Eye Check-up Research Articles

Visual Awareness and Its Impact on Sports Performance of Basketball Players in The Maldives

Objective: This study aimed to assess the visual awareness and its impact on basketball performance among Maldivian basketball players. Material and Methods: A 16-item questionnaire about visual and ocular problems, perception towards eye health, and sports performance was distributed electronically to basketball players in the Maldives through various basketball organizations. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Chi-Square test in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences.Results: Eighty two Maldivian basketball players aged between 10-40 years, with sixty males, participated in this study. Data showed that only 30.5% of the respondents wore vision correction when playing basketball, none had undergone any visual training, and 20.7% never had any eye examination.Majority of those who underwent eye examination had more than two years since their last eye check-up. Visual difficulties during games were reported by 41.5% of the respondents, with blurry vision and eye injury being the most commonly reported visual symptom and ocular problem, respectively. Moreover, 70.7% of the players experienced inconsistent performance level and loss of concentration during games. There was a significant relationship between experiencing visual difficulties and inconsistent sports performance χ2 (1, N=82) =5.95, p-value=0.02. Conclusion: The visual awareness among Maldivian basketball players is generally low and this seems to be associated with their sports performance. Importance of using corrective/protective eyewear and attending regular eye examinations should be cultivated among athletes in the Maldives, aiming to improve the sports field in this country.

Eye care service utilization and associated factors among adults in Debre Berhan Town, North Shewa, Ethiopia, 2023.

Globally, the utilization of eye care services varies widely, ranging from 18 to 90%. Low utilization of eye care services can lead to delayed detection of vision problems. However, there are limited data on the proportion of eye care service utilization and its associated factors in Ethiopia at the community level. The objective of this study was to determine the proportion of eye care service utilization and its associated factors among adults in Debre Birhan town, North Shewa, Ethiopia. Using a multistage sampling method, a community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 960 adults in Debre Birhan town from 8 May to 8 June 2023. Binary logistic regression was performed. Variables with a p-value of less than 0.05 were considered significant. A total of 940 study participants participated, resulting in a response rate of 97.9%. The mean age of the participants was 54.67 years (SD ± 8.69). The proportion of good-level eye care service utilization was found to be 32.98% [95% confidence interval (CI): 29.97, 35.99]. Factors positively associated with good-level eye care service utilization included older age [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.58, 95%CI: 1.00, 2.51], higher educational status (AOR = 2.25, 95%CI: 1.25, 4.06), high family monthly income (AOR = 8.70, 95%CI: 4.99,15.18), awareness of regular eye checkups (AOR = 1.77, 95%CI: 1.15, 2.73), a history of eye disease (AOR = 2.57, 95%CI: 1.77,3.74), health insurance (AOR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.34, 2.95), and history of spectacle use (AOR = 1.94, 95%CI:1.34, 2.80). The study revealed that the proportion of good-level eye care service utilization was low. Older age, higher educational status, high family monthly income, awareness of regular eye checkups, a history of eye disease, health insurance, and history of spectacle use were significantly associated with a good level of eye care service utilization.

Knowledge, attitude, and practices towards diabetes and diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients at Medical Palestinian Complex, Ramallah

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a worldwide growing burden. Diabetes and its complications constitute a major morbidity burden among the Palestinian population. The main aim of this study was to document the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of diabetic patients towards diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. This cross-sectional study was conducted over two months at a Medical Palestinian Complex (PMC) outpatient clinic in Ramallah. Fifty diabetic patients were included in the study, and the KAP of patients was assessed using a verbally administered questionnaire. Patients were placed in different categories, such as "good/poor" knowledge, "positive/negative" attitude, and "good/poor" practice. The study involved 50 participants, primarily male, with an average age of 54 years. Overall, knowledge and attitude scores regarding diabetes and diabetic retinopathy were found to be poor, while practice scores were suboptimal for diabetes and poor for diabetic retinopathy. The main barrier to regular follow-up was inadequate knowledge about the importance of eye check-ups. While there was no significant difference in knowledge or attitude towards diabetes and diabetic retinopathy, participants with higher education levels and income demonstrated better practice scores. Additionally, a positive attitude towards diabetes and diabetic retinopathy was associated with better diabetes practice. KAP regarding DM and DR were generally poor among the patients. So, there is an urgent need to improve education and awareness of DM and DR among diabetics, as it is a powerful tool for controlling the disease and its complications by improving patient compliance with treatment and follow-up.

