Sanjiv Kumar Gupta

Cataract surgery under topical anesthesia using 2% lignocaine jelly and intracameral lignocaine: Is manual small incision cataract surgery comparable to clear corneal phacoemulsification?

A prospective comparative study was undertaken to compare the patients’ pain experience, surgical outcome and surgeon’s experience in phacoemulsification and manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) under topical anesthesia supplemented with intracameral lignocaine (TASIL). In Group 1 (n=88) phacoemulsification was done and in Group 2 (n=92) MSICS was done. Pain scores were marked by the patients on a Visual analog scale (VAS) after the surgery. The surgical experience was noted on a questionnaire by the operating surgeon. Descriptive analysis and one-tailed Mann-Whitney test were used to draw results. The average VAS score in Group 1 was 0.65 (SD 1.31) and in Group 2 it was 0.90 (SD 1.22). This difference in the average was not statistically significant with P=0.09. The study demonstrates that MSICS and phacoemulsification both can be done safely under TASIL with acceptable patient comfort, and the pain experienced by the patients during the procedures is comparable.

Phacoemulsification without preoperative topical mydriatics: Induction and sustainability of mydriasis with intracameral mydriatic solution

Context: Intracameral mydriatic solution can eliminate the disadvantages of repeated eye drop instillation regimen and provide adequate mydriasis for phacoemulsification with added advantages. Aims: Evaluating the role of intracameral irrigating solution (0.5% lignocaine + 0.001% epinephrine) in initiating and maintaining the pupillary mydriasis during phacoemulsification. Secondary aims were to observe the effect of surgical time, nucleus density and ultrasound time on mydriasis during the procedure. Settings and Design: The study is a prospective interventional case series, conducted at tertiary care institution. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients underwent phacoemulsification under topical anesthesia for visually significant cataract. Pupillary dilatation was achieved by intracameral irrigation of mydriatic solution alone. Pupillary diameter was measured serially during surgery and ultrasound time and total surgical time were noted. Statistical Analysis Used: Paired samples student–t test was done to compare means. Spearman correlation coefficient was used to study the effect of various parameters on mydriasis. Results: Thirty eyes completed the study. The pupil size increased from 2.1 mm (Range 2-3.5 mm SD ± 0.32) to 6.9 mm (Range 5-9 mm SD ± 1.02) in 30 seconds time after intracameral mydriatic solution delivery, and was 7.0 mm (Range 3.5 - 9 mm SD ± 0.20) at the end of surgery. Duration of surgery, grade of nucleus and ultrasound time had statistically insignificant effect on mydriasis. Conclusions: Intracameral solution containing 0.5% lignocaine and 0.001% epinephrine provides rapid mydriasis which is adequate for safe phacoemulsification and is unaffected by other parameters.

Evaluating a new surgical dosage calculation method for esotropia.

Purpose: To evaluate a simplified method for correction of ocular deviation in patients of infantile and acquired basic esotropia. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six consecutive patients of infantile and acquired basic esotropia were selected for this study. Patients underwent unilateral recession–resection surgery as per the new norm gram. Patients underwent 3.5-7 mm recession of medial rectus (MR) in one eye depending on the pre-operative deviation and patients age. Together they also underwent 6 or 7 mm resection of the lateral rectus (LR) in the same eye depending on patients age (6 mm for 3 years and below and 7 mm for older age). In patients 3 years and below, a correction of 6, 7, or 8 PD/mm of recession of MR was expected when the pre-operative deviation was lesser than 30 PD, between 30 and 60 PD, or above 60 PD, respectively. Similarly, these values were 5, 6, and 7 PD/mm of MR recession in patients above 3 years. A ratio between achieved and expected correction was calculated and the calculation was deemed successful for a patient if this ratio fell between 0.9 and 1.1. Methods: Thirty-six consecutive patients of infantile and acquired basic esotropia were selected for this study. Patients underwent unilateral recession-resection surgery as per the new norm gram. Patients underwent 3.5-7 mm recession of medial rectus (MR) in one eye depending on the pre-operative deviation and patients age. Together they also underwent 6 or 7 mm resection of the lateral rectus (LR) in the same eye depending on patients age (6 mm for 3 years and below and 7 mm for older age). In patients 3 years and below, a correction of 6, 7, or 8 PD/mm of recession of MR was expected when the pre-operative deviation was lesser than 30 PD, between 30 and 60 PD, or above 60 PD, respectively. Similarly, these values were 5, 6, and 7 PD/mm of MR recession in patients above 3 years. A ratio between achieved and expected correction was calculated and the calculation was deemed successful for a patient if this ratio fell between 0.9 and 1.1. Results: The calculation procedure was successful in 33 out of 36 patients (91%). The two-tailed probability on paired Wilcoxon test was 0.187. Conclusions: This simplified method of surgical dosage calculation using MR recession as basis is predictable in patients of infantile and basic Esotropia. It may serve as a useful tool for minimizing variability of surgical results.

