Eye Care Practices Research Articles

Parents' Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Pediatric Ophthalmic Disorders in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Recognizing pediatric eye health issues at an early stage, along with ensuring that parents are well informed, is crucial. This study measures parents' knowledge and perspectives on pediatric ophthalmic disease. The study utilized a cross-sectional design, and participants included Saudi parents of children residing in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a pre-validated self-administered questionnaire with a scoring system. Sociodemographic characteristics and factors associated with knowledge/attitude were collected and analyzed. Initially, 425 respondents participated in this study. Excluding the participants whose work was related to healthcare and those with incomplete data yielded 370 responses on which the subsequent analyses were performed. The analysis revealed that only half of the parents recognized the need for annual eye examinations for children. Most of them showed gaps in knowledge regarding the frequency of routine eye exams and indicators of visual problems. Notably, parents with good/excellent knowledge were more proactive in their eye care practices, such as adherence to recommended eye examination schedules and accepting corrective measures like glasses for common conditions such as refractive errors and amblyopia. However, parental willingness to permit surgical interventions did not correlate significantly with their level of knowledge, signaling the influence of other factors. In conclusion, this study underscores the need for enhanced public health education to improve parental awareness of pediatric eye diseases in Saudi Arabia. Given the link between knowledge and proactive eye health practices, targeted interventions should distribute comprehensive, culturally sensitive information accessible to all demographics.

Development, Validity, and Reliability of the Primary Eye Care Questionnaire (PECQ) Among Optometrists in Malaysia.

Visual impairment and vision loss are preventable or treatable if there is access to eyecare services for early detection and if proper interventions are given.Optometristsplay a vital role in the early detection of eye and visual-related issues.As healthcare professionals, optometrists are trained to provide comprehensive eye and vision care encompassing dispensing and refraction, detection of abnormalities in the vision and eye, and the rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system, as suggested by the World Council of Optometry.In the current practice of primary eye care, optometrists are not fully utilized and are mostly restricted to refractive correction. Therefore, the optometrists' practice level, scope, and challenges to practice primary eye care must be identified before strengthening optometrists' role in the community. The present study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaireto determine the contributing factors and challenges to the practice of primary eye care by optometrists in Malaysia. The Primary Eye Care Questionnaire (PECQ) was developed through an extensive literature search to identify the domains and to construct the items. The items were then scrutinized further through focus group discussions with experts (n = 10) from various sectors of eye care. Content validation was conducted with ophthalmologists and optometrists as panels (n = 10), followed by face validation (n = 10) by optometrists from the public and private sectors. Construct validation was performed with exploratory factor analysis and reliability was evaluated by using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and the test-retest reliability. In total, the PECQ questionnaire was constructed with 123 itemsunder three main domains: contributing factors, challenges, and continuous education. The content validity index (CVI) for each item (I-CVI) score ranged from 0.9 to 1.0 for each item and the CVI for average scale (S-CVI/Ave) was above 0.8 for each domain, with internal consistency of 0.948 and Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.971. The PECQ is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the optometrists' scope of practice, challenges, and contributing factors to the practice of primary eye care.

Myopic Shift over 5 Years after Pediatric Lensectomy with Primary Intraocular Lens Implantation

To report the change in refractive error over 5 years following primary intraocular lens (IOL) placement by age at surgery, and to identify factors associated with the change in refractive error after 5 years. Prospective observational study at 61 pediatric eye care practices. 186 eyes of 152 children undergoing primary IOL implantation before 13 years of age for non-traumatic cataract. Cataract surgery with primary IOL placement MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Five-year change in refractive error (spherical equivalent) by age at surgery (<1 year; 1 to <2.5 years; 2.5 to <4 years; 4 to <7 years; 7 to <13 years). Five-year myopic shift in children 4 to <13 years with immediate postoperative myopia vs emmetropia or hyperopia. Mean spherical equivalent myopic shift (95% confidence interval [CI]) was -5.99 D (-7.64 to -4.34) when surgery was performed at 0 to <1 year of age (n=13), -3.53 D (-4.57 to -2.48) at 1 to <2.5 years (n=28), -1.91 D (-2.55 to -1.26) at 2.5 to <4 years (n=36), -2.04 D (-2.60 to -1.49) at 4 to <7 years (n=60), and -0.83 D (-1.27 to -0.40) at 7 to <13 years (n=49) (P<.01 for each comparison with the oldest group). Variability of myopic shift also decreased with increasing age (P<.01). In eyes of children 4 to <13 years (small sample size precluded analysis of children <4 years), there was significantly less mean change [95% CI] in refractive error over 5 years in eyes with myopia immediately after surgery (-0.69, 95% CI -1.48 to +0.10) than eyes with emmetropia/hyperopia immediately after surgery (-1.70, 95% CI -2.10 to -1.31) (difference = -1.01 D, 95% CI -1.89 to -0.14 D, P=.03). In this large, prospective cohort study of children younger than 13 years of age undergoing cataract surgery with primary IOL placement, there was greater and more variable myopic shift in children undergoing surgery at a younger age. Our finding of less myopic shift over 5 years in eyes with unintended immediate postoperative myopia deserves further study to more accurately guide IOL power selection.

