OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of a Filipino translation of the Catquest 9-SF questionnaire for measuring the patient reported visual outcomes of Filipino cataract patients in a tertiary hospital.

The English version of the Catquest-9SF questionnaire was translated into Tagalog or Filipino, back translated into English and finally translated again into Filipino using the WHO forward backward-forward translation technique. The final Filipino version of the questionnaire was administered to 90 patients who were awaiting cataract surgery and fit the inclusion criteria. The response patterns as well as the overall construct of the Filipino questionnaire were evaluated using the Rasch model in terms of specific components for reliability and validity.

The Filipino version of the Catquest-9SF showed high reliability for person and item components based on Person Separation Index (PSI). All questions showed good fit statistics based on Show Mean Square (MNSQ), as well as unidimensionality using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Differential Item Functioning (DIF) was not seen across all age groups, while only one question showed DIF among different sex groups.

The results of the Rasch analysis show good overall functioning of the Filipino version of the Catquest-9SF. It is a valid and reliable tool that can be used to measure the visual disability outcomes of Filipino cataract patients.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the refractive absolute error when axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD) and keratometry (K) are sourced from different measuring devices (IOL Master vs a combination of automated keratometer and A-scan) and inputted into the Barrett Universal II or SRK/T formula.

This was a retrospective study. Medical charts of eyes that underwent uncomplicated phacoemulsification with in-the-bag implantation of Envista or multifocal FineVision IOL were reviewed. The results of manifest refraction at 1 month after surgery were collected. The predicted refraction corresponding to the IOL power implanted was collected from 4 IOL sheets: using the SRK/T with AL, ACD, and K from IOL Master (Group A); SRK/T formula with AL and ACD from A-scan and K from the automated keratometer (Group B); Barrett formula with AL, ACD and K from IOL Master (Group C); and Barrett formula using with AL, ACD from A-scan and K from automated keratometer. For each group, the absolute error, prediction error, and variances of prediction error were computed.

A total of 132 eyes were included in the study: 56 in the monofocal group and 76 in the multifocal group. The means of manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) were 0.06 ± 0.38 D and –0.08 ± 0.31 D in the monofocal and multifocal groups, respectively. When AL and K were obtained from various sources and entered into the Barrett formula, the mean absolute error difference in both the monofocal (p = 0.70) and multifocal (p = 0.10) groups did not reach statistical significance. If the SRK/T formula was used, similar outcomes were observed (monofocal p = 0.97; multifocal p = 0.37). When compared to A-scan groups, the prediction error variances are significantly smaller in the groups that used the IOL Master as their data source. Among the four groups, the Barrett group using IOL Master as the data source showed the lowest overall variation of prediction error (monofocal F = 0.04; multifocal F = 0.03).

Though the refractive outcomes may not be statistically different, using the IOL Master as the source of AL and K makes the refractive outcomes more consistent and predictable. Combining the AL and K from the IOL Master with the Barrett Universal II formula further increases the predictability of refractive outcomes.

Background: Pediatric cataract is one of the most common preventable cause of childhood blindness worldwide. Early and timely intervention of pediatric cataract is important to maximize the visual outcomes and start prompt visual rehabilitation. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the average time from the day of initial consult at the outpatient clinic to the day of the cataract surgery and compare the effects of delayed surgery on visual outcomes of patients. Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of medical records from January 2015 to June 2022. The dates of the different steps in the process up to the day of intervention were noted and the average interval duration and the total waiting time were determined. Patients operated on within 2 weeks from initial consult was defined as no delay while those operated >2 weeks had delayed surgery. Pre-operative and post-operative best corrected log MAR visual acuity were compared within each group to determine if delay in surgical intervention has a significant effect on the visual outcomes of patients. Results: Median age at initial consult was 4.9 years while median age at surgery was 5.2 years. Ninety-nine (99) patients had developmental cataract and 123 patients had bilateral cataract. Leukocoria was the most common chief complaint (63.45%). Pre-operatively, 94 patients had strabismus, 49 had eye preference, 48 had nystagmus, and 43 had amblyopia in the diagnosis. There was significantly faster admission to cataract surgery during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic period but there was no difference in the total waiting time. Patients with congenital cataract had the least total waiting time followed by developmental, and rubella cataract. There is no significant difference in visual outcomes between patients operated without delay and with delay. Conclusion There is delayed age at diagnosis and surgery of pediatric cataract patients in the Philippine General Hospital. Early surgery did not reflect better visual outcomes compared to delayed surgery probably due to delay in consultation of patients.
Cataract

BACKGROUND

Pediatric cataract is one of the most common preventable cause of childhood blindness worldwide. Early and timely intervention of pediatric cataract is important to maximize the visual outcomes and start prompt visual rehabilitation.

