OBJECTIVE

This study compared the proportion of dry eye disease (DED) diagnosed using the Philippine criteria with that diagnosed using the Asia Dry Eye Society (ADES) criteria among participants, and characterized DED features using clinical tests and the OCULUS Keratograph® 5M (K5M; OCULUS Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany).

This multicenter, cross-sectional study included participants with and without DED. Participants completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire and underwent fluorescein tear breakup time (FTBUT) measurement, fluorescein staining of the cornea, lissamine green staining of the conjunctiva, Schirmer 1 test without anesthesia, and basal tear secretion test (BST). The OCULUS K5M was used to measure noninvasive tear breakup time (NIKBUT) and tear meniscus height (TMH), and to perform meibography.

The analysis included 344 eyes from 172 patients with DED and 44 eyes from 22 normal participants. Patients with DED were mostly female (66.3%). Compared to normal participants, patients with DED were older (42.7 ± 14.6 years) and had higher OSDI scores (28.6 ± 21.0). Among those diagnosed with DED using the Philippine criteria, 53.2% met the ADES criteria. Evaporative DED was the predominant type (53.2%). DED eyes had lower FTBUT (5.0 ± 3.3 seconds) and NIKBUT (12.3 ± 5.9 seconds) than controls (p CONCLUSION

There were disparities between the Philippine and ADES criteria for DED diagnosis and differences in tear measurements using clinical tests and the OCULUS Keratograph, indicating the need to harmonize diagnostic standards.

OBJECTIVE

Despite being a preventable and treatable condition, central microbial keratitis (CMK) and its complications remain to be a significant cause of vision loss in our country. This study presents the demographic profile, risk factors, etiologies, treatments, and outcomes of CMK in the Philippines.

The study was a two-center, prospective, non-randomized clinical study involving the patients of the External Disease and Cornea Clinics of two tertiary eye referral centers in the Philippines. It was conducted as the Philippine leg of the Asia Cornea Society Infectious Keratitis Study (ASCIKS).1 Patients with a clinical diagnosis of CMK rendered by a cornea specialist, and who signed the consent form, were recruited into the study. They underwent uniform sample collection and culture techniques as described in the ACSIKS. All patients were followed-up for 6 months. Data collected included demographics, risk factors, culture results, management, and treatment outcomes. Descriptive statistics and frequency were used to analyze the data.

A total of 348 patients diagnosed with CMK were included. Trauma (65.5%) among the middle-aged (42.9 ± 17.9 years) male population was the most significant risk factor for development of CMK, followed by contact lens wear (12.9%), prior ocular surgery (6.0%), and ocular surface diseases (3.4%). Bacterial keratitis (53.2%) was still the most common etiology of CMK, followed by fungal keratitis (27.0%), Acanthamoeba keratitis (5.7%), and viral keratitis (2.0%). Aspergillus species (18.3%) were the most common microbial isolates. Pseudomonas species (13.9%) were the most common bacterial isolates. The median time from onset of symptoms to consultation with the study centers was 2 weeks. Medical treatment was enough to treat the infection in 34.8% of cases. Surgical intervention was necessitated in 22.6% with evisceration/enucleation done in 1 out of 3 patients who had surgery.

Bacterial infection remains the most common cause of CMK in the Philippines, followed by fungal infection. Significant risk factors include trauma and contact lens wear. Aspergillus species and Pseudomonas species were the most common fungal and bacterial isolates, respectively. Despite medical treatment, almost a quarter of the cases still required surgical intervention.

Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) is a chronic bilateral, blinding, cicatrizing form of conjunctivitis with relapsing and remitting periods. It has strong evidence for an immune type II hypersensitivity that leads to subconjunctival fibrosis and extensive systemic bullae formation. To the best knowledge of the authors, this is the first reported case of direct immunofluorescence (DIF) assay-proven OCP in an elderly Filipino man.

A 68-year-old male presented with bilateral corneal conjunctivalization, symblepharon, ectropion, conjunctival hyperemia testing positive with conjunctival biopsy for basement membrane antibodies with DIF for the left eye, while turning out negative for the right eye. He was managed as a case of OCP, both eyes, and was given topical steroids and antibiotics. Oral Dapsone was started by Dermatology and Rheumatology Services.

