Pankaj Kumar Agarwal

Penetration of topical and subconjunctival corticosteroids into human aqueous humour and its therapeutic significance

Topical and subconjunctival corticosteroids are some of the most effective and compelling treatment options in ocular inflammatory diseases. A systematic review of literature indexed by Ovid MEDLINE & EMBASE was performed up to December 2008. There are few studies on their aqueous penetration in human subjects. This review article discusses the penetration of different ocular corticosteroids into human aqueous humour along with the therapeutic implications on management of ocular surface diseases, immune-related corneal diseases, anterior uveitis and postoperative anti-inflammatory use. In the context of the paucity of well-constructed, prospective clinical trials comparing the efficacy of different corticosteroids, it provides guiding principles for the use of topical corticosteroids. Dexamethasone alcohol 0.1% and prednisolone acetate 1% are potent corticosteroids, but the latter achieves the highest aqueous concentration within 2 h and maintains higher levels for 24 h. Subconjunctival corticosteroids provide very high concentrations in the aqueous which maintain higher concentrations for longer periods.

Child eye health tertiary facilities in Africa

PURPOSE The World Health Organization and the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness recommends that there be 1 Child Eye Health Tertiary Facility (CEHTF) per 10 million people in developing countries. We sought to assess the current situation in Africa with regard to manpower, facilities, training, and output and to identify gaps in supportive services in CEHTFs. METHODS A survey was conducted by sending comprehensive questionnaires to all CEHTFs across Africa. Of the 27 CEHTFs in Africa, 21 (77.8%) returned forms. RESULTS Results show significant variability of resources (manpower, training, infrastructure, equipment, and refractive services). The mean population catchment area of the CEHTFs was 9.42 million. In 2007 the mean number of surgeries for congenital and developmental cataract, strabismus, and other conditions was 72.0, 37.1, and 169, respectively, with wide variation between the centers. Overall there were 1.26 operated boys for every girl. The mean surgical fee charged was US

Antioxidant properties of amniotic membrane : novel observations from a pilot study

117. The presence of a dedicated optometrist, childhood blindness coordinator, and a full-time anesthetist was associated with higher surgical output. CONCLUSIONS Although the 21 CEHTFs cover an estimated population of 197 million, the number of children receiving services was generally low. Findings suggest that an additional 20 sub-Saharan countries are not large enough to support a CEHTF, and some large countries require additional facilities. Strengthening existing CEHTFs would require investment in manpower (especially support by optometrists and childhood blindness coordinators), programs to identify and refer children needing services, and internally and externally supported mechanisms to support the relatively high cost of providing this service.

Delayed diagnosis of oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy in Scotland.

OBJECTIVE Amniotic membrane (AM) is used to manage various debilitated ocular surface conditions. The impact of oxidative stress and free radicals on the ocular surface is increasingly being recognized. Hyaluronic acid (HA) has anti-inflammatory properties and is abundantly present in AM. In this in vitro pilot study, we investigated the potential of AM for intrinsic free radical scavenging properties. METHODS Strips of AM were incubated in sealed tubes with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). After being sonicated, uptake of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured by the Amplex Red Hydrogen Peroxide/Peroxidase assay. For comparison, 1630 kDA HA was used. RESULTS There was uptake of ROS by all AM samples, which decreased with increasing concentrations of H2O2. Mean ROS uptake for 5 different AMs at 1 hour was significantly greater for 50 μM (83%; SD 11.7, SEM 5.23) compared with 100 μM (67%; SD 20.48, SEM 9.16; p = 0.028; 95% CI 2.8-29.2). The HA comparison group showed similar uptake and trend. CONCLUSION This pilot study demonstrates that AM is able to remove ROS from its environment. Demonstrating total antioxidant capacity in AM provides evidence for use as a free radical scavenger. The antioxidant properties of AM and the contribution from HA require more research.

