Clinical and Histopathological Effects of Intracameral Ranibizumab in Experimental Trabeculectomy.

Post-surgical scarring is a known cause of trabeculectomy failure. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of ranibizumab as an adjuvant anti-scarring agent in experimental trabeculectomy. Forty New Zealand white rabbits were randomised into four eye treatment groups: groups A (control), B (ranibizumab 0.5 mg/mL), C (mitomycin C [MMC] 0.4 mg/mL), and D (ranibizumab 0.5 mg/mL and MMC 0.4 mg/mL). Modified trabeculectomy was performed. Clinical parameters were assessed on post-operative days 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, and 21. Twenty rabbits were euthanised on day 7, and the other twenty were euthanised on day 21. Eye tissue samples were obtained from the rabbits and stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E). All treatment groups showed a significant difference in IOP reduction compared with group A (p < 0.05). Groups C and D showed a significant difference in bleb status on days 7 (p = 0.001) and 21 (p = 0.002) relative to group A. H&E staining showed significantly low fibrotic activity (p < 0.001) in group C on both days and inflammatory cell grade in group B on day 7 (p < 0.001). The grade for new vessel formation was significantly low in groups B and D on day 7 (p < 0.001) and in group D on day 21 (p = 0.007). Ranibizumab plays a role in reducing scarring, and a single application of the ranibizumab-MMC combination showed a moderate wound-modulating effect in the early post-operative phase.

Visual field progression in Malay patients with primary glaucoma: survival analysis and prognostic factors.

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the 5-year visual field progression and identify the prognostic factors for progression in Malay patients with primary glaucoma. METHODS: A retrospective cohort record review study was conducted among 222 patients (222 eyes) with primary glaucoma who were selected from a glaucoma research database of a tertiary center in Malaysia. The patients were Malays and diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). Patients who were followed up regularly for at least 6 months between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2014 and completed another 1-year follow-up after recruitment (between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2015) were selected. Multiple prognostic factors that influence visual field progression were identified. Progression of visual field loss was based on the Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study and Hodapp-Parrish-Anderson scores. Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients (28.4%) developed visual field progression after a mean (SD) follow-up of 6.9 (3.3) years. Those with POAG progressed faster (mean time, 10.6 years; 95% confidence interval [CI], 9.3, 11.9) than those with PACG (17.3 years; 95% CI, 14.8, 19.9) but not statistically significant. Disc hemorrhage and history of eye pain increased the risk of progression by 2.8-folds (95% CI, 1.6, 4.8) and 2.5-folds (1.4, 4.4), respectively. CONCLUSION: The 5-year survival of the Malay primary glaucoma patients with visual field progression was similar with that of other Asian populations. However, aggressive management is required for those with disc hemorrhages and eye pain related to increased intraocular pressure.

Lateral rectus myositis mimicking an abducens nerve palsy in a pregnant woman.

Myositis is a rare unknown inflammatory disorder of the skeletal muscle tissue. Generalized inflammatory myopathies, polymyositis, and dermatomyositis have been reported during pregnancy. Isolated orbital myositis in pregnancy has not been previously described in the literature. The authors report a case of left isolated orbital myositis in a primigravida at 38 weeks gestation affecting the patient's left lateral rectus muscle. MRI of the orbit was consistent with the diagnosis. She showed remarkable clinical improvement with oral corticosteroids therapy.

Purtscher's Retinopathy Following Long Bone Fracture: A Case Report.

Purtscher's retinopathy represents an occlusive retinal microvasculopathy that poses a potential threat to vision and is linked to traumatic events. This condition typically manifests in individuals following trauma, commonly associated with long bone fractures, head injuries, or thoracic compression. We report a rare case of unilateral Purtscher's retinopathy after sustaining a long bone fracture. A 27-year-old healthy man sustained an open, comminuted midshaft fracture of the right femur after an alleged motor vehicle accident. On day 3 post trauma, he developed sudden right eye painless reduced vision. Visual acuity in the right eye was 6/12 pinhole 6/12 and the left eye was 6/9 pinhole 6/6. The pupillary reflex was normal in both eyes. Both anterior segments were unremarkable. Fundoscopy showed the presence of multiple cotton wool spots and fleckens in the right eye. Macula optical coherence tomography of the right eye confirmed hyperreflective lesions within the retinal nerve fiber layer. He was diagnosed with Purtscher's retinopathy. The patient was treated conservatively given the fairly good visual acuity. There was complete resolution of fundus lesions with good visual acuity of 6/6 after one month. Ophthalmologic evaluation is crucial in cases of post-traumatic visual impairment, particularly in scenarios involving long bone fractures, to effectively exclude the possibility of Purtscher's retinopathy.