Contributions and Legacies of Selected Black Pioneers in Ophthalmology and Institutional Milestones

PurposeEstablishing a record of key contributions of early Black ophthalmologists can help illuminate future generations. We aimed to identify major physician pioneers in Ophthalmology, delineate their contributions, and place their ascendance in an historical context to understand the institutional and cultural barriers they overcame to achieve success. MethodsPubmed and other databases were searched, along with death notices and archeological records, using "Black," "African American," "eye surgeon," "Negro," "Journal of the National Medical Association" and other search terms. Librarians from the Library of Congress, National Institutes of Health, and key ophthalmology-training institutions were consulted, as were the American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Board of Ophthalmology. Family members and colleagues of selected deceased pioneers were interviewed. ResultsMany early pioneers emerged from historically black institutions, as Black students and practitioners were then typically excluded elsewhere. Mentorship is a key theme that emerged in the careers of many pioneers and the Black ophthalmologists they trained. ConclusionsBlack ophthalmologists have contributed tremendously to eye-care practice, education, and innovation. Efforts to recruit and train Black ophthalmologists should include highlighting the roles of Black pioneers, increasing educational and training access for underrepresented in medicine at the institutional level, and expanding pathway and mentorship programs.

Sustaining private eye care practices during initial days of the coronavirus pandemic

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic created new challenges for private eye care practices. Safety issues were encountered by both the healthcare workers and patients. This short communication addresses the changes made in our private eye care practice during the pandemic and the valuable lessons learned for the future. Methods: We describe the challenges faced in our tertiary private eye care practice in India with respect to treating patients and preventing the transmission of COVID-19, considering the economic hardship within this area. We discuss the emerging economic, medical, legal, educational, and psychological issues and their solutions, which eye care hospitals could follow in the future to ensure safety without compromising quality of care. Results: Hospitals required efficient operation with reduced fixed expenses. Clinical practices were followed in the hospital as per the recommendations of the country’s apex ophthalmic body. Proper triage and prescreening of patients at the entrance, digitalization, teleophthalmology, staggered appointments, and role-appropriate personal protective equipment were important preventive measures. The operating room protocols were modified to ensure the safety of the operating staff. Special consent was obtained from patients to safeguard against legal repercussions arising from the pandemic. The training of residents and fellows led to new avenues, including the use of digital tools. Hospitals attempted to provide counseling and psychological support to their doctors and staff during these trying times. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic will not be the last pandemic to occur in an ever-changing world. This event provided us with many new insights into the economic, clinical, legal, and psychological challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and with ways to overcome these challenges and emerge intact. Clinical and surgical training suffered during the pandemic; however, the impact was only temporary. Clinical research gained respect because of the efforts undertaken during the pandemic. The pandemic was exceptionally harsh on many private eye care practices, and we hope to provide useful and comprehensive solutions on how to successfully navigate a similar situation if encountered in the future.

The perspectives of eye care professionals on the integration of artificial intelligence in eye care practices: A systematic review

