Prevalence and risk factors of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis among a Ghanaian clinical cohort: A case-control study.

Background: Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) has been determined to be highly prevalent in countries within the tropical climate region. However, little evidence from studies conducted within this region has been put forward to support this claim.

Aim: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of VKC among a Ghanaian clinical cohort.

Neurophysiology of corneal neuropathic pain and emerging pharmacotherapeutics.

The altered activity generated by corneal neuronal injury can result in morphological and physiological changes in the architecture of synaptic connections in the nervous system. These changes can alter the sensitivity of neurons (both second-order and higher-order projection) projecting pain signals. A complex process involving different cell types, molecules, nerves, dendritic cells, neurokines, neuropeptides, and axon guidance molecules causes a high level of sensory rearrangement, which is germane to all the phases in the pathomechanism of corneal neuropathic pain.

Risk of major myopia-associated non-communicable ocular health disorders in Ghana.

Objective: To assess the differential association of myopia with major non-communicable ocular diseases in an African clinical cohort.

Methods: A five-year hospital-based retrospective study of myopia cases. Patients' folders, Optical Coherence Tomography scans, and fundus photographs were reviewed for the abstraction of relevant data.

Prevalence and risk factors for Falls among older adults in a primary care facility in Ghana.

Background: Falls are a serious problem and are among the leading causes of morbidity, functional dependency, and death in older adults. Falls have become a social and global public health concern due to the current aging population in Africa and across the globe. However, their prevalence and risk factors have received little attention in Africa.

Impact of SGLT2 Inhibitors on Corneal Nerve Morphology and Dendritic Cell Density in Type 2 Diabetes.

Purpose: This study aims to determine the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on corneal dendritic cell density and corneal nerve measures in type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Corneal dendritic cell densities and nerve parameters were measured in people with type 2 diabetes treated with SGLT2 inhibitors (T2DM-SGLT2i) [n = 23] and those not treated with SGLT2 inhibitors (T2DM-no SGLT2i) [n = 23], along with 24 age and sex-matched healthy controls.

Results: There was a reduction in all corneal nerve parameters in type 2 diabetes groups compared to healthy controls (All parameters: < 0.

Chronic Kidney Disease Has No Impact on Tear Film Substance P Concentration in Type 2 Diabetes.

Purpose: The study aimed to ascertain the potential effects of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on substance P concentration in the tear film of people with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Participants were classified into two groups: type 2 diabetes with concurrent chronic kidney disease (T2DM-CKD (n = 25)) and type 2 diabetes without chronic kidney disease (T2DM-no CKD (n = 25)). Ocular surface discomfort assessment, flush tear collection, in-vivo corneal confocal microscopy, and peripheral neuropathy assessment were conducted.

Efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab on diabetic macular oedema in an African population.

Purpose: To evaluate the short-term effect of intravitreal bevacizumab (avastin) injection on visual outcomes of patients with diabetic macular oedema.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate 39 eyes of thirty-nine patients (mean age ± SD: 61.4 ± 15.

Conjunctival microcirculation in ocular and systemic microvascular disease.

The conjunctival microcirculation is an accessible complex network of micro vessels whose quantitative assessment can reveal microvascular haemodynamic properties. Currently, algorithms for the measurement of conjunctival haemodynamics use either manual or semi-automated systems, which may provide insight into overall conjunctival health, as well as in ocular and systemic disease. These algorithms include functional slit-lamp biomicroscopy, laser doppler flowmetry, optical coherence tomography angiography, orthogonal polarized spectral imaging, computer-assisted intravitral microscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and corneal confocal microscopy.

Impact of Chronic Kidney Disease on Corneal Neuroimmune Features in Type 2 Diabetes.

Aim: To determine the impact of chronic kidney disease on corneal nerve measures and dendritic cell counts in type 2 diabetes. Methods: In vivo corneal confocal microscopy images were used to estimate corneal nerve parameters and compared in people with type 2 diabetes with chronic kidney disease (T2DM-CKD) (n = 29) and those with type 2 diabetes without chronic kidney disease (T2DM-no CKD) (n = 29), along with 30 healthy controls. Corneal dendritic cell densities were compared between people with T2DM-CKD and those with T2DM-no CKD.

Comparison of anterior segment parameters in myopia with and without primary open-angle glaucoma.

Purpose: To compare anterior segment parameters between myopes with and without primary open-angle glaucoma using Pentacam scheimpflug tomography.

Methods: This was a single-center retrospective cross-sectional study. Records of patients examined with a Pentacam scheimpflug tomographer (Wavelight-Allegro Oculyzer, GmbH, Erlangen, Germany) were reviewed.

Impact of Peripheral and Corneal Neuropathy on Markers of Ocular Surface Discomfort in Diabetic Chronic Kidney Disease.

Significance: There is a reduction in corneal nerve fiber density and length in type 2 diabetes mellitus with chronic kidney disease compared with type 2 diabetes mellitus alone; however, this difference does not result in worse ocular surface discomfort or dry eye disease.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the clinical impact of corneal nerve loss on ocular surface discomfort and markers of ocular surface homeostasis in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus without chronic kidney disease (T2DM-no CKD) and those with type 2 diabetes mellitus with concurrent chronic kidney disease (T2DM-CKD).

Methods: Participants were classified based on estimated glomerular filtration rates into two groups: T2DM-CKD (n = 27) and T2DM-no CKD (n = 28).

