Agreement between Lea Symbols and Patti Pics visual acuity in children and adults.

Background: Patti Pics (PP) and Lea Symbols (LS) are commonly used by eye care practitioners worldwide. Although the relationship between the two tests is fairly well understood, the availability of different chart designs (single optotypes, multiple optotypes, multiple optotypes with crowding box) merits futher understanding. The purpose of this study is to explore the agreement between the acuity measures obtained with Patti Pics and Lea Symbols in children and adults and compare their performance with the Sloan Letter (SL) chart in adults.

Evaluation of corneal topography, pachymetry and higher order aberrations for detecting subclinical keratoconus.

Purpose: To compare corneal topography, pachymetry and higher order aberrations in keratoconic and normal eyes; to investigate their association in keratoconic eyes; and to determine their diagnostic ability for detecting subclinical keratoconus in a Nepalese population.

Methods: Ninety-six eyes of 48 keratoconus patients and 50 normal eyes of 50 control subjects were included in this study. The eyes of keratoconus patients were classified into four different study groups: subclinical, stage 1, stage 2 and advanced stage keratoconus.

Ocular morbidity among street children in Kathmandu Valley.

Purpose: Prevalence of ocular morbidity among street children is largely unknown. The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of ocular morbidity among street children in the Kathmandu Valley.

Methods: A cross-sectional study consisting of an eye examination program among 569 street children aged younger than 18 years was conducted from March 2013 to February 2014.

Psycho-social impact of visual impairment on health-related quality of life among nursing home residents.

Background: Visual impairment (VI) affects physical, psychological, and emotional well-being, and social life as well. The purpose of this exploratory study was to assess the psycho-social impact of VI on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among nursing home residents.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 272 residents of 60 years or older residing in seven nursing homes of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.

Impact of visual impairment on vision-specific quality of life among older adults living in nursing home.

Background: Visual impairment (VI) has a significant negative impact on quality of life (QoL) amongst older people living in nursing homes. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of VI and blindness and to explore the association between severity of VI and vision-specific QoL among older people living in nursing homes of Kathmandu, Nepal.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 158 residents aged 60 years or older residing in seven nursing homes of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.

Ocular morbidity among the children of squatter settlements in Kathmandu.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of ocular morbidity and refractive error among the children of the squatter settlements in Kathmandu.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at five squatter settlement areas at Kathmandu, including 366 children younger than 16 years. Detailed eye examination included the visual acuity testing, cycloplegic refraction, binocular vision assessment, anterior segment examination, and posterior segment examination.

Visual status and ocular morbidity in older adults living in residential care.

Background: The frequency of visual impairment and blindness increases with age and is more prevalent among older adults living in residential care centers. The main aim of this study was to assess the visual status and determine the prevalence and major causes of visual impairment and blindness among the older adults living in residential care centers of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 385 residents of 60 years or older residing in seven residential care centers of Kathmandu Valley.