Central India Eye Research Articles

Positive and Negative Associations of Myopia with Ocular Diseases in Population-Based Studies

ObjectivePrevalence of myopia and vision impairment due to myopic macular degeneration and myopia-related optic neuropathies have markedly increased worldwide. We evaluated whether myopia is associated with the prevalence of other ocular disorders in a positive or negative sense. DesignPopulation-based studies conducted in Russia, China and India. ParticipantsThe Russian Ural Eye and Medical Study (UEMS) and the Beijing Eye Study (BES) included 5899 individuals and 4439 individuals (all aged 40+ years), respectively, and the Central India Eye and Medical Study (CIEMS) consisted of 4711 individuals, aged 30+ years. The studies were conducted in rural and urban regions in Bashkortostan/Russia, Nagpur/India, and Beijing/China. MethodsThe participants underwent a series of ophthalmological and general medical examinations. Main Outcome MeasuresAxial length as surrogate for myopia, and prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), angle-closure glaucoma (ACG), and open-angle glaucoma (OAG). ResultsIn the UEMS, DR prevalence (OR:0.73;95%CI:0.56,0.96), AMD prevalence (OR:0.85;95%CI:0.74,0.98) and ACG prevalence (OR:0.72;95%CI:0.55,0.95) decreased, and OAG prevalence (OR:1.65;95%CI:1.45,1.88) increased with longer axial length in multivariable analyses. In the CIEMS, lower AMD prevalence (OR:0.81;95%CI:0.69,0.95) and lower ACG prevalence (OR:0.55;95%CI:0.36,0.83), and higher OAG prevalence (OR:1.45;95%CI:1.15,1.83) were associated with longer axial length. DR prevalence (0.33%;95%CI:0.16,0.50) was too low for statistical analysis in the CIEMS. In the BES, prevalence (OR:0.64;95%CI:0.50,0.81) and 10-year incidence of DR (OR:0.48;95%CI:0.33,0.71) and prevalence (OR:0.83;95%CI:0.77,0.89) and 5-year incidence of AMD (OR:0.996;95%CI:0.993,0.999) decreased, and prevalence (OR:1.35;95% CI:1.17,1.56) and 10-year incidence of OAG (OR:1.40;95%CI:1.22,1.61) increased with longer axial length. In all three studies, the association between higher OAG prevalence and longer axial length was nonlinear with a slight increase for the moderate myopia range, and a steep increase in the highly myopic range. Conclusions and RelevanceMyopia is associated with a lower prevalence of DR, AMD and ACG and lower incidence of DR and AMD, while high myopia more than moderate myopia is associated with a higher prevalence and incidence of OAG. Future studies may assess whether in myopia, in particular in moderate myopia, the myopia-related advantages, i.e., lower prevalence of DR, AMD and ACG, may outweigh the increased risks for OAG and other myopia-related disorders.

An Analysis of the clinical and investigative profile of uveitis in the elderly: First case series from India.

To evaluate the spectrum of uveitis occurring after 60 years of age in elderly patients who presented to a tertiary care eye center in India. Retrospective study of patients who visited a tertiary eye care institute between January 2010 and July 2020. Eighty-seven patients developed uveitis after 60 years, with only 44.8% having sufficient follow-up documentation and were included in the final analysis. The median age of these patients was 64 (IQR: 62-70) years, and 69% of them were male. Among the identifiable causes of uveitis, infectious uveitis (36%) was the most common and noninfectious uveitis was noted in 23% of patients. The most common subtype of uveitis was anterior uveitis (52%), followed by intermediate uveitis (32%), panuveitis (11%), and posterior uveitis (7%). Tuberculosis (28%) was the most common cause in our cohort, followed by HLA B27 (10%), sarcoid (8%), and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (5%). In 41% of patients, a definitive diagnosis of uveitis could not be achieved, and the anterior uveitis group had the highest number of undifferentiated uveitis cases. There were no undifferentiated cases of uveitis in the posterior and panuveitis category. The median follow-up period of these patients was 52 (15-91) months and 66% of eyes had recurrence. A statistically significant improvement in vision was seen in anterior uveitis and panuveitis groups, whereas the median visual acuity of the intermediate uveitis group remained stable throughout the follow-up period. Uveitis in the elderly can have a higher recurrence rate; however, the lack of follow-up in these groups of patients is a major challenge.

