Eye Protection Research Articles

The danger of infrared laser radiation to the organ of vision

Introduction. The article tells about the widespread use of infrared lasers in the fields of human activity. The constantly increasing power of laser installations leads to an increased risk to the health of large groups of workers. Current hygiene standards do not provide adequate eye protection from the harmful effects of this factor.
 The study aims are a scientific justification for improving the maximum permissible level (MPL) of infrared laser radiation.
 Materials and methods. To generalize and systematize the results of experimental studies and mathematical modeling to determine the threshold values of the harmful effects of infrared laser radiation on eyeball tissue, the authors used analytical methods.
 Results. Far infrared laser radiation can pose a danger not only to the cornea, but also to the retina. One of the important indicators affecting the depth of penetration of laser radiation into the structures of the eye and the severity of lesions is the absorption coefficient of the medium. Based on mathematical modeling of the thermochemical destruction of eye tissues, the researchers determined the threshold values of the harmful effects of far-infrared laser radiation, confirmed by the results of experimental studies. The scientists justified the need to introduce a higher coefficient of hygienic reserve in determining the maximum permissible level and recommended new proposals for the hygienic regulation of far-infrared laser radiation.
 Conclusion. The introduction of new maximum permissible levels will provide more reliable eye protection from far infrared laser radiation.
 Ethics. This study did not require the conclusion of the Ethics committee.

Epidemiology of Ocular Trauma in Patients Referred to a Tertiary Center in Northern Iran

Background: Ocular trauma is a debilitating condition and one of the most important and leading causes of visual impairments that have high socioeconomic consequences. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the epidemiology of ocular trauma in patients referred to a tertiary center in northern Iran. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 476 patients with ocular trauma referred to the eye emergency department of a teaching hospital in Guilan Province, north of Iran, in 2020-21. Personal and trauma-related information was extracted from the patient’s medical records using a checklist. Results: Most patients were in the 31-40 age group (28.8%), with a mean age of 41.5±17.4 years. Most of the injuries occurred at home (57.1%). Few of the patients had used eye safety glasses (5.3%). Most of the patients were living in the city. Closed globe injuries were the common types of traumas (96%), and the prevalence of open globe injuries was at a very low level (4%). Conclusion: Closed globe injuries are the most common types of ocular traumas in northern Iran. Most of the ocular traumas are preventable using eye protection equipment.

Outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in a Rural Community Hospital during Omicron Predominance

Healthcare-associated infections due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has increased since the discovery of the Omicron variant. We describe a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in the medicine–surgery unit of a rural community hospital at the time of high community transmission of Omicron variant in our county. The outbreak occurred in the medicine–surgery unit of an 89-bed rural community hospital in northern Maine. The characteristics of the patients and healthcare workers (HCWs) affected by the outbreak are described. Patient and HCW data collected as part of the outbreak investigation were used in this report. The outbreak control measures implemented are also described. A total of 24 people tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 including 11 patients and 13 HCWs. A total of 12 of the 24 (50%) persons were symptomatic, and rhinorrhea was the most common symptom noted (8/12, 67%). None of the symptomatic persons had gastrointestinal symptoms or symptoms of a loss of sense of smell or taste. All HCWs were vaccinated and 8 of the 11 patients were vaccinated. Outbreak control measures in the affected unit included implementation of full PPE (N95 respirators, eye protection, gowns and gloves) during all patient care, serial testing of employees and patients in the affected unit, cohorting positive patients, closing visitation and thorough environmental cleaning including use of ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection. This outbreak exemplifies the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. The outbreak occurred despite a well-established infection control program. We noted that serial testing, use of N95 respirators during all patient care and UV disinfection were some of the measures that could be successful in outbreak control.

Ocular Trauma Characterization in a Reference Emergency Eye Centre in Colombia (FOSCAL).

