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Purpose: To study the demographic, clinical, and microbiological profile of Demodex‑related blepharokeratoconjunctivitis (BKC) at a tertiary eye care hospital. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted from January 2016 to September 2022. It included 83 patients with microbiologically proven Demodex BKC who presented to the cornea department of our tertiary care eye center. The clinical, microbiological, and demographic data of the 83 cases were analyzed. Results: Of the 83 cases, 57 (68.67%) were younger than 40 years, and 25 (30.12%) were below 20. Most patients presented with a good visual acuity of 20/40 or better (93 eyes; 84.55%). The disease was unilateral in 55 patients and bilateral in 28. Cylindrical dandruff was the predominant presentation noted in 61 eyes (54.95%), followed by corneal scarring in 47 eyes (42.34%) and corneal vascularization in 40 eyes (36.04%). On light microscopy, 87.95% of the positive samples were identified as Demodex folliculorum, 7.23% as Demodex brevis, and 6.02% remained unidentified. Tea tree oil and lid scrubs eradicated the disease in most patients clinically (75/83, 90.36%). Conclusion: The spectrum of BKC includes both lid signs and corneal involvement. It can be a cause of recurrent BKC and detection of the mite by microscopic evaluation of the lashes can confirm the diagnosis. In most cases, the tea tree oil can effectively manage this condition. However, low doses of topical steroids are needed to control the inflammation in patients with corneal involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the surgical and visual outcomes of flap repositioning for various post-laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) flap pathologies. Retrospective review of consecutive cases between April 1, 2017 and February 28, 2022, where surgical flap repositioning was performed following LASIK for various flap-related complications. Of the 6018 eyes, 31 needed flap repositioning (0.51%). Indications were flap displacement and folds in 20 eyes (64%), flap subluxation in five eyes (16%), epithelial ingrowth and interface debris in two each, and one eye each of diffuse lamellar keratitis and incomplete flap. Final best spectacle-corrected visual acuity of = 20/25 was obtained in 25/31 (80%) eyes. The efficacy index pre to post repositioning showed significant improvement (0.86 ± 0.39 vs. 0.63 ± 0.29 preop, P = 0.011). Flap repositioning incidence was significantly higher (7/602 (1.16%)) during the COVID lockdown phases compared to the non-COVID lockdown phase (24/5416 (0.44%, P = 0.019)). The COVID group had lower efficacy (0.72 ± 0.36 vs. 0.90 ± 0.39, P = 0.300) and safety indices (0.85 ± 0.24 vs. 1.06 ± 0.35, P = 0.144) compared to the non-COVID group; however, the results were not statistically significant. The flap displacement rate was statistically higher in nasal hinged (microkeratome) flaps (18/2013, 0.89%) compared to superior hinged (Femto) flaps (13/4005, 0.32%) (0.32%, P = 0.003). Our study shows that flap repositioning has a low incidence in LASIK, with the most common indication being flap displacement/folds. The outcome post flap repositioning was poorer during the lockdown period, perhaps due to the inability to follow up early. Early identification and surgical repositioning are successful in both anatomical and visual restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a comprehensive review of existing literature on surgical corneal neurotization (SCN) as a treatment modality for neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) with an interim report of seven cases where SCN was performed using the indirect approach and followed up till 18 months postoperatively to look for improvement in ocular surface, corneal sensations, and nerve regeneration by using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). A literature search was performed for publications with keywords "corneal nerves," "neurotization," "esthesiometry," "corneal anesthesia," and "neurotrophic keratopathy." All literature available till December 31, 2020 was reviewed and included to describe NK and its management options, particularly SCN. NK is associated with absent or reduced corneal sensations and is managed using a step-ladder algorithm ranging from medical management for symptomatic relief to surgical corneal neurotization. Both direct and indirect approaches of SCN have a favorable outcome with reduced surgical morbidity in the indirect approach using sural nerve graft. Post neurotization, corneal sensation recovery may take up to 3-6 months, while nerve regeneration on confocal microscopy can take as long as 6 months-1 year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To report a retrospective series of three cases of infectious panophthalmitis post-dengue fever with ex vivo confirmation of dengue virusribonucleic acid (RNA) in the tissues of the eye.Methods: Four eyes of three patients, who were diagnosed with panophthalmitis following dengue fever and who underwent evisceration, were included. All demographic and clinical data were recorded. The eviscerated samples were subjected to direct microscopy, culture for bacteria, fungi, and parasites, and molecular virology (dengue virus [DENV] NS1-specific reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay).Results: The time from the development of dengue fever to the occurrence of ocular symptoms was 4.33 ± 1.15 (median 5) days. DENV NS1 RNA, suggestive