Practice patterns in pediatric myopia management: Insights from a 2023 survey among Indian ophthalmologists.

This study investigates the practice patterns related to paediatric myopia among Paediatric Ophthalmologists in India, based on a 2023 survey conducted via Google Forms. The survey aimed to gather insights into physicians' perceptions and experiences concerning the clinical and treatment aspects of myopia in children. The survey reveals several key insights into current practice patterns among Paediatric Ophthalmologists in India regarding paediatric myopia management. The recommended mean age for a child's first eye checkup is 3 years, underscoring the importance of early detection. Refractive error thresholds for prescribing spectacles are set at 3.0 D for infants, 2.0 D for preschool children, and 1.0 D for school-going children older than 3 years. There is a growing trend in using 0.01% Atropine eye drops for myopia management, with a mean prescription age of 4.83 years. Notably, 80.11% of respondents prioritize documenting myopia progression regardless of the child's age. Orthokeratology and Peripheral Defocus spectacle lenses are gaining recognition, and lifestyle modifications such as increasing outdoor activities and reducing near activities are widely acknowledged as effective. While most respondents do not use progressive lenses for myopia, there is significant emphasis on axial length measurements and considering the lag of accommodation. Additionally, under-correction of myopia is favored by a notable proportion of practitioners. These findings indicate a shift towards early intervention and evidence-based strategies in myopia control. The survey highlights a shift towards early intervention and evidence-based myopia control strategies among practitioners. There is, however, room for improvement in standardizing approaches and considering additional factors like axial length and lag of accommodation. Collaborative efforts among policymakers, health regulatory bodies, and industry stakeholders are essential to enhance the accessibility and affordability of myopia control treatments and address the growing health burden associated with paediatric myopia.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL FACTORS THAT PREDISPOSE PEOPLE TO GLAUCOMA AND MEASURES OF PREVENTION OF GLAUCOMA AMONG THE PATIENTS RECEIVING EYE CARE SERVICES IN THE EYE CLINIC AT JINJA REGIONAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Background Glaucoma is a group of disorders characterized by progressive optic neuropathy resulting in a characteristic appearance of the optic disc and a specific pattern of irreversible visual field defects. The study aims to assess the pathophysiological factors that predispose people to glaucoma and measures of prevention of glaucoma. Methodology A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted because data was collected at one point in time. A non-probability convenient sampling process was used since a specific group of patients with glaucoma was required among patients above 40 years of age receiving eye health services at JRRH. Results Most of the respondents 78% were above 40 years, 10% were 0 to 19 years with a percentage of 10%, 8.33% were 30 to 39 years and 3.33% were 20 to 29 years. Raised IOP contributed the highest percentage of 58% followed by systemic hypertension with a percentage of 16% then genetics and family history with a percentage of 12% followed medication-related IOP elevation with a percentage of 8% and finally myopia, systemic hypotension, and pseudoexfoliation syndrome all contributing to a percentage of 2% respectively. Early eye checkups turned out to be the most effective means for preventing glaucoma with the highest percentage of 34% followed by drug adherence with a percentage of 28% then reduction on steroid medication with a percentage of 12%. Conclusion Raised IOP and systemic hypertension were the significant factors in glaucoma while early checkups drug adherence and reduction of steroid medications were the significant prevention measures for glaucoma. Recommendation The Ministry of Health should equip all hospitals and health centers with the necessary equipment to enable eye health workers to diagnose glaucoma.