Ocular trauma is one of the most important causes of ocular morbidity and inadequate visual acuity in developed and developing countries. In some countries, eye trauma is the leading cause of monocular blindness. Studies conducted in developing countries like Colombia suggest that there is a lack of awareness of preventive measures. In Colombia, there is no countrywide ocular trauma registry. The purpose of the present study is to describe and analyse characteristics of ocular trauma at a tertiary ophthalmology emergency department in Colombia. Patients who consulted or were referred to the ophthalmologic emergency department of FOSCAL due to eye injuries between March 1, 2022, and January 10, 2023, were included in this cross-sectional study. Of 1 957 patients, 2 088 eyes were included. Men comprised 78.5% of the patients, the median age was 36 years, and 75.0% lived in urban areas. The median latency between trauma and ophthalmology consultation was 21.8 hours. Of the eyes, 1 805 (88.4%) had suffered mechanical or mixed (mechanical plus burn) trauma. Of the injuries, 87.5% were unilateral. In terms of the circumstances, 45.9% of injuries occurred during working or educational activities (in 85.6% of these cases, without eye protection), 28.2% in home accidents, and 14.0% in transportation situations. According to the Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology System (BETT), 1 735 eyes (91.1%) were closed globe injuries, and 49 eyes (2.7%) were open globe injuries. Fifty eyes (2.8%) could not be categorised according to BETT at the initial consultation and were classified as "still to be determined". In the Ocular Trauma Score (OTS), 85.8% were category 5. Of the ocular burn cases, 93.0% were categorised as grade I according to the Roper Hall classification. In line with global literature, a much higher proportion of men than women sought consultation for ocular trauma. The findings suggest a need for improvement in the referral process from institutions with the lowest level of care. Lack of awareness about eye protection is an issue. Surgical exploration or additional tests may be necessary for precise injury classification. We therefore propose adding a "still to be determined" category to the BETT initial classification. These cases may be reclassified later, thus improving the accuracy of OTS calculation.

Retinal injury from a laser skin resurfacing device during medical tourism: a public health concern

BackgroundLaser skin resurfacing is a popular cosmetic procedure for noninvasive skin rejuvenation. Since health insurance plans often do not cover these types of procedures, patients often pay out of pocket. Consequently, there is an incentive to go abroad, where prices are more affordable. However, practitioners in destination countries may lack rigorous training on laser safety, regulatory oversight, or licensing, especially on devices used for “cosmetic” procedures. In certain cases, this can lead to tragic outcomes, especially when underqualified practitioners operate medical-grade laser devices.Case presentationA 29-year-old woman suffered a retinal burn from a handheld Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser pulse device used to perform skin resurfacing treatment at a medical spa in Vietnam. The patient was not adequately informed about the potential risk to her vision and was not provided with any eye protection. A momentary, unintended laser exposure to the patient’s right eye led to irreversible vision loss due to a macular burn. This incident caused immediate pain, followed by the sudden appearance of floaters, along with a retinal and vitreous hemorrhage. Despite treatment with off-label bevacizumab for the development of a choroidal neovascular membrane, vision remained at the level of counting fingers because of the presence of the macular scar.ConclusionWhen utilizing laser-based devices, it is crucial to employ safety measures, such as the wearing of safety goggles or the use of eye shields to protect ocular tissues from potential damage. The growing availability of cosmetic laser devices presents a substantial public health risk, because numerous operators lack adequate training in essential safety standards, or they neglect to follow them. Furthermore, patients seeking services abroad are subject to the regulatory practices of the destination country, which may not always enforce the requisite safety standards. Further research is needed to determine regional and global incidence of laser-related injuries to help direct educational and regulatory efforts.

