A cross-sectional survey of prospective healthcare professionals' knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of medical Cannabis.

Background: Compounds isolated from Cannabis possess many beneficial effects creating a renewed worldwide interest in its therapeutic potential. With increased legalization for medicinal use globally, healthcare professionals must be familiar with the drug's uses and potential adverse effects. Objective: To determine prospective healthcare providers' knowledge, attitude and perception to medical Cannabis. Method: A self-administered online questionnaire comprising 21 questions to assess the knowledge, attitude and perception of medical Cannabis was distributed via google forms among students at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, the University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus. Chi-square analysis was used to detect significant associations between demographics and measured variables. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Popular perceived therapeutic benefits of Cannabis were chronic pain (91.2%), anxiety (84.2%) and seizures (71.1%), and identification of the risks associated with the use of Cannabis was low. Users of Cannabis were able to identify indications and symptoms that can be treated with Cannabis but were less aware of the adverse effects of the drug than non-users (p < 0.001). More than three-quarters (87.3%) believed they could identify therapeutic uses and adverse effects but only 14.2% were ready to answer queries from patients. The main source of Cannabis information was the internet and information was lacking in the medical school curriculum. Conclusion: The majority of students could not identify the drug's indications and adverse effects. There is a need to improve training for all prospective medical personnel to cater for the change in legislation status.

A novel tool for quantitative measurement of distortion in keratoconus.

BACKGROUND: Keratoconus is associated with thinning and anterior protrusion of the cornea resulting in the symptoms of blurry and distorted vision. The commonly used clinical vision tests such as visual acuity and contrast sensitivity may not reflect the symptoms experienced in keratoconus and there are no quantitative tools to measure visual distortion. In this study, we used a quantitative test based on vernier alignment and field matching techniques to quantify visual distortion in keratoconus and assess its relation to corneal structural changes. METHODS: A total of 50 participants (25 keratoconus and 25 visually normal) completed the experiment where they aligned supra-threshold white target circles in opposite field in reference to guidelines and circles to complete a square structure monocularly. The task was repeated five times and the global distortion index (GDI) and global uncertainty index (GUI) were calculated as the mean and standard deviation respectively of local perceived misalignment of target circles over five trials. RESULTS: Both GDI and GUI were higher in participants with keratoconus compared to controls (p < 0.01). Both parameters correlated with the best corrected visual acuity, maximum corneal curvature (Kmax), topographical keratoconus classification (TKC) and central corneal thickness (CCT). CONCLUSION: Our findings show that the quantitative measure of distortion could be a useful tool for behavioural assessment of progressive keratoconus.

Attitude and perception of spectacle wearers towards contact lens wear

Aim: To investigate the attitude and perception of spectacle wearers towards contact lens wear. Method: A cross-sectional questionnaire was distributed from the waiting rooms of licensed Optometry Offices to spectacle-wearing participants over 18 years of age with no history of contact lens wear and those who previously wore contact lenses. The data collected on the barriers, attitude, awareness, and willingness of the spectacle wearers towards contact lens wear was statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences Computer Software with the significance level set to a p-value of 5%. Results: Of the 119 participants, the majority were females (63.0%), had secondary education (47.1%), were of East Indian descent (59.7%) and were over 50 years (29.4%). Only 40 spectacle wearers indicated a history of previously wearing contact lenses. The main barriers for non-CL wearers were reportedly comfort of spectacles (40.5%), the perception that contact lenses are uncomfortable (38.0%) and difficult to use (36.7%) whereas for previous CL wearers it was mainly discomfort (57.5%). The main source of information were from eye-care practitioners (58.0%) and was only significantly associated with age (P=0.023). There was a greater willingness to retry contact lenses among previous CL wearers (62.5%) than non-CL wearers (41.8%). Conclusion: There was a positive attitude and perception among previous contact lens wearers than those who have never worn contact lenses. There is a need for increased health education by eye-care practitioners and other delivery methods to remove misconceptions and perpetuate the awareness of contact lenses and their benefits to allow for an increase in contact lens usage (AU)

A retrospective study of causes of visual impairment and use of low vision devices in the low vision clinic in Trinidad and Tobago