Optic Nerve Metastasis in Lung Adenocarcinoma.

In this article, we report a rare case of an optic nerve metastasis secondary to lung adenocarcinoma. The ocular manifestation was the first clinical sign of the disease, and further investigation led to the diagnosis of the underlying malignancy. A 59-year-old woman presented with progressive blurring of vision in the right eye for the past month. She had been having headaches for the past two weeks and left upper limb weakness for one day. She also had loss of appetite and weight for the past few months. She looked lethargic. On presentation, her bilateral eye vision was 6/18. Both anterior segments were unremarkable. Fundoscopy showed a normal optic disc in both eyes. A nervous system examination showed mild motor sensory impairment over the left upper and lower limbs and also impairment of cranial nerves V and VII. Brain computed tomography was conducted and revealed soft tissue lesions at the lateral aspect of the optic nerve and multiple recent cerebral infarcts. Brain and orbital magnetic resonance imaging showed a metastasis intraconal lesion at the right intraorbital segment of the optic nerve. CT thorax, abdomen, and pelvis were done. The finding revealed carcinoma of the left lung with distant metastasis. The patient's general condition deteriorated in less than two weeks. The family refused further intervention. The patient died three months after the initial presentation.

Intravitreal Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (Anti-VEGF) Therapy for Valsalva Related Sub-internal Limiting Membrane (Sub-ILM) Macular Haemorrhage: A Case Report.

Valsalva retinopathy is an uncommon type of retinopathy that manifests as a rapid and painless vision decline, typically observed in young individuals without prior medical conditions. This condition arises from an elevated pressure within the veins of the eye, causing preretinal haemorrhage with a notable tendency to impact the macula. We describe here a case of valsalva-related sub-internal limiting membrane (sub-ILM) macular haemorrhage which was successfully treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF). A 27-year-old woman presented with a clinical presentation of a large sub-ILM macular haemorrhage resulting from a valsalva maneuver following a prolonged severe cough. The sub-ILM macular haemorrhage was completely resolved after being treated with three injections of intravitreal ranibizumab with a visual recovery of vision from counting fingers to 20/20 on three month follow-up.

Ectopic lacrimal gland causing intermittent proptosis.

Unilateral proptosis secondary to ectopic lacrimal gland tissue is rare. The most common site of ectopic lacrimal gland tissue is at the bulbar conjunctiva and limbal area. Although uncommon, intraorbital ectopic lacrimal gland tissue may mimic other ominous symptoms of intraorbital neoplasm in childhood. We present a rare case of intraconal ectopic lacrimal gland tissue in a 14-year-old girl with intermittent proptosis since childhood associated with subconjunctival hemorrhage and excruciating pain. She underwent lateral orbitotomy with orbital mass excision that resulted in good outcomes and no recurrence was seen at 6 months after the surgery.

The invasive Klebsiella pneumoniae syndrome: Case series.

This case-series aims to report three cases of endogenous endophthalmitis due to invasive Klebsiella pneumoniae syndrome. Case 1: A 34-year-old lady who was admitted for pneumonia developed painful blurring of vision and redness in the right eye (RE) for one week. An examination of the RE revealed visual acuity (VA) of light perception (PL) with positive relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD), proptosis, and restriction of extraocular movement with hypopyon. The patient was treated for RE panophthalmitis with a lung abscess and was started on systemic and topical antibiotics. The vitreous tap culture grew Klebsiella pneumoniae. Despite treatment, the patient's condition deteriorated, and evisceration was undertaken. Case 2: A 38-year-old lady presented with a acute onset of RE pain associated with blurred vision and redness for two days, and fever for one week. RE VA was hand movement with a positive RAPD and anterior chamber cells of 2+. A B-scan revealed a dome-shaped subretinal mass with exudative retinal detachment. The patient was treated for RE panophthalmitis complicated by a basal ganglia abscess. The urine and vitreous tap cultures grew Klebsiella pneumoniae. She responded to high-dose intravenous and intravitreal antibiotics. Unfortunately, her RE became phthisical. Case 3: A 70-year-old lady presented with painless blurring of vision over the RE. The blood and urine cultures grew Klebsiella pneumoniae. RE VA was PL, and she was treated for endogenous endophthalmitis. The vitreous culture grew Klebsiella pneumoniae. Unfortunately, the RE became phthisical.

Presumed diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis and cat-scratch disease: Dual infection in a single patient.

