1.Evaluation of Prevalence and Associated Factors of Dry Eye Syndrome among Medical Students Exposed to Visual Display Terminal in Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia
Patricia Ann John ; Adil Hussein ; Khairy Shamel Sonny Teo
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2023;19(No.3):45-52
Introduction: Dry eye syndrome (DES) has become a public health concern, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical students are at risk due to an increase in visual display terminal (VDT) exposure given the transition
to full-time online lectures. The presence of reduced blink rate and tear film instability in VDT users causes an increase in tear evaporation leading to symptoms of DES. This study helps us to learn about the associated factors of
VDT use and DES among the young generation. This study aims to determine the prevalence and associated factors
of DES among medical students exposed to VDT at the health campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Methods:
A cross-sectional study involving 140 undergraduate medical students aged 22 to 29 years old who were VDT users.
Factors analysed are age, gender, race and duration of VDT usage. Data collection included both subjective assessment (OSDI questionnaire) and objective assessment (TBUT and Schirmer’s test). Statistical analysis was conducted
using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS Inc Version 24). Results were analysed using descriptive analysis and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Most of the medical student cohort was female and Malay. Most
of the students use VDT for less than 8 hours. A high incidence of DES was noted among medical students (92.1%).
None of the factors showed significant association with positive findings DES by subjective and objective assessment
and duration of VDT usage. Conclusion: DES is common among VDT users. This study showed a high prevalence of
DES among medical students in USM. The factors analysed did not show a significant association between DES and
duration of VDT usage. This study may help to recognize the problem and will raise awareness of their daily practice
and implement preventive measures to avoid VDT-related DES.
2.Structure-function correlations of glaucoma in Filipinos
Kimberly Ann T. Cotaoco ; Patricia M. Khu ; John Mark S. de Leon ; Ralph Anthony H. de Jesus
Philippine Journal of Ophthalmology 2022;47(2):64-69
Introduction:
To determine the structure-function correlations of glaucoma in Filipinos using the average
peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and rim area (RA) of the spectral-domain optical
coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and mean defect (MD), pattern standard deviation (PSD), and visual field
(VF) clusters of standard automated perimetry (SAP)
Methods:
Consecutive tests consisting of SD-OCT, SAP, and disc photos were reviewed and selected based
on abnormalities in VFs or OCTs or both. Each set of tests was classified as to VF defect type and severity.
Mean threshold of VF clusters, MD, and PSD were correlated with average and sectoral RNFL thicknesses and
RA.
Results:
One hundred eighty-six (168) eyes of 121 patients with mean age of 60.2 ± 14.7 years had an average
MD, PSD, RNFL thickness, RA of -9.5 ± 8.5 dB, 5.4 ± 3.3 dB, 75.9 ± 15.9 μm, and 0.9 ± 0.4 mm2, respectively.
Among VF tests, 23.1% were normal, 16.5% had early, 9.1% moderate, 12.4% advanced, and 8.3% severe
glaucoma damage. Most common VF defect types were central islands, combined, and paracentral (16.5%,
14.4%, and 12.2%, respectively). The most commonly affected RNFL segments were inferior, followed by
superior, and combined superior and inferior (51.2%, 47.1, and 34%, respectively). Among the OCT
parameters, RNFL thickness and RA were strongly correlated (p<0.0001). Between the VF and OCT
parameters, the strongest correlation was between the clusters of superior VF defects and the 6-8 o’clock RNFL
thinning, followed by the inferior VF defects and the 12-1 o’clock RNFL thinning. Inferior RNFL thinning
was strongly correlated with MD and PSD.
Conclusion
Among Filipino glaucomatous eyes monitored with SD-OCT and SAP, correlation was strongest
between the superior VF defects and the infero-temporal RNFL thinning.
Visual Fields
;
Tomography, Optical Coherence
;
Glaucoma
3.Traumatic Globe Displacement Into Anterior Cranial Fossa
Patricia Ann John ; Sylves Patrick ; Mohtar Ibrahim ; Adil Hussein
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2020;16(No.3, September):325-327
A 64-year-old Malay gentleman alleged occupational injury when a malfunctioned metal hydraulic door hit on his face while unloading sand from his tipper-truck. Post-trauma, he complained of right eye (RE) pain and total loss of vision. On examination, noted RE visual acuity was unable to be assessed and left eye (LE) was 6/24 with pinhole 6/9. No eyeball could be seen in the right socket with superior orbital rim step deformity and left periorbital haematoma. Computed tomography scan of the brain and orbit confirmed displaced right eye globe into the right anterior cranial fossa with right and left multiple orbital wall fractures. He then underwent successful right eye globe repositioning. Traumatic orbital roof fracture is a rare condition. Repositioning of the eye globe was done to salvage the eye globe for a cosmetic reason and to avoid localised inflammatory reaction at the anterior cranial fossa.