Impact of meibomian gland dysfunction on quality of life and mental health in a clinical sample in Ghana: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the impact of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) on quality of life and psychosomatic conditions.

Design: This was a clinic-based cross-sectional study.

Setting: This study was conducted at the eye clinic of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana.

Role of ocular surface neurobiology in neuronal-mediated inflammation in dry eye disease.

Inflammation is the consequence of dry eye disease regardless of its etiology. Several injurious or harmless processes to the ocular surface neurons promote ocular surface neurogenic inflammation, leading to the vicious cycle of dry eye disease. These processes include the regular release of neuromediators during the conduction of ocular surface sensations, hyperosmolarity-induced ocular surface neuronal damage, neuro-regenerative activities, and neuronal-mediated dendritic cell activities.

Candidate Molecular Compounds as Potential Indicators for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is the leading cause of dry eye disease throughout the world. Studies have shown that several molecules in meibum, including but not limited to interleukins, amino acids, cadherins, eicosanoids, carbohydrates, and proteins, are altered in meibomian gland dysfunction compared with healthy normal controls. Some of these molecules such as antileukoproteinase, phospholipase A2, and lactoperoxidase also show differences in concentrations in tears between meibomian gland dysfunction and dry eye disease, further boosting hopes as candidate biomarkers.

Tear film and ocular surface neuropeptides: Characteristics, synthesis, signaling and implications for ocular surface and systemic diseases.

Ocular surface neuropeptides are vital molecules primarily involved in maintaining ocular surface integrity and homeostasis. They also serve as communication channels between the nervous system and the immune system, maintaining the homeostasis of the ocular surface. Tear film and ocular surface neuropeptides have a role in disease often due to abnormalities in their synthesis (either high or low production), signaling through defective receptors, or both.

Self-reported symptoms of ocular allergy and its comorbid factors among residents living near a landfill site in Ghana.

Residents close to landfill sites may be exposed to long-term emitted toxic compounds that may have effects on their eyes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of symptomatic ocular allergy and its comorbid factors among residents living near a landfill site in Ghana. An exploratory cross-sectional design involving 400 inhabitants living around a landfill site was employed.

Correction: Dry eye, its clinical subtypes and associated factors in healthy pregnancy: A cross-sectional study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Age- and sex-related differences in the measures of anterior segment parameters in a myopic clinical sample using Pentacam Scheimpflug tomography.

Purpose: To assess age-and sex-related differences of anterior segment parameters in a myopic clinical sample.

Methods: This clinic-based retrospective study involved eligible subjects grouped into myopia (i.e.

The utility of measures of anterior segment parameters of a Pentacam Scheimpflug tomographer in discriminating high myopic astigmatism from keratoconus.

The study aimed to evaluate and compare anterior segment parameters between keratoconic eyes and eyes with high myopic astigmatism using Pentacam Scheimpflug tomography. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study that included sixty keratoconic eyes (thirty-two persons) and seventy-three eyes (forty-six persons) with high myopic astigmatism with mean ages 24.72 ± 11.

Dry eye, its clinical subtypes and associated factors in healthy pregnancy: A cross-sectional study.

The study determined the frequency of dry eye, its clinical subtypes and risk factors among pregnant women. This study was a hospital-based cross-sectional study of pregnant women visiting the antenatal clinic of the University of Cape Coast hospital. Clinical dry eye tests were performed along with the administration of a symptom questionnaire.

Visual function, spectacle independence, and patients' satisfaction after cataract surgery- a study in the Central Region of Ghana.

Background: Reduced visual function is associated with diminished quality of life as well as decreased physical and mental health. Poor visual function related to cataracts is also a risk factor for falls and traffic accidents, which may lead to hospital admissions and limit independence.

Objective: To evaluate patients' satisfaction, visual functions and spectacle independence among patients in the Central Region of Ghana who had cataract surgery in one eye.

Age and Sex Variation in the Duration of Action and Corneal Touch Threshold (CTT) following Instillation of 0.5% Topical Ophthalmic Proparacaine and Tetracaine Hydrochlorides.

Purpose: We investigated the effect of age and sex on corneal touch threshold (CTT) and duration of action following administration of 0.5% topical ophthalmic proparacaine and tetracaine hydrochlorides.

Methods: A prospective, randomized, subject-masked, crossover study design was used.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Lipid Profile: A Study Among Pregnant Women.

Purpose: This study aimed to estimate the frequency of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and its associated factors among pregnant women.

Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study of consecutive pregnant women visiting the University of Cape Coast hospital's antenatal clinic. Meibomian gland assessment and tear function test were performed along with the administration of a symptom questionnaire.

Posterior Blepharitis and Associated Potential Factors: A Study among Pregnant Women.

Purpose: This study evaluates in a cross-section of pregnant women the frequency of posterior blepharitis, its predisposing factors and how lipid profile impacts the occurrence of posterior blepharitis in pregnancy.

Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study of pregnant women.

Results: In this study, 201 pregnant women were recruited and included in the study's analysis.

The impact of output price support on smallholder farmers' income: evidence from maize farmers in Ghana.

Instability in smallholder farmers' income in developing countries due to unstable farm prices has been a challenge for farmers and agricultural policymakers over the years. Sustained price stabilization mechanisms are mostly lacking. In some countries, output price support has been initiated to stabilize incomes and as an incentive to enhance farmer investment and boost production.