Miscellaneous

11–20 of 20 articles Page 2 of 2

All Cornea 36 Cataract 17 Glaucoma 14 Retina & Vitreous 72 Neurophthalmology 8 Oculoplasty 15 Uvea & Inflammatory Diseases 24 Miscellaneous 20 Oncology 9 Pediatric Ophthalmology 16

10 min read

Ten Microbiological Facts on Mucormycosis All Ophthalmologists Should Know

The present overview highlights major microbiological aspects of mucormycosis and attempts to increase the awareness of this ubiquitous group of fungi that are responsible for the difficult-to-manage infections presently being encountered in the setting of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 1. What is Mucormycosis and why is mucormycosis emerging as a serious threat in the present COVID-19 pandemic? Mucormycosis (previously called zygomycosis; sometimes called black fungus infection) is a serious, but rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds belonging to the order Mucorales(1). Mucormycosis is a fulminant disease with high rates of morbidity and mortality that mainly affects immunocompromised patients. Depending on the location of the infection, the mucormycosis can be rhino-orbito-cerebral (most common), pulmonary, gastrointestinal, cutaneous, or disseminated. Although it has a low incidence rate, varying from 0.005 to 1.7 per million population, a sudden rise in cases of rhino-or

Dr. A.R Anand
9 min read

Ten Pearls for the Diagnosis & Management of Binocular Vision Anomalies

The prevalence of non-strabismic binocular vision anomalies is on the rise over the last decade. The prevalence reports from various parts of the globe quote a high prevalence ranging between 28.5-31.5% among school children (1,2). It is also shown in a recent study that clinically significant convergence insufficiency can impair stereo-acuity in children necessitating the diagnosis and management of convergence insufficiency (3). Here are some pearls to ensure accurate diagnosis and provide appropriate management to patients afflicted with binocular vision anomalies. This article specifically focuses on non-strabismic binocular vision anomalies as they are often missed out due to their latent nature, unlike strabismic anomalies. The efficiency of the visual system is beyond 20/20 Many eye care practitioners unfortunately still assume that 20/20 visual acuity ensures an optimally functioning visual system. The efficiency of the visual system is not just dependent on the integrity of th

Dr. Jameel Rizwana Hussaindeen M.Phil, M.Phil Opt, Ph.D.,FCOVD-I, FAAO
8 min read

A Beginners Guide to Ophthalmic Surgical Microscope

An operating surgical microscope is the most important optical instrument in the modern era of ophthalmic surgeries. It provides the surgeon with a magnified and illuminated high-quality image of the small ophthalmic structures. Being binocular the surgical microscopes gives the additional benefit of high-quality stereoscopy. History The first German doctor to use a stereomicroscope was Dr. Hans Hinselmann (1884-1959), Prof. of Gynaecology under Dr. Otto von Franque at the University Clinic, Bonn, who adapted in 1925 a Leitz stereomicroscope with coaxial illumination to a movable floor stand. He named IT “colposcope” and used it to visualize the female genital organs particularly for cancer of the cervix. Dr. Hans Littmann (1908 – 1991), head of Med-Lab at Zeiss OptonOberkochen, West Germany (now Carl Zeiss A.G.) and his team of technicians designed in 1953 their first ophthalmic operating microscope Prerequisites for an ideal operating microscope Must have stereoscopic visualization.

Dr. Rohit Rao · Dr. Tamonash Basu
15 min read

Authorship

“With great power comes great responsibility” Stan Lee in Spiderman Introduction: Publications represent the three ‘R’s of modern times– recognition, respect, and revenue, for anyone in the field of science and research. Authorship has become the currency of the current generation and a measure of one's status in the international scientific community. The number of papers published, the journals in which they are published, and their ranking on the list of authors is all crucial when it comes to promotions, funding and market value in the employment exchange. The ‘publish or perish’ culture has become our survival mantra. However, as Rennie, Deputy Editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association put it: “the coin of publication has two sides: credit and accountability.”1 Authorship is also the fulfillment of great responsibility. It is indeed unfortunate that many authors are not aware of, or choose to disregard this obligation to see their names on print, whatever be the co

Dr. Bipasha Mukherjee
12 min read

Low Vision Assessment

WHO (ICD-10) defines low vision as “A person who has impairment of visual functioning even after treatment and/ or standard refractive correction, and has a visual acuity of less than 6/18 to light perception, or a visual field less than 10 degrees from the point of fixation, but who uses, or is potentially able to use, vision for the planning and/ or execution of a task for which vision is essential” NPCB (National Program for Control of Blindness) defines low vision as “Visual acuity of less than 6/18 but equal to or better than 6/60 in the better eye with available correction or a visual field loss of less than 10° from the point of fixation”, and, blindness as “Visual acuity less than 6/60 in the better eye or a corresponding visual field loss of less than 10° The goal of low vision assessment is to: Address the visual demands of the patient Identify and evaluate the cause of low vision Assess ocular health Emphasize the need for the patient/ beneficiary Clinical Assessment Maintai