Global warming impact of fluorinated gases in ophthalmic surgeries at a tertiary eye center in India.

Global warming is one of the greatest health threats of the 21 st century. The ophthalmic sector contributes to the emission of greenhouse gases, thus altering the natural environment. There is currently no data on global emissions of fluorinated gases in ophthalmic surgery. This retrospective study from 2017 to 2021 aims to report the carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) equivalence of sulfur hexafluoride (SF 6 ), hexafluoroethane (C 2 F 6 ), and octafluoropropane (C 3 F 8 ) at a tertiary eye center. Data collected from 1842 surgical procedures that used injections of fluorinated gases were analyzed. Environmental impact (global warming potential over 100 years) was calculated by converting milliliters to grams by using modified ideal gas law at standard temperature and pressure for the canisters and then to their CO 2 equivalence. Though 70% of surgeries used C 3 F 8 , the least greenhouse effect causing fluorinated gas, the total carbon emission was 1.4 metric tons. The most common indication was macular hole surgery (36.86%). This study paves a step toward analyzing the problem statement, thus awakening us to contemplate options to make ophthalmic surgeries greener.

Effectiveness of 0.01% atropine in anisomyopic children

Purpose: To investigate the change in ocular parameters of anisomyopic children treated with 0.01% atropine. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the data of anisomyopic children who underwent comprehensive examination at a tertiary eye center in India. Anisomyopic subjects (difference of ≥1.00 D) of age 6–12 years who were treated with 0.01% atropine or prescribed regular single vision spectacle and had follow-ups of more than 1 year were included. Results: Data from 52 subjects were included. No difference was observed in the mean rate of change of spherical equivalent (SE) of more myopic eyes between 0.01% atropine (−0.56 D; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.82, −0.30) and single vision lens wearers (−0.59 D; 95% CI: −0.80, −0.37; P = 0.88). Similarly, insignificant change in the mean SE of less myopic eyes was noted between the groups (0.01% atropine group, −0.62 D; 95% CI: −0.88, −0.36 vs. single vision spectacle wearer group, −0.76 D; 95% CI: −1.00, −0.52; P = 0.43). None of the ocular biometric parameters showed any difference between the two groups. Though anisomyopic cohort treated with 0.01% atropine revealed a significant correlation between the rate of change of mean SE and axial length in both eyes (more myopic eyes, r = −0.58; P = 0.001 and less myopic eyes, r = −0.82; P < 0.001) compared to single vision spectacle wearer group, the change was not significant. Conclusion: Administration of 0.01% atropine had minimal effect on reducing the rate of myopia progression in anisomyopic eyes.

Keratoconus in pre-teen children: Demographics and clinical profile.

To study the demographics and clinical profile of keratoconus (KC) presenting in pre-teen children in India. This was a retrospective case series conducted as a single-institutional study at a tertiary eye center in India. A total of 586 eyes from 294 KC patients (aged 12 years or less) without any active comorbid conditions of the eye were included in the study. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy was used to document the clinical signs of KC. Information on age; gender; reason for consultation; family history; history of allergy, atopy, and eye rubbing; manifest refraction; uncorrected and best-corrected distance visual acuity (UCVA and BCVA, respectively); clinical presentation; and contact lens usage were also analyzed, along with data on types of medical and surgical treatments for KC and their outcomes. The mean age of this pediatric KC patient cohort was 9.3 ± 1.8 years, and there was a male (70%) preponderance. Baseline mean UCVA, BCVA, steep keratometry, and flat keratometry were 0.86 ± 0.58 logMAR, 0.44 ± 0.38 logMAR, 54.82 ± 8.4 D, and 48.21 ± 9.5 D, respectively. Progression, necessitating collagen crosslinking (CXL), was noted in 12.7% eyes. Post-CXL, visual and topographic parameters remained stable without any complications till 6 months posttreatment. However, in eyes that did not undergo CXL, significant progression over time (P < 0.001) was observed. A keratoplasty was required in 2.3% eyes. KC was present at an advanced stage in 25% of the pre-teens in our series, and therefore, it is an important diagnostic entity when a refractive error is diagnosed, even in very young children.

Short-term surgical outcomes of twin-site combined phaco-emulsification and mitomycin-C augmented trabeculectomy in pseudo-exfoliation glaucoma versus primary open-angle glaucoma.

