Proposed framework for the integration of refractive error services into the eye health ecosystem in Kenya via social enterprise.

The global burden of uncorrected refractive error demands for adoption of different approaches inclined towards scaling effective refractive error coverage. While innovative approaches such as utilization of telemedicine is being adopted by social enterprises in different parts of the world to scale refractive error service delivery, commercial entrepreneurship still dominates the optical industry in Kenya with minimal focus on accessibility and affordability. However, to achieve effective refractive error coverage across the economic pyramid, integration of enterprises inclined towards fulfilling a social mission through innovative approaches such as telemedicine is desirable.

Decision-making tree to support sustainable waste management in optometric clinical practice and healthcare training programmes.

Clinical Relevance: Waste management strategies are well documented for employee safety, legal compliance and infection control measures; however, appropriate waste disposal is equally important to minimise adverse environmental impacts. Knowledge on best practices related to the disposal of healthcare-generated waste is crucial for environmental sustainability.

Background: Global healthcare contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, thereby extending the pervasiveness of climate change.

Vision-Specific Tools for the Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life (HR-QoL) in Children and Adolescents with Visual Impairment: A Scoping Review.

Vision-related quality-of-life (QoL) measures offer a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of eye conditions and the effectiveness of treatment on important aspects of QoL. A substantial number of tools for assessing health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in adults have been reviewed. However, despite the high prevalence of uncorrected refractive errors causing visual impairment (VI) in children, there is a notable lack of similar tools for this vulnerable population.

Telemedicine integration into the eye health ecosystem in scaling of effective refractive error coverage in Kenya.

This study explored the potential of telemedicine integration into the eye health ecosystem with an aim of scaling effective refractive error coverage in Kenya. This exploratory study was conducted telephonically and through online interviews with key opinion leaders, ophthalmologists, optometrists, ophthalmic clinical officers, optical technicians and beneficiaries of the optical technician's services in rural areas. A telemedicine workflow was developed and validated based on the comments from the key opinion leaders using the Delphi technique.

Situation analysis on the integration of refractive error services provided by optometrists into the national health services in Kenya.

Introduction: Even though the burden of uncorrected refractive error could potentially be addressed through innovative and cost-effective approaches, integration of the services into the National Health Services (NHS) is desirable. However, minimal information exists on the current situation warranting the need for evidence about the integration of refractive error service provided by optometrists into the national health services in Kenya.

Methods: A situation analysis of the Kenyan refractive error services provided by optometrists within the NHS was undertaken based on access to service delivery, service coverage, and human resource.

Estimation of the lost productivity to the GDP and the national cost of correcting visual impairment from refractive error in Kenya.

Background: In developing countries such as Kenya, minimal attention has been directed towards population based studies on uncorrected refractive error (URE). However, the absence of population based studies, warrants utilization of other avenues to showcase to the stakeholders in eye health the worth of addressing URE. Hence this study estimated the lost productivity to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a result of URE and the national cost required to address visual impairment from URE in Kenya.

SWOT analysis of the models used by social enterprises in scaling effective refractive error coverage to achieve the 2030 in SIGHT in Kenya.

Uncorrected refractive error has predominantly been delivered through commercial entrepreneurship in Kenya. However, to achieve the 2030 IN SIGHT, integration of other forms of entrepreneurship such as the social entrepreneurship is desirable to supplement the efforts of the dominant commercial entrepreneurship. Therefore, this study intended to undertake a SWOT analysis of the current models used by social enterprises in scaling effective refractive error coverage to achieve the 2030 IN SIGHT in Kenya.

Ocular therapeutics and the profession of optometry in South Africa.

Background:  The role of an optometrist as defined by the World Council of Optometry includes the management of ocular diseases. In 2015, the scope of optometry in South Africa was expanded to include ocular therapeutic drugs. To date approximately 27 optometrists have obtained full certification to exercise ocular therapeutic privileges.

Proposed task shifting integrated with telemedicine to address uncorrected refractive error in Kenya: Delphi study.

Background: Developing countries such as Kenya still experience challenges around human resource to deliver refractive error services. However, given the burden of uncorrected refractive error, adoption of innovative and cost effective approaches is desirable. Hence this study intended to develop a task shifting framework integrated with telemedicine to potentially scale refractive error services.

Prevalence and clinical profile of keratoconus in patients presenting at a provincial hospital in KwaZulu, Natal, South Africa: A case study.

Keratoconus (KC) is a progressive, asymmetrical corneal disease, characterized by stromal thinning that leads to distortion, causing vision loss. The visual loss is secondary to corneal scarring, irregular astigmatism, and myopia. The prevalence of KC has been reported to differ in different parts of the world.

Motivation for postgraduate studies by nonacademic optometrists: A case study at a South African university.

Background: An increasing number of optometrists who are nonacademics are pursuing postgraduate studies, despite such qualifications traditionally being more relevant to an academic rather than a clinical setting.

Aim: This study set out to explore possible reasons for the increase in postgraduate studies by nonacademic optometrists and their experiences thereof.

Setting: Postgraduate optometry students who were registered at a selected South African university within the period 2010-2020 participated in the study.

Vision screening as part of the school health policy in South Africa from the perspective of school health nurses.

Background:  Vision screenings of school-going children are essential in the early detection of visual anomalies common in different age categories, which may negatively affect their academic ability and social development. Hence, their inclusion in school health policies is imperative. The aim of this study was to assess the implementation of vision screening protocols in the current Integrated School Health Screening policy of South Africa from the perspective of school health personnel.

