Relationship Between Intraocular Pressure and Age: A Population-Based Study in Nepal.

PRCIS: Intraocular pressure (IOP) decreased with age in a population-based study in Nepal, from a mean of 14.1 mm Hg among those 60-64 years old to 13.0 mm Hg among those 80 years old or older. PURPOSE: Few studies have assessed the distribution of IOP from the Indian subcontinent, despite its large population and high burden of glaucoma. The objective of this study was to assess the distribution of IOP measurements from adults living in a lowland region of Nepal. METHODS: In a population-based cross-sectional study, all individuals aged 60 years and older from an area of lowland Nepal were invited for an IOP assessment with a rebound tonometer. RESULTS: Of 160 communities (28,672 people aged ≥60 y) enrolled, 79 (13,808 people aged ≥60 y) were randomly selected for IOP testing. Of those eligible, 10,017 (72.5%) individuals underwent tonometry. Mean IOP decreased monotonically over 5-year age groups, from 14.1 mm Hg (SD: 3.6) among those aged 60-64 years to 13.0 mm Hg (SD: 4.2) among those 80 years or older. The 97.5th percentile IOP measurement was 21.0 mm Hg for all age groups. In adjusted analyses, younger age, self-reported diabetes, and higher population density were each associated with higher IOP, and self-reported cataract surgery was associated with lower IOP. CONCLUSIONS: Mean IOP was lower among older individuals in Nepal, consistent with many studies from East Asia and in contrast to many studies from western populations. These results suggest that ethnic background might be a consideration when diagnosing ocular hypertension.

Risk factors for corneal ulcers: a population-based matched case-control study in Nepal.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aimed to examine risk factors for corneal ulcer in a rural and peri-urban setting in Nepal. METHODS: This population-based matched case-control study was nested in a cluster randomised trial in 24 village development committees in Nepal. Incidence density sampling was used to match incident corneal opacity cases to controls, matching on time of opacity, age, sex and location. Cases and controls were invited to participate in a survey of risk factors for corneal ulcer. Risk factors were evaluated using conditional logistic regression to account for matching. RESULTS: Of the 540 participants with incident opacities identified in the trial, 433 were willing to participate in this substudy and matched to a control. Compared with controls, cases had lower odds of having any education vs no education (adjusted OR, aOR 0.60, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.94), working in non-manual labour occupations vs manual labour occupations (aOR 0.64, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.95) and preferring medical shops for ocular trauma versus eye care system centres (aOR 0.58, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.92). Cases had higher odds of protective goggle use versus no protection (aOR 3.8, 95% CI 1.3 to 11.0) and having an ocular injury vs none (aOR 7.7, 95% CI 4.3 to 13.6) compared with controls. CONCLUSION: We found ocular injury, manual labour and lower education to be strongly associated with the development of corneal ulcer. Given the persistent burden of corneal blindness in this area, prevention efforts could target efforts to increase access to care in areas where these factors are common.

Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Glaucoma Presenting to Bharatpur Eye Hospital: An Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. Glaucoma will affect 79.6 million individuals by 2020, according to projections. Improved glaucoma screening and treatment approaches are urgently needed. The purpose of this study is to determine the clinical characteristics of glaucoma patients who visit Bharatpur Eye Hospital and aims to calculate the number of new diagnoses of glaucoma from 01 February 2020 to 15 March 2020. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a hospital-based, cross-section study. All patients with a diagnosis of glaucoma were invited to participate. The examination findings, diagnosis, and management were all documented. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect patient knowledge and understanding of glaucoma. RESULTS: Among 127 patients 52.8% were newly diagnosed with glaucoma. Many patients (59.8%) were symptomatic for more than 6 months. The mean presenting intraocular pressure was 20.86 mm Hg with an SD of 11.55 mm Hg. Only 44.9% of the participants had heard about glaucoma. Many participants (65.4%) did not have knowledge of glaucoma. Among 127 participants 9.4% had a family history of glaucoma. CONCLUSION: Glaucoma is a significant burden that presents challenges to ophthalmic services in Chitwan. Many people have a poor understanding of their condition and have limited access to services. There is a need to build a treatment infrastructure and raise public awareness.

Burkhalter opponensplasty; role in isolated median nerve injury.

OBJECTIVE: To report the outcome of Burkhalter opponensplasty using Extensor Indicis Proprius with isolated traumatic low median nerve palsy. METHODS: The prospective study was conducted at the Mayo Hospital, Lahore, from June 2010 to June 2013, and comprised cases of Burkhalter opponensplasty using the Extensor Indicis Proprius to restore thumb opposition in isolated median nerve palsies. All patients had the condition for 16 to 20 months. The tendon was harvested just proximal to the extensor expansion and the insertion was to the distal attachment of abductor pollicis brevis. RESULTS: Of the 11 patients in the study, 6(54.5%) were females and 5(45.5%) were males, with overall ages ranging between 19 years and 51 years. There were no postoperative complications. Nine (82%) patients had excellent results, while the remaining 2(18%) had good result. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with isolated traumatic median nerve palsy, Burkhalter opponensplasty yielded excellent and satisfactory results.

Role of injecting bone marrow aspiration injection in treating delayed union and non-union.

OBJECTIVE: To access the role of bone marrow injection in the management of delayed union and non-union. METHODS: The prospective study was conducted at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, from January 2012 to December 2013, and comprised patients who had long bone fractures that resulted in delayed or non-union and were treated with bone marrow injections. Aspiration of bone marrow was done from tibial tuberosity and was injected percutaneously at the fracture site. The whole procedure was carried out as a day case. Fracture site mobility, tenderness and radiological features were assessed using the Union Scale score. RESULTS: Of the 25 patients, 18(72%)were male and 7(28%) were female with an overall mean age of 38±12.96SD years (range: 17-61 years). There were 19(76%) tibial shaft fractures, 4(16%) had shaft of femur fracture, and 2(8%) had humeral shaft fracture. Mean time duration between the injury and the procedure was 34 ±3.46 SD weeks (range: 30-42 weeks). Overall, 23 (92%) patients showed union and the mean time of healing was 15 ±2.73SD weeks (range: 12-22 weeks) after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous bone marrow injection provided an alternative to open bone grafting, having least complications, especially for early intervention in the fracture-healing process.