To compare the short-term outcomes of combined phaco-emulsification with posterior chamber intra-ocular lens and mitomycin augmented trabeculectomy in patients with pseudo-exfoliation glaucoma (PXFG) versus primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). A total of 144 eyes of 144 patients were enrolled in this prospective interventional comparative study, 72 each of which had PXFG and POAG, respectively. All patients underwent twin-site combined phaco-trabeculectomy at a tertiary eye center in India between December 2017 and December 2018 and were followed up for a period of 12 months. The main outcome measures were intra-ocular pressure (IOP), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), total surgical time, rate of intra-operative and post-operative complications, and the number of ocular hypotensive medications needed. Success rates were determined via Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The mean age was 63.9 ± 7.9 years in the POAG group and 66.4 ± 6.8 years in the PXFG group (P - 0.04). The baseline BCVA, IOP, and cup-disc ratio were comparable between two groups. Intra-operative complications and post-operative outcomes were comparable between the two groups. There was a significant drop in anti-glaucoma medications in both groups. Six patients, three (4.2%) in each group, were lost to follow-up after 6 months. Three patients (4.2%) in PXFG needed additional glaucoma intervention for controlling IOP, one patient needed a non-valved glaucoma drainage device, and two patients required diode cyclo-photocoagulation within the follow-up period. Patients with PXFG had a longer surgical time than POAG. Similar success and complication rates were observed following combined twin-site phaco-trabeculectomy in both POAG and PXFG at 1 year. Combined glaucoma surgery resulted in good IOP control, improvement in BCVA, and lower requirement of ocular hypotensives in both the groups.

Neuro-ophthalmological manifestations of diabetes mellitus during COVID-19-related lockdown in India.

The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a huge impact on the health care system. Diversion of health care workforce toward management of a high number of COVID-19 cases and lockdown restrictions have affected the follow-up of patients. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of this situation on the control of diabetes, eventually resulting in related neuro-ophthalmological complications. This retrospective case series included diabetic patients visiting the neuro-ophthalmology clinic at a tertiary care eye center in India from 25 March 2020 to 25 September 2020 during the lockdown. The incidence of diabetes-related neuro-ophthalmological complications, including third, fourth, sixth nerve palsies and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) was evaluated and compared with that of the same period during 2019. Overall disease incidence rate was significantly higher in the year 2020 (60.2%) compared to the previous year of 2019 (29.8%). The proportion of third nerve palsy (4.8% vs 16.3%, P < 0.001) and NAION (0.3% vs 14.3%, P < 0.001) had increased. Even though the percentage of sixth nerve palsy was 25% in 2020, this was not significantly different from 2019. There was a reduction in the percentage of fourth nerve palsy cases from the year 2019 to 2020. There was a significant increase in diabetes-related neuro-ophthalmic complications during the COVID-19 lockdown. This can possibly be attributed to worsening of glycemic control in diabetic patients.

Waves of COVID-19 Pandemic: Effect on Ocular Surface Services at a Tertiary Eye Center in India

ObjectiveTo describe the impact of lockdown and unlock phases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the ocular surface services at a tertiary eye care center in India.MethodsThis cross-sectional hospital-based study included 18,127 patients presenting between March 25, 2017, and July 31, 2021. A comparative analysis of the data was performed on the patients diagnosed with ocular surface disorders (allergic eye disease, cicatrizing conjunctivitis, dry eye, limbal stem cell deficiency, and ocular surface burns) and ocular surface surgeries (amniotic membrane grafting, keratoprosthesis, mucous membrane grafting, and simple limbal epithelial transplantation) presenting during the lockdown and unlock phases and the previous three years before COVID-19.ResultsThe outpatient numbers dropped to 18.6% (172/954) and surgeries performed decreased to 2.8% (13/461) of pre-COVID-19 volumes during the lockdown phase. This was mainly because of a 74% reduction in the proportion of patients requiring inter-state travel to this tertiary care referral center. There was a gradual recovery of the outpatient numbers to 70.8% (565/798) and surgeries performed to 85.8% (109/127) of pre-COVID-19 volumes by February-March 2021. This gradual incremental trend was seen across all diagnoses and surgeries except for ocular burns, which showed an initial spike in the month of May followed by another sharp increase by the month of September that coincided with the gradual ease of lockdown regulations. The proportion of patients requiring inter-state travel showed an incomplete recovery to 77.2% of pre-COVID-19 distribution by March 2021.ConclusionThe first year of the COVID-19 pandemic saw a drastic reduction in the outpatient numbers and surgical volume in the lockdown phase, which gradually recovered during the unlock period. However, the impact of the second wave was significant and is showing a gradual recovery in patients accessing eye care services.

