Epidemiological Insights into Childhood Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis in India: Unravelling Clinical Presentation and Environmental Influences - the EPIC VKC Study - Fourth report of the ICMR EYE SEE study group.

Purpose: To study the epidemiology and clinical presentation of allergic eye diseases (AEDs) and Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) METHODS: A cross-sectional- cum-cohort study was conducted in rural and urban areas in different geographical locations (plains, hilly, high-altitude and coastal) in India. Children (5-15 years) were included, information on exposure to environmental factors gathered, participants screened for AED and VKC on torch light, followed by a comprehensive eye examination. Cases were compared with controls.

Evaluation of topical 1% posaconazole therapy in refractory fungal keratitis.

Purpose: The primary objective was to evaluate the clinical response of refractory cases of fungal keratitis to topical 1% posaconazole therapy.

Methods: Prospective longitudinal non-randomized open label dual-cohort study of 70 eyes of refractory fungal keratitis, 35 were recruited as posaconazole treatment (PCZ) group for topical 1% posaconazole therapy and compared to 35 eyes on conventional antifungal therapy. Study parameters included demographic and treatment details, visual acuity, comprehensive slit-lamp biomicroscopy, clinical photography, ASOCT at recruitment and weekly (week 1, 2, 3 and 4 after treatment initiation).

Pediatric keratoconus.

Keratoconus is a common pediatric corneal disease, leading to vision impairment and amblyopia. Compared to its adult counterpart, pediatric keratoconus has an advanced presentation, rapid progression, higher incidence of complications such as corneal hydrops, and greater potential impact on the quality of life. It typically manifests during puberty and can evolve rapidly to more severe stages if left untreated.

Descemet's membrane detachment: An updated comprehensive review of etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, and management.

The Descemet membrane (DM) is the basement membrane of corneal endothelial cells, which are responsible for maintaining corneal transparency. DM detachment (DMD) can occur due to various reasons, with the most common etiology being post-surgical. Older age, blunt instruments, and faulty surgical technique predispose to the intraoperative or postoperative occurrence of DMD, and one should have a high index of suspicion for DMD in cases with unexplained or an atypical pattern of corneal edema after surgery.

Effect of topical brinzolamide on visual function and waveform in patients of infantile nystagmus syndrome: A randomized control trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (brinzolamide) versus placebo on visual function and waveforms in infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS).

Design: Prospective, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over study.

Methods: Setting- A tertiary eye care center.

Evaluation of adjuvant role of topical cyclosporine 1% in acute Stevens-Johnson syndrome: a randomised control trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the role of topical cyclosporine A 1% (CsA) as an adjuvant therapy in patients with acute Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS).

Methods: This is a randomised controlled trial in which 44 patients (88 eyes) with acute SJS, presenting within 3 months from the onset of the disease, were enrolled and randomised. Group A (n=44 eyes) patients received treatment with topical CsA 1% along with standard therapy consisting of topical corticosteroids, antibiotics and lubricants.

Guidelines for setting up low-vision and rehabilitation services in India.

Low vision and blindness are increasing public health issues impacting individuals' quality of life. During clinical low-vision services, vision rehabilitation is crucial for enhancing daily living skills and improving life quality. Low-vision and rehabilitation (LVR) services encompass comprehensive measures that aid visually disabled individuals in restoring function, autonomy, and social participation.

Identifying causes of vision loss and assistive technology needs among patients attending rehabilitation clinic of a tertiary care center in North India.

Purpose: Investigating the causes of visual loss and the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) is crucial for identifying avoidable eye problems and planning appropriate rehabilitation and assistive technology (AT) services. The study aimed to identify various causes of vision loss and determine AT required for vision rehabilitation (VR).

Methods: The electronic records of patients who attended the VR clinic at a tertiary eyecare for the past 2 years were reviewed.

Harnessing the medical undergraduate human resource for screening of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy.

Purpose: To assess whether medical undergraduates can be trained to effectively screen diabetic retinopathy (DR) by statistical comparison with a retina specialist at a tertiary eye care center in India.

