Uncorrected or unaddressed refractive error (URE) is the leading cause of treatable visual impairment (VI) globally. A significant factor is the prohibitive costs of corrective options. The World Health Organization recently recommended the use of effective refractive error coverage (eREC) to determine the burden and management of URE. To increase eREC, spectacles should be made available and affordable. Most developing countries use ready-made glasses produced in bulk to address presbyopia. Timor-Leste employed a tiered- pricing for these ready-made spectacles which were found to be effective. The Philippines can adopt similar initiatives considering that prescription spectacles are not covered by its national health insurance. Prescription spectacles should also receive coverage from the national insurance. Policies should also be created that will set-up optical units inside government hospitals and primary health care units that can dispense low cost or free prescription spectacles. Dedicated government posts for optometrists should be created to man the said units. Existing colleges of optometry can partner with nearby public health facilities to man their optical units similar to partnerships made for other health professions. State universities can also consider opening colleges of optometry where they can tie up return services conditions or follow ladderized programs based on community demands similar to existing ones for other health professions
Refractive Error ; spectacles ; cost

PURPOSE: We used a questionnaire to explore perceptions and clinical practice patterns of Korean pediatric ophthalmologists in terms of amblyopia.METHODS: From September to November 2018, we conducted a web-based questionnaire survey of 99 specialists of the Korean Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus who operated ophthalmology clinics in Korea. We received 56 responses (56.57%) and retrospectively analyzed the data.RESULTS: The average specialist age was 44.0 ± 9.7 years. The mean age of treated amblyopia patients was 3 to 5 years (69.6%); the most common amblyopia was refractive anisometropic amblyopia (75.0%). On average, treatment commenced at 4 years of age (53.6%); child and parent co-operation most significantly influenced treatment success (46.4%). The preferred test was cycloplegic refraction (96.4%) and the preferred treatment occlusion therapy (100%) with glasses correction (98.2%). Occlusion therapy was most commonly performed for 2 hours/day (69.6%); the minimum age for eyeglasses prescription was 2.10 ± 1.18 years. Only three respondents (5.36%) prescribed contact lenses and only one (1.79%) performed refractive surgery.CONCLUSIONS: In Korea, amblyopia treatment is based on occlusion therapy and glasses correction. However, the time of treatment commencement, the duration of occlusion therapy, and the glasses used for correction varied. It is necessary to develop guidelines for amblyopia treatment; these should reflect current medical conditions.
Amblyopia ; Child ; Contact Lenses ; Eyeglasses ; Glass ; Humans ; Korea ; Ophthalmology ; Parents ; Practice Patterns, Physicians' ; Prescriptions ; Refractive Surgical Procedures ; Retrospective Studies ; Specialization ; Strabismus ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: We developed a novel method for measurement of hyperacuity and verified the utility thereof.METHODS: We developed a three-dimensional (3D) hyperacuity test using a 3D liquid crystal flat screen, a left- and right-image polarized display, and liquid crystal shutter glasses. We tested the technique in three groups: normal (n = 48), with cataracts (n = 14), and with macular disease (n = 35). We used a chart consisting of five dots and a reference line. Of the five dots, one was variably shifted from the other dots. A chart was presented to one eye and the reference line or blank image to the other eye; a subject scored positive when the dot in the unusual position was recognized.RESULTS: Hyperacuity was measured in terms of the reference line seen by the reference eye (RR), a blank image seen by the reference eye (RB), the reference line seen by the contralateral eye (CR), and a blank image seen by the contralateral eye (CB). All test scores were significantly lower when the reference line was seen than not (RR vs. RB and CR vs. CB; p < 0.01, respectively). For the RR and CR tests, no significant difference was apparent between the normal and cataracts group (p = 0.553, p = 0.494) but such differences were evident between the normal and macular disease groups (p = 0.028, p = 0.002). Also, visualization of the reference line by the reference and contralateral eyes did not differ (p > 0.05).CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of hyperacuity using our new method was not affected by media opacity but was significantly affected by macular disease. Presentation of a reference line facilitated hyperacuity assessment.
Cataract ; Eyeglasses ; Glass ; Liquid Crystals ; Methods

