Impact of Geographic Density of Eye Care Professionals on Eye Care among Adults with Diabetes

Objective: To examine the impact of the geographic density of eye care professionals (ECPs) on the receipt of annual dilated eye examinations among adults in the United States with diabetes.

Method: Data from the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were linked to the 2007 Area Resource File to examine the association between the density of ECPs (ophthalmologists and optometrists) per 100,000 people and self-reports of having had a dilated eye examination in the last year. The sample included adults aged 18+ years with diabetes (N = 29,495). Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to estimate adjusted odds ratios of annual dilated eye examinations, while controlling for age, sex, marital status and education, and stratifying by health insurance.

Results: Approximately 10% of respondents with diabetes lived in counties with no ECPs. Prevalence of being uninsured was 7.4% and 15.5% in those with and without dilated eye exams, respectively. After controlling for covariates and stratifying by health insurance, diabetic adults with health insurance cover residing in areas with no ECPs were less likely to report having had a dilated eye examination in the past year than those with 20 or more ECPs/100,000 people (odds ratio 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.58–0.91).

Conclusion: Residence in a county with a low density of ECPs reduced the likelihood of receiving annual dilated eye examinations among insured adults with diabetes. Enhancing the ability of ECPs to reach and care for those in need might better protect vision in people with diabetes. More research is needed to determine the mix of services that produces the best patient outcome.     

Factors associated with Subsequent Eye Care for Children in Taiwan: A Population-based Historical Cohort Study

Purpose: To investigate patterns and factors associated with subsequent eye care for Taiwan’s children.

Methods: We conducted a population-based historical cohort study of 2464 children aged between 3 and 12 years old from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Participants’ ocular conditions were identified based on 2005 NHIS questionnaire answers given by caregivers. Subsequent eye care data was obtained from 2006 and 2007 National Health Insurance claim data. Eye care related to these children’s ocular conditions was defined by physician’s diagnosis using the International Classification of Diseases version 9 clinical modification codes. Poisson regression with robust variance estimation was used to determine factors associated with eye care use.

Results: Of the 2464 children, 712 (28.9%) had ocular conditions in 2005, and 56.5% and 44.7% of them didn’t receive eye care during the subsequent 1- and 2-year periods, respectively. Among those with ocular conditions, the 3–4-year-olds were least likely to receive eye care in the subsequent 1 and 2 years. Children with highly educated fathers were more likely to receive eye care in the subsequent 1-year period. Sex, family income, level of mother’s education, residential area and eye care resources were not significant factors for children with ocular conditions receiving subsequent eye care within either 1 or 2 years.

Conclusions: Despite the fact that Taiwan has a National Health Insurance Program, lack of subsequent eye care remains high, even when a child’s ocular condition is known by the caregiver. Determinants associated with follow-up eye care must be considered when designing eye care enhancing programs for children.     

Eye Care Use Among Rural Adults in China: The Handan Eye Study

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the use of eye care services in a rural population in North China and to analyze the factors associated with underuse of these services.

Methods: In a cross-sectional population-based study, demographic, health and vision-related information including use of eye care services were determined during a face-to-face interview. A single visit to an eye care provider qualified as “use” of eye care services.

Results: Of 6612 participants, 754 (11.4%, 95% confidence interval, CI, 8.7–14.1%) had used eye care services. The most common reason cited for not seeing an eye care provider was “no need” (n?=?5754). Of the 5754 who thought that there was no need to see an ophthalmologist, 3458 (60.1%) were found to have one or more type of eye disease, including glaucoma (56, 1.0%), cataract (1056, 18.4%), age-related macular degeneration (AMD; 164, 2.9%) and refractive error (3048, 53.0%). Also, 74 (1.3%) and 409 (7.1%) of the 5754 participants had visual impairment (<20/60) according to best-corrected visual acuity and presenting visual acuity, respectively. In a multiple regression model, participants who had glaucoma (adjusted odds ratio, OR, 4.0, 95% CI 3.0–5.4), AMD (adjusted OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2–2.3) or refractive error (adjusted OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.8), were more likely to visit an eye care provider.

Conclusion: A high proportion of the Chinese rural population had never used eye care services although three fifths had eye diseases. Further efforts towards better education of the general population about common eye problems as well as increasing the number of ocular health providers would be necessary in future.     

