PURPOSE: This study evaluated differences of TPC and TNF-α concentrations in tears at different severity of NPDR among participants with diabetes in comparison with normal participants.
METHODS: A total of 75 participants were categorized based on Early Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy Study scale, with 15 participants representing each group, namely, normal, diabetes without retinopathy, mild NPDR, moderate NPDR, and severe NPDR. All participants were screened using McMonnies questionnaire. Refraction was conducted subjectively. Visual acuity was measured using a LogMAR chart. Twenty-five microliters of basal tears was collected using glass capillary tubes. Total protein concentration and TNF-α concentrations were determined using Bradford assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.
RESULTS: Mean ± SD age of participants (n = 75) was 57.88 ± 4.71 years, and participants scored equally in McMonnies questionnaire (P = .90). Mean visual acuity was significantly different in severe NPDR (P = .003). Mean tear TPC was significantly lower, and mean tear TNF-α concentration was significantly higher in moderate and severe NPDR (P < .001). Mean ± SD tear TPC and TNF-α concentrations for normal were 7.10 ± 1.53 and 1.39 ± 0.24 pg/mL; for diabetes without retinopathy, 6.37 ± 1.65 and 1.53 ± 0.27 pg/mL; for mild NPDR, 6.32 ± 2.05 and 1.60 ± 0.21 pg/mL; for moderate NPDR, 3.88 ± 1.38 and 1.99 ± 0.05 pg/mL; and for severe NPDR, 3.64 ± 1.26 and 2.21 ± 0.04 pg/mL, respectively. Tear TPC and TNF-α concentrations were significantly correlated (r = -0.50, P < .0001). Visual acuity was significantly correlated with tear TPC (r = -0.236, P = .04) and TNF-α concentrations (r = 0.432, P < .0001).
CONCLUSIONS: This cross-sectional study identified differences in tear TPC and TNF-α concentrations with increasing severity of NPDR.
METHODS: A total of 69 patients with topographic corneal astigmatism of 1.0 Diopter (D) and above who underwent cataract surgery between June 2015 and December 2016 were included in this retrospective observational study. All preoperative toric IOL calculations were performed using immersion biometry. Appropriate formula to calculate toric IOL power was applied (SRK/T, Holladay 1 or Hoffer Q formula). All patients undergone similar uncomplicated phacoemulsification with implantation of AcrySoft IQ SN6AT toric IOL of different powers. Visual outcome, refractive status and axis of lens were evaluated at six weeks postoperatively. Ethical approval from the Ministry of Health Medical Research Ethics Committee was obtained prior to commencement of study.
RESULTS: The mean refractive astigmatism decreased from 1.69 D ±1.10 (SD) to 0.81 D ± 0.40 (SD) at six weeks postoperatively. The mean postoperative spherical equivalent was at -0.37 D ±0.64 (SD). Mean LogMAR for uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity in six weeks postoperative patients was at 0.29 ±0.16 (SD) and 0.12 ±0.12 (SD) respectively. Intraoperative to 6 weeks of postoperative comparison of IOL axis alignment showed low levels of rotation (mean 3.21 ±2.52 degrees).
CONCLUSION: Cataract surgery with implantation of toric IOL was stable and effective in improving pre-existing regular corneal astigmatism.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of visual impairment and amblyopia in Malaysian preschool children.
METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted on children aged four to six years from 51 participating kindergartens in the district of Segamat, Johor, Malaysia from 20 March 2016 to 6 April 2016. All subjects had initial eye screening consisting of LogMar visual acuity, orthoptics examination and Spot vision screener assessment. Subjects who failed the initial eye screening were invited for a formal eye assessment consisting of cycloplegic refraction and a comprehensive ocular examination. Definitions of visual impairment and amblyopia were based on the Multi-Ethnic Pediatric Eye Disease Study criteria.
