Ophthalmology Pakistan

Biosimilars in Ophthalmology: Trends and Potential

Muhammad Shaheer — 2024-12-04

Biosimilarsarebiotechnology-derivedproteinproducts which are almost identical to certain drugs which may be called spearhead or reference biologics. Biological and therapeutic effects of biosimilars are achieved in the same manner as the respective spearhead drug but in a speedy manner and at a low cost without diminishing comparative 1safety and efficacy.These specks are highly and vigorously researched, so they may be 100-1000 times larger in size than the generic or spearhead drug. The road to approval for biosimilars is different from that of generic biologics. Since the generic biologics have already been tested and given approval by Foodand Drug Administration, Biosimilars only need to show similar efficacy and safety profile as that of reference drugs (Phase 3 randomized clinical trial).

For anti-VEGF biosimilars, systemic pharmacokinetics is not prophetic of efficacy and safety. So, they have to be compared to spearhead biologic for nine months. Safety is compared throughout nine months while comparative efficacy is judged at the pinnacle of efficacy curve i.e. 6-8 2weeks after administration.Biosimilar is labelled by adding a 4 letter suffix to the original name of spearhead reference biologic to discern between the two i.e. Yesafilli (aflibercept-jbvf).

Correlation of different types of refractive errors with cataract

Sumreen Bano — 2024-12-04

Aims and objectives: To determine correlation between cataract and refractive errors.

Study design: Descriptive cross-sectional.

Study duration and settings: This study was conducted in outpatient department (OPD) in the department of ophthalmology at Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) Peshawar, from June 2021 to December 2021.This study was conducted on a total of 50 participants, age group 40 and above, comprising both male and female with cataract.

Materials and Methods: Preliminary examination was done under strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which include visual acuity assessment with Snellen visual acuity chart, refraction and anterior segment examination by direct ophthalmoscope. VA was recorded with and without correction for individuals who already used glasses. After recording VA with and without pinhole, objective refraction/dry retinoscopy was performed.

Results: The results showed prevalence of myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism as 12%, 28% and 60% respectively. Gender wise distribution of refractive errors including myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism were 6%, 8% and 32% in male while myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism in female were 6%, 20% and 32%.

Conclusion: In cataract patients astigmatism was the most prevalent refractive error, followed by hypermetropia. Myopia was the least prevalent finding.

Comparison of Anterior Chamber Depth before and after Cataract Surgery by Phacoemulsification with IOL Implantation

Nimra Ayoub — 2024-12-04

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the changes in anterior chamber depth before and after cataract surgery by phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation.

Methodology: This was comparative pre and post-operative observational study in which 75 patients included who underwent for cataract surgery via phacoemulsification with posterior chamber IOL implantation. ACD is measured on A-scan before surgery and after surgery at 1 week and 1 month.

Results: Out of 75 patients who participated in this study, there were 31 (41.3%) males and 44 (58.7%) females. The mean anterior chamber depth increased from 2.9548 ± 0.41785 mm to 3.1928 ± 0.31698 mm with a mean increase of -0.23800 ± 0.44520 mm. There was statistically significant difference in the mean change anterior chamber depth.

Conclusion: The anterior chamber was deepened by phacoemulsification and IOL implantation.

Key words: Cataract, Anterior chamber depth, Phacoemulsification

Evaluation of knowledge attitude and practice among primary school teachers regarding eye health

Jasra Khan — 2024-12-04

Aim: To assess the awareness and knowledge level regarding eye diseases among primary school teachers and to determine attitudes and practices of teachers’ regarding pupils’ ocular health.

Study design: This study was done using descriptive cross sectional study design.

Study duration and settings: This study was conducted during six-month i-e from July 2021 to December 2021. Four primary schools in Peshawar were visited for data collection. The study was conducted on a total of fifty-three (53) primary school teachers (PST) who were teaching up to grade 5.

Methodology: Pretested questionnaire was used to collect the participant’s data. The data collection tool used comprised of four sections. First section gathers participant’s demographic data, second section was for assessment of teacher’s awareness and knowledge level, along with their perceptions of school eye health services and sources of their information. Third section was about attitudes of teacher’s regarding pupil’s eye health while fourth section was about their practices if they found any feature that can cause visual impairment in children.

Results: Result showed that out of 53 total study participants of mean age 35 years, mean percentage awareness was 65.8%, knowledge regarding all aspects was found to be high among all participants except for corneal scarring. 54.7% and 60.4% had positive attitudes towards prevention and treatment of blindness. 60.4% participants marked parent alertness while 39.6% have showed that they will refer the child to an eye specialist.

Conclusion: Primary school teachers should be trained to have adequate awareness and knowledge to assess the defective ocular symptoms among children. More Innovative strategies are required to intensify the eye health as an important component of educational institutions and school health services.

Digital eye strain and computer vision syndrome among doctors.

Ahmed Usman Khalid — 2024-12-04

Purpose: To find the incidence and risk factors of digital eye strain among doctors.

Materials and Methods: An online questionnaire was designed including the symptoms of digital eye strain. Based on the responses, digital eye strain score was calculated by using a pre-decided formula. If the total digital eye strain (DES) score was ≥6 points, the participant was considered to be suffering from digital eye strain.

Results: A total of 228 doctors responded to the questionnaire within the set time frame. The mean age of the doctors was 29 ± 2.58 years, of whom 147 (66.22%) were males. Of the respondents, 54% were postgraduate residents (n=120), 20.3% were house officers (n=45) and 16.2% were consultants (n=36). The most common digital device used was smart phone (n=216, 97.3%). The duration of digital device use was 4-6 hours per day in 35.6% and 6-8 hours per day in 30.1% of doctors. There was statistically significant association between digital eye strain score and screen time in hours per day (p=0.028). However no statistically significant association was found between the type of digital device used and the digital eye strain score (p=0.164).

Conclusion: The association between DES severity and screen time highlights the importance of moderating digital device usage to alleviate symptoms. While specific device preferences did not significantly influence DES severity, factors like screen brightness and viewing distance may play crucial roles.

Key words: Digital eye strain, computer vision syndrome, doctors.

Comparison of Effect of Optical and Digital Devices on Reading Performance of Person with Visual Impairment

Iram Kausar — 2024-12-04

OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare effect of optical and digital devices on reading performance of persons with visual impairment.

METHOD: The research protocol was approved by Ethical Review Board of College of Ophthalmology and Allied Vision Sciences, Lahore (Ref# COAVS/1480:23). This study was conducted in college of ophthalmology and allied vision sciences Lahore. Duration of study was from October to December 2023.sample size was calculated using a formula whose level of significance (α) is 5, power of test (1-β) is 80. The sample size was 27, and calculated by using the non-probability convenient sampling technique. Individuals with NVA worse tham 3M unit and above age ranges 15 years or above were included in this study.The individuals having any inflamatory disease were excluded from this study. The questionnaire consisted of several questions on reading performance with optical and digital devices, performa contained visual acuity improvement in both eyes with optical and digital devices. P-value was calculated by using Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test. P-value <0.05 was considered significant.

RESULT: It indicates the probability of obtaining the observed results (or more extreme) if there is no actual difference between the near visual acuity with the Zoomer and the Magnifier. In this case, the p-value is 0.027. The difference of Near Visual Acuity with Optical and digital devices was not significant (p = 0.435).

CONCLUSION: There is no difference in Near Visual Acuity between the Zoomer and the Magnifier. Near Visual Acuity is lower with the Zoomer compared to the Magnifier.