Evaluation of therapeutic efficacy of Emustil drops for ocular discomfort and tear film osmolarity using different treatment management modes under dry environmental conditions

BackgroundWe aimed to check the efficacy of Emustil (oil in water emulsion) drops on tear film index and ocular surface dynamics in dry environments through protection and relief treatment modalities.MethodsThe subjects were exposed to a dry environment using a Controlled Environment Chamber (CEC) where the relative humidity (RH) was 5% and the temperature was 21 °C and screened for ocular symptoms, tear osmolarity, ocular surface temperature (OST) and tear production using ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire (OSDI), OcuSense TearLab Osmometer, FLIR System ThermaCAM P620 and Schirmer strips/phenol red test respectively. Tear production was calculated by the Tear Function Index test (TFI).ResultsThe mean tear film osmolarity decreased significantly from 296.8 mOsm/l at 40% RH to 291 mOsm/l at 5%. (p = 0.01). Instillation of Emustil resulted in a significant increase in tear osmolarity in the relief method compared with osmolarity seen at 5% RH when no drop was used. The mean PRT value decreased from 26 ± 9 in normal conditions (40% RH) to 22 ± 4 mm in dry conditions (5% RH). Emustil drops did not induce any significant change in tear production in the PRT test. No significant change was found in OST following exposure to 5% RH. OST did not show a statistically significant change with the emulsion when used for relief (p > 0.05). The mean score of ocular discomfort observed was 70 at 5% RH. Still, the instillation of the oil-in-water emulsion (Emustil) resulted in a noticeable decrease in visual discomfort to 37 (p = 0.00) in protection and 59 in relief (p = 0.05). Emustil drops substantially improved tear film parameters under a desiccating environment, however, tear film parameters respond differently to the management modalities. In the protection method, tear film osmolarity was protected against a dry environment, while in the relief mode, tear production was improved.ConclusionCEC allows for a thorough evaluation of tear film parameters and dry eye treatment protocols in labs, providing greater confidence when applying them to patients. In addition, our study showed that Emustil not only provides protection and relief for dry eyes but also helps to maintain ocular homeostasis in desiccating environments. This indicates a promising potential for improving dry eye treatment protocols.

Optical Limiting Response of Porous Carbon Dispersions.

With the wide application of intense lasers, the protection of human eyes and detectors from laser damage is becoming more and more strict. In this paper, we study the nonlinear optical limiting (OL) properties of porous carbon with a super large specific surface area (2.9 × 103 m2/g) using the nanosecond Z-scan technique. Compared to the traditional OL material C60, the porous carbon material shows an excellent broadband limiting effect, and the limiting thresholds correspond to 0.11 J/cm2 for 532 nm and 0.25 J/cm2 for 1064 nm pulses, respectively. The nonlinear scattering experiments showed that the OL behavior was mainly attributed to the nonlinear scattering effect, which is caused by the rapid growth and expansion of bubbles in the dispersion induced by laser irradiation, and the scattered light distribution is consistent with the results of Mie's scattering. These results suggest that porous carbon materials are expected to be applied to the field of laser protection in the future to further protect the human eye and precision optical instruments.

Impact of a COVID-19 code blue protocol on resuscitation care and CPR quality during in-hospital cardiac arrest

ObjectiveWe sought to evaluate the impact of a COVID-19 Code Blue policy on in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) processes of care, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quality metrics, and survival to hospital discharge. MethodsWe completed a health record review of consecutive IHCA for which resuscitation was attempted. We report Utstein outcomes and CPR quality metrics 33 months before (July,2017-March,2020) and after (April,2020-December,2022) the implementation of a COVID-19 Code Blue policy requiring all team members to don personal protective equipment including gown, gloves, mask, and eye protection for all IHCA. ResultsThere were 800 IHCA with the following characteristics (Before n = 396; After n = 404): mean age 66, 62.9% male, 81.3% witnessed, 31.3% in the emergency department, 25.6% cardiac cause, and initial shockable rhythm in 16.7%. Among all 404 patients screened for COVID-19, 25 of 288 available test results before IHCA occurred were positive. Comparing the before and after periods: there were relevant time delays (min:sec) in start of chest compressions (0:17vs.0:37;p = 0.005), team arrival (0:43vs.1:21;p = 0.002), 1st rhythm analysis (1:15vs.3:16;p < 0.0001), 1st epinephrine (3:44vs.4:34;p = 0.02), and airway insertion (8:38vs. 10:18;p = 0.02). Resuscitation duration was similar (18:28vs.19:35;p = 0.34). Exception of peri-shock pause which appeared longer (0:06vs.0:14;p = 0.07), chest compression fraction, rate and depth were identical and good. Factors independently associated with survival were age (adjOR 0.98;p < 0.001), male sex (adjOR 1.51;p = 0.048), witnessed (adjOR 2.35;p = 0.02), shockable rhythm (adjOR 3.31;p < 0.0001), hospital location (p = 0.0002), and COVID-19 period (adjOR 0.68;p = 0.052). ConclusionsThe COVID-19 Code Blue policy was associated with delayed processes of care but similarly good CPR quality. The COVID-19 period appeared associated with decreased survival.

