A technological approach to “Reaching the Unreached” – Leveraging teleophthalmology services in Rural Gujarat

Purpose: Early detection of sight?threatening disorders by technological applications like teleophthalmology and prompt treatment can help decrease visual impairment. This study evaluated the role of teleophthalmology in underserved rural areas along with cost?saving estimates for the end user. Methods: A prospective, observational, cross?sectional hospital?based study was conducted over 3 months. First 1000 teleconsultations were included. None of the patients denied providing informed consent. The patients were consulted at the eight vision centers and three satellite centers of the hospital in the nearby rural and tribal regions closer to their residential places. These vision and satellite centers were connected to the base hospital like a hub and spoke model with a teleophthalmology network. Results: Cataract (n = 301, 30.1%) and refractive error (n = 290, 29%) were the most common diagnosis. 42.1% of patients were referred to base hospital for further evaluation. Thus, a total of 57.9% of patients were not required to visit the base hospital for initial consultation, saving time and money. Furthermore, 15.1% of patients were provided medical treatment at the vision center and satellite center, which helped in making teleophthalmology cost?saving for the patients. An average of Rs. 621/? were saved per patient for the community in our study. Conclusion: Networked teleophthalmology model can be an affordable and feasible tool for providing eye care delivery services in rural and tribal regions of Gujarat and the whole country, especially for the end user. Thus, it may be a workable model in ophthalmology practice with substantial cost saving to the community.

They see, they learn: Pre-COVID-19 prevalence of refractive errors in school children in suburban areas of North India

Purpose: India has the largest population of youth in the world, thereby making them important contributors to the “India of Tomorrow”. Over 80% of knowledge gained is by the visual sense, thereby making school screening programs a necessity in our country. Data from the pre?COVID era, that is, 2017–18 was collected from close to 19,000 children in Gurugram, Haryana, a tier two city in National Capital Region, India. A similar prospective observational study is planned post COVID?19 (2022–23) for further analysis to depict the impact of COVID?19 in these areas. Methods: The program They See, They Learn was set at government schools in the area of operations (district of Gurgaon, Haryana), where the children and their families were unable to afford eye care services. All children who were screened underwent a comprehensive eye examination at the school premises itself. Results: A total of 18,939 students were screened over a period of 18 months, covering a total of 39 schools in the Gurugram belt, in the first phase of the program. Eleven point eight percent (n = 2254) of all school students had some form of refractive error. Girl students were found to have a higher refractive error rate (13.3%) compared to boy students (10.1%) across the schools screened. Myopia was the most common type of refractive error. Conclusion: School students require perfect vision or else they can be discouraged and may become a major burden to the economy of any developing nation. A school screening program aiming at populations that cannot afford such basic needs like spectacles is a must in all zones of the country

Prevalence and Pattern of Visual Impairment among Adult Population in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria

Aim: Visual impairment is a public health problem globally. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and pattern of visual impairment among adult population in Mangu Local Government Area (L.G.A), Plateau State, Nigeria.Study Design: A population-based descriptive cross-sectional survey of 802 adult population aged 18 years and above was conducted in Mangu L.G.A, Plateau State, Nigeria using a multi-stage cluster random sampling design.Methodology: Subjects were evaluated using a magnifying loupe, Snellen E chart, direct ophthalmoscope and torchlight. Vision status was defined using World Health Organization categories of visual impairment based on presenting visual acuity (VA).Results: Out of a total of 960 respondents enumerated for the study, 802 (83.5%) adults participated. Prevalence of blindness (presenting VA of less than 3/60 in the better eye) was 8.1%; prevalence of low vision (presenting VA of at least 3/60 but less than 6/18 in the better eye) was 27.6%; prevalence of overall visual impairment (presenting VA less than 6/18 in the better eye) was 35.7%. Prevalence of visual impairment was higher in males (40.8%) than in females (34.9%), although not statistically significant (p=0.098). Prevalence of blindness and impaired vision increased significantly with increasing age, from 21.7% at 20 - 39 years to 83.6% among those aged ?80 years (P < 0.001).Conclusion: Much can be done by individuals, governments and non-governmental organizations to reduce so much blindness and vision loss through cost-effective interventions such as wears of sunglasses and other preventive measures to prevent ultraviolet radiation effect on their eyes.

