DiaNet v2 deep learning based method for diabetes diagnosis using retinal images.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a prevalent chronic metabolic disorder linked to increased morbidity and mortality. With a significant portion of cases remaining undiagnosed, particularly in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region, more accurate and accessible diagnostic methods are essential. Current diagnostic tests like fasting plasma glucose (FPG), oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT), random plasma glucose (RPG), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) have limitations, leading to misclassifications and discomfort for patients. The aim of this study is to enhance diabetes diagnosis accuracy by developing an improved predictive model using retinal images from the Qatari population, addressing the limitations of current diagnostic methods. This study explores an alternative approach involving retinal images, building upon the DiaNet model, the first deep learning model for diabetes detection based solely on retinal images. The newly proposed DiaNet v2 model is developed using a large dataset from Qatar Biobank (QBB) and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) covering wide range of pathologies in the the retinal images. Utilizing the most extensive collection of retinal images from the 5545 participants (2540 diabetic patients and 3005 control), DiaNet v2 is developed for diabetes diagnosis. DiaNet v2 achieves an impressive accuracy of over 92%, 93% sensitivity, and 91% specificity in distinguishing diabetic patients from the control group. Given the high prevalence of diabetes and the limitations of existing diagnostic methods in clinical setup, this study proposes an innovative solution. By leveraging a comprehensive retinal image dataset and applying advanced deep learning techniques, DiaNet v2 demonstrates a remarkable accuracy in diabetes diagnosis. This approach has the potential to revolutionize diabetes detection, providing a more accessible, non-invasive and accurate method for early intervention and treatment planning, particularly in regions with high diabetes rates like MENA.

"Are you safe to talk?": Perspectives of Service Providers on Experiences of Domestic Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study aimed to better understand the factors driving reported trends in domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the effect of the pandemic on survivors' experiences of violence and ability to seek support. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 32 DV service providers operating in organizations across 24 U.S. cities. The majority of providers described a decrease in contact volume when shelter-in-place orders were first established, which they attributed to safety concerns, competing survival priorities, and miscommunication about what resources were available. For most organizations, this decrease was followed by an increase in contacts after the lifting of shelter-in-place orders, often surpassing typical contact counts from the pre-pandemic period. Providers identified survivors' ability to return to some aspects of their pre-pandemic lives, increased stress levels, and increased lethality of cases as key factors driving this increase. In addition, providers described several unique challenges faced by DV survivors during the pandemic, such as the use of the virus as an additional tool for control by abusers and an exacerbated lack of social support. These findings provide insight into the lived experiences driving observed trends in DV rates during COVID-19. Understanding the impact of the pandemic on survivors can help to shape public health and policy interventions to better support this vulnerable population during future crises.

Ocular manifestations of COVID-19: facts and figures from a tertiary care center.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 patients presenting with ocular manifestations are from 0.8% to 32% of patients seen in the ED. The available literature is scarce regarding COVID-19 patients presenting with ocular manifestations from the Middle Eastern region. PURPOSE: This study aims to report the incidence of ocular signs and symptoms in COVID-19 patients and find any correlation between the occurrence of ocular manifestations and patients' comorbidities. METHODS: All patients having the primary diagnosis of COVID-19 infection and concurrent ocular manifestations on admission to our tertiary COVID-19 health care centre were included in the study. The patient's demographic data, comorbidities, and type of ocular manifestations were recorded from the patients' health records retrospectively. RESULTS: In our study, 39 (7.8%) patients presented with ocular manifestations. The majority of COVID-19 patients were male, and 200 (20%) patients had a history of other comorbidities. The majority of our patients had hyperaemia (13 [33.3%]), followed by eye pain (9 [23.1%]), epiphora (8 [20.5%]), burning sensation (4 [10.3%]), and photophobia (2 [5.1%]) patients. There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of ocular manifestations and patients' gender or comorbidities (p > .05). CONCLUSION: The occurrence of ocular manifestations was lower compared to the present literature. There was no significant association between the occurrence of ocular manifestations and the patient's gender or comorbidities.

New Surgical Technique for Management of Recurrent Macular Hole.

