Assessment of prevalence of dry eye among medical students using ocular surface disease index questionnaire – Is COVID-19 to be really blamed?

Purpose: An undergraduate research conducted during the pre?covid times, to highlight the importance of screen time and its association with dry eye in medical students. The aim was to study the prevalence of dry eye among medical students using the ocular surface index (OSDI) questionnaire. Methods: This was a cross?sectional study. This study was conducted among medical students using an OSDI questionnaire in the pre?covid times. Based on the pilot study, the minimum sample size calculated was 245. A total of 310 medical students participated in the study. These medical students answered the OSDI questionnaire. The OSDI score was used to categorize students with dry eye as mild (13–22 points), moderate (23–32 points), and severe (33–100 points). In addition, the associations between the OSDI score and possible risk factors such as gender, contact lens/spectacle wear, laptop/mobile usage, and duration of exposure to air conditioners were also studied. Results: The analysis of the study revealed that out of 310 students, dry eye was seen in 143 (46.1%) and severe dry eyes were seen in 50 (16.1%). A high OSDI score (>13 points) was associated with the usage of a laptop/mobile for more than 6 h in 40 (52.6%) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of dry eye among medical students was 46.1% in the present study. Longer duration of usage of visual display units (laptop/mobile) was the only factor that showed a statistically significant association with dry eye in our study.

Eye donation – Awareness and willingness among attendants of patients at various clinics in Melaka, Malaysia.

Aim: Corneal blindness accounts for 3.42% of blindness in Malaysia; the rate of eye donation is low. The aim of the study was to assess the awareness about eye donation and willingness to donate eyes among attendants of patients at various clinics in Melaka, Malaysia. Materials and Methods: This observational study was conducted on attendants who accompanied patients (n = 400) visiting various outpatient departments of the General Hospital and two peripheral clinics in Melaka between August and October 2007. The participants answered a questionnaire (Malay and English versions) which included demographic profile, awareness of eye donation, knowledge regarding facts of eye donation, and willingness to donate eyes. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed at 5% level of significance. Results: Awareness of eye donation was observed in 276 (69%) participants. Multivariate analysis showed that awareness was more among females when compared to males (P = 0.009). Of the 276 participants who were aware of eye donation, only 34.42% were willing to donate eyes. Willingness was more among the Indian race (P = 0.02) and males (P = 0.02). Educational status did not influence the willingness to donate eyes. Conclusions: Although majority of participants were aware of eye donation, willingness to donate eyes was poor.

Descriptive study on ocular survival, visual outcome and prognostic factors in open globe injuries.

A prospective observational study was done to assess ocular survival, visual outcome and prognostic factors of open globe injury. Eighty eyes of penetrating trauma between 2004 and 2006 were categorized according to the ocular trauma classification system. Primary repair was done and outcomes were assessed at one, three and six months. The final vision was categorized as per World Health Organization classification of visual impairment. Factors at presentation were evaluated for prognostic value towards visual outcome. Sixty-nine eyes with minimum one month follow-up were included for analysis. Statistical analysis was done using Univariate and Multivariate analysis. We found Grade IV visual acuity (<5/200) at presentation (64%) as the most important factor contributing to poor visual outcome. Statistically insignificant factors were time since injury, cataract, and presence of intraocular foreign body. Ocular survival was 97%. We concluded that initial visual acuity, hyphema, zone and length of injury, retinal detachment and vitreous hemorrhage are statistically significant factors affecting outcome in open globe injuries.

Bilateral macular hole secondary to remote lightning strike.

We report a case of a 16-year-old girl, who was struck by lightning, and experienced blurred vision in the right eye (RE) immediately following the episode. She reported for ophthalmic evaluation two months later. Examination revealed relative afferent pupillary defect in the RE. Posterior subcapsular cataract was noted in both eyes. Fundus examination revealed macular holes and multiple areas of RPE hyperpigmentation in the periphery in both eyes. Fundus fluorescein angiography showed increased choroidal transmission with early fluorescence and late fading in the foveal region and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) stippling in the periphery in both eyes. This is the first case report of such nature in India to the best of our knowledge.