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The role of an optometrist in medical system of the Republic of Moldova

2023-04-14T08:09:50Z

Title: The role of an optometrist in medical system of the Republic of Moldova Authors: Gavriliuc, Tatiana; Ghidirimschi, Tatiana; Bakketeig, Hans Bjorn Abstract: Background: In 2017 optometry specialty was established at Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova, decision approved by the Government (HG Nr. 482/2017). The first class of optometrists graduated in June 2021, and is going to be engaged in national primary health care. High prevalence of visual impairments and increasing incidence of eye diseases represent the premises of optometry establishment as a specialty in the Republic of Moldova. According to Vision Atlas, in 2020 in the Republic of Moldova, there were an estimated number of 830 000 people with vision loss, of these, 19 000 people were blind. In comparison with neighbouring countries (Romania, Ukraine), Republic of Moldova is distinguished by its higher prevalence of vision loss of 22%, followed by Ukraine with a prevalence of 19% and Romania with 18%. Thus, Eastern Europe faces a high prevalence of visual impairments compared to Western and Northern European countries. The prevalence of visual impairments is 22.4%, and blindness is 0.50%. In this context, the optometrist will have a vital role in the prophylaxis of visual impairments and the prevention of preventable blindness. Objective of the Study: To describe the role of an optometrist in the assessment of visual impairments; to assess the public’s knowledge and attitude regarding the new specialty. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, sociological study was performed, based on a populationbased random questionnaire. Observational, historical, statistical and comparative methods were applied. Public’s knowledge of the differences between ophthalmologists and optometrists was estimated. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 110 people, females represented 60.9% (n = 67) of the total number of respondents, and males 39.1% (n = 43). A similar distribution by genre can be noticed in the study Gaurav Dubey, 2019, with an inverse value. Participants from urban areas constitute 66% (n = 73) and from rural areas - 34% (n = 37). Their clinical profile showed previous spectacle or contact lens wear 59.1% (n = 65), other 40.9% (n = 45) do not have such experience. Therefore, more than a half of participants interacted with national ophthalmological medical system. The majority 74.5% (n = 82) of the respondents reported a high level of awareness of the optometry term, only 25.5% (n = 28) had never interacted with the given term. Respondents chose the exclusive responsibility of optometrists, in order to assess their knowledge of the differences between ophthalmologists and optometrists. The respondents when asked about the optometrist functions (multiple choice questions used), so (46.2%), thinks the optometrist prescribes spectacles and contact lenses; (26.8%) – sells glasses and chooses frames; (18.28%) – diagnoses eye diseases. Nevertheless, the wrong options as medical treatment of eye diseases (7.4%) and surgical treatment (1.1%) were selected as well. The connection between selecting wrong options and educational/economic status has not been established. Educational and professional status of the respondents determined a high level of awareness according to the results of the research. It is recommended to include participants with a more variable socio-demographic status, in order to ensure a higher representativity of the population in the next conducted surveys. These findings of the questionnaire seem to indicate only the general tendency among the society. Conclusions: Optometry as a health care field remains to be explored, as it is a new specialty in Republic of Moldova. The evolution of optometry is accelerated all over the world, however it is geographically dispersed. The study showed a relatively high level of public knowledge regarding optometry, among people with secondary/higher, medical degree. Also, there is an essential demand of more complex researches among people with variable representative sample.

Atropine use in myopia control

2023-04-12T07:41:27Z

Title: Atropine use in myopia control Authors: Șcerbatiuc, Cristina; Bendelic, Eugeniu; Paduca, Ala Abstract: Atropine is currently the most effective therapy for myopia control. Recent clinical trials demonstrated low-dose atropine eye drops such as 0.01% resulted in retardation of myopia progression, with less side effects compared to higher concentration preparation. For children aged 6-10 years with myopia of at least 1D and myopia progression of at least 0.50D per year, the WHO recommends atropine as a potential first line treatment for myopia. Proposed strategies include a combination of low-dose atropine with increase outdoor time. We made pilot study and 1-year results suggest that atropine 0.01% eyedrops can slow myopia progression and axial elongation of the eye.

Myopia course. Guidance on management of myopia

2023-04-12T07:34:15Z

Title: Myopia course. Guidance on management of myopia Authors: Németh, János; Tapasztó, Beáta Abstract: The prevalence of myopia is increasing extensively worldwide. The number of people with myopia in 2020 is predicted to be 2.6 billion globally, which is expected to rise up to 4.9 billion by 2050, unless preventive actions and interventions are taken. The number of individuals with high myopia is also increasing substantially and pathological myopia is predicted to become the most common cause of irreversible vision impairment and blindness worldwide and also in Europe. These prevalence estimates indicate the importance of reducing the burden of myopia by means of myopia control interventions to prevent myopia onset and to slow down myopia progression. Due to the urgency of the situation, the European Society of Ophthalmology (SOE) in cooperation with International Myopia Institute (IMI) published an article, an update of the current information and guidance on management of myopia in the European Journal of Ophthalmology 2021; 31(3): 853- 883. (See also online, open access at https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1120672121998960 ).

The effect of COVID-19 home confinement on myopia progression in children

2023-04-12T07:30:28Z

Title: The effect of COVID-19 home confinement on myopia progression in children Authors: Bulut, Asker Abstract: Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of COVID-19 Home Confinement on the increase of myopia in the pediatric age group. Methods: For this purpose, the files of myopic patients under 18 years of age who were examined in the outpatient clinic in the last year were analyzed retrospectively. Subjective refraction values determined from the patients' files in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 examinations between March and May were examined. Myopic progression over the years was analyzed by calculating the manifest refraction spherical equivalent (RMSE) value. Exclusion criteria were ocular disease, refractive error of 1 diopter or more, degenerative myopia, ocular surgery history, ocular trauma history, and collagen tissue disease. Results: The mean age of 310 patients who met the criteria included in the study was 15.08 ± 2.02 years, and 218 (70.3%) were female and 92 (29.7%) were male. The mean MRSE values of the patients were found to be -1.83 ± 1.19 in 2018, -2.14 ± 1.26 in 2019, -2.46 ± 1.36 in 2020 and - 3.12 ± 1.36 in 2021. Accordingly, between 2018-2019, -0.31 ± 0.21 D (P <0.001), between 2019- 2020 -0.31 ± 0.25 D (P <0.001), between 2020-2021 -0.65 ± 0.29 D (P <0.001) it was observed that there was an increase in myopia. Conclusion: Although myopia in childhood seems progressive at all times, it has progressed more significantly during the COVID-19 Home Confinement , possibly with the effect of spending more time in closed environment and increasing indoor activity.