Kulbhushan Prakash Chaudhary

Effect of in-the-bag intraocular lens fixation on the prevention of posterior capsule opacification

Purpose: To compare the incidence of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) after extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and phacoemulsification and to evaluate the role of posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) haptic fixation and biomaterial/design in reducing the incidence. Setting: Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India; Center for Research on Ocular Therapeutics and Biodevices, Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. Methods: This study comprised 278 eyes of 263 patients having ECCE and 318 eyes of 297 patients having phacoemulsification with PC IOL implantation. Posterior capsule opacification leading to a decrease in Snellen visual acuity of 2 or more lines was considered visually significant. The presence of PCO and IOL haptic fixation were evaluated postoperatively using slitlamp biomicroscopy. Haptic position was noted as in‐the‐bag (B‐B), 1 haptic in the bag and 1 in the sulcus (bag‐sulcus [B‐S]), or both haptics out of the bag (sulcus‐sulcus [S‐S]). In addition, the rate of visually significant PCO was compared among 3 IOL biomaterials: poly(methyl methacrylate), silicone, and hydrophobic acrylic. Results: Visually significant PCO occurred in 42.45% of eyes having ECCE and 19.18% of eyes having phacoemulsification (P < .001, chi‐square test) after a mean follow‐up of 2.4 years ± 0.7 (SD). In both groups, visually significant PCO was significantly less in eyes with B‐B fixation than in those with B‐S or S‐S fixation (P < .001). The rate of visually significant PCO in all eyes in the phacoemulsification group with B‐B fixation was low (11.90%) and was significantly lower in eyes with a hydrophobic acrylic IOL (2.22%; P < .05, chi‐square test). Conclusions: In‐the‐bag PC IOL fixation is required to consistently reduce the incidence of PCO. Thorough removal of lens substance, including hydrodissection‐assisted cortical cleanup, and in‐the‐bag PC IOL fixation seem to be the most important factors in reducing PCO, regardless of surgical procedure or IOL type used. Intraocular lens biomaterial and design also help prevent PCO.

Neodymium‑Yttrium Aluminium Garnet Laser Capsulotomy Energy Levels for Posterior Capsule Opacification

Purpose: To study factors affecting laser energy levels required for neodymium: yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd: YAG) laser capsulotomy and to evaluate whether any correlation exists between applied laser energy levels and complications. Methods: The present study examined 474 consecutive patients for a number of factors including age, type of posterior capsule opacification (PCO), material and fixation of intraocular lens (IOL) and complication rates, versus energy levels used for Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy. Results: Mean patient age was 55.6 ± 8.7 years and mean follow up period was 22.9 ± 4.5 months. IOL biomaterial (KW ANOVA; P = 0.173) and patients age (P = 0.246) did not significantly influence total laser energy requirement for capsulotomy. However, total laser energy levels were significantly higher (KW ANOVA; P < 0.001) with fibro-membranous and fibrous subtypes of PCO. Complications such as IOL pitting, intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation, uveitis, retinal detachment (RD) and cystoid macular edema (CME) were significantly more common when higher energy levels was used. The mean total energy in patients with RD was 77.7 ± 17.7 mJ as compared to 43.4 ± 26.9 mJ in the rest of the cohort. RD was more common in patients with higher axial length [n = 7 (63%)] (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Type of PCO significantly influenced laser energy levels required for capsulotomy, whereas IOL biomaterial and fixation did not. Complications such as IOL pitting, uveitis, IOP elevation, RD and CME was significantly more common when total laser energy was higher. It is recommended that the lowest possible single pulse laser energy be used for capsulotomy to minimize complications.