Patterns of Refractive Errors among Medical Students at the University of Zambia School of Medicine

Background: Uncorrected refractive error is one of the leading causes of visual impairment and blindness world-over. The distribution and pattern of presentation is variable depending on various factors. Regardless of the type, refractive errors are easily correctable with spectacles if diagnosed early.Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the pattern of refractive errors among medical students at University of Zambia - School of Medicine.Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the University Teaching Hospitals-Eye Hospital involving Master of Medicine, Master of Surgery (MBChB) students from third to seventh year of study at University of Zambia - School of Medicine, Ridgeway campus between October 2021 and March 2022. A total of 210 participants were recruited in the study. Subjects had non-cycloplegic autorefraction combined with a researcher administered questionnaire. Spherical equivalents (SE) ? - 0.50D were determined as myopia; SE of ? + 0.50D hyperopia and ? -0.50D cylinder as astigmatism. Statistical analysis was carried out using Stata version 13.0.Results: One hundred and forty-one (67.1%) subjects had a form of refractive error; 56.0%, 31.2% and 12.8% of them were astigmats, myopes or hyperopes, respectively. The prevalence of ametropia was 65.0 % in females and 69.0 % in males. Minus spherical errors ranged from -0.25 to -5.00D and plus spherical errors ranged from +0.25 to +3.00D. The mean spherical equivalent for the group was -0.45D. Parental history of refractive error was significantly associated with diagnosis of refractive error (p=0.001) while age and gender were not (p = 0.428 and 0.530, respectively). The majority (68.6%) of participants were not aware of their refractive error.Conclusion: The prevalence of refractive errors among medical students was high, with astigmatism being the most common type. The majority of those found with refractive error were not aware of the diagnosis.

Identification of potential barriers for timely access to pediatric sibling eye check-up in a tertiary eye care hospital

Purpose: To identify socio?economic, demographic, and clinical factors that may be associated with sibling access to ophthalmic check?up. Methods: A cross?sectional, descriptive study investigated children in the age group of 0–15 years under a project on Systematic Pediatric Eye Care Through Sibling Screening Strategies (SPECSSS project). The siblings of pediatric patients (proband) with refractive errors, strabismus, cataract, glaucoma, and retinal pathologies were given a referral card for ophthalmic check?up. If parents do not bring siblings for check?up within 1 month of initial information and even after 2 SMS reminders, it was considered as failure to uptake of services. On follow?up later, they were provided a questionnaire. A questionnaire was given to the parent by interview through a project coordinator, and details were obtained from the parents or caretaker. Parents who were willing for telephonic interview were asked to respond to the questionnaire over phone on the scheduled date. The sibling details, parent?related details, and data from questionnaire forms were entered and analyzed. Results: The mean age of 300 siblings was 9.3 ± 4.0 years with the majority of them being female (158). The most common reasons quoted by parents in the rural area compared with the urban area for not bringing siblings for eye exams were the travel distance from home to the hospital (n = 118, 83.7%), the travel time from home to the hospital (n = 109, 77.3%), more than one vehicle required to change (n = 111, 78.7%), and the transportation cost more than rupees 100 (INR) (n = 89, 63.1%) (p < 0.05). Unable to leave work responsibilities (n = 126, 79.3%) was stated more frequently by urban parents compared to rural (p = 0.039). Conclusion: Our study suggests that the financial factor, the distance factor, and social belief play an important role in timely uptake of sibling eye check?up. Targeting siblings with treatable pediatric eye diseases could help in reducing the burden of refractive error, strabismus, and cataract in the pediatric population.