An Observational Study of Different Treatment Practices for Aggressive Posterior Retinopathy of Prematurity.

To evaluate risk factors and outcomes of preferred practice for infants with aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity (APROP) at a tertiary eye center in India. This was an observational study of infants with APROP where patients were divided into three groups after 2 weeks of initial treatment depending on the treatment received: anti-VEGF only, laser only, and combination of anti-VEGF injection followed by laser within 2 weeks of anti-VEGF injection (combined group). All infants were evaluated for risk factors and followed up at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks to determine treatment outcomes in terms of regression, vascular re-growth, progression, and recurrence of the disease. Sixty eyes of 31 infants were included in the study, with 26 eyes in the anti-VEGF only group, 19 eyes in the laser-only group, and 15 eyes in the combined group. Infants in the combined group presented late with lower birth weight (BW), smaller gestational age (GA), and a history of longer duration of ventilatory support. After 3 months of follow-up, regression occurred in 73.08% in the anti-VEGF only group, 89.5% in the laser-only group, and 86.66% in the combined group (P = .07). Zone of vascularization was greater in the anti-VEGF only group and the combined group compared to the laser-only group. Disease recurrence was seen in 27% in the anti-VEGF group, none in the laser-only group, and 13.33% in the combined group (P < .001). However, progression to stage 4 ROP requiring surgery was noted in 2 eyes in the laser-only group. Infants with APROP who have a lower GA or BW or require longer ventilatory support are possibly a subset best suited for planned combination therapy. A combination of anti-VEGF therapy followed by laser treatment within 2 weeks allows for early regression, a stable course, lower recurrence, and a larger area of retinal vascularization. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2021;58(6):370-376.].

Prevalence and etiology of glaucoma emergencies during coronavirus disease-2019 lockdown at a tertiary eye center in India

Aim: This study aims to report the prevalence and etiology of emergencies in glaucoma during coronavirus disease-2019 lockdown at a tertiary eye care center in India. Materials and Methods: Retrospective case study. Patients who presented with acute onset of pain, redness, blurred vision, and intraocular pressure (IOP) >21 mm Hg between March 25 and May 3, 2020 were included in the study and those who came for scheduled follow-up visit were excluded from the study. Results: Two hundred and ninety-four patients were seen in glaucoma services during the study, of which 43 patients (eyes) met the inclusion criteria. Mean age of the study population was 56.4 ± 16.7 years. Mean visual acuity at presentation was 4/60 and mean IOP was 37.9 ± 10.5 mm Hg. Most common etiology for seeking emergency glaucoma care was secondary glaucoma post vitreoretinal surgery (27.9%), followed by lens-induced glaucoma (25.5%), neovascular glaucoma (11.6%), primary angle closure disease (9.3%) of which 4.6% had acute primary angle closure, inflammatory glaucoma (9.3%), closed globe injury (6.9%), and others (9.3%). 37% of eyes underwent surgery, 5% eyes underwent laser and 58% eyes were treated medically. Conclusions: The prevalence of emergency in glaucoma was 14.6% during the lockdown. Secondary glaucoma constitutes 88.4% and primary glaucoma constitutes only 11.6% of emergency in glaucoma.

Triaging of patients and their management during the lockdown period due to COVID-19 pandemic at a tertiary eye center in India

