Optometry and Vision Science

Utility for Uncorrected Refractive Errors in Adolescent Schoolchildren in Kakamega County, Kenya

imageSIGNIFICANCE

Uncorrected refractive errors (UREs) present an enormous lifetime burden in children. Despite this, there is a dearth of knowledge on URE-related preference-based quality of life (QoL) in East Africa. This study demonstrates the positive impact of interventions on UREs; hence, it provides an empirical justification for advocacy to improve the QoL of children with URE.

PURPOSE

This study investigated the preference-based QoL (utility) for URE in school-going adolescents of Kakamega County, in Kenya.

METHODS

An observational cross-sectional study with multistage sampling was conducted on randomly selected secondary school adolescents. School-going adolescents in Forms 1 to 4 were clinically examined for the presence of URE and classified according to their URE types. Pre-screened students who met the selection criteria were classified into two groups: URE and normal sight. Participants in the normal-sight group were randomly selected from among screened students without URE. Selected participants were administered a previously validated adolescent-specific utility weighting instrument—Assessment of Quality of Life—Six Dimensions.

RESULTS

A total of 330 participants aged 17.32 ± 1.60 years (URE, 17.50 ± 1.58 years; normal-sight, 17.15 ± 1.61 years) were included in the study. The mean utility score, as elicited by the Assessment of Quality of Life—Six Dimensions scoring algorithm, was better in the normal-sight group (URE, 0.496 ± 0.22; normal sight, 0.567 ± 0.25) at baseline, whereas the reverse was true at follow-up (URE, 0.655 ± 0.20; normal sight, 0.603 ± 0.25). In all cases, the differences were significant (P .05) utility elicited by any URE subtype at any given time point. Nonetheless, the URE group showed significantly better utility (P

By Okenwa-Vincent, Emmanuel E.; Naidoo, Jyoti; Clarke-Farr, Peter C., ago

Nd:YAG Laser Capsulotomy: Efficacy and Outcomes Performed by Optometrists

imageSIGNIFICANCE

An increasing number of optometrists are performing Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy procedures; however, there is limited published information on the outcomes of these procedures.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of capsulotomy procedures performed by optometrists.

METHODS

Subjects diagnosed with posterior capsule opacification causing reduced vision and subjective visual complaints were recruited for this study. A baseline examination was performed to ensure that the subjects met all the necessary criteria. The procedure was performed by a licensed doctor of optometry at six different clinics, and each subject was monitored for visual outcome and any potential complications.

RESULTS

Subjects’ Snellen visual acuity improved from an average of 20/40 to 20/23 (P

By , ago