Methods: Three final-year undergraduate medical students, having completed ophthalmology department rotation, received training from a retina specialist for grading DR, following which they were asked to grade a set of 50 fundus photographs centered on the macula with a view of 50° as sight-threatening DR (STDR), diabetic macular edema, and grade of DR. Agreement among the undergraduates and retina specialist was determined with the help of Cohen's Kappa coefficient.

Clinical and diagnostic imaging profile of three anterior segment dysgenesis disorders presenting with infantile corneal opacities.

Purpose: To describe three anterior segment dysgenesis disorders with infantile corneal opacities, namely, congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED), primary congenital glaucoma (PCG), and Peters anomaly (PA) in terms of clinical characteristics, histopathology, genetic association, and diagnostic imaging profiles using imaging modalities such as ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) and microscope-integrated intraoperative optical coherence tomography (i-OCT).

Materials And Methods: Seventy-four eyes with 22 eyes of CHED, 28 eyes of PA, and 24 eyes of PCG were clinically evaluated and underwent imaging using UBM and i-OCT. Corneal buttons of 16 operated patients underwent histopathological analysis, while genetic analysis was done in 23 patients using whole-exome sequencing.

Mucopolysaccharidosis.

Mucopolysaccharidosis are group of inherited metabolic diseases caused by the absence or malfunctioning of lysosomal enzymes resulting in accumulation of glycosaminoglycans. Over time this accumulation damages cells, tissues, and organs. There are seven types of MPS and 13 subtypes that are associated with multiple organ systems, such as the respiratory, liver, spleen, central nervous systems, arteries, skeletons, eyes, joints, ears, skin, and/or teeth.

Biomechanical properties of cornea and ocular aberrations in myopic eyes.

Purpose: To study the correlation of corneal topography, corneal biomechanical properties, and ocular aberrations with the magnitude of refractive error in myopic eyes.

Methods: All myopic patients attending the clinic for refractive surgery were recruited. Data recorded included visual acuity, axial length (AL), central corneal thickness (CCT), manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE), topography (Pentacam - Oculus), corneal biomechanical factors [ocular response analyzer (ORA)], and optical aberrations (iTrace).

COVID and COVID vaccine-related corneal morbidity: A review.

Systemic coronavirus disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus has had several ocular consequences. Many vaccines have been developed against the disease, with adverse events being reported as well. Various ocular adverse events secondary to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines have also featured in literature in recent times.

Tear Tacrolimus Levels and Clinical Response After Adjunct Therapy With Cutaneous Application of Tacrolimus 0.1% Over Upper Eyelid Skin in Chronic Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of cutaneous application of 0.1% tacrolimus eye ointment over the skin of the upper eyelid in chronic vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC).

Methods: A prospective, longitudinal, noncomparative, open-label clinical study of moderate-to-severe grade steroid-dependent VKC was performed.

Developing Standard Treatment Workflows-way to universal healthcare in India.

Primary healthcare caters to nearly 70% of the population in India and provides treatment for approximately 80-90% of common conditions. To achieve universal health coverage (UHC), the Indian healthcare system is gearing up by initiating several schemes such as National Health Protection Scheme, Ayushman Bharat, Nutrition Supplementation Schemes, and Inderdhanush Schemes. The healthcare delivery system is facing challenges such as irrational use of medicines, over- and under-diagnosis, high out-of-pocket expenditure, lack of targeted attention to preventive and promotive health services, and poor referral mechanisms.

Corneal blindness and eye banking: Current strategies and best practices.

Corneal blindness (CB) is one of the leading causes of blindness in India and globally, affecting around 8 million population worldwide. Many of these corneal blind patients may be visually rehabilitated by corneal transplantation (CT). Eye banking plays a crucial role in facilitating CT and ocular research.

Comparative evaluation of intraoperative aberrometry and Barrett's toric calculator in toric intraocular lens implantation.

Purpose: Barrett toric calculator (BTC) is known for its accuracy in toric IOL (tIOL) calculation over standard calculators; however, there is no study in literature to compare it with real-time intraoperative aberrometry (IA). The aim was to compare the accuracy of BTC and IA in predicting refractive outcomes in tIOL implantation.

Methods: This was an institution-based prospective, observational study.