Awareness of Diabetic Retinopathy among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Attending the Tertiary Eye Hospital in Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Introduction: Lack of knowledge of the need for regular diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS) has turned many patients in the advanced stage of DR before first eye check-ups. Unfortunately, data on the knowledge, attitude, and behaviour of diabetic patients with DR are not satisfactory in Nepal. Here, we aim to assess the factors predisposing to awareness levels in the Nepalese context. Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study enrolling 369 diabetic patients visiting the Hospital for Children, Eye, ENT and Rehabilitation Services between March 2020 and February 2021 after obtaining ethical clearance from the Nepal Health Research Council. A convenience sampling technique was used. The questionnaire was utilized to assess basic demographic profiles, awareness about diabetic retinopathy, and sources of information on the need for diabetic eye check-ups. Results: The mean (standard deviation) age of diabetes mellitus (DM) patients was 56.26 (11.13) years. The age group of 40–59 years comprised more than half of the total patients. Awareness of DR was 86.7% in this study. Education level and the duration of DM were directly proportional to the awareness level. Healthcare workers or physicians were the primary sources of information on awareness. Conclusions: Awareness of poor visual consequences of DR among patients with diabetes in Nepal is relatively satisfactory. However, patients’ willingness to undergo retinopathy check-ups was not up to the mark. Therefore, we recommend finding out the barrier to poor compliance with diabetic retinopathy in the future. The consumer-focussed health educational interventions and physician-based skills and the DRS facility would improve the awareness level in Nepal.

Public Awareness, Knowledge of Presbyopia and Compliance to Eye Examination in Jordan.

To assess public awareness and knowledge about presbyopia and their compliance to ocular examination in Jordan. A cross-sectional survey was designed to interview people in different provinces of Jordan. Socio-demographic data such as age, gender and level of education and region was reported. The first part of the questionnaire assessed awareness of presbyopia in terms of the need for spectacles with age, age of onset, possible causes of presbyopia and methods of presbyopia management. The second part of the questionnaire evaluated compliance of the participants with ocular examination in terms of frequency and motive to do general eye check, intraocular pressure (IOP), fundus exam and visual acuity. A total of 802 participants (232 males, 570 females) with an average age of 28 (±11.6) completed the questionnaire. Most participants (84.2%) knew that glasses are needed for near vision as age increases, and 62.8% estimated the age at which spectacles are required (40 years or older). Over half understood that presbyopia is correctable and progressive. Age significantly influenced knowledge about the need for near vision spectacles, and whether presbyopia is preventable and progressive (both p < 0.05). Females were more knowledgeable about these aspects. The frequency of eye examinations, particularly fundus exams and IOP tests, was significantly influenced by age but not by education. Gender only significantly affected the frequency of vision checks (p = 0.01), with females being more likely to adhere to them. This study demonstrated a good level of awareness and knowledge about presbyopia among Jordanians, especially those over 40 and females. Regular eye check-ups were more common among young participants and females. Addressing misconceptions about presbyopia's preventability and promoting regular eye exams are crucial for early diagnosis and management of presbyopia and other serious eye conditions.

Prevalence, Knowledge and Associated Factors Related to Computer Vision Syndrome among Undergraduate Students.

Computer vision syndrome has been an issue of concern among students who use digital devices continuously. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and level of knowledge on computer vision syndrome and its relationship with associated factors among undergraduate students in a public university in Malaysia. This study was conducted between 26 May and 23 June 2022 at National University of Malaysia. A cross-sectional study among 208 undergraduate students from a public university was conducted. A self-reported questionnaire via Google Form was used to capture the data among the undergraduates. The prevalence and associated factors of computer vision syndrome were each evaluated using the validated Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire and Computer Vision Syndrome Survey Form 3 questionnaires, respectively, while knowledge of computer vision syndrome was assessed using a validated questionnaire from a previous study. All the data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26.0 software (IBM Corp.; Armonk, NY, USA). The prevalence of computer vision syndrome among undergraduates was 63.0% (n=131), with 91.9% having poor knowledge of computer vision syndrome. Significant associations toward computer vision syndrome were found among undergraduates who have refractive errors/wearing glass (69.3%), screen edge at or above horizontal eye level (79.4%), uncomfortable sitting postures (79.4%) and close eye-screen distance (82.0%). In-depth analysis showed that having refractive errors/wearing glasses (aOR: 1.93; CI: 1.05, 3.57), uncomfortable sitting postures (aOR: 2.01; CI: 1.08, 3.74), and close eye-screen distance (aOR: 2.81; CI: 1.31, 6.05) had odd chance to develop computer vision syndrome. The study's findings denoted that digital device users should have more knowledge of computer vision syndrome and practice the preventable measures, such as proper viewing distance and angle, upright sitting postures, appropriate screen and surrounding illuminance, as well as regular eye check-ups.

