To compare the role of fresh and dry preserved amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) in partial limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). 30 Patients of partial LSCD involving <180° of cornea of different age group were divided into 2 groups; group A and B. Clinical diagnosis was made on the basis of presence of conjunctival pannus over cornea and loss of limbal palisades of Vogt. After taking impression cytology from the corneal surface, group A patients underwent conjunctival pannus resection followed by fresh AMT while group B patients underwent dry preserved AMT after resection of pannus. Resected specimens were sent for histopathological confirmation of the conjunctival tissue. Serial follow-ups were done at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks interval post-operatively. Pre-operative impression cytology revealed goblet cells in 40 and 53.33 % cases of group A and group B respectively. However, histopathological examination confirmed the presence of conjunctival tissue in all cases. All cases in both the groups maintained stable corneal epithelial surface with amelioration of clinical symptoms except for 1 case in group A. At the end of 24 weeks improvement in visual acuity was observed in 40 % cases in both the groups which was not more than 2 Snellen's line in any case. Complete regression of superficial vascularisation was observed in 60 and 53.33 % cases in group A and B respectively while deep vascularisation persisted in all at the end of study period. Recurrence of conjunctival pannus at the same site was observed in 13.33 % in both the groups. One patient (6.66 %) developed post-operative infectious keratitis in group A while no major complications were observed in group B. Both fresh and dry AMT is equally effective in the treatment of partial LSCD. However, the utility of AMT is limited in corneas with long standing tissue scarring and vascularisation secondary to partial LSCD.

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Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease of the tear film which leads to ocular discomfort, visual disturbances and damage to ocular surface. The objective of treatment of DED has now shifted from managemnt of ocular symptoms and patient relief to attainment of normal physiological composition of the tear film.Aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of chloroquine phosphate 0.03% (CQP) eye drops with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose 1% (CMC) eye drops in the management of DED. A single blind, prospective and comparative study including 100 patients of dry eyes was planned. The patients were randomly divided into two groups, each comprising of 50 patients. Group-1 patients were given CMC 1% eye drops 4 times a day for 12 weeks and Group-2 patients were given CQP 0.03% eye drops as the treatment modality 2 times a day for 12 weeks. The efficacy of both the drugs was compared and evaluated statistically. The study showed that both CQP and CMC eye drops are effective in treating DED, although faster onset of action was observed with CQP on ocular surface staining tests and Schirmer’s test. Also, it was noted that patients with severe DED showed least improvement in both the groups suggesting that mono-drug therapy is least effective in treatment of severe DED and multi drug therapy should be used early in treatment of severe DED.

This is in reference to case report of Waardenburg Syndrome reported by Yuvika Bansal et al. 1 We are reporting another case of Waardenburg Syndrome, showing bilateral pigmentary disturbance of iris and retina along with sensorineural hearing loss in contrary to previously reported case with unilateral ocular manifestations, prominent dystopia canthorum and lack of hearing abnormlities. Presence of dystopia canthorum in previously reported case clearly differentiates type I from type II Waardenburg syndrome. An effort has been made to address varied presentation and spectrum of the same disease through this article Waardenburg syndrome was first described by Dutch ophthalmologist, Petrus Johannes Waardenburg in 1947. 2 It is a rare disorder characterized by sensorineural hearing deficit, pigmentary disturbances and abnormalities of neural crest derivatives. Clinical manifestations are because of lack of melanocytes in the cochlea, skin, eyes and hair. Reported prevalence is 1 in 42,000. 2 Four clinical types of Waardenburg syndrome (WS) have been recognized. Here is a case report of Type II Waardenburg syndrome showing typical features of the disease. A 14 year old male child was admitted in medicine ward for febrile illness. On examination, he was found to have bilateral, profound sensorineural hearing loss since childhood. Associated ocular findings were-bilateral isohypochromia irides (Figure 1) along with pigmentary abnormalities of retina. Right fundus was diffusely depigmented while left fundus was partially depigmented with normal pigmentation temporal to fovea (Figure 2). Gonioscopy revealed bilateral open, normal angles with

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