Online e-learning during the COVID-19 lockdown in Trinidad and Tobago : prevalence and associated factors with ocular complaints among schoolchildren aged 11-19 years

Background: The increase in online learning during the pandemic has been linked to various ocular complaints. This study determined the prevalence and factors associated with ocular complaints among schoolchildren aged 12-19 years during the COVID-19 lockdown in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and May 2021, during the COVID-19 lockdown in T&T among secondary school students studying remotely. A two-stage cluster sampling method was employed. A modified web-based Computer Vision Syndrome questionnaire was administered to students. Data on demography, duration of digital device use, and ocular complaints were collected, and multilevel logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with ocular complaints among school children, 12-19 years of age in T&T. Results: A total of 435 schoolchildren (mean age, standard deviation, 15.2 ± 1.9 years range 12-19 years) responded to the questionnaire. The prevalence of self-reported symptoms of headache, blurred vision, dry eyes, itchy eyes, and double vision were 75.0%, 65.1%; 56.8%; 46.4%; and 33.5%, respectively. Schoolchildren aged 18-19 years, those that used spectacles for correction of their refractive errors, and spent more than 6 h on average on digital devices, reported a high prevalence of any ocular complaints. Analysis also revealed that age (14-15 years) was associated with dry eyes, blurred vision, and headaches, while gender (more prevalently females) was associated with blurred vision and headache. Those that had an eye examination in the last year and schoolchildren that took action to resolve ocular complaints were more likely to experience nearly all ocular complaints. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 lockdown, over three in four students in T&T reported ocular complaints from digital devices for online learning. Tailored interventional messages to reduce all forms of ocular complaints should target older students, particularly females, those who laid down when learning online via their devices and people who regularly examine their eyes

Occupational Ocular Injuries and Utilization of Eye Protective Devices among Sawmill Workers in the Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria

In this work, we carried out a cross-sectional study to assess occupational ocular injuries and utilization of eye protective devices among sawmill workers in the Ojo local government area of Lagos State, Nigeria A structured questionnaire was used to conduct face-to-face interviews among the sawmill workers. Pearson’s chi-squared test and t-test were used to test associations between variables. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 215 sawmill workers with a mean age of 37.08 ± 12.07 years participated in the study. A majority (55.8%) of the participants were male (93.7%), and a majority were 21–40 years old (55.8%). Of the participants, 78.6% were aware of occupational ocular injuries and 17.7% used ocular safety devices. The major barrier to the use of eye protective devices was unavailability (43%). Workers who were ≥20 years old (p p p p p < 0.02) were significantly associated with occupational ocular injuries compared to others. The prevalence of occupational ocular injuries and the utilization of eye safety devices among the sawmill workers in the current study were comparable to findings from other studies. Based on the results of our study, we advise the provision of ocular protective devices for sawmill workers and policies to enforce regular utilization

Scope of optometry practice in Trinidad and Tobago: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract Background and Aim To report the scope of optometry practice in Trinidad and Tobago to identify areas that need improvement. Methods A cross‐sectional study of optometrists in Trinidad and Tobago was conducted using a validated self‐structured questionnaire. Data obtained was exported to the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Descriptive analysis and Pearson χ2 were used to summarize the demographic data and determine associations, respectively. Result A total of 63 optometrists participated in the study. Majority of them were females (69.8%, n = 44), Christians (65.1%), East Indians (47.6%), and 30 years and below (66.7%). Most (87%) of them utilized routine optometric equipment in their clinical practice including autorefractors, retinoscopes, direct ophthalmoscopes, lensometers, phoropters, slit lamp biomicroscopes, trial lens boxes, and visual acuity chart projectors. A few of them have noncontact tonometer (4.8%), Volk lenses (1.6%), and perform color vision tests (1.6%). Fewer (12.7%, n = 8) practitioners provided low‐vision services. The use of pharmaceutical agents was prevalent among the participants (55.6%). Additionally, the provision of contact lenses was the most frequently practiced service among the participants (85.7%, n = 54). A significant association was observed between the provision of low‐vision services and sex (p = 0.03). Conclusion The scope of optometry practice in Trinidad and Tobago is in accordance with the basic guidelines set out by the World Council of Optometry but there is need to get more involved in the provision of low vision and other specialty services

Knowledge, attitude and perception of optometrists in Trinidad and Tobago towards teleoptometry