A novel technique to recanalize the nasolacrimal duct with endodiathermy bipolar probe

Aims: To evaluate a new approach for recanalization (RC) of nasolacrimal duct obstruction in the treatment of the symptomatic nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO). Materials and Methods: A prospective, interventional, comparative study in 302 eyes of 209 patients of symptomatic nontraumatic NLDO. Eyes with previous failed surgery were excluded. One hundred and fifty-one eyes underwent RC with 20 G endodiathermy bipolar probe connected to a 7 W diathermy followed by bicanalicular intubation under direct visualization. One hundred and fifty-one eyes underwent standard external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). Follow-up was for 24 months and evaluation was done on basis of change in symptoms and lacrimal syringing. Data was analyzed by Chi-square test and unpaired t-test. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Success defined as an asymptomatic patient or freely patent syringing was 92.7% (140 eyes) in RC group and 83.44% (126 eyes) in DCR group. Success was significantly more (P ≤ 0.01) in RC than DCR group. Surgical time was significantly less in RC than DCR (P ≤ 0.001). In RC group, RC could not be performed in three eyes and had to be later taken up for DCR. Intubation after RC was not achieved in four eyes; however these eyes had a patent pathway till 24 months. Twenty-two eyes had a premature extrusion of the tube; but the success rate in these (20 eyes) was comparable to the others within the group (P > 0.05). Two eyes in RC and one in DCR group had complications. Conclusions: RC with 20 G endodiathermy bipolar probe is a quick, simple, and effective alternative to standard external DCR.

Topical Anesthesia in High Volume Cataract Surgery: Pain Evaluation andFeasibility Study

Context: This study was undertaken to evaluate the use of topical anesthesia for Manual small incision cataract surgery in high volume cataract surgery setup. Aims: The primary aim was to evaluate the pain experience of the patients undergoing Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS) under topical anesthesia using 2% lignocaine jelly in high volume cataract surgery setup. Secondary aims were to study any relation between the pain experience and education status, gender and age of the patients. Settings and Design: The study was an Interventional case series conducted at a tertiary care eye hospital. Methods and Material: Patients screened at the peripheral field camps were transported to base hospital and underwent MSICS under topical anesthesia using lignocaine 2% jelly and intracameral 0.5% lignocaine solution. Demographic data and pain experience of the patients during the surgery was recorded and analyzed. Statistical analysis: Statistical analysis was done using MedCalc® version 12.2.1.0 software for Windows 7. Descriptive analysis, Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman’s rho coefficient were used to analyze the data. Results: The study included 270 patients, with average age 62.7 years. Average pain score was 1.6 units (SD ± 0.72, scale 1-5) with ~85% patients reporting comfortable experience. Pain perception had no relation to gender, education status or age. Conclusions: Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery under topical anesthesia using lignocaine 2% jelly and intracameral lignocaine, in high volume cataract surgeries safe and comfortable to majority of patients and is unaffected by gender, age or educational status of the patients.

Retinitis pigmentosa and congenital ocular toxoplasmosis: a rare coexistent case presentation

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the term used for a group of disorders that are characterized by inherited, progressive dysfunction, cell loss, and eventual atrophy of retinal tissue. Ocular toxoplasmosis can cause blindness secondary to the retinitis present in the posterior pole of the eye or vitreoretinal complications in the acute or recurrent form of the disease. A 30-year-old male patient presented with the complaint of diminution of vision of both eyes since birth, especially at night. The best corrected visual acuity was hand movement perception in the right eye and finger counting close to face in the left eye with projection of rays full in all quadrants (both eyes). Fundus photograph and optical coherence tomography macula confirmed fundal changes characteristic of RP and large, punched out, healed macular scar, preliminarily appearing as a congenital toxoplasmosis scar. A thorough literature search revealed only one such previously reported case report.

Endogenous endophthalmitis following prolong use of methotrexate

A 46 yr old male presented to us with a 2 day history of pain, redness and discharge in left eye. The patient was on oral Methotrexate (12.5 mg) weekly with folic acid supplement for the last 1 year for recurrent Uveitis (LE). There was a history of three previous episodes of acute anterior uveitis in left eye 2 years back for which he was prescribed oral steroids. The uveitis attack use to flare up on tapering the steroids. In the hope to reduce the recurrences and to prevent long-term complications, the patient was shifted to oral methotrexate (12.5 mg) weekly with folic acid supplementation. On the basis of clinical examination and B- scan a presumptive diagnosis of endogenous endophthalmitis was made. Vitreous tap revealed a straw colored sample and the culture subsequently grew methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus epidermidis. Intravitreal injection of (Piperacillin+Tazobactum) 225 microgram in 0.1 ml was administered. In addition, intravenous (piperacillin+tazobactum) 4.5 gram BD was given for 3 days. Post intra vitreal injection the symtoms and signs resolved remarkably. Methotrexate has not been previously implicated with endogenous endophthalmitis. Besides, Endogenous endophthalmitis is an ongoing diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma for ophthalmologists as it is relatively rare and often presents like uveitis. It requires a high index of suspicion for prompt diagnosis and treatment. The treatment of EE is still controversial due to a lack of clinical trials. Future large group studies need to be done for validation of the above therapeutic regime.

