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There is a lack of clinical guidelines in India for the prescription of blue-blocking lenses. Therefore, the practice trends will depend on practitioners' knowledge, attitude, and perception. Exposure to blue light with increased use of light-emitting diode (LED) lights and digital devices along with the commercial availability of blue blocking lenses has warranted the need to understand the factors that influence the prescription of blue blocking lenses among eye care practitioners. Hence, we aim to assess knowledge, perception, and practice pattern of blue blocking lenses among Indian optometrists. This cross-sectional online survey was conducted among Indian Optometrists. The survey was distributed through various social groups of optometrists and state associations. The questionnaire had four main domains with 29 items in total. The four major domains were knowledge, practice, perception and demographic details on education. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression were performed to study the impact of these domains on the prescription of blue block lenses. Out of 341 responses, 247 were included for analysis as per study criteria. About 50% (n = 123) of the participants had appropriate knowledge about blue light. Blue-blocking lenses were prescribed always or most of the time by 52% (n = 130) of the participants. The odds of prescribing blue blocking lenses were higher among practitioners who considered blue light as an important factor in causing computer vision syndrome (OR 3.77, 95% CI: 1.33–10.69, P = 0.01) or if they considered there is adequate published evidence (OR 3.95, 95% CI: 1.58–9.87, P = 0.003). The source of evidence for prescribing blue-blocking lenses for our participants was mainly from advertisements rather than from scientific studies. Factors such as awareness, knowledge, education, and nature of practice did not play a significant role in prescribing blue-blocking lenses. This raises the need for evidence-based practice and the development of practice guidelines for prescribing blue-blocking lenses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sedantary life style among undergraduate medical students is leading to non communicable diseases like under nutrition and over nutrition (obesity), common mental disorders including stress and anxiety. Prevalence of non communicable and mental illness in India is 9.3-23.0%. Sedentary behaviour, primarily assessed as time spent viewing mobile phones, and electronic devices increases risk for overweight and obesity in students. The sedantary time spend by students is an average of 6 and 8 hours per day. The activities with these devices have further increased due to Covid -19 online classes increasing the usage time further. Yoga increases awareness, which often leads practitioners to start making changes in every part of their lives. Methods: Formation of an IP (Inter Professional) team and developing Yoga module and nutritional diet chart module. After developing online modules, zoom online Yoga sessions were implemented. The sample size selected was 60 MBBS Students, out of which 30 were considered under test and 30 students under control. Students under case study have received Yoga module with dietary program. Students under control have received Yoga module without dietary program. Asthanga yoga zoom online classes were conducted. The session lasted for 1 hour. Four such sessions per week were conducted for one and half months (6 weeks). Each session comprised of forty minutes of Yoga Asanas (postures), ten minutes of Pranayama (breathing exercises), and ten minutes of Meditation. The sessions were video recorded. RESULTs: The interprofessional team was formed and the Yoga and nutritional modules were developed and validated. After study results were statistically analysed. Following the Yoga sessions and nutritional intervention, the parameters have shown significant P value interpreting the intervention has helped. Chi square test determined that the difference in the proportion of pre- and post sessions were statistically significant, X2 (1) = 13.25, p < .0005. Conclusion: The study intends to educate the students regarding effects of Asthanga Yoga & dietary program on physical and mental well being. It brings about improved quality of life individually and knowledge gained thus helps during medical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: There is a need to understand the requirement for the post-mydriatic test (PMT) among adults for the final prescription of spectacles as this test increases the cost of eye care and causes inconvenience to the patient because of the additional visit to an eye care practitioner. We aim to compare the cycloplegic subjective refraction using apertures of various sizes and PMT in an adult population. METHODS: This prospective crossover study was conducted under standard settings in an eye clinic. Adult individuals between 18 and 35 years of with emmetropia and various degrees of ametropia participated in this study. Individuals with known ocular pathology were excluded. Non-cycloplegic objective refraction was performed followed by subjective refraction. Cycloplegic objective refraction was performed followed by subjective refraction with custom designed artificial apertures. After a washout period of cycloplegic, PMT was performed. The distribution of data was tested using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Depending on the distribution of the data, either parametric or nonparametric test was done. RESULTS: Fifty-nine eyes of thirty individuals with a mean (±SD) age of 23(±4) years with a male: female ratio of 1:4 participated in this study. A comparison of measures of PMT and subjective refraction with 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 mm aperture under cycloplegic effect using the Friedman test rendered a Chi square value (df = 5) of 1.92 which was not statistically different (P = 0.86). CONCLUSION: Performing subjective refraction with an appropriate spherical and cylindrical endpoint under cycloplegic effect with appropriate aperture overcomes the necessity of PMT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Google Play Store was used to search for eye care-related applications the android simulator using various general terms related to eye care to review and categorize various interactive eye care-related applications in android platform from the details available in the application website. Data collected from application description and application developer's webpage include target audience, category of apps, estimated number of downloads, average user rating, involvement of eye care professionals in developing the application, and cost of the app. All these data were collected only from the details provided in the application website considering on online user perspective and the developers were not contacted to collect any other details. In total, 475 applications were identified and grouped into 13 categories depending on the type of service the application provide. Out of which, only 107 (22.53%) applications had mentioned about the eye care professional involvement in their design or development of the application. The applications