Mapping the landscape of optometric education in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Clinical Relevance: Advancements in optometric education are essential for addressing the global burden of visual impairment by ensuring a well-trained workforce capable of delivering quality eye care services.

Background: The number of optometry schools in Sub-Saharan Africa has significantly increased since 2000, reflecting a growing awareness of the role of optometry in addressing the burden of vision impairment. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the current status, challenges, and opportunities within optometry education in the region.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Effective refractive error coverage in adults aged 50 years and older: estimates from population-based surveys in 61 countries.

Background: In 2021, WHO Member States endorsed a global target of a 40-percentage-point increase in effective refractive error coverage (eREC; with a 6/12 visual acuity threshold) by 2030. This study models global and regional estimates of eREC as a baseline for the WHO initiative.

Methods: The Vision Loss Expert Group analysed data from 565 448 participants of 169 population-based eye surveys conducted since 2000 to calculate eREC (met need/[met need + undermet need + unmet need]).

The Power of Advocacy: Advancing Vision for Everyone to Meet the Sustainable Development Goals.

Advocacy is instrumental to achieving significant policy change for vision. Global advocacy efforts over the past decades enabled recognition of vision as a major public health, human rights, and development issue. The United Nations General Assembly adopted its first-ever Resolution on vision: "Vision for Everyone-Accelerating Action to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)" on 23 July 2021.

The WHO-ITU MyopiaEd Programme: A Digital Message Programme Targeting Education on Myopia and Its Prevention.

The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the World Health Organization - International Telecommunication Union MyopiaEd programme - a digital message programme targeting education on myopia and its prevention. The development of the MyopiaEd programme included 4 key steps: (1) Conceptualization and consultation with experts in the field of myopia, mHealth and health behavior change; (2) Creation of SMS message libraries and programme algorithm; (3) Review of the message libraries to ensure relevance to the target audience; and (4) Pre-testing amongst end-user groups to ensure that the design of the programme and the message content were understandable. After reviewing the available evidence and considering input of the experts, the aims, end users and key themes of the programme were finalized.

Trends in myopia management attitudes and strategies in clinical practice: Survey of eye care practitioners in Africa.

Purpose: There remains a lack of information on the perception and adoption of myopia control strategies among African eye care practitioners (ECPs). This study provides an African perspective to similar previous studies conducted in other parts of the world.

Methods: A self-administered survey in English and French was distributed to ECPs across Africa.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of myopia prevalence in African school children.

Purpose: Increased prevalence of myopia is a major public health challenge worldwide, including in Africa. While previous studies have shown an increasing prevalence in Africa, there is no collective review of evidence on the magnitude of myopia in African school children. Hence, this study reviews the evidence and provides a meta-analysis of the prevalence of myopia in African school children.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Eye Health among Public Sector Eye Health Workers in South Africa.

In South Africa, primary eye care is largely challenged in its organisational structure, availability of human and other resources, and clinical competency. These do meet the standard required by the National Department of Health. This study seeks to assess the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices on eye health amongst Human Resources for eye health (HReH) and their managers, as no study has assessed this previously.

Impact of spectacles wear on uncorrected visual acuity among urban migrant primary school children in China: a cluster-randomised clinical trial.

Objective: To estimate the effect of providing free spectacles on uncorrected visual acuity (VA) among urban migrant Chinese school children.

Design: Exploratory analysis from a parallel cluster-randomised clinical trial.

Methods: After baseline survey and VA screening, eligible children were randomised by school to receive one of the two interventions: free glasses and a teacher incentive (tablet computer if ≥80% of children given glasses were wearing them on un-announced examination) (treatment group) or glasses prescription and letter to parents (control group).

Influence of Distance and Near Visual Impairment on Self-Reported Near Visual Functioning in a Multinational Study.

Purpose: To assess the influence of distance and near visual impairment on self-reported near visual functioning (VF) in a multinational study.

Design: Population-based cross-sectional study.

Participants: Participants aged 35 years or older were selected randomly with cluster sampling at 7 sites: rural sites in Nepal (Kaski) and India (Madurai), a semirural site in China (Shunyi), semiurban sites in South Africa (Durban) and Niger (Dosso), and urban sites in the United States (Los Angeles) and China (Guangzhou).

Validation and use of quality of life impact of refractive correction questionnaire in spectacle wearers in Malawi: A clinic-based study.

Background: To assess the psychometric properties of the QIRC questionnaire and use it as an outcome measure in spectacle wearers attending an eye clinic in Malawi.

Methods: Participants who had uncorrected distance visual acuity of below 6/18 and improved to 6/9 or better with spectacles on both eyes were included in the study. The participants self-administered the Chichewa version of the QIRC questionnaire that was translated and culturally adapted for Malawian settings.

Prevalence and causes of vision loss in sub-Saharan Africa in 2015: magnitude, temporal trends and projections.

Background: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and causes of vision loss in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in 2015, compared with prior years, and to estimate expected values for 2020.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the prevalence of blindness (presenting distance visual acuity <3/60 in the better eye), moderate and severe vision impairment (MSVI; presenting distance visual acuity <6/18 but ≥3/60) and mild vision impairment (MVI; presenting distance visual acuity <6/12 and ≥6/18), and also near vision impairment ( View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Disability-related-distress in primary school learners with vision impairment due to uncorrected refractive error in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa - a qualitative study.

Background: Uncorrected refractive error (URE) is a major cause of vision impairment among children that impacts negatively on their lives including distresses. We aim to understand the disability-related distress among vision-impaired children due to URE in rural and semi-rural South Africa using qualitative techniques.

Methods: Structured focus groups of children (aged 5-12 years old) with normal vision and vision impairment due to URE from four schools in Pinetown, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, were performed (four mixed-gender group discussions and eight single gender group discussions).

Prevalence and causes of vision loss in East Asia in 2015: magnitude, temporal trends and projections.

Background: To determine the prevalence and causes of blindness and vision impairment (VI) in East Asia in 2015 and to forecast the trend to 2020.

Methods: Through a systematic literature review and meta-analysis, we estimated prevalence of blindness (presenting visual acuity <3/60 in the better eye), moderate-to-severe vision impairment (MSVI; 3/60≤presenting visual acuity <6/18), mild vision impairment (mild VI: 6/18≤presenting visual acuity <6/12) and uncorrected presbyopia for 1990, 2010, 2015 and 2020. A total of 44 population-based studies were included.

Prevalence of Refractive Error, Presbyopia, and Spectacle Coverage in Bogotá, Colombia: A Rapid Assessment of Refractive Error.

Significance: Uncorrected refractive error is the leading cause of visual impairment; therefore, reducing its prevalence is important worldwide. For two decades, there has not been a comprehensive assessment of refractive error in Latin America.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the current prevalence of refractive error, presbyopia, spectacle coverage, barriers to uptake refractive services, and spectacle correction in people 15 years and older in Bogotá, Colombia.

IMI - Clinical Myopia Control Trials and Instrumentation Report.

The evidence-basis based on existing myopia control trials along with the supporting academic literature were reviewed; this informed recommendations on the outcomes suggested from clinical trials aimed at slowing myopia progression to show the effectiveness of treatments and the impact on patients. These outcomes were classified as primary (refractive error and/or axial length), secondary (patient reported outcomes and treatment compliance), and exploratory (peripheral refraction, accommodative changes, ocular alignment, pupil size, outdoor activity/lighting levels, anterior and posterior segment imaging, and tissue biomechanics). The currently available instrumentation, which the literature has shown to best achieve the primary and secondary outcomes, was reviewed and critiqued.