Effectiveness of an online educational video intervention to improve the knowledge and behavior of contact lens care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A pre-test/post-test design.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of an online educational video in improving contact lens (CL) care knowledge and behavior. Methods: Participants completed a 47-item questionnaire on their CL hygiene knowledge and wear and care behavior. A 5-min CL educational video was shown, and participants completed a post-test. After 2 months, the same questionnaire was used to determine knowledge retention and behavioral changes. Descriptive statistics and McNemar's tests were performed. Results: The mean age of the 132 enrolled participants was 24 years, and 61% were female. The knowledge scores significantly improved after watching the educational video (p < 0.001). Two months after the intervention, the participants reported changes in their hygienic behavior (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Online video-based learning is an effective educational tool for improving the knowledge and behavior of CL care. Practice implications: Patient education via online videos is an innovative and successful strategy that raises awareness, increases patient knowledge, and encourages preventative health behavior to avoid CL-related complications.

The patterns of uveitis and the factors affecting visual outcome from Chulalongkorn University Uveitis Cohort (CU2C): A 5-year longitudinal study protocol.

BACKGROUND: In Thailand, several novel laboratory investigations are recently available to help differentiate the uveitic etiologies. The update on uveitis epidemiological data in Thailand is necessary to better understand the disease burden and provide guidance on management. The current study aims to describe the prevalence and identify factors associated with poor visual outcomes of uveitis patients at a tertiary center in Thailand. METHODS: A 5-year-prospective study of uveitis cases presented at a tertiary referral center in the central region of Thailand is conducted.

Rub and Rinse Contact Lenses Before Wearing as a Protective Regimen Against Contact Lens-Related Eye Infections.

Purpose: Data on contact lens (CL) users in Thailand are limited, and previous reports have mainly focused on young populations. This study aims to determine demographic data, hygienic behaviour, and complications related to the usage of CLs in the general population. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted from November 2020 to March 2021 using an anonymous questionnaire. Information on the demographic traits of the participants, characteristics of CL use, and CL care behaviours was collected. The responses were summarised and presented as a total behaviour score. Regression analysis was performed to evaluate the potential risk factors for a history of CL-related eye infections. Results: A total of 134 CL wearers were recruited. Of all the participants, 83.58% were female and 16.42% were male. The average age was 31.14±10.69 years old. The total behaviour score showed that 62.69% of the population had good CL behaviour, while 37.31% exhibited poor CL behaviour. More than 50% of participants practised appropriate CL handling. Common unfavourable behaviours (>50%) reported were not using CL care solution to clean the storage case, not rubbing and rinsing the lens before storage, exposure to water during wear, use of makeup around the ocular area, and missing annual eye exams. Other less common but important instances of mishandling included using tap water to clean the lenses, topping off old CL solution, and exceeding the recommended planned-replacement period. However, no behaviours were significantly associated with a history of CL-related eye infections. Rubbing and rinsing CLs before wearing them was found to be a protective factor against a history of eye infections. Conclusion: Rubbing and rinsing CLs before wearing should be mentioned as an additional recommendation for the user.

Bacterial microbiota of the contact lens surface and associated care behaviours.

Introduction: Contact lens (CL) wear has been reported to cause changes to the microbiome of the ocular surface. More insight into the alteration of this microenvironment can help to understand the pathogenesis of CL-related eye infections. Knowledge of the relationship between the CL wearer's behaviours and pathogens would help health care providers focus on each step of proper CL care. This study aims to determine the behaviours that might be associated with the community of bacteria on CL. Methods: A cross-sectional design was performed using anonymous questionnaires to obtain demographic data and assess hygiene practices among volunteering wearers. The CLs used were collected to evaluate the prevalence of pathogenic bacteria associated with ocular infections by PCR and microbiota analysis. Results: The bacterial microbiota study revealed a total of 19 genera and 26 isolated strains from 20 eligible CLs. Enterobacter, Staphylococcus, and Achromobacter were the main genus in this subject population. Staphylococcus pasteuri and Achromobacter agilis were the most common pathogens at 65% and 35%, respectively. Enterobacter mori, a nonpathogenic organism, was found to be the most predominant strain, accounting for 27.51% of the total bacterial constituents. The risk behaviour of CL wear that was significantly associated with A. agilis contamination was cleaning the CL case with tap water (P value = 0.04). Conclusions: This is the first study focusing on the association between the culture selected microbial community on the CL surface and compehensive behavioural characteristics. Environmental contamination was the main source of microbes found on CL surfaces. An emphasis in patient education should be placed on careful handling during the CL care routine and managing the hygiene of the surroundings.

The sterility, stability and efficacy of repackaged ziv-aflibercept for intravitreal administration.

To evaluate the sterility, stability, and efficacy of repackaged ziv-aflibercept in 1-mL plastic tuberculin syringes for intravitreal injection after storage for up to 90 days at controlled (4 °C) and ambient (25.8 °C) temperature. A total of 168 tuberculin-type 1-mL syringes were prepared containing ziv-aflibercept (100 mg/4 mL). Samples were stored at 4 °C and 25.8 °C for 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 60, and 90 days. At each time point, four samples were evaluated for the stability and binding affinity of anti-VEGF to VEGF (efficacy) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). All samples were analyzed for microbial growth. No microbial growth was obtained from any of the ziv-aflibercept samples during each time point, indicating that the repackaged ziv-aflibercept stored at 4 °C and 25.8 °C remained sterile. ELISA analysis revealed no significant decrease in concentration, and binding affinity was observed, indicating that the stability and efficacy were preserved. However, the concentration of ziv-aflibercept decreased less than the minimum expected concentration of 8 ng/mL after 60 days at 4 °C and after 30 days at 25.8 °C. The repackaged anti-VEGF drug ziv-aflibercept does not lose stability or efficacy and remains uncontaminated if prepared under sterile conditions and stored at 4 °C for up to 60 days or stored at 25.8 °C for up to 30 days.