Availability of basic infection control items and personal protection equipment in 7948 health facilities in eight low- and middle-income countries: Evidence from national health system surveys.

Hundreds of millions of people become infected globally every year while seeking care in health facilities that lack basic needs like infection control measures and personal protective equipment (PPE). We aimed to evaluate the availability of infection control items and PPE in eight low- and middle-income countries and identify disparities in the availability of those items. In this study, we combined publicly available nationally representative cross-sectional health system surveys (Service Provision Assessments by the Demographic and Health Survey Programme) conducted in eight countries between 2013 and 2018: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Malawi, Nepal, Senegal, and Tanzania. The availability of infection control items was evaluated using a list of six items (a waste receptacle, a sharps container, disinfectant, single-use disposable or auto-disposable syringes, soap and running water, or an alcohol-based hand rub, and guidelines for standard precautions). PPE includes four items: gloves, medical masks, gowns, and eye protection. We considered these items available in a facility if they were observed in general outpatient areas or any service-specific area (i.e. delivery room). We analysed data from 7948 health facilities (694 hospitals and 7254 health centres/clinics). Overall, among the infection control items and PPE, most surveyed facilities had high availability of single-use disposable or auto-disposable syringes (91.40%) and latex gloves (92.56%). Of infection control measures, guidelines for infection control were the least available during the survey, with the lowest (6.15%) in Nepal and the highest (68.18%) in Malawi. Of the PPE items, eye protection was the least available during the survey, with the lowest (5.4% in Senegal) and the highest (28.17%) in Haiti. Only 1567 (19.71%) facilities looked to have all the basic infection control materials, and 1023 (12.87%) of the analysed facilities possessed all of the PPE. Within the same country, the availability of items varied more between hospitals and health centres/clinics than between them. All eight of our study countries experience shortages of the most fundamental standard precaution items to avert infection. Steps must be taken in each of these countries to reduce inadequacies and disparities and enhance efficiency in the conversion of health-system inputs into the facility's availability of standard precaution items for infection control - to curb the risk of infectious disease transmission.

Color-Coded Stickers Used to Identify Appropriate Protective Eyewear in Laser Surgery

Color-Coded Stickers Used to Identify Appropriate Protective Eyewear in Laser Surgery

Surgical team member's application of personal protective equipment: an observational study.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a term used to refer to clothing or equipment that creates a barrier to protect an individual from work-place hazards, thereby protecting the worker against work-related injuries and illnesses. This study was aimed at determining the compliance of application of personal protective equipment against the standards. One hundred surgical personnel were included in this study from 21 March 2023 to 23 April 2023. Data were collected through direct observation. The standards were directly changed into question forms with two integral checking components, "Yes", and "No". Data were entered and analyzed by statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) version 25. A total of 100 surgical personnel involved in surgical procedures were assessed for how they applied PPE. Majority of healthcare workers, 61.2%, were compliant with the communicable disease control standard on the application of PPE. The highest compliance rate was observed for the put-on gloves over the gown, while the lowest compliance rate was observed for wearing eye protection. The practice of PPE usage by surgical personnel was suboptimal. Healthcare facilities can better protect their staff and patients from the spread of infections and other hazards through PPE use protocols. Donning and doffing must always be methodical and supervised by another staff member, especially during surgical emergencies. PPE should be used in accordance with infection prevention and control guidelines and the level of risk involved in the specific procedure.