A healthy 35-year-old Malay woman presented with left eye pain for 1 week, and ocular examination showed evidence of panuveitis. She had granulomatous type of anterior uveitis with secondary high intraocular pressure (IOP). Fundus showed optic disc swelling, mild vitritis, and multiple subretinal lesions, which later formed a migratory track. A diagnosis of presumed diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis was made. At the same time, the serology test for Bartonella henselae was positive. The patient was treated with antiglaucoma medicine and topical steroids. An antihelminthic was initially used, and later, an antibiotic for cat-scratch disease was added. In addition, focal laser photocoagulation was performed. After 3 months, her visual acuity improved together with a reduction in inflammation and well-controlled IOP.

Quality of Life of Older Adults with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma using Bahasa Malaysia Version of Glaucoma Quality of Life 36 Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) is an age-related chronic optic neuropathy causing progressive constriction of visual field, which compromised quality of life (QoL) of older adults. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to determine the QoL according to the severity of visual field using Bahasa Malaysia version of the Glaucoma Quality of Life- 36 (Glau-QoL 36) in older adults with POAG in Malaysia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two tertiary hospitals in Malaysia: Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, and Hospital Selayang, Selangor. POAG patients who were ≥ 60 years old at the time of recruitment had minimal cataract, underwent cataract or trabeculectomy surgery at least 3 months prior and were on medical and surgical treatment. The severity of POAG was based on the modified Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study (AGIS) score on two reliable reproducible Humphrey visual field SITA program 24-2 analysis. Face to face, one-on-one interview was conducted using validated Bahasa Malaysia version of GlauQol 36. RESULTS: A total of 360 older adults with POAG were recruited. Majority were between ages 60-67 (38.3%) with 64 (17.8%) mild, 93 (25.8%) moderate, 115 (31.9%) severe POAG and 88 (24.4%) end-stage severity of POAG. The majority of the recruited patients were not working (88.9%) and live with their families (68.1%). There was a significant association between GlauQoL 36 score of all domains: daily living, driving, physiological well-being, self-image, anxiety, burden of treatment and confidence in healthcare with the severity of POAG (p<0.001). Increased severity of POAG was associated with decreased QoL in all GlauQoL 36 domains except confidence in healthcare. There was also a significant increase in dependency, with a majority of the end-stage were living with their families (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: QoL and independency of older adults with POAG decrease with worsening of visual field defect. Addressing the problem of visual-related activities in older adults with POAG may reduce their dependency and improve QoL. Happy living is important to lead to healthy living among older adults with POAG.

Depression and Severity of Glaucoma Among Older Adults in Urban and Suburban Areas.

PRCIS: Depression increases with severity of visual field defect in older adults with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression among patients with POAG and examine the relationship between depression and the severity of POAG in older adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three hundred and sixty patients with POAG aged 60 years or above were recruited from 2 tertiary centers located in an urban and suburban area. The participants were stratified according to the severity of their glaucoma based on the scores from the modified Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study (AGIS) to mild, moderate, severe, and end stage. Face-to-face interviews were performed using the Malay Version Geriatric Depression Scale 14 (mGDS-14) questionnaire. Depression is diagnosed when the score is ≥8. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the subscores between the groups. Multifactorial analysis of variance was also applied with relevant confounding factors. RESULTS: Depression was detected in 16% of older adults with POAG; a higher percentage of depression was seen in those with end stage disease. There was a significant increase in the mean score of mGDS-14 according to the severity of POAG. There was evidence of an association between depression and severity of visual field defect (P<0.001). There was a significant difference in mGDS-14 score between the pairing of severity of POAG [mild-severe (P=0.003), mild-end stage (P<0.001), moderate-severe (P<0.001), and moderate-end stage (P<0.001)] after adjustment to living conditions, systemic disease, and visual acuity. CONCLUSION: Ophthalmologists should be aware that older adults with advanced visual field defects in POAG may have depression. The detection of depression is important to ensure adherence and persistence to the treatment of glaucoma.

Cigarette Smoking on Severity of Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma in Malay Patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the association between cigarette smoking and the severity of primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) in Malay patients residing in Malaysia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 150 Malay PACG patients between April 2014 and August 2016. Ocular examination was performed including Humphrey visual field (HVF) 24-2 analysis assessment. On the basis of the 2 consecutive reliable HVFs, the severity of glaucoma was scored according to modified Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study (AGIS) by 2 masked investigators and classified as mild, moderate, and severe. Those with retinal diseases, neurological diseases, memory problem, and myopia ≥4 diopters were excluded. Their smoking status and details were obtained by validated questionnaire from Singapore Malay Eye Study (SiMES). The duration of smoking, number of cigarettes per day, and pack/year was also documented. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted. RESULTS: There was a significant association between education level and severity of PACG (P=0.001). However, there was no significant association between cigarette smoking and severity of glaucoma (P=0.080). On the basis of multivariate analysis, a linear association was identified between cigarette smoked per day (adjusted b=0.73; 95% CI: 0.54, 1.45; P<0.001) and body mass index (adjusted b=0.32; 95% CI: 0.07, 1.35; P=0.032) with AGIS score. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant association between cigarette smoking and severity of PACG. Cigarette smoked per day among the smokers was associated with severity of PACG. However, because of the detrimental effect of smoking, cessation of smoking should be advocated to PACG patients.