Investigation and analysis of myopia and ocular biological parameters of primary and secondary school students in Urumqi / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the differences of myopia and ocular biological parameters of primary and middle school students in Urumqi.METHODS: A cross-sectional survey. A total of 2 495 primary and middle school students aged 7 to 18 from 4 schools in Urumqi were selected by judgemental sampling from September 2021 to November 2021 for relevant eye examination. The differences of ocular biological parameters and refractive status of students of different ages, genders and nationalities were compared, and the correlation between spherical equivalent(SE)and ocular biological parameters was analyzed.RESULTS: The detection rate of poor vision among the students was 80.36%, the detection rate of myopia was 55.91%, and the detection rate of astigmatism was 42.96%, among which the detection rate of low myopia was 63.80%, the detection rate of moderate myopia was 27.60%, and the detection rate of high myopia was 8.60%. There were significant differences in the detection rate of poor vision, myopia, astigmatism, SE and some ocular biological parameters among students of different ages and nationalities(all P<0.05). Among them, the detection rate of myopia, astigmatism and poor vision among Uygur and Kazakh ethnic groups was significantly lower than that of Han. The detection rate of poor vision and myopia among boys was lower than that among girls, while the detection rate of astigmatism was higher than that of girls. Spearman correlation analysis showed that axis length of eye, axial length to axial ratio, anterior chamber depth, and pupil diameter were negatively correlated with SE(rs=-0.664, -0.724, -0.320, -0.086, all P<0.001), and lens thickness was positively correlated with SE(rs=0.147, P<0.001).CONCLUSION: The prevalence of myopia among primary and secondary school students in Urumqi is high, and there are differences in the distribution of ocular biological parameters among children and adolescents of different ages and ethnicities.

Application of four intraocular lens calculation formulas in patients with super-high myopia complicated with cataract / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To evaluate the accuracy of SRK/T, Haigis, Barrett Universal II and Wang-Koch modified SRK/T formula in the operation of cataract complicated by super-high myopia.METHODS: A total of 44 cases(52 eyes)with super-high myopia complicated with cataract who underwent phacoemulsification with tension ring implantation combined with intraocular lens implantation in our hospital from January 2020 to June 2021 were collected. SRK/T, Haigis, Barrett Universal Ⅱ formula and Wang-Koch modified SRK/T formula were used to calculate the postoperative reserved diopter before surgery, and the actual diopter was measured by comprehensive optometry at 3mo after surgery. The mean absolute refractive error(MAE)of four formulas was obtained to evaluate the accuracy of the calculation formula.RESULTS: The MAE of SRK/T formula, Haigis formula, Barrett Universal Ⅱ formula and Wang-Koch modified SRK/T formula were 0.86(0.56, 1.20), 0.79(0.56, 1.16), 0.68(0.30, 0.87), 0.65(0.43, 0.75)D, respectively, and MAE of SRK/T formula and Haigis formula were significantly higher than those of Barrett Universal Ⅱ formula and Wang-Koch modified SRK/T formula(P<0.01). According to preoperative corneal curvature(K), enrolled patients were divided into K >46D group(12 eyes), 44D< K ≤46D group(24 eyes), and K ≤44D group(16 eyes). The MAE of SRK/T formula and Haigis formula were significantly higher than those of Barrett Universal Ⅱ formula and Wang-Koch modified SRK/T formula in the three groups(P<0.01). According to preoperative axial length(AL), patients were divided into AL ≤30 mm group(24 eyes)and AL >30mm group(28 eyes). The MAE of SRK/T formula and Haigis formula in two groups were significantly higher than those of Barrett Universal Ⅱ formula and Wang-Koch modified SRK/T formula(P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: Wang-Koch modified SRK/T formula and Barrett Universal Ⅱ formula are more accurate in predicting the degree of intraocular lens in patients with super-high myopia complicated with cataract.

