Ophthalmologists In Management Research Articles

Preferred practice patterns of ophthalmologists in management of viral conjunctivitis

Introduction: Different ophthalmologists follow different protocols for diagnosing and treating the viral conjunctivitis. We conducted this study to know the current trends of knowledge, attitude and practices in management of viral conjunctivitis. Aims: 1: To determine the knowledge, attitude and practices of ophthalmologist in diagnosing viral conjunctivitis; 2: To determine the knowledge, attitude and practices of ophthalmologist in treatment of viral conjunctivitis. Design: A Prospective descriptive cross sectional study based on questionnaire survey will be done amongst ophthalmologists of Punjab, Gujarat, Haryana and Maharashtra. Materials and Methods: A prevalidated questionnaire was distributed manually and by email to ophthalmologists in different parts of India. The questionnaire covered their knowledge about diagnosis and treatment of viral conjunctivitis. It also covered their preferred practice pattern for managing a case of viral conjunctivitis. The data was collected and analysed on SPSS 24 software. Thematic analysis of qualitative data obtained was done. Results: 205 responses were received from ophthalmologists across various parts of India. The basis of diagnosis for a case of viral conjunctivitis was clinical by 88.5% of ophthalmologists. Signs looked by ophthalmologists were mainly congestion (80%), discharge (72.19%) and follicles (48.3%). 92% responded that no investigations are required for forming diagnosis. An overall criterion used by ophthalmologists was 85% clinical picture along with history, 12% use diagnosis of exclusion and 3% used certain investigations for diagnosis. Ophthalmologists use the treatment plan as lubricants (86.3%), Antibacterial (66.7%), steroids (35.3%), antiviral (15.7%), oral vitamin C (25.5%) and other (11.8%). For prevention of viral conjunctivitis precautions used for self were hand hygiene (washing hand [98%] and sanitizer like sterllium [25%]), use of gloves (2%), clean slit lamp, chair and other instruments:

Management of traumatic corneal abrasion by a sample of practicing ophthalmologists in Saudi Arabia

PurposeCorneal epithelial defect (CED) is a common medical emergency condition involving loss of surface epithelial layer of the cornea. The aim of the study is to explore the practice patterns of ophthalmologists in management of traumatic CED in Saudi Arabia and to assess the variance in clinical practice from the established clinical practice guidelines. MethodsA Survey based study at King Abdulaziz University Hospital between March 2015 and January 2016. A survey of 16 relevant closed ended questions was distributed to 300 practicing ophthalmologists including Saudi Ophthalmology Society (SOS) members and non-members. The survey questionnaire focused on the known aspects of traumatic CED management. Results188 practicing ophthalmologists responded to the distributed questionnaire. That represents a 63% response rate for the present survey study. The age group most commonly affected by traumatic CED is 6–18 years old (61.2%). Fingernail trauma (n = 129, 68.6%) was the major cause of CED reported by respondents. In large CED (>5 mm) most common modality of treatment is pressure patching with topical antibiotics with or without cycloplegics (40.4%) whereas in small CED (<2 mm) topical antibiotics and cycloplegics is the preferred way (40.4%). The most commonly used prophylactic antibiotic was second-generation fluroquinolons (58.5%). ConclusionsPresent study demonstrates that practicing ophthalmologists are reporting that traumatic CED mostly affects young people and fingernail trauma is the major cause. There is lack of clear institutional guidelines and consensus on the management of traumatic corneal abrasions.

Dry eye in postmenopausal women

This review examines the etiology and pathophysiology of dry eye disease in postmenopausal women, and describes the steroid reproductive hormone influences that may contribute to its development. We have reviewed the relevant studies on dry eye disease related to hormonal status and hormone therapy (HT) in both animal models and humans. Although both low and high estrogen levels have been associated with symptoms of dry eye disease, low androgen levels are a more consistent factor in its etiology. Postmenopausal HT with estrogen or estrogen plus progestogen has shown a limited benefit for dry eye symptoms and may even result in progression of meibomian gland dysfunction, decreased tear film break up time, and tear flow reduction. However, systemic or local androgen treatment has shown promising results in improving dry eye symptoms. Because of the high incidence of dry eye among postmenopausal women that may be related to the hormonal treatment, we propose that a multidisciplinary approach should be considered between gynecologists and ophthalmologists in management of this disorder.

Primary eye care needs and services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations across Queensland: a ‘users' perspective

Background: Only a small percentage of people with low vision in Australia receive comprehensive low vision rehabilitation services. In an attempt to examine reasons for this under-utilisation of low vision services, the referral criteria used by Australian ophthalmologists and optometrists were investigated. This paper reports the results for optometric referrals; the results for the ophthalmological referrals have been reported elsewhere. Method: A survey was sent to a random sample of 800 optometrists in Australia. Information requested included the vision loss criteria used for referral of patients to services for visually impaired people, the frequency of prescription of low vision devices (LVDs), frequency of referrals and perceptions of the availability and quality of low vision services. Results: The response rate was 36 per cent. Optometrists reported that only 4.7 per cent of their patients have low vision. Optometrists frequently prescribe LVDs but the majority infrequently refer patients to low vision or rehabilitation services. The rate of referral is influenced by their referral criterion and the perceived availability and quality of low vision services. Conclusions: Optometrists do not manage many patients with low vision because the patients are usually referred to ophthalmologists for management of the underlying eye disease. However, many optometrists could adopt a lesser degree of vision loss as their referral criteria for low vision services and encourage ophthalmologists to do the same. With improved communication between the eye care practitioners and low vision services, patients will be referred to low vision services earlier, before vision loss severely affects their daily lives.