ABSTRACT
Purpose: While there are a few studies that show the prevalence of blindness and ocular morbidity in children, studies on socioeconomic factors in childhood cataracts are scarce. We aimed to study the socioeconomic status, education and occupation of the parents, consanguinity, and gender inequality among children presenting with cataracts. Methods: This was a hospital?based, prospective, descriptive study of 68 children with cataracts (aged 0–18 years). In addition to the data on clinical parameters and surgical management, we also collected data on age, gender, age at which the chief complaint was noticed, consanguinity of parents, socioeconomic class, and occupation and education of parents. All statistical analyses were performed using MedCalc statistical software (MedCalc Software 2019, Ostend, Belgium). Results: Sixty?eight children with pediatric cataract, out of which 36 were bilateral, were studied. Thirty children (44%) were in the age group of 1–5 years. Out of the 36 bilateral cataracts, 25 (69.44%) were males and 11 (30.56%) were females. Thirty (44.1%) had a delayed presentation. Also, 31% belonged to middle class and 28% belonged to lower middle class. Moreover, 65% of the mothers had an undergraduate education. Conclusion: There is a gender?based inequality and late presentation of childhood cataracts. To improve early detection, red reflex screening should be mandatorily done. Further studies are required to identify barriers to access of eye care specific to girls, in order to plan interventions to improve uptake of treatment. The lower socioeconomic status of the patients should be taken into account in the management of this disease.
ABSTRACT
Some degenerations involving the peripheral retina can result in a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Currently, there are no clear guidelines for retinal screening and/or management of these peripheral retinal degenerations in patients with or without recent onset posterior vitreous detachment or in those prior to refractive surgery or intraocular procedures. This article aims to provide a set of recommendations for the screening and management of peripheral retinal degenerations based on a common consensus obtained from an expert panel of retinal specialists.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To study the retinal and choroidal thickness variations on enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography scans in ocular albinism (OA) and compare with age?matched healthy subjects. Methods: This retrospective observational study had 48 eyes of 24 patients diagnosed clinically as OA and age, sex, and axial length?matched control healthy subjects. All patients underwent detailed ophthalmic examination and a single?line horizontal?raster enhanced depth imaging – optical coherence tomography scan (Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering). Retinal and choroidal thickness was measured, compared, and analyzed between the two groups. Mann–Whitney U test was used for analysis between the two groups. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age was 28.3 ± 11.6 and 29.9 ± 10.6 years in the OA group and control group, respectively. Spherical equivalents ranged from ?8.5D to +10.5D in the OA group and from ?8.0D to +10.0D in the control group. The mean axial length between the two groups (P = 0.652) were comparable. The average retinal thickness (272 ± 34.3 vs. 213 ± 13.8 ?m; P < 0.001) was greater in the OA group as compared to controls. The mean choroidal thickness (184 ± 78.4 vs. 287 ± 46.4 ?m; P < 0.001) was significantly thinner in the OA group. Conclusion: Acquisition of OCT scans in OA can be challenging. This study showed that the subfoveal retinal thickness and choroidal thickness measured across the scans were significantly different in the OA group compared to controls. In the future, more studies are required to evaluate the role of the choroid and its relationship to emmetropization in albinism.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: The coronavirus disease (COVID?19) pandemic continues to play havoc in our lives. During the first “ lockdown” in 2020, we were keen on assessing the anxiety levels of patients who sought ophthalmic care despite the lockdown. Public health actions, such as social distancing, were necessary to reduce the spread of COVID?19. As a result, most people felt isolated and lonely, thereby causing increased levels of stress and anxiety in them. We aimed to assess the anxiety levels using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale and personality assessment using the 57?point Eysenck’s Personality Inventory (EPI) questionnaire among patients visiting a tertiary eye care hospital during the lockdown period. Methods: Consecutive patients attending an ophthalmic tertiary care hospital during the COVID?19 pandemic and lockdown were approached to be a part of this prospective cross?sectional survey. Results: In total, 1,088 responses were analyzed during the 2?month study period with the mean age being 45.7 + 16.9 years. The majority had completed graduation (78%) with 15 years or more of formal education. The purpose of the visit was an emergency consultation in 42% (n = 455), a review appointment in 42% (n = 457), and the remaining (16%, n = 176) came for a routine consultation. The majority of the patients (>90%) did not report experiencing any of the 14 sets of symptoms. A mild level of anxiety was noted in 1,086 (>99%) respondents, whereas only 2 (<1%) respondents showed mild–moderate levels of anxiety. Financial concerns such as affordability of medications (6% vs. 3%, P = 0.05) and fear of losing their job (16% vs. 11%, P = 0.02) were significantly more in those experiencing any anxiety compared to those with no anxiety. Conclusion: Our study revealed that patients visiting a tertiary ophthalmic center during lockdown were graduates, sought eye consultation primarily for emergency or a review, and had no major anxiety symptoms. In those with anxiety, the affordability of medicines and loss of jobs were the main concerns.