Visual problems of new Malaysian drivers

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of poor visual acuity, colour blindness and visual field defect of new Malaysian drivers. Methods: A total of 3717 new drivers (50.2% males and 49.8% females) age 19±6 years, voluntarily participated in this study. Standard optometric apparatus such as LogMAR Charts, Ishihara plates and HandHeld Bernell Perimeter were used and standard procedures were applied. Results: The visual examination showed 6.7% (n=250) of subjects achieved less than 0.3 LogMAR with better eye whilst 2.2% (n=83) had failed the Ishihara Test (2.1% males and 0.1% females). Most of the affected drivers were deutranopia. Only 2094 subjects had their visual field using a mobile Handheld Bernell Perimeter. 1.72% (n=36) subjects have less than 120 degrees of peripheral field of vision. Conclusions: The visual status among new Malaysian drivers needs to be taken seriously to ensure safe driving. Other factors such as colour vision and visual field screening have to be considered seriously when evaluating the visual performance of a driver. Good visual performance is indispensible for safe driving

Refractive amblyopia among children aged 4–12 years in a hospital-based setting in Gaza Strip, Palestine

Background: Refractive amblyopia is the most common cause of amblyopia in the Gaza Strip. However, the pattern of this condition has not yet been studied in this region. This study aimed to determine the pattern of refractive amblyopia in Gazan children aged 4–12 years. Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study using a purposive sampling method. Children aged 4–12 years who attended the Children’s Unit at Gaza Ophthalmic Hospital, Gaza Strip, Palestine from September 2019 to July 2020, were examined. A comprehensive eye test was conducted for all participants. Those who failed the eye examinations and were diagnosed with refractive amblyopia were included in the study. Demographic data and amblyopic refractive error patterns were analyzed accordingly. Results: Of the 107 children, 72.9% were newly diagnosed with refractive amblyopia. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of age of the children who participated was 7.85 ± 1.55 years. Approximately two-thirds of the patients were female (57.9%). Unilateral amblyopia was predominant in 60.7% of the cases. Moderate amblyopia was common (81.9%). A total of 149 amblyopic eyes were examined in total, with a mean ± SD (range) of best-corrected distance visual acuity and spherical equivalent of 0.45 ± 0.19 (0.2 to 1.3) logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution and + 0.76 ± 4.51 diopters (- 10.25 to + 11.50). Astigmatism was the most common amblyogenic factor (53.7%) among children with amblyopia. Conclusions: The frequency of refractive amblyopia was 72.9%, and meridional amblyopia accounted for the highest percentage. Girls were more commonly affected than boys. The majority were in the 7-year-old age group. Most cases were unilateral with moderate refractive amblyopia. Our study yields insights into the patterns of refractive amblyopia among children in the Gaza Strip

Definisi miopia menggunakan retinoskopi tanpa sikoplegia dalam kalangan pelajar Melayu

Miopia pada kebiasaannya didefinisi sebagai sfera setara ≥ -0.50 D dalam banyak kajian yang dilaporkan. Namun demikian tidak banyak laporan berkaitan kesensitifan dan kekhususan definisi miopia yang dipilih apabila penyelidik melaporkan prevalen dan taburan miopia dalam populasi yang dikaji. Objektif kajian ini adalah membezakan kesensitifan and kekhususan setiap definisi miopia yang dipilih, iaitu -0.50 D, -0.75 D dan -1.00 D dan untuk mengenal pasti kebolehan definisi tersebut meramalkan ralat refraksi miopia pada akuiti penglihatan kurang daripada log MAR 0.3 (6/12) dalam kalangan pelajar Melayu. Seramai 866 orang pelajar Melayu berumur antara 7-10 tahun mengambil bahagian dalam penyelidikan ini. Akuiti penglihatan diukur menggunakan carta log MAR dan ralat refraksi diukur menggunakan retinoskopi tanpa sikloplegia. Keputusan kami menunjukkan kesensitifan dan kekhususan definisi miopia yang dipilih iaitu ≥ -0.50 D adalah 54.5% dan 97.8%, untuk definisi miopia ≥ - 0.75 D adalah 71.1% and 97.5% dan untuk definisi miopia ≥ -1.00 D adalah 83.3% dan 97.2%. Luas lengkok ROC untuk setiap definisi miopia -0.50 D, -0.75 D dan -1.00 D ialah 0.676, 0.839 and 0.957. Kesimpulannya, kajian ini menunjukkan definisi optimum miopia untuk pelajar sekolah Melayu berumur antara 7-10 tahun ialah ≥ -1.00 D, dengan menggunakan kaedah retinoskopi tanpa sikloplegia. Definisi ini boleh mengenal pasti 95.7% pelajar mempunyai akuiti penglihatan kurang daripada log MAR 0.3 dan ia mempunyai gabungan kesensitifan (83.9%) dan kekhususan (95.7%) terbaik

Effectiveness of computerized visual screening tool used in driving schools in Malaysia

Purpose: A survey on new Malaysian drivers was conducted in Malaysia between year 2006-2009. The objective of this study was to look at the effectiveness of the present computerized visual screening tool and to compare it with the conventional testing method. Methods: A total of 3717 drivers aged 19±6 years, who had passed in the computerized visual screening, participated in this study. Results: 250 subjects achieved less than 0.3 LogMAR with their best eye and 83 subjects failed the Ishihara Test after retested using the conventional tool. Conclusion: These finding showed the computerized visual screening test failed to filter some subjects according to the standards set

Evidence-based practice in optometry: are the knowledge carried forward by students after graduation?

The aim of this study is to explore the perceived benefit of Evidence-based practice (EBP) as teaching and learning approaches in undergraduate optometry program. The perceived benefit of EBP was measured using Taipei Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire (TEBPQ). TEBPQ consists of 26 self-reported items, which include domains of ‘Ask’, ‘Acquire”, ‘Appraisal’, ‘Apply’ and ‘Attitude’. The questionnaire was administered to two cohorts of Optometry students. Thirteen students in cohort 2018/2019 (new graduates) and 35 students in cohort 2019/2020 (ongoing training) completed the questionnaire. The highest score for students in cohort 2018/2019 was for ‘Ask’ domain (3.26±0.41) and the lowest score was for ‘Apply’ domain (3.05±0.57). The highest score for students in cohort 2019/2020 was for ‘Ask’ domain (3.22±0.35) and the lowest score is ‘Appraisal’ domain (3.02±0.41).However, two-samples Mann-Whitney U test showed no significant difference for all four domains in EBP between the two cohorts (p>0.05). ‘Attitude’ domain also showed no significant difference between the two cohorts (p>0.05). In this study, both cohorts of optometry students showed equal EBP related knowledge and they have good attitude towards the importance of EBP competencies in clinical decision making