Ocular Surface in Bangle Makers of Firozabad

Purpose: The bangle-making industry in Firozabad, India, is a significant source of employment for thousands of workers. However, the occupational hazards associated with this industry, particularly the exposure to glass dust and chemical fumes, calcide powder, etc. have raised concerns regarding the ocular health of bangle makers. This study is aimed to evaluate and describe the status of ocular surface among the bangle makers in Firozabad. Method: This was an OSDI questionnaire based cross sectional descriptive study, consisting a series of 12 questions about symptoms as itching, redness, blurred vision, grittiness, watering etc. Torch light examination of each subject was performed to look for any ocular abnormalities. An unstructured survey regarding the work hours in the factory, working experience in the bangle making industry, ocular complaints, history of hospital visits and prior eye-check-ups was also done. The responses were represented with the help of tables and chart. Results: 74 participants were enrolled in this study, OSDI score ranging from 23-33 that comes in moderate value. Maximum workers reported with normal eye health but there were ocular morbidities and surface abnormalities prevailing in this population, i.e. pterygium (8%), cataract (5.3%), pinguecula (2.7%), itching (6.7%), redness (4%). Conclusion: There is a need to improve occupational safety measures amongst the industry workers, including the provision of proper eye protection and mandatory eye check-ups to minimize the adverse effects on the ocular health of bangle makers, also need to increase awareness to motivate the workers for regular eye check-ups. Keywords: Ocular Surface, Infrared radiation, Occupational hazards, Ocular morbidities, Bangle makers.

Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy Using KNN &amp; SVM Algorithm

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a medical condition caused by diabetes. The development of retinopathy significantly depends on how long a person has had diabetes. Initially, there may be no symptoms or just a slight vision problem due to impairment of the retinal blood vessels. Later, it may lead to blindness. Recognizing the early clinical signs of DR is very important for intervening in and effectively treating DR. Thus, regular eye check-ups are necessary to direct the person to a doctor for a comprehensive ocular examination and treatment as soon as possible to avoid permanent vision loss. Nevertheless, due to limited resources, it is not feasible for screening. As a result, emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, for the automatic detection and classification of DR are alternative screening methodologies and thereby make the system cost-effective. People have been working on artificial- intelligence-based technologies to detect and analyze DR in recent years. This study aimed to investigate different machine learning styles that are chosen for diagnosing retinopathy. Thus, a bibliometric analysis was systematically done to discover different machine learning styles for detecting diabetic retinopathy. The data were exported from popular databases, namely, Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus. These data were analyzed using Biblioshiny and VOS viewer in terms of publications, top countries, sources, subject area, top authors, trend topics, co-occurrences, thematic evolution, factorial map, citation analysis, etc., which form the base for researchers to identify the research gaps in diabetic retinopathy detection and classification

Colour blindness prevalence and its awareness in primary school children of Karachi.

Objective: To Assess and compare different types of color blindness in primary school children also to appraise the self-awareness levels regarding this ailment amongst them. Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Setting: Different Primary Schools of Karachi in Collaboration with Department of Physiology, Jinnah Medical and Dental College Karachi. Period: 1st October 2020 to 1st December 2020. Methods: 146 primary school children of both genders aged between 5 to 12 years were assessed by prescribed questionnaire and Ishahara Chart for color blindness. Result: Out of the 148 students who underwent screening, only 16 were diagnosed with color blindness, indicating a prevalence of 10.8% among primary school children in Karachi. Of these 16 students, males exhibited a higher incidence of color blindness (56.25%) than females (47.35%). Conclusion: The incidence of color blindness is higher in males than females with significant association with family history and night blindness. Colour blindness unawareness also significantly found in this study. It is recommended to have an eye checkup at the start of school and to have regular eye examination to avoid any hindrances and get the right help.

