Context:Cost-effectiveness analysis should continually assess competing health care options especially in high volume environments like cataract surgery.Aims:To compare the cost effectiveness of phacoemulsification (PE) versus manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS).Settings and Design:Prospective randomized controlled trial. Tertiary care hospital setting.Subjects and Methods:A total of 52 consenting patients with age-related cataracts, were prospectively recruited, and block randomized to PE or MSICS group. Preoperative and postoperative LogMAR visual acuity (VA), visual function-14 (VF-14) score and their quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were obtained, and the change in their values calculated. These were divided by the total cost incurred in the surgery to calculate and compare the cost effectiveness and cost utility. Surgery duration was also compared.Statistical Analysis Used:Two group comparison with Student's t-test. Significance set at P < 0.05; 95% confidence interval (CI) quoted where appropriate.Results:Both the MSICS and PE groups achieved comparative outcomes in terms of change (difference in mean [95% CI]) in LogMAR VA (0.03 [−0.05−0.11]), VF-14 score (7.92 [−1.03−16.86]) and QALYs (1.14 [−0.89−3.16]). However, with significantly lower costs (INR 3228 [2700–3756]), MSICS was more cost effective, with superior cost utility value. MSICS was also significantly quicker (10.58 min [6.85–14.30]) than PE.Conclusions:MSICS provides comparable visual and QALY improvement, yet takes less time, and is significantly more cost-effective, compared with PE. Greater push and penetration of MSICS, by the government, is justifiably warranted in our country.

Purpose:Ophthalmic complications in diabetes such as retinopathy, cataract, and infections have been extensively studied. Recently, attention has been drawn toward ocular surface changes in diabetes mellitus (DM). This study has been carried out to investigate the tear film and ocular surface abnormalities in type II DM patients.Materials and Methods:A total of 83 participants (130 eyes) were enrolled: 53 diabetics (80 eyes) and 30 healthy controls (50 eyes). Of the 53 diabetics, 24 patients (42 eyes) had some diabetic retinopathy. The tear film and ocular surface were evaluated using Schirmer test, tear film break-up time (TBUT), keratoepitheliopathy score (KES), Rose Bengal Staining (RBS) test, and conjunctival impression cytology.Results:When compared with the healthy controls, diabetics showed significantly reduced Schirmer, TBUT measurements and the higher grades of KES and RBS test (P < 0.001). Impression cytology analysis showed goblet cell loss and conjunctival squamous metaplasia in diabetics.Conclusion:Tear film abnormality is a significant feature of diabetic ocular surface diseases. These abnormalities are likely on account of poor quality and function of tears, combined with the subnormal ocular surface. Therefore, all diabetic patients especially those with evidence of retinopathy changes should undergo routine early examination and follow-up of tear function and ocular surface parameters.

Introduction: Refractive errors are the commonest cause of visual impairment in school children worldwide. They are correctible and after screening, spectacles can easily enhance vision. This can be achieved only when spectacles are used regularly.  Objective: This study was conducted to study the compliance of spectacles wear among children and to determine the reasons associated with non-compliance. Methodology: 400 children in the age group of 5-15 years with refractive errors attending the eye OPD, using spectacles for more than three months were included. Spectacle wear and reasons of noncompliance were enquired. Data was analyzed to determine the factors associated with spectacle wear compliance. Results: Among 232 boys and 168 girls 142 were from rural and 258 from urban areas. 244(61%) children were compliant. Compliance was better in older children and those from urban areas. Children of educated parents and with power more than -1.0 D were more likely to be compliant. Main reason for not wearing spectacles was ‘lost or broken spectacles’ and dislike for spectacle. Conclusion: Counselling of parents, teachers and peers will be an effective step towards improvement of compliance of spectacles use.

Oculocerebrocutaneous or Delleman syndrome is a rare congenital syndrome characterized by microphthalmia/anophthalmia with or without orbital cysts, focal skin defects, intracranial cysts and skin appendages. We here report a case of 1-year-old male child with periocular skin tags, lid colobomas, and dermal hypoplasia. The patient had delayed developmental milestones and history of tonic-clonic seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head revealed a large arachnoid cyst, aplastic cerebellar vermis and polymicrographic pattern of the cerebral cortex. A complex cyst of spleen was also noted on abdominal ultrasonography. Orbital cysts depending on the size can be excised or left alone. Neuroimaging evaluation of patients with congenital orbital cysts and skin appendages is emphasized for early and appropriate management.

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A female in her early 40s presented to the outpatient clinic for weight loss, fatigue, cough, followed by a gradual painful loss of vision in the right eye associated with redness over the past 3 months. Physical examination revealed bilateral axillary lymphadenopathy and non-healing skin ulcers on the left forearm and the left gluteal region. The patient had no light perception in the right eye and grade 4+ cells in the anterior chamber. A chest X-ray showed a cavitary lesion in the left upper lobe. Histopathological tests from the skin and lymph nodes revealed caseating granulomas, raising the suspicion of tuberculosis. A sputum nucleic acid amplification test was performed, which returned positive forMycobacterium tuberculosis. The patient was treated with antitubercular chemotherapy and showed encouraging signs of progress after the treatment.

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