were also stratified according to the target audience, and many had no user rating with very few downloads. The lack of evidence-based principles and standardization of application development should be taken into consideration to avoid its negative impact on the community, especially in eye care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preschool vision screenings are cost effective ways to detect children with vision impairments. The use of any vision tests in children must be age appropriate, testable, repeatable and valid. Aim: To compare the test re-test reliability, sensitivity and specificity of different visual acuity and stereo acuity charts used in preschool children. Materials and Methods: Monocular visual acuity of 90 subjects (180 eyes) of age 36 to 71 months was assessed with HOTV, Lea and E-chart in a preschool located in a semi urban area, Manipal, Karnataka. After the vision assessment, stereo acuity was recorded using Frisby and Titmus stereo charts followed by comprehensive eye examination. Repeated measurements of visual acuity and stereo acuity were done one week after the initial assessment. Results: Mean age of children was 53± 10 months with equal gender distribution. Intra class correlation (ICC) of Lea, HOTV, E-chart, Frisby and Titmus charts were 0.96, 0.99, 0.92, 1.0 and 1.0 respectively. The area under receiver operating curve (ROC) for Lea and E-chart was 0.892 and 0.776. HOTV was considered as the gold standard as it showed the least difference on repeated measurements. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of E-chart was 99, 15, 45, 94 and 21.8 percent, and Lea was 93, 56, 59 and 92 percent. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of Frisby was 75, 27, 9, 92 percent were as of Titmus was 75, 13, 8 and 85 percent respectively. Conclusion: HOTV chart can be used as the gold standard for measuring visual acuity of pre-schoolers in a semi urban area. Lea chart can be used in the absence of HOTV chart. Frisby and Titmus charts are good screening tools, but with poor diagnostic criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Measurement of for near point of convergence (NPC), amplitude of accommodation (AA) and phoria are important components of diagnosing nonstrabismic binocular vision anomalies. There is a huge variation in the normative data established for orthoptic parameters because of the variation in measurement technique. There are only limited studies for normative data based on nonclinical population in Indian population. Therefore, we aim estimate the normative values for NPC, AA, and phoria measurement in Indian population using techniques, which has good repeatability and reliability. Materials and Methods: Subjects between the age group 10-35 years participated in this prospective cross-sectional study. A self-administered symptom questionnaire was used to exclude patients with asthenopic symptoms. Clinical techniques which have good repeatability and reliability were used. NPC was measured using pen light red, green glass test. AA was measured using minus lens technique. Horizontal and vertical phoria at distance and near was measured using modified Thorington method. Results: One hundred and fifty subjects participated in the study. We found that NPC receded with age, which could because of the increase in horizontal phoria at near with age. The mean normative value for objective NPC, break and recovery of subjective NPC, monocular and binocular AA, horizontal and vertical phoria at distance and near for the three age groups are reported in the study. Conclusion: The data presented in this study can be used as a cut-off by eye care practitioners while diagnosing convergence, accommodation related anomalies in Indian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optometry, a nearly century-old profession in India, plays an important role in determining the eye health status in the country. Professional regulation is in sight for optometry through the establishment of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act (NCAHP), 2021. The review offers critical insights on the present status of Indian optometric education - its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats - and identifies several areas of improvement for continued growth. Strong and diverse clinical exposure, international collaborations, and a young, dynamic, and geographically diverse workforce of optometrists is a strength for the profession in India. Impending long awaited accreditation of the profession is a weakness and cause for concern. That the optometry training programs can now build graduates who will be able to function with increasing scope of clinical responsibility based on the 'World Council of Optometry Global competency model of scope of practice' to cater to the eye care needs of the grass root-level population of India is an opportunity. Infrequent curricular upgradation and lack of uniform implementation are a threat. Putative solutions are identified for overcoming the challenges engulfing the profession and ways in which these solutions may be implemented in parallel with the current legislative changes witnessed in the profession. Appeal is made to the different stakeholders of the profession to critically review its present status and build a larger coherent vision that will place the profession on a continuous growth trajectory in the 21 st century.

Purpose: There is a need to understand the requirement for the post-mydriatic test (PMT) among adults for the final prescription of spectacles as this test increases the cost of eye care and causes inconvenience to the patient because of the additional visit to an eye care practitioner. We aim to compare the cycloplegic subjective refraction using apertures of various sizes and PMT in an adult population., Methods: This prospective crossover study was conducted under standard settings in an eye clinic. Adult individuals between 18 and 35 years of with emmetropia and various degrees of ametropia participated in this study. Individuals with known ocular pathology were excluded. Non-cycloplegic objective refraction was performed followed by subjective refraction. Cycloplegic objective refraction was performed followed by subjective refraction with custom designed artificial apertures. After a washout period of cycloplegic, PMT was performed. The distribution of data was tested using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Depending on the distribution of the data, either parametric or nonparametric test was done., Results: Fifty-nine eyes of thirty individuals with a mean (±SD) age of 23(±4) years with a male: female ratio of 1:4 participated in this study. A comparison of measures of PMT and subjective refraction with 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 mm aperture under cycloplegic effect using the Friedman test rendered a Chi square value (df = 5) of 1.92 which was not statistically different ( P = 0.86)., Conclusion: Performing subjective refraction with an appropriate spherical and cylindrical endpoint under cycloplegic effect with appropriate aperture overcomes the necessity of PMT., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interests of this paper., (Copyright: © 2019 Taiwan J Ophthalmol.)