Analysis of refractive error factors in patients with high myopia combined with cataract after different operation / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the changes in anterior chamber depth(ACD), axial length(AL), and corneal curvature(K)after operation in patients with high axial myopia combined with cataract, and the effect on postoperative mean refractive error(MFE)by different surgical approaches.METHODS: A total of 126 patients(126 eyes)performed cataract combined with intraocular lens(IOL)implantation were selected and divided into 3 groups according to different surgical approaches and axial length. Group A included 42 patients(42 eyes)who had cataract combined with high myopia and were performed cataract phacoemulsification combined with IOL implantation; Group B included 42 patients(42 eyes)who had cataract combined with high myopia and underwent small incision cataract extracapsular extraction combined with IOL implantation; Group C included 42 patients(42 eyes)who had cataract with normal axial length and underwent cataract phacoemulsification combined with IOL implantation. Then, the ACD, AL, K value and visual acuity of the three groups at 1d before operation and 3mo after operation were measured, and statistical analysis was performed.RESULTS: The differences in the mean values of preoperative and postoperative changes in ACD(△ACD)and AL(△AL)between groups A and B showed no statistical significance. The differences in the mean values of △ACD and △AL between groups A and C and groups B and C were both statistically significant(both P&#x0026;#x003C;0.01). △ACD and △AL in all three groups showed positive correlation(rA=0.855, rB=0.856, rC=0.639, all P&#x0026;#x003C;0.05). Furthermore, preoperative AL, △AL, △ACD and MFE in all three groups showed positive correlation(rA=0.874, 0.877, 0.858, rB=0.875, 0.879, 0.858, rC=0.428, 0.766, 0.862, all P&#x0026;#x003C;0.05). The standardized regression coefficients of groups A and B were △AL&#x0026;#x003E;△ACD(1.32 and 1.31 times), and the standardized regression coefficients of group C were △ACD&#x0026;#x003E;△AL(1.66 times).CONCLUSION: Different surgical procedures had no significant effect on the postoperative K value and MFE in patients with high axial myopia combined with cataract, of which main influencing factor is the change in the AL before and after surgery. The postoperative MFE in patients with normal AL was more due to the change of ACD.

Epidemiology and trends in the uptake of refractive error services in Harare, Zimbabwe: a hospital-based retrospective study

Aim The study aimed to determine the epidemiology and evaluate the trends in the uptake of refractive error services in Harare. Methods A clinic-based retrospective study at the Greenwood Park Eye Centre and its three subsidiaries was conducted from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2020. Results 12,216 patients' records were retrieved, out of which 1074 (8.79%) had refractive error cases. The prevalence of visual impairment at presentation was 5.80% [95% CI: 5.39 ­ 6.23]. Among those with refractive error, the sample prevalence of visual impairment before correction was 41.30% [CI: 38.3 ­ 44.3, 95%], and 2.20% [95% CI: 1.4 ­ 3.3] after correction. There was inconsistency in the percentage utilization of refractive error services, with the highest being 42.60% in 2015. Refractive error types were related to age, employment position, and type of visual impairment prior to refractive error treatment. Conclusion There was a low percentage of refractive error services uptake in urban Zimbabwe.

Accuracy of Wang-Koch axial length adjustment formulas in calculating postoperative refractive power in cataract patients with high myopia / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To compare the accuracy between Wang-Koch axial length adjustment formulas(SRK/TWK, Holladay ⅠWK)and SRK/T, Haigis, Holladay Ⅰ, Hoffer Q in calculating intraocular lens power of cataract patients with high myopia.METHODS: A total of 42 cataract patients with high myopia(57 eyes)were collected. All eyes underwent phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation surgery in our Hospital from September 2019 to March 2022. They were divided into two groups according to the axial length(AL): group A(27mm≤AL&#x003C;30mm, 31 eyes)and group B(AL≥30mm, 26 eyes). Patients were followed up at 3mo. The actual postoperative diopter was recorded, and then the refractive mean numerical error(MNE)and mean absolute error(MAE)were calculated.RESULTS: MAE of each formulas was statistically different after surgery(P&#x003C;0.01), among which the MAE of Holladay ⅠWK and SRK/TWK [0.31(0.08, 0.57), 0.34(0.17, 0.63)D] was lower than other formulas. However, there were no statistical difference between SRK/TWK, Holladay ⅠWK and SRK/T, Haigis formulas [0.61(0.27, 1.02), 0.63(0.22, 1.01)D](P&#x003E;0.05). MAE were statistically different among the formulas in group A(27mm≤AL&#x003C;30mm; P&#x003C;0.01). The MAE of Holladay ⅠWK and SRK/TWK was lower than other formulas [0.18(0.05, 0.51), 0.28(0.16, 0.52)D], but there were no statistical difference with SRK/T and Haigis formulas [0.45(0.18, 0.65), 0.50(0.14, 0.75)D](P&#x003E;0.05). In group B(AL≥30mm), the MAE of each formulas was statistically different after surgery(P&#x003C;0.01), among which MAE of Holladay IWK and SRK/TWK was the lowest, followed by SRK/T and Haigis, whereas, Holladay I and Hoffer Q ranked the highest. Furthermore, there were statistical differences between MAE of SRK/TWK, Holladay ⅠWK [0.44(0.23, 0.67), 0.41(0.22, 0.66)D] and SRK/T, Haigis formulas [0.78(0.55, 1.07), 0.75(0.45, 1.25)D](all P&#x003C;0.05).CONCLUSION: For cataract patients with AL ≥30mm, the Wang-Koch axial length adjustment formulas were relatively accurate in calculating diopter of intraocular lens, and had clinical application value to some extent.