OCP is a rare autoimmune and blinding disease. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are vital as ocular complications permanently affect the quality of life of patients as seen in our patient. DIF assay remains the gold-standard for diagnosis. Systemic immunosuppression is the mainstay of treatment. Adjunctive supportive topical medication may be given to alleviate ocular discomfort. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to provide holistic care to each patient.

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the rapid adoption of telemedicine in the Philippines; however, there is limited empirical evidence about how physicians and patients view this new form of care.

Our main objective is to evaluate Tele-Ophthalmology for the Management and AssessmenT of Ophthalmic Symptoms (TOMATO), a tele-ophthalmology program implemented in a national tertiary eye referral center in the Philippines. We specifically aim to evaluate the patient characteristics, patient satisfaction, and ophthalmologists' perception of TOMATO telemedicine for eye care.

We employed a prospective, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study among patients and physicians who participated in TOMATO during the study period.

Atotal of 10,551 patients consulted TOMATO, from January to December 2021, with cataract as the most common diagnosis. During its pilot implementation, TOMATO received a low satisfaction rate of 33% among patients due to numerous barriers to its use, including technical and interpersonal problems. Filipino ophthalmologists had good knowledge and a positive attitude towards the use of TOMATO, with a mean score of 3.53 out of 5.

Tele-ophthalmology is a promising technology for improving access to eye care in the Philippines, but there are still some challenges that need to be addressed, such as improving the user experience, ensuring data security, and training future ophthalmologists in its use.

Objective: This study determined the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) in a community located in a highaltitude tropical city in the Philippines. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Barangay Lualhati in Baguio City from March 2019 to September 2022. Convenience sampling was done in recruiting adult permanent residents of the community. The participants underwent standardized DED evaluation consisting of symptom questionnaire, Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scoring, slit-lamp examination, fluorescein tear break-up time (TBUT) measurement, ocular surface fluorescein and lissamine green staining, and Schirmer test with and without topical anesthesia. DED was classified as aqueous tear deficiency type, evaporative type, or mixed type. Results: Data from 272 participants were analyzed which represented 23% of the adult population of the community. There were 111 participants who fulfilled the DED definition, and the prevalence rate of DED was 41%. The mean age of those with DED was 43.0 ± 17.6 years while the mean age of those without DED was 51.8 ± 16.6 years (p<0.001). More females (60%) had DED than males (40%). Majority (82%) reported use of digital devices as the main exacerbating factor. Mean OSDI score was significantly higher in those with DED than in those without DED (27.2 + 6.8 and 10.7 ± 6.4, respectively) (p<0.001). Corneal and conjunctival staining scores were also significantly higher in subjects with DED. Evaporative DED was the most common (88.3%). Mixed-type DED was seen in 11.7%. None had pure aqueous tear deficiency dry eye. Conclusion The prevalence rate of DED is greater in areas of higher altitude and DED can be exacerbated by prolonged screen time. This condition is no longer just a problem of the elderly and is now also seen in younger patients. All symptomatic patients should undergo tear break-up time evaluation since evaporative or short TBUT is the predominant type of DED.
Dry Eye Syndromes ; Eye ; Eye Disease

