Ocular Chemical Burns: Epidemiological Trends in a Colombian Medical Center.

Ocular chemical burns are a significant cause of visual impairment. This study aims to characterize ocular chemical burns in a southwestern Colombia referral center and identify associated factors with low vision. A cross-sectional study was carried out based on the review of medical records of patients diagnosed with chemical eye burns who consulted the emergency ophthalmology service between January 2016 and December 2019. Descriptive statistics were performed. Associations with low vision (Best Corrected Visual Acuity, BCVA, ≥20/70 in Snellen chart) in the last follow-up appointment were identified using a multivariate logistic regression with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). 219 eyes affected by chemical burns were identified from 174 patients with a mean age of 39 years (SD±20), out of which 57.5% (n=100) were men. We ran a multivariate model adjusted by sex, eye wash, type of chemical, and Dua's classification. We found that the odds of low vision for patients without eyewash before the consult were three times the odds of those who had it (Adjusted OR [aOR]=3.5, 95%CI=1.3-9.4) and almost five times for those with Dua's classification greater than 1 (aOR=4.7, 95%CI=1.7-12.9). The ocular chemical burns reported in this study occurred more in young people of productive age. Acids were the principal causal agent. The association between lack of early management and the severity of the chemical burn with low vision has been highlighted. Ocular burns remain a relevant cause of consultation on the ophthalmology service in Cali, and prevention strategies are required.

Keratitis in patients with corneal foreign bodies: a cross-sectional study in Cali, Colombia / Ceratite em pacientes com corpos estranhos na córnea: um estudo transversal em Cali, Colômbia

ABSTRACT Purposes: To describe the clinical characteristics and factors associated with keratitis in patients with corneal foreign bodies in Colombia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on a clinical records review of patients who had corneal foreign bodies and were admitted to the emergency department between June 2018 and June 2019 in Cali, Colombia. The primary outcome was the presence of keratitis diagnosed based on clinical criteria. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify associated factors. Results: A total of 381 corneal foreign bodies in 372 patients were analyzed (median age, 40.0; interquartile range, 29.0-53.0 years; male, 94.7% (n=352). Ninety-five patients developed keratitis (24.9%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 20.8%-29.5%). In the multivariate analysis, age 30 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.15, 95% CI 1.06-4.36), finding of aqueous flare (OR 2.81, 95% CI 1.39-5.66]), and a foreign body in the peripheral cornea (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.19-3.50] were associated with an increased risk for keratitis. Sex, time between injury and admission, and corneal edema were not related to keratitis (p>0.05). Conclusion: In Cali, Colombia, a high proportion of keratitis was reported in patients with corneal foreign body. Age, an aqueous flare, and a foreign body in the peripheral cornea were the factors associated with keratitis.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever as características clínicas e os fatores associados à presença de ceratite em pacientes com corpos estranhos na córnea em uma população colombiana. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal baseado na revisão dos registros clínicos de pacientes com corpos estranhos na córnea admitidos em um departamento de emergência em Cali, Colômbia, entre junho de 2018 e junho de 2019. O desfecho primário foi a presença de ceratite diagnosticada através de critérios clínicos. Foram utilizados modelos de regressão logística univariada e multivariada para identificar os fatores associados. Resultado: Neste estudo, foi analisado um total de 381 corpos estranhos na córnea em 372 pacientes (idade média: 40,0 anos, intervalo interquartil: 29,0-53,0; sexo masculino: 94,7% [352 casos]). Noventa e cinco casos desenvolveram ceratite (24,9%, intervalo de confiança de 95% — IC 95%: 20,8%-29,5%). Na análise multivariada, para idade ≤30 anos (razão de chances — RC: 2,15, IC 95%: 1,06-4,36), o achado de flare aquoso (RC: 2,81, IC 95%: 1,39-5,66]) e a presença de corpo estranho na periferia da córnea (RC: 2,05, IC 95%: 1,19-3,50) foram associados a um risco aumentado de ceratite. Sexo, tempo entre a lesão e a internação, e edema da córnea não foram relacionados à ceratite (p>0,05). Conclusão: Há uma proporção elevada de ceratite em casos de corpos estranhos na córnea em Cali, Colômbia. Os três fatores associados à ceratite foram a idade, o achado de flare aquoso e a presença de corpo estranho na periferia da córnea.

Keratitis in patients with corneal foreign bodies: a cross-sectional study in Cali, Colombia.

PURPOSES: To describe the clinical characteristics and factors associated with keratitis in patients with corneal foreign bodies in Colombia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was based on a clinical records review of patients who had corneal foreign bodies and were admitted to the emergency department between June 2018 and June 2019 in Cali, Colombia. The primary outcome was the presence of keratitis diagnosed based on clinical criteria. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify associated factors. RESULTS: A total of 381 corneal foreign bodies in 372 patients were analyzed (median age, 40.0; interquartile range, 29.0-53.0 years; male, 94.7% (n=352). Ninety-five patients developed keratitis (24.9%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 20.8%-29.5%). In the multivariate analysis, age 30 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.15, 95% CI 1.06-4.36), finding of aqueous flare (OR 2.81, 95% CI 1.39-5.66]), and a foreign body in the peripheral cornea (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.19-3.50] were associated with an increased risk for keratitis. Sex, time between injury and admission, and corneal edema were not related to keratitis (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: In Cali, Colombia, a high proportion of keratitis was reported in patients with corneal foreign body. Age, an aqueous flare, and a foreign body in the peripheral cornea were the factors associated with keratitis.

