ABSTRACT
Purpose: We examined the safety and efficacy of cataract surgery and postoperative management in our hospital and at the homes of the patients who live on medically underserved remote.Patients and methods: A total of 27 patients (54 eyes), who were followed in our hospital or at their homes were enrolled in this study. Cataract surgery was performed on them between January 2009 and January 2010 and we could follow up six months postoperatively. We divided these patients into two groups:group I (GI) consisted of 13 patients who could come to our hospital regularly during both preoperative and postoperative periods, and group II (GII) consisted of 14 patients who could not come to our hospital regularly during either preoperative or postoperative periods. Cataract surgeries were performed on all the patients in GI and GII in our hospital. The patients in GI were hospitalized for three days and those in GII were for seven days. After cataract surgery, the patients in GI had their eyes checked regularly in our hospital and those in GII were in their homes where the doctor visited. Postoperative ophthalmic clinical tests were conducted to examine visual acuity, intraocular pressure and fundus.Results: GI comprised three males and 10 females. Their age averaged 79.3. GII comprised four males and 10 females. Their age averaged 82.6. Preoperative ophthalmic examinations found that preoperative average visual acuity (LogMAR and decimal visual acuity in parentheses) and spherical equivalent in GI and GII were 0.69 (0.41), 0.80 (0.33) and -0.43 dioptors, -0.42 dioptors respectively, showing no significant differences between the two groups. Postoperative ophthalmic examinations found that, best corrected visual acuity (LogMAR) was significantly increased to 0.36 (0.66) and 0.44 (0.53) in GI and GII respectively, showing no significant differences either.Conclusions: We concluded that we could get safe and efficient cataract surgery and postoperative management combined with prolonged hospitalization and house calls on the patients who live in the isolated islands.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: We examined the effectiveness of intervention by orthoptists (ORTS) to 3-year-old infant health examination at Yanai Health Center and Shuto General Hospital to detect visual abnormalities.<br>Case and methods: Forty-eight children were enrolled in this study. Their parents had wanted to have the children examined by ORTS in the 3-year-old infants health examination in Yanai Health Center or in the Department of Pedeiatrics of Shuto General Hospital from July 2009 to February 2010. At the Yanai Health Center we questioned their parents about the results of their children's visual acuity test at home and other ophthalmological abnormalities. After questioning, we re-examined the visual acuity of the children who did not have enough visual acuity of 10/20 at home with the 2.5 meters visual acuity test. On the other hands, at Shuto General Hospital, we conducted the 2.5 meters visual acuity test with the test of refractive error, ocular alignment and binocular vision. After these ophthalmic examinations, we questioned the parents abour the efficacy of intervention by ORTS in the health examination.<br>Results: Eight children (16.6%) needed closer ophthalmic examinations. Three children with hyperopias, and one with anisometropic amblyopia were found. The parents recognized the importance of intervention by ORTS in the ophthalmic screen test. The questionnaire survey revealed that almost half of the parents were afraid of there visual acuity test by themselves at home.<br>Conclusion: We concluded that we find out critical ophthalmic disorder such as refract error which lead to amblyopia by the intervention of ORTS or ophthalmologists in the health screening in Yanai, Yamaguti.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: We examined the safety and efficacy of cataract surgery and postoperative management in our hospital and at the homes of the patients who live on medically underserved remote.<br>Patients and methods: A total of 27 patients (54 eyes), who were followed in our hospital or at their homes were enrolled in this study. Cataract surgery was performed on them between January 2009 and January 2010 and we could follow up six months postoperatively. We divided these patients into two groups:group I (GI) consisted of 13 patients who could come to our hospital regularly during both preoperative and postoperative periods, and group II (GII) consisted of 14 patients who could not come to our hospital regularly during either preoperative or postoperative periods. Cataract surgeries were performed on all the patients in GI and GII in our hospital. The patients in GI were hospitalized for three days and those in GII were for seven days. After cataract surgery, the patients in GI had their eyes checked regularly in our hospital and those in GII were in their homes where the doctor visited. Postoperative ophthalmic clinical tests were conducted to examine visual acuity, intraocular pressure and fundus.<br>Results: GI comprised three males and 10 females. Their age averaged 79.3. GII comprised four males and 10 females. Their age averaged 82.6. Preoperative ophthalmic examinations found that preoperative average visual acuity (LogMAR and decimal visual acuity in parentheses) and spherical equivalent in GI and GII were 0.69 (0.41), 0.80 (0.33) and -0.43 dioptors, -0.42 dioptors respectively, showing no significant differences between the two groups. Postoperative ophthalmic examinations found that, best corrected visual acuity (LogMAR) was significantly increased to 0.36 (0.66) and 0.44 (0.53) in GI and GII respectively, showing no significant differences either.<br>Conclusions: We concluded that we could get safe and efficient cataract surgery and postoperative management combined with prolonged hospitalization and house calls on the patients who live in the isolated islands.