Alka Tripathi, Richa Agarwal, Pradip Kharya Pan Am J Ophthalmol 2022, 4:35 (30 July 2022) DOI:10.4103/pajo.pajo_16_22
Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the magnitude and severity of dry eye disease (DED) in medical students as per assessed by the questionnaire Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and Schirmer's test.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of a 2-month duration involving medical students was conducted to determine the magnitude and severity of DED. Dry eye was assessed through self-administered questionnaire, Schirmer's test, and OSDI scoring.
Results: The most common symptom among the participants was eyestrain in 39% (N = 31) followed by headache in 33% (N = 26). Based on Schirmer's test, 75% (n = 60) of the participants were normal, 8% (n = 6) students had mild DED, 5% (N = 4) students with moderate DED, and 11% (N = 9) students had severe DED. Based on OSDI scoring, 59% (n = 47) participants were normal, 28% (n = 21) had mild DED, 11% (N = 9) had moderate, while 2% (N = 2) had severe DED.
Conclusion: In this era of digitalization, DED has engulfed the younger population who are spending greater hours on different digital devices. The prevalence of symptomatic dry eyes in our study was 41% while it was 25% based on signs. This should raise concern among the caregivers to increase awareness regarding dry eyes and give strict guidelines restricting screen time. The use of ergonomic practices such as appropriate lighting in a room, adjusting digital screen parameters (resolution, text size, contrast, and luminance), and taking frequent breaks while using the screen should be encouraged.
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Dominique Geoffrion, Emma Youhnovska, Melissa Lu, Jacqueline Coblentz, Miguel N Burnier Pan Am J Ophthalmol 2022, 4:34 (30 July 2022) DOI:10.4103/pajo.pajo_7_22
World Sickle Cell Awareness Day is celebrated every June 19 to raise awareness for sickle cell disease (SCD). Access to health services remains unequitable in countries affected by the disease and stigma surrounding patients hinders access to therapies. SCD is the most common severe monogenic disease in the world and is characterized by abnormal hemoglobin production. Major complications include vaso-occlusive events, hemolytic anemia, and inflammation. Microvascular events in the eye are namely responsible for sickle cell retinopathy with or without vasoproliferative changes. Methods included the electronic search of peer-reviewed English literature published until 2021, which was screened, appraised in full version, and incorporated into the review as deemed necessary. This review provides a summary of disease mechanisms and ocular manifestations, and highlights the importance of early diagnosis, close management with imaging technology, and therapeutic avenues for patients with SCD. In addition to significant healthcare barriers encountered by patients and their families, early diagnosis for SCD must be posed by physicians. It is crucial for the healthcare community to become better familiarized with the disease manifestations for early recognition and prevention of chronic complications and morbidity.
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