Private Eye Research Articles

As a Featured ‘Cause of Dry Eye Syndrome ‘Digital Screens

As digital screens have become more indispensable in our lives, the health problems they induce have become more frequent. Dry eye syndrome may be the most common and preventable of these health issues. In this study, we investigated the adversity of digital screens on tear function. This study evaluated the possible negative and potentially harmful effects of digital screens on the lacrimal system and tear functions with the voluntary participation of 221 patients who applied to a private eye hospital in March and April 2024. While the ocular surface conditions of the participating volunteers were evaluated with Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores, lacrimal activity functions were measured with the Schirmer test. The cases were 25-50 years old. The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) evaluated the severity of dryness in the eyes. We found a reciprocal and statistically significant difference between dry eye symptoms and OSDI scores. Smartphone usage for more than 5 years, especially with higher screen brightnesses, has been attributed to a higher risky behavior for dry eye syndrome.

Ocular Surface Disease and Dry Eye Severity in Glaucoma Patients at Urban Private Eye Care Centres in Malaysia.

Ocular surface disease (OSD) severity varies among glaucoma patients and is exacerbated by intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering medications. To determine OSD prevalence and dry eye severity among glaucoma patients at nine private clinics in Malaysia. This multicentre, cross-sectional observational study recruited glaucoma patients undergoing routine eye examinations, with IOP ≤21mmHg receiving anti-glaucoma eye drops. OSD was assessed through National Eye Institute (NEI) scoring, tear film break-up time (TBUT), hyperaemia grading, Schirmer's tests and questionnaires on symptom evaluation, OSD index and quality of life (QoL). Our cohort (n = 406, mostly male, ethnically Chinese, mean 63.5 ± 11.5 years, mean IOP 15.34 ± 2.95mmHg) frequently used prostaglandin analogues or PGA/beta-blockers and had cornea total NEI scores of 3.64 ± 2.76, mostly with minimal (51.2%) or mild (40.4%) epitheliopathy. Mean TBUT was 6.59 ± 3.08s (25.0%) in patients with severe lipid deficiency dry eye (DE). Bulbar conjunctiva hyperemia (70.4%) and palpebral conjunctiva hyperemia (68.0%) were mild. Schirmer's test showed that most had tear deficiency (70.2%) with severe DE (38.9%). Questionnaires reported ocular symptoms in few patients, but 69.2% had DE symptoms (13.1% moderate/severe). While QoL was good, several patients had QoL and OSD index scores suggesting some adaptation to ocular symptoms and discomfort, with most patients being unconcerned (43-60%) by the occurrence of eye drop side effects (75.4%). Normal-mild DE or OSD can be asymptomatic, and the symptoms are unlikely to bother most patients. However, as OSD severity varies in patients with glaucoma, it should be evaluated using questionnaires and clinical tests to ensure that subjectively asymptomatic individuals are not missed.

Visual Outcomes After Cataract Surgery With the Light Adjustable Lens in Japanese Patients With and Without Prior Corneal Refractive Surgery.

To describe Light Adjustable Lens (RxSight, Inc) (LAL) visual and refractive outcomes in a Japanese patient population with and without prior refractive surgery. In this retrospective chart review of patients with cataract in a private eye clinic, 34 eyes from 21 patients underwent cataract surgery with LAL implantation. Eyes underwent light treatment to adjust the patients' refraction after implantation to meet individual visual goals. Standard visual and refractive outcomes were collected. Contrast sensitivity (to assess quality of vision), clinical defocus and vergence curves (to assess range of vision), and patient satisfaction were also collected. The mean prediction error of the light adjustment was -0.04 ± -0.48. Thirty-one eyes (91%) and 33 eyes (97%) were within ±0.25 and ±0.50 diopters (D) of manifest spherical equivalent target, respectively. Thirty-two eyes (94%) had residual refractive cylinder of 0.50 D or less. The full depth of focus was 3.68 D. Monocular contrast sensitivity shows frequencies equivalent to a normal population aged 50 to 60 years. The mean satisfaction score was 8.8 (scale: 1 to 10). There were no adverse events and no eyes lost corrected distance visual acuity from the light treatment. LALs in cataract refractive surgery hold great promise, including for the Japanese population, which have unique ocular biometrics. By providing a safe procedure and the ability for postoperative adjustments, the LAL provided a tailored approach to vision correction, ultimately improving patient outcomes and satisfaction. [J Refract Surg. 2024;40(11):e854-e862.].