Aim: The aim of the study is to describe the triaging of patients based on their clinical profile and the management offered during the lockdown period due to the COVID-19 pandemic at a tertiary eye center. Methods: A cross-sectional study of patients who visited the emergency department during the lockdown (Phase 1 and Phase 2) from March 3,2020 to May 5, 2020 at a tertiary eye care center and their management was carried out. All the data were collected from the Electronic Medical Record of the hospital. Results: A total of 453 patients presented to the hospital during this period. The mean age of the patients was 42.12 ± 18.12 years (Median 46 and Range 31–54). Maximum numbers of patients were in the adult age group (73.95%) and were male (63.35%). On triaging, 42.83% needed emergency care, 20.75% needed urgent care, and 36.42% of patients were manageable with routine care. The majority of the emergency cases were of trauma (46.91%) followed by vitreoretinal (17.01%) and corneal (11.86%) complaints. Most of the patients were managed medically (94.26%) while few needed surgeries (5.74%). The patients being attended during the lockdown period was 1.9% of the total patients (23,121) seen during the same time period in the year 2019. Conclusion: There was a drastic fall in the number of patients visiting the hospital during the lockdown period. The majority of the visiting patients needed emergency care and a handful of patients were managed surgically. Rearranging the clinical and surgical activity with triaging helped us to achieve safe and methodological practice during this pandemic period.

Long-Term Surgical Outcomes of Primary Congenital Glaucoma in a South Indian Population

To evaluate the long-term surgical outcomes of children with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) in a South Indian population. Retrospective cohort study. Children with PCG who underwent primary surgery from 1997 through 2000 at a tertiary eye center in India with minimum of 5 years of follow-up. This retrospective cohort study included children with PCG who underwent trabeculotomy, trabeculectomy, or combined trabeculotomy and trabeculectomy (CTT) as primary surgery from 1997 through 2000 at a tertiary eye center in India with minimum of 5 years of follow-up. Survival analyses were performed to determine cumulative probability of complete and qualified success. Intraocular pressure (IOP) control, glaucoma medication use, surgical success rates, and complications. The study included 50 eyes of 31 patients. Mean age at initial surgery was 5 months (range, 5 days-48 months) and 19 patients (61.3%) showed bilateral disease. Mean duration of follow-up was 10.9 ± 3.10 years (range, 6-18 years). Mean IOP was reduced from 28.58 ± 9.78 mmHg (range, 10-59 mmHg) before surgery to 17.13 ± 7.62 mmHg after surgery (range, 5-42 mmHg; P < 0.001) at final follow-up. Survival analysis showed that the probability of surgical success with CTT was 77.8% at 1 year, 66.2% at 2 years, 53.0% at 5 years, and 16.6% at 15 years. Visual acuity at last available follow-up correlated with surgical success (P= 0.042). Surgical success after long-term follow-up of children with PCG is low. The probability of surgical success declines over time. Children with PCG require life-long follow-up and management, even after initial surgical success, to prevent visual impairment and blindness.

Referral for disease-related visual impairment using retinal photograph-based deep learning: a proof-of-concept, model development study

In current approaches to vision screening in the community, a simple and efficient process is needed to identify individuals who should be referred to tertiary eye care centres for vision loss related to eye diseases. The emergence of deep learning technology offers new opportunities to revolutionise this clinical referral pathway. We aimed to assess the performance of a newly developed deep learning algorithm for detection of disease-related visual impairment. In this proof-of-concept study, using retinal fundus images from 15 175 eyes with complete data related to best-corrected visual acuity or pinhole visual acuity from the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study, we first developed a single-modality deep learning algorithm based on retinal photographs alone for detection of any disease-related visual impairment (defined as eyes from patients with major eye diseases and best-corrected visual acuity of <20/40), and moderate or worse disease-related visual impairment (eyes with disease and best-corrected visual acuity of <20/60). After development of the algorithm, we tested it internally, using a new set of 3803 eyes from the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study. We then tested it externally using three population-based studies (the Beijing Eye study [6239 eyes], Central India Eye and Medical study [6526 eyes], and Blue Mountains Eye Study [2002 eyes]), and two clinical studies (the Chinese University of Hong Kong's Sight Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy study [971 eyes] and the Outram Polyclinic Study [1225 eyes]). The algorithm's performance in each dataset was assessed on the basis of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). In the internal test dataset, the AUC for detection of any disease-related visual impairment was 94·2% (95% CI 93·0-95·3; sensitivity 90·7% [87·0-93·6]; specificity 86·8% [85·6-87·9]). The AUC for moderate or worse disease-related visual impairment was 93·9% (95% CI 92·2-95·6; sensitivity 94·6% [89·6-97·6]; specificity 81·3% [80·0-82·5]). Across the five external test datasets (16 993 eyes), the algorithm achieved AUCs ranging between 86·6% (83·4-89·7; sensitivity 87·5% [80·7-92·5]; specificity 70·0% [66·7-73·1]) and 93·6% (92·4-94·8; sensitivity 87·8% [84·1-90·9]; specificity 87·1% [86·2-88·0]) for any disease-related visual impairment, and the AUCs for moderate or worse disease-related visual impairment ranged between 85·9% (81·8-90·1; sensitivity 84·7% [73·0-92·8]; specificity 74·4% [71·4-77·2]) and 93·5% (91·7-95·3; sensitivity 90·3% [84·2-94·6]; specificity 84·2% [83·2-85·1]). This proof-of-concept study shows the potential of a single-modality, function-focused tool in identifying visual impairment related to major eye diseases, providing more timely and pinpointed referral of patients with disease-related visual impairment from the community to tertiary eye hospitals. National Medical Research Council, Singapore.

