EVALUATION OF VISUAL OUTCOME OF CATARACT SURGERY IN RURAL EYE-CAMPS IN THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

Aim: The present study was conducted to evaluate patients’ satisfaction and success of cataract surgery. Methods: This population based retrospective study included 1000 patients .Out of which 500 were operated in surgical camp and remaining 500 were operated in “Pdm. Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune in institution setup from July to December 2013.The study was conducted at a number of camps held in peripheral north Maharashtra .Evaluation of visual acuity and patients satisfaction with scheduled porforma was done. Statistical analysis was performed with the help of cataract monitoring outcome software developed by International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicinefor evaluation of genderdifference, visual acuity, complications and patients satisfaction. Result: In camp, 71.60% female and 28.40% male patients operated. And in base hospital, 58.40% male and 41.60% female were operated..Post operative.Visual acuity of 6/6 in base hospital was 90.4% and in camp was 69.2%. Number of visits in base hospital was 81.6% and in camp was 43% due to lack of post operative follow-ups cause of absence of transportation coupled with socio-economic background..Thepost operativecomplication rate and patients satisfaction in base hospital was 9.6% and 83% respectively and .In camp was 30% and58.6 % respectively. Conclusion: Camp services should be at same location of base hospital with good transportation that helps to make doctor- patient bonding and improve visual outcome. Involvement of the local community leaders may provide an improved alternative

A STUDY OF VISUAL PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN SCORING LOW GRADES AND THOSE WITH LACK OF CONCENTRATION AT SCHOOL IN PUNE CITY

Background: A good vision is important for a student to reach his/her full academic potential. Roughly 80 percent of what a child learns in school is information that is presented visually, hence good vision is essential. Methodology: The present study was a cross-sectional study conducted on 100 children within the age group of 5 to 10 completed years and scoring low grades at school exams. The study was conducted with the help of predesigned semi-structured questionnaire which was to be filled by parents. The selected students also undergone vision testing, Colour vision testing, refractive errors, Anterior and Posterior segment examination, squint evaluation by us. Results: Out of the 100 children, 35% children were without any eye problem whereas 65% children showed some kind of vision related problem. It was seen that 55% boys had vision problems compared to 45% in girls. The major visual problems are allergic conjunctivitis (15%), Myopia (22%), convergence weakness (22%), squint (4%) and hypermetropia (4%). Roughly 60% parents were aware about some vision problem in their child. Conclusion: Of 100 students with low performance in our study, 65% had treatable visual problems. The low performance can be attributed to the low vision but long term follow up is needed to see the improvement in scores and studies

Comparative study of retinal ganglion cell complex thickness with retinal nerve fibre layer and visual field changes in cases of suspicious disc or glaucoma suspect

Purpose: To compare and correlate macular ganglion cell complex thickness (GCC) with retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) and visual field (VF) changes in cases of suspicious disc or glaucoma suspect. Methods: A total of 60 glaucoma suspects, were included in the study group.  These patients were subjected to standard investigations for glaucoma like tonometry, central corneal thickness (CCT), gonioscopy and fundoscopy. Visual fields were assessed using automated static perimetry of Humphrey Automated Visual Field Analyser. The test used was central 30-2 SITA standard. optical coherence tomography was done using RTvue, model 100 (version 5.1) to assess retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular ganglion Cell complex thickness (GCC). Correlation of RNFL and GCC was evaluated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and correlation between GCC and VF was assessed using two independent sample t –test. Results: A total of 60 eyes of 60 glaucoma suspects, were enrolled in the study both males and females were included

Solitary eyelid schwannoma

Schwannomas are rare benign tumors arising from Schwann cells of peripheral nerves that form the neural sheath. While there have been reports of such tumors in the orbit, solitary schwannomas arising from the eyelids are very rare. There are reports of schwannomas being erroneously diagnosed as chalazion, inclusion cysts or even eyelid malignancy. We are reporting a case of a 20-year-old female who presented with a painless, non-tender, slow-growing mass in the upper eyelid of the right eye. The external appearance of the mass was suggestive of an implantation cyst of the eyelid and it could be completely excised as it had a well-defined capsule. Histopathological examination showed characteristic hypercellular and hypocellular areas with fusiform nuclei that tended to form palisades. The purpose of reporting this case of schwannoma in a young female is to recommend the inclusion of this entity as a differential diagnosis of well-defined lid tumors

Is India Quietly Becoming a Favourable Hub for Clinical Trials?

In recent years, India has become a go-to destination hub for clinical trials. The manpower, labour, patient recruitment, and medical infrastructure are cost-effective. India has a growing number of world-class research facilities and hospitals well equipped with advanced medical technology, which is essential for conducting high-quality clinical trials

Awareness of childhood blindness in parents attending Paediatrics Ophthalmology outpatient department

Background: Blindness is defined by World Health Organisation as having a visual acuity of <3/60 in the better eye. Thirty-seven million people are blind worldwide. One million and four hundred thousand are children. The causes of blindness in children vary according to region and socioeconomic development. The aim of our study is to identify a range of potential issues relating to parental awareness and perceptions of common eye diseases affecting children. Materials and Methods: The type of study was population-based, prospective, cross-sectional study conducted on parents of 200 children ranging from 0 to 16 years of age, attending Paediatric Ophthalmology clinic during the month of August and September 2014. This was an open-ended questionnaire-based study and only the participants who consented were enrolled in the study. Results: The most common eye problem detected among 200 of children was refractive errors. The incidence of refractive errors was found to be 103 out of 200 (51.5%). This is followed by 71 (35.5%) cases of squint/strabismus. Of 200 parents, 150 (75%) think the present eye condition of their child will reduce the eyesight. However, they did not know about the nature of the eye problem. Forty-four (22%) parents did not know anything about the eye condition of their child. Seventy (35%) parents were apprehensive about the use of spectacles in the children suffering from refractive errors. One hundred and six (53%) parents came to know about the eye problem of their child from the teacher of the child and 63 (31.5%) parents got information from their family doctor. Conclusions: As the number of mothers attending the eye department with the child is high, so there is more need of educating the mothers about the eye conditions of the child. Education and socioeconomic conditions affect the knowledge and awareness level of the parents regarding eye problems. Most of the children attending outpatient department were found to be in the age group of 5-8 years. This may point toward factors like dietary deficiency of Vitamin A and other important nutrients. Commonest eye problem was of refractive errors among children

Comparative Study of Retinal Ganglion Cell Complex Thickness with Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer and Visual Field Changes in Cases of Suspicious Disc or Glaucoma Suspect

Purpose: To compare and correlate macular ganglion cell complex thickness (GCC) with retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) and visual field (VF) changes in cases of suspicious disc or glaucoma suspect. Methods: A total of 60 glaucoma suspects, were included in the study group.&nbsp; These patients were subjected to standard investigations for glaucoma like tonometry, central corneal thickness (CCT), gonioscopy and fundoscopy. Visual fields were assessed using automated static perimetry of Humphrey Automated Visual Field Analyser. The test used was central 30-2 SITA standard. optical coherence tomography was done using RTvue, model 100 (version 5.1) to assess retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular ganglion Cell complex thickness (GCC). Correlation of RNFL and GCC was evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficient and correlation between GCC and VF was assessed using two independent sample t –test. Results: A total of 60 eyes of 60 glaucoma suspects, were enrolled in the study both males and females were included