Native Australian Bronze Orange Stink Bug (Musgraveia sulciventris)–Related Corneal Injury

Abstract: The bronze orange stink bug (Musgraveia sulciventris) is an insect native to Australia that is found in citrus trees and gardens in coastal Queensland and New South Wales. The common name “stink bug” is attributed to the foul spray emitted from these insects when they are threatened. This spray can result in corneal injuries; however, human case reports of stink bug bodily fluid exposure to the eye are rare and have not been previously reported for this species. This report describes a case of the native Australian insect bronze orange stink bug causing irritant contact keratitis in the eye, which is the only reported case in the literature. Patients who garden in Queensland and New South Wales should be advised to handle these insects with care, by wearing protective eyewear and gloves when handling citrus trees or when removing them from their gardens, to minimize their risk of corneal damage if sprayed.

Evaluation of the disinfectant “Enzidez” according to indicators of acute toxicity and irritant effect

Despite the fairly large number of disinfectants on the market, there is no perfect drug, as microorganisms adapt to new antibacterial substances quite quickly. In this regard, recently, enzymatic preparations for the hydrolysis of protein contaminants and the destruction of the glycopeptide matrix of the microbial biofilm have been introduced into disinfectants. Therefore, disinfectants that have a wide spectrum of antimicrobial action, actively remove organic contaminants and affect the biofilm forms of bacteria are considered relevant and promising for development. The purpose of the work was to conduct a toxicological evaluation of the developed disinfectant “Enzidez” according to indicators of acute toxicity and irritant effect. Determination of acute toxicity and irritant effect of the native disinfectant and its 1 % solution was carried out according to generally accepted methods. Studies on establishing the parameters of subacute (acute) toxicity of Enzidez disinfectant on white mice revealed that the working 1.0 % concentration of Enzidez disinfectant did not cause the death of mice when administered intragastrically in a dose of 5000 to 13000 mg/kg. This indicates that a dose of 13,000 mg/kg body weight will be tolerated (LD0) for animals, while the median lethal (LD50) dose will be higher than this amount. According to the classification regarding the harmfulness of substances, the disinfectant in a working concentration of 1.0 % will be considered low-toxic (toxicity class 4).In the pathological autopsy of laboratory mice after administering lethal and working doses of the drug “Enzidez” to them, it was established that the mice died from pulmonary insufficiency due to hyperemia and pulmonary edema. According to the degree of danger, the product belongs to class 4 (low-toxic substances). When a working 1.0 % solution of the disinfectant was injected into the stomach, no visible pathological-anatomical changes were detected in experimental mice after euthanasia, which indicates its low toxicity. In addition, it was found that the native solution of the disinfectant causes slight irritation to the skin of white rabbits, so rubber gloves should be used when preparing working concentrations of the solution. The working 1 % solution of Enzidez, in turn, did not cause an irritating effect. In addition, it was found that the native solution of the disinfectant caused a harmful effect of 9 points on the mucous membrane of the eyes, and the working – 1 % solution did not cause visible changes in the mucous membrane. Therefore, when working with the native disinfectant “Enzidez”, it is necessary to use eye protection – glasses.

