Study of menstrual cycle synchrony in female medical students sharing common accommodation.

Context: Menstrual cycle synchronization is a phenomenon in which menstrual onset shifts progressively closer with time. It is an adoptive conditional phenomenon seen in the females who associate closely and share a common environment. Aims: To ascertain whether menstrual cycle synchrony exists in the roommates living in a closed space in a medical hostel. Settings and Design: This is a prospective observational study comprising 62 female medical students of a mean age of 22 years living in twin sharing accommodation with a history of regular menses (26-32 days). Methods and Material: These participants were followed on a monthly basis for 13 months. Menstrual cycle history was obtained using standardized Google forms. Menstrual cycle initial and final onset differences, expected cycle cut-off values, and absolute differences were calculated. The menstrual cycle synchrony score was obtained by subtracting the expected difference from the onset difference. Wilson's absolute difference method was used for determining menstrual synchrony between pairs. Statistical Analysis Used: The descriptive analysis was done using mean and standard deviation. One sample t-test was used to assess the synchrony between roommates. P value ≤0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The initial onset difference of the menstrual cycle was 7.58 ± 4.25 days, whereas the final onset difference was 6.06 ± 3.92 days. The calculated synchrony score was -9.28 ± 5.05, which was statistically significant. Menstrual cycle synchrony was observed in 17 pairs (54.8%) and asynchrony in eight pairs (25.8%). Conclusions: Long-term association between roommates has potential to cause menstrual cycle synchrony. It has significant implications in reproductive medicine for reproductive scheduling and family planning.

Perceived barriers to the provision of low vision services among ophthalmologists in India.

PURPOSE: To identify and report the perceived barriers to the provision of low vision services among ophthalmologists in India. METHODS: Seventy nine ophthalmologists responded to a structured self-administered questionnaire. Information was collected to understand the level of awareness and barriers/constraints to provision of low vision services. Significant factors associated with each barrier/constraint and perceptions on providing low vision care were investigated. RESULTS: Lack of training/knowledge [65 (82.3%)], lack of awareness [59 (74.7%)] and non-availability of low vision devices [57 (72.2%)] were perceived as the major constraints / barriers to providing low vision care. At least one significant factor was found for each of the above constraints/barriers in providing low vision care. The perception of lack of awareness as being one of the constraints/barriers was significantly higher [OR 3.97 (95% CI, 1.02 - 7.8)] among ophthalmologists from organisations providing low vision services. The perception of lack of motivation as constraint/barrier was significantly higher [OR 3.62 (95% CI, 1.3 - 10.3)] among ophthalmologists from organisations providing low vision services and/or those involved in VISION 2020: The Right to Sight programmes [OR 3.83 (95% CI, 1.4 - 10.4)]. The likelihood of responding that low vision care is time consuming was greater for those belonging to a teaching institute [OR 7.19 (95% CI, 2.0 - 26.1)], those involved in low vision services [OR 5.45 (95% CI, 1.8 - 16.5)] and those who knew that low vision is a priority in VISION 2020 [OR 15.1, 95% CI, 1.5 -155.4]. CONCLUSION: Ophthalmologists need more education about the benefits of low vision care in order to increase their level of awareness and knowledge.

Low vision rehabilitation in patients with age-related macular degeneration at a tertiary eye care centre in southern India.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the specific needs and types of low vision devices (LVDs) in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) so as to use the residual vision effectively. METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients with diagnosis of AMD were evaluated to ascertain the degree of visual disability. Different LVDs were used to suit the specific needs of individual patients. The distribution of LVDs for distance and near and other rehabilitation measures were stratified for vision >or=6/18 and <6/18. Statistical analysis was performed using chi2 test/Fisher's exact test and paired t-test. RESULTS: The percentage of patients with visual acuity <6/18 reduced from 72.2% (26/36) to 47.2% (17/36) with the use of standard spectacles (P = 0.03). Similarly, the percentage of patients with visual acuity <6/18 reduced from 85.7% (6/7) to 14.3% (1/7) with the use of a telescope (P = 0.029). The optical devices for near tasks included spectacle magnifiers (n = 59), stand magnifiers (n = 19), and hand magnifiers (n = 18). With these LVDs, the near vision improved from 0.13 (decimal notations) to 0.39 (P < 0.001). Eighty-six patients were given at least one of the LVDs and 20% were prescribed more than one near device (bifocals, spectacle magnifiers, hand magnifiers, stand magnifiers). Additionally, patients also needed counselling (n = 89) and training on eccentric viewing (n = 39), coin identification (n = 45), and independent mobility (n = 41). CONCLUSION: The overall management of a patient with AMD must include counselling, prescription of appropriate LVDs and training to utilize the residual vision to its fullest advantage. This is expected to improve the patient's quality of life.