Large leaking descemetocele presenting as a traumatic corneal laceration

A 47-year-old healthy Indonesian gentleman, presented with blurring of vision on the left eye associated with pain and redness after history of foreign body entering the eye. A general practitioner prescribed him some eye drops; however, his symptoms worsened. A corneal laceration wound measuring 0.5 x 3.5mm with a large stromal abscess measuring 9.0 x 5.0mm with flat anterior chamber was seen on the left eye. Emergency corneal T&S revealed a large descemetocele and cyanoacrylate corneal glue was applied on the area. C&S showed Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Patient was subsequently undergone penetrating keratoplasty as a definitive measure. This case highlights the rapid progression of pseudomonas keratitis, presented with a large descemetocele, which can be mistaken as an infected corneal laceration wound. Corneal cyanoacrylate glueing together with corneal suturing is a viable temporary method for large descemetoceles awaiting definitive surgery

Hemangioblastoma in the setting of Von Hippel Lindau disease: a case report

A 21-year-old Chinese gentleman with no known medical illness, presented with a history of right painless blurring of vision with central scotoma of two weeks duration. He also had a history of multiple episodes of seizures prior to presentation. Visual acuity was 1/60 with unremarkable anterior segment findings and no relative afferent pupillary defect. Fundus examination of the right eye revealed dilated and tortuous retinal veins with multiple retinal capillary hemangiomas and sub retinal hard exudates at the macula with edema. A diagnosis of Von Hippel Lindau disease was made when a posterior fossa mass suggestive of hemangioblastoma with obstructive hydrocephalus was seen on computed tomography of the brain. Craniotomy with nodule excision was performed. The retinal capillary hemangiomas were treated with the combination of laser photocoagulation and intravitreal Ranibizumab injections. Visual acuity subsequently improved to 6/36

Do pathogens from corneal scraping show their true colours better in bactec bottles?

Identification of causative organisms of clinically suspected microbial keratitis is very important so that appropriate targeted antimicrobial treatment can be offered to patients. The current routine method of corneal scraping specimens on to multiple agar culture plates for microbiological study is not really providing encouraging result. Our trial of modified technique of using BACTEC broth for three clinically suspected microbial keratitis cases worked 100% to identify the causative organisms in cases of microbial keratitis

Retinal redetachment after pneumatic retinopexy – the importance of case selection

Pneumatic retinopexy is known as one of the treatment options for a specific type of retinal detachment. It is done in an office setting and may be the most cost-effective means of retinal reattachment surgery. Location and size of the retinal break remain as the major criteria for a successful outcome. We describe a case that fulfilled all except one major criteria for pneumatic retinopexy and underwent multiple procedures but failed. Fluctuation in the resolution of the retinal detachment such as in this particular case suggested possibility of early treatment failure

Microbial contamination of extended use ophthalmic drops in ophthalmology clinic

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of microbial contamination of multi-user preserved ophthalmic drops (POD) in Ophthalmology Outpatient Clinic (OOC), to compare the rate of contamination between the dropper tip and the residual contents in the bottle, and to identify the contaminating organisms. Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study using a convenience sampling method conducted in the OOC of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center, Malaysia. The samples of POD bottles were divided into groups obtained after 14 days (T14) and after 30 days (T30) of use. The contamination rate at the dropper tip and in the residual contents was determined and the contaminating organisms were identified. Results: A total of 140 of 149 extended-use POD bottles were included. The prevalence of contamination was 30%. There was a statistically significant difference in the rate of contamination between samples T14 and T30 (19% and 11%, respectively; p=0.046). Proparacaine and tropicamide showed higher contamination rates in the T14 samples (p=0.027 and p=0.497, respectively) than in the T30 samples. The site of contamination was higher at the dropper tip than in the residual contents (p>0.05). Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species were the most frequently identified contaminants (89%). Conclusion: The dropper tip was more contaminated than the residual contents, and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species, which are common commensal flora of the ocular conjunctiva and skin, were the most frequently identified organisms

Descemet membrane detachment post- phacoemulsification

We report the case series of phacoemulsification-related Descemet membrane detachment (DMD) encountered at a tertiary hospital in Kuala Lumpur. Case 1 was an iatrogenic DMD which was detected intraoperatively and managed early with good outcome. Case 2 and case 3 described unusual presentation of DMD which was initially undiagnosed. This report highlights the use of anterior segment optical coherence tomography (ASOCT) in detecting and confirming the correct diagnosis for DMD. With the aid of an experienced corneal specialist, the higher threshold for suspicious occurrence of DMD was confirmed using ASOCT. Treatment was tailored accordingly, with successful clearance of corneal oedema and visual recovery. This case series highlighted the importance of proper operative documentation and high threshold for suspicion for DMD in focal corneal oedema following an otherwise uneventful cataract surgery. It is concluded that ASOCT is an excellent tool to confirm diagnosis of DMD and success of treatment

A rare case of disciform keratitis in a silicone-filled eye presenting with ‘sticky oil’ on the endothelium.

