Comparing the Use of Smartphone and Vernier Calipers for Corneal Diameter Measurement in Nigerian Term Neonates.

BACKGROUND: Corneal diameter (CD) measurement in newborns is essential for the detection of blinding ocular pathologies. It requires specially trained personnel, contact techniques, and the use of anesthesia. Smartphone use may obviate these challenges. AIM: This study compares CD measurement among newborns using a Smartphone and manual calipers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional comparative study done at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria. Consecutively selected stable term neonates whose mothers consented to the study and met the inclusion criteria had their CDs measured with both calipers and smartphones and the values compared. Mean, range, and standard deviation were calculated using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) IBM (version 22), while paired t-test calculated the difference in mean CD measurements between both methods. Pearson's correlation and Bland-Altman's analysis determined the correlation and agreement between both methods, respectively. Inter and intraobserver repeatability were assessed. A P value less than 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean CD measurement using calliper method was 10.01 ± 0.29mm and 10.03 ± 0.24 mm right eye (RE) and left eyes (LE), respectively) for investigator 1 and 10.16 ± 0.25 mm and 10.19 ± 0.21 mm (RE, LE) for investigator 2. Using smartphone measurement, mean CD measurements of 9.98 ± 0.21 mm and 10.00 ± 0.29 mm (RE, LE) were observed for investigator 1 and 10.07 ± 0.19 mm and 10.06 ± 0.21 mm (RE, LE) for investigator 2. The difference in mean CD for both instruments and by both investigators was not statistically significant (P value > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Corneal diameter measurement in neonates using smartphone technology does not deviate significantly from caliper measurement; it is safe, easy to use, and advocated.

Rhabdomyoblastic differentiation in rosai dorfman disease of the orbit in a 12-year-old male.

Extranodal Rosai-Dorfman disease involving the orbit has been reported severally with extensive discourse on management strategies. However, rhabdomyoblastic differentiation coexisting with the disease is yet unreported. We present the clinical and histopathological features of a 12-year-old boy presenting with both. A 12-year-old boy was referred to our Ophthalmic Plastic Surgical Service with a 5-year history of bilateral, progressively enlarging eyelid, orbital masses causing proptosis, and severe cosmetic blemish. He had suffered vision loss to the right eye following trauma 2 years prior to the onset of the disease. Computed tomography of the orbits revealed preseptal and intraorbital components of well-defined multi-lobulated masses in both orbits. No significant nodal involvement was noted. He underwent excision biopsy of the tumor in both eyes performed 1 month apart. A histopathologic diagnosis of the Rosai-Dorfman disease with focal areas of rhabdomyoblastic differentiation was made. He was treated postoperatively with a course of oral steroids with close observation for the rhabdomyoblastic differentiation. Rosai-Dorfman disease is an uncommon disease and has been reported to coexist with other pathologies. We highlight focal myoblastic differentiation within the excised tissues which may not necessarily warrant a diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma. Long-term follow-up of this patient is required to establish the safety of observation.

Evaluation of the learning and teaching environment of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.

PURPOSE: The study aimed at evaluating the learning and teaching environment of undergraduate students of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Nigeria. METHODS: The study was a descriptive, cross-sectional survey. The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) questionnaire was self-administered to the final year medical students during the second semester of 2013/2014 academic year. The 50-items of the questionnaire were sub-divided into five sub-groups: perception of learning, perceptions of teachers, academic self-perceptions, perceptions of atmosphere, and social self-perceptions. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 128 out of the 139 students (92.1%). Of the maximum score of 200, the total mean score was 101.82 ± 20.36 SD. The mean ± SD score of students' perception of learning was 25.97 ± 4.18 (maximum score, 48). The mean ± SD score of teachers was 24.40 ± 4.74 (maximum score, 44), whereas that of students' academic self-perception, perception of atmosphere, and social self-perception was 19.96 ± 5.29 (maximum score, 32), 19.02 ± 7.69 (maximum score, 48), and 11.86 ± 4.22 (maximum score, 28), respectively. CONCLUSION: The overall mean score shows that the students' perception of their learning environment was more positive than negative according to the practical guide of McAleer and Roff on the interpretation of DREEM questionnaire. However, there are problematic areas revealed by this study that will inform policy formulation and remedial intervention.

Correlates of Stone Quarry Workers' Awareness of Work-related Ocular Health Hazards and Utilization of Protective Eye Devices: Findings in Southeastern Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the awareness of work-related ocular health hazards and utilization of personal protective eye devices (PPEDs) among stone quarry workers in Abakaliki, southeastern Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional survey of stone quarry industry workers in Abakiliki, conducted between March and April, 2012, data on participants' socio-demographics, job characteristics, PPED awareness, and utilization were collected. Descriptive and analytical statistics were performed. For intergroup comparisons, P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: All workers were aware of the need for utilization of eye protective devices; however, 98.7% declined its use for various reasons. About 74.6% attributed nonutilization to nonavailability while 10.4% attributed it to high cost and 10.2% declined its utilization due to discomfort associated with its use. DISCUSSION: Usage of PPEDs was associated with job specification, educational level, duration of work experience, awareness of work hazards, and knowledge about the purpose of PPEDs. Nonusage was associated with unavailability, high cost of procurement, and ocular discomfort from poor fitting and misty/cloudy vision with use. Users were more numerous among blasters and crushers whose jobs were most predisposed to work related accidents and workers with formal education. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from the study reveal high level of awareness yet nonutilization of eye protection. Barriers to the utilization of these eye protective devices should be addressed to ensure greater compliance of its use.

Determinants of Eye Care Utilization in Rural South-eastern Nigeria.

To determine the barriers and incentives to eye care utilization (ECU) in Abagana, a rural south-eastern Nigerian community. The study was a population-based cross-sectional mixed method (quantitative and qualitative) survey of adult inhabitants of Abagana, in July-August, 2011. Data on respondents' socio-demographics, barriers and incentives to ECU were collected, and analysed using descriptive and comparative statistics. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Qualitative data were obtained from focus group discussions and in-depth interviews and analyzed using ATLAS.ti software. The 549 respondents (males 224) were aged 49.8 ± 15.9 SD years (range 18-93 years). Overall, orthodox eye care had ever been sought by 42.4%, and 46.4% of those who reported change in vision. Lack of awareness-31.8%, cost-18.0%, and fatalistic attitudes-15.9% were the main ECU barriers. Possession of health insurance (OR 11.49; 95% CI 4.21-31.34; p = 0.001), family history of eye disorder (OR 3.27, 95% CI 2.03-5.26; p = 0.001), noticed change in vision (OR 11.30; 95% CI 1.42-90.09; p = 0.022), current eye disease (OR 4.06; 95% CI 2.29-7.19; p = 0.001) and systemic co-morbidity (OR 4.33; 95% CI 2.67-7.02; p = 0.001) were the incentives to ECU. To enhance the low ECU in Abagana community, educational interventions on eye health maintenance and eye health seeking behaviours, and measures to reduce eye care cost are recommended.