OBJECTIVE: Smart glasses can provide sonographers with real-time ultrasound images. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the utility of smart-glasses for ultrasound-guided peripheral venous access.METHODS: In this randomized, crossover-design, simulation study, 12 participants were recruited from the emergency department residents at a university hospital. Each participant attempted ultrasound-guided peripheral venous access on a pediatric phantom at intervals of 5 days with (glasses group) or without (non-glasses group) the use of smart glasses. In the glasses group, participants confirmed the ultrasound image through the lens of the smart glasses. In the non-glasses group, participants confirmed the ultrasound image through the display viewer located next to the phantom. Procedure time was regarded as the primary outcome, while secondary outcomes included the number of head movements for the participant, number of skin punctures, number of needle redirections, and subjective difficulty.RESULTS: No significant differences in procedural time were observed between the groups (non-glasses group: median time, 15.5 seconds; interquartile range [IQR], 10.3 to 27.3 seconds; glasses group: median time, 19.0 seconds; IQR, 14.3 to 39.3 seconds; P=0.58). The number of head movements was lower in the glasses group than in the non-glasses group (glasses group: median, 0; IQR, 0 to 0; non-glasses group: median, 4; IQR, 3 to 5; P<0.01). No significant differences in the number of skin punctures or needle restrictions were observed between the groups.CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that smart-glasses may aid in ensuring ultrasound-guided peripheral venous access by reducing head movements.
Emergency Service, Hospital ; Eyeglasses ; Glass ; Head Movements ; Needles ; Pilot Projects ; Punctures ; Skin ; Ultrasonography ; Wireless Technology

This review gives an overview of the current multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) landscape, in terms of the technology, benefits, and limitations of different premium IOLs, as well as significant clinical outcomes. Cataract is the most common cause of visual impairment in older adults. From 1980, the number of blind and visually impaired people have decreased due to cataract surgery. As the number of surgical procedures increases every year, patient demands have also changed with many patients expecting excellent visual acuity without glasses. Multifocal IOLs can provide spectacle-independence for near, intermediate, and distant vision tasks. Multifocal IOLs can be classified into bifocal, trifocal, and extended depth of focus multifocal IOLs. The ultimate goal of multifocal lenses includes reduced incidence of photic phenomena, and improved uncorrected near, intermediate, and far visual acuities for those working with computers and smartphones, as well as no contrast sensitivity loss. Although some patients have issues with halos and glare, overall patient satisfaction and quality of life are generally high after multifocal IOL implantation. Careful patient selection should be made to satisfy different individual needs.
Adult ; Cataract ; Contrast Sensitivity ; Eyeglasses ; Glare ; Glass ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Patient Satisfaction ; Patient Selection ; Presbyopia ; Quality of Life ; Smartphone ; Vision Disorders ; Visual Acuity

This study aimed to describe the basic optical properties for presbyopia correction, including eyeglasses and contact lenses. Conventional eyeglasses are the most established technology for presbyopia correction, and contact lenses have been recognized to have a huge potential in presbyopia correction. However, successful treatment using contact lenses is dependent on age-related factors, such as upper and lower eyelid movements, palpebral aperture, and decreased lacrimal secretion and tear stability. Monovision and multifocality are optical properties of the lens that form the basis of presbyopia correction. The monovision method is based on the principle of neuro-adaptation, wherein one eye automatically selects a clear image and suppresses an unclear image for processing in the brain when there is a difference in the clarity of the images obtained from both the eyes because of anisopia, which is characterized by unequal visual power between the two eyes. Simultaneous views of near and far objects cannot be achieved using eyeglasses, but these can be realized using contact lenses or intraocular lenses. Alternative views of near and far objects can be achieved using a variety of bifocal contact lenses, which function similar to bifocal eyeglasses. Traditional strategies for presbyopia correction, including the use of monovision, bi/tri/multifocal, and progressive eyeglasses and the use of contact lenses, are being challenged by novel strategies involving pharmacotherapy and electrostimulation. Although the immediate prospect of any newly developed innovation remains slim, improved lens profiles would lead to a better match between the lens and the needs of individuals with presbyopia.
Brain ; Contact Lenses ; Drug Therapy ; Eyeglasses ; Eyelids ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Methods ; Presbyopia ; Tears

Presbyopia is an aging eye. All parts of our body may lose their function with aging. The representative aging diseases in the field of ophthalmology are cataract and macular degeneration. Presbyopia is also a natural aging phenomenon that people has difficulty in focusing on near subject. There is a structure called lens in our eye and the function of lens is a refraction of lignt. Lens helps us focusing an object that we want to see with changing its thickness. When we try to focus on near subjects, ciliary muscle contracts to release the lens zonule and the lens becomes thicker. When we try to see far subjects, ciliary muscle relaxes and lens becomes thinner. These changes of lens thickness occurs very fast in young people, but with aging, the speed of changing the thickness of lens becomes slow. Finally, aged people can't change the lens thickness and can't focus on near subject without the help of near glasses and so on. In this case, we call it presbyopia.
Aging ; Cataract ; Eyeglasses ; Glass ; Macular Degeneration ; Ophthalmology ; Presbyopia

