Tertiary Eye Care Referral Center Research Articles

Outcomes of orbital decompression for thyroid eye disease over a 10-year period at a tertiary eye care referral center

Background: Orbital decompression is frequently indicated to treat exophthalmos and compressive optic neuropathy, among other indications for thyroid eye disease (TED). This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of orbital decompression and compare the results by urgency and type of surgery in patients with TED.
 Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we recruited patients with TED who had undergone emergency or elective orbital decompression surgery at a tertiary eye care referral center in Tehran, Iran, between 2010 and 2020. Ophthalmic examination findings, demographic and clinical profiles, and types and outcomes of surgical interventions were reviewed and analyzed.
 Results: Fifty-one orbits of 35 patients with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 36.2 (12.0) years and male-to-female ratio of 23 (66%)/12 (34%) were included. The mean (SD) duration from the diagnosis to the surgery was 41.0 (39.0) months. The surgical method was fat decompression in 1 (2%) orbit; fat and inferior wall decompressions in 2 (4%) orbits; fat, inferior, and medial wall (two-wall) decompressions in 43 (84%) orbits; and fat, inferior, medial, and lateral wall (three-wall) decompressions in five (10%) orbits. Three-wall decompression surgery resulted in significantly lower exophthalmometry readings than those associated with two-wall surgery at all postoperative follow-ups (P < 0.05). Ten (20%) orbits required emergency decompression because of sight-threatening conditions and revealed comparable exophthalmometry readings with electively decompressed orbits at the 1-year visit (P > 0.05). Thirty-seven (73%) orbits required other surgeries within the 1-year follow-up. The mean (SD) exophthalmometry readings before and 1-year after surgery were 26.3 (4.0) and 18.3 (2.7) mm, respectively, with a significant decrease and significant 5.5 (3.3)-mm change from baseline in decompressed orbits (both P < 0.001). Diplopia was reported in 29% (n = 10) of patients less than 2 months postoperatively.
 Conclusions: Emergency or elective orbital decompression significantly reduced exophthalmos in patients with TED within 1 year postoperatively. Three-wall orbital decompression produced the more immediate impact, while two-wall orbital decompression showed the higher effect at a later timepoint. The most common complication was diplopia, while other serious complications occurred infrequently. Further prospective comparative studies involving more participants and longer postoperative follow-up periods are required to verify these preliminary findings.

A simple surgical technique for splitting a single donor cornea for performing deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty and Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty without using a microkeratome.

Purpose:To describe a simple manual surgical technique for splitting a single-donor eye for performing both deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) and Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) without using a microkeratome.Methods:Twenty-three eyes with anterior stromal pathology and 23 eyes with irreversible endothelial dysfunction were evaluated for keratoplasty at a tertiary eye care referral center. Twenty-three healthy donor corneas were split into two parts. The Descemet’s membrane was stripped and used for DMEK. The stripped stroma was used for DALK. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of both DALK and DMEK, endothelial cell density, and endothelial cell loss in DMEK were noted at 1-year follow-up, along with any intraoperative or postoperative complications and failures.Results:In the DALK group, mean BCVA improved from 1.264 ± 0.25 log Mar preoperatively to 0.355 ± 0.27 log Mar at 12 months follow-up. There were no complications and failures. In the DMEK group, mean BCVA improved from 1.537 ± 0.61 log Mar preoperatively to 0.592 ± 0.67 log Mar and the mean donor ECD was 3071.66 (range, 2783–3487) cells/mm2 preoperatively, which was reduced to 1989.33 (range, 1546–2543) cells/mm2 at 12 months follow-up indicating a mean endothelial cell loss of 35%. The failure rate was 21.7%.Conclusion:This study demonstrates that with a single donor corneal tissue, both DALK and DMEK can be performed successfully without any complications. Our technique will help corneal surgeons in all developing countries to cost effectively perform more lamellar surgeries and help in reducing the magnitude of corneal blindness without the need for expensive microkeratomes.

Taking the right measures to control COVID-19 in ophthalmology: the experience of a tertiary eye care referral center in Italy.

Taking the right measures to control COVID-19 in ophthalmology: the experience of a tertiary eye care referral center in Italy.