Influence of Dietary Seafood on the Prevention of Ocular Disorders: A Clinical Analysis

Age-related macular degeneration, retinal dysfunction, dry eye syndromes, cataract formation, and the prevalence of other vision defects are directly related to nutrients in the diet. People consuming seafood are less prone to several vision disorders. The present study was designed to validate the view. In this study, 712 visitors to tertiary eye care for eye check-ups were interviewed using a standard questionnaire, and from them, 264 persons were identified with some ocular defects. The identified cases were further screened based on their dietary habits with seafood. The isolated cases were clinically examined, and the development of ocular defects such as macular edema, optic neuropathy, myopia, double vision, dry eye syndrome, and color blindness was recorded. The results show that the respondents taking one or another type of three fishes regularly have a low impact on visual disorders. Respondents with fish intake above 500 g/week were less affected by all five ocular disabilities tested when compared with occasional users. Among the total respondents, the percentage of visual defects was seen in 62.12% in seafood users, but among the non-seafood users, the presence of visual defects was 89.6%. Statistical analysis using the Pearson population correlation coefficient, ρ (rho), further confirmed the relationship between eye wellness and a seafood diet. The omega-3 fatty acids linked with vision were also high in the fish consumed by the people. This study confirms that a regular seafood diet is good for eye health and can prevent the epidemics of several eye diseases. As fish intake contains a good amount of long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, people who consume fish in their diet are less susceptible to advanced macular degeneration and other vision impairments responsible for age-related blindness.

Comparison of Home-Based to Health Facility-Based Postnatal Care

ABSTRACT The early postpartum period is considered a valuable time for the mother and newborns. Provision of quality care is essential during this period. Post-natal care (PNC) is an important opportunity for assessing the mother's and new-born health. This study aims to compare home-based and health facility-based postnatal care. Community-based cross sectional mixed method research design with random sampling was adopted to select 104 samples; 52 each from home-based and health facility-based settings. A researcher-designed semi-structured interview schedule was used with four major areas; socio-demographic, maternal and neonatal services, satisfaction level, and incurred expenses. Cronbach’s alpha of 12 items satisfaction level questionnaire was 0.80. Odds ratio, chi-square test, independent t-test, and Mann-Whitney U-test were computed to see the association of maternal and neonatal services with post-natal care visits. Maternal and neonatal services utilization was found higher in home-based PNCs as compared to health facility-based PNCs. Maternal and neonatal services including eye check-ups (OR:0.35, CI: 0.15-0.81, p=0.013), breast examination (OR:0.40, CI: 0.17-0.94, p=0.034), calcium taken (OR:0.28, CI: 0.08-0.93, p=0.030), baby temperature measured (OR:0.40, CI: 0.18-0.90, p=0.026), baby bath (OR: 2.10, CI: 1.79-2.59, p=0.022) and BCG immunization (OR:0.24, CI: 0.08-0.72, p=0.007) were found statistically significant with PNC visit. Overall satisfaction of postnatal mothers in home-based settings was higher as compared to health facility-based settings. There was a significant difference in 6 out of 12 satisfaction parameters. There was a statistically significant difference (x2=21.67, p=&lt;0.001) in the time spent by postnatal mothers on PNC visits. Overall expenses during health facility visits seem to hike more than in home-based visits. The home-based service delivery approach is found applicable in improving maternal and newborn health services.

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.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding diabetic retinopathy among patients with diabetes in Dongola, Northern State, Sudan, 2022: a cross-sectional study.

diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a potential complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Both are a significant public health burden globally, affecting millions of people. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice toward DR among patients with diabetes in Dongola, Northern State, Sudan. this was a cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted among patients with diabetes attending Al-Jemaih Diabetic Center, from September 2022 to June 2023. The data were collected through face-to-face interview using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), version 26. Statistical tests like Chi-Square, logistic regression tests were performed to explore association and its strength, considering statistical significance at p≤0.05. among the 241 patients who participated in the study, about two-third, 63.9% (n=154) being females. About half, 55.2% (n=133) had good DR knowledge, which was significantly associated with urban residence (aOR: 2.58, 95% CI: 1.45-4.62; p=0.001). Majority, 79.3% (n=191) reported favorable DR attitude. About two-third, 63.9% (n=154) reported good DR practice. However, only 27.8% (n=67) routinely go for eye check-up. Knowledge was significantly associated with practice (aOR: 2.18; 95% CI: 1.13-4.20; p=<0.019). The most common barrier reported hindering regular eye check-up was misconception that the eye check-up is not necessary, 39.4% (n=65). despite the good knowledge, favorable attitude and good practices, the regular eye check-up practice was significantly low. Urban residence was significantly associated with knowledge. Similarly, knowledge was found to be significantly associated with practice level. The most common barrier to regular eye check-up was the misconception that it is not important.