Perceptions of Eye Health and Eye Health Services among Adults Attending Outreach Eye Care Clinics in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Purpose: To determine how people attending outreach eye care clinics in Papua New Guinea (PNG) perceive eye health and eye health services.

Methods: An interview-based questionnaire was administrated to a convenience sample of 614 adult participants across four provinces and perceptions of eye health and eye health services were recorded. Presenting and near visual acuity were measured and cause of visual impairment (VI) determined.

Results: In this sample, 113/614 participants (18.4%) presented with distance VI, 16 (2.6%) with distance blindness, and 221 (47.6%) with near VI. Older participants and those with near VI were more likely to indicate that it is hard to have an eye examination due to travel time, lack of transport and transport costs. Female participants and those from underserved areas were more likely to report shame and fear of jealousy from others when asked about their attitudes towards spectacles. Participants reporting that they were willing to pay higher amounts for testing and spectacles/treatment also reported higher education levels, higher household incomes and were more likely to be male. A quarter of participants (25.9%) indicated that they did not like having an eye examination because their reading and writing was poor.

Conclusions: People attending outreach eye care clinics in PNG reported finding it difficult to attend eye health services due to transport difficulties and anticipated high costs. Negative attitudes towards spectacles were also prevalent, and negative perceptions appeared more frequently among older participants and those with less education.     

Factors related to vision care in an older adult cohort.

PURPOSE: This study provides cross-sectional data on eye care utilization in a community-based adult population. METHODS: Data are from a questionnaire administered during the 7-year follow-up of the Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study in 2000 to 2002. Participants in the population-based Beaver Dam Eye Study were eligible for the Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study, which began in 1997. The primary outcome was self-reported vision testing within the past year. RESULTS: Subject ages ranged from 55 to 99 years (n = 2433), and 60.4% were female. Fifty-three percent of subjects reported they had their vision tested in the past year. Diabetes was self-reported by 11.5% of subjects, and 70.9% of diabetic participants had their vision tested in the past year. A current hospitalization or health insurance plan was reported by 98.6% of subjects. In multivariate analyses, self-reported factors significantly associated with having a vision test in the past year were female gender (odds ratio [OR] = 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-1.52), current use of refractive correction for distance (OR = 1.98; 95% CI 1.56-2.52), glaucoma (OR = 3.52; 95% CI 2.37-5.24), cataract surgery (OR = 1.57; 95% CI 1.21-2.03), age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) (OR = 1.74; 95% CI 1.22-2.47), diabetes (OR = 2.46; 95% CI 1.83-3.31), visiting a primary care practitioner for any reason in the past year (OR = 1.72; 95% CI 1.32-2.25), having a hearing test in the past year (OR = 1.79; 95% CI 1.40-2.28), and the cessation of driving because of poor vision (OR = 1.64; 95% CI 1.16-2.52). In participants 65 years of age or older, having private insurance was associated with increased odds (OR = 3.39, 95% CI 1.82-6.31) of vision testing in the past year. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that chronic ocular conditions, diabetes, health insurance beyond government entitlements, and the use of other healthcare services are associated with increased eye care utilization.     

Factors Associated with Visual Impairment in Chinese American Adults: The Chinese American Eye Study

Purpose: To assess associations between multiple factors comprising a conceptual model of visual impairment (VI) in a population of Chinese Americans (CAs), and identify independent VI risk factors.

Methods: A population-based study of 4582 CAs aged 50 years and older residing in Monterey Park, California. A comprehensive eye examination was performed. VI was defined as best-corrected visual acuity <20/40 (US definition) in the better-seeing eye.

Results: Of five independent risk factors identified, age and self-reported history of ocular disease were most strongly associated with VI. Participants 70 years and older were 10.0 times as likely to have VI compared to those in their 50s (95% confidence interval (CI) 4.0–25.0), while those with a history of ocular disease were 4.2 times as likely to have VI (95% CI 2.2–7.8). Additional risk factors included low education (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.7–4.8), low acculturation (OR 5.9, 95% CI 2.0–17.3) and self-reported history of diabetes (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2–3.2). A comparison to data previously described from the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study indicated that four of the factors that predict VI risk in CAs also represent clinically relevant risk factors for VI in Latinos.

Conclusions: Screening programs for individuals with advanced age and a history of ocular disease have the potential to reduce the burden of VI in CAs, as do educational programs for those with fewer years in school, a history of diabetes, and low acculturation.     