Selection of intraocular lens calculation formula for cataract surgery in glaucoma patients / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

Glaucoma and cataracts are the leading causes of blindness, and surgery is an important treatment option. Patients with glaucoma have clinical characteristics such as high intraocular pressure, shallow anterior chamber and short axial length, and the ocular structure is often altered after anti-glaucoma surgery like trabeculectomy. These changes also lead to differences in the accuracy of intraocular lens(IOL)refractive calculation between cataract surgery after anti-glaucoma surgery or combined glaucoma and cataract surgery and alone cataract surgery. Meanwhile glaucoma patients' individual clinical characteristics and structural changes caused by anti-glaucoma surgery have shown differences in the impact on the predictive accuracy of IOL diopters and the type of refractive drift. This article reviews the latest research advances in the causes of refractive error(RE), the characteristics of refractive drift, and the selection of the most appropriate IOL formula for glaucoma patients undergoing cataract surgery or cataract surgery after anti-glaucoma surgery or combined glaucoma and cataract surgery.

Pooled analysis of the ophthalmic visual quality of life questionnaire scale / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

With people's attention and in-depth research on visual quality, many distinctive survey scales have been developed. The use of visual quality questionnaires is a subjective way to evaluate patients' visual quality, an expression of patients' self feelings, and an important part of reflecting visual quality. With objective detection methods, the results are more convincing. Many scales have been introduced into China and have been revised through translation, back translation, and cultural adaptation, playing an indispensable role in the visual quality evaluation system. It is particularly important to assess visual quality through psychological and sociological content, and whether the content can be appropriately combined with the subjective feelings of patients. The core of the visual quality of life survey questionnaire lies in its high repeatability. This article summarizes commonly used visual quality questionnaires, which have been verified in terms of validity, reliability, and responsiveness. The validity of the measurement scale, the consistency of the measurement results, the ability to reflect the smallest meaningful clinical changes after effective medical intervention, and the design characteristics, main application directions, and trends of the scale are listed to provide reference for clinical workers to choose appropriate survey scales.

Comparing the vision quality using double-pass technique in eyes with corrected refractive errors and emmetropic eyes / Comparação da qualidade óptica usando a técnica de dupla passagem em olhos com erros de refração corrigidos e olhos emetrópicos

