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Purpose:To evaluate the clinical profile and short-term visual outcome of optic neuritis (ON) patients in India.Materials and Methods:In this prospective study carried out over a period of 3 years, 99 eyes of 83 ON patients were examined and followed up for 10.8 ± 8.2 months for type of presentation, recurrence rate, and visual outcome.Results:Mean age was 27.6 ± 8.8 years. Female preponderance was seen (70% of cases). Papillitis (53.5% of eyes) was more common than retrobulbar neuritis (46.5% of eyes). Bilateral presentation was seen in 19.3% cases. Baseline median logMAR visual acuity (VA) was 1.6 ± 0.8, which improved to 0.2 ± 0.6, with approximately 64% of eyes retaining VA of 20/40 or more. Two patients had previous diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). MS was newly diagnosed in two patients. Recurrence was seen in 16% of eyes and was more common in cases of retrobulbar neuritis.Conclusion:The clinical profile of ON in Indian patients is different from that in the Western population. Unlike reported in the Western literature, papillitis is frequent in the Indian setup, with lower recurrence rates but poorer outcomes.

. Purpose:  Post‐traumatic cysts of the iris pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for ophthalmic surgeons. This prospective case series highlights the clinical spectrum and longterm outcomes of different modes of treatment in these cases. Methods:  Eleven cases of post‐traumatic iris inclusion cysts, treated with Nd:YAG laser and/or surgical excision were evaluated prospectively over periods ranging from 6 months to 3 years. Ultrasound biomicroscopy features and postoperative outcomes in each were evaluated. Results:  Laser iridotomy of the cyst offers a non‐invasive method of therapy in these cases but has a high rate of recurrence. The outcomes in most cases were poor, with worse results and more complications encountered in younger age groups. Conclusions:  Iris inclusion cysts have overall poor surgical outcomes as the result of the extensive proliferation of epithelial cells, which may explain why the condition takes a rapid course in younger patients and why severe complications are encountered postoperatively in this age group.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection (SARS-CoV-2), commonly known as COVID-19 (coronavirus disease-2019), began in the Wuhan District of Hubei Province, China. It is regarded as one of the worst pandemics, which has consumed both human lives and the world economy. COVID-19 infection mainly affects the lungs triggering severe hypoxemic respiratory failure, also providing a nidus for superimposed bacterial and fungal infections. We report the case of a 73-year-old male who presented with progressive dyspnea; diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2–related severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and complicated with lung cavitations growing Aspergillus sp. COVID-19, to our knowledge, has rarely been associated with subacute invasive pulmonary aspergillosis with aspergillomas. Subacute invasive pulmonary aspergillosis as a superimposed infection in patients with SARS-CoV-2 is a rare entity. By reporting this case, we would like to make the readers aware of this association.

We report a rare instance of favorable outcome in orbital apex syndrome secondary to herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patient. The patient complained of pain and decrease in vision in one eye (20/640) for 2 weeks accompanied with swelling, inability to open eye, and rashes around the periocular area and forehead. The presence of complete ophthalmoplegia, ptosis, relative afferent pupillary defect, and anterior uveitis with decreased corneal sensation prompted a diagnosis of HZO with orbital apex syndrome. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test and a low CD4 count confirmed HIV. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), systemic acyclovir, and systemic steroids were started. Visual acuity and uveitis improved within 10 days. By the end of the fourth week, ocular motility also recovered and the final visual acuity was 20/25. We highlight the role of HAART, used in conjunction with systemic steroid and acyclovir therapy, in improving the outcome.