Interesting Reads

31–38 of 38 articles Page 4 of 4
  1. 1 Apr 2021 8 min read

    Cytokines: Made Simple for the Ophthalmologists

    In the time of the global pandemic known as COVID- 19, everyone has heard the phrase ‘cytokine storm’ and how it can be a deadly consequence of the SARS- CoV2 virus infection. What are these cytokines though? What do they normally do in our bodies and why are they sometimes so deadly? Little multifunctional molecules The presence of pus-filled exudates, fever, localized swelling, and pain have been well documented since ancient times. Scientists in the 1940’s asked the question: “What causes all these symptoms?” They studied the pus, found that the white blood cells released ‘soluble factors’1 and the rest, as they say, is history. Structurally, the ‘soluble factors,’ also known as cytokines, are really small proteins (peptides). They are known as cell signaling molecules, as they essentially act as messengers that tell cells what to do. Their general mode of action is quite similar to a domino effect. Cell 1 is stimulated by some external factor and in response it secretes cytokines.

    Dr. Swathi Lingam
  2. 1 Apr 2021 33 min read

    A to Z Eponyms in ophthalmology

    Often asked in vivas, ophthalmic eponyms or various signs/ instruments in ophthalmology which share the same name, are one of the favorite questions of many examiners. We have tried to compile common such terminologies in ophthalmology for the benefit of postgraduate students. A Amsler (Marc Amsler : Swiss ophthalmologist, 1891-1968) Amsler Grid- The Amsler Grid is a square-shaped grid used to detect or monitor metamorphopsia or scotoma involving the central visual field in various disorders of the macula and optic nerve head.There are 7 charts of the Amsler Grid each with a dimension of 10 cm × 10 cm. Amsler sign- Amsler sign (aka Amsler-Verrey sign) is present in Fuchs heterochromic uveitis (FHU). It is characterized by hemorrhage in the anterior chamber (hyphema) after anterior chamber paracentesis or entry with the micro vitreoretinal blade during anterior segment surgeries, including cataract surgery or minor trauma. Amsler Krumeich grading- Classification of keratoconus based on

    Dr. Jigyasa Sahu · Dr. Shweta Viswanath
  3. 1 Apr 2021 6 min read

    How to Edit Your Surgical Videos

    Introduction Video recording in ophthalmology dates back to 1951 when Sir Harold Ridley filmed his pioneering lens implantation procedure in color. Ophthalmic surgical videos are a great source of demonstrating one’s technique on various platforms as well as discussing any unusual case tackled successfully in the operation theatre. It acts as an educational resource providing tips and tricks to postgraduates, fellows and helps the surgeon to self-assess, apart from documentation.1 This helps to improve patient care and thereby improving one’s practice. Requirements for Capturing Surgical Video Creating impressive surgical videos involves recording high-quality videos along with the addition of suitable narration. So before editing, the first and foremost necessity is to have a decent digital video recording system that varies from simple smartphone to high end 4K recording systems. Modern surgical microscopes come with an integrated digital camera but need an external device for video

    Dr. Kushal Delhiwala
  4. 1 Apr 2021 9 min read

    Basics of Grant Writing: From An Early Career Researchers Perspective

    “Writing a grant is considered to be more strenuous than doing research itself.”(1) With the number of grant applications on a rise and a steady decline in the funding, the nuances of grant writing become pertinent for a successful grant application. (2) In this article, we discuss the reasons for applying for a grant, how and when to apply, the common hurdles, and tips for a successful grant proposal. Why apply for grants/research fellowships? The obvious answer is you need money to execute the research project (buying new machines, hiring staff, institution overheads, etc.). Boosting your CV/resume and recognition amongst your peers are the important collateral benefits of a successful grant. Even an unsuccessful grant application can exhibit that you are ambitious in acquiring funds especially if you are early in your career. It provides you with funds without which doing quality research often becomes difficult. Funding agencies sometimes fund the purchase of equipment for the rese

    Dr. Soujanya Kaup, MS, DNB, FPRS, (MSc-Clinical Trials, LSHTM, UK)
  5. 1 Apr 2021 16 min read

