Past Issues - Vol. 3, No. 2, July - December 2007

Al-Shifa Journal of Ophthalmology

Editorial: New Horizons for Ocular Surface Disorders

Wajid Ali Khan , FRCSS

Stem Cell Therapy – Role in Corneal Diseases: Mini Review

Amtul Aziz, DOMS

Stem cells are a kind of template cells for the body, producing various tissues and cell types. Stem cells for the cornea reside in the limbal basal epithelium and play an important role in corneal epithelial wound healing. A small population of limbal stem cells may be expanded from a small biopsy using 3T3 feeder layer or amniotic membrane for subsequent reconstruction of the ocular surface.

Experience of Amniotic Membrane Transplant in Corneal Diseases at Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Wajid Ali Khan FRCS, M. Abdul Moqeet FCPS, Sabeen Chaudhry FCPS, Fareeha Ambreen M.Phil

Frozen human amniotic membrane (HAM) from a seronegative donor stored at -80oC in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) and glycerol was used for transplant in different corneal diseases after thawing at room temperature for half an hour. Overall 85.3% patients had subjective improvement while 74.5% showed clinical improvement; Visual acuity improved in 49% patients.

Spectrum of congenital and developmental anomalies of eye

Imran Azam Butt FCPS, Mubashar Jalis FCPS, Shahzad Waseem FCPS, Abdul Moqeet FCPS, Mirza Inam-ul-Haq MPH

Out of 514 patients that formed the study group 54.7% had severe visual impairment/blindness. Cataract (23%), nasolacrimal duct obstruction (20%), congenital ptosis, pigmentary retinal degenerations, albinism and maculopathies were the important anomalies. Consanguinity was positive in 56% of the cases.

Role of preoperative B-scan to detect posterior segment pathologies in eyes with age related mature cataract

Muhammad Hanif MCPS, FCPS, Muhammad Sajid Munir FCPS, Sumaira Altaf FCPS, Mehmood Ali MBBS

Out of 209 eyes considered for simple mature cataract, 29 (13.87%) had some significant ultrasonically detectable posterior segment pathologies. 10 (4.78%) eyes out of 209 had vitreous haemorrhage (VH), 9 eyes (4.30%) had PVD, 3 eyes (1.43% ) had asteroid hyalosis, 4 eyes (1.91%) had membranes in anterior and mid-vitreous, 2 eyes (0.96%) had chorioretinal layer thickening while one eye (0.48%) had optic disc edema. Knowledge of these hidden posterior segment pathologies will then help the surgeon in explaining prognosis and expected outcome of surgery to patients.

Use of Prosthetic Contact Lens in Aniridia: A Case Report

Muhammad Rashid, Dip Optom, Fellow of International Association of Contact lens Educators (FIACLE)

20 year female with bilateral congenital aniridia decreased vision, and congenital severe photophobia was treated with prosthetic contact lens. She was comfortable and free of symptoms with prosthetic contact lens on follow up visits.