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has recently been integrated into the health-care industry, including in optometry and ophthalmology. This systematic review assessed the opinions (i.e., perspectives, concerns, and degrees of acceptance) of eye care professionals regarding AI integration into eye care practices. The literature search was conducted using the PubMed and MEDLINE databases. A total of 780 related articles were identified. Among these articles, 304 duplicates were removed, 450 articles were excluded after reviewing the abstract, and 18 articles were excluded after reviewing the full text as these articles were not relevant and/or did not report surveys. The remaining eight included studies were assessed accordingly. Most ophthalmologists and optometrists had a positive perception toward incorporating AI into eye care practices, and these professionals shared that AI would effectively enhance clinical eye care practices. However, certain eye care professionals were concerned about the diagnostic accuracy of AI, the high implementation costs, privacy issues, and the quality of AI-integrated patient care. Several eye care professionals also expressed concerns that AI technology could eventually replace some of their major responsibilities in the practice, suggesting that stakeholders should essentially address these concerns and ensure that AI integration in eye care practices is implemented thoughtfully and ethically to maximize its benefits while preserving the quality of patient care. Nonetheless, this systematic review highlighted the predominantly positive attitude among eye care professionals toward AI integration into eye care practices, warranting further research and collaboration between AI developers and eye care professionals to effectively address the current challenges.

Dip eyes in water technique (Akshi Nimanjjana): Efficacy of a simple technique in the management of meibomian gland dysfunction

Abstract Background: Dip eyes in water (DEW) is an ancient technique to improve eye hygiene. Conventionally, the eyes are cleaned by splashing water on them. However, splashing is not very effective as the eyes get closed reflexly when the water is splashed onto the eyes. On the other hand, in the DEW technique, it is conveniently possible to keep eyes fully open when dipped inside the water in the eye cup. Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a chronic, frustrating disease for which there is no gold standard, and eye hygiene is presumed to play an important role. Aim: The present study was tested in a cohort of MGD patients using the DEW technique. Materials and methods: DEW was prescribed to seven patients who were symptomatic for a period ranging from 6 months to 2 years. The main four symptoms were irritation in the eyes, persistent watering of the eyes, burning sensation, and foreign-body sensation. The scale of assessment of these four symptoms was severe (+++), moderate (++), mild (+), and no symptoms (−). The outcome assessment criteria were complete relief in these four symptoms and were assessed after 1 year of starting treatment. The DEW technique was performed 3–4 times per day. It was added to the ongoing conservative treatment. Once complete relief was obtained, other conservative management measures were stopped, and only the DEW treatment continued. It was advised that the DEW treatment be continued as a part of the regular eye hygiene daily routine. Results: Five out of seven patients reported complete relief in outcome criteria (four symptoms), one had partial relief, and there was no relief in one of the patients. After a follow-up of 1 year, one patient (the one with partial relief) was lost to follow-up. Five out of seven patients had significant relief, and 5/6 patients had sustained relief on long-term follow-up. No adverse effects were reported by any of the patients. Conclusion: The DEW technique is promising in providing significant relief in patients with MGD. The encouraging results of DEW in this series can help prescribe and extend the indications of DEW in managing MGD and other eye disorders, in which eye hygiene plays a therapeutic role and as a daily routine eye-care practice to prevent various eye disorders.

Beyond Community Health Service Provision: Assessing the Knowledge Attitude and Practice of Eye Care among Beneficiaries of an Intervention in an Inner-City Community in Lagos Metropolis

Background: A higher burden of preventable visual impairment has been reported in regions with poor knowledge of eye care, non-availability of or poor uptake of available screening services. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practices as well as factors associated with eyecare among the residents of an inner-city community in Lagos, Nigeria.&#x0D; Methods: A cross-sectional study using simple random sampling technique to select 254 consenting participants from a community on Lagos Island. Data was collected electronically using Microsoft office forms and analyzed with SPSS version 23. Frequencies, proportions and tables were used for descriptive analysis. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were done to identify predictors of the outcome variables.&#x0D; Results: More of the respondents (52.4% and 61.4%) were middle-aged and female respectively with a mean age of 49.7±16.6 years. About 61.0% of them use prescription eyeglasses, 69.3% had a good knowledge of the importance of routine eye checks. Good attitude and practice of eye care were reported among 78.7% and 68.5% respectively. Respondents with a tertiary level of education were more likely to have a good attitude (OR=2.8; 95% CI=1.115-7.120) and good practice OR=2.7; 95% CI=1.207-5.869) versus lower educational levels.&#x0D; Conclusion: This study revealed that efforts to increase access to education, particularly in low-income areas, can contribute to improved attitudes and practices related to eye health care. Addressing gaps in knowledge and promoting regular eye check-ups were seen to be essential steps toward achieving better eye health outcomes in Nigeria and similar settings.

Smart Devices in Optometry: Current and Future Perspectives to Clinical Optometry.