Recurrence of macular hole (MH) following the standard approach of pars plana vitrectomy, posterior hyaloids removal, internal limiting membrane peeling, gas tamponade, and postoperative positioning is a common postoperative complication following MH surgery. We present a new surgical technique which involves induction of serous macular detachment around the MH, parafoveal retinal massage to bring its edges closer, gas tamponade, and face down positioning. The recurrent MHs had closed in all four consecutive patients with a parallel gain in visual acuity following this technique. All patients had Type 1 closure of the MH indicating its closure without any defect of the neurosensory retina. The MHs remained closed during the follow-up without any late reopening.

Cataract surgeries by phaco-sandwich technique through sclerocorneal tunnel, a cohort study in Oman.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the changes in Preoperative and Postoperative keratometry results and rapid visual rehabilitation in Cataract surgery by our phaco-sandwich technique through the self sealing sclero-corneal tunnel incision without phacoemulsification. METHODS: 96 eyes of 88 patients with age-related cataracts underwent small incision suture less cataract surgery without phacoemulsification. All eyes were operated by the phaco-sandwich technique through sclerocorneal tunnel with 6 mm frown-shaped external scleral incision. 6 mm single piece PMMA lens was implanted in the capsular bag. Patients were evaluated at 1 week, 4 weeks and 12 weeks post-operatively. RESULTS: Ninety six eyes of eighty eight patients were our cohort. During the first post-operative week 8 eyes (8.3%) had uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) of 6/6. By the end of 12 post-operative weeks, 33 eyes (34.5%) had UCVA of 6/6. 64 (66.7%), 72 (75%) and 80 (83.3%) eyes had best correctable visual acuity (BCVA) of 6/6 after 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks respectively. 64 (66.7%) eyes after 4 weeks, 72 (75%) after 8 weeks and 80 (83%) after 12 weeks had best correctable visual acuity (BCVA) of 6/6. CONCLUSION: Suture less, small-incision cataract surgery is an economical, safe and effective method of managing cataract cases. This technique also ensures satisfactory and rapid rehabilitation for patients. This procedure can be effectively applied to clear the backlog of cataract-related blindness in places wherein the resources for phaco facilities are not available.

Management of trachomatous cicatricial entropion of the upper eye lid: our modified technique.

BACKGROUND: Management of trachomatous cicatricial entropion of the upper eye lid presents a difficult problem. Many surgical approaches have been developed to address it. We report the functional and cosmetic results of our modified surgical technique we have developed in the management of trachomatous cicatricial entropion of the upper eye lid. METHODS: 45 lids of 43 patients having trachomatous cicatricial entropion of upper eye lids were operated by our modified surgical technique in which we combine bilamellar tarsal margin rotation procedure with blepharoplasty. The technique and results were evaluated in a follow up period of up to 40 months. RESULTS: In all 45 upper eye lids, the normal eyelashes rotated away from the surface of the eye and were no longer in contact of the eye ball in all position of gaze. All eyes had adequate lid closure and regular lid margin. No eye had any overhanging baggy fold of skin at operation site. Three eyes had conjuctival granuloma which was excised under local anaesthesia Three eyes needed Diode laser ablation to treat isolated cilia posterior to normal lash line. Three eyes had mild over correction which regressed without any surgical intervention. One lid had segmental necrosis of distal part of eye lid which recovered spontaneously in following days. CONCLUSION: Our modified technique of combining bilamellar tarsal rotation procedure (BTR) with blepharoplasty appears to be an effective surgical technique in the management of the trachomatous cicatricial entropion of the upper eye lid. It achieves successful anatomical correction along with more acceptable cosmetic appearance.

Inverted autologous internal limiting membrane for management of optic disc pit with macular detachment.

Macular detachment causes visual deterioration in 25-75% of patients with congenital optic disc pit. A number of treatment options have been reported to manage the macular detachment in optic pit. An optic disc pit represents a defect in the lamina cribrosa; theoretically, an ideal procedure to treat optic pit associated macular detachment would be one that prevents the flow of fluid across the pit by creating an additional barrier. We present a new surgical technique that employs an autologous internal limiting membrane (ILM) to create this barrier. The technique involves standard vitrectomy along-with ILM peeling. Subsequently, the peeled ILM was inverted and transplanted onto the optic disc pit to close the optic nerve pit. This technique showed satisfactory anatomic result with good functional improvement in visual acuity.