An unusual case of disciform keratitis developing in a patient with silicone oil-filled eye following vitrectomies for posterior globe rupture

Severe orbital cellulitis secondary to chronic sinusitis: challenges in saving the eye

Orbital cellulitis is a relatively common disease affecting predominantly the paediatric population. Most cases occur as a result of spread from the nearby sinuses. Other causes include penetrating trauma or extension from infected adjacent structures.If left untreated, this condition may result in devastating sequelae such as orbital apex syndrome, cavernous sinus thrombosis, meningitis, cranial nerve palsies, intracranial abscess formation and even death. A 47 year old immunocompetent Burmese lady presented with left eyelid swelling of 2 days duration associated with eye redness, blurring of vision and diplopia. Previously, there was history of right maxillary sinusitis and parapharyngeal abscess 9 months prior to presentation. On examination, she was afebrile with vision of 1/60 for the left eye with positiverelative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD). The eye was proptosed and swollen with restricted extraocular movements in all gazes. Conjunctiva was injected with chemosis and there was corneal epithelial bedewing. Otherwise anterior chamber was quiet and intraocular pressure was 51mmHg. Bilateral fundus examination was normal. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the orbit and paranasal sinus showed dense sinusitis and periosteal abscess at the lateral orbital wall.She was started on intravenous (IV) Cefuroxime and Metronidazole and underwent Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) and orbital decompression. Intra-operatively there was pus and debris at the left anterior ethmoid, maxillary and sphenoid air sinuses and cultures revealed Klebsiella pneumoniae which was sensitive to Cefuroxime. Despite medical and surgical treatment, left orbital swelling only reduced minimally. However after starting intravenous Dexamethasone the swelling dramatically improved. She completed 10 days of intravenous Dexamethasone. Upon discharge, she was given oral Dexamethasone 2mg daily for 2 weeks and completed 2 weeks of oral Cefuroxime and Metronidazole. Intraocular pressure normalised and vision recovered to 6/9. A repeat CT orbit 3 weeks later showed resolving preseptal and periorbital collection

Successful treatment of epithelial downgrowth with endoscopic photocoagulation and intracameral 5-fluorouracil after prolonged limbal wound leak

Letter to the Edito

CMV endotheliitis: a cause for recurrent failed corneal transplant

Objective: To highlight the clinical presentation of CMV endotheliitis and the challenge in diagnosing this condition in recurrent failed penetrating keratoplasty (PK). Methods: Case seriesResults: There are 3 cases of recurrent failure in PK secondary to CMV endotheliitis presented. Case 1 and 2 were pseudophakic patients, while in case 3, the patient had a previous history of recurrent anterior uveitis. Case 1 and 3 had four and one previous failed PK respectively, while case 2 had endothelial keratoplasty twice before the diagnosis of CMV endotheliitis was made, following positive culture of aqueous humour. The visual acuity ranged from 1/60 to hand movement. All patients had pigmented KP, and two of them had typical coin-shaped KP. Oral valganciclovir was instituted for all patients consisting of bidaily for two weeks, followed by 900 mg once daily for six months. Additionally, topical ganciclovir eyedrop 0.5% was given every four hours with topical dexaminim four times a day. Repeated anterior chamber (AC) tap after six months of treatment was negative for CMV in case 3 while cases 1 and 2 are still on treatment. CMV endotheliitis is an increasingly important cause of failed corneal transplant. We recommend anterior chamber tap in suspicious cases of repeatedly failed corneal transplant, regardless of the presence of coin-shaped KP or not. Minim treatment with oral valganciclovir is important to eradicate the problem, before proceeding with another corneal transplant.Conclusion: It is important to make an accurate early diagnosis by good clinical judgement in preventing loss of corneal endothelial cells. High index of suspicion for CMV endotheliitis as a cause of graft failure must be made especially when the patient presents with coin-shaped KP. Therefore unnecessary treatment resulting from misdiagnosis in these patients can be prevented. Early recognition and treatment of this condition is important to prevent permanent endothelial cell loss and corneal decompensation