Use of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator for treatment of recalcitrant anterior uveitis: A case series.

Management of inflammation after surgery for recalcitrant anterior uveitis is challenging. Herein, we report successful treatment using intracameral injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) in two patients with recalcitrant anterior uveitis, due to infective uveitis and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease, respectively. A 40-year-old woman presented with bilateral redness and vision reduction that had persisted 2 weeks. She also had bilateral anterior uveitis, vasculitis, retinitis, and optic disc swelling. Serology was positive for Bartonella henselae and Toxoplasma gondii. She was treated using long-term systemic corticosteroids and appropriate antibiotics. Our second case; a healthy 30-year-old man with bilateral eye redness and reduced vision without pain, and associated with headache and tinnitus for 1 weeks. He showed bilateral granulomatous inflammation with vitritis, choroiditis, retinitis, and hyperemic optic disc. The patient was diagnosed with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease and treated with systemic corticosteroids. Both patients developed secondary cataracts and glaucoma that necessitated surgical intervention. Persistent chronic inflammation led to the formation of a thick fibrin membrane anterior to the intraocular lens (IOL) after phacoemulsification surgery with IOL implantation. This membrane was removed surgically, and intracameral injection of rtPA (25 µg) was carried out. The persistent inflammation had resolved and visual acuity had significantly improved within 1 week of intracameral rtPA injection. There were no reported ocular or systemic side effects. Intracameral rtPA is beneficial in patients with recalcitrant anterior uveitis who have undergone intraocular surgery. In most cases, surgical intervention improves the patients' vision. Intracameral rtPA should be considered in cases of persistent inflammation of varying etiology.

Genome-wide association study identifies five new susceptibility loci for primary angle closure glaucoma.

Primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) is a major cause of blindness worldwide. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) followed by replication in a combined total of 10,503 PACG cases and 29,567 controls drawn from 24 countries across Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. We observed significant evidence of disease association at five new genetic loci upon meta-analysis of all patient collections. These loci are at EPDR1 rs3816415 (odds ratio (OR) = 1.24, P = 5.94 × 10(-15)), CHAT rs1258267 (OR = 1.22, P = 2.85 × 10(-16)), GLIS3 rs736893 (OR = 1.18, P = 1.43 × 10(-14)), FERMT2 rs7494379 (OR = 1.14, P = 3.43 × 10(-11)), and DPM2-FAM102A rs3739821 (OR = 1.15, P = 8.32 × 10(-12)). We also confirmed significant association at three previously described loci (P < 5 × 10(-8) for each sentinel SNP at PLEKHA7, COL11A1, and PCMTD1-ST18), providing new insights into the biology of PACG.

Cyanoacrylate tissue glue for wound repair in early posttrabeculectomy conjunctival bleb leak: a case series.

We demonstrated a noninvasive management of early bleb leak following trabeculectomy using cyanoacrylate tissue glue (CATG). Three patients who underwent augmented trabeculectomy with mitomycin C with early bleb leak between January 2009 and June 2010 were reviewed. Case 1 and Case 2 exhibited bleb leak on postoperative Day 1 and Case 3 showed leak on follow-up at postoperative Day 7. Case 1 was successfully sealed with CATG at postoperative Day 3, after failed pressure padding and bandage contact lens. Case 2 was successfully sealed with CATG at postoperative Day 3, after failed pressure padding and conjunctiva flap resuturing. In Case 3, the leaking conjunctival flap was managed with combined techniques of resuturing and applying CATG at postoperative Day 9, after failed pressure padding. During leakage, the intraocular pressure was low (6-8 mmHg) in all three cases, with shallow anterior chamber depth and absence of other complications such as choroidal detachment, hypotony maculopathy, or endophthalmitis. Foreign body sensation was the main complaint following the procedure. No clinical allergy reaction was documented. CATG may serve as a potential adjunctive and effective method in the management of posttrabeculectomy early bleb leak.

