The association between road traffic accidents and visual functions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background:  Poor visual functions have been reported to be related to the occurrence of road traffic accidents.

Aim:  To review the association between visual function and road traffic accidents (RTAs) from published relevant empirical studies.

Setting:  Worldwide.

Compliance with spectacle wear among learners with hearing impairment in Ghana.

Background: Hearing-impaired learners with refractive problems require correction because poor vision hinders their development and educational pursuits.

Objectives: To determine the level of compliance with spectacle wear in learners with hearing impairment in Ghana.

Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to investigate the level of compliance with spectacle wear in hearing-impaired learners with uncorrected refractive errors (URE).

Inflammatory mechanisms contributing to retinal alterations in HIV infection and long-term ART.

People living with HIV (PLWH) may face an increased risk of eye complications associated with ageing, chronic inflammation, and the toxicity arising from long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART). This review aims to understand how inflammatory pathways contribute to retinal alterations observed in PLWH on long-term ART. This review was conducted using four electronic database searches, namely Scopus, Hinari, Google Scholar, and PubMed; from 1996 (when ART became available) until January 2022, without language restriction.

Experiences of keratoconus patients attending public eye care facilities in South Africa.

Background: Keratoconus (KC) is a progressive condition that usually affects young persons between their first and fourth decades. Myopia and irregular astigmatism are the common presentations which are proceeded by corneal steepening and thinning. Keratoconus is a progressive ectasia of the cornea that presents bilaterally, although often asymmetrical.

Barriers to the Diagnosis and Management of Keratoconus Among Optometrists in Kenya.

Background: Early diagnosis and management of keratoconus (KC) are important for limiting visual complications of the disease. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of optometrists on the barriers to effective diagnosis and management of KC in Kenya.

Methods: An online questionnaire was distributed to optometrists in Kenya to collect data on barriers to the diagnosis and management of KC.

Ocular parameters and anthropometry in Indo-Trinidadians.

To assess ocular parameters and their association with anthropometric measurements in Indo-Trinidadians adults. This was a clinical, descriptive, cross-sectional study of ocular parameters and anthropometry in adults Trinidadians of South Asian descent (Indo-Trinidadian). Ocular parameters were measured using optical coherence tomography, intraocular lens master biometer, and an autorefractor.

Clinical Profile of Primary Open-angle Glaucoma Patients at an Eye Center in Nigeria.

Aim: Globally, one of the leading causes of preventable blindness is primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). The study assessed the clinical presentations of POAG patients attending an eye center in Abuja, Nigeria.

Materials And Methods: Records of 188 eyes, collected from 94 patients diagnosed with POAG for a period of 1 year at the eye center, were reviewed.

Demographic factors associated with myopia knowledge, attitude and preventive practices among adults in Ghana: a population-based cross-sectional survey.

Purpose: Knowledge, positive attitude and good preventive practices are keys to successful myopia control, but information on these is lacking in Africa. This study determined the KAP on myopia in Ghana.

Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional survey conducted among adults (aged 18 years and older) living across 16 regions of Ghana between May and October 2021.

The impact of spectacle correction on the well-being of children with vision impairment due to uncorrected refractive error: a systematic review.

Background: Despite being easily corrected with eyeglasses, over two-thirds of the world's child population presents with vision impairment (VI) due to uncorrected refractive errors. While systematic reviews have shown that VI can significantly impact children's depression and anxiety, none have reviewed the existing literature on the association between spectacle correction and well-being. This review aims to address this knowledge gap.

Profiling and factors associated with glaucoma diagnostic practice in sub-Saharan Africa-a cross sectional study of Nigerian and Ghanaian optometrists.

Background: Ghana and Nigeria are the two countries in Africa that currently run the Doctor of Optometry (OD) program in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Optometrists in these countries are licensed to provide glaucoma care. Despite the clinically relevant practice guidelines for glaucoma, there is no data on the practice patterns for glaucoma eye care in SSA, a region with the highest prevalence of glaucoma.

Prevalence and causes of visual impairment amongst hearing impaired school-going children in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review.

Background: Learners living with hearing impairment are at a higher risk of visual impairment.

Purpose: To summarise relevant literature investigating the prevalence and causes of visual impairment amongst learners living with hearing impairment in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: A search of nine databases and the reference lists of retrieved studies were conducted using the standard methodology for scoping reviews as described in the PRISMA statement.

Adherence to Ocular Hypotensive Medication in Patients With Primary Open Angle Glaucoma in Ghana.

Prcis: There is a high rate of nonadherence to ocular hypotensive medications in a highly prevalent glaucoma setting, which warrants the attention of caregivers so as to inform their discussion of the possible barriers to adherence with their patients.

Purpose: To assess adherence to ocular hypotensive medication objectively among glaucoma patients in Ghana and to identify factors associated with adherence.

