BackgroundNonprescription sunglasses are available in bulk from authorized and unauthorized vendors. Sunglasses should follow the minimum requirements to sufficiently protect the eyes. In this study, we found that a significant proportion of nonprescription sunglasses available at authorized and unauthorized sources were not protective of ultraviolet radiation.PurposeProtection from harmful ultraviolet radiation with sunglasses minimizes or avoids ocular complications. In developing countries like Ethiopia, sunglasses are imported without regulation. Sunglasses are distributed to the market without regulatory tests for potential causes of ocular complications. The purpose of this study was to determine commercially available nonprescription sunglasses’ ultraviolet radiation protection level.MethodsA total of 74 pairs of nonprescription sunglasses were collected from different parts of the country and tested for ultraviolet radiation protection using ultraviolet detector (anti-radiation UV sun detector, China) instrument. Brand, lens color and average of three readings of ultraviolet radiation protection were recorded. The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection standard followed. Data were entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 20. Descriptive and analytical statistics were performed.ResultsOf the total 74 different pairs of nonprescription sunglasses, 47.3% (35) were obtained from authorized sources and 86.5% (p=0.23) were brand tagged. Only 73.0% (p=0.81) of nonprescription sunglasses were in accordance with the standards and protective to ultraviolet radiation, while the remaining 27.0% (p=0.59) were failed to block the harmful ultraviolet radiation. Upon one sample t-test, the mean ultraviolet radiation protection level of commercially available sunglasses was 392.77 (t-value= −7681.54, p<0.001).ConclusionSignificant proportions of nonprescription sunglasses available from vendors were not protective of ultraviolet radiation and performed below the expected international standards. Reassurance is mandatory before dispensed to users irrespective of source.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess contrast sensitivity and macular function test in prediabetes.MethodsParticipants aged 25–45 years with or without diabetes were enrolled and classified as normal, prediabetic, and diabetic based on their HbA1C values. They underwent a comprehensive eye examination, and those with diabetic retinopathy, cataract, glaucoma, and high myopia were excluded. Participants with best-corrected visual acuity of 0 logMAR were included. Contrast-sensitivity function (CSF) was measured using a Pelli–Robson chart, and photo stress–recovery time (PSRT) assessed using direct ophthalmoscopy for the 70 eligible participants. Mean values were compared among the three groups.DesignThis was a cross-sectional observational study.ResultsIn the 70 participants, mean CSF was 1.71±0.10, 1.64±0.11, and 1.61±0.08 log units in the normal, prediabetic, and diabetic groups, respectively (p<0.001). Similarly, PSRT was found to be 35.80 seconds, 41.63 seconds, and 47.77 seconds in the normal, prediabetic, and diabetic groups, respectively (p<0.001).ConclusionThe data suggested that reduced CSF and delayed PSRT seen in subjects with prediabetes could give valuable clinical insight into early changes before diabetes and microvascular damage is incurred. A future study with a larger sample could help substantiate the results.

BackgroundPeople with congenital color vision deficiency can experience some difficulties with seeing colors in everyday life, and these problems vary according to the nature and severity of the defect, the individual’s circumstances and their ability to develop coping or adaptive strategies.PurposeTo determine the impact of congenital color vision deficiency on color-related tasks among Black South African schoolchildren.MethodsA cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 1305 public schoolchildren in Durban, South Africa. Structured questionnaires were administered to determine the difficulties they encountered in aspects of color matching and recognition.ResultsOf the 1305 schoolchildren who participated, 601 (46.1%) were boys and 704 (53.9%) were girls, with 29 (2.2%) having congenital color vision defects. The prevalence of congenital color vision deficiency was higher in boys (n=25; 4.2%) than in girls (n=4; 0.6%). A statistically significant proportion (P<0.0001) reported difficulties with color-related schoolwork and activities of daily living.ConclusionCongenital color vision deficiency affects many aspects of life and extends across play, sports, education, health and safety issues. Early detection of children with congenital color vision defect through regular school screenings is needed to offer affected children appropriate vocation and career guidance.