Community Visual Field Screening: Prevalence of Follow-Up and Factors Associated With Follow-Up of Participants With Abnormal Frequency Doubling Perimetry Technology Results

Purpose: To determine if a community screening with Frequency Doubling Technology perimetry (FDT) results in a high proportion of follow-up with an eye care provider and the factors associated with follow-up. Design:Cross-sectional study. Setting: Telephone survey Methods: We conducted a telephone survey of participants with abnormal results 3–6 months after the community screening. Results: We were able to interview 121 participants (57% of 212 eligible subjects). Sixty-nine percent (83 of 121) of participants visited an eye care provider after the screening. Patients were more likely to attain an eye exam if they were female, older, or had an educational level of high school or more (p < 0.05). Of those participants who did not visit an eye care provider, 41% (18/38) did not believe the results of the test, 21% (8/38) reported not having insurance or an eye care provider, 11% (4/38) did not have time for an eye exam, and 11% (4/38) reported not knowing they needed to see an eye care provider. Conclusion: A community screening program with FDT encouraged more than two thirds of participants with abnormal results to seek an eye exam. The most common reason not to attain an eye exam was failing to recognize the importance of an abnormal test result.     

Ocular Findings in Patients with Autoimmune Liver Disease

Purpose: This is a collaborative study from the ophthalmology and gastroenterology departments of a tertiary care hospital, designed to investigate the ocular features in patients with autoimmune liver disease (ALD).

Methods: Seventy-two eyes of 36 patients with ALD, and 40 eyes of 20 controls with normal ocular findings were evaluated. Schirmer test, tear film break-up time, pachymetry, macular thickness with optic coherence tomography, and optic nerve head analysis with the HRT III were performed in addition to complete ophthalmologic examination.

Results: Of the 36 patients, 31 were female (86.1%) and 5 were male (13.9%). The average age of patients was 47.7?±?13.3 years (21–76 years). Autoimmune hepatitis in 22 patients (61.1%), primary biliary cirrhosis in 10 patients (27.8%), and primary sclerosing cholangitis in 4 patients (11.1%) were detected as etiologic causes. Cataract was seen more often in the study group. Tear film break-up time and Schirmer test results were significantly lower in the study group than in the controls. Other parameters were not different from control group.

Conclusions: ALD showed a marked preponderance of females, with sex ratios of 6 females per male supportive to literature. The basal tear secretion and tear film stability are lower, and the dry eye symptoms are more common among the cases with ALD.     

The Role of Anti-tubercular Therapy in Patients with Presumed Ocular Tuberculosis

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the factors affecting the treatment outcome in patients with presumed ocular tuberculosis on anti-tubercular therapy (ATT).

Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients with presumed ocular tuberculosis seen at a tertiary referral eye care center in the United Kingdom. Failure was defined as recurrence of inflammation within 6 months of completion of ATT.

Results: There were a total of 175 patients with presumed ocular tuberculosis who had ATT. Patients with intermediate uveitis or panuveitis and those on immunosuppressive therapy had higher odds of treatment failure (p?<?0.05) while those with more than 9 months of ATT (77, 79.38%) had less likelihood of failure.

Conclusion: We present the largest case series of patients with presumed ocular tuberculosis in a low endemic area treated with ATT. Longer duration of treatment resulted in reduced risk of recurrence of inflammation, whereas immunosuppression adversely affected the final treatment outcome.     

曲伏前列素滴眼液治疗原发性开角型青光眼和高眼压症

目的：研究曲伏前列素滴眼液治疗原发性开角型青光眼和高眼压症的降眼压效果及安全性。方法：随机选取2013-03/2016-03我院收治的原发性开角型青光眼和高眼压症患者80例80眼,依据不同治疗方法分为两组：曲伏前列素滴眼液组( n=40)和拉坦前列素滴眼液组(n=40),对两组患者的临床疗效、视力、散光度、眼压及不良反应发生情况进行统计分析。结果：曲伏前列素滴眼液组患者治疗的总有效率95%(38/40)显著高于拉坦前列素滴眼液组80%(32/40),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。曲伏前列素滴眼液组患者治疗后视力显著高于拉坦前列素滴眼液组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),散光度、眼压均显著低于拉坦前列素滴眼液组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),不良反应发生率25%(10/40)显著低于拉坦前列素滴眼液组53%(21/40),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论：曲伏前列素滴眼液治疗原发性开角型青光眼和高眼压症比拉坦前列素滴眼液具有较好的降眼压效果及较高的安全性。     

Patterns of eye care use and expenditures among children with diagnosed eye conditions.

