Narmien Murdock, Raquel T Pinto, Alberto G Distefano Pan Am J Ophthalmol 2022, 4:52 (22 November 2022) DOI:10.4103/pajo.pajo_56_22
Objective: There is value in understanding the common etiologies of epiphora within different patient populations as well as identifying barriers to adequate treatment and symptom relief. The primary goal of the study is to report common etiologies of epiphora and the impact of treatment in patients of a large, inner-city hospital.
Methods: This is a retrospective review of 10 years of data from the charts of 516 adult patients. The most common diagnoses and interventions linked to this symptom were evaluated. Subjective symptom improvement and adherence to follow-up were also analyzed.
Results: Three hundred (58.1%) patients carried a diagnosis of dry eye syndrome and, of these, 40.1% did not have other ocular findings to explain their epiphora. Conservative management (CM) was recommended to the majority (86.4%) of the study population. 27.5% of the 357 patients who received CM as the only intervention reported symptom improvement. 90.1% of patients who underwent DCR reported symptom improvement. Nearly half of the patients were lost to follow-up.
Conclusion: Epiphora is a common symptom that may be multifactorial in etiology, making effective treatment a challenge. Reflex tearing secondary to ocular surface dryness was the most common etiology linked to epiphora in this study. Low rates of follow-up limit the ability to fully assess the impact of current interventions on symptoms. Addressing the socioeconomic barriers that lower patient adherence to follow-up should allow more effective treatment of epiphora.
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Alka Tripathi, Richa Agarwal, Pradip Kharya, Imran Ahmed Khan Pan Am J Ophthalmol 2022, 4:51 (22 November 2022) DOI:10.4103/pajo.pajo_49_22
Purpose: The use of ergonomic practices and ergonomic environment should be encouraged to combat digital eye strain (DES) symptoms.
Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the effect of online classes on ocular health of school-going children during COVID-19 crisis.
Materials and Methods: An online pretested, self-reported questionnaire with relevant details was generated through Google Forms and sent to participants.
Results: The most common symptoms associated with DES in our study were eyestrain, 27.4% (N = 82), and headache, 26.8% (N = 80) (P = 0.001). There was a positive correlation of number and frequency of symptoms with increasing age and class standard of participants (P = 0.001), usage of multiple screens as well as smartphones (P = 0.004), the time spent on digital screen (P = 0.00), and continuous screen time (P = 0.004). Increasing screen distance had a negative correlation to number and frequency of symptoms (P = 0.03).
Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic has bought DES once again into limelight due its implications on overall physical, mental, and social health of adults as well as children. It is high time for a coordinated approach to spread education and promotion of ocular health in the community with emphasis on reduction of screen time, inculcation of ergonomic practices, and role model behavior of parents. This survey also gives an insight on the measures needed to be taken for safety of our children's ocular health, and therefore, it would reduce the stress faced by their parents.
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