Challenges in management of microbial keratitis during COVID-19 pandemic related lockdown: a comparative analysis with pre pandemic data.

PURPOSE: To study the challenges of managing microbial keratitis(MK) during the COVID19 pandemic related lockdown and assess the outcomes of treatment at a tertiary cornea service. METHODS: Retrospective, non comparative study of electronic medical records of MK presenting to a network of four tertiary care cornea services. The medical history, presenting clinical features, microbiology work up and treatment outcomes were analyzed. The primary outcome measure was final outcome at last follow up. Secondary outcomes measures were non-compliance to treatment due to travel restrictions, therapeutic PKP not done due non availability of corneal tissues. Results- MK was noted in 330 eyes of 330 patients between April and May 2020. Of these 237(71.8%) were males. Median age was 45 years(IQR, 33-56). Low socioeconomic status noted in 102(30.9%). Patients travelling beyond the district from where the hospital was located comprised of 64.9%(n=214). At a median follow up of 32 days(IQR, 9-54), 118(35.8%) patients had resolved, with medical management, 73(22.1%) patients were under active treatment, 139(42.1%) were lost to follow up. Sixty-six patients(20%) were non-compliant to treatment of which 59 could not follow appointment schedule due to travel restrictions. Therapeutic PKP (TPK) was planned in 48/128 (37.5%) patients, but was performed in only 34/48 (70.8%) due to non-availability of donor corneas. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal social circumstances due to the COVID pandemic and the ensuing impediments to travel for access to health care affected compliance to treatment of ocular emergencies such as microbial keratitis.

The expanding roles of eye banks in India: Past, present, and future.

This review highlights the evolution in the scope of eye banking activities in India. The roles and responsibilities of the eye banks have expanded to match the requirements and necessities that arose because of advancements in keratoplasty techniques and the need for corneal surgeons. Adoption of different types of corneal preservation solutions and methods of donor cornea preservation was a consequence of the changing and unprecedented times. The growth of eye banking in India has been a commendable journey and has placed the country in an "almost sufficient" category in eye banking and corneal transplantation. There exists a potential to reach the status of cornea surplus country in the future. The rules and laws governing eye banking operations need dynamic amendments based on the trends in keratoplasty, surgical practice patterns, and status of self-sufficiency. Newer technological advances and quality measures must be adopted in donor cornea evaluation and tissue preparation. Research should be integrated as an important component of eye banking, especially in developing novel methods of donor preservation, and evaluating and validating the existing and changing practices of eye banking.

Pediatric Microbial Keratitis: Identification of Clinical Biomarkers for Prognosis and Outcome of 218 Cases From 2009 to 2019.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the risk factors, microbiological profile, and treatment efficacy in pediatric microbial keratitis (MK) and to identify clinical biomarkers prognosticating outcome. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted from patients younger than 16 years with MK-excluding viral, marginal, or interstitial keratitis. Data pertaining to predisposing factors, symptom duration, prior treatment, ulcer characteristics, microbiological profile, time to resolution, and final outcome were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed. The mixed-effects linear regression model with random intercept was used to evaluate factors affecting time to resolution. RESULTS: Among 218 episodes of 215 pediatric patients with MK, the geometric mean of central [median 3 mm, interquartile range (IQR) 1-4.3 mm] and peripheral ulcers (median 1 mm, IQR 1-2.5 mm) was significantly different ( P < 0.0001). Organisms identified were bacteria (56.9%), fungi (31.5%), and acanthamoebae (2.3%). Of 172 cases (78.8%), which resolved in a median resolution time of 22 days (IQR, 11-44 days), 107 (81.6%) with absent/negative microbiology healed on empirical therapy. On multivariate analysis, peripheral ulcers and geometric mean ulcer size affected time to resolution. Significantly higher percentage of eyes, which worsened or perforated, were on topical steroids compared with those which healed (31.8% vs. 9.2%, P = 0.0061). CONCLUSIONS: Good outcome even in culture negative cases suggests empirical therapy may be instituted for nonsevere peripheral pediatric MK; however, the importance of a microbiological workup cannot be underscored enough. Ulcer location and geometric mean size of ulcer may be used as clinical prognostic markers for resolution.

Development and introduction of a communication skills module for postgraduate students of ophthalmology.

Purpose: Effective communication lies at the heart of a patient--doctor relationship. Communication skills (CS) teaching and assessment is not a part of the postgraduate (PG) curriculum. Lack of effective CS in current PG students' results in patient distrust and dissatisfaction, conflicts, and compromised healthcare. The regulatory authorities of medical education have recognized the need to inculcate soft skills among medical graduates, one of which is CS. The purpose of this study was to assess the need for teaching CS to ophthalmology PG students and develop and introduce a module for the same. Methods: In this prospective, interventional study done at the ophthalmology department of a tertiary hospital, a validated 8 day CS workshop was conducted for 60 PG students through interactive lectures, observations, video sessions, and role plays. Feedbacks were obtained through narratives, validated Google survey, reflections and verbal method and analyzed. Results: In the needs assessment done on 27 departmental faculties, 20 faculties found poor communication to be a major reason for patient complaints. All faculties agreed that CS should be taught to medical students. Statistically significant improvement in CS awareness was noted among students after the workshop. Lack of CS training, work burden, and language were identified as main barriers to effective communication. All the students were satisfied with the workshop and wanted it to be conducted regularly. Conclusion: This study establishes that CS training is essential to improve patient satisfaction and patient-doctor relationships. Barriers to effective CS could be identified, for which possible solutions could be found.