OBJECTIVE: To investigate the retinal toxicity of different doses of moxifloxacin after intravitreal injection into rabbit eyes. METHODS: Eight male rabbits were divided into four groups; 2 rabbits each were injected intravitreally with moxifloxacin 48 ug, 240 ug, 480 ug, and normal saline solution. Ocular toxicity was assessed at day 3 and day 7 by slit-lamp biomicroscopy, ophthalmoscopy, and histology. RESULTS: All eyes showed no abnormalities on histologic evaluation. No relevant complications were found during slit-lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal injection of 480 ug or less of moxifloxacin did not produce retinal toxicity histologically in rabbit eyes.
Animal ; MOXIFLOXACIN ; ENDOPHTHALMITIS ; INTRAVITREAL INJECTIONS

Preparation of the essential oil of lemon grass was done in collaboration with the Chemical and Minerals Department of DOST. Properly washed and air dried mature leaves of lemon grass were used. Essential oil was extracted by means of hydrodistillation wherein the cut leaves were placed in a 4 liter erlenmeyer flask filled with tap water which was sealed and connected to a Clevenger tube for collection. This was then dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate (Na2SO4). The percentage oil yield of the sample was computed in terms of volume per weight percent. Moisture of free oils were stored in amber colored bottles at 4 degrees centigrade A 1.17 percent has been extracted through this process. The oil obtained was subjected to bioassay gas chromatography. The gas chromatogram found that Citral was the major component with a concentration of 69.39 percent. The physical properties of lemon grass essential oil in Table 1 Antifungal sensitivities were determined with tube dilution methods. The MIC for Fusarium solani was determined at 625 ug/ml and the MFC was at 700 ug/ml. The MIC of Aspergillus was at 500 ug/ml and MFC was at 570 ug/ml.
Animal ; ESSENTIAL OIL, CORNEA

OBJECTIVE

To identify the current practices of ophthalmology subspecialists involved in the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in the Philippines.

A survey was conducted among members of the Vitreo-Retina Society of the Philippines (VRSP) and the Philippine Society of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (PSPOS) who treat ROP. The electronic questionnaire covered treatment preferences and factors influencing these preferences regarding the use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF), laser indirect ophthalmoscopy (LIO), cryotherapy, and surgical interventions. Questions about referral system and ROP recurrences encountered by the respondents were included.

A total of 73 out of 86 (85.00% response rate) possible respondents were included in the study, majority (80.82%) of whom were retina subspecialists. The initial treatment preference for type 1 ROP was laser indirect ophthalmoscopy (43.84%), while anti-VEGF injection (67.12%) was preferred for aggressive posterior ROP (APROP). Among the available anti-VEGF agents, bevacizumab was the most favored (68.11%). Most ROP consultations (59.79%) occurred through referrals, primarily from pediatricians or neonatologists (91.78%). Subspecialists reported encountering more recurrences with anti-VEGF injections compared to LIO. LIO was the most preferred treatment after failed initial anti-VEGF therapy, with most recurrences occurring in patients older than 50 weeks post-conceptual age.

This study underscored the diverse treatment practices for ROP in the Philippines, influenced by factors such as variable access to equipment or drugs, clinician experience with specific treatments, and ocular factors such as faster regression of neovascularization. LIO was preferred as the initial therapy for Type 1 ROP and for managing recurrences, while anti-VEGF injections were favored for APROP and as an alternative treatment for Type 1 ROP. Given the absence of an established standard for treating recurrent ROP cases, long-term monitoring is necessary to facilitate timely interventions and prevent blindness.