of the presence of the dengue virus, was confirmed in all evisceration specimens (uveal tissue, cornea). All the patients recovered completely from dengue fever and on follow-up had healthy eviscerated sockets.Conclusion: Demonstration of the DENV RNA in the eviscerated specimens of panophthalmitis following dengue fever implicates the DENV in the pathophysiology of the ocular infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the introduction of the first toric intraocular lens (IOLs) in the early 1990s, these lenses have become the preferred choice for surgeons across the globe to correct corneal astigmatism during cataract surgery. These lenses allow patients to enjoy distortion-free distance vision with excellent outcomes. They also have their own set of challenges. Inappropriate keratometry measurement, underestimating the posterior corneal astigmatism, intraoperative IOL misalignment, postoperative rotation of these lenses, and IOL decentration after YAG-laser capsulotomy may result in residual cylindrical errors and poor uncorrected visual acuity resulting in patient dissatisfaction. This review provides a broad overview of a few important considerations, which include appropriate patient selection, precise biometry, understanding the design and science behind these lenses, knowledge of intraoperative surgical technique with emphasis on how to achieve proper alignment manually and with image-recognition devices, and successful management of postoperative complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: : To report the frequency of periorbital aesthetic abnormalities in patients undergoing refractive surgery and to report the ability of the patient and the refractive surgeon in picking up these findings compared to the oculoplastic surgeon.Methods: Single-center, prospective observational case series. All patients underwent standard pre-operative work-up for refractive surgery, answered a study questionnaire, and underwent face photographs (with and without glasses). The patient, the refractive, and the oculoplastic surgeons evaluated the photographs to categorize the concerns as none, presence of ptosis, tear trough deformity, scleral show, and others. The findings of the oculoplastic surgeon were taken as the standard of reference.Results: The photographs of 121 patients were analyzed. The mean age was 25.76 ± 3.75 years and 72% were males. The main indication for surgery was to eliminate dependency on glasses in a majority (76%) followed by cosmesis in 23%. The oculoplastic surgeon noted tear trough deformity in 14 (11.5%) cases, scleral show in 51 (42.1%), ptosis in 35 (28.9%), and other findings in 45 (37.1%). When the symmetrical scleral show was excluded, the patient picked up aesthetic concerns in only 8.26%, the refractive surgeon in 14% as compared to 39% by the oculoplastic surgeon (P < 0.01).Conclusion: Periorbital aesthetic significant findings were noted in 39% of the patients undergoing corneal refractive surgery when assessed by an oculoplastic surgeon. The refractive surgeon was able to pick up less than 50% of these. We recommend a basic aesthetic initial evaluation prior to refractive surgery and photographic documentation, especially in cosmetically aware patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of trypan blue in direct microscopic examination of corneal scrapings in the diagnosis of non-viral microbial keratitis.Methods: In a prospective, interventional, masked study, 82 consecutive patients were investigated. Direct microscopic examination of the corneal scrapings involved three smears stained with potassium hydroxide with calcofluor white (KOH + CFW), Gram stain (not analyzed), and trypan blue stain and culture for bacteria, fungus, and Acanthamoeba. While KOH + CFW stained slides were examined under a fluorescence microscope, trypan blue-stained slides were examined by two microbiologists (masked to KOH + CFW and culture results) under normal light microscopy. Thirty samples were reexamined for interobserver and intraobserver variability.Results: Out of 82 samples, fungal/fungus-like elements were seen in 48 (58.5%) in KOH + CFW and 38 (46.3%) in trypan blue stain. One microsporidial case, detected in KOH + CFW was negative in trypan blue stain (culture not done). Fungal growth was positive in 23 out of 81 (28.3%) cases cultured, single bacterial species in 18 (22.2%), Pythium insidiosum in three, mixed bacteria and fungus/Pythium in 7 (8.6%), Acanthamoeba in none and 30 (37.0%) samples were sterile. With culture as gold standard, the respective sensitivity (84.9%, 75.7%) and specificity (90.9%, 68.2%) of KOH + CFW stain and trypan blue stain were comparable (p = 0.16, P = 0.06). The interobserver linear weighted kappa score between the two microbiologists was 1.00 while it was 0.86 for intraobserver agreement.Conclusion: Trypan blue stain, an easily available dye to ophthalmologists, is highly efficacious in the diagnosis of fungal keratitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To describe retinal manifestations seen in patients associated with COVID-19 infection at a multi-specialty tertiary care hospital in Southern India.Methods: In this retrospective chart review, all consecutive cases presenting to the Retina-Uveitis service from May 2020 to January 2021 with retinal manifestations associated with COVID-19 infection or its sequelae or as a result of treatment given for COVID-19 were included.Results: : Of the 7 patients, 3 were female, and 