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the vision quality by measuring the objective light scatter index and objective optical quality parameters (Strehl Ratio and Modulation Transfer Function) in patients with emmetropia and ametropia. Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study included 408 eyes. The ametropic group comprised of eyes with best-corrected visual acuity of 0.0 logMAR or better and present at least a refractive error of ≥0.25 D. Patients underwent slit lamp examination, visual acuity, refraction, and vision quality using the HD Analyzer. Results: The mean objective light scatter indices were 0.62 ± 0.63, 0.77 ± 0.70, 0.74 ± 0.30, 0.93 ± 0.55, and 0.85 ± 0.61, and mean Strehl Ratio and Modulation Transfer Function scores were 38.17 ± 10.4, 37.37 ± 10.06, 29.84 ± 9.71, 33.2 ± 12.11, and 33.13 ± 10.09 in emmetropes, myopia, hyperopia, spherical equivalent of ≥0, and spherical equivalent of <0, respectively. Differences in all variables were significant between emmetropic and corrected hyperopic and between spherical equivalent of ≥0, and spherical equivalent of <0 eyes (p<0.05). Conclusion: In spectacle-corrected conditions (with trial frames), emmetropic and simple myopic eyes had significantly better vision quality compared to hyperopic and astigmatic eyes. The clinical significance of these results should be investigated in further studies.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade óptica medindo o índice de dispersão objetiva de luz e os parâmetros de qualidade óptica objetiva (Razão de Strehl e Função de Transferência de Modulação) em indivíduos com emetropia e ametropia. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo, transversal, incluindo 408 olhos. O grupo ametrópico era de olhos com melhor acuidade visual corrigida de 0,0 logMAR ou melhor e apresentando, pelo menos, um erro refrativo de 0,25 D ou mais. Os pacientes foram submetidos a exame com lâmpada de fenda, acuidade visual, refração e qualidade óptica com o HD Analyzer. Resultados: O índice de dispersão objetiva de luz médio foi de 0,62 ± 0,63, 0,77 ± 0,70, 0,74 ± 0,30, 0,93 ± 0,55, 0,85 ± 0,61 e a média da Razão de Strehl e de Função de Transferência de Modulação foram 38,17 ± 10,4, 37,37 ± 10,06, 29,84 ± 9,71, 33,2 ± 12,11 e 33,13 ± 10,09 em olhos emetrópicos, míopes, hipermétropes, equivalente esférico ≥0 e equivalente esférico <0 respectivamente. Foram encontradas diferenças significativas em todas as variáveis entre olhos emetrópicos e com hipermetropia corrigida, equivalente esférico ≥ 0 e equivalente esférico <0 (p<0,05). Conclusão: Em condições com lentes corrigidas (com armações de prova), os olhos emetrópicos e com miopia simples apresentaram qualidade óptica significativamente melhor em comparação com os olhos hipermétropes e astigmáticos. O significado clínico destes resultados deve ser estudado posteriormente.

Visual impairment and refractive errors in school children in Andhra Pradesh, India

Purpose: Addressing childhood vision impairment (VI) is one of the main goals of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) combating blindness strategies. The primary aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of VI, causes, and its risk factors in school children in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Methods: Children aged 4–15 years were screened in schools using the 6/12 Snellen optotype by trained community eye health workers, and those who failed the test and those reported or found to have obvious eye conditions were referred to primary (VC), secondary (SC), or tertiary (TC) care centre appropriately, where they underwent a complete eye examination including cycloplegic refraction and fundus examination. Results: A total of 56,988 children were screened, of whom 51.18% were boys. The mean age was 9.69 ± 3.26 years (4–15 years). Overall, 2,802/56,988 (4.92%) children were referred to a VC, of which 632/56,988 (1.11%) required referral to SC/TC. PVA of <6/12 was found in 1.72% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.61–1.83). The prevalence of refractive error (corrected and uncorrected) was 2.38% (95% CI: 2.26–2.51) and myopia was 2.17% (95% CI: 2.05–2.29). In multivariable analysis, older children, those in urban schools, private schools, and children with a disability had an increased risk of VI and myopia. Additionally, the risk of myopia was higher among girls than boys. Of those referred and reached SC/TC, 73.64% were due to avoidable causes. Conclusion: Childhood VI prevalence was 1.72% in this region. Uncorrected refractive error (URE) was the major cause of VI in children. Older age, schools in urban locations, private schools, and the presence of disability were associated with the risk of VI among children

Refractive errors, road traffic accidents and long-term spectacle compliance amongst commercial taxi drivers in a major North-East Indian city

