Ophthalmology Pakistan

Polypharmacy in Ophthalmology: Pattern of Drug Prescription by Ophthalmologist

2025-07-26T10:18:30+00:00

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to analyze the prescribing pattern of drugs by Ophthalmologist in our settings for various ocular conditions. As Recognition of these drug usage patterns provides the basis for improving safety and plummeting risks associated with their overuse and misuse.

Material and Methods: For this Descriptive Cross-sectional study, data of 200 patients at ophthalmology outpatient department Nishtar Hospital Multan was collected Prospectively. Strategy of non-probability purposive sampling was adopted. Data was collected from December 2024 to February 2025. Demographic profile, nature of the disease, type/class of Topical drugs prescribed as well as quantity of topical drugs were documented and analyzed. All the new cases were included in the study and patients with follow-up were excluded.

Results: Among the participants, 99 (49.5%) were male and 101 (50.5%) were female patients. 47 (23.5%) patients were between 61-75 years of age and 51 (25.5%) were above 75 years of age. Large number of patients (50, 25%) were undiagnosed. Mean number of drugs prescribed per prescription were 3.28, with minimum 1 and maximum 6 drugs. A total of 654 medicines were prescribed. Among the total prescribed drugs Ocular lubricants were 22.9%, Antibiotics plus steroids combination 91 (13.9 %) and Antibiotics were 80(12.2%). Topical NSAIDs were prescribed 108 (16.5%) and steroid 54 (8.3%). Share of Antihistamine and Mast cell stabilizer was (9.6%).

Conclusion: This study reflects knowledge, attitude and practice of our ophthalmologists regarding ocular drugs prescription. Overall findings of the study suggest that ophthalmologists’ drug prescribing habits were appropriate to a larger extent in the current setting. Few areas need special attention like number of drugs prescribed, indications of particular drug for a particular disease, proper diagnosis of clinical presentations.

Comparison Visual Acuity among different smart phones using PEEK Acuity Application.

2025-11-11T04:26:49+00:00

Objective: To compare visual acuity with Snellen standard chart and peak acuity application using different smart phones.

Methodology: On 398 eyes belonging to 199 patients older than 20 years old, an analytical form of observational study was conducted. Patients with significant ocular disease and a VA of less than 6/60 were not included in the study. For the purpose of simplifying statistical analysis, VA measured via mobile phones (Vivo, Infinix, Redmi, Google pixel) and snellen chart were converted to a log MAR scale. The VA measured using various smartphones and the snellen chart were compared using a one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni.

Results: In the 398 eyes analyzed, there was no significant difference (statistically) between VA determined using the smartphone-based application Peek Acuity and the standard Snellen chart.

Conclusion(s): Visual acuity measured through the application Peek Acuity in different smartphones of varying resolution was comparable to snellen, which concludes that it is advisable that it can be utilized as an efficient, trustworthy, and practical substitute to evaluate VA in tele-ophthalmology despite what phone the professional is using.

Change in Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness after Phacoemulsification and its Correlation with Phaco Power and Phaco Duration

2025-11-13T17:43:50+00:00

Purpose: To determine the change in RNFL thickness after phacoemulsification using OCT and to determine the correlation of RNFL change with phaco duration and phaco power.

Subjects and Methods: After getting IRB approval and taking informed consent, a quasi-experimental study was carried out at Eye department of Gujranwala Medical College. Fifty patients of either gender b/w 50-70 years of age with grade II senile cataract were enrolled in this study. Pre-operatively RNFL thickness was determined using OCT and post-operatively after phacoemulsification, the same procedure was repeated at 1 month and 3 months period. Change in RNFL thickness was determined and paired sample t-test was used to compare mean values pre and post-operatively. Correlation of this change with phaco power and phaco duration was determined using pearson’s correlation test.

Results: Out of 50, 54% were male while 46% were female. Mean age recorded was 60.5±5.42 years. Mean phaco power recorded was 44.4±5.47% while mean phaco duration noted was 9.4±3.51 seconds. Mean pre-operative RNFL thickness was 90.64±4.6µm that increased to 95.62±5.92µm at 1-month post-op. and then declined to 89.66±4.86µm at 3 months post-op. with significant p-value of 0.00 (p-value< 0.05). Pearson’s correlation test showed strong positive association of +0.77 b/w phaco power and change in RNFL thickness while weak positive association of +0.031 was determined b/w phaco duration and change in RNFL thickness.

Conclusion: In conclusion, phacoemulsification causes significant change in RNFL thickness post-operatively and this change has strong positive association with phaco power used and very weak positive association with phaco duration.

Role Of Vitamin D3 Supplementation in Dry Eye Disease

2025-11-13T17:42:03+00:00

Objective:
To evaluate the effect of oral Vitamin D3 supplementation on clinical symptoms and tear film parameters in patients diagnosed with Dry Eye Disease.

Methods:
This quasi-experimental study was conducted at Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Murree Hills, over 12 weeks. A total of 375 participants were enrolled, including 200 patients with DED and 175 healthy controls. Baseline Vitamin D3 levels, Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores, Schirmer’s test, and Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT) were recorded. The DED group received weekly oral Vitamin D3 (50,000 IU) for 12 weeks. Pre- and post-supplementation comparisons were analyzed using SPSS version 26.

Results:
Vitamin D3 deficiency was significantly more prevalent in the DED group (p < 0.001). Post-supplementation, there was a marked improvement in OSDI scores, Schirmer’s values, and TBUT (all p < 0.001), with large effect sizes. Regression analysis identified Vitamin D3 status as the strongest independent predictor of DED (OR = 7.26, p < 0.001). Severity grading also shifted significantly from “severe” to “mild” or “none” following supplementation.

Conclusion:
Vitamin D3 supplementation significantly improves both symptoms and tear film function in Dry Eye Disease. Screening for Vitamin D deficiency and its correction may serve as a valuable adjunct in the holistic management of DED.

Impact of Gender on the Incidence and Symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome in University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Pakistan

2025-11-13T17:51:03+00:00

Purpose

To determine the difference in severity and symptomatology of CVS between male and female students by reviewing the scores obtained from the questionnaire. Moreover, to find the prevalence of Computer Vision Syndrome among undergraduate university students in Lahore.

Methodology

This was a Cross-sectional analytical study. The estimated sample size was 420 subjects. Students having digital devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers, and a habit of using either of these digital devices for ≥2 hours daily for educational and social networking. Moreover, they were willing to provide informed consent and fill out the questionnaire.

Results

A total of 420 students responded (mean age: 22.75 ± 0.84 years), two-thirds (66.7%) of whom were female. Over 94% of female students reported the severity of symptoms of computer vision syndrome. A statistically significant gender difference was observed in symptoms of eye tiredness due to VDT use, with females reporting it more frequently (67.8%) compared to males (57.2%) (p = 0.008). A shorter TBUT (<5 seconds) was observed in 5.3% of males and 16.0% of females, indicating a higher incidence of tear film instability in females.

Conclusion

In this study, it was concluded that ocular symptoms, such as itchy eyes, were more common among females. Other symptoms, such as redness, burning, and foreign body sensation, were common in both genders; no statistically significant differences were observed. Ocular parameters, goblet cell density, and tear break-up time were slightly higher in males than in females, while in females, greater conjunctival changes and shorter TBUT were observed. Overall, the results suggest that female students are more vulnerable to symptomatic CVS. In contrast, males revealed relatively better ocular surface stability, highlighting the need for targeted preventive strategies in high-risk groups.

Stem Cell Therapies in Ophthalmology: Promise and Perils

2025-11-26T04:12:30+00:00