Aberrant cilia as an aetiology for recurrent corneal ulcers: a case report.
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AIMS: To calculate the gender distribution of trichiasis cases in trachoma communities in Vietnam and Tanzania, and the gender distribution of surgical cases, to determine if women are using surgical services proportional to their needs. METHODS: Population based data from surveys done in Tanzania and Vietnam as part of the national trachoma control programmes were used to determine the rate of trichiasis by gender in the population. Surgical records provided data on the gender ratio of surgical cases. RESULTS: The rates of trichiasis in both countries are from 1.4-fold to sixfold higher in females compared to males. In both countries, the female to male rate of surgery was the same or even higher than the female to male rate of trichiasis in the population. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide assurance of gender equity in the provision and use of trichiasis surgery services in the national programmes of these two countries. Such simple analyses should be used by other programmes to assure gender equity in provision and use of trichiasis surgery services.
BACKGROUND: Trichiasis surgery is believed to reduce the risk of losing vision from trachoma. There are limited data on the long term outcome of surgery and its effect on vision and corneal opacification. Similarly, the determinants of failure are not well understood. METHODS: A cohort of people in the Gambia who had undergone surgery for trachomatous trichiasis 3-4 years earlier was re-assessed. They were examined clinically and the conjunctiva was sampled for Chlamydia trachomatis polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and general bacterial culture. RESULTS: In total, 141/162 people were re-examined. Recurrent trichiasis was found in 89/214 (41.6%) operated eyes and 52 (24.3%) eyes had five or more lashes touching the globe. Corneal opacification improved in 36 of 78 previously affected eyes. There was a general deterioration in visual acuity between surgery and follow up, which was greater if new corneal opacification developed or trichiasis returned. Recurrent trichiasis was associated with severe conjunctival inflammation and bacterial infection. C trachomatis was detected in only one individual. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent trichiasis following surgery is a common potentially sight threatening problem. Some improvement in the cornea can occur following surgery and the rate of visual loss tended to be less in those without recurrent trichiasis. The role of conjunctival inflammation and bacterial infection needs to be investigated further. Follow up of patients is advised to identify individuals needing additional surgical treatment.
AIM: To elucidate the pathogenic mechanism of amyloid formation in corneal amyloidosis with trichiasis. METHODS: Ophthalmological examination was performed in nine patients to determine secondary corneal amyloidosis with trichiasis. Congo red staining and immunohistochemistry using anti-human lactoferrin antibody were used for biopsied corneal samples. For genetic analyses, single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP), direct DNA sequence analysis, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) induced mutation restriction analysis (IMRA) were employed to detect lactoferrin gene polymorphism. RESULTS: All patients had had trichiasis at least for 1 year, and all amyloid-like deposits were found in one eye with trichiasis. Ophthalmological examination revealed that eight patients showed gelatinous type of amyloid deposition and one showed lattice type of amyloid deposition. Studies of biopsied corneal samples with Congo red stain revealed positive staining just under the corneal epithelial cells. Immunoreactivity of anti-human lactoferrin antibodies was recognised in all tissues with positive Congo red staining. Lactoferrin gene analysis revealed that seven patients were heterozygotic and two were homozygotic for lactoferrin Glu561Asp. The frequency of the polymorphism in the patients was significantly different from that in 56 healthy control subjects. CONCLUSION: Lactoferrin Glu561Asp is a key polymorphism related to facilitating amyloid formation in corneal amyloidosis with trichiasis.
BACKGROUND/AIM: Trachomatous trichiasis frequently returns following surgery. Several factors may promote recurrence: preoperative disease severity, surgeon ability, surgical procedure, healing responses, and infection. This study investigates whether enhanced control of infection, both of Chlamydia trachomatis and other bacteria, with azithromycin can improve surgical outcome in a trachoma control programme. METHODS: Individuals with trachomatous trichiasis were examined and operated. After surgery patients were randomised to the azithromycin or control group. The azithromycin group and children in their household were given a dose of azithromycin. Antibiotic treatment was repeated at 6 months. All patients were reassessed at 6 months and 12 months. Samples were collected for C trachomatis polymerase chain reaction and general microbiology at each examination. RESULTS: 451 patients were enrolled. 426 (94%) were reassessed at 1 year, of whom 176 (41.3%) had one or more lashes touching the eye and 84 (19.7%) had five or more lashes. There was no difference in trichiasis recurrence between the azithromycin and control group. Recurrent trichiasis was significantly associated with more severe preoperative trichiasis, bacterial infection, and severe conjunctival inflammation at 12 months. Significant variability in outcome was found between surgeons. Visual acuity and symptoms significantly improved following surgery. CONCLUSION: In this setting, with a low prevalence of active trachoma, azithromycin did not improve the outcome of trichiasis surgery conducted by a trachoma control programme. Audit of trichiasis surgery should be routine.
