Nasal loop myopexy for management of exotropia-hypotropia complex associated with high myopia.

INTRODUCTION: Exotropia-hypotropia complex is an uncommon phenomenon associated with high myopia. However, some literature reports cases of the exotropia-hypotropia complex where residual hypotropia is managed through a secondary surgery following the conventional recession-resection of the lateral rectus (LR) and medial rectus (MR). Nasal Loop myopexy as a primary surgical procedure for the management of exotropia-hypotropia complex has been rarely reported in the literature. METHODS: A 24-year-old male with unilateral high myopia presented with a large angle exotropia-hypotropia complex with limitation of elevation in abduction in his left eye. His ocular deviation was successfully managed through a nasal loop myopexy of the superior rectus (SR) and MR using a non-absorbable suture, combined with large LR recession and MR resection. RESULTS: Postoperatively, the patient had satisfactory ocular alignment with improved hypotropia and normal elevation in abduction, contributing to enhanced binocular vision and better cosmesis. DISCUSSION: Managing the exotropia-hypotropia complex in the context of high myopia demands a comprehensive approach that addresses both vertical and horizontal deviations. The surgical strategy employed in this case, which included loop myopexy of SR and MR along with LR recession and MR resection, achieved positive outcomes regarding alignment, elevation, and binocular vision. The case supports variations in muscle path and the potential benefits of tailored surgical strategies for complex strabismus cases associated with high myopia.

Immediate postoperative keratitis caused by Rhizopus species following standard CXL for keratoconus: A case report and literature review.

PURPOSE: To report the first case of Rhizopus sp keratitis in a 15-year-old male patient who had undergone a conventional Epi-off CXL procedure for progressive keratoconus. METHODS: A 15-year-old male studying at school presented with defective vision in both eyes recently. He was diagnosed with progressive keratoconus in the right eye more than left eye. After the conventional CXL procedure, the patient developed corneal ulcer on third postoperative day. RESULTS: The microbiological diagnosis of both BCL and ulcer revealed Rhizopus sp. The patient responded to topical antifungals, and the ulcer entirely healed with a large central scar. CONCLUSION: Rhizopus keratitis is rare in a healthy individual. Ours is the first case report of Rhizopus keratitis in patient undergone CXL.

Management of symblepharon with Gore-tex as a novel treatment option for ocular chemical burns.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical outcomes of symblepharon release in patients with ocular surface chemical injury using Gore-Tex as a novel treatment option. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 23 eyes of 22 chemical injury patients done during a period of January 2014 to December 2021 at a tertiary eye care centre in South India. All patients underwent symblepharon lysis along with Gore-Tex application over the sclera with minimum 1 year follow up. The patients were assessed for demographic details, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, anterior and posterior segment details, photographic documentation, preoperative diagnosis, previous surgical details in recurrent cases, surgical procedures, final visual acuity, surgical outcomes, and complications. The clinical outcomes were assessed and outcomes were defined as success, partial success, or failure. RESULTS: The median age was 17 years (IQR, 12-39 years). Among them 10 eyes with symblepharon had grade 3 length, 12 eyes grade 3 width and 12 eyes had grade 3 loss of palisades of Vogt. The success was achieved in 52.2% of the patients; partial success in 34.8% and 13.3% had failure. The mean duration of recurrence was 6.75 ± 3.6 months. Failure was noted in young patients with mean age 9.75years and with grade 3c symblepharon. There was no sight threatening complications noted. CONCLUSION: The study showed very good results with Gore-Tex as a novel treatment option for chemical injury patient with symblepharon formation. It can be easily employed to prevent the symblepharon recurrence of various ocular surface disorders.

Fulminant keratomycosis caused by Cylindrocarpon lichenicola- A case report.