Background: The limited accessibility of in-person optometry services during the coronavirus disease 2019 highlighted the need for teleoptometry but no data exists to substantiate the foregoing in Trinidad & Tobago (T&T). The study assessed the knowledge, attitude and perception (KAP) of optometrists toward teleoptometry in T&T. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized a convenient sampling technique to administer a structured, web-based survey to all registered optometrists in T&T between March and June 2021. Information on demographics and KAP of teleoptometry were collected. Descriptive statistics (mean, percentages, and standard deviations) were used to describe the characteristics of respondents. The mean scores for the main outcomes (KAP) were compared between the categorical groups of the demographic variables, using a one-way analysis of variance. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 116 registered optometrists in T&T, 63 responded to the survey (response rate, 54.3%), and were mostly women (44, 69.8%), aged 21–30 years (42, 66.7%), worked in urban regions (41, 65.1%), and half of them (32, 50.8%) had practiced optometry for five or more years. More than two-thirds of the optometrists (76.4%) reported that they had never provided teleoptometry services, and only a few (2, 3.2%) had training on teleoptometry. The percentage mean scores for knowledge were significantly lower than attitude (38.5 ± 17.9% vs 78.2 ± 29.9%; P = 0.002) and perception (46.2 ± 11.4%; P < 0.001) scores, all of which were significantly lower among self-employed than employed optometrists (P < 0.02, for all three variables). While men and non-professional computer users had higher mean scores for attitude than women (3.03 [95%CI: 2.14, 3.93] vs 2.31 [95%CI: 1.41, 3.21], P = 0.037) and professional users (3.15 [95%CI: 2.07, 4.24] vs 2.18 [95%CI: 1.12, 3.24], P = 0.001), knowledge and perception scores varied significantly with practitioners’ years of experience (P = 0.042) and age (P = 0.041), respectively. Conclusion: The findings of the study suggest that although there was limited knowledge of teleoptometry among the participants, particularly the self-employed and the less experienced optometrists, most of them had good attitudes and perceptions toward teleoptometry. To fill the identified knowledge gap, there is a need for teleoptometry training among optometrists in T&T

Demographic profiles of contact lens wearers and their association with lens wear characteristics in Trinidad and Tobago: A retrospective study.

PurposeContact lenses (CL) remain a popular mode of refractive error correction globally and in the Caribbean, mostly among young people. However, no data on the characteristics of the CL population wearers in the Caribbean is available. This study reported on the characteristics of CL wearers and the associated factors in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T).MethodsThis retrospective study reviewed the clinical records of 243 CL wearers who attended the University of the West Indies (UWI) optometry clinic between 2017 and 2018. Data on their demographic profiles, CL wearing characteristics including lens type, material, purpose of wear, replacement schedule and lens care systems were extracted and analyzed. The associations between the demographic characteristics and CL wearing characteristics were also determined.ResultsAbout half of the CL wearers used them for fashion (more among those aged 18 to 30 years, 61.0%), therapeutic (more among those 40 years, P = 0.001). Females were more likely to use CLs for fashion compared with males (67.0% versus 40.7%). Age (PConclusionThe study found that the CL appears to be more commonly worn for fashion in younger females and for refractive error correction in older males. Age, gender, and employment status were the main determinants of lens wear among respondents attending the university clinic in T&T

Training needs assessment for a Bachelor of Science program in eye care at the University of Rwanda

Background The University of Rwanda, established the Ophthalmology Department in 2004 to train Ophthalmic Clinical Officers (OCO). A proposal was developed towards upgrading the qualification level of the OCOs training at the University of Rwanda. Aim This study aimed to assess the need to upgrade the qualification of ophthalmic clinical officers to improve eye health services in Rwanda. Methodology A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 87 participants comprised of ophthalmic clinical officers, eye health development stakeholders, and employers in Rwanda selected purposively. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 16. Results The results showed that 77% of participants in the stakeholders group and 51.4% in the OCOs group were males. About 97% (n= 34) of the OCO responded “Yes” to the questions “Do you think some of the weaknesses related to quality practice are related to the level of training?” and “Does your qualification have any effect to your professional development?” Furthermore, 85% had never been promoted at any employment position, 100 % (n=35) alumni and 84 % (n=22) stakeholders agreed that there is a need for bachelor’s degree program. Conclusion The need for developing new programs in ophthalmology including a Bachelor of Science degree program for OCOs was evident. Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2021;4(3):357-365.</p

Training Needs Assessment for a Bachelor of Science Program in Eye Care at the University of Rwanda

BackgroundThe University of Rwanda, established the Ophthalmology Department in 2004 to train Ophthalmic Clinical Officers (OCO). A proposal was developed towards upgrading the qualification level of the OCOs training at the University of Rwanda.AimThis study aimed to assess the need to upgrade the qualification of ophthalmic clinical officers to improve eye health services in Rwanda.MethodologyA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 87 participants comprised of ophthalmic clinical officers, eye health development stakeholders, and employers in Rwanda selected purposively. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 16.ResultsThe results showed that 77% of participants in the stakeholders group and 51.4% in the OCOs group were males. About 97% (n= 34) of the OCO responded “Yes” to the questions “Do you think some of the weaknesses related to quality practice are related to the level of training?” and “Does your qualification have any effect to your professional development?” Furthermore, 85% had never been promoted at any employment position, 100 % (n=35) alumni and 84 % (n=22) stakeholders agreed that there is a need for bachelor’s degree program.ConclusionThe need for developing new programs in ophthalmology including a Bachelor of Science degree program for OCOs was evident.Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2021;4(3):357-36