PURPOSE: Little is known about use and expenditure patterns of children's eye-care services and about possible disparities in care among children. This report describes the use and expenditure patterns of eye care and non-eye care services for children under 18 years old in the United States. METHODS: Levels of use and expenditure were estimated using self-reported information from the nationally representative Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys (1996-2001) for 48,304 subjects under 18 years old from randomly selected households in the United States. Means presented for children with and without diagnosed eye conditions were adjusted for child and family characteristics using generalized linear models. RESULTS: Children with diagnosed eye conditions had higher levels of use and expenditure than children without diagnosed conditions. Families of children with diagnosed eye conditions incurred higher out-of-pocket expenditures. Black children and children living below 400% of the federal poverty level had lower levels of use and expenditure, indicating that they received fewer and less intensive services. CONCLUSIONS: Children with diagnosed eye conditions experienced higher overall use of health care. Some groups of children appear to be underserved. Estimates of use and expenditure patterns, stratified by socioeconomic factors, will be needed to plan for future delivery of children's eye and vision care services and to assess progress toward Healthy People 2010 goals.     

Visual field-based grading of disease severity in newly diagnosed primary open angle glaucoma patients presenting to a tertiary eye care centre in India

Purpose

To evaluate the severity of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) at presentation using visual field analysis and its relationship to demographic and ocular factors in patients presenting to a tertiary eye care centre.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Methods

Newly diagnosed POAG patients were classified as early, moderate, or severe stage in the worse eye based on the Humphrey visual field testing using Hodapp–Parrish–Andersons criteria. The groups were compared for differences in demographics and ocular characteristics. Statistical analysis was done using STATA 14.1 (Texas, USA).

Results

The average age of 71 eligible patients was 60.04?±?9.53 years, and the cohort had 29.5% females. Among the subjects, 19 (26.7%) had early, 24 (33.3%) had moderate and 28 (38.89%) had severe POAG at presentation. There was no statistically significant difference among different stages of glaucoma with respect to age and sex groups. No statistical association was found with education, occupation status, presenting complaints, family history of glaucoma, or systemic diseases between the different stages of severity. 5.6% with severe disease presented with a relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD). The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) in the severe stage was 22.54?±?5.27 mmHg, which was not statistically higher than the other groups (P?=?0.726).

Conclusions

Newly diagnosed POAG patients predominantly present at moderate or severe stage of disease, reflecting either the asymptomatic nature of the disease or a lack of access to vision care services. Existing screening programmes need to be improved, with special attention to women and individuals less than 50 years of age.

     

新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情期间眼外伤流行病学特点分析

目的：分析新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情期间眼外伤入院者疾病谱变化趋势及流行病学特点。

方法：回顾性病例分析。收集郑州大学第一附属医院眼科入院治疗的眼外伤者876例905眼,其中对照组(2019-01/06)545例565眼,研究组(2020-01/06)331例340眼。比较两组患者年龄、性别、受伤地点、受伤原因、居住地、受伤类型等信息。

结果：研究组眼外伤住院人数较对照组减少39.3%,对照组和研究组年龄均呈双峰样分布,分别为0～10岁(20.55%,21.45%)和41～50岁(17.98%,19.03%)占比最高,两组年龄分布无差异(P=0.907)。对照组和研究组均以男性为主,占比80.37%,83.69%(P=0.219)。研究组居家受伤比例(28.40%)高于对照组(11.38%)(P<0.001)。研究组机械性眼外伤占比(98.19%)高于对照组(95.60%)(P=0.041),开放性眼外伤占比(85.54%)高于对照组(76.58%)(P=0.001),无光感者占比(18.86%)高于对照组(9.53%)(P<0.001)。

结论：新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情期间,眼外伤住院患者显著减少,机械性眼外伤是主要眼外伤类型,在流行病暴发期间,仍应加强眼外伤的防护意识。     