RESULTS: A total of 1287 children were recruited. Mean subject age was 5.03 (SD:0.77) and males represented 52.3% of subjects. Subjects by ethnicity were Malay (54.8%), Chinese (27.7%), Indian (15.6%) and Orang Asli (1.9%). Formal eye assessment was required for 221 subjects and 88.8% required ophthalmic intervention. Refractive error, representing 95.4% of diagnosed ocular disorders, comprised of astigmatism (84%), myopia (9%) and hypermetropia (6.9%). With-the-rule astigmatism was present in 93.4% of the subjects with astigmatism. Visual impairment was present in 12.5% of our subjects, with 61% having bilateral visual impairment. Of the subjects with visual impairment, 59.1% had moderate visual impairment. The prevalence of amblyopia was 7.53%, and 66% of the amblyopic subjects had bilateral amblyopia.
CONCLUSION: Our study highlights an urgent need for initiation of preschool vision screening in Malaysia.
METHODS: The comparative cross-sectional study included 66 children aged 6 to 17 years with nephrotic syndrome and healthy control seen in two tertiary centers in Malaysia. We recorded demographic data, as well as visual acuity, level of proteinuria, and the mean macular thicknesses in both groups. The mean macular thickness was measured using Stratus optical coherence tomography according to nine areas of the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study map.
RESULTS: The mean foveal thickness was 238.15 ± 22.98 µm for children with nephrotic syndrome and 237.01 ± 22.60 µm for the control group. There was no significant difference in the mean macular thickness between the groups (p = 0.843). A significant correlation with visual acuity was observed in the superior outer macula (r = -0.41, p = 0.019), the nasal outer macula (r = -0.41, p = 0.019), and the inferior outer macula (r = -0.40, p = 0.021). There was no significant correlation between the mean macular thickness and level of proteinuria (p = 0.338), although those with higher levels of proteinuria demonstrated a trend towards increased macular thickness.
CONCLUSIONS: The mean macular thickness in children with nephrotic syndrome was similar to that of healthy children. A significant correlation between the mean thickness of the outer macular layer and the presenting visual acuity was observed. There was no correlation between the mean macular thickness and the level of proteinuria.
METHODS: Cross-sectional study involving a retrospective record review of diabetic macular oedema patients who received an induction treatment of three monthly 0.5 mg intravitreal ranibizumab injections between 2016 and 2019. Central macular thickness was measured at baseline and 3 months post-treatment. Linear regression was applied to identify the factors associated with the changes of central macular thickness.
RESULTS: A total of 153 diabetic macular oedema patients were involved in this study. Their mean age was 57.5 ± 7.7 years, 54.9% were female. The mean change of central macular thickness from baseline to 3 months after completed induction treatment of intravitreal ranibizumab was 155.5 ± 137.8 μm. Factors significantly associated with changes of central macular thickness were baseline central macular thickness [b = 0.73; 95% (CI): 0.63, 0.84; p = <0.001] and presence of subretinal fluid [b = 35.43; 95% CI: 3.70, 67.16; p = 0.029].
CONCLUSION: Thicker baseline central macular thickness and presence of subretinal fluid were the factors significantly associated with greater changes of central macular thickness in diabetic macular oedema patients after receiving three injections of intravitreal ranibizumab.
METHODS: Malaysia was divided into six regions, with each region consisting of 50 clusters. Multistage cluster sampling method was used and each cluster contained 50 residents aged 50 years and above. Eligible subjects were interviewed and pertinent demographic details, barriers to cataract surgery, medical and ocular history was noted. Subjects had visual acuity assessment with tumbling 'E' Snellen optotypes and ocular examination with direct ophthalmoscope. The primary cause of VI was documented. Results were calculated for individual zones and weighted average was used to obtain overall prevalence for the country. Inter-regional and overall prevalence for blindness, severe VI and moderate VI were determined. Causes of VI, cataract surgical coverage and barriers to cataract surgery were assessed.