There is a huge unmet need for eye care with more than a hundred million people living without basic eye care services and facilities. There is an exigency to deploy adequate resources in terms of manpower and equipment to address this. The usage of smart devices in optometry and eye care practice has been gaining momentum for last half a decade, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and technological advancements in telemedicine. These smart devices will help facilitate remote monitoring of important visual functions, ocular signs and symptoms, thus providing better eye care services and facilities and promoting outreach services. Smart devices in optometry exist in the form of gadgets that can be worn in the wrist, and spectacle-mounted or head-mounted devices. On the other hand, with the ubiquitous nature of smartphones, a large number of smartphone applications have been developed and tested for advanced optometry and primary eye care practice, which may potentially reduce the burden of inadequate resources and the unmet need for eye care. This article aims to give an overview of the current trends and future perspectives on the application of such smart devices in optometric practice.

Assessment of Primary Eye Care Knowledge and Practice in a Developing Country: A Survey among Community Primary Health Workers in Calabar, Southern Nigeria

Abstract Background: Primary eye care (PEC) is a vital component of primary health care and is the cornerstone for the progress toward universal eye health coverage. To achieve an adequate delivery of PEC services in Nigeria, it should be inclusive, equitable, cost-effective, and people centered. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and practice of PEC among community primary health workers in Calabar metropolis. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Calabar metropolis. A total of 109 randomly selected community health workers at primary health centres located in two local government areas (Calabar Municipality and Calabar South) were assessed on their knowledge of common ocular diseases and the practice of eye health in their facilities using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results: One hundred and nine primary health workers participated in the study. Most participants were females 100 (92%). The mean age was 38 ± 8.26 years. More than half (59%) had been working as community health workers for more than five years and 64% stated they had no professional training on management of ophthalmic conditions. One-third of the participants had Snellen’s visual acuity chart in their facility and 46 (42%) could use it properly to assess vision. Less than one-third 23 (21%) could correctly identify the five common eye conditions presented in a picture chart – conjunctivitis, cataract, corneal opacity, strabismus and pterygium. About 102 (94%) of the participants at the primary health centres had no access to standard operating procedures for managing eye diseases. Conclusion: Our study showed that the majority of the community primary health workers require continuous medical educational training on ophthalmic diseases and the provision of standard operating procedures to guide in the identification and prompt referral of eye diseases.

Effect of an educational intervention based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour in type 2 diabetic patients at a foot and eye care practice

Effect of an educational intervention based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour in type 2 diabetic patients at a foot and eye care practice

Awareness of Parents Regarding Eye Diseases and Eye Care Needs among Children of Tehsil Babuzai, District Swat

Purpose: To find out level of awareness of parents regarding eye diseases, eye care needs and eye care practices among children of district Swat. Study Design: Descriptive Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Hospitals of Tehsil Babuzai, District Swat, Pakistan from 15th March to 15th August 2022. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 200 parents of Tehsil Babuzai, District Swat, Pakistan. Data was collected through an interview-based questionnaire which was divided into four main parts; socio-demographic data, knowledge about eye care, knowledge about eye diseases and eye care practices. Chi-square test was used to find out association among categorical variables. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 26. Results: Knowledge about eye care was good in 112 parents (56.0%) and poor in 88 parents (44.0%). Knowledge was good regarding amblyopia in 82 (41.0%) parents, for childhood cataract in 63 (31.5%), and for congenital glaucoma in 56 (28.0%) parents. Attitude regarding children wearing spectacles and allowing ophthalmic surgery was positive in 179 (89.5%) and 165 (82.5%) parents, respectively. Most common eye diseases identified were refractive error (50.9%), followed by amblyopia (23.6%). Participants with higher education level and those having child with existing eye problems had significantly higher knowledge and practices scores (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: A considerable heterogeneity was observed between different social groups regarding children’s ocular problems and practices. Health care communities must play their role in communicating health information to illiterate parents in order to improve their knowledge and practices regarding ocular issues of their children.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Diabetic Patients toward Diabetic Retinopathy in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Eastern India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Background: To document knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) patterns of diabetic patients regarding diabetic retinopathy (DR), to determine associations between them, and to identify barriers to compliance with follow up and treatment regimes. Method: This is a cross-sectional study including 504 participants who attended the outpatient department (OPD) of a tertiary care hospital in eastern India. The participants included diabetic patients and questionnaires were completed to collect information about their sociodemographic and healthcare characteristics. A Chi-square test and Pearson correlation test were performed to analyze the data. Results: A total of 504 participants were enrolled in the study, with a mean age of 62.84 ± 7.62 years and a mean diabetes duration of 12 ± 4.42 years. The majority (65.07%) of the participants had higher secondary education or above. Good knowledge, a positive attitude, and poor DR practices were observed in 56.34%, 68%, and 66.6% of participants, respectively. The most common barrier to complying with regular follow-up despite having knowledge were domestic issues (no family support, lack of transport). Conclusion: The study reported good knowledge and attitude about DR among type 2 diabetics with relatively poor eye-care practices. Therefore, it is recommended that a collaborative approach amongst primary care providers, ophthalmologists, diabetologists, and health policy makers is necessary to transform this good knowledge and attitude into good practices.