眼科门诊儿童患者干眼流行病学特征分析

目的:研究眼科门诊儿童患者干眼发病率,分析干眼发病与儿童年龄、视觉显示终端使用及结膜炎的相关性。方法:顺序统计眼科门诊儿童患者(7~13岁)128例,采用改良的眼表疾病指数(OSDI)调查表及泪膜破裂时间(BUT)评价干眼患病率及严重程度。结果:本组儿童总体干眼患病率为19.5%,其中7~10岁组儿童64例,干眼患病率为15.6%;11~13岁组儿童64例,干眼患病率为23.4%。7~10岁组儿童OSDI平均为1.55±0.61,11~13岁组儿童OSDI平均为2.15±0.83,两组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。7~10岁组儿童BUT平均为12.05±3.25s,11~13岁组儿童BUT平均为10.05±2.97s,两组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。每天使用视觉显示终端超过2h组儿童干眼患病率为43.3%,对照组为12.2%;近3mo曾患结膜炎组儿童干眼患病率为26.3%,对照组为8.3%;组间OSDI及BUT差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:相当一部分儿童患者合并干眼,其发生与患儿年龄、过度使用视觉显示终端及罹患结膜炎相关。     

How to Achieve Universal Coverage of Cataract Surgical Services in Developing Countries: Lessons from Systematic Reviews of Other Services

Purpose: Since the Declaration of Alma Ata, universal coverage has been at the heart of international health. The purpose of this study was to review the evidence on factors and interventions which are effective in promoting coverage and access to cataract and other health services, focusing on developing countries.

Methods: A thorough literature search for systematic reviews was conducted. Information resources searched were Medline, The Cochrane Library and the Health System Evidence database. Medline was searched from January 1950 to June 2010. The Cochrane Library search consisted of identifying all systematic reviews produced by the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group and the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care. These reviews were assessed for potential inclusion in the review. The Health Systems Evidence database hosted by MacMaster University was searched to identify overviews of systematic reviews.

Results: No reviews met the inclusion criteria for cataract surgery. The literature search on other health sectors identified 23 systematic reviews providing robust evidence on the main factors facilitating universal coverage. The main enabling factors influencing access to services in developing countries were peer education, the deployment of staff to rural areas, task shifting, integration of services, supervision of health staff, eliminating user fees and scaling up of health insurance schemes.

Conclusion: There are significant research gaps in eye care. There is a pressing need for further high quality primary research on health systems-related factors to understand how the delivery of eye care services and health systems’ capacities are interrelated.     

Visual impairment in a Taiwanese population: Prevalence,causes, and socioeconomic factors

PURPOSE We sought to estimate the prevalence of visual impairment among an elderly population in urban Taiwan, determine the causes of visual impairment, and gain information about certain socioeconomic factors associated with visual impairment.

METHODS A population-based survey of ocular diseases in residents aged 50 years or older was conducted in Peitou Precinct, Taipei, Taiwan. All participants underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination, including visual acuity measurement, using standardized protocols. Demographic data, marital status, employment status, and educational level were gathered through an interview.

RESULTS A total of 2034 participants completed the visual acuity measurements. The prevalence of visual impairment (defined as best-corrected visual acuity in the better eye <6/18) among this population was 2.75% (95% confidence intervals: 2.04%–3.46%). Three major causes of visual impairment were cataract (30.4%), high myopic macular degeneration (25.0%), and age-related macular degeneration (14.3%). In multivariate analysis, age was positively correlated with visual impairment (P < 0.001), and higher education level was associated with a significant decrease in the odds of being visually impaired (P < 0.001). No relation was found between visual impairment and sex, or marital and employment status.

CONCLUSIONS This study provides the first information about the prevalence and causes of visual impairment in Taiwan, and identifies age and educational level as the most important factors related to visual impairment. Additional educational programs should be developed to improve individual awareness of age-related ocular diseases and the availability of current ophthalmic intervention.     

Lack of Awareness of Common Eye Conditions in the Community

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Awareness of eye conditions aids health promotion activities and leads to better outcomes. We examined factors influencing the lack of awareness of common eye conditions in a population.

Methods: The Singapore Malay Eye Study examined 3280 (78.7% response) Malays aged 40–80 years. We included 2112 (64.4%) participants with at least one of five eye conditions: 1504 (71.2%) with cataract, 1013 (47.8%) with myopia, 270 (12.8%) with diabetic retinopathy, 181 (8.6%) with age-related macular degeneration and 150 (7.1%) with glaucoma. Lack of awareness was defined in the questionnaire as not answering “yes” to previously being told by a doctor of having the eye condition.