Materials And Methods: The prospective, observational cohort study included consecutive patients with primary open angle glaucoma treated with Timolol at the Christian Eye Centre, Cape Coast, Ghana.

Knowledge, attitude and perception of optometrists in Trinidad and Tobago towards teleoptometry.

Background: The limited accessibility of in-person optometry services during the coronavirus disease 2019 highlighted the need for teleoptometry but no data exists to substantiate the foregoing in Trinidad & Tobago (T&T). The study assessed the knowledge, attitude and perception (KAP) of optometrists toward teleoptometry in T&T.

Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized a convenient sampling technique to administer a structured, web-based survey to all registered optometrists in T&T between March and June 2021.

Acceptance and Risk Perception of COVID-19 Vaccination among Pregnant and Non Pregnant Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Cross-Sectional Matched-Sample Study.

This study aims to evaluate the acceptance and risk perception of pregnant and non pregnant women towards COVID-19 vaccines using a cross-sectional matched-sample study approach. A web-based questionnaire with closed- and open-ended questions was administered to adults older than 18 years in the sub-Saharan African (SSA) region. Respondents ( = 131) were grouped based on their pregnancy status (54 pregnant and 77 non pregnant women) and matched for comparison by age.

Utilization of eye care services in an underserved community in Enugu State, Nigeria.

Background And Aim: To determine the utilization of eye care services in an underserved community in Enugu State, Nigeria.

Materials And Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adults aged 18 years and older. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on the utilization of eye care services within the last two years.

Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine among sub-Saharan Africans (SSA): a comparative study of residents and diasporan dwellers.

Background: The COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out across all the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries, with countries setting targets for achieving full vaccination rates. The aim of this study was to compare the uptake of, resistance and hesitancy to the COVID-19 vaccine between SSA locally residents and in the diasporan dwellers.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted using a web and paper-based questionnaire to obtain relevant information on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

Diagnosis and management of keratoconus by eye care practitioners in Kenya.

Background: To explore current eye care practice in keratoconus diagnosis and management in Kenya.

Methods: An online questionnaire was distributed to ophthalmic clinical officers (OCO) and optometrists.

Results: A total of 203 responses were received from 52 OCOs and 151 optometrists with a response rate of 24.

Risk Profile of Keratoconus among Secondary School Students in the West Region of Cameroon.

This study determined the risk factors of keratoconus (KC) among secondary school students in the West Region of Cameroon. A stratified, random sampling technique was used to select the 3015 secondary school students, 8 years and older, within the West Region of Cameroon. Selected school students completed the validated Keratoconus Risk Investigative Survey (KRIS) and a structured demographic questionnaire to determine the risk profile of KC.

The impact of information sources on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and resistance in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Vaccination remains the most powerful weapon against the emergence of new variants of coronavirus (COVID-19). However, false information about COVID-19 vaccines through various platforms including social media remains a major threat to global public health. This study examined the impact of information sources on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and resistance in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Self-reported knowledge and skills related to diagnosis and management of keratoconus among public sector optometrists in the Limpopo province, South Africa.

Background: Keratoconus (KC) has been regarded as a rare condition, although recent studies, including those in South Africa, suggest it is common and is increasing in prevalence. Furthermore, South African-based studies have shown that KC is normally detected at advanced or severe stages. Knowledge and skills for examination, diagnosis and management of KC by optometrists are important for the early detection and management of the disease.

Visual Impairment and Blindness among Patients at Nigeria Army Eye Centre, Bonny Cantonment Lagos, Nigeria.

Background: Visual impairment (VI) is a public health problem that can affect an individual’s social wellbeing. The study aims to determine the distribution and causes of vision impairment (VI) and blindness among patients at Nigerian Army Eye Centre Lagos, Nigeria. Method: An institutional cross-sectional study was conducted, and a systematic random sampling technique was used to enrol study participants from their medical records.

Public awareness and perception towards COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan African countries during the lockdown.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has caused a universal health crisis resulting in significant morbidities and mortalities particularly among high-risk groups. This study sought to determine regional factors associated with knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19 mitigation practices and risk perception of contracting the disease in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. A cross-sectional anonymous online study was conducted among 1970 participants between April and May 2020, during the lockdown in many SSA countries.

Contact Lens Prescribing Patterns in a University Clinic in Trinidad and Tobago.

The study assessed the contact lens prescribing patterns and associated factors in a university optometry clinic in Trinidad and Tobago. The data relating to habitual or new contact lens (CL) prescribing patterns among wearers over a two-year period were reviewed. Pearson's chi-squared test and logistic regression models were used to analyze the findings.

Demographic profiles of contact lens wearers and their association with lens wear characteristics in Trinidad and Tobago: A retrospective study.

Purpose: Contact lenses (CL) remain a popular mode of refractive error correction globally and in the Caribbean, mostly among young people. However, no data on the characteristics of the CL population wearers in the Caribbean is available. This study reported on the characteristics of CL wearers and the associated factors in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T).