IntroductionWe report a case of a 35-year-old man who presented with headache followed by decreased vision, metamorphopsia, and altered color perception in his left eye, after repeated intake of sildenafil citrate (four times; 100 mg) in a limited period (3 days).MethodsOn the first ocular examination, best-corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was 20/80 in his left eye and 20/20 in his right eye. On fundus examination, loss of foveal reflex and serous retinal detachment in the foveal region were detected. Fluorescein angiography of the left eye was compatible with a leakage area with determined borders. The patient was advised to stop sildenafil intake.ResultsAfter 4 weeks, CDVA increased to 20/25, and the fundus examination revealed significant improvement of the macular edema. Optical coherence tomography showed increased foveal thickness to 350 μm.ConclusionAdvising patients with central serous chorioretinopathy to stop sildenafil intake should be considered.

BackgroundThe Antibiotic Resistance Monitoring in Ocular micRoorganisms study is an ongoing surveillance study that tracks antibiotic resistance among bacterial isolates from ocular infections across the United States. We report antibiotic resistance rates and trends from 2009 through 2016.Materials and methodsStaphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Haemophilus influenzae from various ocular infections were obtained from participating United States centers. Isolates were sent to a central laboratory for determination of antibiotic resistance profiles. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined by broth microdilution according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute for drugs from more than ten antibiotic classes, and isolates were classified as susceptible or resistant based on systemic breakpoints, wherever available. Resistance rates were also evaluated based on decade of patient life and longitudinally over the 8-year time period.ResultsA total of 1,695 S. aureus, 1,475 CoNS, 474 S. pneumoniae, 586 H. influenzae, and 599 P. aeruginosa were collected from 87 sites. Resistance was high among staphylococci and pneumococci, with methicillin resistance detected in 621 (36.6%) S. aureus and 717 (48.6%) CoNS isolates. Multidrug resistance (≥3 drug classes) was observed among staphylococci, particularly in methicillin-resistant (MR) isolates (MR S. aureus [MRSA]: 76.2%; MR CoNS [MRCoNS]: 73.5%). Differences in methicillin resistance among staphylococci were observed based on patient age, with higher rates observed in older patients (P<0.0001). For certain organism-antibiotic combinations, there were significant changes in resistance over time, including a decrease in methicillin resistance among S. aureus (but not CoNS); no notable trends were observed for S. pneumoniae.ConclusionAntibiotic resistance was prevalent among gram-positive organisms, and MR staphylococcal isolates were more likely to be multidrug resistant. Although a small decrease in methicillin resistance was observed among S. aureus over time, the continued high prevalence of in vitro methicillin resistance should be considered when treating patients with ocular infections.

BackgroundThe purpose of this study is to investigate and compare spectacle and contact lens (CL) prescription trends, with an emphasis on astigmatic refractive error prescribing differences for patients who purchase spectacles or CLs in South Korea.MethodsA retrospective study of patient records of a major optical chain in South Korea was conducted. De-identified data of age, gender, power of prescribed spectacles and/or CLs were extracted from the practice database. Inclusion criteria were being within the first 10,000 purchasers of spectacles or CLs or both.ResultsThe first 10,000 purchases comprised spectacles (59%) and CLs (41%) (male:female ratio 4:6). The proportion of purchasers who were female was significantly higher for CLs (88% female, 12% male) than spectacles (43% female, 57% male) (χ2=4480.36, df=1, P<0.0001). There was a significant difference in the proportions of purchases by age group for spectacles and CLs (χ2=3246.69, df=3, P<0.0001). Spherical power distribution of prescribed lenses was similar between the groups; however, cylinder power and axis were significantly different (P<0.0001). CL astigmatic powers were more likely to be 1.00 DC or greater, whereas the majority of spectacle lenses had astigmatic power of 0.75 DC or less. In total, 90% of toric CLs were prescribed ×180 and 9% other meridians, unlike spectacles where 50% were prescribed ×180, 14% ×90 and 40% at oblique meridians.ConclusionThere is scope for providing increased toric lens correction amongst CL wearers and increasing the proportion of wearers who are male. The estimated gap for toric lens prescription amongst CL wearers who have clinically significant astigmatism ≥0.75 DC is about 59%.

