Prevalence and Factors Associated with Suicidal Ideation Among Older People with Visual Impairments Attending an Eye Center During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of suicidal ideation and associated factors among older people with visual impairments attending an eye center during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients and Methods: A total of 314 older people aged 60 and above with visual impairments who attended an eye center were included in this study. This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted from February to July, 2022. Data were collected in person. Suicidal ideation was measured using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to explore associations between related factors and suicidal ideation. Results: Of 314 older people with visual impairments, the prevalence of suicidal ideation was 32.5%. Suicidal ideation was independently associated with diabetic retinopathy (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0-5.8; p=0.038) and depression (AOR=6.3, 95% CI: 3.5-11.2; p<0.001). Conclusion: This study found a relatively high prevalence of suicidal ideation among older people with visual impairments. There was also a significant association between depression and suicidal ideation among these individuals. Visual impairments can lead to negative émotions. This underscores the importance of addressing the mental health needs of older individuals with visual impairments, including suicide prevention efforts tailored to their needs. Ophthalmologists should be equipped with the skills necessary to identify the early signs of suicidal ideation and refer patients to mental healthcare specialists for appropriate treatment.

Impact of COVID-19 on Depressive Symptoms Among Patients with Low Vision and Blindness.

Background: Disability is globally recognized as a key cause of depression. Likewise, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the vulnerability of patients with low vision to health and health-related issues, especially mental health. This study aimed to examine the association between the impact of COVID-19 and depressive symptoms in patients with low vision and blindness. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between February and July 2022 and involved face-to-face interviews. Patients with low vision and blindness diagnosed with depression were excluded. The following items were included in the questionnaire: sociodemographic information, Multi-Dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the impact of COVID-19, and The Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D). Hierarchical linear regression analysis was used to examine the association between the impact of COVID-19 and depression. Results: The prevalence of depression among patients with low vision and blindness was 43.0%. Three factors were associated with depressive symptoms: compliance with COVID-19 prevention strategies (ß = 0.16, p<0.01), anxiety during COVID-19 (ß = 0.24, p<0.001), and social support (ß = -0.16, p<0.01). Conclusion: The findings indicated that COVID-19 significantly increased depressive symptoms among patients with low vision and blindness. The psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been considered critical and emergent public health issues. Stakeholders, particularly public health organizations, need to urgently implement preventive and protective measures to help patients with physical and mental disabilities.

Eye lens dosimetry and the study on radiation cataract in interventional cardiologists.

PURPOSE: To determine the eye lens dose of the Interventional Cardiology (IC) personnel using optically stimulated luminescent dosimeter (OSLD) and the prevalence and risk of radiation - associated lens opacities in Thailand. METHODS AND RESULTS: 48 IC staff, with age- and sex- matches 37 unexposed controls obtained eye examines. Posterior lens change was graded using a modified Merriam-Focht technique by two independent ophthalmologists. Occupational exposure (mSv) was measured in 42 IC staff, using 2 OSLD badges place at inside lead apron and at collar. Annual eye lens doses (mSv) were also measured using 4 nanoDots OSL placed outside and inside lead glass eyewear. The prevalence of radiation-associated posterior lens opacities was 28.6% (2/7) for IC, 19.5% (8/41) for nurses, and 2.7% (1/37) for controls. The average and range of annual whole body effective dose, Hp(10), equivalent dose at skin of the neck, Hp(0.07) and equivalent dose at eye lens, Hp(3) were 0.80 (0.05-6.79), 5.88 (0.14-35.28), and 5.73 (0.14-33.20) mSv respectively. The annual average and range of eye lens dose using nano Dots OSL showed the outside lead glass eyewear on left and right sides as 8.06 (0.17-32.45), 3.55(0.06-8.04) mSv and inside left and right sides as 3.91(0.05-14.26) and 2.44(0.06-6.24) mSv respectively. CONCLUSION: Eye lens doses measured by OSLD badges and nano Dot dosimeter as Hp(10), Hp(0.07) and Hp(3). The eyes of the IC personnel were examined annually by two ophthalmologists for the prevalence of cataract induced by radiation.

Effect of pupillary dilation on Haigis formula-calculated intraocular lens power measurement by using optical biometry.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of pupillary dilation on the Haigis formula-calculated intraocular lens (IOL) power and ocular biometry measurements by using IOLMaster(®). METHODS: A prospective study was performed for biometry measurements of 373 eyes of 192 healthy subjects using the IOLMaster at the outpatient department of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital from February 2013 to July 2013. The axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), keratometry (K), and IOL power were measured before and after 1% tropicamide eye drop instillation. The Haigis formula was used in the IOL power calculation with the predicted target to emmetropia. Each parameter was compared by a paired t-test prior to and after pupillary dilation. Bland-Altman plots were also used to determine the agreement between each parameter. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 53.74±14.41 years (range 18-93 years). No differences in AL (P=0.03), steepest K (P=0.42), and flattest K (P=0.41) were obtained from the IOLMaster after pupillary dilation. However, ACD and IOL power were significantly different postdilation (P<0.01 and P<0.01, respectively). In ACD and IOL power measurements, the concordance rates were 93.03% and 97.05% within 95% limits of agreement (-0.48 to 0.26 mm and -1.09 to 0.88 D, respectively) in the Bland-Altman plots. CONCLUSION: Biometry measurements in the cycloplegic stage should be considered in the IOL formulas that use parameters other than AL and K.

The effect of Nd:YAG laser treatment of posterior capsule opacification on anterior chamber depth and refraction in pseudophakic eyes.