Multistep Grading System for Evaluation of Chronic Ocular Sequelae in Patients With Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

To propose a new scoring system for grading of chronic ocular sequelae in Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). Reliability and validity analysis. Participants: Four hundred eyes of 200 patients with chronic ocular SJS/toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) were included in the study. Single-center, tertiary eye care referral center. All patients with SJS/TEN with chronic (more than 1 year) ocular sequelae were recruited for the study. Corneal, eyelid, and conjunctival signs were evaluated and given scores ranging from 0 to 5 depending on the increasing severity. Twelve signs (6 corneal, 3 conjunctival, and 3 eyelid) were evaluated to obtain the total severity score for each eye. Based on the corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and total score, each eye was graded using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Correlation of CDVA with the severity score determined on the basis of 12 corneal, eyelid, and conjunctival signs. Mean age was 24.09 ± 10.9 years. The most common inciting agent for SJS was oral medications (85%). The scores of 12 ocular surface parameters correlated significantly with CDVA (P < .001). ROC analysis revealed 4 grades of total severity score of 0-11 (stage 0), 12-16 (stage 1), 17-22 (stage 2), and 23-53 (stage 3). The total severity score correlated significantly with logMAR visual acuity grades with an agreement of 60.7% using Cohen's kappa analysis (kappa coefficient= 0.420 ± 0.03). The most common stage of total severity score was stage 3 in 49% of eyes (196/400), followed by stage 0 (107/400, 26.7%). The multistep scoring system of chronic ocular features in SJS/TEN sequelae is a useful tool to grade all levels of severity. This may help to evaluate the efficacy of the surgical intervention by comparing preoperative with postoperative ocular grades.

Clinical Outcomes of a Hospital-Based Teleophthalmology Service: What Happens to Patients in a Virtual Clinic?

Demographic changes as well as increasing referral rates from national screening services put pressure on available ophthalmologic resources in the United Kingdom. To improve resource allocation, virtual medical retina clinics were introduced in 2016 in Moorfields Eye Hospital, South Division. The scope of this work was to assess clinical outcomes of patients followed up in a virtual clinic setting. Retrospective database study. Patients booked for a consecutive appointment in our virtual medical retina clinic. Seven hundred twenty-eight patients booked for their second virtual clinic appointment in a tertiary eye care referral center between November 2016 and July 2018 were identified retrospectively from our electronic health records and patient administration systems. Information about disease grade and clinical and visual outcomes was assessed. Clinical outcome of the virtual clinic visit, including virtual follow-up, urgent referral to face-to-face clinic, or discharge. Seven hundred twelve of 728 patients received a clinical outcome. Four hundred ninety-seven patients (70%) were eligible for further virtual follow-up after the second virtual clinic visit, whereas 15% each (107 and 108 patients) were either discharged or referred to a face-to-face clinic. In total, 661 patients attended their appointments in person and were reviewed by trained staff. Seventeen patients were referred for urgent treatment and 8 patients were not suitable for virtual follow-up. In 542 (82%) of all patients, diabetic retinopathy was the most common diagnosis. This study reports clinical outcomes of a virtual model of care for medical retina clinics that imply safety of patient care in this clinic setting. This clinic format optimizes the use of already available resources and increases the skills of our existing workforce while maintaining high-quality clinical standards.

Pythium keratitis in South India: Incidence, clinical profile, management, and treatment recommendation.

Purpose:To study the demographic profile, clinical features, treatment outcome, and ocular morbidity of microbiologically proven Pythium keratitis in South India.Methods:A retrospective analysis of clinical records of microbiologically proven Pythium keratitis at a tertiary eye care referral center in South India from January 2016 to November 2017 was performed. Demographic details, predisposing risk factors, microbiological investigations, clinical course, and visual outcome were analyzed.Results:Seventy-one patients with microbiologically proven Pythium keratitis were identified. The mean age was 44(±18.2) years with an increase in male preponderance and 50% were farmers. Duration of delay at time of presentation to the hospital was a mean of 14(±7.2) days. The visual acuity at baseline ranged from 6/6 to no light perception (median 2.1 logMAR). A combination of 5% natamycin and 1% voriconazole was given to 42% patients, and natamycin alone was given to 39.4% patients. 1% itraconazole eye drops alone was initiated in 7 (10%) patients and 3 among this group responded. Therapeutic keratoplasty (TPK) was performed in 48 (67.6%) patients. None of the primary grafts remained clear after a period of 1 month. Twenty-six eyes (54.2%) had graft reinfection and all these eyes either developed anterior staphyloma (4) or were eviscerated (3) and 13 eyes became phthisical. The remaining 22 patients who had TPK resulted in failed graft. Among these, re-grafts were performed in 6 patients, of which 5 were doing well at the last follow-up.Conclusion:We report a large series of patients with Pythium keratitis. Promoting early and differential diagnosis, awareness of clinicians and specific treatment options are needed for this devastating corneal disease.