Grade-Skewed Domain Adaptation via Asymmetric Bi-Classifier Discrepancy Minimization for Diabetic Retinopathy Grading.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. Deep learning has exhibited promising performance in the grading of DR. Certain deep learning strategies have facilitated convenient regular eye check-ups, which are crucial for managing DR and preventing severe visual impairment. However, the generalization performance on cross-center, cross-vendor, and cross-user test datasets is compromised due to domain shift. Furthermore, the presence of small lesions and the imbalanced grade distribution, resulting from the characteristics of DR grading (e.g., the progressive nature of DR disease and the design of grading standards), complicates image-level domain adaptation for DR grading. The general predictions of the models trained on grade-skewed source domains will be significantly biased toward the majority grades, which further increases the adaptation difficulty. We formulate this problem as a grade-skewed domain adaptation challenge. Under the grade-skewed domain adaptation problem, we propose a novel method for image-level supervised DR grading via Asymmetric Bi-Classifier Discrepancy Minimization (ABiD). First, we propose optimizing the feature extractor by minimizing the discrepancy between the predictions of the asymmetric bi-classifier based on two classification criteria to encourage the exploration of crucial features in adjacent grades and stretch the distribution of adjacent grades in the latent space. Moreover, the classifier difference is maximized by using the forward and inverse distribution compensation mechanism to locate easily confused instances, which avoids pseudolabel bias on the target domain. The experimental results on two public DR datasets and one private DR dataset demonstrate that our method outperforms state-of-the-art methods significantly.

Pattern and Prevalence of Retinal Vein Occlusion in Bhutan: A 3-Year National Survey at Vitreoretinal Clinics.

We conducted this study to determine the pattern and prevalence of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in Bhutan to inform national health policy as no data has been compiled previously. A retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted over 3 years, including all new RVO cases. For patients with bilateral RVO, one eye was chosen randomly. Demographic, clinical, and diagnostic details, including optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, and fundus photography, were collected. Of 141 RVO new patients included, aged 50.5 ± 20.2 years, there were more males (62.4%) than females (37.6%) significantly (p = 0.031), and 59.6% of total patients were from an urban setting. Farmers were the most affected group (44, 31.2%), followed by housewives (34, 24.1%), and the working group (33, 23.4%). Blurry vision (64, 45.5%), sudden loss of vision (17, 12.1%), including unsatisfactory cataract surgery (8, 5.7%) were common presenting complaints. Systemic hypertension (HT) (36, 25.5%), and diabetes mellitus (DM) (17, 12.1%), were associated systemic diseases. The prevalence of RVO was 4.8% (141/2913 all new retinal patients over the survey). Branch RVO (BRVO) was the most common type (77, 54.6%), followed by central RVO (CRVO) 56, (39.7%), and hemi-central RVO (HCRVO) (8, 5.7%). Superotemporal BRVO was the most common subtype (30, 39%) followed by inferotempoal (19, 24.7%). Best correct visual acuity (BCVA) was worse than 6/60 in 38 eyes (25.5%). BCVA was not significantly different between BRVO and CRVO eyes. Intraocular pressure was significantly lower in HCRVO eyes (p = 0.015) compared to BRVO and CRVO eyes. In Bhutan, 8.5% of RVO patients were bilateral. HT was associated significantly as a risk factor. Incidental findings of RVO during routine eye check-up and evaluating for unsatisfactory cataract surgery were common. Therefore, Bhutan needs to control noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes and HT to reduce RVO, and RVO-related blindness and complications.