Farmers Perspectives on Negative Impacts of Chemical Pesticide Usage in Vegetable Cultivations: Case Study from the Periyaneelavanai Area, Ampara District

Indiscriminate use of pesticides causes health hazards to humans and long-lasting negative impacts to the environment. The major objectives of this study are to evaluate the current status of pesticide usage in the Periyaneelavani area, to evaluate farmers‘ perception on health, environmental effects due to usage, of pesticides, to identify the awareness level of farmers about proper usage of chemical pesticides and alternatives. This study was carried out in two GN divisions of Periyaneelavanai area, Ampara district. To represent 20% respondents, 50 farmers from each GN devisions which upto total 100 were randomly surveyed using a structured questionnaire. In order to gather the necessary data on vegetable cultivation, a preliminary study involving interviews with the Agricultural Instructor-Officer in Charge and affiliated farmers in Periyaneelavanai area were conducted before the actual survey. Discriptive analysis, P test, T test, anova were performed using minitab 14.0 version to conduct data analysis. The present study revealed that Chili, Brinjal, Okra, Tomato, Long beans, Cucurbites, Onion and Leafy vegetables were primarily grown in this area. Abamactin, Coragan, Applaud and Virtako were used as insecticides and Abamactin was the most popular (42%) among farmers. Mancozeb, Propineb and Canazole were used as fungicides and the highest usage was Mancozeb (45%). Mortin rat kill was used as a rodenticide by all the respondent farmers, and they have not used herbicides for their vegetable cultivation; instead, they manually remove the weeds. Skin irritation was the most prominent (60%), acute disease, and Asthma was the most common chronic disease (31%), that can be seen among farmers. The most common adverse environmental impact in this area was the empty pesticide containers piling up along roadsides (95%). All the farmers use at least one PPE while applying pesticide though the frequency of wearing PPE is different among each other. The majority of respondents use gloves, eye protection, and foot ware but lack of awareness towards face, head and body protection. The highest number of farmers selected indoor places (51%) for pesticide storage which cause to have a high risk of exposure among farmers. Most of the farmers selected the option of burying or burning pesticide bottles after using it. Majority of respondents preferred to use chemical pesticides (76%), rather than alternative methods due to the reliability of those methods. It is proposed to educate farmers on application, storage, cleaning and carrying the pesticides, the methods of effectiveness of different individual protection facilities, and utilizing the behavior to reduce the exposure to poisons should be developed and be available to farmers. This will help to reduce negative health and environmental consequences. Moreover, it is recommended to introduce reliable and effective alternative methods for chemical pesticides.&#x0D; Keywords: Periyaneelavanai area, Vegetable cultivation, Pesticides, Environmental impacts, Disease

Incidence Of Photokeratitis In Factory Workers After Ultraviolet C Exposure and Its Management : A Case Series

Introduction : Ultraviolet C lamps have been used in industry and healthcare to disinfect rooms, air, water, and surfaces. However, exposure to UV-C may cause serious damage to human eyes.&#x0D; Case Illustration : This were photokeratitis case series of 4 factory workers that occurred simultaneously after 4 hours exposure to UV-C lamp about one meter away without any protective eyewear. Several hours after exposure, they complained swollen, red and watery eyes, photophobia, sandy sensation, and blurry vision. One day after, they were taken to the Emergency Unit. Diagnosis of photokeratitis was established by using biomicroscopic examination. All subjects were treated with antibiotic eye drops, lubricants, oral anti-inflammatory drugs, and cold compress. Evaluation after 1 week showed clinical improvement and all subjects were able to return to work normally.&#x0D; Discussion : Photokeratitis or ultraviolet keratitis is an inflammatory condition of the cornea after ultraviolet exposure for 30 minutes to 12 hours. The corneal epithelial layer functions as protector for corneal stroma and endothelium. However, the longer corneal epithelium is exposed to ultraviolet light, the more damaged it is. This caused subepithelial nerve plexus exposed, resulting in severe pain, photophobia, and bilateral epiphora. Injection and chemosis of bulbar conjunctiva, epiphora, and punctate keratopathy of cornea were found in examination. The management given is supportive therapy, and should be immediately given until corneal epithelium healed.&#x0D; Conclusion : Photokeratitis may occurred in daily work. Regulation, warning, training and appropriate protective eyewear for workers in workplaces using UV-C lamps are mandatory. Immediate and adequate treatment can save the sight of workers exposed to UV-C.