Prevalence and determinants of diabetic retinopathy among persons ≥ 40 years of age with diabetes in Qatar: a community-based survey.

PURPOSE: We present the prevalence and determinants of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in persons 40 years and older with diabetes in Qatar. METHODS: This community-based survey was held in 2009 at 49 randomly selected clusters. Demographic details and history of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its management were collected by nurses. Ophthalmologists examined the retina by slit-lamp biomicroscopy using +90 D lens and/or indirect ophthalmoscopy. Digital photographs of retina were obtained. The best-corrected visual acuity of each eye was noted. Diabetic retinopathy was graded as mild, moderate, or severe nonproliferative DR, proliferative DR, or diabetic macular edema. RESULTS: We examined 540 (97.3%) participants with DM. Diabetes mellitus status of 487 persons could be confirmed from medical records. The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of DR among the diabetic population 40 years and older was 23.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 19.7-27.3), with 8192 cases of DR among patients with DM. Longer duration of diabetes (odds ratio 1.14 [95% CI 1.10-1.19]) and poor glycemic control (odds ratio 1.12 [95% CI 1.02-1.23]) were risk factors for DR. Awareness of regular eye checkup was found in 62% of participants. Only 20% of persons with sight-threatening DR had undergone laser treatment in at least 1 eye. Visual acuity in the better eye was 6/6 to 6/18 in 90% of persons with DR. CONCLUSIONS: Universal and periodic eye screening of patients with diabetes is recommended in Qatar. Health promotion for primary prevention and resource review are needed for early detection and management of sight-threatening DR.

Current concepts in intravitreal drug therapy for diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major cause of preventable blindness in the developed countries. Despite the advances in understanding and management of DR, it remains a challenging condition to manage. The standard of care for patients with DR include strict metabolic control of hyperglycemia, blood pressure control, normalization of serum lipids, prompt retinal laser photocoagulation and vitrectomy. For patients who respond poorly and who progressively lose vision in spite of the standard of care, intravitreal administration of steroids or/and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs appear to be a promising second-line of therapy. This review discusses the current concepts and the role of these novel therapeutic approaches in the management of DR.

Prevalence and causes of blindness, low vision and status of cataract in 50 years and older citizen of Qatar-a community based survey.

BACKGROUND: Rapid Assessment for the Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) was conducted in Qatar during 2009. We present the prevalence and determinants of visual disabilities and status of cataract among citizens aged 50 years and older. METHODS: Residents of randomly selected houses and clusters participated in the survey. Opticians noted the presenting and the best corrected vision of participants from 49 clusters. Ophthalmologists examined participants with additional instruments like bio-microscope, digital camera, auto-perimeter and auto-refractor in a mobile van. World Health Organization recommended principal cause of blindness (Visual acuity [VA] < 3/60 in better eye), Severe visual impairment (SVI) (<6/60), low vision (VA < 6/18) and unilateral blindness (VA < 3/60) were designated. Persons with VA < 6/18 and cataract were interviewed to calculate coverage and barriers for cataract surgeries. Age sex adjusted prevalence of visual disabilities and their 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were estimated. RESULTS: We examined 2,433 (97.3%) participants. The age sex adjusted prevalence of bilateral blindness was 1.28% [95% CI 1.22-1.35], SVI (1.67%), low vision (3.66%) and unilateral blindness (3.61%) in 50 years and older population. Female and older age groups were significant risk factors of visual disabilities. Cataract and glaucoma were the main causes of visual disabilities. The coverage of cataract services was 68.2%. Believing that cataract as an aging process (25) and adequate vision in the fellow eye (15) were the reasons for delay in surgery. CONCLUSIONS: To reduce avoidable blindness, un-operated cataract should be addressed. Primary and secondary eye care systems should be strengthened to improve the care of blinding eye diseases in Qatar.