Effectiveness of a Novel Multimodal Intervention for Family Caregivers of Persons With Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of visual impairment in older adults. Individuals affected by AMD often require regular physical and emotional support from family caregivers. Carers of people with AMD endure significant physical burdens, emotional distress, increased financial stress, and disruptions due to their lifestyle and retirement plans as a direct consequence of the AMD caregiving experience. Despite this, there are currently no interventions targeted toward family caregivers of AMD patients. We evaluated the efficacy of a novel intervention aiming to improve the burden and well-being of family carers of persons with AMD. Methods Family carers of relatives with AMD were primarily recruited through private eye clinics and randomized 1:1 to either receive a 10-week intervention of mail-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (M-CBT) and optional telephone-delivered group counseling (n = 47) or to a wait-list control group (n = 47). Outcome measures were assessed pre-intervention (baseline) and six months post-intervention. These included treatment acceptability, caregiver burden, presence of depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, quality of life (QoL), and fatigue. Results A total of 94 participants were enrolled, with 47 randomized to each arm. Of those who completed the intervention, 30 (97%) participants reported that they were satisfied/very satisfied with the intervention. Twenty-seven (87%) participants indicated that they would recommend the program to others, and 26 (84%) thought that the program was worth their time. Intervention participants demonstrated several positive nonsignificant improvements versus the control group at six months: burden (P= 0.53), depressive symptoms (P= 0.19), general self-efficacy (P= 0.14), QoL (P= 0.17) and fatigue (P= 0.15). Conclusions Study findings demonstrate that combined M-CBT and telephone counseling intervention appear to be feasible, but did not lead to nonsignificant improvements in outcome measures such as burden in family carers of persons with AMD.

Rheumatic fever and long-term use of benzathine penicillin as possible risk factors for extensive macular atrophy with pseudodrusen in a Brazilian cohort

BackgroundAlthough there has been a large increase in the number of extensive macular atrophy with pseudodrusen (EMAP) cases, the basic aspects of this disease remain unknown. Brazilian patients have a common past history of rheumatic fever (RF) and/or benzathine penicillin (BP) treatment possibly related to the disease. We analyzed how RF and BP might be correlated with EMAP in Brazilian patients.DesignObservational, retrospective, case-control study.MethodsThe databases of three private eye clinics in Brazil were searched for patients with an EMAP-like appearance. Each patient was asked about a previous history of RF and/or long-term use of BP. Patients underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement, color fundus imaging, fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging, optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, and electroretinography (ERG). The following characteristics were analyzed: subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDD), pigment mottling, retinal pigment epithelial/basement membrane (RPE/BM) separation, outer retinal or RPE atrophy, and identification of a paving stone-like appearance. The choroidal thickness was measured using enhanced depth imaging OCT. The central atrophic area was measured manually on ultra-wide-field FAF.ResultsA total of 154 eyes of 77 patients (women, 66.2%; mean age, 58.6 years) with EMAP were included; 90.9% of patients were diagnosed with RF; 94.8% had been treated with BP and treatment was started at an average age of 7.3 years (mean duration, 11.8 years). The treatment duration was significant for the area of atrophy (P = 0.027) in which each 1-year increase in treatment duration led to an average reduction of 6.91 mm2 in area. The age at diagnosis of RF was significant (P = 0.026) for SDD. The increase of 1 year in the diagnosis of RF (late disease) led to a reduction of 24% in the chance of central SDD being present. On OCT, 65.5% eyes had SDD and more than 70% had a split RPE/BM and outer retinal or RPE atrophy. The choroidal thickness in patients with EMAP was significantly (P < 0.001) thinner than the control group. The ERG was abnormal in all eyes.ConclusionThese findings may suggest a relation between RF and EMAP in Brazilian patients. Patients with EMAP should be questioned about a history of RF.

Early visual and clinical outcomes of transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy versus transepithelial keratectomy with smart pulse technology for myopia.