Pediatric Sympathetic Ophthalmia: 20 Years of Data From a Tertiary Eye Center in India.

To examine the clinical profile of sympathetic ophthalmia among the pediatric age group. Retrospective review of patients 18 years and younger with sympathetic ophthalmia seen in a tertiary eye care center between 1997 and 2017. Of 20 patients included in the study, 70% were male. The most common inciting event for sympathetic ophthalmia was trauma (85%), followed by vitreoretinal surgery (15%). All patients were treated with systemic steroids. Seventeen patients received additional corticosteroid-sparing immunosuppressive agents, and 4 patients (20%) required more than one immunosuppressive agent. Azathioprine was the most commonly used corticosteroid-sparing immunosuppressive agent. The most common complications were cataract (50%) and ocular hypertension (30%). The mean presenting best corrected visual acuity in the sympathizing eye was 1.15 ± 0.99 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR), which improved to 0.54 ± 1.00 logMAR following treatment. Visual outcome was good (6/12 or better) in 70% of the sympathizing eyes, and 3 of the exciting eyes in the current study had good visual outcomes after the treatment. Prompt and effective management with corticosteroid-sparing immunosuppressive therapy in children with sympathetic ophthalmia allows favorable control of the disease and retention of good visual acuity. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2020;57(3):154-158.].

Idiopathic Macular Hole Preferred Practice Pattern®

Idiopathic Macular Hole Preferred Practice Pattern®

Prevalence of myopic retinopathy in rural Central India.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of myopic retinopathy (MR) in rural Central India. The population-based Central India Eye and Medical Study included 4711 subjects (aged 30+ years). The participants underwent a detailed eye examination, including fundus photography. Myopic retinopathy was defined according to the Pathologic Myopia Study Group. Readable fundus photographs were available on 4561 (96.8%) subjects (8846 eyes). Myopic retinopathy was present in 15 (0.17±0.04%; 95% confidence interval (CI):0.08%, 0.26%) eyes of 11 (0.24±0.07%; 95%CI: 0.01, 0.04) individuals. Myopic retinopathy occurred only in eyes with an axial length of >26mm. Eyes with MR had significantly larger optic discs than eyes without MR (3.69±1.22mm2 versus 2.52±0.77mm2 ; p<0.001). In binary regression analysis, higher prevalence of MR was associated with longer axial length (p<0.001; odds ratio (OR): 19.6; 95%CI: 4.6, 82.9), higher prevalence of open-angle glaucoma (p=0.02; OR: 16.1; 95%CI: 1.51, 170), lower best-corrected visual acuity (expressed in logMAR) (=0.03; OR: 0.06; 95%CI: 0.004, 0.75) and female gender (p=0.002). If level of education was added to the model, educational level was not significantly associated with MR (p=0.17; OR: 0.53; 95%CI: 0.22, 1.31). If gender was dropped from the model, higher prevalence of MR was associated with lower educational level (p=0.04; OR: 0.44; 95%CI: 0.20, 0.97). Prevalence of MR in rural Central India was low (11/4561 or 0.2%), and correlated with a 16 times higher risk of open-angle glaucoma, after adjusting for axial length and gender. If gender was excluded from the analysis, higher prevalence of MR was associated with lower educational level. This latter finding distinguishes adult MR from today's school children myopia which is strongly associated with higher educational level.

Education-Related Parameters in High Myopia: Adults versus School Children.

