Dev Narayan Shah

The Spectrum of Ocular Involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Tertiary Eye Care Center in Nepal

PURPOSE Manifestations of Systemic lupus erythematosus are protean and the eye can get affected in more than a third of the cases. This study was conducted to evaluate the spectrum of ocular manifestation among Nepalese patients diagnosed with Systemic lupus erythematosus. METHODS In this hospital based cross-sectional study, 91 established cases of Systemic lupus erythematosus were enrolled from January 2008 to June 2009 AD. Patient particulars including age, sex, duration, systemic involvement, laboratory findings and treatment history were noted. Detailed ophthalmological examination was carried. RESULTS Out of 91 patients, 94.5% were females and 5.5% were males. Female/Male ratio was 17:1. Mean age of the patients was 26.59 ± 10.33 years. Ocular involvement was present in 47.3% (43) of the patients, the commonest manifestation being dry eye (39.5%) followed by lupus retinopathy (21%) and drug induced ocular complications (21%). CONCLUSIONS Ocular manifestations in Systemic lupus erythematosus are not uncommon.

Visual problems among video display terminal (VDT) users in Nepal

Purpose To evaluate visual problems, major symptoms, and their associations among VDT users in Nepal.

Impact of Visual Impairment on Vision-Specific Quality of Life among Older Adults Living in Nursing Home

Abstract Background: Visual impairment (VI) has a significant negative impact on quality of life (QoL) amongst older people living in nursing homes. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of VI and blindness and to explore the association between severity of VI and vision-specific QoL among older people living in nursing homes of Kathmandu, Nepal. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 158 residents aged 60 years or older residing in seven nursing homes of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Near acuity, presenting and the best corrected distance visual acuity (VA) were assessed in each eye and considered in the better eye after adequate refraction. A complete anterior and posterior segment examination was carried out. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a 57-item Nursing Home Vision-Targeted Health-Related Quality of Life (NHVQoL) questionnaire. Results: The mean age of residents was 75.60 ± 7.12 years and the majority were female (66.46%). The prevalence of VI and blindness was 45.57% and its leading cause was cataract, which was followed by age-related macular degeneration, corneal opacity, glaucoma and macular scar. The mean composite score of NHVQoL questionnaire was 52.22 ± 12.49. There was a consistent overall deterioration in the mean composite score as well as each subscale score of NHVQoL questionnaire with a worsening of VA. Conclusion: VI and blindness are highly prevalent among older people living in nursing homes. VI has a significant negative impact on vision-specific QoL. Vision-specific QoL is reduced, and the reduction in the QoL bears a positive association with severity of VI among older people living in nursing homes.

Visual Function in Patients on Ethambutol Therapy for Tuberculosis

PURPOSE Aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of ethambutol therapy in visual functions. METHODS Prospective evaluation of 88 eyes of 44 patients on ethambutol therapy under Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (category I) for primary tuberculosis was done before start of ethambutol therapy and after 2 months of starting the therapy. Parameters evaluated were visual acuity with Bailey Lovie Log-MAR chart, contrast sensitivity with Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity chart, color vision with Farnsworth D15 test, visual fields with Octopus automated perimetry, and multifocal electroretinography (ERG) with Roland-RETI scan along with anterior and posterior segments evaluation. RESULTS No visual functional defect was noted at baseline. On follow-up, color vision, visual field parameters, and anterior and posterior segment findings were not affected in any patients. Mean visual acuity before starting therapy was 0.00±0.08 Log-MAR and after therapy was 0.08±0.18 Log-MAR. Change in visual acuity was statistically significant (p=0.004). Difference between contrast sensitivity before and after therapy was statistically highly significant both monocularly and binocularly (p<0.005 in both cases). P1 amplitudes (in terms of nV/deg(2) and μV) of ERG waves were significantly reduced and their P1 latencies were significantly increased in all the rings after ethambutol therapy (p<0.05). There was no significant change in N1 amplitudes and N1 latencies after therapy in any of the rings. CONCLUSIONS Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and multifocal ERG are sensitive tests to detect ethambutol toxicity in subclinical stages and hence very useful tools for monitoring patients under ethambutol therapy for ocular toxicity.

Microbial contamination of contact lens care accessories and compliance with care regimens in Nepal

PURPOSE To determine the rates of microbial contamination and identify contaminants associated with contact lens (CL) care accessories. To investigate self-reported compliance levels with care of CL accessories and its association with contamination level. METHODS A total of 46 CL cases and care solutions from asymptomatic soft contact lens wearers were collected. Samples from the CL cases and care solutions were cultured for microbiological identification and enumeration. A questionnaire regarding compliance to care and hygiene procedures were administered to each subject on their visit. RESULTS The percentage of microbial contamination for CL cases and care solutions was 50% and 10.9%, respectively. All the contaminants were bacterial. Staphylococcus aureus (37.0%, 17 of 46 cases) and Escherichia coli (8.7%, 4 of 46 cases) were the most common microorganisms detected in CL cases. In care solutions, S. aureus (8.7%, 4 of 46 samples), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2.2%, 1 of 46 samples) were common contaminants. CL cases and care solutions that were used for <3 months were significantly less contaminated than those used for >3 months (10.9% versus 39.1%, p<0.05). Polyquad and Aldox based MPS solution showed no contamination. Subjects with medium or low compliance had highly significant rates of contaminations both in CL cases and solutions than for subjects with high compliance (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Nepalese Soft CL wearers are at high risk of developing ocular complications due to high CL case and solution contamination. Frequent replacement of CL cases and solutions, as well as good compliance is recommended to reduce risk of contamination.

