Introduction: HIV/AIDS is a disorder which affects multiple systems in our body but ophthalmic manifestations do occur in 70-80% of patients sometime during their lifetime. Eye is affected either directly by HIV virus or indirectly through various opportunistic infections. HIV related ophthalmic manifestations are wide and can affect any part of eye from a dnexal disorders to posterior segment diseases including the optic nerve and the optic tract. This study was done to know the prevalence of ocular manifestations in the known HIV positive case & to correlate the ocular manifestations in HIV positive patients with their CD4+ lymphocyte count and duration of disease. Material & Methods: In the present study, we examined 200 known cases of HIV infection who attended the Out Patient Department of Government Eye Hospital, Amritsar, Punjab. Detailed ocular examination was done and the findings were correlated with CD4+ count and duration of the disease. Result: In the present study it was found that dry eye and HIV retinopathy were amongst the most common ocular manifestations accounting for 20.5% and 20% of the total cases. Next in the series was neuro ophthalmic complications which include dpapilledema, optic nerve atrophy, papillitis and also third nerve abnormalities. It consisted of 5.5% of the total cases. Almost equal in incidence was anterior uveitis consisting of 5% of the total. Next of importance was CMV retinitis of which 5 cases were seen which constituted 2.5% of the total and all these cases were observed in the patients with CD4+ count less than 50/mm3. p value for this was 0.008 which was statistically significant. Few cases of blephar it is, conjunctivitis, cellulitis, herpes zoster ophthalmic us and keratitis were also found which consisted of 2.5%, 0.5%, 1%,3%, and 2% respectively. Conclusion: Any HIV-infected person who at any stage experiences ocular symptoms also should get competent ophthalmologic care at the earliest. Any delay in treatment can lead to permanent visual loss. An improved coordination between two branches of ophthalmology and HIV medicine will need long coordination against this dreadful disease.

Solid-state 532 nm green laser is a safe and effective treatment for high-risk retinopathy of prematurity.

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Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in tears of patients with and without ocular symptoms in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients. Methods: The prospective observational study conducted on 60 consecutive SARS-CoV-2 positive patients with ocular complaints was compared with 60 controls who had no ocular manifestations. The tear samples were taken within 48 h of admission from both the eyes of the enrolled patients for evaluating the presence SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results: Eleven cases (18.33%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in tears on RT-PCR from cojunctival swab compared to 10 (16.66%) controls. The difference was not statistical significant. The difference between mean age of patients who tested positive or negative was also without statistical significance ( P = 0.652), but the difference between patients who tested positive or negative by conjunctival swab for SARS-CoV-2 was statistically significant in terms of severity of COVID-19 disease ( P = 0.0011), presence of comorbidity ( P = 0.0015), mean TLC ( P = 0.00498), and mean d dimer ( P = 0.00465). Conclusion: Though the percentage of patients with positive RT PCR from conjunctival secretions is significantly less than nasopharyngeal swabs, potential risk of transmission of SARS-Co-2 through tears cannot be ruled out. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2 can be present in tears irrespective of ocular involvement.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is now considered as a growing global public health concern due to cost associated with diabetic micro and macrovascular complications. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the leading causes of vision loss. Accurate estimation of prevalence of DR among diabetic patients and associated risk factors are of crucial importance to plan and execute preventive strategies in the community. Aims and Objectives: The present cross sectional hospital based observational study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of DR in diabetic patients at their first ophthalmological contact and toevaluate associated risk factors. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional hospital based observational study, all diabetic patients visiting ophthalmology clinic for the first time after being diagnosed as diabetic were enrolled. After recording demographic data and biochemical findings, each patient was investigated for DR and correlated with associated risk factors. Results: Of 1699 patients, majority (68.9%) of them had come to ophthalmology clinic with complaint of decreased vision. Only 16.12 % (274) patients had been referred for retinal exam by treating physician. DR was prevalent in 242(16.98%) non-referred and 31(11.31%) referred patients. Mean age and mean duration of diabetes was significantly higher in non-referred patients. Vision threatening DR was also significantly higher in nonreferred patients. Prevalence of DR was significantly correlated with age at presentation, duration of diabetes, rural background, uncontrolled diabetes, systolic blood pressure and high BMI. Conclusion: Low referral by treating physician and lack of awareness among patient accounts for late presentation of diabetic patients to ophthalmologist. Beyond just developing strategies to promote screening programs for early detection and management of DR, education of the patients,comprehensive planning and coordination between ophthalmologist and physician can go a long way to decrease the economic and social burden of preventable blindness due to diabetic retinopathy.