Objective: This study described the clinical profile and outcomes of patients with ocular dermoid cysts at a subspecialty Ophthalmology clinic of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH). Methods: Medical records of 38 patients seen at the External Disease & Cornea Clinic from January 2012 to June 2023 were reviewed. Demographics, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refraction, other associated malformations, and dermoid characteristics were collected. For those that underwent surgery, the procedures performed and histopathology reports were reviewed. Most recent refraction, BCVA, presence of amblyopia, recurrence, and complications were recorded. Results: Mean age at presentation was 8.33 years old with equal male:female distribution (52% vs 48%). Thirtyfour (34) participants (89.5%) had unilateral dermoids and 4 participants (10.5%) had bilateral dermoids, for a total of 42 eyes. Thirty-five (35) or 83.3% of the dermoids were located at the inferotemporal quadrant of the cornea. There were 42.1% participants who had associated congenital anomalies, with dermolipoma and preauricular tags being the most common ocular and craniofacial findings, respectively. Twenty-seven (27) eyes (64.2%) underwent surgery and the most common procedure was excision with limbal conjunctival autograft (55.6%). In the 8 eyes that underwent simple excision, recurrence of the dermoid was seen in 1 patient and development of pseudopterygium in 5 patients. Dermoid was the histopathological diagnosis in 96.3% of the excised tissues. Twenty-four (24) patients (63.2%) presented with ambylopia with BCVA <20/30, and regardless of type of intervention done, only 7 participants (23.3%) had a visual acuity better than 20/30 during their latest consult. Conclusion Ocular dermoid is a common congential anomaly usually presenting as an isolated, unilateral mass at the inferotemporal limbal area. Aside from the obvious effect on the cosmetic appearance of the eye, a more pressing concern is the high incidence of amblyopia. Timely excision with limbal conjunctival autograft is highly recommended coupled with aggressive amblyopia therapy.
Recurrence ; Amblyopia

Objectives: This study described the clinical profile of patients with keratoconus at a single tertiary referral hospital. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, cross-sectional study that reviewed medical records of patients diagnosed with keratoconus from January 2015 to August 2022. Data on the clinical profile, intervention, and clinical outcomes were collected from the chart review. Results: Forty (40) patients (79 eyes) were included in the study. Majority (98%) had bilateral disease in which 22 (55.5%) were affected asymmetrically. The mean age was 21 years. Most patients (72.5%) were male. Blurring of vision was the chief complaint in all patients. Atopy was present in 23 patients (57.5%). History of vigorous eye rubbing was present in 31 (77.5%). The mean interval from onset of symptoms to consult was 46.4 ± 33.38 months. The mean pinhole corrected distance visual acuity was 0.47 ± 0.41 (Snellen equivalent of 20/59). The average spherical equivalent was -7.48D ± 6.99D. Corneal protrusion on slit-lamp biomicroscopy was seen in 78 eyes (98.7%). Other findings included Fleischer ring (53.2%), Vogt's striae (19.0%), and apical corneal scar (24.0%). Only one eye (1.3%) had no corneal findings. Thirty-nine eyes (49.3%) were classified as advancedsevere keratoconus. Rigid contact lens was planned for 60 eyes (75.9%). Sixty-two eyes (78.5%) were for collagen cross-linking. Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty was planned in 10 eyes (12.7%) and penetrating keratoplasty in two eyes (2.5%). Conclusion Keratoconus at the Philippine General Hospital was most frequently seen in young males and asymmetrically affects both eyes. Patients consulted relatively late and presented with a more advanced stage of the disease. History of ocular allergy and eye rubbing were significant risk factors. Improving awareness of this condition must be emphasized to detect keratoconus earlier.
Keratoconus ; Cornea ; Demography ; Philippines

Objective: This paper demonstrated the effectiveness of intrastromal injection of levofloxacin 1.5% ophthalmic solution in the management of recalcitrant Gram-positive bacterial keratitis. Methods: This is a report on two cases of recalcitrant bacterial keratitis encountered at the External Diseases and Cornea Clinic of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the Philippine General Hospital. Results: Two middle-aged females presented with bacterial keratitis unresponsive to previous antibiotic treatment with impending corneal perforation. The Gram stain of the corneal scraping in the first case revealed Gram-positive cocci, while the second case showed encapsulated Gram-positive bacilli and encapsulated Grampositive cocci in chains. In both cases, repeated intrastromal injections of levofloxacin 1.5% in addition to increasing the frequency of topical levofloxacin 1.5% resulted in marked improvement in visual acuity and resolution of deep stromal infiltrates and hypopyon. Conclusion These cases highlighted the utility of intrastromal levofloxacin 1.5% ophthalmic solution in the management of recalcitrant Gram-positive bacterial keratitis.
Fluoroquinolones ; Levofloxacin