Glial Heterotopia of the orbit: A rare presentation

BackgroundGlial heterotopias are rare, benign, congenital, midline, non-teratomatous extracranial glial tissue. They may masquerade as encephalocoele or dermoid cyst and mostly present in nose. Herein, we present an unusual case of glial heterotopia of the orbit with unilateral blindness.Case presentationA 6 year-old-boy presented with a progressive painless mass over the nose and medial aspect of the left eye noticed since birth. On examination, the globe was displaced laterally by a firm, regular, mobile, non-pulsatile and non-tender medial mass. The affected eye had profound loss of vision. Computed tomography scan showed a large hypodense mass in the extraconal space with no intracranial connectivity and bony erosion. The child underwent total surgical excision of the mass and histopathological examination confirmed glial heterotopia of the orbit.ConclusionThough the incidence of this condition is rare, the need of appropriate diagnosis and management of such mass to prevent the visual and cosmetic deterioration is warranted. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of Glial heterotopia of orbit causing unilateral blindness.

Pattern of intraocular pressure fluctuation in uveitic eyes treated with corticosteroids.

Abstract Purpose: To determine IOP fluctuation in uveitic eyes treated with corticosteroids. Design: Prospective Observational Study. Method: Study of 116 consecutive new uveitis patients visiting Uveitis clinic, BPKLCOS. IOP was meticulously monitored. Data was analyzed in SPSS-16 using paired samples ‘t-test’. Results: The mean IOP in all patients at presentation, at 1 week, 3 weeks and 6 weeks were respectively 14.66 mmHg, 14.72 mmHg, 14.75 mmHg and 14.93 mmHg. This progressive IOP rise was not statistically significant. Ocular hypertension was seen in 20% eyes; 64.5% were due to corticosteroids. Steroid-induced ocular hypertension was seen in 37.03% of oral group, 14.28% of posterior subtenon group, 8.57% of topical group. Antiglaucoma medications were started in 61.2% of the cases with raised IOP. None had to undergo glaucoma filtering surgery. Conclusion: Incidence of ocular hypertension in uveitic eyes was 20% in this study.Majority of them was corticosteroid induced. Timely medical treatment averted the necessity of surgical intervention for IOP control.

A Case of Orbital Myiasis in Recurrent Eyelid Basal Cell Carcinoma Invasive into the Orbit.

Introduction. Orbital myiasis is the infestation of the orbital tissues by fly larvae or maggots. Compromise of periorbital tissues by malignant disease, surgery, ischemia, or infection may predispose the patient to orbital myiasis. Case Report. A 73-year-old male patient with neglected recurrent basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid invasive into the orbit presented with complaints of intense itching and crawling sensation with maggots wriggling and falling from the wound of left orbit. The patient improved following manual removal of the maggots along with oral Ivermectin treatment. Recurrence of the basal cell carcinoma was confirmed by punch biopsy from the wound and extended exenteration of the orbit followed by reconstructive surgery was done. Conclusion. Orbital myiasis is a rare and preventable ocular morbidity that can complicate the malignancies resulting in widespread tissue destruction. The broad spectrum antiparasitic agent, Ivermectin, can be used as noninvasive means to treat orbital myiasis. In massive orbital myiasis and those associated with malignancies, exenteration of the orbit must be seriously considered.

Impacted iron nail in the orbit and maxillary sinus through a corneo-scleral perforation: a case report.

INTRODUCTION Open globe injury is one of the commonest ophthalmic emergencies, and when accompanied by intraocular foreign bodies, the condition carries a poorer prognosis. OBJECTIVE To report a rare case of perforating injury of the globe with an iron nail which got lodged in the maxillary sinus. CASE A ten-year-old boy presented with the history of sudden painful loss of vision in his right eye. He reported that he was hit forcefully by the tail of a cow a day before the presentation. There was no perception of light in that eye. The ocular examination revealed a full thickness corneo-scleral perforation with prolapsed uveal tissue. The X-ray of the right orbit showed an impacted foreign body in the inferior orbit and computed tomography scan of the orbit confirmed the presence of a vertically impacted metal piece in the right orbit and right maxillary sinus. The repair of the perforation and removal of the impacted nail was done in two stages. The globe anatomy was maintained but the vision could not be restored due to the grave nature of the trauma. CONCLUSION Perforating globe injury is an important cause of monocular blindness.

Change in Visual Function in Uveitis Patients after Treatment: An Experience from Nepal

ABSTRACT Purpose: To assess the change in visual function in uveitis patients after treatment. Materials and methods: This one and a half year prospective study was conducted among 180 new uveitis patients. A questionnaire was used to assess the visual function in uveitis cases and analysis of effect size change was also done. Results: The male to female ratio was 1.3:1. The mean vision at presentation was 0.49 logMAR units, which improved to 0.39 logMAR units and 0.35 logMAR units by the 1st and 4th week but deteriorated to 0.62 logMAR units at the 6th week. Anterior uveitis and posterior uveitis patients had significant improvement (p≤0.001) in all three scales but panuveitis and intermediate uveitis had significant improvement (p<0.05) in two scales. The effect size showed small to large change in all three scales. Conclusions: Visual function is adversely affected by uveitis, which can be improved after treatment.