PURPOSE: To report the clinical features, phylogenetic characteristics, microbiological characteristics, and the management of the rare emerging fungal species Cylindrocarpon lichenicola. METHODS: A 55-year-old male farmer presented with a history of pain, redness, and defective vision. The corneal scrapings revealed septate hyphae macroconidia and multi-celled chlamydospores with lactophenol cotton blue mount. In addition, the culture revealed velvety to floccose, white growth with a pinkish-brown rim on the Sabouraud's dextrose agar. The growth was suggestive of the rare fungus Cylindrocarpon lichenicola. RESULTS: The course of the infection was rapidly progressive, involving the entire cornea with descemetocele and impending perforation. Reinfection with the rapid spread of disease to the sclera was noted; finally, evisceration with scleral frill excision was done. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first case report of Fulminant Sclero Keratomycosis caused by Cylindrocarpon lichenicola.

Reasons for declining corneal refractive laser correction for refractive candidates in Southern India.

PURPOSE: To analyze the reasons for declining corneal refractive laser correction procedures in patients presenting to tertiary eye care centers in Tamil Nadu, Southern India, and review the literature. METHODS: Retrospective case records of subjects presenting from January 2019 to December 2021 for refractive surgery workup were analyzed. Demographic details and refractive parameters of patients rejected for corneal refractive laser corrections (CRLC) were documented and reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 2358 patients presented for refractive surgery evaluation during the study period, and out of them, 395 patients (16.8%) were not considered ideal candidates for undergoing CRLC. The common reasons for rejecting the patients were unfit topography (n = 110, 27.8%), unstable refraction over a one-year duration (n = 9, 2.27%), low corneal thickness (n = 85, 21.5%), keratoconus (n = 5, 12.9%), and other ocular and systemic disorders (n = 48, 12.1%). CONCLUSION: There was a marked change in magnitude and rationalization for not performing either laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or photorefractive keratectomy in our study. The reasons are unfit topography, keratoconus, and systemic disorders, which were diagnosed during pre-LASIK screening workup, being the most common cause for rejecting patients for corneal refractive corrections.

Corneal blindness and eye banking: Current strategies and best practices.

Corneal blindness (CB) is one of the leading causes of blindness in India and globally, affecting around 8 million population worldwide. Many of these corneal blind patients may be visually rehabilitated by corneal transplantation (CT). Eye banking plays a crucial role in facilitating CT and ocular research. Many countries have adopted regulatory frameworks, quality assurance programs, and technological advancements to enhance the efficacy and safety of CT. Various infrastructural and organizational frameworks of eye banks (EBs) in India, according to the Eye Bank Association of India (EBAI), aid in establishing guidelines and standards for EB practices. Initiatives such as the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) have significantly contributed to eye donation rates and improved access to donor corneas. This review article discusses the established eye banking networks in countries such as India, the United States (USA), and Europe, where dedicated EB organizations work collaboratively to ensure efficient procurement, processing, and distribution of corneal tissue. It also highlights specific strategies employed in India and global countries to address EBs' challenges. These challenges include the shortage of donor corneas, improving donor screening and tissue processing techniques, ensuring timely distribution of corneal tissue, and maintaining high-quality standards. Interestingly, the comparative analysis between India and other developed countries highlights the similarities and differences in eye banking strategies. By understanding the strategies employed by different regions, EBs can learn from each other's experiences and work toward achieving optimal outcomes in CT and ocular research worldwide. It underscores the importance of knowledge sharing and collaborative efforts in addressing common challenges and implementing best practices in eye banking.

Clinical outcomes, time span for healing of various ocular surface disorders with amniotic membrane: A prospective, an Indian study.

