FREQUENCY OF OCULAR SYMPTOMS IN COVID-19 PATIENTS

Objective: To determine the frequency of ocular symptoms in COVID 19 patients and its association with systemic symptoms in active COVID 19 patients.   Methods: This is a cross sectional observational study of laboratory confirmed COVID-19 patients who were admitted in isolation wards for a period from Dec 16, 2020 to Jan 15, 2021. A structured form was used to extract the data from electronic medical records. Data collected included sociodemographic characteristics, presenting symptoms, systemic signs and symptoms, ocular symptoms, past medical history, RT-PCR and chest radiographic findings.  Results: A total of 44 patients (30 (68.2%) males and 14 (31.82%) females) were admitted to the isolation wards during the study period. The mean age (+ SD) age was 55.75 + 14.53 with median range 57.50 (14-92). Age <30 years i.e. 4.5%, 30-50 i.e. 27.3% and >50 i.e. 68.2%.Ocular symptoms were present in 17 patients (38.6%).   Conclusion:  We conclude from our study that Ocular symptoms were present in 17 patients (38.6%) out of 44 (Total number of patients) However, these symptoms were mild, had no fixed pattern of occurrence, neither associated with the severity of the systemic disease nor associated with any serious ocular outcome

Impact of COVID-19 on Ophthalmologists

Objectives: To determine the effects of COVID 19 pandemic on the professional lives of ophthalmologists Methods: This cross sectional survey was conducted for 6 months in late 2020 and used google forms for data collection. Results: Total 68 respondents gave their likert response for each of the 20 statements. No. %, median, mode and interquartile range, of all respondents likert sentiment for each statement, were calculated. Survey results showed general, ‘consent and consensus’. Conclusion: Covid-19 has influenced professional lives of ophthalmologists

The global burden of adolescent and young adult cancer in 2019 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background In estimating the global burden of cancer, adolescents and young adults with cancer are often overlooked, despite being a distinct subgroup with unique epidemiology, clinical care needs, and societal impact. Comprehensive estimates of the global cancer burden in adolescents and young adults (aged 15-39 years) are lacking. To address this gap, we analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, with a focus on the outcome of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), to inform global cancer control measures in adolescents and young adults. Methods Using the GBD 2019 methodology, international mortality data were collected from vital registration systems, verbal autopsies, and population-based cancer registry inputs modelled with mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs). Incidence was computed with mortality estimates and corresponding MIRs. Prevalence estimates were calculated using modelled survival and multiplied by disability weights to obtain years lived with disability (YLDs). Years of life lost (YLLs) were calculated as age-specific cancer deaths multiplied by the standard life expectancy at the age of death. The main outcome was DALYs (the sum of YLLs and YLDs). Estimates were presented globally and by Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintiles (countries ranked and divided into five equal SDI groups), and all estimates were presented with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). For this analysis, we used the age range of 15-39 years to define adolescents and young adults. Findings There were 1.19 million (95% UI 1.11-1.28) incident cancer cases and 396 000 (370 000-425 000) deaths due to cancer among people aged 15-39 years worldwide in 2019. The highest age-standardised incidence rates occurred in high SDI (59.6 [54.5-65.7] per 100 000 person-years) and high-middle SDI countries (53.2 [48.8-57.9] per 100 000 person-years), while the highest age-standardised mortality rates were in low-middle SDI (14.2 [12.9-15.6] per 100 000 person-years) and middle SDI (13.6 [12.6-14.8] per 100 000 person-years) countries. In 2019, adolescent and young adult cancers contributed 23.5 million (21.9-25.2) DALYs to the global burden of disease, of which 2.7% (1.9-3.6) came from YLDs and 97.3% (96.4-98.1) from YLLs. Cancer was the fourth leading cause of death and tenth leading cause of DALYs in adolescents and young adults globally. Interpretation Adolescent and young adult cancers contributed substantially to the overall adolescent and young adult disease burden globally in 2019. These results provide new insights into the distribution and magnitude of the adolescent and young adult cancer burden around the world. With notable differences observed across SDI settings, these estimates can inform global and country-level cancer control efforts. Copyright (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe

