiology, and management outcome of endogenous endophthalmitis in Indian patients. Methods: Retrospective chart review of culture-positive (vitreous/urine/blood) endogenous endophthalmitis cases treated in tertiary eye care facility in India was done. Results: The study included 173 eyes of 117 patients. Mean patient age was 25.41 ± 20.46 years (median 24 years). Pre-disposing systemic illness could not be elicited in 79 (67.63%) patients. Commonest predisposing systemic condition in patients where it could be detected (n = 79) was pyrexia of unknown origin (25/79 = 32.0%). Following treatment, 45 out of 173 (26.0%) eyes regained vision of ≥20/400. Commonest isolated organism from vitreous was Streptococcus pneumoniae (36 eyes, 20.8%) and fungi were isolated in 24 (13.8%) eyes, the commonest being Candida spp. (8/24, 33.33%). Favorable functional outcome was seen in 26% eyes and favorable anatomic outcome in 43% eyes. Those with an underlying systemic illness were older (P = 0.02), had greater urine culture positivity (P = 0.003), lesser vitreous culture positivity (0.001), greater gram negative etiology (P = 0.0006), and greater fungal etiology (P = 0.01) as compared to those cases without underlying systemic illness. Conclusion: Endogenous endophthalmitis in India often presents in young immunocompetent individuals without any underlying systemic illness and with negative blood or urine microbiologic work up. Underlying systemic illness leads to greater gram-negative and fungal etiology. Overall visual outcome is poor inspite of prompt management.

ENTEROCOCCUS ENDOPHTHALMITIS: Clinical Settings, Antimicrobial Susceptibility, and Management Outcomes.

PURPOSE: To report the clinical presentation and management outcome of patients with endophthalmitis caused by Enterococcus species and to report the susceptibility profile of the isolates. METHODS: Twenty-nine cases with culture-proven Enterococcus endophthalmitis from January 2005 to May 2018 underwent vitrectomy/vitreous biopsy, intravitreal antibiotic with or without additional procedures. The undiluted vitreous was subjected to microbiologic evaluation. A favorable anatomical outcome was defined as preservation of the globe, absence of hypotony, attached retina, and absence of active inflammation at the last visit. Favorable visual outcome was final visual acuity ≥20/400. RESULTS: There were 24 men (82.8%). Mean age at presentation was 32.89 ± 25.25 years (median 24 years). Inciting event was open globe injury in 18 (62%), endogenous in 5 (17.24%), postcataract surgery in 3 (10.34%), postscleral buckling in 2 (6.89%), and postkeratoplasty in 1 (3.44%). Enterococcus casseliflavus was the commonest species isolated (14/29, 48.27%) followed by E. faecalis (9/29, 31%). Susceptibility to vancomycin was seen in 27/29 isolates (93%). Visual acuity was ≤20/400 in all eyes at presentation and ≥20/400 in 10/29 cases (34.48%) at final visit. Anatomical success was seen in 18/29 eyes (62%). Corneal involvement was high at 24/29 eyes (82.75%). CONCLUSION: Enterococcus is not an uncommon organism in the setting of endophthalmitis after open globe injury. Resistance to vancomycin is rare. Multidrug resistance pattern is restricted to E. faecalis. Visual outcome is poor despite early and appropriate therapy due to inherent organism virulence.