Ocular Firework Injuries among Patients Presented to the Emergency Department During Festival Season in a Tertiary Eye Hospital.

Introduction: Fireworks can cause severe ocular injuries which can be prevented if used with proper precautions. It causes not only mechanical injuries but also thermal and chemical injuries. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of ocular firework injuries among patients presented to the emergency department during festival season in a tertiary eye hospital. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study done among patients presenting in the emergency department of a tertiary eye hospital after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee. Data of patients from medical records between 26 October 2021 to 28 November 2021 and 15 October 2022 to 17 November 2022 was collected. A convenience sampling method was used. The point estimate was calculated at a 95% Confidence Interval. Results: Among 132 patients, the prevalence of ocular firework injuries was seen in 73 (55.30%) (46.82-63.78, 95% Confidence Interval). Closed globe injury was mostly observed in 56 (76.71%) patients with ocular injuries. The most common age group affected was those less than 30 years old 54 (73.97%). Conclusions: The prevalence of ocular firework injuries was found to be lower than other studies done in similar settings. Protective measures should be used to prevent ocular injuries. A public awareness program needs to be launched before such festivals. Keywords: festivals; injuries; prevalence.

Prevalence of visual impairment, uncorrected refractive errors and effective refractive error coverage in Koshi Province, Nepal - Rapid Assessment of Refractive Errors.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of visual impairment (VI), uncorrected refractive errors (URE), and effective refractive error coverage among individuals aged 15-50 years in Koshi Province, Nepal. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Koshi Province in which 4800 participants were selected from 80 clusters. The study teams visited the selected households and conducted eye examinations. This included monocular unaided (and aided) visual acuity assessment using a Snellen chart with tumbling E optotypes at a distance of 6 meters. Near vision was assessed binocularly using the N notation chart at a fixed distance of 40 cm for each individual. Torchlight examination and distance direct ophthalmoscopy was done. VI was defined as presenting visual acuity worse than 6/12 in the better eye. URE was defined as presenting visual acuity worse than 6/12 and improving to 6/12 or better on using a pinhole. Near Vision Impairment was defined as binocular presenting near vision worse than N8 among those age 35 years and older. RESULTS: In total, 4057 were examined (84.5% response rate). The prevalence of VI was 3.52% (95% CI:2.89-4.13; n = 143). The prevalence of URE in the better eye was 1.95% (95% CI:1.54-2.42; n = 79). The Refractive Error Coverage and Effective Refractive Error Coverage were 34.8% and 31.3% respectively. The prevalence of NVI was 34.24% (95% CI: 32.1-36.40; n = 666). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of VI and  URE was low, attributed to the availability and uptake of services in Koshi province in Nepal.

Comparative Study on Knowledge and Awareness of Common Ocular Diseases Among Rural and Urban Community in Siraha District of Nepal: The Lahan Study.

INTRODUCTION: Awareness and knowledge about the common ocular conditions can help people to seek early eye care services. The understanding and acceptance of the importance of routine eye examinations can help in timely detection and treatment of the eye diseases and thus help to reduce the burden of avoidable ocular blindness from the general population. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess and analyze the information related to knowledge and awareness of common ocular diseases and eye health among the rural and urban communities of the Siraha district, Nepal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between April and June 2018 in Lahan Municipality ward number 6 (urban) and Sakhuwa Nankarkatti Rural Municipality ward number 4 (rural) in Siraha district. The sample size of 975 was calculated from study population of 3247. A systematic random sampling technique was used to interview adults above 18 years of age, using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed. RESULTS: Out of total 975 participants, 514 (52.7%) were from rural community in Sakhuwa Rural Municipality and 461 (47.3%) were from urban community in Lahan Municipality. The mean age was 38.38 ± 15 years. Female participants were more (63.2%) compared to male (36.8%). Overall, 58.3% were literate and 41.7% were illiterate. Rural community had more uneducated participants (48%) compared to urban community (34%). In rural community, 69% were aware about cataract, 83% had knowledge about its treatment; while in urban community 81% were aware about cataract and 86% had knowledge about its treatment. The awareness of glaucoma among the participants was poor, more so in rural cohort (15%) than the urban cohort (25%). The knowledge of glaucoma was 14% in rural and 62% in urban cohort. Awareness that diabetes can affect the eye was found to be significantly lower (p = 0.01) in rural population (25%) compared to that in urban population (41%) in this study. The knowledge about diabetic retinopathy was lower in rural community (38%) compared to urban community (49%). Awareness about Night Blindness was lesser in rural (62%) compared to urban (70%) community (p = 0.17). Awareness about refractive errors were 37% in rural compared to 60% in urban community. The major sources of information were society and eye hospital in both community. CONCLUSION: The knowledge and awareness level regarding common ocular diseases was high among the community people of urban community (Lahan) in comparison to rural community (Sakhuwa Nankarkatti). Awareness and knowledge level mainly regarding glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy was very poor in both urban and rural community. There is need to conduct comprehensive awareness programs on common ocular diseases like cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, night blindness, congenital eye disease, ocular trauma, eye donations and others in both rural and urban areas to raise the awareness level and improve attitudes and right practices reducing the burden of avoidable blindness.