Loss of pRB in Conjunctival Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Predictor of Poor Prognosis.

Conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common tumor of conjunctival epithelium. It is associated with risk of permanent visual impairment and has the capability to recur, metastasize, and cause death. Deregulation of cell cycle control has been reported in a number of malignancies. The aim of the present study was to assess expression of G1/S cell cycle regulatory proteins [retinoblastoma protein (pRb)/P16/cyclin D1] in conjunctival SCC. Forty-four prospective cases of conjunctival SCC from a tertiary eye care referral center in northern India were included in this study. American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging was performed and patients were followed up for 46±3.2 months. pRb loss was seen in 87% and overexpression of p16 and cyclin D1 in 36% and 66%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed reduced disease-free survival in patients with pRb loss (P=0.006). On univariate analysis, pRb loss (P=0.02), orbital invasion (P=0.03), and AJCC stage ≥T3 (P=0.03) emerged as significant high-risk features. On multivariate analysis pRb loss emerged as the most significant poor prognostic indicator in conjunctival SCC cases. Our findings suggest pRb loss to be a useful indicator of aggressive behavior and is recommended for identifying high-risk conjunctival SCC patients.

Pattern of visual disability and type of low vision aid rehabilitation in a tertiary eye care referral center: A descriptive study

Purpose: The aim of this study is to review the pattern of visual disability and the type of low vision rehabilitation done in patients who attended the low vision clinic at a tertiary eye care referral center in Kerala between May 2015 and April 2016. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective, hospital-based review of 200 medical records of patients who attended a tertiary eye care center in Kerala between May 2015 and April 2016. Criteria for low vision were defined as best-corrected visual acuity binocularly (BCVA) for distance by logarithm of minimum angle of resolution chart was >0.4 and for near was N8 with + 4.00 DS addition with near vision test types. The data collected included age, gender, diagnosis, BCVA for distance and near, improvement of near vision after low vision aid (LVA), and the type of LVA preferred by the patient. Results: Two hundred patients were reviewed. Of these, 64% were males and 36% were females. The age group was between 5 and 90 years. Fifty-one percent low vision was because of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) with or without maculopathy, 5% central serous retinopathy, 1% venous occlusions, 12% age-related macular degenerations, 6% retinal detachment, 3% macular hole, 19% other retinal diseases, 1% glaucoma, and 2% others. BCVA binocularly for distance was between 0.4 and 0.7 in 46%, 0.8–1 in 44%, and >1 in 10% and near vision with +4.00 add was between N8–N12 in 56% and N18–N36 in 44%. With LVA, 62% improved to N6, 35% N8–N10, and 3% N12–N18. Nearly 61% of patients preferred prismatic spectacles. Conclusion: Patients with PDR with or without diabetic maculopathy who had low vision in spite of maximum treatment formed the largest group in our study. The BCVA for near improved to N6 in 62% of the patients. Prismatic spectacles were the LVA most commonly preferred for near vision.

Histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of melt-associated retroprosthetic membranes in the Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis.

Retroprosthetic membrane (RPM) formation is the most common complication associated with the Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis and has been associated with corneal melt. To identify the histological and immunohistochemical characteristics of RPMs associated with corneal melt. Observational histopathological case series at a tertiary eye care referral center among patients who underwent Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis explantation because of donor corneal melt at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary between January 1, 2011, and January 1, 2012. Seven RPM specimens from 7 eyes were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin AE1/3, smooth muscle actin, vimentin, and CD34. Light microscopy was used to evaluate specimens for inflammation and epithelial ingrowth. XY-karyotyping using fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed on 4 specimens with known donor-recipient sex mismatch. Histological and immunohistochemical characteristics of RPMs. Inflammatory cells were present in 4 of 7 RPMs. In 3 of 4 sex-mismatched specimens, tissue XY-karyotyping of the RPM interphase cells was consistent with the host sex karyotype. The fourth specimen showed a mixture of recipient-type and donor-type cells. Melt-associated RPMs show variable degrees of inflammation. Most membranes seem to originate from a proliferation of host cells, but donor tissue may contribute in some cases.