Estimation of mean ND: Yag laser capsulotomy energy levels for membranous and fibrous posterior capsular opacification

INTRODUCTION Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) is a visually-disabling complication of cataract surgery. OBJECTIVE To estimate energy levels for capsulotomy in various subtypes of PCO (membranous, fibrous and fibro-membranous). MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 215 patients with PCO were randomly selected and evaluated for Nd: Yag laser capsulotomy, after a quiet post-operative course of 3 months.The ocular area was arbitrarily divided into three zones: YAG zone (3mm), Optical zone (6mm) and the peripheral zone (12mm). A colour code was assigned to the subtype of PCO in these zones: fibrous green and membranous blue. The type of PCO in each quadrant of YAG zone was estimated in percentage. RESULTS The statistic mean values of initial energy levels were 1.80 mJ for membranous PCO, 3.17 mJ for fibrous PCO and 2.73 mJ for fibro-membranous PCO. The mean summated energy levels for membranous PCO was 22.80 mJ for membranous PCO, 80.06 mJ for fibrous PCO and 80.48 mJ for fibro-membranous type. CONCLUSION Colour coding is extremely helpful for quantification of the type of PCO and in deciding the initial energy level necessary to create capsulotomy. Fibro-membranous PCO required more summated energy despite a lower starting energy. Therefore, we recommend firing the initial shot in fibrous portion in case of fibrous-membranous type of PCO.

Kissing naevus arising from neural crest cells presenting as upper and the lower lid mass

A kissing nevus is a type of congenital compound nevus that affects equal portions of the upper and lower eyelid, and it extends to the lid margins. Congenital divided nevi of the eyelids are a rare melanocytic lesion. Only 30 patients are reported in the literature. We report a 40-year-old female of rural background who presented with a large painless enlarging pigmented mass, involving both upper and lower left eyelid since the past 20 years. Complete excision of the lesion was done, and the mass sent for histopathology, which revealed a compound nevus involving both lids. Surgery removed the obstruction, which had caused decreased visual acuity and had altered the cosmetic appearance of the patient. Lesions on the upper lid cause a mechanical ptosis, covers the visual axis, which causes obstruction in vision and is cosmetically unacceptable. There is a definite risk of malignant change in the nevus giving rise to malignant melanoma, and hence they should be removed as early as possible to give better functional and cosmetic results.

A rare case of superior hypopyon with iris neovascularization

A female presented to the eye outpatient department with the chief complaint of blurred vision, pain, and redness in the left eye for 2 days. Visual acuity in the right eye was 6/6 and hand movement close to face in the left eye. Slit lamp examination left eye revealed a superior hypopyon, +3 cells in the anterior chamber, and iris neovascularization [Figures 1 and 2]. Intraocular pressure by noncontact tonometer was 10 and 22 mm in the right and left eye, respectively. B‐scan [Figure 3] and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain and orbit [Figure 4] were ordered.

Minimal duration cataract surgery with oblique limbal stab incision technique

PURPOSE: Small incision cataract surgery (SICS) and phacoemulsification with oblique limbal stab incision technique were studied and compared. SETTING: The study was conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, for 1 year. DESIGN: This was a prospective randomized study. METHODS: One hundred patients undergoing SICS (6–7 mm) were compared with another age- and sex-matched 100 patients undergoing phaco (2.8 mm) surgery with oblique limbal stab incision technique. These two groups were further subdivided into two groups of 50 each. Patients with traumatic cataract, corneal diseases, and preoperative astigmatism >1.5 D were excluded from the study. The patients were subjected to standard preoperative evaluation. Follow-up was done at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 12 weeks. RESULTS: Mean surgically induced astigmatism at 12 weeks was <1 D in both groups (+0.62 D ± 0.34 in Group A and +0.46 D ± 0.39 in Group B) (statistically significant P < 0.0010). Mean surgical duration was 690.09 s in SICS and 792.29 s in phacoemulsification (statistically significant, P < 0.0010). Visual outcome was between 6/6 and 6/9 in 86% of the patients in Group A and 97% of patients in Group B at 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: SICS and phacoemulsification with this technique yield lesser astigmatism than clear corneal and scleral incisions, with the advantage of extension without suturing in complicated cases of phaco and in patients with rigid intraocular lens phacoemulsification gives better BCVA in a larger proportion of patients at 12 weeks.