Infected Baerveldt Glaucoma Drainage Device by Aspergillus niger.

Fungal endophthalmitis is rare but may complicate glaucoma drainage device surgery. Management is challenging as the symptoms and signs may be subtle at initial presentation and the visual prognosis is usually poor due to its resistant nature to treatment. At present there is lesser experience with intravitreal injection of voriconazole as compared to Amphotericin B. We present a case of successfully treated Aspergillus endophthalmitis following Baerveldt glaucoma drainage device implantation with intravitreal and topical voriconazole.

Conjunctival TGF-B Level in Primary Augmented Trabeculectomy.

PURPOSE: To compare the levels of conjunctival transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) between glaucoma and control patients and to determine conjunctival TGF-ß levels before and 3 months after augmented primary trabeculectomy. METHODS: Patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) or primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) admitted for mitomycin (MMC) augmented primary trabeculectomy due to failure in achieving target pressure after maximum medical therapy were selected. Age-matched non-glaucoma patients were controls. Impression cytology of the conjunctiva was obtained twice from glaucoma patients (1 week before augmented primary trabeculectomy and 3 months after surgery) and once from controls. Conjunctival cells were tagged with an anti-TGF-ß antibody and analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (11 POAG and 7 PACG patients) and 18 age-matched control patients were included. Conjunctival TGF-ß levels were significantly different between glaucoma (35.21% ± 14.12%) and control patients (14.96% ± 6.34%) (p = 0.001). There was a significant reduction in conjunctival TGF-ß levels after augmented trabeculectomy (23.0% ± 13.8%) (p < 0.001). A significantly greater reduction in conjunctival TGF-ß levels (61.6% ± 17.9%) was associated with complete success of trabeculectomy at 3 months (83.3%) after surgical intervention (p = 0.029). CONCLUSION: The reduction of TGF-ß on the conjunctival post primary augmented trabeculectomy may suggest TGF-ß as potential predicting marker of short term trabeculectomy success. However, the result may be affected by site of impression, topical pressure lowering drugs and small sample size.

Antiphospholipid syndrome in lupus retinopathy.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, multisystem, autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the human body including the eyes. Common blinding ocular manifestations include central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), severe vaso-occlusive retinopathy, and optic nerve involvement. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) in lupus is usually associated with large vessel occlusions and needs prompt treatment with anticoagulant. We are reporting two cases of APS in SLE patients that presented with CRVO (case 1) and vaso-occlusive lupus retinopathy (case 2). Both cases were positive for antiphospholipid antibody (APA) and were treated with immunosuppression, anticoagulant, and laser treatment. Thus, screening for APA is vital in SLE patients with lupus retinopathy, as prompt treatment with anticoagulants is important to prevent further vascular thrombosis, which worsens the visual prognosis.

Resolution of exudative retinal detachment and regression of retinal macrocyst post-laser in Coats disease.

A 15-year-old boy presented with painless progressive blurring of vision in the right eye for 1 year in duration. His visual acuity in the right eye was hand movement. The right fundus showed presence of extensive subretinal exudates at the posterior pole and a retinal macrocyst at the temporal periphery. It was associated with exudative retinal detachment at the inferior periphery of the retina. Fundus angiography revealed telangiectatic retinal vessels at the superotemporal retina. Based on clinical and angiographic findings, a diagnosis of Coats disease was made. He was treated with retinal laser photocoagulation. There was resolution of the exudative retinal detachment, reduction of subretinal exudates, and regression of the retinal macrocyst with improvement of visual acuity to 1/60 post-laser therapy.

Ocular tuberculosis with multiple cerebral abscesses.

A 23-year-old Malay man presented with headache for one-month duration. It was associated with painless blurring of vision of the right eye. He had loss of appetite and reduced weight but no night sweats or hemoptysis. His visual acuity on the right eye was 6/45 and improved to 6/15 with pinhole. Right fundus examination revealed a choroidal tuberculoma located at one disc diameter away from optic disc superiorly with mild vitritis. Systemic examinations revealed no significant finding. Mantoux test reading was 22 mm with erythrocyte sedimentation rate that was 14 mm/h. Other blood investigations were negative with normal chest radiography. The computerized tomography scan of the brain revealed multiple cerebral abscesses. A clinical diagnosis of right ocular tuberculosis with multiple cerebral abscesses was made. He was treated with antituberculosis chemotherapy for one year which divided into intensive phase for three months and maintenance phase for nine months. Cerebral abscesses resolved after three months of antituberculosis drugs and at one-year follow-up, and the choroidal tuberculoma resolved completely with scar formation and significant macular striae.