Assessment of patient pain experience during intravitreal ranibizumab and aflibercept injection Burak Bilgin, Şemsettin Bilak Middle East African Journal of Ophthalmology 2019 26(2):55-59 PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the pain scores of the patients during intravitreal injection of ranibizumab and aflibercept based on patient feedback. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-two eyes of 72 patients, who had not previously undergone any intravitreal injection procedures, were included in this study. Thirty-eight patients received ranibizumab, and 34 patients received aflibercept injections. The pain was measured by visual analog scale (VAS). Patients were asked to rate their pain experienced during the injection between 0 (no pain) and 10 (worst pain ever felt) on VAS just after the injection. RESULTS: VAS pain scores in ranibizumab and aflibercept groups were 3.28 ± 2.45 and 4.20 ± 2.30, respectively. There was a significant difference in average VAS pain scores between groups (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: VAS pain scores in aflibercept group were found to be significantly higher than the scores in the ranibizumab group.

Evaluation of Contrast sensitivity after four different treatment modalities using optec-functional vision analyzer in primary open-angle glaucoma Parvin Azizzadeh, Masoud Safarzadeh Middle East African Journal of Ophthalmology 2019 26(2):60-64 PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the changes in contrast sensitivity (CS) after using the four different types of antiglaucoma eye drops in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) by OPTEC-functional vision analyzer (FVA). METHODS: In this prospective study, eighty patients (80 eyes) with POAG were randomly divided into four groups. The groups were randomly received timolol maleate 0.5%, travoprost 0.004%, dorzolamide 2%, and brimonidine tartrate 0.2%. The medications were used in the eye that was randomly selected. The CS was assessed before and 15 min after the intervention by the FVA. The paired t-test was used to compare the difference between before and after the intervention. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Fifteen minutes after the instillation of timolol maleate (Group A), the CS in three out of twenty patients at the spatial frequencies of 1.5, and 3 cycles per degree (cpd) was significantly decreased (P = 0.015). However, using travoprost (Group B) and dorzolamide (Group C), the CS in one out of twenty patients at low spatial frequencies (1.5 and 3 cpd) was decreased in the two groups, which was not statistically significant for these medications (P > 0.05). In Group D, after applying brimonidine tartrate, the CS in two out of twenty patients at the spatial frequency of 18 cpd was significantly decreased (P = 0.042). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that CS values at low and high spatial frequencies after applying timolol and brimonidine eye drops are temporarily reduced in patients with POAG.

KAMRA inlay implantation for presbyopia compensation: A retrospective evaluation of patient satisfaction and subjective vision 12-month postoperative Walid G Harb, Nabil G Chamoun, Georges W Harb Middle East African Journal of Ophthalmology 2019 26(2):65-70 PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to evaluate patients' satisfaction and subjective vision 12 months after monocular KAMRA corneal inlay implantation for the surgical compensation of presbyopia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Medical records of patients who underwent corneal inlay implantation in the nondominant eye between 2013 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Data were collected from several centers in Lebanon. Patients with hyperopia or myopia with presbyopia between 45 and 70 years not suffering from any other ocular pathology were eligible for inclusion. Twelve-month postoperative satisfaction score was evaluated in all patients as well as the subjective vision score for near, intermediate, and distant tasks. RESULTS: This study included 73 patients. Almost 95% (69/73) of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with their vision and 93% (68/73) never or almost never used reading glasses while performing daily tasks. Subjective vision scores were found to be higher for distant and intermediate tasks performed during the day than for those performed during the night (P< 0.001). The average subjective vision score for reading a book or a newspaper in dim light was the lowest among all average subjective vision scores. No difference in satisfaction was found between patients with myopia or hyperopia or between males and females. CONCLUSION: The implant of a small-aperture corneal inlay resulted in a substantial improvement in patients' distant, intermediate, and near subjective vision, better in normal light than in dim light, and most patients became spectacles independent.

Clinical profile and treatment outcomes of amblyopia across age groups Christiane Al-Haddad, Karine Ismail, Kheir Wajiha Jurdi, Mona Keaik Middle East African Journal of Ophthalmology 2019 26(2):71-76 PURPOSE: The purpose is to study the clinical profile of amblyopia by age at diagnosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 327 amblyopic patients over 7 years (September 2009–December 2016) was performed, divided by age at diagnosis into four groups: <3, 3–7, 8–15, and >15 years. Demographics, eye conditions and eye examination parameters including visual acuity (VA), refractive errors, and motility measurements were collected. RESULTS: Mean age at diagnosis and follow-up time was 6.2 ± 6.1 years standard deviation (SD) and 12.4 months ± 20.6 SD, respectively. The most common overall cause of amblyopia was strabismus (37%) followed by anisometropia (36%). The main causes by age at diagnosis were: strabismus at <3 years, anisometropia at 3–7 years, anisometropia at 8–15 years, and mixed at >15 years. Significant improvement in VA with treatment was noted with age between 3 and 15 years (3–7 years,P= 0.001 and 8–15 years,P= 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Strabismus was the main cause of amblyopia at <3 years of age; anisometropia was more prevalent in older children (3–15 years). The fact that more than a quarter of our amblyopic patients were detected late (after the age of 8 years) underscores the need for expanded vision screening measures in young children.

