An Indian perspective on primary angle closure and glaucoma.

Aim: To provide a synopsis of primary angle closure disease in India, and Indian studies on the same.

Results: Primary angle closure glaucoma forms almost half of all adult primary glaucomas seen in a hospital setting in India. Anatomically, corneal diameters and anterior chamber depths were least in acute and chronic PACG eyes as compared to subacute eyes and controls.

Evaluation of phototherapy devices used for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Objective: To compare phototherapy devices based on their physical and photo-biological characteristics viz spectral properties, maximum and mean irradiance, treatable percentage of body surface area, decay of irradiance over time and in vitro photoisomerisation of bilirubin.

Design: In vitro experimental study.

Setting: Ocular pharmacy laboratory at a tertiary care hospital.

Detection of Chlamydophila pneumoniae (Chlamydia pneumoniae) in endarteroctomy specimens of coronary heart diseases patients.

Background & Objective: Association of Chlamydia pneumoniae with atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease is debated. Increased antibody levels against C. pneumoniae in patients with coronary artery disease is widely reported.

Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness in India.

Background: Rapid assessment of avoidable blindness provides valid estimates in a short period of time to assess the magnitude and causes of avoidable blindness. The study determined magnitude and causes of avoidable blindness in India in 2007 among the 50+ population.

Methods And Findings: Sixteen randomly selected districts where blindness surveys were undertaken 7 to 10 years earlier were identified for a follow up survey.

Characterization of Streptococcus pneumoniae ophthalmic, systemic & commensal isolates by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis & ribotyping.

Background & Objective: Streptococcus pneumoniae is common in ocular and systemic infections and is a part of normal nasopharyngeal flora. Very few studies regarding genetic analysis of S. pneumoniae isolates causing eye infections are available.

Role of early trabeculectomy in primary open-angle glaucoma in the developing world.

Background: The lack of prospective data comparing early surgery and medical management in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in the developing world led us to conduct a small randomised controlled clinical trial to evaluate acceptance and effectiveness of early trabeculectomy in these patients.

Methods: A total of 60 patients with moderately advanced POAG were randomised into three groups (Group I-Conventional medical management, Group II-Option for early trabeculectomy, Group III-Received an educational package about their disease before an option for early trabeculectomy). The patients were followed up for a period of 6 months for visual acuity, intraocular pressures (IOP), and subjective satisfaction.

Cytomegalovirus retinitis in a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a diagnostic dilemma.

Purpose: Patients with lymphoma can rarely develop cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis. Clinically it is difficult to distinguish from intraocular lymphoma. Also, in such cases the CD4+ count may be high.

Current estimates of blindness in India.

Background: Evidence based planning has been the hallmark of the blindness control programme in India. A nationwide survey was undertaken in 1999-2001 to document the magnitude and causes of blindness.

Methods: One district each in 15 populous states was covered.

Microbiological study of neonatal conjunctivitis with special reference to Chlamydia trachomatis.

Purpose: To study the microbial agents, chiefly Chlamydia trachomatis and other bacteria, in neonatal conjunctivitis.

Methods: Conjunctival specimens from 70 newborns with conjunctivitis were subjected to bacterial culture and sensitivity testing, monoclonal antibody based C. trachomatis antigen detection test and species-specific Chlamydia antibody detection in the sera of babies and their mothers, by micro-immunofluorescence assay.

Cumulative effect of risk factors on short-term surgical success of mitomycin augmented trabeculectomy.

Context: Risk factors for failure of trabeculectomy may have a cumulative effect on the outcome.

Aims: To study the effect of preoperative ocular risk factors on the surgical outcome of trabeculectomy augmented with 2 commonly used doses of Mitomycin C.

Settings And Design: In a prospective cohort study, cases were recruited over an 18 month period.

Neurotrophic keratopathy.

Purpose: To review the causes, clinical features, course, histopathological and biochemical changes, diagnosis, andtreatmentof neurotrophic keratopathy.

Methods: We reviewed the literature on neurotrophic keratopathy.

Results And Conclusions: Neurotrophic keratopathy is a clinical entity which involves all degrees of degenerative corneal and conjunctival changes secondary to loss of sensory function in the nasociliary branch of the trigeminal nerve with or without decreased tear production.

STUDY OF TRAUMATIC CATARACT IN OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL TRAUMA AND ITS MANAGEMENT.

Sixty cases of traumatic cataract in 5 years due to occupational and environmental hazards were studied to highlight mode of trauma, structural damage; management profile and final visual outcome. Thirty six (60%) cases had mechanical trauma whereas 18 (30%) cases had injuries due to non metalic or organic substances. Industrial accidents were responsible in 25 (41.

Retinoblastoma--a histologic and immunohistologic study.

Histopathology and various immunohistochemical markers were studied in 40 cases of human retinoblastoma. In histopathology, tumour type, extent and invasion were studied. In immunohistochemistry, both glial and neural markers were used to know the histogenesis of this tumour.

Comparative double blind multicentric randomised placebo controlled clinical trial of a herbal preparation of eye drops in some ocular ailments.

A double masked placebo controlled multicentric randomised clinical trial was conducted in 157 patients suffering from different eye ailments namely, cataract, dry eye syndrome, ocular asthenia, refractive errors and allergic conjunctivitis with a herbal eye drop preparation and placebo. In both dry eye syndrome and ocular asthenia the herbal eye drop preparation was found better than placebo. In a few cases of cataract, the vision seems to be improved.