    Ten Clinical Trials in Retinal Diseases Every Postgraduate Should Know

    1. CATT (Comparison of Age-related Macular Degeneration Treatments Trials)1 Description A prospective, multicenter, single-blind, noninferiority randomized clinical trial. 1208 patients with neovascular AMD were enrolled from February 2008 and randomly assigned to receive intravitreal injections of ranibizumab (0.5 mg/0.05 ml) or bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 ml) on either a monthly schedule or as needed with monthly evaluation. Patients aged ? 50 years with active, subfoveal CNV, fibrosis < 50% of total lesion area, visual acuity 20/25-20/320 and at least 1 drusen (>63?) in either eye or late AMD in fellow eye were eligible. The primary outcome was the mean change in visual acuity at 1 year, with a noninferiority limit of 5 letters on the eye chart. Results At one year, all four groups had similar improvements in visual acuity. Groups had similar rates of adverse events, though patients receiving bevacizumab had more occurrences of ?1 serious adverse event than those in the ranibizumab gr

    Dr. Neha Goel, MBBS MS MNAMS DNB FRCS (Glasgow)
  6. 1 Apr 2021 5 min read

    Word Root : Origin of Ophthalmic Terms

    The study of the origin of word is known as etymology. Most of the ophthalmic terminology is derived from Greek and Latin words. Most probably Hippocrates (460-370 BC) was the first to use specific ophthalmic terms that we are still using nowadays. He has been credited for using the terms like amblyopia, hippus, nystagmus & phthisis. Similarly, terms like canthus, exophthalmos, glaucoma, and leukoma are thought o be the contribution of Aristotle (384-322 BC). It was Galen (13 l-201 AD) who used the terms like chalazion, chemosis, iris, mydriasis, pterygium, strabismus, and trichiasis. Here in this section, I have compiled some terms of ophthalmology with their root of origin. Canthus = Greek word “kanthas” = angle Levator palpebrae superioris = In Latin, “levator” = to lift, “palpebrae” = an eyelid, superioris = upper Caruncle = Latin word means flesh. Plica semilunaris = Latin word “Plicare” = to fold, “semilunaris” = half moon. Tarsus = Greek word means flat, Ancient greeks used to c

    Dr. Parthopratim Dutta Majumder
  7. 1 Apr 2021 11 min read

    Understanding Retinal Imaging

    Retinal imaging has come a long way today. From times of appropriately concentrating the fluorescein dye from scratch in the lab itself to times where we have a dye-free angiography system, technology has covered vast boundaries. There is a platter of different modalities in the market today, each having their own ebb and flow. And what the future beholds for us is certainly inexplicable. To throw a light on these modalities, we have a special interview with someone who continues to extensively work on these technologies and modalities day in and out, Dr. Manish Nagpal Dr. Nagpal is practicing as a vitreoretinal consultant at Retina Foundation, Ahmedabad, since 1999. He completed his Ophthalmology training at M & J Institute of Ophthalmology, Ahmedabad in 1996 and further went on to accomplish the FRCS (Ed) at the UK in 1997. He is a recipient of the prestigious Distinguished Service Award of APAO in 2007, the Achievement award of APAO in 2012, the American Academy’s Achievement award

    Dr. Dhaivat Shah
  8. 29 Aug 2009 6 min read

    Pictionary of Eye

    It is a human tendency to compare everything with day-to-day life happening, objects around them. Proverbs are one such example; they give some form of life advice with examples of very commonly occurring incidents/things in our daily life. In medical science, we often come across such analogical expressions that had been picked up from some common objects. Because of the resemblance with the morphological appearance of a clinical entity, such analogical terminology often help us to understand the clinical entity in a more straightforward way. In the “Pictionary” section, I have tried to highlight few such terminologies. Please mail me (drparthopratim@gmail.com) the terminologies I have missed here Animal Fat : Animal Fats are used in describing mainly two terminologies in ophthalmology. The first one is mutton-fat keratic precipitates. Large greasy-appearing aggregates of inflammatory cells on the corneal endothelium, typically seen in granulomatous anterior uveitis, are termed as “Mu

    Dr. Parthopratim Dutta Majumder