Efficacy of Laser Capsulotomy in the Treatment of Posterior Capsule Opacification

Background: Neodymium – Ytrium – Aluminim – Garnet (Nd:YAG) laser capsulotomy is an effective treatment of posterior capsule opacification , but is not without its attendant risks Methods: In this interventional study, 200 Eyes with posterior capsule opacification (PCO) were subjected to Nd:YAG laser for posterior capsulotomy using ZEIS visualas YAG II plus system, under topical anaesthesia and dilated pupil with tropicamide eye drops with the help of Abraham Capsulotomy YAG Laser Lens. The patients were assessed for early complications after one hour, next day and after one week and the final visual acuity recorded with best correction. Results:Prior to Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy only 7% (14) patients had good best corrected visual acuity (6/18). After one week follow-up there was significant improvement in (73%) patients (122). The overall rate of early complications was 28.7%. Conclusion: The Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy is a safe outdoor procedure with good visual outcome

Success rate of Nasolacrimal Duct Probing in children with Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction after the age of one year

Introduction: The objective of this study was to determine the success rate of nasolacrimal duct probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children after the age of one year.Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive case series conducted on 145 children presented to Ophthalmology Department, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad with CNLDO. The probing and syringing of the nasolacrimal duct were performed under general anesthesia. The patency of the nasolacrimal system was evaluated by irrigation of saline stained with pyodine through the superior punctum, flow of saline into the nose was confirmed by soaking of throat gauze with pyodine stained fluid and/or oozing of pyodine stained fluid through nose. Patients were advised topical antibiotics and steroids for 3 weeks after the probing and follow-up checkups after 6 weeks. Data were analyzed using SPSS computer software version 17.0. Effect modifier like age and gender was controlled by stratification. The post-stratification chi-square test was applied. P-value <0.05 was considered significant.Results: In our study, the frequency of success of nasolacrimal duct probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children between 1 to 2 years was 80.3%, children between 2 to 3 years of age were 53.1%, and children between 3 to 4 years of age were 32.4%.Conclusion: We concluded that the success rate of nasolacrimal duct probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction is higher in children after the age of one year and decreases gradually as the age progresses

A Case of Asymptomatic Pulmonary Artery Aneurysm with Review of Management Strategies

Pulmonary artery aneurysm (PAA) is defined as pulmonary artery diameter greater than 4 cm. With advances in cardiac imaging, the detection rate has increased but the natural history remains unknown. We present the case of a large, incidentally identified PAA in a patient with a history of congenital pulmonic stenosis

Patterns of Common Dermatological Conditions among Children and Adolescents in Pakistan

Background and Objectives: Dermatological disorders are highly prevalent among children in Pakistan. The present cross-sectional study aims to identify the spectrum of dermatological conditions among children and adolescents in Pakistan. Materials and Methods: A total of 582 patients (50.9% males; 49.1% females) were included in the study based on their age (5.7 ± 4.1 years), dermatological condition, and epidemiology. The youngest patient was aged ten days, whereas the eldest was seventeen. Age criteria were further stratified into three categories: infants and toddlers (≤5 years), children (≥5 to Results: Scabies was the highest reported skin condition with 281 (45.55%) patients, followed by 114 (19.6%) with eczema, 60 (10.3%) with dermatitis, 33 (5.7%) with tinea capitis, 17 (2.9%) with tinea corporis, 16 (2.7%) with impetigo, and 15 (2.6%) with folliculitis. Other conditions include urticaria, burns, infections, pediculosis, tinea inguinalis, tinea faciei, nappy rashes, alopecia, warts, tinea incognito, tinea cruris, and acne vulgaris. The chi-squared test showed a high prevalence of tinea corporis and acne among adolescents (12–17 years), whereas eczema, dermatitis, and impetigo were more prevalent among infants and toddlers. Conclusions: Pets or livestock and poor hygiene were found to be highly reported risk factors for many dermatological conditions like scabies and fungal infections. Dermatological conditions are common in younger individuals, but unfortunately, many children do not receive the desired medical assistance