Results: Among 2112 participants, 83.2% were unaware of at least one of their eye conditions. After controlling for age, sex and socioeconomic factors, participants unaware of their eye condition were older (odds ratio, OR, 1.03, per 1 year, p?<?0.001), had better visual acuity (OR 1.32, p?=?0.04), lower education (OR 1.89, p?<?0.001), poorer literacy (OR 1.44, p?=?0.02), lower income (OR 1.73, p?=?0.009), higher blood glucose (OR 1.08, per 1?mmol/L, p?<?0.001), higher serum cholesterol (OR 1.20, per 1?mmol/L, p?=?0.003), lower annual eye examination attendance (OR 2.08, p?<?0.001) and were less likely to wear glasses (OR 2.90, p?<?0.001) than those who were aware of their condition.

Conclusions: In this community-based population, 80% of those with common eye conditions were unaware of their condition.     

The Chinese American Eye Study: Design and Methods

Abstract

Purpose: To summarize the study design, operational strategies and procedures of the Chinese American Eye Study (CHES), a population-based assessment of the prevalence of visual impairment, ocular disease, and visual functioning in Chinese Americans.

Methods: This population-based, cross-sectional study included 4570 Chinese participants aged 50 years and older, residing in the city of Monterey Park, California. Each eligible participant completed a detailed interview and eye examination. The interview included an assessment of demographic, behavioral and ocular risk factors and health-related and vision-related quality of life. The eye examination included measurements of visual acuity, intraocular pressure, visual fields, fundus and optic disc photography, a detailed anterior and posterior segment examination, and measurements of blood pressure, glycosylated hemoglobin levels, and blood glucose levels.

Results: The objectives of the CHES are to obtain prevalence estimates of visual impairment, refractive error, diabetic retinopathy, open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma, lens opacities, and age-related macular degeneration in Chinese Americans. In addition, outcomes include effect estimates for risk factors associated with eye diseases. Lastly, CHES will investigate the genetic determinants of myopia and glaucoma.

Conclusion: The CHES will provide information about the prevalence and risk factors of ocular diseases in one of the fastest growing minority groups in the United States.     

Female Reproductive Factors and Major Eye Diseases in Asian Women –The Singapore Malay Eye Study

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the association of reproductive factors and major eye diseases, including glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy and cataract, in Asian women.

Methods: The Singapore Malay Eye Study is a population-based cross-sectional epidemiological study which examined 3280 persons (78.7% response) of Malay ethnicity aged 40–80 years; 1704 were female. Information on reproductive factors and use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Glaucoma was defined according to the International Society for Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology criteria. Retinal photographs were graded for AMD following the Wisconsin grading system, and diabetic retinopathy according to the modified Airlie House classification system. Cataract was graded according to the Lens Opacity Classification System III.

Results: A total of 1176 women reported having experienced menopause by the time of the study with 1073 (91%) having a natural menopause, 88 (7.5%) a hysterectomy and 9 (0.8%) due to other reasons; HRT was used by 70 (6%) women. Women whose age at menopause was ≤52 years were 3.5 times more likely to have glaucoma (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.23–9.98, p value?=?0.02) than those whose age at menopause was ≥53 years. Age of menopause was not associated with AMD (age-adjusted odds ratio, OR, 1.22, 95% CI 0.65–2.31), diabetic retinopathy (age-adjusted OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.66–1.54) or cataract (age-adjusted OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.95–2.00). Use of HRT was not associated with any of these eye diseases.

Conclusion: Women who had menopause at a younger age were more likely to have glaucoma. This association needs to be confirmed in other studies.     

Pattern of Scleritis in an Egyptian Cohort

Purpose: To report the clinical experience with scleritis at four Egyptian tertiary care eye centers.

Methods: Multicenter retrospective chart review of all patients with scleritis visiting four ocular inflammation referral clinics in Egypt between January 2013 and October 2017.

Results: A total of 303 scleritis patients were enrolled. These included 76 male and 227 female patients. The most frequent subtype of scleritis was nodular anterior scleritis (44.9%). Rheumatoid arthritis and Wegener granulomatosis were the 2 most common systemic associations among our cohort. Eyes with necrotizing scleritis with inflammation had the lowest mean initial and final BCVA.

Conclusion: The visual prognosis of an eye with scleritis varies with the subtype of scleral inflammation. In our cohort, it was found to be poorer in eyes with necrotizing scleritis with inflammation compared to other subtypes.