AIMS: To compare the in vitro killing effect of different agents on Demodex and to report the in vivo killing effect of tea tree oil (TTO) on ocular Demodex. METHODS: Survival time of Demodex was measured under the microscope. Sampling and counting of Demodex was performed by a modified method. RESULTS: Demodex folliculorum survived for more than 150 minutes in 10% povidone-iodine, 75% alcohol, 50% baby shampoo, and 4% pilocarpine. However, the survival time was significantly shortened to within 15 minutes in 100% alcohol, 100% TTO, 100% caraway oil, or 100% dill weed oil. TTO's in vitro killing effect was dose dependent. Lid scrub with 50% TTO, but not with 50% baby shampoo, can further stimulate Demodex to move out to the skin. The Demodex count did not reach zero in any of the seven patients receiving daily lid scrub with baby shampoo for 40-350 days. In contrast, the Demodex count dropped to zero in seven of nine patients receiving TTO scrub in 4 weeks without recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Demodex is resistant to a wide range of antiseptic solutions. Weekly lid scrub with 50% TTO and daily lid scrub with tea tree shampoo is effective in eradicating ocular Demodex.
AIM: To examine the association between epilation and corneal opacity (CO) among trichiasis patients presenting for surgery. METHODS: Cross sectional data from the STAR trial were utilised. Patients presenting for trichiasis surgery in Wolayta Zone, Ethiopia, were evaluated for current trichiasis status. Number of inturned lashes, evidence of epilation, level of entropion, trichiasis duration, and CO were collected. The primary outcome was prevalence of CO, stratified by entropion and epilation status. RESULTS: Approximately 10% of eyes with mild entropion had CO, regardless of epilation status. Among eyes with moderate entropion, epilated eyes were less likely to have CO than non-epilated eyes (21% v 34% p = 0.002). The same association was seen in eyes with severe entropion: 43% of epilated eyes while 74% of non-epilated eyes had CO (p<0.0001). Presence of CO increased with age. Adjusted models showed a protective effect of epilation in eyes with moderate or severe entropion (OR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.32 to 0.83 and OR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.13 to 0.45, respectively). Among eyes with mild entropion there was no difference in the prevalence of CO comparing eyes that were epilated with those that were not epilated. CONCLUSION: Entropion was the most significant predictor of CO. Cross sectional associations suggest that epilation may not be helpful for eyes with mild entropion, but may offer protection against CO in eyes with moderate to severe entropion. Epilation should not be a substitute for trichiasis surgery, however, as 43% of eyes with severe entropion that were epilated still had CO.
AIMS: To measure the productivity and factors associated with high productivity of trichiasis surgeons. METHODS: A standardised, pretested questionnaire was posted to all trichiasis surgeons trained in Tanzania at the address listed at the time of training, and then followed up by post and telephone with those who did not return the form. Questions asked related to place of work, number of surgeries carried out, supplies and equipment available, and outreach activities. A random selection of high-productivity and low-productivity surgeons was invited to a focus group meeting to discuss factors that affected productivity. RESULTS: 28 of the trained surgeons had died, retired or could not be located. Forms were retrieved from 95 others. Productivity (averaged over the past 4 years) was low overall, but highly variable. The mean number of surgeries per year was 22.3 (SD 48.1) and the median was 7. The most important factor associated with higher productivity was conducting outreach activities. Conducting outreach was associated with having a complete set of instruments and consumables and with being able to identify a supervisor. CONCLUSIONS: Redesigning the provision of trichiasis surgery (in particular, supervision, support and community programmes/outreach) is necessary to ensure that the investment from training is used adequately.
AIM: To determine the effectiveness of village-based strategies (using school teachers and village leaders) to increase the use of surgical services. METHODS: A cohort study was conducted in Tanzania using two village strategies (village leader and school teachers); trichiasis surgical uptake and the factors associated with uptake were measured after 1 year. RESULTS: The trichiasis surgical coverage at baseline was 16.9%; 200 patients who needed surgery were identified. One year later, we were able to re-examine and interview 163 of these patients. The surgical uptake among these patients was 44.8% (95% CI 37.2% to 52.4%). Patients in the school-teacher programme had a 36.5% uptake compared with 52.1% for those in the village-leader programme. No difference was observed in uptake by age or sex. Uptake was highest among those coming from multiple-generation households and those with more household wealth. Of the 90 people who still had not had surgery, 20 (22.2%) reported seeking surgery, but failing to receive it because of barriers at the provider side. CONCLUSIONS: Improved surgical uptake for trachomatous trichiasis was achieved by using village-based promotion efforts and surgical services at existing health clinics. Even with free surgery at health clinics, indirect costs and social support barriers limit utilisation by the most vulnerable, the poorest and those living in single-generation households. Problems at the provider level also create barriers for patients who need surgery.
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