Evaluation of tear meniscus height and lipid layer patterns in the tear film in domestic cats: An observational study.

Background: Healthy vision in humans and animals requires a stable tear film. The environmental factor could affect the status of the tear film. Therefore, assessing the tear film in animals is essential to avoid visual system disturbance. Aim: The current research used a noninvasive device to evaluate the tear meniscus height (TMH) and lipid layer pattern (LLP) in domestic cats. In addition, the scores were compared with those of humans with healthy eyes. Methods: Fifty-four domestic cats (28 males and 26 females; mean ± SD = 13.9 ± 18.2 months) were randomly selected and included in the study. The cats were healthy, without any ocular disorders or diseases. Fifty-four healthy eye subjects (27 males and 27 females; mean ± SD = 25.6 ± 5.1 years) were randomly recruited and took part in the study for comparison. EASYTEAR View+ was used, for the first time, to assess the tear film parameters on the right eye of each subject. The examiner allowed a 5-minute gap between the tests. Each test was performed by the same examiner three times, followed by calculating the mean scores. Results: Significant differences (Mann-Whitney U test) were found in the median scores of LLP (p = 0.009) between cats and subjects with healthy eyes. The median TMH score was higher in cats (0.18 mm) than in humans (0.14). However, no significant difference (Mann-Whitney U Test, p = 0.210) exists in the TMH scores between cats and humans. The LLP analysis indicated that a dense white-blue lipid layer (grade 4 or D; lipid layer thickness, LLT, = approximately 80 nm) was predominant in both cats (N = 24, 44.4%) and humans (N = 29, 53.7%). In comparison, variable colors lipid layer (grade 5 or E; LLT = 90-140 nm) was a minority in cats (N = 5, 9.3%) and common in humans (N = 16, 29.6%). The statistical analysis indicated medium correlations between cats' TMH and LLP scores (r = 0.431, p < 0.01) and between age and TMH scores in humans (r = 0.440, p < 0.01). In addition, it indicated a weak correlation (r = 0.291, p < 0.05) between the LLP scores in cats and humans. Conclusion: Assessing animals' tear film is essential to avoid any ocular disorders. EASYTEAR View+ is efficiently used to evaluate domestic cats' TMH and LLP. Cats have thicker lipid layers and longer TMH comparable to those reported for humans with healthy eyes.

Assessing acute nicotine impact on choroidal thickness: a randomized, double-blinded study comparing smoking cessation aids, including nicotine gum and electronic cigarettes.

PURPOSE: To explore whether differences in choroidal thickness arise from nicotine consumption in healthy young individuals, specifically comparing the effects of nicotine gum to electronic cigarette (vaping), while maintaining a consistent 4 mg nicotine dosage. METHODS: In a randomized double-blinded prospective cross-sectional study, 20 healthy participants (mean age ± standard deviation: 23 ± 2.36 years) were randomly assigned to either the nicotine gum or vaping group. Choroidal thickness (ChT) measurements were conducted using optical coherence tomography (OCT) (Topcon 3D OCT-1 Maestro System) at baseline, 30, and 60 min after ingesting 4 mg of nicotine, with ChT measurements taken from five different horizontal areas. RESULTS: Neither the nicotine delivery method (gum or vaping) demonstrated a statistically significant impact on ChT mean scores among subjects in the five measured areas at baseline, 30, and 60 min (p > 0.05). However, significant differences were observed in ChT mean scores within subjects across the five areas (F (1.83, 72) = 36.43, p < 0.001), regardless of other study factors such as group, time, and visit (p > 0.05). A statistically significant interaction was identified between the factors of area and time concerning participants' ChT mean scores when stratified by the type of smoking (tobacco, vaping, and dual) (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The results of this study revealed that nicotine, up to particular concentration of 4 mg, does not have a statistically significant vasoconstrictive effect on choroidal thickness, regardless of the delivery method, within the examined group. These findings offer valuable insights into the relationship between nicotine intake and choroidal dynamics in young adults.

Variations in choroidal thickness between emmetropic and myopic eyes after caffeine intake.