Distribution of anterior chamber angle measurements in South African young adults: an optical coherence tomography study.

Purpose: Assessment of anterior chamber angle (ACA) variables is important to screen, diagnose and monitor ocular anomalies. Even though data on ACA variables, such as angle-opening distance taken at 500 µm (AOD500) and trabecular-iris angle (TIA), are available in the literature, limited information is available about these variables in African sub-populations. The purpose of this study is to describe the distribution of ACA measurements (AOD500 and TIA) in a South African young adult population.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of contact lens use in a South African adolescent population.

Background: Contact lens usage is becoming increasingly popular amongst young people. Assessing their knowledge, attitudes and practices in relation to contact lens wear is therefore important, so that gaps in understanding or incorrect practices can be rectified to promote continued safety and success of contact lens wear.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess and describe the knowledge, attitudes and practices of contact lens wearers aged 18 to 30 years, in the greater Durban area of South Africa.

Historical Development, Applications and Advances in Materials Used in Spectacle Lenses and Contact Lenses.

Lenses used in vision correction have evolved from the initial glass reading stone of the 10th century to the currently anticipated planar metalens made from "nanopillars" of titanium dioxide. With ideas from early scientific minds being translated into reality, and military commissioned concepts adapted for civilian use, spectacle lens and contact lens materials have progressed significantly over the last century, with the expectation of further lens material innovations ahead. The purpose of this article is a review of literature on the historical developments and advances in spectacle lens and contact lens materials.

A review of paediatric vision screening protocols and guidelines.

Vision screening plays an important role in the early detection of children who have or probably are predisposed to have specific visual problems. The validity and reliability of the screening batteries in relation to the age group to be screened, and the person administering the test as well as the referral and follow-up criteria contribute to the overall outcome of the vision screening. Despite the long history of vision screening and significant improvement in the development of screening protocols, no agreement exists concerning the age at which children should be screened, the exact test batteries that should be included and who should conduct the screening.

Visual problems: a review of prevalence studies on visual impairment in school-age children.

Childhood visual impairment (VI) have a significant impact on the educational achievement, career choices and social life of affected individual, and in children, is mainly due to either preventable or treatable causes. Reliable data on the prevalence and causes of VI in children will guide the development of a systematic vision screening program for its early detection and successful treatment of possible causes. The purpose of this literature review is to summarize the available data on prevalence and causes of VI in school-age children from various regions globally.

Repeatability and reproducibility of retinal nerve fibre layer thickness measurements with the iVue-100 optical coherence tomographer.

Background: Accurate and repeatable measurements of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness are important in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma and other disorders.

Objective: To assess the repeatability and reproducibility of the iVue-100 optical coherence tomographer (OCT).

Methods: The thickness of the RNFL was measured for 50 healthy participants using the iVue-100 OCT.

Vergence Profile and Prevalance of Non-Strabismic Vergence Anomalies Among School Children in Abia State, Nigeria.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of non-strabismic vergence anomalies and their relationship with age, gender, and school level in children aged 10-16 years Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 537 children (255 male, 282 females; mean age 13.0 ± 2.0, years) selected from nine schools using stratified, cluster, and random sampling.

Refractive Error in a Sample of Black High School Children in South Africa.

Significance: This study focused on a cohort that has not been studied and who currently have limited access to eye care services. The findings, while improving the understanding of the distribution of refractive errors, also enabled identification of children requiring intervention and provided a guide for future resource allocation.

Purpose: The aim of conducting the study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of refractive error and its association with gender, age, and school grade level.

Prevalence and Causes of Visual Impairment and Blindness among Cocoa Farmers in Ghana.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence and causes of visual impairment and blindness among cocoa farmers in Ghana in order to formulate early intervention strategies.

Methods: A cross-sectional study using multistage random sampling from four cocoa growing districts in Ghana was conducted from November 2013 to April 2014. A total of 512 cocoa farmers aged 40 years and older were interviewed and examined.

Ocular injuries and eye care seeking patterns following injuries among cocoa farmers in Ghana.

Background: The work environment of cocoa farmers exposes them to several ocular hazards that predispose them to eye diseases and injuries. However, the extent of ocular injuries and health seeking patterns following these injuries are unknown among cocoa farmers in Ghana.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of ocular injuries and health seeking behaviour following injury among cocoa farmers in Ghana.

Accommodative Anomalies in a Sample of Black High School Students in South Africa.

Purpose: Accommodative anomalies cause asthenopia and affect student reading efficiency and academic performance. The aim of conducting this study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of accommodative anomalies (insufficiency, excess and infacility) in relation to demographic variables (sex, age, school grade level and study location).

Methods: Study participants comprised 1,211 children (481 male and 730 female), with age range 13-19 years.

Anterior and posterior segment parameters measured with Fourier domain optical coherence tomography in photopic and scotopic conditions.

Purpose: To compare anterior and posterior segment parameters measured with the iVue-100 optical coherence tomography (OCT) in photopic and scotopic conditions.

Methods: Central and peripheral corneal thickness, retinal nerve fiber layer and macula thickness were measured using the iVue-100 OCT in 47 healthy individuals at a higher education institution in photopic (958 lux) and scotopic (0.03 lux) conditions.