Intermittent divergent squint in prematurity and its neurophysiological aspects

Intermittent distance exotropia is a deviation characterized by an exophoria at near fixation and manifest exotropia at distance fixation. There is normal binocular fusional vergence and stereoacuity at near fixation, but the eyes tend to diverge in bright sunlight, tiredness, day dreaming and the patient may close one eye in such circumstances. Prematurity is associated with numerous eye pathology, besides retinopathy of prematurity, amblyopia, refractive errors, it is also associated with a higher risk esotropia and exotropia. We report a case of a 5-year-old girl (preterm and very low birth weight) with an intermittent deviation of both eyes since three years. On her detailed ocular examination diagnosis of divergence excess intermittent exotropia with normal accommodative convergence to accommodation ratio was made. Bilateral lateral rectus recession was done using hang back technique. Postoperatively, the eyes were aligned normally thereby achieving orthotropia. This article reviews various neurophysiological aspects of intermittent divergent squint delineating the etiopathogenesis, classification system, and management options in intermittent exotropia.

Sequential bilateral retrobulbar optic neuritis in a young female

Optic neuritis (ON) is the demyelinating inflammation of the optic nerve head usually associated with multiple sclerosis. It is usually associated with sudden onset loss of vision with dyschromatopsia and retro-orbital pain. Atypical features for a demyelinating ON include the absence of pain, severe visual loss, progression of visual loss, pain for more than 2 weeks, and lack of recovery after 3 weeks. Atypical features in fundus examination include marked swelling of the nerve with retinal exudates, peripapillary hemorrhages and bilateral presentation, which may occur either simultaneously or sequentially. Atypical ON requires careful consideration and differentiation from demyelinating ON and ischemic optic neuropathy since the treatment is different. We describe a patient who presented with recurrent, sequential episode of visual loss over 2 years, without evidence of any additional neurological deficits, sarcoidosis, or systemic autoimmune disease. A diagnosis of chronic relapsing inflammatory optic neuropathy was made, and she was given intravenous steroids for 3 days, which improved the vision from hand movement close to face to 5/60 in the right eye. She was given immunosuppressants for 3 months, and oral steroids were gradually tapered. Her present vision is the right eye is 6/6 with normal intraocular pressure and color vision.

Favorable Long‑term Prognosis of Cataract Surgery in Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus

Purpose: Scleritis is a rare presentation of herpes zoster ophthalmicus, complicated most commonly by iridocyclitis and raised intraocular pressure. These complications can recur in subsequent years, therefore they should be managed well. Case Report: We describe a female patient who developed scleritis, complicated cataract and secondary glaucoma 2 years after being diagnosed by HZO. Secondary glaucoma was managed medically, and the patient underwent extracapsular cataract extraction for the complicated cataract. Final visual acuity was 6/6 and IOP was 22.4 mm Hg. This is a rare report describing favorable long-term (>20 years) prognosis for surgical management of cataract associated with HZO together with scleritis, secondary glaucoma and post-herpetic neuralgia. Conclusion: A favorable outcome may be attained with surgery for complicated cataract associated with HZO if the condition is managed optimally and intraocular inflammation is well controlled.

Cornea Verticillata: A Case Report

Systemic medications may reach the cornea via the tear film, aqueous humor, and limbal vasculature. The corneal changes are often the result of the underlying chemical properties of medications. Amphiphilic medications (Amiodarone, chloroquine, suramin, clofazimine, etc.) may produce a drug-induced lipidosis and development of a vortex keratopathy. it is thought that shearing force of upper lid, which is maximal at apex of cornea results in preferential loss of epithelial cells at the corneal apex acting as a stimulus for the centripetal movement of cells from limbus to central cornea The area with the radiating lines of vortex pattern concentrate just below the limit of excursion of upper lid. Any line, dot or spot on cornea needs to be examined thoroughly not to be overlooked. Vortex keratopathy also stresses the importance of scanning for accumulation of such drugs in other organs. The physician who has initiated the drug regime needs to informed about potential deposition of such drugs in other body systems. We hereby intend to report a case of clofazimine induced cornea verticillata.