PurposeSince high myopia in the younger generation may differ etiologically from high myopia in older generations, we examined whether education-related parameters differ between high myopia in today´s school children and high pathological myopia in today´s elderly generation.MethodsThe investigation included the adult populations of the population-based Beijing Eye Study (BES) (3468 adults;mean age:64.6±9.8years;range:50–93years) and Central India Eye and Medical Study (CIEMS) (4711 adults;age:49.±13.2years;range:30–100years), and the children and teenager populations of the Shandong Children Eye Study (SCES) (6026 children;age:9.7±3.3years;range:4–18years;cycloplegic refractometry), Gobi Desert Children Eye Study (1565;age:11.9±3.5years;range:6–21 years;cycloplegic refractometry), Beijing Pediatric Eye Study (681 children;age:7.7±1.6years;range:5–13 years;non-cycloplegic refractometry,calculation of axial length to corneal curvature radius ratio), Beijing Children Eye Study (15066 children;age:13.2±3.4years;range:7–18years;non-cycloplegic refractometry), Beijing High School Teenager Eye Study (4677 children;age:16.9±0.7years;range:16–18years;non-cycloplegic refractometry).ResultsIn the BES and CIEMS, educational level did not differ significantly between, or was significantly lower in the highly myopic group (myopic refractive error ≥6 diopters) than in the non-highly myopic group. In all non-adult study populations, higher prevalence of high myopia was significantly associated with higher degree of education related parameters such as attendance of high-level schools, and more time spent for indoors near work versus time spent outdoors.ConclusionsComparing associations of old or genetic high myopia in adults with new or acquired high myopia in school children revealed that education-related parameters did not show a clear association with old or genetic high myopia, while in contrast, new high myopia showed strong associations with education. It confirms previous studies that the two forms of high myopia not only differed in age of onset, but also in associations with education as well. The data support the notion of two types of high myopia. Future studies may assess whether the risk of pathologic myopic maculopathy and high myopia associated open-angle glaucoma differs between both types of high myopia.

Polymerase chain reaction for Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA detection from ocular fluids in patients with various types of choroiditis in a referral eye center in India.

Aims:The aim of this study was to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) DNA with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in aqueous or vitreous samples of patients suffering from choroiditis presumed to be infectious origin.Settings and Design:Hospital-based, retrospective case–control study.Subjects and Methods:In all, forty eyes of forty patients with choroiditis divided into two groups – Group A (serpiginous-like choroiditis, ampiginous choroiditis, multifocal choroiditis) and Group B (choroidal abscess, miliary tuberculosis (TB), choroidal tubercle) were analyzed retrospectively. In 27 controls (patients without uveitis undergoing phacoemulsification), anterior chamber aspirate was done and sample subjected to real-time PCR. Patients underwent nested PCR for MTB using IS6110 and MPB64 primers from aqueous (n = 39) or vitreous (n = 1). All patients underwent detailed ophthalmological examination by slit-lamp biomicroscopy, fundus examination by indirect ophthalmoscopy, and fundus photograph and fundus fluorescein angiography if required.Statistical Analysis:Positive results of PCR for MTB within the group and between two groups were statistically analyzed using Chi-square test.Results:There were 25 males and 15 females. Mean age at presentation was 34.66 years (range, 14–62). PCR positivity rates were 41.3% (n = 12/29) and 81.82% (n = 9/11) in Groups A and B, respectively. No controls had PCR-positive result. Comparison of PCR positivity rates showed statistically significant difference between Groups A and B (P = 0.028). Systemic TB was detected in 57.14% (n = 12/21) of all PCR-positive cases (Group A - 33.3%, n = 4/12; Group B - 88.9%, n = 8/9). Systemic antitubercular treatment (ATT) for 9 months and oral steroids were successful in resolution of choroiditis in all PCR-positive patients (n = 21) without disease recurrence.Conclusions:Eyes with choroiditis of suspected/presumed tubercular origin should be subjected to PCR for diagnosis of TB and subjected to ATT for prevention of recurrences.