RESULTS: A total of 15,000 subjects were examined with a response rate of 95.3%. The age and gender-adjusted prevalence of blindness, severe visual impairment and moderate visual impairment were 1.2% (95% Confidence Interval: 1.0-1.4%), 1.0% (95%CI: 0.8-1.2%) and 5.9% (5.3-6.5%) respectively. Untreated cataract (58.6%), diabetic retinopathy (10.4%) and glaucoma (6.6%) were the commonest causes of blindness. Overall, 86.3% of the causes of blindness were avoidable. Cataract surgical coverage (CSC) in persons for blindness, severe visual impairment and moderate visual impairment was 90%, 86% and 66% respectively.
CONCLUSION: Increased patient education and further expansion of ophthalmological services are required to reduce avoidable blindness even further in Malaysia.
METHODS: Data was collected from the web-based MOH CSR. All consecutive cataract surgery patients from 1st June 2008 to 31st December 2014 were identified. Exclusion criteria were traumatic cataract or previous ocular surgery. Demographic data, ocular co-morbidities, intraoperative details and postoperative visual acuity (VA) at final ophthalmological follow-up were noted. All eyes were taken for analysis. Subjects with POE were compared against subjects with no POE for risk factor assessment using multiple logistic regressions.
RESULTS: A total of 163 503 subjects were screened. The incidence of POE was 0.08% (131/163 503). Demographic POE risk factors included male gender (OR: 2.121, 95%CI: 1.464-3.015) and renal disease (OR: 2.867, 95%CI: 1.503-5.467). POE risk increased with secondary causes of cataract (OR: 3.562, 95%CI: 1.740-7.288), uveitis (OR: 11.663, 95%CI: 4.292-31.693) and diabetic retinopathy (OR: 1.720, 95%CI: 1.078-2.744). Intraoperative factors reducing POE were shorter surgical time (OR: 2.114, 95%CI: 1.473-3.032), topical or intracameral anaesthesia (OR: 1.823, 95%CI: 1.278-2.602), posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL; OR: 4.992, 95%CI: 2.689-9.266) and foldable IOL (OR: 2.276, 95%CI: 1.498-3.457). POE risk increased with posterior capsule rupture (OR: 3.773, 95%CI: 1.915-7.432) and vitreous loss (OR: 3.907, 95%CI: 1.720-8.873). Postoperative VA of 6/12 or better was achieved in 15.27% (20/131) subjects with POE.
CONCLUSION: This study concurs with other studies regarding POE risk factors. Further strengthening of MOH CSR data collection process will enable deeper analysis and optimization of POE treatment.
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to report a case of OTR with contralateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia (INO) and fifth and seventh cranial nerve palsies.
CASE REPORT: A 51-year-old gentleman with underlying diabetes mellitus presented with sudden onset of diplopia for 3 days. On examination, his visual acuity was 20/30 bilaterally without a relative afferent pupillary defect. He had a right OTR consisting of a right head tilt, a skew deviation with a left eye hypertropia, and bilateral ocular torsion (right excyclotorsion and left incyclotorsion) with nystagmus. He also had a left adduction deficit and right abduction nystagmus consistent with a left INO. Ocular examination revealed evidence of proliferative diabetic retinopathy bilaterally. Two days after the initial presentation, the patient developed left seventh and fifth cranial nerve palsies. MRI showed left pontine infarction and multiple chronic lacunar infarctions. There was an incidental finding of a vascular loop compression on cisternal portions of the left trigeminal, facial, and vestibulocochlear nerves. Antiplatelet treatment was started on top of a better diabetic control. The diplopia was gradually resolved with improved clinical signs. In this case, the left pontine infarction had likely affected the terminal decussated part of the vestibulocochlear nerve from the right VOR pathway, medial longitudinal fasciculus, and cranial nerve nuclei in the left pons.
CONCLUSIONS: The OTR can be ipsilateral to the lesion if the lesion is before the decussation of the VOR pathway in the pons, or it can be contralateral to the lesion if the lesion is after the decussation. In case of an OTR that is associated with contralateral INO and other contralateral cranial nerves palsy, a pathology in the pons that is contralateral to the OTR should be considered. Neuroimaging study can hence be targeted to identify the possible cause.