BackgroundThe aim of the study is to compare the outcome of phacoemulsification in patients with and without pseudoexfoliation syndrome in Kashmir.Methods200 patients were prospectively evaluated and divided into 2 groups. Group 1 comprised 100 cases with pseudoexfoliation and Group 2 (control) 100 cases without pseudoexfoliation. Phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation was performed by 3 surgeons. Intraoperative and postoperative observations were made in both the groups at regular intervals upto 6 months. A chi square test was used for statistical analysis.ResultsPatients with pseudoexfoliation were significantly older (P = 0.000), had harder cataract(P = 0.030) and smaller mean pupil diameter(P = 0.000) than the control group. Intraoperative complications were comparable between the 2 groups except the occurrence of zonular dehiscence which was seen in 7% patients of Group 1 compared to 0% in Group 2. Higher postoperative inflammatory response was seen in Group 1(P = 0.000). Decrease in intraocular pressure (IOP) at all postoperative measurements was more in Group 1(P = 0.000). The visual acuity was better in the control group in the early postoperative period (P = 0.029), however the final visual acuity at 6 months was comparable between the 2 groups.ConclusionsPhacoemulsification in presence of pseudoexfoliation necessitates appropriate surgical technique to avoid intraoperative complications. Pseudoexfoliation is associated with higher inflammatory response, significant postoperative IOP drop and satisfactory visual outcome.

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Cataract surgery is aimed at restoring sight to near normal vision. This study, conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, Government Medical College, Srinagar, is an attempt to determine the causes of subnormal vision in patients following cataract surgery at a tertiary hospital in Kashmir. One hundred patients who underwent cataract surgery with an unaided visual acuity of <6/9 at 16 weeks postoperatively were included in the study. Postoperative follow-up examinations were conducted until the 16th week. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded to determine the cause of subnormal vision. Of 100 patients, 40 underwent extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE), 30 underwent small incision cataract surgery (SICS) and 30 underwent phacoemulsification. Seventy-five percent of the patients who underwent ECCE had postoperative astigmatism with a mean astigmatism of 2.2 ± 0.81 diopters at 16 weeks, with the majority having with-the-rule astigmatism. In the SICS group, 17 (56.6 %) patients had a mean postoperative astigmatism of 0.75 ± 0.40 diopters, with the majority (82.3 %) having against-the-rule (ATR) astigmatism. In the phacoemulsification group, 13 (43.3 %) of the patients had a mean postoperative astigmatism of 0.48 ± 0.23 diopters with the majority having ATR astigmatism. Other causes of subnormal vision were pseudophakic ametropia, posterior capsular opacity and intraoperative complications like posterior capsular rent and vitreous loss. Postoperative astigmatism was the major cause of subnormal vision with greater astigmatism seen in the ECCE group. Therefore, procedures like smaller incision sutureless surgery and careful biometry are advocated to improve visual outcome and patient satisfaction.

Epistaxis is an important otorhinolaryngological emergency, which usually has an apparent etiology, frequently local trauma in children. Here we present a case report wherein the epistaxis was recalcitrant, and proved to have a psychiatric disorder as an underlying basis. The child was diagnosed with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, hyperactive type, which led to trauma to nasal mucosa due to frequent and uncontrolled nose picking. Treatment with atomoxetine controlled the patient's symptoms and led to a remission of epistaxis.

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Purpose: To report structural changes observable in in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) in keratoconic corneas <400 μm treated with hypotonic riboflavin and collagen crosslinking (CXL). Method: Ten eyes of ten patients with progressive keratoconus and corneal thickness between 350 and 399 μm underwent CXL with hypotonic riboflavin. IVCM was performed preoperatively and at one month, three months, and six months after the procedure. Results: IVCM analysis one month postoperatively showed complete absence of the subepithelial nerve plexus with gradual regeneration over six months in 8 of the 10 eyes, and poor regeneration in the remaining 2 eyes. The anterior stroma showed extracellular lacunae and hyper-reflective cytoplasm in a honeycomb appearance signifying edema at one month which gradually decreased over six months post CXL. Stromal keratocyte apoptosis was evident in the anterior stroma in all cases and extended to the posterior stroma in four eyes with gradual regeneration evident at three and six months. The specular endothelial count decreased by 8% (P = 0.005) post-CXL, but no corneas developed clinical signs of endothelial trauma. Conclusion: IVCM analysis of thin corneas after hypotonic CXL showed posterior corneal structural changes. Posterior stromal changes were accompanied by a decrease in the endothelial cell count. This case series was a preliminary feasibility study that might necessitate conducting a well-designed controlled study.