4 were male. Four patients had onset of symptoms during the active phase of COVID-19 infection. Four had bilateral and three had unilateral involvement. The manifestations ranged from mild to vision threatening. Vision threatening manifestations included infections: endogenous endophthalmitis, candida retinitis and tubercular choroidal abscess and bilateral pre-foveal hemorrhages. Milder manifestations included paracentral acute middle maculopathy, central serous chorio-retinopathy and voriconazole induced visual symptoms. Final visual acuity was 6/36 or better in the four severe cases and 6/9 or better in the mild cases.Conclusion: This study highlights the retinal manifestations associated with COVID-19 infection and its sequelae. As these patients presented with an association with COVID-19 (either during or after recovery), ophthalmologists should be vigilant and screen for such entities in case of complaints of visual symptoms or in the presence of systemic sepsis. The outcomes can be good with prompt and aggressive management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To describe a series of sight-threatening ocular and adnexal involvement associated with dengue hemorrhagic fever and their treatment options.Methods: Retrospective, interventional, non-comparative case series. Medical records of patients who presented with ocular symptoms attributed to dengue hemorrhagic fever were reviewed. Demography, presenting features, and treatment outcomes were recorded. Outcome measures assessed included globe salvage, vision salvage, and visual improvement. The outcome was deemed as favorable if vision salvage was possible and unfavorable if the vision was lost.Results: Twenty-nine eyes of 23 patients were included. Bilateral ocular involvement was seen in 6 (26%) patients. The mean age was 37.62 ± 18.68 years (range: 14 to 81 years). Coexistent diabetes mellitus and enteric fever were present in three patients. History of blood transfusion was present in nine (40%) and thrombocytopenia in eight (35%) patients at the time of presentation with ocular complaints. Presenting features included endophthalmitis in 11 (38%), panophthalmitis in 10 (35%), orbital cellulitis with panophthalmitis in four (14%), isolated corneal or scleral melt in three (10%), and orbital hemorrhage with panophthalmitis in one (3%) patient. Globe salvage was achieved in 21/29 eyes (72.4%), vision salvage in 6/29 eyes (20.68%), and improvement in visual acuity was noted in 5/29 eyes (17.24%). Logistic regression analysis revealed no significant effect of any clinical-microbiological factors on globe salvage, vision salvage, and visual improvement. However, visual improvement and globe salvage were possible in eyes that underwent early endoscopic vitrectomy.Conclusion: Dengue fever can present with sight-threatening ocular and adnexal inflammation resulting in endophthalmitis and panophthalmitis, orbital cellulitis, corneal and scleral melt, and orbital hemorrhage. Early vitrectomy may improve vision and globe salvage in cases with significant vitritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scleritis is a rare painful ocular disorder, associated with severe ocular pain and tissue destruction. Although a majority of these cases are immune mediated and at least half of these are associated with systemic immune-mediated diseases, a smaller minority are due to infections of the sclera. The two conditions closely mimic each other, and a thorough knowledge of the subtle differences is necessary in order to reach a timely diagnosis. Diagnostic delay can lead to a poor outcome both due to the destruction caused by the uncontrolled infection and also due to propagation of the infection with the use of corticosteroids which may have been started for presumed immune mediated scleritis. In this review, we present the clinical features, etiological agents, and the differentiating features between immune and infectious scleritis. We also present diagnostic and management guidelines for managing scleral infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocular pain is a common complaint which forces the patient to seek immediate medical attention. It is the primeval first response of the body to any severe condition of the eye such as trauma, infections and inflammation. The pain can be due to conditions directly affecting the eye and ocular adnexa; or indirect which would manifest as referred pain from other organ structures such as the central nervous system. Paradoxically, there are several minor and non-sight threatening conditions, which also leads to ocular pain and does not merit urgent hospital visits. In this perspective, we intend to provide guidelines to the practising ophthalmologist for teleconsultation when a patient complains of pain with focus on how to differentiate the various diagnoses that can be managed over teleconsultation and those requiring emergency care in the clinic. These guidelines can decrease unnecessary hospital visits, which is the need of the hour in the pandemic era and also beyond. Patients who are under quarantine and those who are unable to travel would be benefitted, and at the same time, the burden of increased patient load in busy hospital systems can be reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To study the outcomes of rebubbling for graft detachment after Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) or Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK).Methods: From 2260 eyes that