Anterograde Reconstruction of Severe Bi-Canalicular Obstruction with Autogenous Saphenous Vein Graft: A Novel Surgical Technique.

Severe lacrimal canalicular obstruction mandates a bypass surgery of conjunctivo dacryocystorhinostomy with Lester Jones tube or alternatively retrograde intubation and pseudopunctum generation with conventional, dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). However, in each case, the natural pathway is violated and added commitment of Lester Jones tube maintenance often leads to patient dissatisfaction. This novel surgical technique aims at de novo, anterograde, reconstruction of lacrimal canaliculi and rehabilitation of the natural lacrimal passage with interposition of autogenous saphenous vein graft. This method offered promising long-term results of functional success in terms of alleviation of epiphora, excellent cosmesis, and an optimal patient satisfaction.

Transepithelial corneal crosslinking in treatment of progressive keratoconus: 12 months' clinical results.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transepithelial corneal collagen cross linking (TE-CXL) with modified riboflavin and accelerated UVA irradiance in thin corneas with pachymetry less than 400 microns at thinnest point, untreatable by epithelium off corneal collagen cross linking (CXL) in adult Pakistani population with progressive keratoconus. METHODS: This quasi experimental study included twenty six eyes of 26 patients with progressive keratoconus who underwent accelerated transepithelial CXL in Armed forced institute of ophthalmology with 12 months follow up. Modified riboflavin, ParaCel ((riboflavin 0.25%, Benzalkonium chloride, EDTA, Trometamol, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) and vibeX Xtra (riboflavin 0.25%) (Avedro, USA)) were applied to cornea in two stages. Uncorrected and Corrected Distant Visual Acuities (UDVA, CDVA), spherical equivalent (SE), astigmatism, pachymetry at thinnest point (Pachy thin), apex keratometry (Kmax), simulated and steep keratometry (Sim K, steep K) were measured at baseline and at 3, 6 and 12 months post operatively. The cornea was then exposed to accelerated UVA irradiance of 9mW/cm2 for 10 min (total dose 30 mW/cm2). RESULTS: The mean age of the patient was 24.54±5.16 years. UDVA, CDVA, SE, astigmatism significantly improved at all postoperative test points (p=0.000, 0.004, 0.000, 0.004 respectively). Kmax and pachy thin were significantly reduced over baseline at 1 year (p=0.000, 0.004 respectively). Topographic indices Sim K and steep K did not show significant changes. No intra or post-operative complications were reported. CONCLUSION: Transepithelial accelerated CXL with modified riboflavin is a safe and effective procedure which halt disease progression in thin corneas with progressive keratoconus.

Comparison of transepithelial corneal crosslinking with epithelium-off crosslinking (epithelium-off CXL) in adult Pakistani population with progressive keratoconus.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare the safety and efficacy of transepithelial corneal crosslinking (CXL) with epithelium-off crosslinking (epithelium-off CXL) in the treatment of progressive keratoconus in adult Pakistani population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four eyes of 64 consecutive patients of progressive keratoconus were included in this quasi-experimental study. Thirty-two eyes received transepithelial CXL with Peschke TE (0.25% riboflavin (Vitamin B2), 1.2% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), 0.01% benzalkonium chloride) and 32 eyes received epithelium-off CXL with Peschke M (0.1% riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 0.1%, HPMC 1.1%.) The cornea was then exposed to ultraviolet A light at an irradiance of 3 mW/cm2 for 30 min. The primary outcome measure, clinical stabilization of keratoconus was defined as an increase of no more than 1D in Kmax at 1 year. Other parameters evaluated at baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 18 months postoperatively were uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), spherical equivalent (SE), astigmatism (Ast), simulated keratometry, steep keratmetry (steep K), and corneal thickness at thinnest point (pachy thin). RESULTS: Both epithelium-off CXL and transepithelial CXL groups showed a significant reduction in Kmax, steep K, simulated K, corneal pachymetry at all test points (P < 0.05) with significantly greater reductions achieved in epithelium-off CXL group at 18 months follow-up. The mean UDVA, CDVA, SE, Ast significantly improved in both groups (P < 0.05). The mean postoperative UDVA and CDVA between the groups were not significant at 12 months (P = 0.650, 0.018, respectively). Clinical stabilization was achieved in 94% of eyes in epithelium-off CXL and 75% of eyes in transepithelial CXL. In epithelium-off CXL, three eyes exhibited stromal haze resolved by corticosteroid treatment. No complication was documented in transepithelial CXL group. CONCLUSION: Transepithelial CXL is not recommended to be replaced completely by standard epithelium-off CXL due to continued ectatic progression in 25% of cases. However, thin corneas, unfit for standard epithelium-off CXL, can benefit from transepithelial CXL.

Effect of pan retinal photocoagulation on central macular thickness and visual acuity in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of pan-retinal photocoagulation with Pattern Scan Laser (pascal)on best corrected visual acuity and central macular thickness in patients having proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: This study was conducted at AFIO, Rawalpindi, Pakistan from Oct 2014 to Jul 2015. Sixty seven eyes of 46 patients having proliferative diabetic retinopathy were included in the study. All patients underwent ophthalmic clinical examination including uncorrected distant visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus examination with slit lamp and optical coherence tomography to document the pretreatment central macular thickness (CMT). Two sessions of PRP using Pattern Scan Laser were performed 04 weeks apart and OCT was repeated 04 weeks after the 2(nd) session. Central macular thickness and BCVA were documented. RESULTS: Sixty seven eyes of 46 patients (29 females and 17 males) with mean age of 57.45 ± 5.78 years underwent treatment with two sessions of laser PRP. Mean pretreatment BCVA was 0.67 ± 0.43 and mean post-treatment BCVA was 0.57 ± 0.3. Mean central macular thickness (CMT)as measured by OCT was 391.93 ± 170.43 before treatment and 316.91 ± 90.42 um after treatment. The magnitude of induced change in CMT after treatment was 75.01 ± 90.75 and BCVA was 0.09 ± 0.14. CONCLUSION: Laser PRP with Pattern scan laser alone in patients with combined presentation of PDR and DME is safe and effective.

Rosacea - the ophthalmic perspective.

CONTEXT: Rosacea is a chronic cutaneous inflammatory disorder with variable presentations. Although primarily considered a skin disease, rosacea may involve the eyes in a significant number of patients leading to ocular complications. It has been recognized that many patients of ocular rosacea in dermatological outpatient department (OPD) go unnoticed as the physicians don't ask about eye symptoms. Same holds true in ophthalmic OPD's where the doctors usually don't consider this diagnosis. The diagnosis of ocular rosacea primarily relies on observation of ophthalmic clinical features but it can be easily missed if accompanying cutaneous features are subtle or inconsistent. The subject diagnosis if not diagnosed and treated promptly, may cause varying degrees of ocular morbidity and may impair vision secondary to corneal involvement. OBJECTIVE: To review published literature and provide an overview on different pathophysiologic mechanisms of ocular rosacea and clinical features required for its diagnosis. As well as to highlight various treatment modalities available for ocular rosacea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our study Medline and Google Scholar were the key search engines to find literature using keywords like epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, management and complications of ocular rosacea.