Challenging Management in Work-Related Eye Injuries: A Case Report of Steam Boiler Explosion-Induced Open Globe Injury

Introduction : Work-related eye injuries (WREIs) are major health problems leading to vision loss worldwide. In this study, we reported a case of WREIs from blast injury caused by a steam boiler explosion&#x0D; Case Illustration : A 55-year-old male, laundry worker presented to the emergency unit with pain, bleeding, and sudden vision loss in the left eye, 8-hours after a blast injury from steam boiler. He was conscious with normal vital signs. He had lacerations to his left eyelid, frontal, and temporoparietal. Ocular examination revealed a visual acuity of no light perception, full-thickness laceration of the lower eyelid and inferior canalicular, diffuse subconjunctival hemorrhage, corneoscleral laceration with choroidal expulsion, and active bleeding. On investigation, B-scan ultrasonography revealed vitreous hemorrhage and CT scan showed no orbital fracture. He underwent evisceration, eyelid reconstruction, and lacrimal canaliculi repair surgery under general anesthesia and planned to custom-made ocular prosthesis.&#x0D; Discussion : WREIs include eyeball injuries, eye adnexa injuries, eyelid lacerations, and orbital wall fractures that occur during work-related activities. The incidence of WREIs is higher in men aged 20-40 years. In this case, the patient presented with an open globe injury resulting in sudden vision loss, requiring urgent surgical intervention to prevent further complications. Ocular prostheses can provide acceptable aesthetics and improve the patient's quality of life by helping them to integrate into society.&#x0D; Conclusion : WREIs can lead to permanent vision loss and require urgent surgical intervention. Employers must prioritize workplace safety by providing adequate training and appropriate eye protection such as safety goggles to minimize the risk of eye injuries.

Ocular Manifestation of Monkeypox: A Systematic Reviews

Introduction &amp; Objectives : On July 23, 2022, the World Health Organization declared the monkeypox epidemic a global public health emergency. The majority of clinical studies on monkeypox have concentrated on its dermatological symptoms, but mounting data raises questions regarding its ocular side effects.&#x0D; Methods : Thirteen studies were found among the 541 distinct articles that were evaluated. Overall, ten studies were case reports, two studies of case series, and one observational cohort study. Ocular manifestations of monkeypox were vesicopapular lesions on the eyelid and conjunctiva, conjunctivitis, epiphora, photophobia, foreign body sensation, eye edema, vision changes, eye pain, itchy eyes, eye discharge, bilateral eye involvement, corneal involvement, keratitis, and subconjunctival nodules.&#x0D; Results : The most prevalent ocular symptoms of monkeypox were conjunctivitis, followed by eye pain and photophobia. It is still unknown whether the ocular involvement is due to self-inoculation or the systemic transmission of the virus during the early viral phase of the illness. Despite some theories involving the transit of monkeypox into the conjunctival secretions via the plasma compartment, this study also showed that conjunctival swab PCR is 100% positive, equal to skin lesion swabs.&#x0D; Conclusion : In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first review with a larger sample and the newest study to report the ocular manifestations of monkeypox disease. The primary ocular symptoms were conjunctivitis, eye pain, and photophobia. In addition, it is advised that healthcare professionals, especially ophthalmologists, use eye protection goggles when close to patients.

Self-Inflicted Laser-Induced Retinopathy.

This photo essay details a patient with self-inflicted laser-induced retinal injury progressing to full-thickness macular holes in both eyes. A 40-year-old patient presented after a self-inflicted injury by a handheld class 3 blue laser (450 nm) he purchased on the internet. The patient reported shining the laser through a window, which reflected the beam back into his eyes. Visual acuity was measured at 20/400 in both eyes. The initial fundus photographs revealed vitreous and preretinal hemorrhages in the right eye, and multiple yellow-white fresh laser burns in the macula of the left eye. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed preretinal hemorrhage in the right eye and retinal disruption with preretinal hyper-reflective lesion in the left eye. After one month, his vision deteriorated to finger counting in each eye. He developed a full-thickness macular hole and hyperfluorescent curvilinear streaks in the superior maculae in both eyes. OCT images showed retinal pigment epithelium clumping and outer retinal atrophy in curvilinear streak areas in both eyes, which point to self-inflicted injury. This case illustrates laser-pointer-induced retinopathy and reinforces the necessity of public education on the dangers of utilizing handheld lasers without eye protection.