The eye and the kidney: twin targets in diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is both defined by and is a dreaded condition because of microvascular involvement of the eye and the kidneys. The level of glucose at which retinopathy occurs forms the basis for diagnosing diabetes. Despite non-invasive methods being available for its diagnosis, retinopathy is often underdiagnosed and untreated. Eventually it leads to visual loss often in working-age populations. There appears to be ethnic variation in susceptibility to diabetic retinopathy (DR), with prevalence of DR, sightthreatening DR and macular edema being higher in people from South Asia, Africa, Latin America and indigenous tribal populations [1]. The variations are ascribed to differential susceptibility to known risk factors, as well as differences in lifestyle, access to health care and genetic and epigenetic phenomenon. A number of prevalence studies were reported from different parts of India. In a hospital-based report from Kashmir (n, 500 with diabetes), DR was identified in 27 % (n, 135) [2]. Increasing age was a risk factor, and milder forms accounted for the most cases, suggesting that early screening and treatment is necessary [3]. Prevalence studies from rural India are fewer [4]. In a population-based Central India Eye and Medical Study involving more than 4500 subjects, DR was diagnosed by fundus photography utilizing criteria of Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study. DR was identified in 15 subjects (0.33 %) of the entire cohort. In subjects with diabetes, DR was present in 9.6 % [5]. Risk factors were increasing age and higher glucose concentrations. All eyes showed only nonsevere forms of DR. There was no significant association with other conventional risk factors or with ocular parameters. In the SN-DREAMS III report no 2 (Sankara Nethralaya Diabetic Retinopathy Epidemiology and Molecular Genetic Study III), population-based cross-sectional screening was carried out in a rural population of south India (n, 13,079) [6]. DRwas identified using 45° four-field stereoscopic digital photography, along with 30° seven-field stereo digital pairs in those with DR. Among those with diabetes, DRwas identified in 10.3 %, with greater risk in men, insulin users, those with longer duration of diabetes, systolic hypertension and poor glycemic control [6]. In urban Chennai, the CURES Eye Study I, a populationbased screening for diabetes, was carried out in adults aged 20 years and above (n, 26,001). Among 1382 known subjects with diabetes who agreed to undergo four-field stereo colour photography, and 354 newly diagnosed subjects with diabetes, DR was present in 17.6 % [7]. The prevalence of DR was higher in men and those with proteinuria. Another population-based study in South Kerala assessed the prevalence of diabetes and DR in a community-based screening programme. One hundred and sixty camps were held in five southern districts of Kerala (Project Trinetra) [8]. In a pilot hospital-based screening for DR from western India (n, 168) using ETDRS classification, prevalence of DR was 33.9 %; non-proliferative DR was 25.5 % and proliferative DR 8.33 % [9]. The current issue of the Journal reports on the risk factors for DR in sub-Saharan Africa, prevalence in a rural south Indian population, and on biomarkers for DR and screening methods. * G. R. Sridhar sridharvizag@gmail.com

Lens Position and Age: The Central India Eye and Medical Study.

We assessed changes in the position of the lens with aging in a general population. The population-based Central India Eye and Medical Study included 4711 subjects. As part of an ophthalmic examination, anterior segment length (ASL) was measured sonographically and calculated as anterior chamber depth plus lens thickness. Subjects with nuclear cataract grades 5 or more (43.9% of the sample) were excluded. The study included 2468 subjects (1176 [47.6%] men) with a mean age of 41.2 ± 8.5 years (range, 30-78 years) and mean axial length of 22.68 ± 0.81 mm (range, 19.89-31.02 mm). In multivariate analysis, longer ASL was associated with older age (P = 0.04; correlation coefficient B, 0.002; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.000, 0.005) after adjusting for male sex (P < 0.001), longer axial length (P < 0.001), higher degree of nuclear cataract (P = 0.001), and higher body mass index (P = 0.02). Greater lens thickness was associated with older age (P < 0.001; B, 0.009; 95% CI, 0.007, 0.0011) after adjusting for male sex (P < 0.001), shallower anterior chamber depth (P < 0.001), and higher degree of nuclear cataract (P < 0.001). Deeper anterior chamber depth was associated with younger age (P < 0.001; B, -0.007; 95% CI, -0.008, -0.005) after adjusting for male sex (P < 0.001), thinner lens thickness (P < 0.001), and longer axial length (P < 0.001). Combining both analyses revealed that for each year increase in age, lens thickness increased by 0.009 mm, anterior chamber depth decreased by 0.007 mm, the posterior lens pole moved backward by 0.002 mm, and the lens center moved forward by 0.0025 mm. Increasing age before the development of cataract is associated with a slight forward movement of the lens center, adding to the lens paradox.