Dr. Rahul Deshpande
5 min read

Refraction Simplified for the Post Graduates

The optics of the eye normally creates a clear image by refracting rays of light to focus on the retina. Imperfections in this optical system create aberrations and thus blurred images. The goal is to analyze them and devise a means to eliminate them. Lower order aberrations are primarily refractive errors when parallel rays of light after refracting, do not focus on the retina with accommodation at rest. 1. Retinoscopy It is the objective method of detecting refractive errors by a method of neutralization. Point focus formed at a far point of the eye according to its refractive status. For e.g. In a patient with 1 dioptre of myopia, the far point is at 1 meter. For easy mathematical calculations, 1metre is used for retinoscopy. But practically, 66cm is preferred as it is easier to perform retinoscopy at an arm’s length (which is 66cm). The two principal meridia are recognized and power is determined by neutralization. Usually the two meridia are 90 degrees and 180 deg. In cases of obl

Dr. R Krishna Prasad · Dr. Sayali D Mahajan
11 min read

Tips on Management of Intraocular Foreign Body

Introduction Open globe injuries (OGI) are associated with retained intraocular foreign body (IOFB)in 18 to 41% of cases1. Retained IOFB is an important cause of visual morbidity and blindness, especially in working-age population with male predominance. Majority of the IOFBs are related to trauma at workplace1. Types of IOFB Majority of IOFB are metallic1,2. It is followed by organic IOFB and metallic non magnetic IOFB. Metallic IOFB like iron or copper can cause metallosis leading to poorer visual outcomes if left untreated. Organic IOFB are associated with high incidence of fungal endophthalmitis and need treatment on emergency basis. Inert IOFB like glass or noble metal like gold can be present in a minority of patients. Theoretically these can be managed conservatively, however with advancements in Vitreoretinal Surgery it is seldom done. Location of IOFB Most common resting place for IOFB is vitreous cavity. Though it may be lodged in any part of the eye. IOFB might be present in

Dr. Maneesh Bapaye
17 min read

Computer Vision Syndrome

To most of us, computers have become an irreplaceable necessity in our lives at work and at home. Working on the computer screen at such a short distance can result in eyestrain, blurred vision, redness, irritation of eyes, and posture-related musculoskeletal problems, which is called Computer vision syndrome or digital eye strain. Definition The American Association of Optometrists defines Computer Vision Syndrome is a complex of eye & vision problems related to the activities that stress the near vision and which are experienced in relation to or during the use of computers1 They include eyestrain, headache, blurry near vision, slowness in changing focus, light sensitivity, eye irritation. Improper ergonomic practices can lead to pain in the neck, shoulder, and back, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc. In the current digital world, there has been a rapid shift from paper to computers, mobiles, e-readers & other Visual Display Terminals (VDTs). Our eyes have not got fully adapted to working

Dr. Shilpa Joshi
13 min read

A Beginner's Guide to Ultrasound Biomicroscopy

Introduction: Anterior segment ocular imaging has gone through various inventions starting from the ultrasound in the 20th century to the recent AS- OCT.1 Ultrasound bio-microscopy, one of the ocular imaging devices is a high-resolution technique, which allows in vivo assessment of the structures of the anterior segment of the eye where cross-sectional images of ocular structures are obtained at microscopic resolution. 2The higher frequency of UBM ranging between 35 and 50 MHz, gives a depth of about 4 mm and an axial and lateral resolution of approximately 25 and 50 microns, respectively. 3 Being a non-invasive technique, efficient regardless of the clarity of the optical media and due to its portability can be performed both in adults and children with no complications.4 The internal acoustic characteristics of UBM, accompanied by the very fine backscatter speckle patterns, permit clear differentiation of ocular tissue at various levels.5 UBM imaging has been very useful in understan

Dr. Sowkath Ali · Dr. Eunice Goh · +1 other
15 min read

Ocular Histopathology: A ready reckoner

Basic histology of the eye Eyelid: Each eyelid consists of skin, subcutaneous tissue, striated muscle fibers of orbicularis oculi, orbital septum and tarsal plates, smooth muscle and conjunctiva. The skin contains sebaceous glands and small sweat glands.The eyelashes are more numerous in the uppereyelid than in the lower. The sebaceous glands of Zeis open into each follicle. Histological photograph of eyelid Conjunctiva: The conjunctiva is made up of an epithelium consisting of stratified columnar cells resting on a lamina propria of loose connective tissue, the submucosa. At the limbus there is a change to stratified squamous nonkeratinised epithelium which is continuous with the corneal epithelium. At thelimbus, the laminapropria forms the papillae. On the posterior edge of the lid margin, the conjunctiva joins the skin. Here the nonkeratinised squamous epithelium of the conjunctiva becomes continuous with the keratinized stratified squamous epithelium of the epidermis. The conjuncti

Dr. Kalpana Babu