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Purpose: To compare applanation biometry (A-Scan) and optical coherence biometry (AL-Scan) methods for IOL power calculation based on Axial Length and post operative refractive outcome. Methodology: Prospective and Interventional Randomized Comparative Study, Sample size of 400, studied under two sub groups, for Axial Length readings and IOL power calculation by A-Scan (Biomedix) and AL-Scan (Nidek). Keratometry readings are taken only by AL-Scan.Results: Mean ± St. dev. of A.L. measured by App. Biometry was low (22.79 ± 0.9 mm) than Opt. Coh. Biometry (23.16 ± 0.78 mm) to be significant (P= .0001). Mean ± St. dev. IOL power was higher (21.75 ± 2.1D) than App. Biometry (20.88 ± 1.59 D) to be significant (P= 0.0001). Mean ± St. dev. of refractive status for Myopia is higher -0.97 ± 0.53 by App. Biometry than Opt. Coh. Biometry -0.5 ± 0.19, to be significant (P= 0.0001) and Mean ± St.dev. for Hyperopia is higher 0.98 ± 0.59 by App. Biometry than Opt. Coh. Biometry 0.46 ± 0.18, to be significant (P= 0.0001). Bland–Altman plots showed perfect agreement between both methods regarding A.L. and calculated IOL power. Further subgroup analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in different age groups and types of cataract for Posterior Sub capsular cataract alone and Nuclear Sclerosis with Posterior Sub capsular cataract (P= 0.001). Conclusion: There is significant difference between App. and Opt. Coh. Biometry; however, certain situations of Cataract is demanding mandatory role of App. Biometry.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the epithelial thickness in the cornea and limbus in limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). Methods: This was a cross-sectional, comparative study. OCT images of 30 eyes of 19 patients with LSCD collected by AS-OCT were scanned. Corneal epithelial thickness was recorded at the central cornea and the superior, nasal, inferior, and temporal limbus. Measurment of the same region of 30 normal eyes served as control. Epithelial thickness in all locations was measured by 2 independent observers. Results: The mean epithelial layer thickness was 61.3 ± 2.9 μ in the central cornea and 62.7 ± 4.3 μ in the limbus in the control. The epithelial thickness in LSCD patients was found to be 41.33 ± 2.8 μ. An average reduction of 22.2% in the central cornea and 32.15% in the limbus was found in patients with LSCD (P < 0.05). Epithelial thinning correlated with the severity of LSCD in both cornea and limbus. In eyes with sectoral LSCD, a similar degree of epithelial thinning was also detected in the clinically unaffected limbal regions. Conclusion: Both corneal and limbal epithelia become progressively thinner in LSCD. Epithelial thickness assessment using AS-OCT as a noninvasive tool could be used as a diagnostic measure of LSCD.

Purpose: To study the ocular manifestations in multiple transfused beta-thalassemia major patients and assess the ocular side-effects of iron chelating agents. Materials and Methods: In this prospective observational study, 45 multiple transfused beta-thalassemia major children between six months and 21 years of age were enrolled and assigned groups according to the treatment regimens suggested. Group A received only blood transfusions, Group B blood transfusions with subcutaneous desferrioxamine, Group C blood transfusions with desferrioxamine and oral deferriprone and Group D blood transfusions with deferriprone. Ocular status at the time of enrolment was documented. Subjects were observed quarterly for one year for changes in ocular status arising due to the disease process and due to iron chelation therapy. Children with hemoglobinopathies other than beta-thalassemia major, congenital ocular anomalies and anemia due to other causes were excluded. Results: Ocular involvement was observed in 58% of patients. Lenticular opacities were the most common ocular finding (44%), followed by decreased visual acuity (33%). An increased occurrence of ocular changes was observed with increase of serum ferritin and serum iron levels as well as with higher number of blood transfusions received. Desferrioxamine seemed to have a protective influence on retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) mottling. Occurrence of lenticular opacities and RPE degeneration correlated positively with use of desferrioxamine and deferriprone respectively. Follow-up of patients for one year did not reveal any change in ocular status. Conclusion: Regular ocular examinations can aid in preventing, delaying or ameliorating the ocular complications of thalassemia.