Nasolacrimal duct recanalization with endodiathermy bipolar probe: response from authors.

Dear Sir, We appreciate the interest shown in our work. Our response to the queries raised follows. For probing, after entering the puncta, the probe is initially directed medially until a hard stop is encountered. The probe is then slightly withdrawn and rotated upward 90°, in the same plane, and then angled to point 15° posteriorly.[1] Once the probe enters the nasolacrimal duct, its direction automatically becomes slightly lateral (as is the direction of this pathway). Anyone with some experience navigates the pathway with ease. However, we agree that false passages and trauma may occur We do not undermine the utility of endoscopy in children where pathways are narrow and child being under general anesthesia does not respond to pain. We have demonstrated this procedure only in adults above 18 years. Creation of the false passage in adults is usually painful and with the instrument that we are using the possibility of it being created is reduced though not eliminated. Once the probe is in the inferior meatus, it is visualized with the optic fiber directly. Probably in patients that could not be intubated and those that failed, false passage creation was one of the contributory factors Regarding the comment on success rate, please note that a probing as a treatment option in adults with blocked nasolacrimal ducts is not new and has been demonstrated to cause a significant symptomatic relief.[2] We have intubated our patients after recanalization, which should logically enhance the success. Moreover, we have specified that our criteria for success were “either a satisfied patient or a patent pathway on syringing”.[3] The process does have a learning curve, but its simplicity makes it worthwhile The patient recruitment was carried out from January 2009 to December 2010, and the study was completed in December 2012.

Chronic alcoholism and central serous chorioretinopathy

A 36-year-old alcoholic male suffered from central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). Morning serum cortisol was 293.3 ng/ml (normal range: 50-250 ng/ml), which was elevated. After 1-week of treatment with mineralo-corticoid antagonist eplerenone at 25 mg/day, patients witnessed visual acuity in the left eye increased to 6/12, which corroborated with optical coherence tomography showing substantial decrease of sub-retinal fluid. It is first documented case of CSCR associated with chronic use of alcohol that exhibited response to mineralo-corticoid antagonist eplerenone. In this study, though the exact role of alcohol intake in the pathogenesis could not be established, a disturbed the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis as a connecting link between the two conditions are observed. This will pave the way for larger, controlled studies directed to establish an association between alcohol intake and CSCR.

Query to the author of 'comparison of different techniques of cataract surgery in bacterial contamination of the anterior chamber in diabetic and non-diabetic population'.

Sir, We have read the article published in the current issue of IJO, titled “Comparison of different techniques of cataract surgery in bacterial contamination of the anterior chamber in diabetic and non-diabetic population.”[1] We have the following observations and would like to have authors comments on them. Side port in phacoemulsification surgery is understandable, but irrigation of the anterior chamber using the side port in MSICS indicates that a side port was made in MSICS patients also. However this is not mentioned in the MSICS steps. Kindly clarify, when was that made and the purpose served by the side port. Sub-conjunctival injection at the end of surgery was not given. As we see it, this is a usual practice in cataract surgery that a sub-conjunctival injection of steroid and antibiotics is given just before patching the eye in surgery under local anesthesia. Apart from a depot of antibiotic and steroid, sub-conjunctival injection helps in reposition of the conjunctival flap. Why this deviation from the routine practice? Only an antibiotic solution drop was instilled at the end of surgery. Was there any specific reason for not instilling steroid solution? As mentioned, the eye patch was opened after 6 h of surgery. Again we would consider this as a deviation from routine practice as the dressing is opened on the next day. Any advantage of not giving sub-conjunctival injection of antibiotic steroid solution and then early opening of the eye dressing to start topical medication? Kindly clarify. The eye drop regimen after opening the eye dressing was too aggressive. One hourly instillation of antibiotic steroid eye drop is not justified routinely without any evidence of excessive inflammation or infection. Kindly comment. The antibiotic steroid combination was started at one hourly frequency and later tapered to once daily. It is incorrect to taper the dose of any antibiotic. The antibiotics should be used in adequate dosage and stopped immediately, with no tapering, to prevent emergence of acquired bacterial resistance. Tapering of antibiotics is not justified at all. Author should have used separate antibiotic and steroid drops if they wanted to taper the steroid drop dosage instead of using fixed dose combination of steroid and antibiotic. It is ironical that the authors have condemned the use of antibiotics in irrigating solution for possibility of inducing resistance and at the same time indulged in tapering the dosage of antibiotic eye drop which itself is capable of inducing resistance by exposing the bacteria to sub-minimal lethal dosage.