This study aimed to determine the average time from the day of initial consult at the outpatient clinic to the day of the cataract surgery and compare the effects of delayed surgery on visual outcomes of patients.

This is a retrospective chart review of medical records from January 2015 to June 2022. The dates of the different steps in the process up to the day of intervention were noted and the average interval duration and the total waiting time were determined. Patients operated on within 2 weeks from initial consult was defined as no delay while those operated >2 weeks had delayed surgery. Pre-operative and post-operative best corrected log MAR visual acuity were compared within each group to determine if delay in surgical intervention has a significant effect on the visual outcomes of patients.

Median age at initial consult was 4.9 years while median age at surgery was 5.2 years. Ninety-nine (99) patients had developmental cataract and 123 patients had bilateral cataract. Leukocoria was the most common chief complaint (63.45%). Pre-operatively, 94 patients had strabismus, 49 had eye preference, 48 had nystagmus, and 43 had amblyopia in the diagnosis. There was significantly faster admission to cataract surgery during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic period but there was no difference in the total waiting time. Patients with congenital cataract had the least total waiting time followed by developmental, and rubella cataract. There is no significant difference in visual outcomes between patients operated without delay and with delay.

There is delayed age at diagnosis and surgery of pediatric cataract patients in the Philippine General Hospital. Early surgery did not reflect better visual outcomes compared to delayed surgery probably due to delay in consultation of patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy of dexamethasone vitreous cavity implants (Ozurdex) for the treatment of macular edema (Irvine-Gass Syndrome) after cataract surgery. METHOD: Eight patients (eight eyes) with Irvine-Gass syndrome were enrolled for vitreous injections with Ozurdex. The patients included six men (six eyes) and two women (two eyes) with a mean age of 67.12 ± 11.92 years. Changes in the patients best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and intraocular pressure were compared before and after treatment. RESULT: The mean visual acuity BCVA of the patients was 0.81 ± 0.26 before implantation, which improved to 0.20 ± 0.12, 0.13 ± 0.09, and 0.15 ± 0.13 at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months after implantation, respectively ( P < 0.001). The patient's mean CMT before implantation was 703.00 ± 148.88 μm, and it reduced to 258.87 ± 37.40 μm, 236.25 ± 28.74 μm, and 278.00 ± 76.82 μm at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months after implantation, respectively ( P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The dexamethasone vitreous cavity implant (Ozurdex) is a safe and effective treatment, which can effectively improve patient's visual acuity and reduce macular edema associated with cataract surgery.
Male ; Humans ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Macular Edema/etiology* ; Dexamethasone/therapeutic use* ; Intraocular Pressure ; Prostheses and Implants ; Cataract

Background: Infants with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) often require multiple diagnostic procedures and interventions that include cataract surgery and procedures for congenital heart abnormalities. CRS is a vaccine preventable disease. Objective: This study aimed to determine the costs incurred by the parents, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC), hospital's medical social service (MSS), and non-governmental organization (NGO) in the management of CRS. Methods: This is a costing study of five children diagnosed with probable CRS who were managed in a tertiary government hospital in Northern Luzon, Philippines. The parents or guardians of the patients were interviewed on the cost incurred particularly on non-medical related expenses during their outpatient department consultations and admissions. Hospital bills from our institutions and those from the previous institutions, if available, were retrieved. Expenses incurred from procedures or medical supplies relating to known complications of CRS were included in the computation. Results: All five patients diagnosed with CRS had cardiac, ear, and eye manifestations. Two patients had postnatal complications. The average cost spent by the five patients' early years of life (mean age of patients was 16 ± 14 months) was ₱409,740.84. A quarter of the cost was out-of-pocket expenses while a third was covered by the hospital's MSS where the patients were seen. Another third was shouldered by an NGO. Most expenses were from the treatment of cardiac complications at 42% of the cost and had the highest average cost at ₱116,586.59. Case 1 had the highest financial cost at ₱833,514.24 mainly from the cardiac complications of CRS. Conclusion The cost of CRS in the early years of life is high. This is a significant financial burden to parents, PHIC, hospital's MSS, and NGO.
Congenital rubella syndrome ; cataract