Posner-Schlossman syndrome

Introduction Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) presents with progressive ptosis, dysphagia and limb girdle weakness, and is caused by expansion of a trinucleotide tandem repeat within the gene encoding poly-(A) binding protein 2. Aim To review the clinical manifestations of all genetically confirmed patients with OPMD in Scotland identified since 2002, and to estimate the delay between symptom onset and diagnosis. Method Retrospective case note review. Results The authors identified 17 patients. The commonest first symptom was ptosis at about the age of 60 years. Three to 20 years elapsed from the onset of ptosis to OPMD diagnosis. In 14 (82%) patients, dysphagia had developed by the time of diagnosis, and four (24%) out of these 14 patients with dysphagia had undergone a decade of investigation and treatment for pharyngeal problems. Thirteen patients (77%) also had symptoms of limb girdle muscle weakness. Every patient had a first-degree relative with ptosis. Conclusions OPMD could have been diagnosed earlier in every patient in this case series. Greater awareness of OPMD among ophthalmologists, gastroenterologists and otolaryngologists may lead to earlier diagnosis, improved management and avoidance of unnecessary investigations.

Periocular steroids in conjunctival reactive lymphoid hyperplasia, a new approach?

Posner-Schlossman syndrome, or glaucomatocyclitic crisis, is a unilateral ocular condition characterized by recurrent attacks of nongranulomatous anterior uveitis and raised intraocular pressure that can result in chronic secondary glaucoma. This relatively rare disease is most likely the result of recurrent cytomegalovirus infection and affects predominantly middle-aged males. Diagnosis is largely clinical, with aqueous and blood sampling aiding the identification of any underlying infectious cause. Successful disease management is often achieved by topical treatment, although systemic therapy and even surgical intervention may be required. We discuss our current understanding of Posner-Schlossman syndrome, from its pathophysiology through to recommended treatment options.

Alternating Horner’s Syndrome in Multiple Sclerosis

Evidence is scarce regarding appropriate treatment of conjunctival reactive lymphoid hyperplasia. Biological therapies and immune modulators have shown promising results but are not without side effects. We report a case of conjunctival benign lymphoid hyperplasia treated with one subconjunctival triamcinolone injection. This achieved complete regression and no recurrence in three and half years of follow up. A 70-year-old woman was referred with an irritating conjunctival lesion of her right eye with no visual symptoms. To our knowledge there is no past ocular or medical history of note. Visual acuity was 6/6 in both eyes. Anterior segment examination revealed a conjunctival salmon patch (Fig. 1a) in her right eye. Lesion diameter was 8 mm ¥ 5 mm with approximately 1 mm thickness, the posterior

Atypical conjunctival CD5 positive mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma.

Horner’s syndrome is well documented in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, alternating Horner’s syndrome in MS had not been described before. Here, we report a possible first case of alternating Horner’s syndrome in MS.

Off-Axis Digital Flash Photography: A Common Cause of Artefact Leukocoria in Children

A 61-year-old woman with intermittent ocular irritation redness and swelling of her eyes was followed up and investigated. The diagnosis was conjunctival CD5 positive mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, which is an atypical and rare type of pathology of the eye, in which the clinical course/behavior is not fully understood. Our experience showed that this disease is indolent and responds well to radiotherapy. It can recur in the fellow eye, even after as many as eight years of successful treatment with no evidence of recurrences in the previously affected eye. Therefore, long-term periodic follow-up is mandatory to detect recurrences in such patients. Further studies are also required to elucidate a more conclusive clinical behavior of this disease so that a clearer therapeutic and management plan can be devised for future patients with this disease.

Comparison of saccadic vector optokinetic perimetry and standard automated perimetry in glaucoma. Part I: Threshold values and repeatability

Leukocoria, a presenting sign in several significant pediatric ocular conditions, can be artefactually produced by off-axis flash photography in healthy eyes. The authors demonstrate the conditions needed to produce this phenomenon, which is more commonly seen in children due to their larger-sized pupils, photogenicity, and frequent off-axis shots.