Measures and variability with age of low contrast acuity and near stereoacuity in children.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Low contrast acuity (LCA) and near stereoacuity (NS) testing are integral to the comprehensive assessment of sensory visual function in children. However, routine ophthalmological evaluations seldom take these measures into consideration. Additionally, there is limited literature regarding the normative values of these parameters in children. BACKGROUND: This study investigated LCA and NS measures and their variability in children with normal visual acuity. The aim was to provide a benchmark for distinguishing normal measures from abnormal ones. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted in primary and secondary schools across North India. The participants numbered 240 children, aged between 3 and 15 years. They were split into 12 smaller groups of 20 participants in each age group. Only participants with normal monocular uncorrected visual acuity, no refractive error, normal birth history, and no systemic ailments, were recruited. All the participants underwent a complete ophthalmic examination and non-cycloplegic retinoscopy. LCA was measured, using the low contrast Lea number chart at three metres. NS was measured using the Randot® stereo test at 40 cm. RESULTS: The percentages of males and females, were found to be 55%, and 45%, respectively (p = 0.093). The mean NS was found to be 38.7 ± 11.5 arcsecs in the 3-9-year age group, and 26.7 ± 5.6 arcsecs in the 9-15-year age group (p-value <0.001). The mean NS showed an increasing trend up to 9 years of age. The mean LCA was 64.4 ± 20.1 in the age group of 3-8 years, and 76.38 ± 11.39 in the age group of 8-15 years (p-value <0.001). Considerable variability was noted in the LCA in the younger age group (p-value = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: LCA and NS mature gradually during childhood. LCA stabilises after the age of 8, while NS stabilises after the age of 9.

Novel nucleus management technique in hypermature morgagnian cataracts with liquified cortex during phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: To describe a novel nucleus management technique of variable size mobile nucleus in Hypermature Morgagnian cataracts. METHODS: In this technique, under topical anesthesia, temporal tunnel incision and capsulorhexis were performed, and the capsular bag was inflated with 2% w/v hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. A chopper and phacoemulsification probe were used to consciously nudge the nucleus towards the capsular periphery (fornix) to immobilize the floating nucleus against the capsular bag recess. Firm nuclear impaling was achieved using longitudinal power in linear mode (range 0-70%), 650 mmHg vacuum, and aspiration flow rate of 42 ml/min. The nucleus was chopped by direct chop technique, total separation achieved, and fragments emulsified. Primary outcome measures included ease of nuclear holding, iatrogenic zonular stress/damage, posterior capsule tear, and endothelial cell loss. RESULTS: This technique was performed in 29 consecutive cases from June 2019 - December 2021, and no intraoperative or postoperative complications were noted. The average phacoemulsification time and cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) were nearly similar in all cases. CONCLUSION: This technique would make phacoemulsification much safer in eyes with hypermature cataract and liquified cortex with lower complication rates and maintenance of better endothelial integrity.

Correction of horizontal and torsional compensatory head posture in infantile nystagmus syndrome using horizontal rectus muscle recession and resection with vertical transposition.

Infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS) is often characterized by an identifiable null zone. When the null zone is not in the straight-ahead gaze, a compensatory head posture (CHP) is adopted by the patient to achieve best possible vision. Various surgical procedures have been recommended to correct a CHP which is clinically predominant in one dimension of yaw (lateral rotation), pitch (anterior or posterior flexion/extension) or roll (lateral flexion). However, the presence of a complex CHP which is clinically evident in more than one dimension, warrants either a combination of multiple techniques or a stepwise approach. We report the case of a 26-year-old male with INS with an eccentric null and a multi-dimensional complex CHP of 30º left face turn, 20º right head tilt and 10º chin depression. The patient was managed by all four horizontal rectus muscle recession and resection with full tendon vertical transposition to address the face turn and head tilt. He underwent lateral rectus muscle (LR) recession with upward transposition and medial rectus muscle (MR) resection with downward transposition in the right eye. MR recession with upward transposition and LR resection with downward transposition were performed in the left eye. Postoperatively. the head posture improved significantly for both distance and near viewing. The chin depression also reduced after the procedure. He developed transient diplopia due to a small vertical deviation after the surgery, which was managed by prisms and fusional exercises. Thus, horizontal rectus muscle recession and resection combined with vertical transposition may be helpful to simultaneously improve the head tilt associated with the face turn, obviating the need for vertical rectus muscle or oblique muscle surgery.

Anomalous orbital structure mimicking fracture of orbital floor.

A 24-year-old man with a deviation of the right eye noted since childhood presented with significant enophthalmos, limitation of elevation, and globe retraction on attempted elevation. A disproportionately small right hypotropia was suggestive of a restrictive pathology, and forced-duction testing confirmed tightness of the inferior rectus muscle. Clinical features resembled those of orbital floor fracture with inferior rectus entrapment. Computed tomography disclosed no fracture but did reveal an abnormal structure arising from the orbit adjacent to the inferior rectus origin and attaching to the globe close to the optic nerve in the inferolateral aspect.

Isolated abducens nerve palsy following temporal bone fracture in a child.

Temporal bone fractures are often associated with damage to middle or inner ear structures, facial nerve, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, and rarely with abducens nerve palsy. Isolated abducens nerve palsy is not known to occur following temporal bone fracture and is most commonly associated with concurrent facial nerve injury. We report a case of an 11-year-old girl who presented with isolated right abducens nerve palsy following head trauma. The child had incurred injury following a fall from a bicycle. The presence of postauricular ecchymosis was suggestive of possible temporal bone fracture. High-resolution computed tomography scan revealed undisplaced fracture of the right temporal bone at the petrous apex. Identification of temporal bone fracture prompted toward complete neurological and otological evaluation to detect life-threatening complications like CSF otorrhea. The child was managed conservatively with occlusion therapy to alleviate diplopia and showed complete resolution of the nerve palsy after 4 months. Isolated abducens nerve palsy following the temporal bone fracture is a rare finding. Additional clinical findings like postauricular ecchymosis should be looked for, and appropriate otological evaluation sought in such cases.

Pattern of Ocular Morbidity in the Elderly Population of Northern India.

INTRODUCTION: The frequency of eye diseases has been suggested to start increasing around 40 years of age, with an even steeper increase beginning around 60 years of age. Health promotions and curative and rehabilitative services for the visually impaired elderly population should therefore be a priority in the coming years especially in low and middle income countries. AIM: To examine the changing pattern of ocular morbidity in the elderly population of Northern India and to determine the socioeconomic status in relation to ocular morbidities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A team from the Department of Ophthalmology and Department of Community Medicine, conducted house visits and did a complete eye examination of 450 elderly subjects. They were selected by systematic random sampling from the data base available in the Department of Community Medicine. RESULTS: A total of 900 eyes were examined. Visual impairment and blindness was seen in 135 (30%) and 36 (8%) individuals respectively. The most common cause of blindness was cataract, followed by corneal opacity, glaucoma, refractive error, diabetic retinopathy, macular scar, age related macular degeneration, retinal detachment, retinitis pigmentosa. Visual impairment was more in individuals with low socioeconomic status. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that though cataract remains the main cause of blindness, there is an increase in blindness and visual impairment due to corneal diseases and glaucoma which was not seen earlier. The availability and accessibility to eye care facilities particularly for corneal diseases and glaucoma should be increased to reduce blindness in Northern India.