Objectives: Video-based learning of surgical skills is a useful complement in training programs. This is more evident where direct patient exposure is limited due to multiple factors. In ophthalmic surgery, access to high quality ocular surgery videos such as for cataract operations, can provide significant learning points for trainees in an institutional program. Creation therefore of a local, curated, and indexed library of cataract surgery would support alternative means to maximize training of new ophthalmic surgeons. The objective of the project was to develop a local library of cataract surgery videos as an adjunct teaching tool for resident trainees in a Philippine tertiary eye care center. Methods: A collection of cataract surgery videos from 2013-2020 were compiled into a single workstation. Videos were reviewed and catalogued using set keywords for easy searchability and labelling. Results: 256 videos of cataract surgeries were compiled into the library. 6 main headings for the keywords, with 159 total subheadings were established to provide robust tagging and search options to index the video. Conclusion Particularly in Ophthalmic surgery, refinement of surgical technique is essential in ensuring better postoperative visual outcomes. This is achieved through repetition and careful dissection of operative technique. The use of a library with multiple videos of a similar procedure allows trainees more exposure to certain cases. This ultimately affords trainees, better experience and confidence in their own surgeries.
Cataract ; Library ; Surgery

Gigantol is a phenolic component of precious Chinese medicine Dendrobii Caulis, which has many pharmacological activities such as prevent tumor and diabetic cataract. This paper aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism of gigantol in transmembrane transport in human lens epithelial cells(HLECs). Immortalized HLECs were cultured in vitro and inoculated in the laser scanning confocal microscopy(LSCM) medium at 5 000 cells/mL. The fluorescence distribution and intensity of gigantol marked by fluorescence in HLECs were observed by LSCM, and the absorption and distribution of gigantol were expressed as fluorescence intensity. The transmembrane transport process of gigantol in HLECs were monitored. The effects of time, temperature, concentration, transport inhibitors, and different cell lines on the transmembrane absorption and transport of gigantol were compared. HLECs were inoculated on climbing plates of 6-well culture plates, and the ultrastructure of HLECs was detected by atomic force microscopy(AFM) during the transmembrane absorption of non-fluorescent labeled gigantol. The results showed that the transmembrane absorption of gigantol was in time and concentration-dependent manners, which was also able to specifically target HLECs. Energy and carrier transport inhibitors reduced gigantol absorption by HLECs. During transmembrane process of gigantol, the membrane surface of HLECs became rougher and presented different degrees of pits, indicating that the transmembrane transport of gigantol was achieved by active absorption of energy and carrier-mediated endocytosis.
Humans ; Lens, Crystalline/pathology* ; Cataract/prevention & control* ; Bibenzyls/pharmacology* ; Epithelial Cells ; Cells, Cultured ; Apoptosis

A full-term female infant was admitted at 5 hours after birth due to heart malformations found during the fetal period and cyanosis once after birth. Mmultiple malformations of eyes, face, limbs, and heart were noted. The whole-exome sequencing revealed a pathogenic heterozygous mutation, c.2428C>T(p.Arg810^*), in the BCOR gene. The infant was then diagnosed with oculo-facio-cardio-dental syndrome. He received assisted ventilation to improve oxygenation and nutritional support during hospitalization. Right ventricular double outlet correction was performed 1 month after birth. Ocular lesions were followed up and scheduled for elective surgery. The possibility of oculo-facio-cardio-dental syndrome should be considered for neonates with multiple malformations of eyes, face, and heart, and genetic testing should be performed as early as possible to confirm the diagnosis; meanwhile, active ophthalmic and cardiovascular symptomatic treatment should be given to improve the prognosis.
Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Abnormalities, Multiple/therapy* ; Cataract/genetics* ; Cyanosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; Repressor Proteins/genetics* ; Heart Defects, Congenital/genetics*

Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) cases being seen in a tertiary hospital in Baguio rose in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its communicability presented logistical challenges to the hospital as additional contact and droplet precautions, including COVID-19 RT-PCR testing, were needed to be observed to prevent rubella transmission. The operations of the institute have also been disrupted and compromised since its space and resources were diverted to the pandemic response. A probable rubella transmission occurred when a patient with CRS was admitted for cataract surgery but was delayed due to the COVID-19 RT-PCR test requirement. Another patient admitted from the Outpatient Department on the same day developed maculopapular rashes for three days during admission but with no febrile episodes and lymphadenopathy. These cases showed how managing CRS cataracts got complicated by the current COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in the review and proposal to revise current hospital policies to minimize the exposure of vulnerable individuals and prevent future transmission.
Rubella Syndrome, Congenital ; Cataract ; COVID-19