Objective: To report a case of acute postoperative endophthalmitis following cataract surgery due to Pseudomonas stutzeri in a healthy elderly male. Methods: This is a case report. Results: A non-hypertensive, non-diabetic male in his late 60s consulted due to eye pain and blurred vision 5 days after an uncomplicated extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation (PCIOL) on his left eye. On examination, the visual acuity was light perception. Slit-lamp examination showed ciliary injection, conjunctival congestion, mild corneal edema with Descemet membrane folds, hazy anterior chamber with fibrin and a 2-millimeter hypopyon, and a visible PCIOL. IOP was 10 mmHg with no leak on Seidel’s test, and there was poor view of the fundus. B-scan ultrasonography showed findings consistent with endophthalmitis. He was given topical, intravitreal, and systemic antibiotics, and emergency vitrectomy was done. The vitreous sample culture revealed Pseudomonas stutzeri. Despite aggressive medical and surgical management, vision loss was not prevented. Conclusion Acute postoperative endophthalmitis from Pseudomonas stutzeri is rare; if not recognized and treated promptly, this complication has devastating outcomes. It may present with a fulminant course regardless of the associated risks for infection. Prevention, early recognition, and timely management can prevent unfavorable visual outcomes.
Endophthalmitis ; Pseudomonas stutzeri

Objectives: Staphylococcal blepharitis is a common ocular condition that can cause significant visual morbidities due to corneal complications. This study described the clinical profile of patients with staphylococcal blepharitis seen in a tertiary referral eye center, and determined the frequency and the type of corneal complications, the possible reasons for the delay in diagnosis, and the management prior to the consult. Methods: This study was a single-center, five-year retrospective case series design. The charts of all patients from January 2016 to December 2021 with the diagnosis of staphylococcal blepharitis seen at the External Disease and Cornea Clinic of the Philippine General Hospital that have fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. The data extracted were age, sex, chief complaint, laterality, time of onset of symptoms to consult, previous consults, lid and lid margin findings, conjunctival and corneal findings, pre- and post-treatment uncorrected distance visual acuity, duration of follow-up, and treatments received. Results: Fifty-five (55) charts out of 107 charts with a diagnosis of staphylococcal blepharitis were included. Eighty percent (80%) or 44 patients had bilateral disease. Ninety-nine (99) eyes of 55 patients were analyzed. The median age of the study population was 19 years. Sixty-seven percent (67%) were female, and 33% were male. The mean duration of follow-up at the External Disease and Cornea Clinic was 10.8 ± 14.61 months. Corneal opacity, eye redness, and blurring of vision comprised 70% of the reasons for consult. The mean time from the onset of symptoms to consult was 18.36 ± 25.69 months. Sixty-seven percent (67%) had prior consults elsewhere and 45% came in with a different diagnosis. Seventy-eight (78) eyes had fibrin or crust on the lashes. Fifty percent (50%) of the eyes had concomitant conjunctivitis, while 30% had meibomitis. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of patients had corneal complications. Seventy-two percent (72%) of eyes had bilateral involvement. The median age of patients with corneal complications subgroup was 13 years. The most common corneal complications noted were neovascularization, phlyctenulosis, pannus formation, and marginal infiltrates or ulcers. Twenty-two percent (22%) of all study eyes had visually disabling corneal complications like corneal ulcer, descemetocele, corneal perforation, and corneal scar. Ninety percent (90%) of the patients received standard medical treatment and three patients underwent penetrating keratoplasty. The mean uncorrected distance visual acuity at initial consult of eyes with corneal complication was 20/55 (LogMAR 0.43 ± 0.51) and 20/35 (LogMAR 0.25 ± 0.40) after treatment (p = 0.032). Conclusion Staphylococcal blepharitis was most prevalent among young female patients, and it affected both eyes. Almost all patients manifested the typical lid margin lesions. Nearly 60% of the patients presented with corneal complications and 22% had corneal lesions that were potentially blinding. Close to 50% had delay in treatment due to misdiagnosis.
blepharitis ; staphylococcus ; cornea ; blindness