Role of traditional healers in the management of microbial keratitis in eastern Nepal.

Background: Microbial Keratitis (MK) is a leading cause of corneal blindness due to infection and its consequences, with a higher incidence in resource-limited nations. Hospital-based patient records from different parts of Nepal suggest patients often use traditional eye medicine to treat MK. Traditional healers (TH) within the community are often the first point of care for MK management.

Incidence of Acanthamoeba Keratitis in the United Kingdom in 2015: A Prospective National Survey.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to quantify the incidence of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) in the United Kingdom and investigate risk factors and management parameters.

Methods: This was a prospective population-based study from January to December 2015 through the British Ophthalmic Surveillance Unit. Data were collected on demographics, clinical features, and management.

Local Ugandan Production of Stable 0.2% Chlorhexidine Eye Drops.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a protocol to prepare buffered chlorhexidine (CHX) eye drops (0.2% w/v) in the United Kingdom that can be reproduced at a production facility in Uganda. Buffered CHX eye drops can prevent CHX degradation and improve ocular tolerability during the treatment of fungal keratitis.

Management of Filamentous Fungal Keratitis: A Pragmatic Approach.

Filamentous fungal infections of the cornea known as filamentous fungal keratitis (FK) are challenging to treat. Topical natamycin 5% is usually first-line treatment following the results of several landmark clinical trials. However, even when treated intensively, infections may progress to corneal perforation.

Diagnosis of Fungal Keratitis in Low-Income Countries: Evaluation of Smear Microscopy, Culture, and In Vivo Confocal Microscopy in Nepal.

Clinically diagnosing fungal keratitis (FK) is challenging; diagnosis can be assisted by investigations including in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM), smear microscopy, and culture. The aim of this study was to estimate the sensitivity in detecting fungal keratitis (FK) using IVCM, smear microscopy, and culture in a setting with a high prevalence of FK. In this cross-sectional study nested within a prospective cohort study, consecutive microbial keratitis (MK) patients attending a tertiary-referral eye hospital in south-eastern Nepal between June 2019 and November 2020 were recruited.

Delay in accessing definitive care for patients with microbial keratitis in Nepal.

Background: The aim of this study was to describe the health-seeking journey for patients with microbial keratitis (MK) in Nepal and identify factors associated with delay.

Methods: Prospective cohort study where MK patients attending a large, tertiary-referral eye hospital in south-eastern Nepal between June 2019 and November 2020 were recruited. We collected demographic details, clinical history, and examination findings.

Microbial Keratitis in Nepal: Predicting the Microbial Aetiology from Clinical Features.

Fungal corneal infection (keratitis) is a common clinical problem in South Asia. However, it is often challenging to distinguish this from other aetiologies, such as bacteria or acanthamoeba. In this prospective study, we investigated clinical and epidemiological features that can predict the microbial aetiology of microbial keratitis in Nepal.

Perception and Challenges of Preventive Measures of COVID-19 Among Nepalese Frontline Health Professionals: An Unexplored Realism.

Background: A new coronavirus causes COVID-19, a developing respiratory illness. Unfortunately, there is little information assessing healthcare workers' understanding of technology and preventative strategies during the Nepalese epidemic. Researchers from other subspecialties uncovered some mythical thoughts.

Topical Chlorhexidine 0.2% versus Topical Natamycin 5% for the Treatment of Fungal Keratitis in Nepal: A Randomized Controlled Noninferiority Trial.

Purpose: To investigate if topical chlorhexidine 0.2%, which is low cost and easy to formulate, is noninferior to topical natamycin 5% for the treatment of filamentous fungal keratitis.

Design: Randomized controlled, single-masked, noninferiority clinical trial.

Comparison of culture, confocal microscopy and PCR in routine hospital use for microbial keratitis diagnosis.

Aims: To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) and culture for microbial keratitis (MK) diagnosis.