Financial Health of Private Equity-Backed Groups: Perspectives From Eye Care.

In private equity (PE) buyouts of medical practices, it is common for the PE firm to raise significant levels of debt in order to finance the purchase. This debt is subsequently shouldered by the acquired practice(s). There remains a scarcity of literature quantifying the effect of PE acquisition on the subsequent financial performance of eye care practices. We aim to identify and characterize debt valuations of ophthalmology and optometry private equity-backed group (OPEG) practices, which serve as an indicator of practice financial performance. A cross-sectional study from March 2017 to March 2022 was conducted using business development company (BDC) quarterly/annual filings to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The 2021 BDC Report was used to identify all BDCs actively filing annual reports (Form 10-Ks) and quarterly reports (Form 10-Qs) in the United States in 2021. The public filings of BDCs lending to OPEGs were searched from the inception of the OPEG's debt instrument in a BDC's portfolio and the amortized cost and fair value of each debt instrument were tabulated. A panel linear regression was used to evaluate temporal changes in OPEG valuations. A total of 2,997 practice locations affiliated with 14 unique OPEGs and 17 BDCs were identified over the study period. Debt valuations of OPEGs decreased by 0.46% per quarter over the study period (95% CI: -0.88 to -0.03, P = 0.036). In the COVID-19 pre-vaccine period (March 2020 to December 2020), there was an excess (additional) 4.93% decrease in debt valuations (95% CI: -8.63 to -1.24, P = 0.010) when compared to pre-pandemic debt valuations (March 2017 to December 2019). Effects of COVID-19 on valuations stabilized during the pandemic post-vaccine period (February 2021 to March 2022), with no change in excess debt valuation compared to pre-pandemic baseline (0.60, 95% CI: -4.59 to 5.78, P = 0.822). There was an increase in practices that reported average discounted debt valuations from 20 practices (1.6%) associated with one OPEG to 1,213 practices (40.5%) associated with nine OPEGs (including 100% of newly acquired practices), despite the stabilization of COVID-19-related excess (additional) debt. Debt valuations of eye care practices have declined significantly post-PE investment from March 2017 to March 2022, suggesting that the financial health of these groups is volatile and vulnerable to economic contractions such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Eye care practice owners must consider long-term financial risks and impacts of subsequent patient care when selling their practice to a private equity group. Future research should assess the impact of secondary transactions of OPEGs on the financial health of practices, practitioner lifestyle, and patient outcomes.

Approaching headaches and facial pains in eye care practice.

Headaches and facial pains are among the most frequent ailments seen in outpatient or emergency settings. Given the fact that some of the primary headaches and facial pains mimic the characteristic patterns seen in ocular diseases and related conditions, it is fairly common for these situations to be sent to an ophthalmology or optometry clinic and misdiagnosed as ocular headaches. This may result in a delay in starting an appropriate therapy, therefore extending the patient's illness. This review article aims to help the practitioners in understanding common causes of headaches and facial pains, approaching such cases in eye OPD and differentiating them for similar ocular conditions to impart an appropriate treatment or referral.