Purpose: To study the clinical outcomes, time span of healing of various ocular surface disorders with amniotic membrane graft. Methods: A total of 41 patients, presenting to cornea clinic were included in the study and divided into five groups depending on the type of diagnosis: Group 1, with either >2 weeks of Persistent epithelial defect following cataract/retinal/glaucoma surgeries or Shield ulcers, Group 2 with >4 weeks of Non healing corneal ulcers, Group 3 with chemical injuries, Group 4 with Epithelial defects following keratoplasty, and Group 5 is the miscellaneous group. Results: The mean age of the study subjects was 50.0 years. Overall mean duration between clinical presentation and AMT was 23.59 (30.7) days, a median 16 days (IQR; 2-26 days). Failure rate was high in Group 5 (n = 3: 30.0%) and Group 2 (n = 3: 27.3%). Time taken for epithelial closure was slower in groups 1 and 5 patients. The average time taken for reabsorption of AMG was 14.98 days. The complications included repeat AMG was in four eyes (9.75%), and graft displacement was noted in four eyes (9.75%) required resuturing, three eyes required TPK (7.31%), and one eye underwent evisceration (2.43%) following severe corneal melt secondary to neurotropic ulcer. The mean log MAR visual acuity improved from 1.52 to 1.26 at the 3 months. Conclusion: Understanding on timespan for healing of ocular surface disorders with AMG is needed to assess the prognosis of the disease, preoperative counselling for repeat procedures, and the compliance with regard to follow up.

Epithelial ingrowth under LASIK flaps: tips and tricks for preventing recurrence!

Background: LASIK for refractive error correction has become a universal surgery. Despite its popularity, the estimated prevalence of traumatic flap dislocations in post-LASIK patients is 3.9%, and it is sometimes associated with epithelial ingrowth. The prognosis in such cases depends on the rapid surgical revision of the flap with the removal of the EI and perioperative steps to prevent Epithelial ingrowth (EI) recurrence in the future. Purpose: The video aims to display the steps involved in revising the flap, removing EI, and tips to prevent its recurrence. Synopsis: A 33-year-old post-LASIK patient presented with decreased vision, photophobia, and glare during the COVID pandemic in the right eye for 2 months. The best-corrected visual acuity was reduced to 6/60. The anterior segment revealed traumatic flap dislocation along with macro fold temporally and epithelial ingrowth. She underwent a successful flap revision surgery with no recurrence of epithelial ingrowth postoperatively. Highlights: A successful revision of a 2-month-old traumatic folded flap was performed along with the complete removal of EI. It explains the step-by-step approach to avoid the recurrence of EI in each step of the surgical revision of the flap. The video is self-explanatory and guides novice surgeons too. Video link: https://youtu.be/JuOSjhrfw0g.

Assessment of parental awareness about pediatric visual problems by Knowledge-Attitude-Practice survey in South India.

Purpose: To find out parents' knowledge, attitude, and treatment practice (KAP) toward pediatric eye problems and to assess the effect of demographic factors such as gender, age, educational status, and number of children on KAP. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in a hospital setting. Two hundred parents were randomly selected for the questionnaire. All parents had children who were included in Systematic Pediatric Eye Care Through Sibling Screening Strategies (SPECSSS) study. A survey with 15 questions on KAP of pediatric eye diseases was prepared and administered to parents coming to a tertiary eye hospital with varied experience and education qualifications. Results: The mean age of 200 patients was 9.6 (3.4) years, with the majority of them male (n = 110; 55.0%). The majority of the children (n = 91, 45.5%) were between the age group of 6-10 years. Knowledge of visual problems among parents was of a good grade in 9% only. The attitude of the parents toward the visual problem was positive at 17%, and the responses regarding the practice were of excellent grade at 46.5% and good at 26.5%. Analysis suggests that the level of knowledge and practice were not significantly associated with the demographic factors (p > 0.05). The positive attitude toward the visual problems of the children was associated with education of the parents (p < 0.05) and the father occupation (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Knowledge about pediatric eye diseases was poor among parents and it was significantly affected by education and occupation of parents. The parents have positive attitude toward enhancing their attitude in treatment.

A novel transconjunctival, intrascleral, ab-externo, knotless, and double-flanged technique with 6-0 Prolene for iridodialysis repair.

Small traumatic iridodialysis (ID) may be asymptomatic, but large ones usually cause polycoria and corectopia, leading to symptoms like diplopia, glare, and photophobia. The management of ID, including medical and surgical methods, depends upon the patient's symptoms. Mild glare and diplopia can be treated either with atropine, antiglaucoma medications, tinted spectacles, colored contact lens, or corneal tattooing, but extensive IDs require surgical options. The surgical techniques are challenging due to the iris texture and the damage encountered during the primary surgery, the narrow anatomical workspace for repair, and the associated surgical complications. Numerous techniques have been described by several authors in the literature; each has its advantages and disadvantages. All the procedures described previously involve conjunctival peritomy, scleral incisions, and suture knots and are time consuming. Here, we report a novel transconjunctival, intrascleral, knotless, and ab-externo, double-flanged technique for repair of large ID with a 1-year follow-up.