underwent DSEK or DSAEK from July 2008 to June 2015, 80 eyes of 80 patients developed graft detachment and were retrospectively reviewed. Host-related, surgery-related and donor-related factors that have a bearing on graft adhesion were looked at retrospectively, and eventual outcomes after rebubbling procedure were studied.Results: Successful attachment was observed in 77 (96.25%) eyes and clear grafts were achieved in 55 (68.75%) eyes, while 25 (31.25%) eyes had graft failure. The uncorrected and best-corrected distance visual acuities significantly improved from 1 month to 3 months post-operatively and remained stable till 12 months of follow-up. Three lenticules that failed to attach with the first rebubbling procedure underwent a second rebubbling, two underwent a repeat DSEK with good outcomes and four underwent penetrating keratoplasty. On evaluating possible risk factors for graft failure, lower donor endothelial cell density was found to be a significant factor (P = 0.03). The median graft survival following rebubbling was 30 months.Conclusion: Rebubbling procedure in detached grafts after DSEK or DSAEK can reattach the lenticule in 96% of eyes in immediate post-operative period and the majority of the grafts remained clear on long-term follow-up with a median graft survival period of 2.5 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a case of right eye tubercular (TB) panuveitis with corneal involvement where repeated intraocular sampling was unsuccessful. Finally, evisceration and histopathology of ocular tissue confirmed the diagnosis of ocular tuberculosis. A chest X-ray showed signs of pulmonary TB. The patient was lost to follow-up but reported 2 months later with the right eyelid margin nodules with surface ulceration. Both eyelid and pulmonary lesions were resolved with anti-TB therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 19-year-old girl presented with severe pain and redness in her right eye and also with nasal congestion and epistaxis since the past 5 months. The patient was systemically investigated and tested positive for proteinase 3 anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (PR-3 ANCA) with raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). The provisional diagnosis of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) was made, and she was started on systemic steroids and azathioprine after consultation with the rheumatologist. However on steroid taper, she developed severe reactivation of the scleritis and the corneal involvement was noted in the form of peripheral ulcerative keratitis. Instead of starting another course of high dose oral cortico-steroids or pulse cyclophosphomide, she was started on rituximab infusion (two doses), and oral methotrexate was added, leading to the successful remission of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the corneal endothelium in patients with Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis (FHI) and compare it with the normal fellow eye.Methods: Retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study of 31 patients seen between Jan 2016 to Dec 2018, with clinical diagnosis of Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis, was performed. Specular microscopic examination was documented in both eyes. The affected eyes formed the study group and the fellow healthy eyes served as controls.Results: The mean age of the patients was 29.9 ± 8.2 years. The endothelial cell density (P = 0.0001) was significantly lower, whereas average cell size (P = 0.0001), coefficient of variation (P = 0.004), and maximum cell area (P = 0.01) were significantly higher in the affected eye compared to the control eye. In three patients, the affected eye showed guttae, while the healthy fellow eye revealed a normal specular mosaic.Conclusion: Specular microscopic analysis shows endothelial alterations in the affected eyes in FHI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of keratoplasty for lattice corneal dystrophy (LCD) performed at a tertiary eye care center.Methods: A retrospective review of medical records of those patients who were clinically diagnosed to have LCD (72 eyes of 57 patients) and underwent either penetrating keratoplasty (PK, 58 eyes of 46 patients) or deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK, 14 eyes of 13 patients) between the years 1987 and 2014 was performed. The main outcome measures included demographics, clinical features, and outcomes of keratoplasty.Results: The median follow-up after keratoplasty was 3.1 years (interquartile range [IQR], 9 months to 9 years). The median best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.18 (IQR, 0.10-0.48) (Snellen equivalent 20/30 [IQR, 20/25-20/60]) at 4 years postoperatively and 0.65 (IQR, 0.18-0.95) (Snellen equivalent 20/89 [IQR, 20/30-20/178]) at 10 years following surgery. DALK eyes had a significantly better BCVA than PK eyes at 2 years following keratoplasty. The median overall survival of grafts was 15.8 years. Late complications included recurrence of LCD (14 eyes), graft infiltrate (23 eyes), graft rejection (15 eyes), graft failure (16 eyes), and glaucoma (14 eyes).Conclusion: The outcomes of graft are similar following PK and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty; however, the latter appears to provide slightly better visual outcome. Recurrence of dystrophy in the graft and graft infiltrates limit the overall graft survival in both the groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]