Methods: Retrospective review of PCR, IVCM and culture results for MK diagnosis at Moorfields Eye Hospital between August 2013 and December 2014.

Results: PCR results were available for 259 MK patients with concurrent culture for 203/259 and IVCM for 149/259.

Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.2% as a treatment for recalcitrant fungal keratitis in Uganda: a pilot study.

Objective: Fungal keratitis is a major ophthalmic public health problem, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries. The options for treating fungal keratitis are limited. Our study aimed to describe the outcomes of using chlorhexidine 0.

Knowledge and awareness-based survey of COVID-19 within the eye care profession in Nepal: Misinformation is hiding the truth.

Background: Nepal was under a severe lockdown for several months in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There were concerns regarding misinformation circulating on social media. This study aimed to analyse the knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 amongst eye care professionals in Nepal during the first wave of the pandemic.

The watery eye quality of life (WEQOL) questionnaire: a patient-reported outcome measure for surgically amenable epiphora.

Objective Or Purpose: To develop and test a patient-reported outcome measure for assessing health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in surgically amenable epiphora.

Design: Questionnaire development and validation study.

Participants: 201 patients with a cause of epiphora amenable to surgical intervention, recruited across three independent centres.

Mycotic Keratitis-A Global Threat from the Filamentous Fungi.

Mycotic or fungal keratitis (FK) is a sight-threatening disease, caused by infection of the cornea by filamentous fungi or yeasts. In tropical, low and middle-income countries, it accounts for the majority of cases of microbial keratitis (MK). Filamentous fungi, in particular spp.

Assault-related severe ocular chemical injury at a London ophthalmic referral hospital: a 3-year retrospective observational study.

Objectives: To understand the incidence, causes, management and outcomes of intentional (assault) and unintentional severe ocular chemical injuries (SOCI) at an urban tertiary referral centre in the UK.

Design: Retrospective observational study.

Setting: A London tertiary referral ophthalmic centre, Moorfields Eye Hospital.

Topical chlorhexidine 0.2% versus topical natamycin 5% for fungal keratitis in Nepal: rationale and design of a randomised controlled non-inferiority trial.

Introduction: Fungal infections of the cornea, fungal keratitis (FK), are challenging to treat. Current topical antifungals are not always effective and are often unavailable, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries where most cases occur. Topical natamycin 5% is usually first-line treatment, however, even when treated intensively, infections may progress to perforation of the eye in around a quarter of cases.

In vivo confocal microscopy and trachomatous conjunctival scarring: Predictors for clinical progression.

Importance: In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) provides high-resolution images of the ocular surface and has been validated in trachomatous conjunctival scarring.

Background: This study used IVCM to identify parameters associated with clinical scarring progression.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

3D images as a field grader training tool for trachomatous trichiasis: A diagnostic accuracy study in Ethiopia.

Background: Trachomatous trichiasis (TT) will continue to develop among those people who have had repeated infections after active trachoma is controlled. Detecting and treating affected individuals will remain necessary for years; a long "tail" of incident cases is anticipated. As the prevalence of TT declines, there will be fewer cases available for training trachoma graders (TG), necessitating alternative methods.

keratitis: confirmation of the UK outbreak and a prospective case-control study identifying contributing risk factors.

Background/aims: keratitis (AK) is a chronic debilitating corneal infection principally affecting contact lens (CL) users. Studies were designed to test claims that the UK incidence may have increased in 2012-2014 and to evaluate potential causes.

Methods: Annualised incidence data were collected from January 1984 to December 2016.

Telephone follow-up for cataract surgery: feasibility and patient satisfaction study.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the feasibility of telephone follow-up (TFU) after uncomplicated cataract surgery in low-risk patients and patient satisfaction with this alternative clinical pathway. Design/methodology/approach - Prospective, non-randomised cohort study. A ten-point subjective ophthalmic assessment questionnaire and a six-point patient satisfaction questionnaire were administered to patients following routine cataract surgery at two to three weeks post-procedure.