Optimal Use of Donor Corneal Tissue: One Cornea for Two Recipients

To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of the use of 1 donor cornea for 2 recipients who required anterior lamellar and posterior lamellar keratoplasties, respectively. Twelve eyes with anterior corneal stromal pathology and 12 eyes with irreversible endothelial dysfunction were evaluated for transplant surgery at a tertiary eye care referral center. Twelve healthy donor corneas were split into 2 parts, that is, anterior lamellar button (350-μm-thick) and posterior lamellar button (150-μm-thick) using a microkeratome (Moria, Antony, France). The anterior lamellar button was used to perform automated lamellar therapeutic keratoplasty in 12 eyes, and the posterior lamellar button was used to undertake Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty in 12 eyes. The parameters evaluated were feasibility of the procedure, intraoperative and postoperative complications, if any, and visual outcome. It was possible to use 12 donor tissues for 24 patients as envisaged. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. In the automated lamellar therapeutic keratoplasty group, 83.3% (10 of 12) of patients achieved a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of >20/60, and in the Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty group 75% (9 of 12) of patients achieved a BCVA of >20/60. Our study demonstrates that 1 donor corneal tissue can be successfully used for 2 patients as a routine practice with appropriate and optimal case selection. Such techniques may help to reduce the magnitude of corneal blindness in developing countries where there are shortages of donor corneal tissue.

Visual prognosis, intraocular pressure control and complications in phacomorphic glaucoma following manual small incision cataract surgery

Aims:To evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP) control, visual prognosis and complications following manual small incision cataract surgery among eyes with phacomorphic glaucoma.Materials and Methods:This prospective, non-randomized interventional consecutive case series included all patients with phacomorphic glaucoma who presented to a tertiary eye care referral center in South India between March 2006 and April 2007. All patients underwent slit-lamp bio-microscopy, applanation tonometry and gonioscopy of the other eye to rule out angle closure. Small incision cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation was performed in all affected eyes. Complete ophthalmic examination was done at each follow-up visit.Results:A total of 74 eyes with phacomorphic glaucoma were included in this study. The preoperative mean IOP was 38.4±14.3 mmHg and mean IOP at last follow-up was 12.7±2.4 mmHg. There was a statistically significant difference between IOP at presentation and IOP at last follow-up (P< 0.001). None of the eyes required long-term antiglaucoma medication. No significant intraoperative complications were noted. The final postoperative best corrected visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 51 patients. Eighteen eyes had corneal edema and 36 eyes had anterior chamber inflammation. Both conditions resolved with standard medical therapy.Conclusion:Manual small incision cataract surgery is safe and effective in controlling IOP and achieving good functional visual acuity with minimal complications in the management of phacomorphic glaucoma in developing countries.

Etiology and antibacterial susceptibility pattern of community-acquired bacterial ocular infections in a tertiary eye care hospital in south India.

Aims:To identify the etiology, incidence and prevalence of ocular bacterial infections, and to assess the in vitro susceptibility of these ocular bacterial isolates to commonly used antibiotics.Materials and Methods:Retrospective analysis of consecutive samples submitted for microbiological evaluation from patients who were clinically diagnosed with ocular infections and were treated at a tertiary eye care referral center in South India between January 2002 and December 2007.Results:A total of 4417 ocular samples was submitted for microbiological evaluation, of which 2599 (58.8%) had bacterial growth, 456 (10.3%) had fungal growth, 15 (0.34%) had acanthamoebic growth, 14 (0.32%) had mixed microbial growth and the remaining 1333 (30.2%) had negative growth. The rate of culture-positivity was found to be 88% (P < 0.001) in eyelids’ infection, 70% in conjunctival, 69% in lacrimal apparatus, 67.4% in corneal, 51.6% in intraocular tissues, 42.9% in orbital and 39.2% in scleral infections. The most common bacterial species isolated were Staphylococcus aureus (26.69%) followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (22.14%). Sta. aureus was more prevalent more in eyelid infections (51.22%; P = 0.001) coagulase-negative staphylococci in endophthalmitis (53.1%; P = 0.001), Str. pneumoniae in lacrimal apparatus and corneal infections (64.19%; P = 0.001), Corynebacterium species in blepharitis and conjunctivitis (71%; P = 0.001), Pseudomonas aeruginosa in keratitis and dacryocystitis (66.5%; P = 0.001), Haemophilus species in dacryocystitis and conjunctivitis (66.7%; P = 0.001), Moraxella lacunata in blepharitis (54.17%; P = 0.001) and Moraxella catarrhalis in dacryocystitis (63.83%; P = 0.001). The largest number of gram-positive isolates was susceptible to moxifloxacin (98.7%) and vancomycin (97.9%), and gram-negative isolates to amikacin (93.5%) and gatifloxacin (92.7%).Conclusions:Gram-positive cocci were the most frequent bacteria isolated from ocular infections and were sensitive to moxifloxacin and vancomycin, while gram-negative isolates were more sensitive to amikacin and gatifloxacin.