Establishing a pediatric ophthalmology service in malawi: Developments in childhood cataract surgery Aaron Jamison, Jane R Mackinnon, Timothy E Lavy, Chatonda Manda, Gerald Msukwa Middle East African Journal of Ophthalmology 2019 26(2):77-82 PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to report on the establishment of a Pediatric Ophthalmology Service for Malawi using childhood cataract surgery as a surrogate measure of its effectiveness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of pediatric cataract surgery at Lions Sight First Eye Hospital, Blantyre, between 2011 and 2016. The paucity of comprehensive records allowed for the sampling of a maximum of 25 cases/year (n = 150) for comparison. Theatre records and population statistics were used to calculate childhood cataract surgical rates (CCSR). RESULTS: A total of 949 cataract operations were performed during the six years studied – 55.8% of these were boys. The number of operations per year remained generally stable. Of the 150 cases reviewed, the mean age at presentation was 6.01 years, with a trend toward a slightly younger age over the period. Over the years studied, the geographical distribution of referrals became more reflective of the population's distribution. Where the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) visions were available, these demonstrated a mean improvement from 2.008 (n = 43) preoperatively to 0.613 (n = 51) postoperatively. The mean follow-up was 106 days (0 days–3.25 years). Complication rates were low. The CCSR was 9.2/million population. CONCLUSIONS: A Pediatric Ophthalmology Service has been established in Malawi delivering safe, effective surgery on a country-wide scale for childhood cataract. Over the period studied, the age at presentation reduced, and there was an improvement in the geographical distribution of patients, likely due to an improvement in referral systems throughout Malawi.

Role of a community-based program for identification and referral of pediatric cataract patients in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic Of The Congo Janvier Ngoy Kilangalanga, Thomas Stahnke, Astrid Moanda, Emile Makwanga, Adrian Hopkins, Rudolf Friedrich Guthoff Middle East African Journal of Ophthalmology 2019 26(2):83-88 PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe the methodology and to assess the effectiveness of a community-based rehabilitation (CBR) program to identify and refer children with blinding cataract for the management and surgery to reduce the burden of childhood blindness due to cataract in Kinshasa. METHODS: Church-based volunteers were trained to identify children with presumed eye disorders in their localities and households and to refer them for cataract identification by an ophthalmic nurse during parishes' visits. Volunteers were parishioners living in the quartiers where identification took place and worked as community workers with the CBR program. Nurses used a lamp-torch to rule out cataract. Selected children were referred to the tertiary eye health facility at St Joseph Hospital for diagnosis and management. RESULTS: Identification took place in 31 out of 165 parishes in the Archdioceses of Kinshasa from 2000 to 2016 and 11,106 children aged <16 years were screened. Among them, 1277 children (11.5%) were presumed to have cataract. Ninety-two children among them died before surgery; 107 children were lost to further follow-up and did not report to the CBR center for referral. Reasons given were change of home address, moving in their lieu of origin, death, and refusal of treatment by the parents. Finally, only 1078 children were referred to the pediatric ophthalmologist and 705 children (65.4%) were definitively diagnosed to have treatable cataract, while in 373 children (34.6%), cataract surgery was not indicated for several reasons. There was a positive history of familial cataract in 36 children (2.8%). CONCLUSION: Using church-based volunteers and ophthalmic nurses during community screening proved efficient in the identification and referral of pediatric cataract. Keeping regular identification activities in the community and maintaining high-quality and accessible pediatric cataract surgery services can help to clear up the backlog of cataract blind children.

Awareness of ocular manifestations, complications, and treatment of sickle cell disease in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study Arwa Mohammed Alshehri, Kaberi Biswas Feroze, Moharib Khaled Amir Middle East African Journal of Ophthalmology 2019 26(2):89-94 AIM: This study aims to assess the level of awareness about the effect of sickle cell disease (SCD) on the eye and vision and factors influencing SCD awareness. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study design was cross-sectional and was carried out in 2018 among the general population in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. It was conducted using an online, validated questionnaire, after obtaining consent from the participants. The outcome variable was 557. The level of awareness was correlated to demographic information. RESULTS: The study population was 557 Saudi adults. 84 were male and 473 female. Their mean age was 22 ± 23 years. Majority of the participants (57.3%) were not aware that SCD could affect the eye and vision. There was no difference in the knowledge regarding ocular complications of SCD among different ages and sexes. CONCLUSIONS: The result of this study indicates the need for raising the knowledge regarding the disease, its ocular complications, screening methods, and management. Health educations campaigns would be an effective tool in increasing SCD awareness.

