Introduction The correlation between corneal curvature and central corneal thickness (CCT), with ocular parameters like axial length and refraction, remains elusive. The various ocular biometric parameters are interdependent and their correlation varies with the population studied. A comprehensive study is required for a better understanding of the ocular biometric properties of Indian eyes.MethodologyThis is a prospective study done in 156 subjects. Subjects with clear lens and clear cornea were included in the study. Those with corneal opacity, cataract, pregnancy, and diabetes were excluded. Cycloplegic refraction, autokeratometry (Potex, ultrasonic auto keratometer), central corneal thickness (ultrasonic pachymeter), and axial length (Sonomed) were done in all subjects. Subjects were divided into two groups based on refraction, for an analysis of parameters. Group one included subjects with refraction of +3 diopters (D) to -2.99D and group two with subjects with > -3D refraction.ResultsWith an increasing axial length and myopic refraction, the corneal curvature tends to be steeper. The average CCT of subjects in group one and group two were 530.34 microns and 542.63 microns, respectively. Subjects with refraction more than 10 diopters or axial length more than 25 mm had a mean CCT of 525.25 microns. Subjects with myopic refraction between 3 diopters and 10 diopters had a mean CCT of 551.32 microns.ConclusionIncrease in corneal power is associated with increasing myopic refraction. Steeper corneal curvature is correlated with increasing axial length and thinner corneas. The mean CCT was 533.87 microns with a standard deviation (SD) of 40.02. Axial myopia is associated with an increase in corneal thickness. These ocular biometric findings have crucial implications in refractive surgeries.

BackgroundNormal tension glaucoma (NTG) is a clinical entity that poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The study elaborates ocular and systemic risk factors of NTG in the South Indian population. It determines the correlation between risk factors and severity of glaucomatous damage.MethodsThis descriptive study was done on 81 eyes of 41 patients. A brief history of hypertension, heart disease, migraine, and family history of glaucoma were noted. The parameters measured include blood pressure, lipid profile, visual acuity, refraction, intraocular pressure (IOP) by applanation tonometry, diurnal variation, slit lamp biomicroscopy, central corneal thickness (CCT), and perimetry (Humphrey 24-2).ResultsThe mean age was 51.75 years. There was female predilection (63.41%). Thirteen patients (32.5%) had hypertension, five (12.5%) had migraine, and seven had hyperlipidemia (17.5%). Perfusion pressure demonstrated a negative correlation value of -0.319 (rho value) with visual field defects (p<0.05) and -0.266 (rho value) with glaucomatous cupping (p=0.093). The IOP varied from 10 mmHg to 19 mmHg with a mean of 15.34. The average CCT was 522.06±36.09 microns. Neuroretinal rim thinning was seen in 12 eyes (14.8%), polar notching in six eyes (7.4%), and peripapillary atrophy in 20 eyes (24.6%). Two eyes (2.4%) had splinter hemorrhage at disc margin. A lower value of CCT was associated with lower IOP, a weak positive correlation (r value 0.121). Optic disc cupping is strongly associated with severity of field defects, r value 0.743, (p<0.00).ConclusionNormal tension glaucoma is common in females. Hypertension and lower diastolic perfusion pressure are important risk factors. Lower CCT is associated with lower IOP (applanation tonometry). Optic disc cupping and diastolic perfusion pressure strongly correlate with severity of visual field defects.

IntroductionThe objective of this study was to assess the effect of heparin irrigation in the management of superficial first and second degree burns with special reference to pain relief and wound healing.Materials and methodsThis pilot study was carried out over a period of 12 months in a tertiary care centre in South India. The study patients were divided into two groups: the heparin group and the saline control group. In the control group, the burn wound was irrigated with 100 mL of normal saline before the conventional dressing with silver sulfadiazine. In the heparin irrigation group, the wound was irrigated with heparin solution before the conventional dressing. Wound healing was assessed in terms of necrotic tissue score and granulation tissue score. Patient satisfaction in terms of patient satisfaction score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and length of hospitalization were compared between the two groups.ResultsA total of 40 patients were analysed in the study, 20 patients in each group. Both the groups were comparable with respect to age, gender, co-morbidities, body mass index (BMI), and degree of burns. Wound healing parameters like necrotic tissue score of six [40% vs. 50%; p = 0.024] and granulation tissue score of four [85% vs. 65%; p= 0.06] were significant in the heparin group compared to the control group. However, the difference was not statistically significant. The mean length of hospitalization between the two groups [10.5 days vs. 12.6 days; p = 0.74] were not statistically significant. Similarly, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with respect to the VAS pain score on the seventh dressing day [6.9 vs. 7.3; p= 0.321].ConclusionIn comparison to saline irrigation, heparin irrigation would result in better wound healing in superficial first and second-degree burns. The length of hospital stay in days and VAS pain score on the seventh dressing day were not statistically significant between the two groups.

Ischemic stroke in the Posterior Cerebral Artery (PCA) territory is an uncommon entity. Majority present with visual field defects while isolated visual perceptual abnormalities are an exceptional manifestation. About 60 year old hypertensive patient presented with vague symptoms of blurring of vision and palinopsia. Defective color vision was recorded in superior quadrants. Perimetry revealed bilateral congruous left superior quadrantanopia. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) disclosed right PCA infarct involving occipito-temporal region. This case highlights a rare presentation of PCA stroke with palinopsia and cerebral dyschromatopsia. Perimetric examination coupled with urgent neuroimaging helps the clinician in prompt diagnosis of neurological event causing unexplained visual phenomena.