Epidemiology of Eye Cancer in Cali, Colombia: A 55-Year Study.

PURPOSE: To describe the epidemiology, incidence, mortality and survival of ocular cancer in Cali between 1962 and 2019. METHODS: Ecological population-based study analyzing data of incidence, mortality, and 5-years survival of malignant ocular tumors from the Populational Cancer Registry of Cali between 1962 and 2019. RESULTS: Between 1962 and 2019, 586 ocular tumors were found, 50.5% occurred in females, the mean age at diagnosis was 45 years (standard deviation = 25), 70.3% of ocular malignancies occurred in >14 years. The average annual incidence rate was 7.8 per million for male and 6.9 per million for females. Retinoblastoma (21%), squamous cell carcinoma (20%), melanoma (16%) and lymphoma (8%) were the most common neoplasm. In those <15 years, the most frequent malignant tumors were retinoblastomas (85.7%), followed by non-specified malignant neoplasm (NOS, 7.9%), and rhabdomyosarcoma (3.6%). In those >14 years, there were NOS (30%), followed by squamous cell carcinomas (28%), melanomas (23%), and lymphomas (9.7%). Conjunctiva (38.2%), retina (21%) and orbit (10%) constituted the majority of anatomical sites of ocular tumors. The survival rate was about 83.2% and mortality did not show a decreasing trend over time (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of ocular cancer in Cali has a slightly increasing trend, with stable behavior in the last decades. Squamous cell carcinoma, retinoblastoma, melanoma and lymphoma are the most frequent ocular cancers, with being retinoblastoma more frequent than melanoma. In general, ocular cancer had good survival rates in Cali.

Evaluating eye health care services progress towards VISION 2020 goals in Gurage Zone, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Ethiopia signed the VISION 2020 Global Declaration and launched its eye health program in 2002. Since then, there has been limited systematic and comprehensive evaluation of the progress towards VISION 2020 goals in Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate Gurage Zone progress towards VISION 2020 targets and process indicators. METHOD: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among all public and private eye health care facilities in the Gurage Zone within the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People Region of Ethiopia. The evaluation protocol was adopted from the VISION 2020 situational analysis data collection tool. We used this structure to evaluate progress in terms of human resources for eye health, infrastructure, and service delivery at the zonal health office and health facilities. At the time of the study, Gurage Zone had a 1.7 million catchment area population. There were a total of five eye care centers, one of which was established by a non-governmental organization. Three of these facilities were secondary eye care centers with an operating theatre and two facilities were primary eye care centers. At the zonal level, there was no survey data available on the prevalence of blindness. RESULT: There was no systemic evaluation of VISION 2020 process indicators. The budget allocation specific to eye health care was less than 0.7% of the total budget of the zonal health office. The human resources for eye health (HReH) in the catchment area were: one ophthalmologist, two cataract surgeons, five optometrists, and 12 ophthalmic nurses, which is below the VISION 2020 targets for HReH. In terms of equipment, neither primary eye care center had a slit lamp biomicroscope, and two of the three secondary eye care centers did not have intraocular pressure measuring equipment. Only one secondary eye care center was providing glaucoma surgical services, and no center provided emergency and elective pediatric surgery. The cataract surgical rate determined by the study was 1967. CONCLUSION: Gurage Zone showed significant improvement in terms of cataract surgical rate. But it had not achieved VISION 2020 goals in terms of critical HReH and service delivery. We recommend that the zonal health office carries out a focused and baseline evaluation of eye health care service achievements.

Cómo escribir un artículo científico / How to write a scientific paper

Resumen La escritura científica tiene su estructura bien establecida y aceptada por la comunidad académica. El seguimiento adecuado de estas normas implícitas facilita la publicación e interpretación de los resultados de las investigaciones; la estructura adecuada de un artículo científico comprende desde la acertada elección del título, hasta la correcta selección de las referencias. La apropiada redacción del resumen permite capturar la atención del lector, por lo que debe ser cuidadosamente escrito. La introducción debe poner en contexto el cuerpo del conocimiento sobre la investigación que se está reportando y argumentar la necesidad de esta. Los métodos deben describir todos los procesos de investigación que se realizan, para permitir que en cualquier escenario se replique lo que se ha realizado. Los resultados deben ser presentados de forma objetiva, limitándose a resaltar los hallazgos importantes. La discusión permite un contraste de los nuevos hallazgos con lo previamente conocido y cómo esos resultados pueden ser incorporados en el acervo del conocimiento. Todos estos aspectos son discutidos de manera esquemática, siguiendo el estilo IMRD (Introducción, Métodos, Resultados y Discusión) y le permitirán al lector familiarizarse con el método de la escritura de un artículo científico.