The purpose of this study was to compare early visual outcomes, epithelial healing, and stromal haze between transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (Trans-PRK) using smart pulse technology (SPT) with traditional Trans-PRK. This study is a retrospective, comparative study conducted at a private eye center in "Riyadh, Saudi Arabia," investigating myopic patients who underwent either Trans-PRK with SPT (study group) or traditional Trans-PRK (control group). The patients were assessed preoperatively and followed up at 1 week and 2 months postoperatively. The main outcomes included uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corneal haze, and corneal epithelial defect. This study included 501 eyes, of them, 222 eyes (44.3%) underwent Trans-PRK with SPT. The UDVA in the study group was significantly better 1 week postoperatively (P < 0.05). For the 2-month follow-up visits, there was no significant difference between the groups. Epithelium healing and stromal haze were comparable in the two groups without significant differences between them. Transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy with SPT yielded better short-term visual outcomes than traditional Transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy.

Effect of Retinectomy with Pars Plana Vitrectomy in Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy: Surgical Success and Recurrence Rate (A Comparative Study)

Purpose: To assess anatomical and functional success of pars plana vitrectomy with retinectomy in cases of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR grade C). Study Design: Retrospective chart review. Place and Duration of Study: AL-Ferdous Private Eye Hospital, Baghdad, from July, 2019- June, 2023. Methods: Thirty eyes of thirty patients with PVR grade C were included in the study. One group (n=15) underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) without retinectomy, while the other group (n=15) underwent PPV with retinectomy. Complications, anatomic success, and visual acuity were documented and evaluated. The relationship between retinectomy duration and postoperative visual acuity was examined using a chi-square test, with a p-value less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Mean age of the patients was 46.13±13.95 years. Retinectomy group had 8 (53.3%) males and 7 (46.7%) females. The other group had 10 (66.7%) males and 5 (33.33%) females. In group 1 there were 5 phakic and 10 pseudophakic eyes while in group 2, there were 4 phakic and11 pseudophakic eyes. Postoperative complete retinal re-attachment was achieved in 100% eyes in retinectomy group. After six months, the first group had 5 eyes (33.3%) with improved visual acuity, stable visual acuity in 7 eyes (46.6%) and worsening of vision in 3 eyes (20%). For the second group, 8 eyes (53.3%) showed improvement, stability in 4 eyes (26.7%), and worsening vision in 3 eyes (20%) with p-value &gt; 0.05. Conclusion: Retinectomy is beneficial in treating severe PVR and improves, ultimate retinal reattachment rate.

Intertextual satire in media discourse

Abstract The paper investigates intertextual satire in media discourse from the cognitive linguistic perspective. Within the frameworks of conceptual blending theory and the theory of precedent-related phenomena, we examine the cognitive processes of producing and understanding intertextual satire. By modelling conceptual integration networks, we aim to specify the cognitive mechanisms and operations involved in decoding intertextual satirical articles, drawing on examples from Private Eye magazine. The study demonstrates that the basic cognitive mechanism involved in creating intertextual satire is blending, and, in contrast to ironic utterances, which involve two contexts, in intertextual satire one and the same scenario unfolds in three contexts: real, fictional, and satirical. Thus, the blend that occurs as a result of combining real and fictional scenarios is verbalised and obvious to the recipient. The emergent structure, based on the blend, represents the intended (non-verbalised) meaning of intertextual satire, namely indirect criticism of the real situation under focus.

Ophthalmological conditions among elderly patients attending a private eye care facility in Malawi: A retrospective study.

The elderly comprises the fastest-expanding age group globally, with the greatest increase occurring in developing countries. The elderly populace is prone to develop various ocular morbidities. To determine the distribution of ocular morbidities among the elderly population visiting a private eye care facility in Malawi. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at St. John's Hospital in Mzuzu, Malawi. We retrieved data from the hospital's ophthalmic outpatient registry from January, 2021 to December, 2021. A nonprobability census sampling technique was used to retrieve 52 elderly patients. Data analysis were done employing SPSS (v.26). This study found according to gender a larger proportion were females 27 (51.9%) compared males, who accounted for 25 (48.1%). Refractive error 21 (40.4%) was the most prevalent ocular morbidity followed by cataract 13 (25.0%), pinguecula 6 (11.5%), and glaucoma 4 (7.7%). Although clear differences exist in the distribution of ocular morbidities according to sex (p = 0.529) and age (p = 0.328), the differences are not statistically significant. The pattern of eye diseases is typical to the country. More resources should be targeting main causes of preventable blindness including refractive error and cataracts at the facility.

