A 54-year-old man developed left eye inflammation three days after cataract surgery and was diagnosed with endophthalmitis. Aqueous culture revealed Ochrobactrum anthropi resistant to vancomycin and cephalosporin. Systemic and intravitreal ciprofloxacin injections caused only transient improvement and eventually, pars plana vitrectomy was done. There was complete resolution, good visual recovery, and no recurrence. O.anthropi is an uncommon organism with a characteristic resistance to empirical antibiotics and usually causes chronic infection in immunocompromised. We report a rare case of acute endophthalmitis in an immunocompetent patient. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of O. anthropi endophthalmitis from India.
Measurement of Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer Thickness (RNFLT) by Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a sensitive, non invasive and cheap method of detecting early retinal changes in a variety of diseases. In HIV infection, RNFLT is altered and this may have effect on other visual functions like Contrast Sensitivity (CS) and visual acuity. Such ocular pathology can affect the daily life and profession (especially driving) of HIV infected individuals. However, studies on this topic in HIV infected population are rare from India.To study RNFLT, CS and their correlation in a sample of HIV positive Indian population.The present cross-sectional study was done in a tertiary care medical college hospital of Eastern India between May 2016 and September 2016. We did this study on HIV positive subjects with no clinically apparent ocular infection or other pathology. In this study, we have measured the RNFLT using the HRA-OCT Spectralis machine. The CS was tested using a smartphone version of the Pellie-Robson chart. CD4 count, visual acuity and colour vision were also tested. The data was analysed using SPSS version 20.0 for any correlation between these parameters. Pearson coefficient was used for continuous data and Spearman rank correlation was used for categorical data. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant.We had 17 patients, that is 34 eyes. RNFLT loss was found in 21% of the eyes and borderline thinning was found in a further 26%. Predominantly, the temporal quadrant was involved. The mean of log CS was 1.33±0.38. Taking 1.5 as the cut-off value for normalcy, 47% of the eyes tested showed decreased CS. Log CS showed significant correlation with RNFLT of the temporal quadrant only (r=0.37; 95% C.I. 0.041 to 0.631; p=0.02). Temporal RNFLT also showed statistical correlation with the CD4 count. The low CS was also significantly correlated with low visual acuity (r=0.5).In HIV infected persons, subtle ocular changes may occur and this may affect visual functions quite early. Hence, a comprehensive eye check-up should include parameters like CS and OCT.
Primary basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the conjunctiva is a rare tumor with only six cases reported in literature. We present the case of an 81-year-old male complaining of a slow-growing lesion in his right eye for the past 3 years. The lesion in the temporal bulbar conjunctiva was gelatinous and firmly adherent to sclera. Ultrasound biomicroscopy revealed apparent scleral thinning without invasion. Our provisional diagnosis was ocular surface squamous neoplasia; however, incisional biopsy for histopathological diagnosis revealed that it was a BCC. Due to scleral adhesion and thinning, the lesion was not amenable for surgical resection. Plaque brachytherapy was used to successfully treat the lesion. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of brachytherapy administration for treatment of this rare cancer. Previously reported cases were all nodular or pedunculated and treated with surgical excision. For flat, adherent, or invasive lesions, plaque brachytherapy is an effective primary treatment modality.
A young girl with enhanced S-cone syndrome (ESCS) and raised serum ornithine was diagnosed as gyrate atrophy (GA) for 2 decades. She had presented with nyctalopia. Clinical examination revealed bilateral, symmetrical scalloped chorioretinal atrophy (CRA), reduced photopic and scotopic responses on electroretinography (ERG), and high-normal serum ornithine, leading to a diagnosis of GA. Although ornithine was consistently high in adulthood, atypical features like persistent peripheral retinal sparing and noncoalescence of CRA patches led to a reconsideration of diagnosis at 27 years of age. ERG was pathognomonic, and genetic testing revealed an NRL mutation, confirming the diagnosis of ESCS. The patient followed a paleolithic diet in adulthood, which possibly contributed to the high ornithine; diet discontinuation lowered the ornithine levels to high-normal. We present a rare case of NRL mutation-associated ESCS, along with the unusual feature of raised serum ornithine, highlighting the phenotypic variability of inherited retinal dystrophies.
Many a young doctors in training find retinal laser photocoagulation a daunting task. However, if correct protocols are followed and checklists are observed, then it is not difficult to have a successful laser sitting with a happy patient. Most of the complications can be avoided with correct settings and techniques.To enumerate the basic protocols of retinal laser photocoagulation and provide practical tips including laser settings and checklists for hassle-free laser experience.Laser settings for a pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP) for proliferative diabetic retinopathy differ from those for a focal laser for macular edema. A fill in PRP is indicated when an active Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is seen after the initial PRP is completed. The settings and protocols for laser photocoagulation for lattice degeneration are different, and various techniques of barrage laser are discussed. Practical tips and checklists are given, which will not be found in any textbooks.Animated illustrations and fundus photos are used to explain the correct techniques of performing laser photocoagulation in different indications and scenarios. Detailed instructions and checklists are provided, which can be very useful to avoid complications and medicolegal problems. The practical tips and guidelines in an easy-to-understand manner make this video highly educational for the novice retinal surgeons who want to perfect their technique of retinal laser photocoagulation.https://youtu.be/saQ4s49ciXI.