OBJECTIVE: To report the causes of legal blindness in the Department of Health (DOH) Eye Center among working age group patients (16-64 years old) in 2014 and compare these figures to data from 2008.

METHODS: Data were collected from the DOH Eye Center records section. The charts of new patients seen at the general ophthalmology clinic in the years 2008 and 2014 were reviewed individually. Patients between 15 and 64 years old with best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/200 (6/60) or less in the better-seeing eye were included as subjects in the study. Patients who improved to better than 20/200 (6/60) with BCVA and any medical or surgical means were excluded from the study. Patients whose visual acuity could not be assessed for any reason or with reversible causes of blindness were also excluded from the study.

RESULTS: The DOH Eye Center general ophthalmology clinic had a total of 8,941 registered patients aged 15 to 64 years old during the period January 1 to December 31, 2014. Diabetic retinopathy/maculopathy together with pathologic myopia formed the largest category of irreversible legal blindness (BCVA of 20/200 or less on the better seeing eye) with a total of 26 (18%) patients for each. Retinitis pigmentosa and macular dystrophy under the hereditary retinal disorders formed the second largest cause of legal blindness with 17 (12%) followed by glaucomatous optic neuropathy from all kinds with 15 (10%). Together, these four entities comprised more than 58% of all causes of blindness in the working age group. Optic atrophy, comprised mostly of ethambutol toxic optic neuropathies (ETON), was responsible for 14 (10%) followed by congenital disorders and corneal disorders of the eye with 7 (5%) for each. Other conditions comprised of disorders of the neural cortex; this formed 6 (4%) eligible causes of legal blindness. Uveitic causes and retinal detachment also contributed 6 (4%) each to the pool of eligible cases of legal blindness. Other conditions were endophthalmitis, central retinal artery occlusion and clinically significant macular edema which collectively contributed 6% to the pool. In comparison, the main causes of eligible legal blindness in the DOH Eye Center in 2008 were glaucoma, which accounted for 21% and was the single leading cause of blindness, followed by diabetic retinopathy (16%), retinal detachment 11%), pathologic myopia and optic atrophy (10%).

CONCLUSION: The leading causes of legal blindness in 2014 were shared between diabetic retinopathy/maculopathy and pathologic myopia. In 2008, the single leading cause of legal blindness was glaucoma from all kinds, but after 6 years, it was overtaken by diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy. The decrease in blindness caused by glaucoma may be related to increased promotion of awareness of blindness due to glaucoma. 

Human ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Adolescent ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Macular Edema ; Ophthalmology ; Macular Degeneration ; Optic Nerve Diseases ; Myopia ; Retinal Artery Occlusion ; Retinitis Pigmentosa

This document offers guidance to help the ophthalmologist plan for the safe resumption of elective surgical care. There are 4 sections: (I) COVID-19 Awareness, (II) Preparedness, (III) Patient Issues, and (IV) Delivery of Safe and High-Quality Care. Each section contains key issues to be addressed before elective surgery may be safely reinstituted. Understanding the capabilities of health facilities (e.g., testing, operating rooms) as well as the potential limitations in manpower and supplies will remain important, while keeping an eye out on subsequent waves of COVID-19.
COVID-19

With the resumption of elective surgeries during this COVID-19 pandemic, surgeons and facilities should implement infection prevention and control measures to ensure the safety of patients and health care workers. This advisory highlights the key principles, risk stratification considerations, and recommended approach regarding Covid-19 testing prior to elective ophthalmic surgeries.
COVID-19

Objective: To report the clinical profile and treatment outcomes of neovascular glaucoma (NVG). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was done in a single tertiary hospital. Medical records of patients diagnosed with NVG from January 2000 to August 2018 were reviewed and pertinent data were collected. Study outcomes included visual acuity (VA) and intraocular pressure (IOP) and were analyzed for eyes that received any of the following: intravitreal bevacizumab (IVBe), pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP), trabeculectomy with mitomycin (trab-MMC), or diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (DLCP) with at least 1 month of follow-up. Results: There were 162 patients (181 eyes) diagnosed with NVG. Mean age at the time of diagnosis was 55.6 ± 14 years. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) was observed in 81 (45%) eyes and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in 48 (27%) eyes. Baseline VA was hand movement in 67 (37%) eyes and no light perception (NLP) in 49 (27%) eyes. Only 60 (33%) eyes had ≥1 month of follow up (mean of 73 ± 119.1 weeks) after procedures were done. IVBe was done in 22 (37%) eyes, trab-MMC in 20 (33%), PRP in 22 (37%), and DLCP in 24 (40%) eyes. IOP decreased from 45 to 20 mmHg (p<0.001) but VA decreased from LogMAR 1.7 to 2.1 (p<0.01). There was significant VA decrease in eyes that underwent a single procedure (p<0.02) but none in eyes that underwent 2 or 3 procedures. Nonetheless, there was significant IOP decrease (p<0.05) when one procedure was done. Of the 49 eyes that had baseline sight, 19 (41%) converted to NLP (p<0.01). Conclusion Most patients presenting with advanced NVG had DR and CRVO. Procedures led to better IOP but not VA and some lost vision. Aggressive screening for NVG among high-risk groups is warranted to institute treatment early.
Bevacizumab ; Retinal Vein Occlusion ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Glaucoma, Neovascular ; Trabeculectomy

OBJECTIVE

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

METHODS

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.

RESULTS

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.

CONCLUSION

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.

Retinopathy Of Prematurity ; Bevacizumab

Objective: (1) To determine the inter and intra-observer reliability in diagnosing ROP in terms of the stage, zone, and presence of plus disease among local ROP screeners involved in the ROP Working Group; and (2) to determine the inter-observer reliability between 2 groups of subspecialties – retina specialists and pediatric ophthalmologists. Methods: This is a prospective observational study that analyzed the inter- and intra-observer reliability in describing ROP in 3 key observations: stage, zone, and presence of plus disease. This study utilized a test with 32 sets of fundus images from 27 cases, five of which were repeated. Images from previously photographed infants with and without ROP were collated into a downloadable powerpoint test and tested against retina specialists and pediatric ophthalmologists of the ROP Working Group. Outcome measures included presence of variability in ROP diagnosis in terms of the stage, zone, and presence of plus disease among screeners, and reliability coefficient (intra-class coefficient or ICC) in 2 levels: (1) individual and 2-group inter-observer reliability, and (2) intra-observer reliability. Results: There were 11 respondents: 5 retina specialists and 6 pediatric ophthalmologists. Seven (46%) reported prior experience with RetCam image review. There was high inter-observer reliability (ICC 1.0) in the staging of ROP, but poor reliability in the identification of zone (ICC 0.3) and plus disease (ICC 0.5). The group of retina specialists and pediatric ophthalmologists scored high reliability for diagnosis of stage (ICC 1.0 vs 0.9) and plus disease (ICC 0.9 vs 0.9), while both showed poor reliability in the identification of zone (ICC 0.5 vs 0.4). Majority had high intra-observer reliability with regard to the stage (55%) and zone (73%) of ROP and most (73%) had acceptable intra-observer reliability in identifying plus disease. None of the respondents had poor intra-observer reliability. Conclusion The diagnosis of the stage of ROP was consistently reliable for both inter- and intra-observer parameters. However, identification of zone of ROP and plus disease were sources of significant discrepancies.
Retinopathy of Prematurity ; Mass Screening