clinical utility of eye exam simulator in enhancing the competency of family physician residents in screening for diabetic retinopathy

To evaluate the utility of eye exam simulators in the training and assessment of family medicine residents for screening diabetic retinopathy [DR] utilizing direct ophthalmoscopy [DO]. This prospective, single arm, cross-sectional study was conducted at King Abdul Aziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in April 2013, wherein the final year family medicine residents of the Saudi Board family medicine training program, underwent a practical session on DO using an eye exam simulator. The cognitive and motor skills of the participating family residents in performing DO, and their competency at diagnosing DR was assessed before, and after a practical session with the eye simulator. A total of 14 out of total 20 final year residents consented to join the study. Of these, 57.1% were females. A total of 42.9% [6/14] showed initial motor skill competency, and 35.7% showed cognitive skill competency to diagnose DR. Before the session on the eye simulator, merely 7.1% of the residents expressed confidence in performing DO. After the practical session, 78.6% [11/14] showed motor, and 64.3% [9/13] showed cognitive skill competency, in diagnosing DR. A total of 50% were adequately confident in performing DO. A total of 71.4% [10/14] of the residents preferred learning DO via simulation practical sessions than clinical rotation in ophthalmology clinics. Eye exam simulators are good tools in learning and assessment of DO skills leading to significant improvement in the efficiency and confidence of family physicians in screening for DR

Management options of acquired punctal stenosis

Punctal stenosis is a frequent source of patients referral to the otoplasty clinic and the search for a procedure that can permanently eliminate epiphora without disturbing the normal lacrimal system anatomy and physiology started centuries ago and continues today. The following article summarizes the reported procedures in the English literature in the acquired punctal stenosis with a description of techniques, success rates, and potential complications with the goal of identifying the most effective treatment strategy based on the current knowledge available

distinguishing anthropometric features of the Saudi Arabian eyes

Identifying the peri-ocular anthropometric measurements characteristic of Saudi Arabian eyes. A prospective, cohort, hospital-based study. Measurements were made on 668 subjects [mean age 33.8 years; 58.7% female]. The horizontal palpebral aperture was 30.1 +/- 2.9 mm [mean +/- SD], vertical palpebral aperture was 10.1 +/- 0.85 mm, upper lid skin fold height was 3.6 +/- 1.9 mm, upper lid crease height was 9.6 +/- 0.8 mm, eyebrow height was 10.2 +/- 2.7 mm, and intercanthal distance was 32 +/- 2.7 mm. There was a statistically significant correlation between gender and eyebrow height [P = 0.001] and gender and horizontal palpebral aperture [P = 0.016], but no significant correlations were noted between any measurement and age. Saudi Arabian eyes are unique in exhibiting a higher upper lid skin fold, higher lid crease