The effect of blue light filter on visual and task performance.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the effect of the blue light (BL) filter on the different tasks performed on a laptop on a daily basis. METHODS: Forty subjects were required to perform a 45-minute task on the laptop screen with or without the BL filter on two different days. In the first task, subjects were made to watch a video. In the second task, subjects were made to read a passage from the laptop for 3 minutes, and reading speed was calculated. In the third task, subjects were made to enter the data on the laptop. The time taken to fill in the data was recorded. After the completion of the task, questionnaires were administered. Pre- and post-task accommodative tests were performed. RESULTS: Forty emmetropes with a mean age of 21 ± 2 were recruited. In visual performance, the subjective response showed a significant difference in visual fatigue level with and without the filter. A statistically significant difference was seen in reading speed and data entry during task performance with and without the filter. Pre- and post-task accommodative parameters showed variable responses. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the use of a BL filter improves task performance, but subjectively, people experienced more visual fatigue while using the filter.

The economic burden of glaucoma on patients.

Purpose: To determine the economic burden of glaucoma on patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on glaucoma patients diagnosed at least 6 weeks prior to the study and on topical anti-glaucoma medications. After consenting, patients were asked about their monthly income, education, occupation, treatment duration, drugs being used, cost of drugs, one bottle lasts for, financial dependence for treatment, glaucoma surgery, transportation means and cost, etc. Also, information regarding government reimbursement of medical costs was collected. Results: Seventy-four patients aged 60.18±11.5 years (40 males and 34 females) were enrolled. Majority were retirees (37.84%) and Homemakers (29.73%). Fifty (68%) participants didn't earn anything. Sixty-three patients had bilateral involvement and 52.70% were on treatment for >3 years. Prostaglandin analogs were most commonly used drugs (34.21%). Average cost of medications and travelling was ₹669.46 per month and ₹203.38 per visit respectively. Majority were financially responsible for their own treatment (62.16%). Patients had an average monthly income of ₹7108.11. Low-income group spent 26.08 % of their monthly salary on glaucoma treatment. Low-moderate and high-income group spent 5.17% and 1.50% of their monthly income respectively. Only 4.05% were covered by government reimbursement. Gender (P=0.019), occupation (P=0.010), whether undergone surgery (P=0.007), whether accompanied (P=0.027), hours lost during each visit (P=0.016) and treatment impression (P=0.027) showed statistical significance when associated with financial dependence. Conclusion: Treatment should be modified according to the patient's socioeconomic status. Glaucoma education programs and screening camps in remote areas would help in early detection of the disease.

Unilateral inferior altitudinal visual field defect related to COVID-19.

Ocular manifestations of COVID-19 are still being studied. Posterior segment involvement in viral entities is either direct viral involvement or a delayed immune response to the antigen. A 22-year-old woman presented with history of perceiving absolute inferior scotoma in the right eye for 4 days and history of fever and sore throat 10 days ago. Fundus examination revealed disc edema and vessel tortuosity. Humphreys Field Analyzer confirmed inferior field defect and Optical Coherence Tomography showed superior, nasal and inferior retinal nerve fiber layer thickening in the right eye. Patient was positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing. Patient received three doses of injection methylprednisolone over 3 days. There was subjective resolution of scotoma reported 3 weeks posttreatment. We bring forward the first reported case of parainfectious optic neuritis associated with COVID-19.

Comprehensive diabetes care: The Goa model.

Diabetes mellitus continues to increase in epidemic proportions globally as well as in India. Poor glycemic control in long-standing diabetes mellitus eventually leads to chronic complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease. Diabetic retinopathy is emerging as an important cause of avoidable visual impairment and blindness in India across all strata of society. Much of this vision loss can be prevented by improving control of known risk factors, annual fundus screening, with prompt treatment of individuals with sight-threatening retinopathy. The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust has made a significant contribution by supporting such a program across India, including Goa. The newly established medical retina clinic at Goa Medical College now provides facilities for screening, a detailed evaluation of advanced retinopathy, and therapeutic modalities such as laser and intravitreal injections. The peripheral centers are equipped to screen all people with diabetes mellitus and refer those with sight-threatening retinopathy to the medical college. The provision of a foot scanner to evaluate the risk of foot ulcers and microalbuminuria assessment as part of the nephropathy screening would encompass the entire gamut of diabetic microvascular complications. The next decade would provide evidence if this initiative, with the enthusiastic partnership of the state government, results in reduction of blindness in the people of Goa and an overall reduction in diabetes-related morbidity and mortality.

Lipemia retinalis in a 27 day old neonate: A case report.

Familial combined hyperlipidemia, which presents as hypercholesterolemia or hypertriglyceridemia, is the commonest form of genetic hyperlipidemia and is associated with premature coronary artery disease. This is a rare case report of a 27 day-old neonate born out of a third-degree consanguineous marriage, with grade III lipemia retinalis secondary to familial-combined hyperlipidemia.

Accidental henpeck as a cause of devastating eye injury.

Ocular Trauma by the peck of a hen can cause grievious eye injuries. We report a rare case of uniocular blindness in a 5 year old girl ,following a hen peck which caused a penetrating eye injury along with a total retinal detachment.