PURPOSE: This was a prospective descriptive study to determine the changes in intraocular lens (IOL) position after neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy by measuring anterior chamber depth (ACD) and refraction, including the spherical equivalent (SE) and cylinder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-seven pseudophakic eyes with posterior capsule opacification of 29 patients were included. Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy was performed. Patients' ACD and refraction were measured before the treatment, as well as after the treatment at 1 week and 3 months. IOLMaster(®) and an automated refractometer were used at the Department of Ophthalmology, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in ACD and SE before and after laser treatment at 1 week and 3 months (repeated analysis of variance, P=0.582 and P=0.269, respectively). Both backward IOL movement (number [n]=29) and forward IOL movement (n=18) were found. Some changes in cylindrical refraction were found at 1 week, but decreased at 3 months after capsulotomy (baseline cylinder: -1.16; cylinder at 1 week and 3 months: -1.00 and -1.14, respectively; P=0.012). These changes were the same with one-piece and three-piece IOLs. CONCLUSION: Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy did not significantly change ACD and SE. It led to cylinder change at 1 week after laser, but the effect decreased at 3 months. This effect was small and may not be clinically significant.

The effect of pupillary dilatation on IOL power measurement by using the IOLMaster.

The aim of this study is to assess the agreement of IOL power and ocular biometry measurements before and after pupillary dilatation by using the IOLMaster. This was the prospective nonrandomized cohort study. Measurements were taken with the IOLMaster (®) (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Germany) from healthy volunteers at the Department of Ophthalmology, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. Axial length (AL), keratometry both flattest and steepest (K1, K2), and anterior chamber depth (ACD) were measured before and after the dilatation of the pupil with 1 % tropicamide. The IOL power was calculated using the Sanders-Retzlaff-Kraff/Theoretical (SRK/T) formula. The mean difference of each parameter was assessed by Bland-Altman plot analysis. 384 eyes from 195 healthy volunteers were measured. The mean age of the patients was 52.39 ± 1.02 years (range 21-79). Pupillary dilatation had no significant effect on AL (p = 0.07), keratometry [steepest K (p = 0.95) and flattest K (p = 0.17)], and IOL power (Alcon SN60WF) (p = 0.40) obtained from the IOLMaster. However, ACD was significantly increased post-dilatation (p < 0.05). The Bland-Altman plot indicated good concordance in nearly all parameters except ACD. For ACD measurements, the 95 % limit of agreement between pre-dilatation and post-dilatation was -0.47 to 0.23 mm; therefore, 92.2 % of the measurement differences were with a LoA of -0.47 to 0.23 mm. There were no eyes that could not be measured by the IOLMaster. The dilatation of the pupil had no significant effect on AL, keratometry measurements, and SRK/T calculated IOL power. However, the ACD significantly increased post-dilatation.

Intrapersonal comparison of initial axial length, keratometric readings, and intraocular lens power over a 6-month interval using an IOLMaster device.

PURPOSE: In order to improve current biometry practice, we investigated changes in axial length (AL), keratometry (K), and intraocular lens (IOL) power measured by the IOLMaster in adults within a 6-month period at the outpatient eye clinic, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a nonrandomized prospective cohort study. The AL, steepest K, flattest K, and IOL power of nondilated eyes were measured at the initial examination and later at 6 months by the IOLMaster. Changes in AL, K, and IOL power using the SRK (Sanders, Retzlaff, and Kraff)-T formula within 6 months were compared using the paired-sample t-test. RESULTS: The study comprised 90 eyes from 90 patients. The mean age of the patients was 62.99±13.95 years (range 28-87 years). Mean values and standard deviation for AL, steepest K, flattest K, and IOL power at initial visit and 6 months later were 23.56±1.51 mm and 23.56±1.52 mm (P=1.0; 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.01 to 0), 44.94±1.37 D and 44.98±1.43 D (P=0.96; 95% CI -0.13 to 0.04), 43.85±1.43 D and 43.89±1.36 D (P=0.93; 95% CI -0.02 to 0.07), and 20.27±4.12 D and 20.15±4.51 D (P=0.99; 95% CI -0.05 to 0.29), respectively. CONCLUSION: There was no statistically significant difference in AL (P=1.0), both K (P=0.96, P=0.93), or IOL power (P=0.99) within the 6-month period using the IOLMaster. Remeasurement at 6 months may be required in some cases, but should not be routine.

A one-year review of amblyopia treatment for literate patients at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To report the characteristics and the success rate of treatment of newly diagnosed amblyopia at Department of Ophthalmology, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital between January 2007 and December 2007. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The authors performed retrospective chart reviews of 16 newly diagnosed amblyopic literate patients. Successful treatment was defined as having best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) > or = 3 Snellen lines improvement or > or = 20/30 in the amblyopic eye. RESULTS: Of 16 patients, the mean age was 8.62 +/- 3.07 years old. The causes o amblyopia were 12 refractive error (75%), three strabismus (18.75%), and one visual deprivation (6.25%). The mean BCVA, before treatment, of amblyopic eyes was 0.74 +/- 0.4 LogMAR and after treatment, BCVA was 0.41 +/- 0.33 LogMAR. Seven (43.75%) patients were treated successfully whereas nine (56.25%) patients were not. No significant association was found between presenting age (p-value 0.92) (95% CI -3.59 to 3.72), cause of amblyopia (p-value 0.22) (95% CI -0.74 to 0.07), degree of refractive error (p-value 0.71) (95% CI -8.27 to 0.68) and treatment outcome. CONCLUSION: Refractive amblyopia was the major cause of amblyopia in our clinic. Combined refractive correction and patching were the effective treatments of choice. Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of treatments will help achieve the optimal therapeutic outcome.