Safety and efficacy of corneal cross-linking in pediatric patients with keratoconus and vernal keratoconjunctivitis Malek Alrobaian, Maram Elsayed, Abdulaziz Khalid Alotaibi, Mosa AlHarbi, William May, Donald U Stone Middle East African Journal of Ophthalmology 2019 26(2):95-100 PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to determine the safety and efficacy of corneal collagen cross-linking for keratoconus in pediatric patients with and without vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC). METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 89 eyes of 58 patients <18 years of age that underwent corneal collagen cross-linking for progressive keratoconus; inclusion criteria included a minimum of 2-year follow-up after cross-linking. The main outcomes measures included keratometry, pachymetry, vision, and complications following epithelial-off cross-linking with the Dresden protocol. RESULTS: VKC patients were more likely to be male; 81.6% of the non-VKC patients and 96.3% of VKC patients were male (P = 0.038). Comparing pretreatment to the 2-year follow-up, there was no statistically significant change in the mean steep or flat keratometry, corneal thickness, and uncorrected visual acuity or best spectacle-corrected visual acuity in either group. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean visual, keratometric, or adverse event outcomes between the two groups. The proportion exhibiting progression of ectasia at 2 years was 18.5% in the VKC group and 16.7% in the non-VKC group (P = 0.83). CONCLUSIONS: Cross-linking appears to be as safe and effective in pediatric patients with vernal keratoconjunctivits as in those without, with similar outcomes, adverse events, and progression of keratoconus after treatment. The proportion of patients exhibiting progression appears to be higher in pediatric patients than adults, and there is an association between male sex and diagnosis of VKC.

Impact of a 10-Year eye care program in sokoto, Nigeria: Changing pattern of prevalence and causes of blindness and visual impairment Nasiru Muhammad, Mohammed D Adamu, Caleb Mpyet, Catey Bounce, Nuhu M Maishanu, Aliyu M Jabo, Muhammad M Rabiu, Covadonga Bascaran, Sunday Isiyaku, Allen Foster Middle East African Journal of Ophthalmology 2019 26(2):101-106 BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to ascertain the current magnitude and causes of blindness and visual impairment in persons aged 50 years and over and to assess the impact of a 10-year eye care program in Sokoto State, Nigeria. METHODS: A rapid assessment of avoidable blindness (RAAB) survey (in persons 50 years and over) was conducted in 2016. Participants were selected in Wurno health zone using a two-stage cluster randomized sampling with probability proportional to size. Operational definitions were based on RAAB and World Health Organization eye examination record definitions. Eye care program documents were reviewed and data from a baseline survey undertaken in 2005 were reanalyzed. RESULTS: A response of 89.1% (2405 of 2700 participants) was obtained in the 2016 survey. With available correction, the unadjusted prevalence of blindness was 7.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.4, 8.9). The odds of blindness were 1.8 times higher in females than males (95% CI: 1.3, 2.4;P< 0.001). Major causes of blindness were cataract (48.9%) corneal disease (20.1%), glaucoma (10.3%), and uncorrected refractive error/aphakia (8.7%). The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of blindness has declined from 11.6% (95% CI: 7.4, 17.0) in 2005 to 6.8% (95% CI: 5.6, 8.0%) in 2016. CONCLUSION: The blindness prevalence is high, and the major causes are avoidable in the health zone. The findings suggest that investments in the program over the last 10 years might have led to almost a halving in the prevalence of blindness in th e population. However, the small sample size of persons 50+ years from Wurno zone in the 2005 survey necessitate caution when comparing the 2005 and the 2016 surveys.

Indications for pediatric ocular prosthesis fitting at a referral center in the Middle East Danya Al-Dahan, Arif O Khan Middle East African Journal of Ophthalmology 2019 26(2):107-109 Trauma is the major reason for globe loss in adults; however, there are less data regarding the causes for globe loss in children. We reviewed the underlying diagnoses of children who underwent ocular prosthesis fitting over a 1-year period at a referral eye hospital in the Middle East and found retinoblastoma, trauma, and congenital microphthalmia or anophthalmia to be the most common diagnoses, respectively. Enucleation and evisceration were the most common procedures and were exclusively performed for retinoblastoma and trauma, respectively. Ocular morbidity from the most common diagnoses related to pediatric globe loss in the region could be decreased by improved family education, safety precautions, and genetic counseling.