OBJECTIVE: This study explored personal protective equipment (PPE) availability and PPE utilization among interventionalists in the catheterization laboratory, which is a highly contextualized workplace. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study using mixed methods. Participants (108) completed a survey. A hyperlink was sent to the participants, or they were asked to complete a paper-based survey. Purposively selected participants (54) were selected for individual (30) or group (six) interviews. The interviews were conducted at conferences, or appointments were made to see the participants. Logistic regression analysis was performed. The qualitative data were analyzed thematically. RESULTS: Lead glasses were consistently used 10.2% and never used 61.1% of the time. All forms of PPE were inconsistently used by 92.6% of participants. Women were 4.3 times more likely to report that PPE was not available. PPE compliance was related to fit and availability. CONCLUSIONS: PPE use was inconsistent and not always available. Improving the culture of radiation protection in catheterization laboratories is essential to improve PPE compliance with the aim of protecting patients and operators. This culture of radiation protection must include all those involved including the users of PPE and the administrators and managers who are responsible for supplying sufficient, appropriate, fitting PPE for all workers requiring such protection.
Administrative Personnel ; Appointments and Schedules ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Compliance ; Congresses as Topic ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Eyeglasses ; Female ; Glass ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Personal Protective Equipment ; Radiation Protection

The human quest to master the anatomy and physiology of living systems started as early as 1600 BC, with documents from the Greeks, Indians, and Romans presenting the earliest systematic studies and advances. Following the fall of the Roman Empire, the progress slowed until the Renaissance renewed scientific interest in anatomy and physiology, ushering in an era of spectacular advances. Alongside the discoveries of modern science, innovations in media such as printing, photography and color reproduction, improved the accuracy of communicating science. Techniques for noninvasively viewing the human body, such as magnetic resonance imaging, opened up new ways of exploring and understanding anatomy, physiology, and disease pathogenesis. Advances in three-dimensional (3D)-technologies, including computer graphics and animation are directly linked to many advances in medicine and surgery. Anatomy education has come a long way from papyrus leaf inscriptions to computerized 3D modeling, holographic representation, and virtual reality-based software. The future presents unlimited options for studying and understanding anatomy as Google glasses, bioprinting, virtual reality, and allied technologies transform the world into a classroom. This review summarizes the journey of mankind to master anatomy and physiology.
Bioprinting ; Computer Graphics ; Education ; Eyeglasses ; Glass ; Human Body ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Photography ; Physiology ; Reproduction ; Roman World

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) distraction and counter-stimulation (CS) on dental anxiety and pain perception to local anesthesia in children. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, single-blinded interventional clinical trial with a parallel design was used. Seventy children 7–11 years old who required local anesthesia (LA) for pulp therapy or tooth extraction were recruited and allocated to two groups with equal distribution based on the intervention. Group CS (n = 35) received CS and Group VR (n = 35) received VR distraction with ANTVR glasses. Anxiety levels (using pulse rate) were evaluated before, during, and after administration of local anesthesia, while pain perception was assessed immediately after the injection. Wong-Baker faces pain-rating scale (WBFPS), visual analog scale (VAS), and Venham's clinical anxiety rating scale (VCARS) were used for pain evaluation. Student's t-test was used to test the mean difference between groups, and repeated measures ANOVA was used to test the mean difference of pulse rates. RESULTS: Significant differences in mean pulse rates were observed in both groups, while children in the VR group had a higher reduction (P < 0.05), and the mean VCARS scores were significant in the VR group (P < 0.05). Mean WBFPS scores showed less pain perception to LA needle prick in the CS group while the same change was observed in the VR group with VAS scores. CONCLUSIONS: VR distraction is better than CS for reducing anxiety to injection in children undergoing extraction and pulpectomy.
Anesthesia, Local ; Anxiety ; Child ; Dental Anxiety ; Eyeglasses ; Glass ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Needles ; Pain Perception ; Prospective Studies ; Pulpectomy ; Tooth Extraction ; Visual Analog Scale