Purpose: To determine the causes of visual impairment and the use of low vision devices in patients attending the low vision clinic in Trinidad and Tobago.MethodsA retrospective study of the 222 patients attending the low vision clinic at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus was conducted. The presenting visual acuity, causes of low vision and blindness, and prescribed low vision devices were recorded and analysed to determine the major causes of visual impairment and improvement in visual acuity with low vision aids.ResultsOut of the total 222 participants, 66.66% (n = 148) had low vision while the rest (33.33%, n = 74) were legally blind. Glaucoma was the major cause of low vision (31.08%) and blindness (28.38%) followed by diabetic retinopathy (20.94%, low vision and 20.27%, blindness). A total of 193 low vision devices were prescribed, 79.79% (n = 154) near devices and 20.20% (n = 39) distance devices. The low vision devices were effective in improving both near visual acuity (120 participants reading 1M or 2M) and distance visual acuity (VA better than 3/60).ConclusionThe major causes of vision impairment in Trinidad and Tobago were glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy and low vision devices are effective in improving visual acuity. A comprehensive approach to dealing with the causes of low vision and low vision services are required to mitigate the burden of visual impairment in the country. (AU)

A retrospective study of causes of visual impairment and use of low vision devices in the low vision clinic in Trinidad and Tobago.

PURPOSE: To determine the causes of visual impairment and the use of low vision devices in patients attending the low vision clinic in Trinidad and Tobago. METHODS: A retrospective study of the 222 patients attending the low vision clinic at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus was conducted. The presenting visual acuity, causes of low vision and blindness, and prescribed low vision devices were recorded and analysed to determine the major causes of visual impairment and improvement in visual acuity with low vision aids. RESULTS: Out of the total 222 participants, 66.66% (n = 148) had low vision while the rest (33.33%, n = 74) were legally blind. Glaucoma was the major cause of low vision (31.08%) and blindness (28.38%) followed by diabetic retinopathy (20.94%, low vision and 20.27%, blindness). A total of 193 low vision devices were prescribed, 79.79% (n = 154) near devices and 20.20% (n = 39) distance devices. The low vision devices were effective in improving both near visual acuity (120 participants reading 1M or 2M) and distance visual acuity (VA better than 3/60). CONCLUSION: The major causes of vision impairment in Trinidad and Tobago were glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy and low vision devices are effective in improving visual acuity. A comprehensive approach to dealing with the causes of low vision and low vision services are required to mitigate the burden of visual impairment in the country.

Comparing the Visual Skills of a Trinidadian Cricket Team

This study attempted to determine if there is a correlation between visual skills and physical sporting performance by comparing the members within a Trinidadian cricket team based on their ranked visual skills, as well, as their ranked playing ability for batting, fielding and bowling. Visual skills measured were; hand-eye dominiance, static visual acuity, dynamic visual acuity, steropsis, contrast sensitivity, accommodative facility, central and peripheral awareness and eye movement. SPSS Analysis of data showed that there was a weak correlation between the visual ranking and physical ranking. This can be attributed to the many different factors that contribute to remarkable athleticism. One of which is the percetual-cognitive skill that allows athletes to use visual information in the process of decision making and to execute accurate and rapid anticipatory movements. Performance in sports may possess an interdependency of both the hardware (quality of system) and software (knowledge based system) elements, and thus, futher study must be done into the integration of both systems as a unit.

An Analysis of the Protein and Lipid concentrations in the Tear Layer of Contact and Non-contact lens wearers

Purpose: The main reason for embarking upon this specif aspect of the study is to obtain local population statistics in Trinidad, W. I. Most of the research pertaining to the tear layer has been done internationally with statistical analysis stemming from the Wester World. The clinical significance of this study is to provide early means of detection of primary and secondary diseases such as hpyerliproteninemia, dyslipdemia, and triglyceridemia in human population. The significance is to determine the relationship between a contact lens wearer and individual components (total proteins and total lipids) of their tears. This is to examine the tear-lens relationship between the disposition of components of the tear film on soft (hydrogel and silicone hydrogel) contact lenses in relation to lens intolerance, patient discomfort and dry eye syndrome. Method: A total of 93 subjects were interviewd and tear samples were obtained from 81 participants. The capillary tube technique was used to extract tear fluid samples and were stored at -80 degrees celsius. Total Protein and Triglyceride Liquicolour kits were used to analyse tears. Using a mass spectrometer, absorbance values were used to calculate the total proteim and total triglycerid concentrations for non-contact lens and contact lens wearers. Results: It was formulated that the total concentrations of proteins and lipids in the tear film of non-contact lens patients were 7.356 1.31 and 3.76 3.26 mg/dl. The protein and lipid concentrations of contact lens patients were determined; these results were 5.88 0.91 and 2.54 0.72mg/dL. Conclusion: Based on independent statistical analysis, there was no sigificant difference between the protein and lipid concentrations of non-contact lens patients. There was also found to be no significant difference between contact lens and no-contact lens wearers' protein and lipid concentrations.