Purpose: To assess the prevalence of refractive error (RE) and its association with road traffic accidents (RTAs) and the subsequent long?term spectacle compliance and adherence to suggested appropriate strategies In Shillong, India. Methods: This prospective study was conducted between July and October 2019 among commercial taxi drivers (CTDs), with follow?up interviews conducted with a subset of respondents to assess long?term spectacle compliance after a year. Gross ophthalmologic examination was performed, including visual acuity and refraction. Descriptive statistics and Chi?square tests were conducted to assess the association between the type of REs, spectacle compliance, and selected sociodemographic and clinical variables. Multiple logistic regression was performed for analysis of the association between RTAs and sociodemographic, clinical, and work characteristics variables. Results: A total of 382 (95.5%) CTDs completed interviews and gross eye examination. The prevalence of any RE in the worst eye was 28.8% (95% CI: 24.3–33.6). Presbyopia with or without distance vision was the commonest type of RE with 21.7% (95% CI: 17.7%–26.2). Among those who were prescribed spectacles, 70.5% needed near correction. Drivers with RE were nearly two times (OR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.4–5.1) more likely to be involved in RTAs compared to those without any RE. Long?term spectacle compliance was at 40.9%. The predominant barrier reported for spectacle compliance was “can manage well without spectacles.” Conclusion: This survey has demonstrated a significant relationship between poor vision and occurrence of RTAs. There is an urgent need for tailor?made targeted interventions to address the eye health needs of CTDs in India

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices among Undergraduate Medical Students Regarding Surgical Correction of Refractive Errors; a Cross-sectional Study

Aim: This study was aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding refractive error correction surgeries among undergraduate medical students.Study Design: In this study cross-sectional study design was used.Duration and Place of Study: The study was conducted amongst the undergraduate MBBS students studying at Dow Medical College, Karachi. The duration of study was seven months (August, 2019 till February, 2020).Methods: A sample size of 189 was calculated for the study with confidence level 95% and confidence limit 5%. Data was collected through a validated self-administered questionnaire which was divided in five subsections used to gain information regarding participant抯 demographics, knowledge, attitude and practices regarding refractive error surgeries. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS V.22.Results: In our study 189 students with a mean age of 21�8 years were included. Among the participants 112 (59.3%) had refractive errors. Glasses were used by majority 76 (67.9%) of participants for visual correction. Use of refractive error correction methods at all times was reported by 72 (66.7%) participants. Majority of respondents 142 (75.5%) had heard about surgery being used for correction of refractive errors. A large number of students 117 (66%) refused for surgery and fear of the outcomes was one of the reason for this refusal.Conclusion: We found that majority of the participants were aware about refractive error correction surgeries yet most of them showed unwillingness for these procedures. This negative attitude must be changed to positive in order to enhance the practice for these procedures.

Alteration in pattern reversal visual evoked potential in pediatric population with amblyopia and spherical refractive errors

Purpose: To study the effect of refractive errors on pattern visual evoked potential (VEP) recordings in the pediatric population. Methods: This cross?sectional observational study assessed 240 eyes of 120 participants attending the outpatient department of a tertiary care center in North India. Participants were between 8 and 18 years of age; 30 participants each were recruited into four groups, namely emmetropia, myopia, hypermetropia, and amblyopia. They were then subjected to pattern reversal VEP, with P?100 amplitude and latency recorded for each participant. Results: The emmetropic group in this study provided normal values of P?100 parameters, namely P?100 latency and P?100 amplitude with readings of 115.78 ± 10.19 ms and 11.11 ± 4.08 ?V, respectively. P?100 amplitude was significant compared to P?100 latency in detecting the presence or absence of a specific type of refractive error. It was found that there was a significant association between severity of myopia and P?100 latency (both unaided and aided) with P < 0.05. The severity of hypermetropia showed a significant association with P?100 amplitude (unaided) (P < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristics analysis revealed P?100 amplitude to be a good predictor of refractive error and the cut?offs were calculated. Conclusion: The P?100 parameters of the pediatric Indian population were comparatively higher than conventional values. P?100 latency seemed to better correlate with myopia, while hypermetropia correlated with P?100 amplitude. P?100 amplitude appears to be the most significant predictor of the presence of refractive error in an individual.

Myopia prevalence in a population-based childhood visual impairment study in North India – CHVI-2

Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of myopia at the community level. Methods: A population?based, cross?sectional study was planned in 40 clusters among children identified with subnormal vision in the urban community of Delhi. House?to?house visits were conducted for visual acuity screening of 20,000 children aged 0–15 years using age appropriate visual acuity charts. All the children with visual acuity of < 6/12 in any eye in the age group between 3 and 15 years and inability to follow light in age group 0–3 years were referred for detailed ophthalmic examination. Results: A total of 13,572 (64.7%) children belonged to the age group of 6–15 years. Of these, a total of 507 (3.7%) were found to be having myopia (spherical equivalent of ?0.50 DS or worse in one or both eyes) with positive association with higher age groups. Conclusion: The estimated prevalence of myopia is 3.7%; the proportion of uncorrected myopia was 45%, which reflects that refractive error services need to be improved further.