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.

Lost Without a Cue: Music and Masculinity in Detective Film Noir

Abstract Private eyes are renowned for their masculine, silent nature, but they are not immune to music and its emotional instability. This article examines early score examples from film noir, which cement the traditional private eye's masculinity and illuminate the musical moments of vulnerability that break the detective's archetypal mold.

Economic cost of management of glaucoma in public and private health facilities in the Tema metropolis in Ghana.

This study sought to determine the economic cost of the management of glaucoma among patients seeking care in health facilities in Ghana. A cross-sectional cost-of-illness (COI) study from the perspective of the patients was employed. The study was conducted in public and private eye care facilities in the Tema Metropolis of Ghana. About 180 randomly selected glaucoma patients seeking healthcare at two facilities participated in the study. Direct cost, including medical and non-medical costs, indirect cost, and intangible burden of management of glaucoma. the cost per patient treated for glaucoma in both facilities was US$60.78 (95% CI: 18.66-107.80), with the cost in the public facilities being slightly higher (US$62.50) than the private facility (US$ 59.3). The largest cost burden in both facilities was from direct cost, which constituted about 94% of the overall cost. Medicines (42%) and laboratory and diagnostics (26%) were the major drivers of the direct cost. The overall cost within the study population was US$10,252.06. Patients paid out of pocket for the frequently used drug- Timolol, although expected to be covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Patients, however, expressed moderate intangible burdens due to glaucoma. The cost of the management of glaucoma is high from the perspective of patients. The direct costs were high, with the main cost drivers being medicines, laboratory and diagnostics. It is recommended that the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) should consider payment for commonly used medications to minimize the burden on patients. None declared.

Oxygen-supplemented and topography-guided epithelium-on corneal crosslinking with pulsed irradiation for progressive keratoconus.

To investigate the effects of customized topography-guided epithelium-on crosslinking (epi-on CXL) with oxygen supplementation on procedural efficacy and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) in patients with progressive keratoconus (KC) at 1 year. Private eye clinic, Brisbane, Australia. Retrospective, single-center, nonrandomized case series. Topography-guided epi-on CXL using the Mosaic system was performed on patients with progressive KC. Oxygen goggles; transepithelial riboflavin; and pulsed, high UV-A irradiance (1 second on, 1 second off; 30 mW/cm2) were applied to enhance oxygen kinetics and bioavailabilities of riboflavin and UV-A. Guided by baseline topography, a higher UV-A dose (15 J/cm2) was applied to the area of steepest anterior curvature with decreasing fluence (as low as 7.2 J/cm2) toward the outer 9 mm. Postoperative CDVA and maximum keratometry (Kmax) were evaluated. 102 eyes (80 patients) were followed for 11.5 ± 4.8 months. At the latest follow-up, mean CDVA (logMAR), mean K, and Kmax (diopters [D]) improved from 0.18 ± 0.28, 46.2 ± 3.8, and 53.0 ± 5.67 at baseline to 0.07 ± 0.18, 45.8 ± 3.7, and 51.9 ± 5.56, respectively (P < .001). 3 eyes (3%) lost more than 1 CDVA line, and another 3 eyes (3%) had increased Kmax greater than 2 D. 43 eyes were followed for at least 12 months (n = 43): mean CDVA, mean K, and Kmax improved from 0.19 ± 0.33 logMAR, 46.5 ± 3.5 D, and 53.6 ± 5.67 D to 0.07 ± 0.17 logMAR, 46.0 ± 3.5 D, and 52.33 ± 5.49 D, respectively (P ≤ .002). No complications were observed. Tailoring oxygen-supplemented epi-on CXL with differential UV-A energy distributions, guided by baseline topography, in patients with KC seems to be safe and effective. At 1 year, study reports sustained improved CDVA and corneal stabilization.