Eye banking and keratoplasty trend analysis during the COVID-19 pandemic: A South Indian observational study.

Purpose: To analyze the impact on eye donation and corneal transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary eye hospital in south India. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the donor and recipient records during the study period from January 2020 to May 2021 was conducted and tabulated in Microsoft Excel 2013. Demographic details of the donor, utility rate, cause of death, culture characteristics, storage methods, wet lab usage, and the surgical donor outcomes were evaluated. Additionally, the postoperative workup of the recipients, diagnosis, graft infection and rejection episodes, development of COVID-19 postoperatively, and outcome in terms of visual acuity at one, three, and six months were also noted. Results: A total of 466 eyes from 249 donors were received during the study period. The mean age of the donor population was 62.43 years (20.9). The corneal transplantation utility rate was 36.4% (n = 170). Fifty-one percent of the total transplant surgeries were for therapeutic purposes. This was followed by penetrating optical keratoplasty (34%), Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty (9%), and patch grafts (3%). Seventeen (10%) graft rejection episodes were noted and nine (53%) had complete resolution after medical treatment. Conclusion: Proper preventive measures are key to carrying out safe and efficient eye banking activities even during a deadly pandemic, as COVID-19 transmission via transplantation is rare.

Non-compliance for wearing spectacles: Prevalence and determinants in school-going children in South India.

Purpose: To study the prevalence and determinants of compliance with spectacle wear among school-age children in South India who were given spectacles free of charge under a school vision screening program. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was performed. The participants were recruited from the school from Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts of Tamil Nadu, where a school vision screening camp was conducted between January 2012 and October 2012. The school screening was performed under. "Lavelle Pediatric Eye Care Project": . Of the 129,720 children examined of 249 schools, 4253 of children had refractive error and 3333 were prescribed and dispensed spectacles. A total of 683 children were interviewed, who were not wearing glasses on follow-up. Results: About 20% of the participants (683/3333) were not wearing their spectacles at examination. The most common reasons given for non-wear were lost (44.9%) or broken (35.3%) spectacles. There was no gender preference on compliance to spectacles. Conclusion: Compliance with spectacle wear is less even when spectacles are provided free of cost, particularly in children among the age group of 5-15 years. Because factors such as type of school, area (urban or rural), parent's income, occupation, and their education were not significantly affecting the compliance of spectacle wear, proper encouragement and counseling of the parents and the child become extremely important.

Management of pediatric subluxated cataract and different methods to face the challenges.

Background: Traumatic cataracts present in multiple and different forms. Based on the nature of injury, it necessitates a customized approach for individual case. Capsulorhexis and in the bag intraocular lens (IOL) placement are vital for long term centration of pediatric IOLs. Paediatric lenses having elastic capsule provide more challenges to perform optimum rhexis and the surgery becomes further complicated, when it is subluxated or fibrosed. Here is a pediatric case with such challenges managed using capsular tension ring (CTR) and capsular tension segment (CTS). Purpose: To demonstrate the making of optimum rhexis in a fibrosed capsule in subluxated lens and placing the IOL along with fixation of bag using CTR and CTS. Synopsis: A 13-year-old boy sustained an injury in the right eye from an air pistol, underwent lid tear repair in a local hospital, and presented to us one month post trauma with visual acuity of 6/60 in the right eye and 6/6 in the left eye. On examination, there was more than 180° temporal zonular dialysis with fibrosis of the anterior capsule. In this situation, creating an intact capsulorhexis was a challenge which was solved using micro-scissors and micro-vitreo-retinal forceps, in addition to routine instruments. After removing the lens material, CTS was placed initially in the bag to stabilize it while introducing CTR. The CTS was then fixated to the sclera. Foldable IOL was placed in the bag. Technique and tips to make intact rhexis and easy passage of suture are demonstrated. Highlights: This video shows tips and different methods adopted in each step of the surgery for successful placement of IOL in bag along with fixation of bag using CTR and CTS in a case of traumatic subluxated cataract with shrunken anterior lens capsule. Video link: https://youtu.be/Vwp1qUh1Mrc.