Preserving sight: Managing and preventing diabetic retinopathy

Abstract Preserving eyesight in the presence of diabetic retinopathy, a subtle complication of diabetes, requires a proactive and comprehensive approach. This condition, characterized by the gradual deterioration of the blood vessels in the retina, can quietly advance and pose a significant threat to vision. Effectively managing this issue involves careful control of blood glucose levels through medications, dietary choices, and physical activity. By preventing prolonged high blood sugar levels, the main culprit behind retinal damage, individuals can slow down the progression of diabetic retinopathy and minimize its impact on vision. Medical interventions, such as laser therapies and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections, offer targeted measures to address abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage. Regular eye assessments are crucial, providing early detection opportunities even in the absence of obvious symptoms and allowing for timely intervention before irreversible damage occurs. Prevention is equally important, emphasizing proactive measures to avoid diabetic retinopathy. Monitoring blood pressure and lipid levels, along with adopting a health-conscious lifestyle, strengthens cardiovascular health, indirectly protecting the fragile retinal blood vessels. By following diabetes management protocols, maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and avoiding tobacco use, individuals can significantly reduce their vulnerability to diabetic retinopathy. Combined with efforts to increase community awareness and educate about the importance of regular eye check-ups, this comprehensive approach empowers individuals to actively manage their eye health, ultimately preserving the precious gift of sight.

Spectacles Under Utilization and Associated Factors Among Adults in Hawassa, South Ethiopia, June, 2022.

The commonest and cheapest treatment modality for correcting refractive error is spectacles or eyeglasses. In Ethiopia, the rate of spectacles under utilization and its impact on visual impairment was not known. To assess spectacles under utilization and associated factors among adults in Hawassa, Ethiopia, 2022. Community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from Jan 2021 to May 2022 with a final sample size of 664. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used during the sampling process. Using an interviewer-based questionnaire, the selected individuals were asked about demographic characteristics, spectacles use, and satisfaction with spectacles, knowledge, and attitude about spectacles. An odds ratio with a 95% CI was used to display the results. A P-value less than 0.05 in multivariate logistic regressions is used to show statistical significance. The prevalence of spectacles under utilization was 307 (48.7%). The spectacles under utilization was more prevalent in individuals with unaided visual acuity of 6/6 -6/12 (46.1%), no eye checkup (38.4%), no surgery on the eye (46.6%), willingness to accept spectacles (35.9%), good knowledge about spectacles (32.6%) and poor attitude about spectacles (35%). The most common reasons for not utilizing spectacles were believed not necessary (14.9%), expensive cost (13.1%), and discomfort (11.4%). Among the spectacles users (33.64%) who wore spectacles for 2 years, 31.17% procured the spectacles without physician orders and 46.6% purchased the spectacles in the optical workshop. The most common purpose to use spectacles was for protection (41.4%). The spectacles under utilization in Hawassa town was high. Rural residency, occupation, eye check, eye surgery, no willingness to wear spectacles, and attitude towards spectacles were significantly associated with spectacles under utilization. It is necessary to provide health education to improve the poor attitude regarding spectacles and eye checks.

Awareness of diabetic retinopathy among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending Donga Clinic in Francistown, Botswana

ABSTRACT Context: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) prevalence is steadily increasing in the country and by raising patient awareness, health providers can educate on regular eye exams, stimulate collaboration with experts, enhance monitoring and follow-up, and improve the patient’s overall condition Aim: To assess the awareness of diabetic retinopathy (DR) among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) during their new/follow-up visit in a diabetes clinic Settings and Design: Patients were given a questionnaire for 4 weeks Methods and Material: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted, and data were analyzed with SPSS Results: A total of 160 patients were enrolled (59.08 study was conductedents wite females. 42% had DM duration of less than 5 years. Hypertension was a comorbidity at 83%. Blood sugar control was good among 53%. 96.3% were nonsmokers, 1.9% quit smoking, and 1.9% smoked. 100% believed diabetes may affect their eyes, 83.1% stated eye exams were necessary even when diabetes was well managed, 96.9% believed eye exams were necessary when diabetes was poorly controlled. Majority (43%) felt they should go for eye checkups every 6 months. 75% were unaware of the treatments available for DR. Patients were aware of blindness, cataract, glaucoma, DR, at 63%, 14%, 10%, and 13%, respectively. The primary reason for undergoing eye examination was doctor’s referral at 94%. Healthcare provider was the common source of information on DM complications (79%). Conclusion: The need arises to raise DR awareness to increase case detection thus reduce the strain of DR’s sight-threatening complications.