The role of naturally acquired intracellular Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the development of Acanthamoeba keratitis in an animal model.

Background: Acanthamoeba is an environmental host for various microorganisms. Acanthamoeba is also becoming an increasingly important pathogen as a cause of keratitis. In Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), coinfections involving pathogenic bacteria have been reported, potentially attributed to the carriage of microbes by Acanthamoeba.

Kaleidos-based binocular vision analyzer for the estimation of refractive errors and horizontal ocular deviation in children.

Clinical Relevance: Knowing the agreement and interobserver variability of the 2WIN-S photorefractometer with cycloplegic retinoscopy and prism cover test is important for judging the clinical usefulness of the device.

Background: This study aims to determine an agreement and interobserver reliability between 2WIN-S photorefractometer and cycloplegic retinoscopy for estimating refractive errors and between 2WIN-S and prism cover test for measuring horizontal ocular deviation in children.

Methods: Two groups of 129 and 64 participants (range, 5 to 16 years) were recruited for the agreement and interobserver reliability studies, respectively.

Human tear metabolites associated with nucleoside-signalling pathways in bacterial keratitis.

Objective: The study aimed to profile and quantify tear metabolites associated with bacterial keratitis using both untargeted and targeted metabolomic platforms.

Methods: Untargeted metabolomic analysis using liquid-chromatography-Q Exactive-HF mass-spectrometry explored tear metabolites significantly associated with bacterial keratitis (n = 6) compared to healthy participants (n = 6). Differential statistics and principal component analysis determined meaningful metabolite differences between cases and controls.

Agreement between Lea Symbols and Patti Pics visual acuity in children and adults.

Background: Patti Pics (PP) and Lea Symbols (LS) are commonly used by eye care practitioners worldwide. Although the relationship between the two tests is fairly well understood, the availability of different chart designs (single optotypes, multiple optotypes, multiple optotypes with crowding box) merits futher understanding. The purpose of this study is to explore the agreement between the acuity measures obtained with Patti Pics and Lea Symbols in children and adults and compare their performance with the Sloan Letter (SL) chart in adults.

Assessment of genotypes, endosymbionts and clinical characteristics of Acanthamoeba recovered from ocular infection.

Introduction: Acanthamoeba is an emerging pathogen, infamous for its resilience against antiprotozoal compounds, disinfectants and harsh environments. It is known to cause keratitis, a sight-threatening, painful and difficult to treat corneal infection which is often reported among contact lens wearers and patients with ocular trauma. Acanthamoeba comprises over 24 species and currently 23 genotypes (T1-T23) have been identified.

Understanding clinical and immunological features associated with Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus keratitis.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are the two dominant Gram-negative and -positive species, respectively, isolated from patients with contact lens-related bacterial keratitis. The clinical features of bacterial keratitis vary, such that timely differential diagnosis can be challenging, which may cause a delay in diagnosis resulting in poorer outcome. This review aims to explore the current understanding of clinical and immunological features associated with contact lens-related P.

Flash VEP in clinically stable pre-term and full-term infants.

Purpose: Pre-term infants are at risk of abnormal visual development that can range from subtle to severe. The aim of this study was to compare flash VEPs in clinically stable pre-term and full-term infants at 6 months of age.

Methods: Twenty-five pre-term and 25 full-term infants underwent flash VEP testing at the age of 6 months.

Effect of High Myopia on Optic Nerve Head by Confocal Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy in Nepalese Eyes.

Purpose: To compare parameters of confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph [HRT] II) in high myopia with age- and sex-matched emmetropes.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among Nepalese subjects aged 18 to 35 years at BP Koirala Lions Centre for Ophthalmic Studies, Institute of Medicine, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu from November 2015 to October 2016. Fifty consecutive subjects with high myopia (spherical equivalent ranging from -6.

Awareness of Eye Health and Diseases among the Population of the Hilly Region of Nepal.

Purpose: To collect information regarding awareness and knowledge of eye health and diseases among the population of the hilly region of Nepal.

Methods: In a population-based survey, 1834 participants were enrolled in to the study. Field procedures included the development of a survey questionnaire, field orientation, pretesting, and household data collection.

Visual symptoms associated with refractive errors among Thangka artists of Kathmandu valley.