Assessment of Refractive Status of 5-15 Years Old Children Attending Government Schools of Rural Agra

Introduction: In children uncorrected refractive errors have a profound effect on educational and psychosocial development hence it is necessary to estimate the prevalence both at the community and at the school level to aid planning and implementation of refractive error services in children. Objective: To determine the refractive status of 5 to 15 years old children attending government schools of rural areas of district Agra, Uttar Pradesh (UP), India. Method: Study conducted on 902 students of age group 5-15 years of randomly selected government schools of Bichpuri Block of district Agra. Children underwent visual acuity assessment and torch light examination, height and weight measurement. Children with VA ?6/9 were further examined and cycloplegic retinoscopy, fundus examination, slit lamp examination and post mydriatic refraction was done. On the basis of values of cycloplegic refraction and post mydriatic refraction, refractive error was classified as myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism. Statistical Analysis was done by applying Chi square test. Results : Out of 902 children, 125 children (13.86 %) were having refractive error of which 76 were myopic (8.43%), 39 were astigmatic (4.32%) and 10 were hypermetropic (1.11%). There was an increase in the overall prevalence of refractive error with advancing age. There was no significant association of refractive error with gender and nutritional status. Conclusion: Vision screening of school children is very useful for early detection and correction of refractive errors. Screening of the refractive errors in school should be carried out periodically and regularly

Caracterización de la ambliopía refractiva / Characterization of Refractive Amblyopia

Objetivo: Relacionar el tipo y profundidad de la ambliopía con el tipo y magnitud del defecto refractivo. Métodos: Estudio transversal en 27 pacientes entre cinco y 18 años con ambliopía refractiva atendidos por vez primera en la consulta de Oftalmología Pediátrica y Estrabismo del Instituto Cubano de Oftalmología Ramón Pando Ferrer. Resultados: La edad en que fueron examinados por primera vez fue similar en ambos tipos de ambliopía, pero ligeramente mayor en la ambliopía anisometrópica (media ocho años). Se halló una correlación significativa entre el nivel de profundidad de la ambliopía y la magnitud del defecto refractivo, en el ojo derecho (p = 0,001), no siendo así en el ojo izquierdo (p = 0 ,304). Conclusiones: En el grupo de estudio la edad en que son examinados se considera tardía y no existen diferencias en cuanto a género y color de piel. Existe un ligero predominio de la ambliopía isoametrópica sobre la anisometrópica, predominando el ojo izquierdo en la ambliopía anisometrópica. El defecto refractivo que se asocia con más frecuencia a la ambliopía refractiva es el astigmatismo en contra de la regla. A medida que aumenta la magnitud del defecto refractivo aumenta la profundidad de la ambliopía en el ojo derecho, no siendo así en el ojo izquierdo(AU)

Objective: To relate the type and depth of amblyopia with the type and magnitude of refractive error. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out in 27 patients aged 5-18 years with refractive amblyopia first treated in the pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus consultation of Ramón Pando Ferrer Cuban Institute of Ophthalmology. Results: The age at which the patients were first examined was similar in both types of amblyopia, but slightly higher in anisometropic amblyopia (mean of 8 years). A significant correlation was found between the depth of amblyopia and the magnitude of the refractive error in the right eye (P=0.001), not being so in the left eye (P=0.304). Conclusions: In the study group, the age at which they are examined is considered late and there are no differences in gender or skin color. There is a slight predominance of isometropic amblyopia over anisometropic amblyopia, with a predominance of the left eye in anisometropic amblyopia. The refractive error most frequently associated with refractive amblyopia is against-the-rule astigmatism. As the magnitude of the refractive error increases, the depth of amblyopia increases in the right eye, but not in the left eye(AU)