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Fulltext Macular branch retinal vein occlusion: a revisit and case report

Azhan, A., Mutasim, H., Abdul-Hadi, R., Khairul-Anwar, I., Zunaina, E.

Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 2018;3(2):18-21.
MyJurnal

Macular branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), a type of retinal vein occlusion, is rarely recognised as a distinct entity. Macular BRVO has unique clinical features and different natural courses than the major BRVO. We report a case of a young patient with macular BRVO with macular oedema who was successfully treated with intravitreal ranibizumab injection. A 43 year-old Chinese man with no underlying medical illness presented with 2 weeks history of left eye painless reduced central vision which was worsening over time. On examination, his left eye visual acuity was 6/30 and Amsler chart drawing showed a lower central scotoma. Dilated fundus examination found marked flame-shaped retinal hemorrhages with cotton wool spot over the superior macular area bounded superiorly by superior arcade and macular thickening. An optical coherence tomography revealed cystoid macular oedema; and fundus fluorescein angiography showed occlusion of a small venous branch draining a superior part of macula to superior temporal venous arcade. A complete medical investigation found that he has hypertriglyceridemia and he was managed accordingly. His vision had improved to 6/6 after receiving 3 injections of intravitreal ranibizumab with no residual central scotoma and complete resolution of macular oedema.
Fulltext Improper technique of eye drop instillation leading to corneal ulcer in a visually impaired glaucoma patient

Azhan, A., Zunaina, E., Fatimah, S.S., Ahmad Nurfahmi Akhtar Ali, Khairidzan, M.K.

Journal of Clinical and Health Sciences, 2018;3(2):43-47.
MyJurnal

We report a case of visually impaired glaucoma patient with long term use of topical glaucoma medications presented with a corneal ulcer due to the improper technique of eye drop instillation. A 70-year-old gentleman with advanced primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) on his right eye and absolute glaucoma on his left eye, presented with painful redness and purulent discharge of the right eye for two weeks. He was using four types of topical glaucoma medication on his right eye since failed trabeculectomy two years ago. His right eye vision was 6/24 and painless blindness of the left eye before the presentation. He was administering all the medications himself despite his current vision status. Right eye examination showed visual acuity of 3/60 with clinical features of corneal ulcer. During the observation of his eye drop instillation technique, he consistently touched the tip of the bottle to his right cornea. The corneal contact area corresponded to the corneal ulcer area and size. In addition to this, the culture result obtained from both corneal ulcer and the bottles’ tips yielded similar microorganism which was Staphylococcus aureus. After an intensive course of topical antibiotics treatment, the corneal ulcer healed with a scar and the vision improved to 6/24 from 3/60. Although this incident is rare, it is crucial for the treating physicians to address the issue properly and co-manage these patients with pharmacists and nursing staffs as well as to seek support from the caretakers to prevent this blinding complication.
Fulltext Comparison of VEGF level in tears post phacoemulsification between non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy and non-diabetic patients

Azhan A, Zunaina E, Mahaneem M, Siti-Azrin AH

J Diabetes Metab Disord, 2021 Dec;20(2):2073-2079.
PMID: 34900842 DOI: 10.1007/s40200-021-00875-3

Background: Progression of diabetic retinopathy post cataract surgery is related to the increased level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ocular fluid post operatively. The aim of this study was to compare the VEGF level in tears post phacoemulsification between non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and non-diabetic patients.
Methods: This was a prospective cohort study and was conducted from June 2017 to May 2019. Patients with underlying NPDR who were planned for phacoemulsification were recruited in this study. Non-diabetic patients who were planned for phacoemulsification were included as control group. Tears samples were collected using Schirmer strip two weeks prior to operation, at day (D) 7 and D30 post phacoemulsification. Tears samples were analyzed for VEGF level.
Results: A total of 65 patients were recruited in this study (NPDR: 32 and control: 33). There was significant increase of VEGF levels in tears from pre operation to D7 post phacoemulsification in NPDR (p
Altered body composition, sarcopenia, frailty, and their clinico-biological correlates, in Parkinson's disease

Tan AH, Hew YC, Lim SY, Ramli NM, Kamaruzzaman SB, Tan MP, et al.

Parkinsonism Relat Disord, 2018 11;56:58-64.
PMID: 29914840 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2018.06.020

INTRODUCTION: Low body weight in Parkinson's disease (PD) is poorly understood despite the associated risks of malnutrition, fractures, and death. Sarcopenia (loss of muscle bulk and strength) and frailty are geriatric syndromes that are likewise associated with adverse health outcomes, yet have received scant attention in PD. We studied body composition, sarcopenia, frailty, and their clinico-biological correlates in PD.
METHODS: 93 patients and 78 spousal/sibling controls underwent comprehensive assessment of diet, clinical status, muscle strength/performance, frailty, body composition (using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), and serum levels of neurogastrointestinal hormones and inflammatory markers.
RESULTS: PD patients were older than controls (66.0 ± 8.5 vs. 62.4 ± 8.4years, P = 0.003). Mean body mass index (24.0 ± 0.4 vs. 25.6 ± 0.5kg/m2, Padjusted = 0.016), fat mass index (7.4 ± 0.3 vs. 9.0 ± 0.3kg/m2, Padjusted<0.001), and whole-body fat percentage (30.7 ± 0.8 vs. 35.7 ± 0.9%, Padjusted<0.001) were lower in patients, even after controlling for age and gender. There were no between-group differences in skeletal muscle mass index and whole-body bone mineral density. Body composition parameters did not correlate with disease duration or motor severity. Reduced whole-body fat percentage was associated with higher risk of motor response complications as well as higher levels of insulin-growth factor-1 and inflammatory markers. PD patients had a higher prevalence of sarcopenia (17.2% vs. 10.3%, Padjusted = 0.340) and frailty (69.4% vs. 24.2%, Padjusted = 0.010). Older age and worse PD motor severity were predictors of frailty in PD.
CONCLUSIONS: We found reduced body fat with relatively preserved skeletal muscle mass, and a high prevalence of frailty, in PD. Further studies are needed to understand the patho-mechanisms underlying these alterations.