Personal and practice profile of male and female ophthalmologists in India.

Background: The aim of this study was to study the practice pattern, personal profile, and work‑family balance of male and female ophthalmologists in India. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted through 41 point questionnaire sent to the members of All India Ophthalmological Society dealing with practice profile and personal circumstances of ophthalmologists. Results: Six hundred and twenty‑two (8%) responses were obtained out of 7723 invitations sent. A total of 452 were male and 170 were female ophthalmologists. Age group of 30–39 years was most common age of respondents (male 155; 35.3%; female 81; 47.6%). Larger number of male ophthalmologists (157; 34.7%) worked for more than 9 h a day than female ophthalmologists (41; 24.1%) (P = 0.01). Larger number of male ophthalmologists (229; 50.7%) earned more than Rs. 1 lakh/month than female ophthalmologists (55; 32.4%) (P = 0.00001) More female ophthalmologists (21; 12.4%) than males (26; 5.8%) said that they faced cultural, ethnic or gender bias at work place (P = 0.002). Forty‑four (25.9%) female and 54 (12%) male ophthalmologists said that they often curtailed their work for family needs (P = 0.0001). Two hundred and fifty‑two (55.8%) male ophthalmologists and 78 (45.9%) female ophthalmologists considered their profession rewarding (P = 0.02). Conclusion: Ophthalmology as a profession was considered rewarding by both male and female ophthalmologists. However, female ophthalmologists were curtailing their work for family needs and earning less than male ophthalmologists. Female ophthalmologists were also subject to gender bias at workplace. These issues need to be tackled to improve the work satisfaction of ophthalmology workforce.

A study on refractive errors among school children in Kolkata.

Childhood visual impairment due to refractive errors is a significant problem in school children and has a considerable impact on public health. To assess the magnitude of the problem the present study was undertaken among the school children aged 5 to 10 years in Kolkata. Detailed ophthalmological examination was carried out in the schools as well as in the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Kolkata. Among 2317 students examined, 582 (25.11%) were suffering from refractive errors, myopia being the commonest (n = 325; 14.02%). Astigmatism affected 91 children (3.93%). There is an increase of prevalence of refractive errors with increase of age, but it is not statistically significant (p > 0.05). There is also no significant difference of refractive errors between boys and girls.

Acute bilateral central serous chorioretinopathy following intra-articular injection of corticosteroid.

There is increasing evidence in the literature implicating the use of exogenous steroids through various routes as a risk factor for the development of idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy (ICSC). We report a case of acute bilateral ICSC following intra-articular injection of corticosteroids.

Amniotic membrane transplantation in ocular surface disorders.

The term ocular surface disorders indicate a close relationship between the conjunctival and corneal epithelium in many corneal and external diseases. The human amniotic membrane has a thick basement membrane and an avascular stromal matrix and its first ophthalmic use was reported by deRoth for conjunctival surface reconstruction. It was subsequently used for different ophthalmic reasons. Amniotic membrane transplantation can be used in a number of conditions eg, as a graft to replace damaged ocular surface stromal matrix or as a patch to prevent unwanted inflammatory insults from gaining access to the damaged ocular surface. Amniotic membrane can be utilised in persistent of recurrent corneal epithelial and stromal defects; in cases of corneal perforation due to ulcer or melting; after conjunctival excision for acquired melanosis, neoplasia, etc; in cases of pemphigoid, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, chemical bums; in cases of symblepharon, in dry eyes or in large leaking filtering blebs.