Identification of potential barriers for timely access to pediatric sibling eye check-up in a tertiary eye care hospital.

Purpose: To identify socio-economic, demographic, and clinical factors that may be associated with sibling access to ophthalmic check-up. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study investigated children in the age group of 0-15 years under a project on Systematic Pediatric Eye Care Through Sibling Screening Strategies (SPECSSS project). The siblings of pediatric patients (proband) with refractive errors, strabismus, cataract, glaucoma, and retinal pathologies were given a referral card for ophthalmic check-up. If parents do not bring siblings for check-up within 1 month of initial information and even after 2 SMS reminders, it was considered as failure to uptake of services. On follow-up later, they were provided a questionnaire. A questionnaire was given to the parent by interview through a project coordinator, and details were obtained from the parents or caretaker. Parents who were willing for telephonic interview were asked to respond to the questionnaire over phone on the scheduled date. The sibling details, parent-related details, and data from questionnaire forms were entered and analyzed. Results: The mean age of 300 siblings was 9.3 ± 4.0 years with the majority of them being female (158). The most common reasons quoted by parents in the rural area compared with the urban area for not bringing siblings for eye exams were the travel distance from home to the hospital (n = 118, 83.7%), the travel time from home to the hospital (n = 109, 77.3%), more than one vehicle required to change (n = 111, 78.7%), and the transportation cost more than rupees 100 (INR) (n = 89, 63.1%) (p < 0.05). Unable to leave work responsibilities (n = 126, 79.3%) was stated more frequently by urban parents compared to rural (p = 0.039). Conclusion: Our study suggests that the financial factor, the distance factor, and social belief play an important role in timely uptake of sibling eye check-up. Targeting siblings with treatable pediatric eye diseases could help in reducing the burden of refractive error, strabismus, and cataract in the pediatric population.

Gore-tex a magic sheet for symblepharon prevention!

Background: Symblepharon occurs as chronic sequelae of severe chemical injuries. The risk of recurrence is high due to unpredictable wound healing of conjunctiva and tenons following excision in young patients. Gore-tex aids in prevention of the recurrence of pterygium 1. Purpose: To present a surgical video on role of Gore-tex in grade 4 Symblepharon lysis. Synopsis: A 28-year-old male with a previous history of Grade 4 chemical injury presented with symblepharon and total obliteration of both upper and lower fornices after one year in the right eye. He underwent symblepharon lysis, Living related conjunctival allograft, Amniotic membrane graft and Gore-tex. The video explains the surgical steps in detail. A 360-degree complete peritomy was done, Symblepharon was released from the corneal surface, and the fibrotic tissue was extensively dissected away from the corneal surface and released into the fornix. Further, cryopreserved AMG was placed over the entire raw ocular surface and sutured to the episclera with glue. Prepared Gore-tex was placed on the superior and inferior fornix and sutured with 10-0 nylon suture. Again, AMG was placed over the Gore-tex in the fornices and covered with glue. A small 2x2mm biopsy of limbal stem cells from the superior limbus was already excised from the fellow eye (CLAG) and then Lr-CLAL was prepared from the patient's mother. These two grafts were placed on the nasal and temporal bulbar surface over the AMG and sutured to the underlying AMG and the episclera with glue. The entire surface was then covered with the AMG to promote epithelisation. At one month postoperative period, patient had stable ocular surface with intact Limbal conjunctival graft with mild conjunctival recurrence of fibrosis superiorly. Highlights: The video clearly explains the surgical steps of Symblepharon and the benefits of using Gore-tex. Online Video Link: https://youtu.be/aFfq2x9QBwA.