Diagnostic values of questionnaires of Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey and College of Optometrists Vision Development Quality of Life in the screening of convergence insufficiency

AIM:To compare and analyse the diagnostic efficacy of the College of Optometrists Vision Development Quality of Life Questionnaire(COVD-QOL)and the Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey(CISS)in detecting convergence insufficiency and to compare their diagnostic value in clinical applications.METHODS:Using the diagnostic test method,62 adult patients with convergence insufficiency(age:24.74±3.75y)and 62 normal participants(age:23.61±3.13y)who visited the Optometry Clinic of West China Hospital of Sichuan University from April 2021 to January 2023 were included.All subjects completed the CISS and COVD-QOL.Statistical analysis of the sensitivity and specificity of the CISS and COVD-QOL and comparison and joint experimental analysis of their diagnostic efficacy were performed.RESULTS:The sensitivity of the CISS and COVD-QOL for convergence insufficiency was 64.5%and 71.0%,respectively,while the specificity was 96.8%and 67.7%,respectively.Compared to the CISS alone,the combination of the CISS and COVD-QOL demonstrated lower sensitivity and specificity.The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of CISS,COVD-QOL and CISS combined with COVD-QOL were 0.806,0.694 and 0.782,respectively.CONCLUSION:Considering the low sensitivity of the CISS and the low specificity of the COVD-QOL,it is recommended to supplement these questionnaires with other screening tests for the detection of convergence insufficiency.

Assessment of knowledge, perception, and practice patterns of Jordanian optometrists during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional online survey

AIM: To investigate knowledge, risk perception, and attitude towards corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19) and infection control measures among optometrists in Jordan.METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was distributed through social media platforms to optometrists registered with the Jordanian syndicate and Jordanian association of optics. Information on participants’ socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of clinical features of COVID-19, risk assessment and infection control measures for preventing disease transmission were collected. RESULTS: A total of 135 optometrists(80 females and 55 males) with a mean age of 32±10y responded to the survey. Most optometrists were aware of COVID-19 symptoms, modes of transmission and measures for preventing COVID-19 and transmission in the ophthalmic setup. However, more than half of the optometrists did not receive any training about protection or infection control by their employers at their work place. Social media was the most common source of information on COVID-19(76%). Most optometrists(85.2%) thought that the virus could be detected in tears, and 45.9% thought that red eye is a symptom of COVID-19.CONCLUSION: Optometrists in Jordan are aware of the clinical features and preventive measures related to COVID-19 infection. However, training on infection control is lacking and needs to be improved. Guidelines by international professional optometric associations should be promoted through regional and national associations to all registered optometrists and access to peer review. Journals should be encouraged to ensure that the knowledge about the pandemic is up to date and accurate.

Public＇s knowledge of the differences between ophthalmologists and optometrists：a critical issue in eye care service utilisation

AIM：To assess the public＇s knowledge of the differences between ophthalmologists and optometrists and identify the factors associated with knowledge.METHODS：The study was a population-based random survey of adults aged 18 years or older conducted in Enugu,south eastern Nigeria,between March and June,2011.Data on respondents＇ socio-demographics,clinical profile,and knowledge of the differences between ophthalmologists and optometrists were collected using a 28-item questionnaire.Data were analysed using descriptive and analytical statistics.Values of P〈0.05 were considered statistically significant.RESULTS：The respondents（P=394） comprised 198 males and 196 females（sex ratio =1.01：1）,aged 18-70（30.9 ±10.8） years.The majority of respondents were single（57.4%）,possessed secondary education（96.9%）,employed（65.2%） and had no health insurance（77.4%）.Their clinical profile showed previous eye exam 54.1%,spectacle wear 41.6%and contact lens wear 5.6%.In the multivariate analysis,participants＇ good knowledge of the differences between ophthalmologists and optometrists was significantly associated with educational status（OR：0.32,95%CI：0.23-0.44,P〈0.0001,β =-0.988）,employment status（OR：1.8,95%CI：1.45-2.25,P〈0.0001,β=0.124）and previous eye examination（OR：1.63,95%CI：1.29-2.07,P〈0.0001,β =0.549）.CONCLUSION：Participants＇ socio-demographic and clinical characteristics are important predictors of good knowledge.The findings may have implications for all stakeholders in eye care delivery.There is need for knowledge enhancement,by the government and eye care providers,through population-based eye health literacy campaigns.

Effectiveness of in-office blood pressure measurement by eye care practitioners in early detection and management of hypertension

AIM: To investigate the number of hypertensive patients, the optometrist is able to identify by routinely taking blood pressure(BP) measurements for patients in "at-risk" groups, and to sample patients’ opinions regarding in-office BP measurement. Many of the optometrists in Saudi Arabia practice in optical stores.These stores are wide spread, easily accessible and seldom need appointments. The expanding role of the optometrist as a primary health care provider(PHCP) and the increasing global prevalence of hypertension,highlight the need for an integrated approach towards detecting and monitoring hypertension.METHODS: Automated BP measurements were made twice(during the same session) at five selected optometry practices using a validated BP monitor(Omron M6) to assess the number of patients with high BP(HBP)- in at-risk groups-visiting the eye clinic routinely. Prior to data collection, practitioners underwent a two-day training workshop by a cardiologist on hypertension and how to obtain accurate BP readings. A protocol for BP measurement was distributed and retained in all participating clinics. The general,,.,attitude towards cardiovascular health of 480 patients aged 37.2(±12.4)y and their opinion towards in-office BP measurement was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire.RESULTS: A response rate of 83.6% was obtained for the survey. Ninety-three of the 443 patients(21.0%)tested for BP in this study had HBP. Of these,(62subjects) 67.7% were unaware of their HBP status. Thirty of the 105 subjects(28.6%) who had previously been diagnosed with HBP, still had HBP at the time of this study, and only 22(73.3%) of these patients were on medication. Also, only 25% of the diagnosed hypertensive patients owned a BP monitor.CONCLUSION: Taking BP measurements in optometry practices, we were able to identify one previously undiagnosed patient with HBP for every 8 adults tested.We also identified 30 of 105 previously diagnosed patients whose BP was poorly controlled, twenty-two of whom were on medication. The patients who participated in this study were positively disposed toward the routine measurement of BP by optometrists.

Glaucoma domiciliary service by optometrist

Approximately 10% of UK blindness registrations are attributed to glaucoma . The risk of glaucoma increases with age and it is estimated that the prevalence of chronic open angle glaucoma （COAG） is about 10% in white Europeans who are older than 70. There are an estimated 24.4 million people aged over 40 in England and around 489 000 people are currently affected by COAG.