‘The bloody fingers … bear witness’: Sign Language and the Mute Detective in Susan Hopley and The Trail of the Serpent

In her examination of signing characters in works of Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins, Jennifer Esmail highlights deaf characters’ absence in Victorian fiction. Mutism is more common, for example, in the character of Mary Elizabeth Braddon's working-class, fingerspelling Detective Peters (70, 10n24). Even so, sign language – seen as ‘primitive’ and ‘lacking [in] intellectual […] rigor’ – was rarely represented (Esmail 3). Dickens, Collins and Braddon, proto-detective novelists themselves, were preceded by Catherine Crowe, whose 1841 novel Susan Hopley features Julie le Moine, a female, cross-dressing sleuth whose mutism does not prevent her from testifying using ‘signs’ and ‘the finger alphabet’ (III.100, 125). Julie's undercover work not only crosses class, gender, and genre boundaries, but her non-verbal evidence challenges women's exclusion from ‘“masculine” systems of representation’ symbolised by legal parlance (Irigaray 85). When detective fiction pits the private eye against traditional jurisprudential structures, the courtroom becomes a space where classed and gendered hierarchies inform testimonial evidence, reinforcing exclusionary principles that disenfranchise the ‘Other’. The sign language, fingerspelling and lip-reading of Julie le Moine, Joseph Peters and Richard Marsh's Judith Lee expose ableist and sexist barriers that seek to expunge the detectives from the legal record by excluding them from public speech.

Human binocular color fusion model based on BP Neural Networks prediction

Stereoscopic display vision is significantly impacted by the color distortion of left and right eye images. When the human eye receives a specific range of dissimilar color information separately, the visual system combines them into a single color through binocular color fusion. In this study, we present experimental findings which compare the accuracy of a common binocular color-fusion model that was trained utilizing both linear fitting and back-propagation neural networks. Patient binocular color contrast test data was collected by eye care professionals working in private eye clinics. The results indicated that the back-propagation neural network produced RMSE errors of 0.9819 and 0.9662 for predicting binocular contrast, which were superior to the linear fitting method with errors of approximately 0.5. The BP neural network algorithm employed demonstrates predictive capabilities and lessens the occurrence of color redundancy. This reduction in redundancy holds the potential to decrease expenses associated with stereo imaging in future applications.

Comparison of Short and Long-Tunnel Needle Track for Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implantation in a Private Eye Center in the Philippines: A Retrospective Study.

This study aimed to compare the success and complication rates among patients implanted with Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV) using the short and long tunnel technique through retrospective chart review. We reviewed 54 charts of adult patients who underwent AGV implantation using a Short-Needle Track (SNT) or Long-Needle Track (LNT) technique. Intraocular pressures (IOP), Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) and number of medications were recorded pre-operatively, and at Day 1, 3, 7, Month 1, 3, 6 post-operatively. Treatment success, occurrence of Hypertensive Phase (HP), complication and procedures done after AGV implantation were compared between the two groups using one-tailed Z-test of proportions. A total of 20 (LNT) and 21 (SNT) charts were included in the study. There was no significant difference between the median postoperative IOP, BCVA, and number of anti-glaucoma medications between the two groups at each time interval. The comparison between the occurrence of HP (P = 0.435) and success rates (P = 0.476) between the two groups yielded no significant difference. Flat/shallow anterior chamber (AC) was seen exclusively in three eyes (14%) in the SNT group (P = 0.039). There was one occurrence of plate exposure in the LNT group (P = 0.149). The LNT technique of AGV Implantation may be used as an alternative to the traditional SNT (with autologous graft). The long needle track offers the advantage reducing the risk of complications arising from shallow anterior chamber post-operatively.

The Routledge Companion to Crime Fiction

The Routledge Companion to Crime Fiction

Safety and efficacy of low-energy small incision lenticule extraction for the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism: A retrospective analysis.