Abstract Scientific writing has its well-established structure and it is accepted by the academic community. Proper compliance with these implicit rules makes it easier to publish and interpret the research results. The adequate structure of a scientific paper ranges from the proper choice of title to the correct selection of references. The proper writing of the abstract allows to capture the attention of the reader, so it must be carefully written. The introduction should put into context the body of knowledge about the research being reported and argue the need for it. Methods should describe all research processes to allow replication of what has been done in any setting. Results should be presented objectively, limiting to highlight im- portant findings. Discussion allows contrast of the new findings with what was previously known and how these results can be incorporated into the body of knowledge. All these aspects are discussed following the IMRD format (Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion) and will allow the reader to become familiar with the method of writing a scientific article.

Implementation of a diabetic retinopathy referral network, Peru.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the implementation of a diabetic retinopathy referral network incorporating all levels of health care in La Libertad region, Peru. METHOD: The nongovernmental organization Orbis International and the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology established a network of primary, secondary and tertiary health-care facilities for diabetic retinopathy screening and treatment. The programme included the provision of three non-mydriatic retinal cameras for patient examination, the development of a flowchart to guide patient referrals, training of health personnel, investment in laser technology for treatment and the delivery of public awareness activities for blindness prevention and the need for timely screening. FINDINGS: From 2014-2017, 11 849 patients with diabetes were screened within the diabetic retinopathy referral network. In primary-care centres, 6012 patients with diabetes mellitus were identified and 5632 patients were referred for diabetic retinopathy screening. A further 4036 patients directly attended two secondary-level hospitals and 2181 attended the tertiary-level hospital for screening. This represented a 138.1% increase in diabetic retinopathy screenings from a baseline of 4977 patients screened at the regional institute of ophthalmology over 2010-2013. A total of 2922 patients (24.7%) were found to have diabetic retinopathy and 923 (31.6%) were treated: 508 with laser photocoagulation, 345 with intravitreal bevacizumab and 70 with vitreoretinal surgery. CONCLUSION: Effective and timely treatment for diabetic retinopathy is possible when patient education, screening and care are fully integrated into the general health-care system across primary-, secondary- and tertiary-level facilities. This requires the integration of professionals at all levels and all relevant specialties.

Oclusión arterial retinal y trauma ocular penetrante por procedimientos estéticos faciales / Retinal arterial occlusion and penetrating ocular trauma by facial aesthetic procedures

Objetivo: Describir las características clínicas y el resultado visual de un grupo de pacientes con complicaciones de procedimientos estéticos faciales que acudieron a consulta a la clínica de oftalmología de Cali. Diseño y Métodos: Estudio observacional descriptivo serie de casos. Resultados: Nueve casos, seis mujeres y tres hombres con edad media de 45 años (R: 25-65 años). Seis pacientes con complicaciones vasculares de rellenos faciales. Una obstrucción de la arteria oftálmica, dos de arteria central de la retina y tres de rama arterial. Tres casos de trauma penetrante con aguja durante anestesia para tatuaje palpebral con agudeza visual de PL, CD y NPL y diagnóstico de endoftalmitis, hemorragia vítrea y atrofia óptica, respectivamente, los dos primeros fueron tratados con cirugía. Todos los procedimientos fueron realizados por cosmetólogas. A excepción de un caso, todos tuvieron agudeza visual peor de 20/400 al final del seguimiento. Tres casos fueron NPL. Conclusiones: La pérdida de la visión severa e irreversible es una complicación rara pero devastadora de procedimientos estéticos faciales. Visiones finales peores de 20/400 ocurrieron en 88 % del total de los casos y 33.3% quedan NPL. Debido a que no existe tratamiento efectivo para el embolismo por sustancias diferentes al ácido hialurónico, la principal medida es la prevención.

Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics and visual outcome of a group of patients with complications of facial aesthetic procedures who came to the Cali ophthalmology clinic. Design and Methods: Observational study descriptive series of cases. Results: Nine cases, six women and three men with mean age of 45 years (range: 25-65 years). Six patients with vascular complications of facial fi llings. One of them presented occlusion of the ophthalmic artery, two have occlusion of central artery of the retina and three have occlusion of arterial branch. Three cases of penetrating trauma with a needle during anesthesia for palpebral tattoo with visual acuity of LP, CF and NLP and diagnosis of endophthalmitis, vitreous hemorrhage and optic atrophy respectively, the first two were treated with surgery. Cosmetologists performed all procedures. With the exception of one case, all of the patients had visual acuity worse than 20/400 at the end of follow-up. Three cases were NLP. Conclusions: Severe and irreversible loss of vision is a rare but devastating complication of facial aesthetic procedures. Final worst visions of 20/400 occur in 88% of the total cases and 33.3% are NLPs. Because there is no effective treatment for embolism by substances other than hyaluronic acid, the main measure is prevention.