Symptoms of dry eye related to the relative humidity of living places

PurposeTo investigate the impact of relative humidity (RH) and climate variables of the place of residence on symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) in primary eye care practice. MethodsA cross-sectional analysis of the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) dry eye classification of 1.033 patients [classified as non-DED (OSDI ≤22) and DED (OSDI >22)] was conducted in a multicentre study in Spain. Participants were classified according to the 5-year RH value (data from the Spanish Climate Agency -www.aemet.es) into two groups: those who lived in low RH (<70%) places and those who lived in high RH (≥70%) places. Additionally, differences in daily climate records (EU Copernicus Climate Change Service) were assessed. ResultsThe prevalence of DED symptoms was 15.5% (95% CI 13.2%–17.6%). Participants who lived in places with <70% RH showed a higher prevalence of DED (17.7%; 95% CI 14.5%–21.1%; P < 0.01 adjusted for age and sex) than those who lived in places with ≥70% RH (13.6%; 95% CI 11.1%–16.7%) and a closer, but not statistically significant, risk for DED (OR = 1.34, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.89; P = 0.09) than previously described DED risk factors [age older than 50 years (OR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.16; P = 0.02) and female sex (OR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.36 to 2.90; P < 0.01)]. Some climate data showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) between participants with DED and non-DED (mean wind gusts; atmospheric pressure; mean and minimum relative humidity); these variables did not significantly increase DED risk (OR close to 1.0 and P > 0.05). ConclusionThis study is the first to describe the impact of climate data on dryness symptomatology in Spain, confirming that participants who live in locations with RH <70% have a higher prevalence (corrected for age and sex) of DED. These findings support the use of climate databases in DED research.

CPD: Let's talk menopause

In recent years, there has been much greater awareness of the significant impact of the menopause upon health and daily life. In this article, Polly Dulley takes a look at the ocular impact and how this may influence eye care practice. (C 105485, suitable for logging as one provider-led distance learning CPD point for optometrists and dispensing opticians)

Parents' Awareness and Attitude Toward Pediatrics Eye Diseases in Makkah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The necessity of early detection and parents' knowledge of pediatric eye conditions and eye care is crucial, not only because of the severe complications it can carry, like blindness, but also due to the availability of preventive measures and the importance of vision in a child's growth and social life. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the level of awareness of and attitudes toward children's eye diseases of parents in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia. This descriptive, cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, from September to December 2022. A self-administered questionnaire was randomly distributed to fathers and mothers of children younger than 18 through social media platforms. A total of 470 parents who met the study's inclusion criteria completed the study questionnaire. The results showed that 72.8% of the parents had poor awareness of pediatric eye diseases, 24.5% had good awareness, and 2.8% had excellent awareness. With regard to the symptoms that might prompt parents to take their children to an eye specialist, eye redness had the highest percentage (24.5%). It was also shown that 68.5% would allow their children to undergo eye surgery, if necessary, while most of those who refused to do so (11.3%) cited fear of the surgical outcome as the cause of their refusal. Our study findings show inadequate parental knowledge about common pediatric eye diseases and eye care practices for children. Therefore, awareness andeducation programs targeting both parents are recommended to raise the parents' level of awareness of pediatric eye diseases and to improve their attitudes toward the same.

Ocular Trauma Management: A VR Surgeon’s Perspective

In our routine eye care practice, most of us frequently see patients with ocular trauma. It may vary from a small foreign body on the cornea causing discomfort, redness and pain with no significant visual complaints to a totally ruptured globe causing complete loss of vision or only the presence of light perception in the injured eye. These patients get treated differently in proportion to different parts of the country and the availability of medical support

Mumbai metropolitan region eye care facility survey: Mumbai Eye Disease Study (MEDiS) report #1.

To examine the eye care practice in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). This study consisted of primary and secondary research conducted in five zones of MMR. The primary research included interviews with the patients, eye care providers, and key opinion leaders. The secondary research included analyzing data from the professional ophthalmology societies, public health domain, and health insurance providers. We divided people into three economic classes by annual income - low (<INR 0.3 m), middle (INR 0.31-1.8 m), and high (>1.8 m). We analyzed the collected data to estimate the eye care demand-supply, quality of eye care, health-seeking behavior, gap in eye care delivery, and eye care expenditure. We examined 473 key eye care facilities and interviewed 513 people. The ophthalmologist density in MMR was 80/million, and it was the highest in North MMR. Most ophthalmologists visited several facilities. Cataract surgery and glaucoma care coverage were better than other specialties; it was poor for oncology and oculoplastic services. Annual eye examination practice was poor in the low- and middle-income groups than in the high-income group (48%-50% vs. 85%). Most people preferred visiting eye care facilities within 5 km of their residence. Out-of-pocket spending was between 60% and 83%. Lower-income group people preferred public facilities. MMR eye care needs further improvement in affordable and accessible eye care, health literacy, public health surveillance, research into the application of newer technologies to provide less-expensive home care for the elderly and minimize their hospital visits, and collection and analysis of big data to address city-specific eye health issues.