To determine the safety and efficacy of low-energy settings in small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for correcting myopia and myopic astigmatism. We included patients aged ≥18 years with the myopia of -0.5 to -10 D and myopic astigmatism of -0.5 to -5 Dcyl in this retrospective case series performed at a private eye hospital in South India. All patients had preoperative best-corrected visual acuity of LogMar 0.0 ± 0, with stable refraction for 1 year and normal corneal topography. Ocular surface disease and other pathology cases were excluded. The repetition rate of the laser was 500 kHz, and the pulse energy was 110 nJ. The lenticule diameter was set at 6.5 mm, cap diameter was 7.20 mm, and intended cap thickness was 110-130 μ. The spot distance was 4.5 μm. All patients were evaluated immediately postoperation and on postoperative days 1, 8, and 30. Overall, 541 eyes were included. The mean patient age was 25.03 ± 4.1 years. The mean spherical error was -3.76 ± 1.84 Ds. The mean cylinder was -1.24 ± 0.91. The mean spherical equivalent of refraction was -4.22 ±1.94 D. The logMAR on postoperative day 1 was 0.0 ± 0. The mean spherical equivalent at 1 month was 0.28 ± 1.06 D. There was no loss of Snellen's lines after the procedure. The mean spherical equivalent of refraction to the target was 95% within ± 0.50 D. The postoperative astigmatism was within 0.5 Dycl. No intraoperative complications of SMILE including retained lenticule fragments, tears of incision, or improper dissection occurred. Low-energy settings in SMILE are safe and effective in correcting myopia and myopic astigmatism including high cylinders (>3 Dcyl).

Prevalence, pattern, and compliance with spectacles use among the elderly in homes for the aged in South India: The Hyderabad Ocular Morbidity in Elderly Study (HOMES).

This study was conducted to report on the pattern of spectacles use and compliance among the elderly (aged ≥60 years) in homes for the aged in Hyderabad region in Telangana State, India. Participants were recruited from 41 homes for the aged centres for comprehensive eye health assessments. A questionnaire was used to collect information on current and past use of spectacles, type of spectacles, spectacles provider and amount paid for the spectacles. For those that reported using spectacles in the past, information was collected on the reasons for their discontinuation. Compliance with spectacles use was assessed after eight months of provision of the spectacles. A total of 1182/1513 participants were examined from 41 homes for the aged in Hyderabad, India. The mean age of the participants examined was 75 years (standard deviation (SD): 8.8 years; range: 60-108 years); 764 (64.6%) of them were women and 240 participants (20.3%) had no formal education. The prevalence of spectacles use was 69.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 67.1-72.4; n = 825). Bifocals were the most commonly used type of spectacles (86.7%) followed by single vision glasses for distance vision (7.4%). Private eye clinics were the largest service provider (85.5%) followed by local optical outlets (6.9%) and other service providers (7.7%). The prevalence of spectacles compliance was 81.5% (211/259). Use of spectacles and compliance are high among the elderly living in residential care homes in the Hyderabad region. Spectacles use can be further improved by periodic eye assessments along the lines similar to school eye programs, which can immensely benefit this vulnerable, aged population.

Precedent Allusions in the Structure of the English Detective Image

Detective discourse abounds in linguistic units with cultural value including precedent phenomena that realize different functions and thus, are employed to achieve particular goals. Forensic fiction texts making use of precedent phenomena as efficient tools of encoding meaning are of special interest. The research is done within the framework of the theory of linguacultural types, discursive research and the theory of precedence. The relevance of the article is due to the interest of modern linguistics in the precedent phenomena studied in the functional and cognitive aspects. Significant features of linguacultural type are wide recognition, typicality and precedence. The focus is on English and American detective discourse. The research methods applied in this study were method of continuous sampling, semantic analysis, the methods of discursive and contextual analysis. This study seeks to investigate the precedent features of masculine linguacultural type “private detective”, represented by the fictional private eye Sherlock Holmes, the protagonist of Arthur Conan Doyle. The task is to define the types of the precedent phenomena with the help of which the precedent feature of the cultural type “private detective” are actualizes in the English language detective discourse. The material includes fiction, cinema and cartoon genres. The author systematizes the repertoire of the precedent phenomena of the English detective discourse, singles out types, identifies the source domains. The study concludes that the masculine linguacultural type “private detective” is a precedent one, as its main cognitive attributes are verbalized by means of precedent phenomena in various genres of English-language detective discourse.