Background: Prolong near work, especially among people with uncorrected refractive error is considered a potential source of visual symptoms. The present study aims to determine the visual symptoms and the association of those with refractive errors among Thangka artists.

Methods: In a descriptive cross-sectional study, 242 (46.

Ocular morbidity among porters at high altitudes.

Introduction: High altitude, often characterized by settings over 2400m, can be detrimental to the human body and pose a significant risk to ocular health. Reports concerning various ocular morbidities occurring as a consequence of high altitude are limited in the current literature.

Objectives: This study was aimed at evaluating the ocular health of porters working at high altitudesof Himalayas in Nepal.

Macular thickness and macular volume measurements using spectral domain optical coherence tomography in normal Nepalese eyes.

Purpose: To record the normative values for macular thickness and macular volume in normal Nepalese eyes.

Methods: In all, 126 eyes of 63 emmetropic subjects (mean age: 21.17±6.

Phlyctenular keratoconjunctivitis among children in the tertiary eye hospital of Kathmandu, Nepal.

Background: This study was conducted to determine clinical profile and etiological factors for phlyctenular keratoconjunctivitis (PKC) in our patients.

Materials And Methods: In the descriptive study, 50 pediatric cases of PKC were enrolled into the study from outpatient department of BP Koirala Lions Center for Ophthalmic Studies between August 2011 and August 2012. The age, sex, exposure to tuberculosis, ocular symptoms, and systemic complaints were recorded.

Topographic corneal changes in children with vernal keratoconjunctivitis: A report from Kathmandu, Nepal.

Purpose: The present study was conducted to determine corneal topographic characteristics of children with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) and compare the corneal topographic indices in VKC subjects with normal subjects

Material And Method: In the hospital based comparative study, 115 consecutive subjects with VKC and 102 age and sex matched normal subjects were selected for the videokeratography with NIDEK ophthalmic operating system. Keratoconus-like topography was determined based on the expert classifier system. Other assessments included visual acuity testing with LogMAR chart, slit lamp biomicroscopy, dilated fundus examination, measurement of central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure.

Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in glaucomatous Nepalese eyes and its relation with visual field sensitivity.

Background: To evaluate peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in glaucomatous Nepalese eyes using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and study its relationship with visual field sensitivity.

Methods: A total of 120 eyes comprising primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), glaucoma suspects (GS), normal tension glaucoma (NTG) and healthy subjects (n=30 cases in each group) underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, including optic nerve head (ONH) evaluation and standard automated perimetry (SAP). RNFL thickness measurements around the optic disk were taken with circular spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scans.

Ocular morbidity among street children in Kathmandu Valley.

Purpose: Prevalence of ocular morbidity among street children is largely unknown. The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of ocular morbidity among street children in the Kathmandu Valley.

Methods: A cross-sectional study consisting of an eye examination program among 569 street children aged younger than 18 years was conducted from March 2013 to February 2014.

Visual functions and disability in diabetic retinopathy patients.

Purpose: This study was undertaken to find correlations between visual functions and visual disabilities in patients with diabetic retinopathy.

Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 38 visually impaired diabetic retinopathy subjects at the Low Vision Clinic of B.P.

Ocular morbidity among the children of squatter settlements in Kathmandu.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of ocular morbidity and refractive error among the children of the squatter settlements in Kathmandu.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at five squatter settlement areas at Kathmandu, including 366 children younger than 16 years. Detailed eye examination included the visual acuity testing, cycloplegic refraction, binocular vision assessment, anterior segment examination, and posterior segment examination.

Visual status and ocular morbidity in older adults living in residential care.

Background: The frequency of visual impairment and blindness increases with age and is more prevalent among older adults living in residential care centers. The main aim of this study was to assess the visual status and determine the prevalence and major causes of visual impairment and blindness among the older adults living in residential care centers of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 385 residents of 60 years or older residing in seven residential care centers of Kathmandu Valley.

Duane's retraction syndrome: a retrospective review from Kathmandu, Nepal.

Purpose:   The aim was to study the clinical characteristics of Duane's retraction syndrome (DRS) in Nepalese patients.

Method:   Medical records from 52 cases of DRS from May 2003 to April 2010 were retrospectively reviewed for age, gender, laterality and clinical characteristics. Forty-one case records (78.