Scleral lenses are being prescribed for the management of corneal irregularity, uncomplicated refractive error, and ocular surface disease. There are many potential therapeutic uses of scleral lenses in addition to providing similar benefits as corneal gas permeable lenses. Scleral contact lenses are a valuable therapeutic tool for patients with ocular surface disease as these lenses protect the ocular surface, provide continuous corneal hydration while providing optimal visual correction, and are often used in conjunction with other therapies.

PurposeIndividuals approaching presbyopia may exhibit ocular symptoms as they contend with visual demands of near work, coupled with natural age-related changes in accommodation. Therefore, accommodation and vergence of 30- to 40-year-old, myopic, soft contact lens wearing subjects with symptoms of asthenopia and no history of using multifocal lenses were evaluated.Patients and methodsIn this prospective, observational study, 253 subjects with asthenopia were evaluated by 25 qualified practitioners, each at a different clinical site. Subjects were 30–40 years in age, had symptoms of soreness, eyestrain, tired eyes, or headaches with near work, regularly performed 2–3 consecutive hours of near work, and were undiagnosed with presbyopia. Amplitude of accommodation (AC) and near point convergence (NPC) were measured with a Royal Air Force binocular gauge. Triplicate push up and push down AC and NPC measures were recorded, and average AC values were compared to those calculated using the Hofstetter formula (HF).ResultsThe average AC push up/push down value was significantly better than the HF prediction for this age range (8.04±3.09 vs 6.23±0.80 D), although 22.5% of subjects had mean AC below their HF value (5.36±0.99 D). The average NPC push up/push down value was 12.0±4.69 cm. The mean binocular AC value using the push up measure was significantly better than the push down measure (8.5±3.4 vs 7.6±3.0 D). The mean NPC value using the push up measure was significantly worse than the push down measure (13.0±5.0 vs 11.0±4.7 cm). The most frequent primary diagnosis was ill-sustained accommodation (54%), followed by accommodative insufficiency (18%), and accommodative infacility (12%).ConclusionBased upon a standardized assessment of accommodation and vergence, ill-sustained accommodation was the most frequent diagnosis among this population.

Contact lens (CL) wear has been a viable alternative to spectacle wear for several decades. The interest and desire to wear CLs have been stable in recent years, evidenced by the consistency of new wearers into this category of refractive correction. CLs have become one of the most commonly used medical devices in the market, with more than 40 million wearers in the US. There are many activities in which patients report a preference of CL wear over spectacles (athletics for example). Nearly all patients (even presbyopic patients) have the option of contact lenses today given the expansion of powers and parameters in recent years. Patients eyes are getting dryer as factors of age and the environment. CL materials have improved in recent years in an attempt to meet the challenges of dryer eyes. Despite the improvements in CLs and their care, challenges persist. Patient education, handwashing, compliance with care, and wearing schedule are some of the challenges that providers face in the care of CL patients even today.

PurposeTo evaluate the intrasession repeatability of refractive and ocular aberrometric measurements obtained using a new multidiagnostic device in healthy eyes.Patients and methodsA total of 107 eyes of 107 patients, age ranging from 23 to 65 years, were enrolled in this study. A complete eye examination was performed in all eyes, including an ocular examination using the VX120 system. Three consecutive measurements were obtained using this device to assess the intrasession repeatability of different refractive and ocular aber-rometric parameters. The within-subject standard deviation (Sw), intrasubject precision (1.96×Sw), and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were calculated.ResultsSw and intrasubject precision for refractive data were below 0.12 and 0.20 D, respectively, in all cases. The ICC ranged from 0.947 for the J45 power vector component to 0.997 for the sphere. Concerning aberrometric measurements Sw and intrasubject precision values were below 0.05 µm and 0.10 µm, respectively. Likewise, the ICC ranged from 0.805 for the quadrafoil root mean square to 0.954 for the primary spherical aberration. Poor correlations were found between most of the refractive parameters and their Sw (–0.033≤r≤0.053, p≥0.064). Moderate and significant positive correlations were found between the magnitude of the aberrometric parameters evaluated and their Sw (r≥0.446, p<0.001).ConclusionThe new multidiagnostic device evaluated is able to provide consistent measurements of refraction and ocular aberrations in healthy eyes. Future studies should confirm if this consistency is also observed in highly aberrated eyes.