Outcome of Treated Orbital Cellulitis in a Tertiary Eye Care Center in the Middle East

To describe risk factors predisposing patients to orbital cellulitis and potential complications in patients treated at a tertiary eye care referral center in the Middle East. Noncomparative, interventional, retrospective case series. Patients diagnosed with orbital cellulitis. A 15-year clinical review of patients with a diagnosis of orbital cellulitis referred to King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, an accredited (Joint Council on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, Washington, DC) tertiary care center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was performed. Only those patients who had clinical signs and symptoms or radiologic evidence suggestive of orbital cellulitis were included in the study. Patient demographics, factors predisposing to orbital cellulitis, and resulting complications. A total of 218 patients (136 male, 82 female) fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for orbital cellulitis were identified. The average age of these patients was 25.7 years (range, 1 month-85 years). On imaging studies, there was evidence of inflammatory or infective changes to orbital structures; orbital abscesses were identified in 116 patients (53%). Sinus disease was the most common predisposing cause in 86 patients (39.4%), followed by trauma in 43 patients (19.7%). All patients received systemic antibiotic treatment before the identification of any responsible organisms. Of the 116 patients with orbital abscess, 101 patients (87%) required drainage. The results of cultures in patients in whom an orbital abscess was drained were positive for 91 patients (90%). The most common microorganisms isolated from the drained abscesses were Staphylococci and Streptococci species. Blood cultures were positive in only 4 patients from whom blood was drawn for cultures. Visual acuity improved in 34 eyes (16.1%) and worsened in 13 eyes (6.2%), including 9 (4.3%) eyes that sustained complete loss of vision, which was attributed to the delay in correct diagnosis and timely intervention (average 28 days vs. 9 days in patients with no loss of vision; P<0.05). There were 9 cases of intracranial extension of orbital abscesses that required either extended treatment with systemic antibiotics alone or in combination with neurosurgical intervention. Most patients received oral antibiotics on discharge for varying periods. There were 6 cases (2.7%) of strabismus and 4 cases (1.8%) of ptosis that persisted after treatment and resolution of orbital cellulitis. Untreated sinusitis and prior history of orbital trauma were the 2 major causes of orbital cellulitis in patients referred to a tertiary care eye center in the Middle East. Although rare, severe visual loss still remains a serious complication of delayed detection and intervention in most cases of orbital cellulitis.

A study of the spectrum of Acanthamoeba keratitis: A three-year study at a tertiary eye care referral center in South India

To determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of Acanthamoeba keratitis and also to determine the sensitivity and specificity of smears in the detection of Acanthamoeba. A retrospective review of all culture-positive cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis seen between October 1999 and August 2002 was performed. Corneal scrapes were subjected to culture and microscopy using standard protocols. Out of 3183 consecutive patients with clinically diagnosed corneal ulcers evaluated, 33 (1.04%) were found to be due to Acanthamoeba. Twenty-four out of 33 (72.72%) were less than 51 years of age (P<0.001). All patients were from rural areas (P<0.001) and 26 (78.79%) of them were agricultural workers (P=0.031). All 33 had history of corneal injury (P<0.001) and 28 (84.85%) patients had injury with mud (P<0.001). All 33 (100%) patients had previous medical treatment (P=0.009) and 10 (30.3%) had used traditional eye medicines (P=0.183). A clinical pattern of ring infiltrate was characteristic in 15 (45.45%) patients. The diameter of the corneal ulcer was more than 6 mm in 27 (81.82%) eyes (P<0.001). Twenty-six (78.79%) patients had visual acuity of perception of light on initial presentation (P<0.001) and 24 (72.73%) had the same as their final visual outcome. The sensitivity of 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation was found to be higher (P<0.001) in the detection of Acanthamoeba cysts. The incidence of Acanthamoeba keratitis amongst the corneal ulcer patients was 1% in this setting and it was mainly due to corneal injury by mud. The KOH preparation is a sensitive diagnostic tool for the detection of Acanthamoeba. Delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis and inappropriate antimicrobial therapy results in poor visual outcome.