1.Epidemiology and visual outcomes of pediatric ocular trauma cases in a tertiary hospital.
Theresa Gladiola B. Merca ; Marissa Valbuena
Philippine Journal of Ophthalmology 2014;39(1):27-32
OBJECTIVES: To determine the demographics, incidence, etiology, and severity of pediatric ocular trauma cases seen in a tertiary hospital and to establish the visual outcomes of these cases using the Ocular Trauma Score (OTS).
METHODS: Pediatric patients, aged 0-18, who came to the emergency clinic for ocular trauma between January to April 2012 were included in the study. They were examined on initial consult and computed for the OTS by converting the OTS variables into OTS categories. They were followed up after 1, 2, and 3 months. The distribution of percentage of final visual acuity was compared with the OTS.
RESULTS: There was a male predominance (76%) occurring mostly in the 2-6 year age group (37%). Injuries were predominantly accidental (91%), occurring at home (72%), and frequently caused by blunt trauma (55%), followed by penetrating injuries (21%). Majority (76.2%) had no impairment while 14% had severe visual disability after three months. Eighty-three percent corresponded to the OTS proposed final visual acuities and the remaining 17% fell into the category one below or above the proposed final visual acuity.
CONCLUSION: Ocular trauma is a common cause of visual impairment in children and can be prevented. There should be preventive measures, better supervision, public education, and aggressive and prompt management to improve visual outcomes.
Human ; Male ; Female ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child Preschool ; Infant ; Infant Newborn ; Tertiary Care Centers ; 2-toluenesulfonamide ; Eye Injuries ; Visual Acuity ; Eye ; Wounds, Penetrating ; Vision Disorders
2.Bilateral Iridocorneal Endothelial Syndrome
Theresa Gladiola B. Merca ; Manuel B. Agulto ; Rainier Victor A. Covar
Philippine Journal of Ophthalmology 2022;47(2):97-100
Objectives:
We presented a case of bilateral iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome with secondary glaucoma
and discussed its clinical presentation and management.
Study design:
This is a case report.
Results:
A 12-year old female consulted for a one-year history of progressive blurring of vision in both eyes
associated with abnormal pupils and occasional eye pain. Polycoria, shallow anterior chambers, increased
intraocular pressures (IOP), areas of closed angles on gonioscopy, and increased cup-to-disc ratio in both eyes
indicative of ICE syndrome were present. Management included anti-glaucoma medications and implantation
of glaucoma drainage devices (GDD).
Conclusion
Early detection with regular follow-ups leading to prompt management of the ICE syndrome are
necessary. IOP control may be challenging due to the nature of the disease and may require multiple surgeries
including GDD implantation to achieve successful outcomes. Early use of GDD may be beneficial for pediatric
patients with ICE and glaucoma, and may require additional surgeries to adequately manage the IOP.
Iridocorneal Endothelial Syndrome
3.A study protocol on the situational analysis on the current practice of screening and treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)
Karina Q. De Sagun-Bella ; Theresa Gladiola B. Merca ; Jane Melissa L. Lim ; Alvina Pauline D. Santiago ; Pearl Tamesis-Villalon ; Andreas Mueller ; Leo D.P. Cubillan
Philippine Journal of Ophthalmology 2013;38(2):94-102
Objective:
The study protocolaims to provide an overview of the current practice of screening and treatment of
ROP in the selected, to estimate the proportion of childhood blindness due to ROP and assess the number of
premature babies at risk for ROP.
Methods:
The study protocol is a descriptive, cross sectional study design using survey questionnaire to be sent
out to pediatric ophthalmologists, vitreo-retina specialists and division heads of the neonatal intensive care units
of different hospitals in a selected area. Student records and medical abstracts from local schools for the blind will
be obtained and will be reviewed. All qualitative data will be reported by frequency distribution and percentages.
Extrapolation on the proportion of ROP in the area will be done.
Conclusion
Results from the study can show an overview of the current situation of ROP in a selected area
and provide the framework for recommendations for programs aimed providing criteria for timely screening and
treatment of ROP to prevent complications such as childhood visual impairment and blindness in the country.
Retinopathy of Prematurity
;
4.Recurrence and Complication Rates among Current Pterygium Treatment Techniques: Pre-operative Subpterygeal Mitomycin-C Injection, Intraoperative Mitomycin C Application and Pterygium Excision with Conjunctival Autograft
Archimedes L.D. Agahan ; Theresa Gladiola B. Merca ; Jose III V. Tecson ; Minnette A. Panganiban
Acta Medica Philippina 2020;54(5):531-535
Objective:
This study aims to determine recurrence and complication rates among patients who underwent three current pterygium treatment techniques: preoperative subpterygeal injection of mitomycin C, intraoperative application of mitomycin with pterygium excision and pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft.
Methods:
This is a randomized controlled clinical trial in a tertiary hospital. We included patients with diagnosed primary pterygium and who underwent either: A = pre-operative injection of 0.02% mitomycin C one month prior to pterygium excision; B = pterygium excision with intraoperative mitomycin C application; or C = pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft.
Results:
We included 111 patients: a total of 120 eyes randomized to 3 groups (A, B, C) at 40 eyes per group. After 24 months of follow-up, there was no significant difference in the recurrence rates among the groups (6/40 [15%] in groups A and B and 2/40 cases [5%] in group C; P=0.29). No complications were noted in groups B and C, while 1 case of scleral thinning was noted in group A. There was no significant difference in the complication rates among the three procedures (P=1.00).
Conclusion
There were no significant differences in the recurrence and complication rates among the three techniques. Careful patient selection and follow-up are recommended to prevent complications such as scleral thinning.
Pterygium Of Conjunctiva And Cornea
;
Pterygium
;
Mitomycin
;
Autografts
;
Conjunctiva
;
Conjunctivitis
;
Transplantation, Autologous