Knowledge of ocular infections among the dental practitioners across India: a cross sectional survey

BackgroundOcular issues such as impaired vision, ophthalmia, orbital cellulitis, and blindness are not common with dental infections. However, there is absence of set guidelines in prevention and management of ocular issues arising from dental infections. Hence the knowledge and vantage point of the dentists with respect to ocular complications arising from dental infections was evaluated.ObjectiveThis study reviews the knowledge of dentists with association of eye infection due to dental contamination.MethodA cross sectional survey using standardized questionnaires were sent suing social media platform among the academicians and practicing dental clinicians. All the questionnaires were content validated by three ophthalmologists. Descriptive statistics was scrutinized and tabulated by employing the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 17 (SPSS Inc., Chicago IL). Chi square tests was used.ResultsAbout 69.1%(65) and 30.9%( 29) of BDS and MDS grduates have experienced ocular complications because of dental contamination. This distribution showed no statistical significance (p = 0.25). 73.8% (183) and 28.2%( 65) had compliance with the eye protection, 77.7% (160) of BDS graduates and 22.3% (46) of MDS graduates preferred safety eye wear. This distribution showed statistical significance (p = 0.00). About 76.2% (279) of BDS graduates and 23.8%( 67) of MDS graduates faced ocular infections because of different types of splashes which included water, blood and saliva. (p = 0.23)ConclusionThis study puts an emphasis on the knowledge assessment among the dental practitioners on the importance of preventive barriers, and how special protective gear is required for doing cases undergoing dental treatment.

Incidence and Outcomes of Eye Trauma Associated with Recreative Use of Non-Powder Toy-Guns: a 12-years retrospective study

PurposeNon-powder toy-guns (NPTG) are responsible for many ocular traumas. This study aims to detail the outcomes of these injuries, depending on the causative NPTG. DesignRetrospective observational case series. MethodsCases of NPTG-associated ocular trauma managed in a Parisian eye emergency department between August 1, 2010, and January 1, 2023, were reviewed. The date of trauma, causative NPTG, patient demographics, initial and follow-up eye examinations, any surgical procedure, and visual outcomes for each ocular trauma were analyzed ResultsOver 12 years, NPTG were responsible for 324 eye injuries and 980 visits. Patients were mostly males (77.5%), and mean age at trauma was 16.2 years. Foam bullets or foam darts blasters accounted for 54.9% of traumas and were mainly responsible for corneal injuries and hyphema (30.9% and 27%, respectively). BB-gun/airsoft guns were frequently responsible for anterior segment lesions, as well as intravitreal hemorrhages (14.7%) and commotio retinae (21.1%). Paintball guns accounted for the largest proportion of posterior segment lesions (such as intra- or subretinal hemorrhages leading to macular atrophy/contusion maculopathy), and one-third of casualties had undergone ocular surgery. Among all traumas, final visual acuity was lower than 20/200 in 6.5% of cases. Phthisis occurred in 8 cases: 2 were related to foam bullets or foam darts blaster injuries (1 contusion and 1 rupture), 2 other cases followed a rupture due to BB-guns/airsoft-guns, 1 case occurred after a rupture related to a paintball gunshot, and 3 others were due to other types of compressed air guns (1 rupture, 1 intraocular foreign body and 1 total retinal detachment). ConclusionNPTG-related ocular trauma outcomes differ according to the causative toy. Paintball guns and BB-guns/airsoft guns-related traumas were more likely to be associated with severe lesions, but an increasing number of ocular injuries related to the use of foam bullets or foam darts blasters are reported, in younger and younger children. Public health policies should promote the use of protective eyewear.