PURPOSE: To investigate the variations in choroidal thinning between emmetropic and myopic subjects after caffeine intake. METHODS: Forty-five healthy participants (age mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 20.75 ± 1.6 years) recruited in a prospective cross-sectional study. They were divided into three groups, based on refractive error status, emmetropes (spherical equivalent [SE] -0.25 to +0.25D), myopes (SE ≥-0.50D to ˂-6.00D), and high myopes (SE ≥-6.00D). The participants underwent choroidal thickness [ChT] measurements using optical coherence tomography [OCT] (Topcon 3D OCT-1 Maestro System) at baseline, 20, 40, and 60 minutes after consuming 200 mg of caffeine. The measurements of ChT were taken from five different areas horizontally. RESULTS: Compared to baseline measurement, the ChT significantly decreased after 200 mg caffeine intake in all conditions ( P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in ChT at baseline between the refractive groups ( χ2 (2)=6.548, P = 0.038) as the high myope group showed lesser horizontal ChT within Nasal at (1 mm) area compared to the myope group ( P = 0.032), however, no other significant differences in mean scores of horizontal ChT at baseline were found. The thinning in ChT in the high myope group was lesser compared to both emmetrope and myope groups; however, it was not statistically significant ( P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the reduction in ChT due to caffeine consumption is not significantly affected by the refractive status of the eye. Thus, it is safe to hypothesize that the vascular part of the choroid behaves identically to vasoconstrictive in both emmetropic and myopic eyes. The choroidal thinning found in myopic and high myopic eyes and/or the reduced choroidal vascularity index were not apparent in this study. Therefore, further longitudinal studies recruiting greater numbers of participants, including myopes and high myopes, and measuring both vascular and stromal layers to investigate such variations are warranted.

Choroidal thickness measurements in young Saudi adult population: a cross-sectional study.

AIM: To determine the choroidal thickness (CT) in young healthy Saudi adults using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) with an automated CT segmentation software. METHODS: Fifty-eight young adults (total of 116 eyes), 39 males and 19 females participated in this study between the ages of 18 and 38y (mean 22.65±3.9y). All participants underwent ophthalmic screening examination, including the SD-OCT for measurements of CT in each quadrant egmented into five eccentric regions starting from the foveal region up to 4.5 mm towards the periphery. RESULTS: The choroid was thickest in the foveal region (central 1 mm, 300±60 µm) and began to progressively thinner beyond the parafovea (1.5-2.5 mm, 284±67 µm) towards the peripheral region (3.5-4.5 mm from the fovea, 254±83 µm). The superior choroid showed the thickest profile (309±57 µm), while the nasal choroid exhibited the thinnest (229±76 µm). The rate of the thinning with increasing eccentricity was more predominant in the nasal choroid, which thinned from the foveal region (294±58 µm) to the peripheral region (158±55 µm). The superior and inferior choroid did not show a statistically significant thinning with eccentricity (all P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the CT between gender, age, and laterality of the eyes (all P>0.05). A significant association of myopia with thinner subfoveal choroid was observed (Pearson's, r=0.37), and regression analysis showed that a 10.3 µm choroidal thinning for each diopter increase of myopia. CONCLUSION: CT profile depends on eccentric and the quadrant. The CT profile across the measured area in the young Saudi adult population is comparable to other previous reports. Refractive error is critical for CT evaluation.

The Burden of Skin Cancers in Saudi Arabia Through 2011-2022.

Introduction Skin cancers are classified into melanoma and non-melanoma or keratinocyte cancers. No recent data are found about the epidemiology of skin cancers in Saudi Arabia. The current study aims to determine the burden of skin cancer in the last 11 years from 2011 to 2022. Methods Patients who were diagnosed with any type of skin cancer were enrolled in the study. The diagnosis was conducted based on histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Different variables like age, type of cancer, type of lesions, and treatment approach used were measured. Results A total of 91 patients were diagnosed with skin cancers during the study period. The head and neck were the most common sites for skin cancers. Only 4/91 cases reported invasive melanoma. Both squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (34/91) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) (28/91) were found to be the most reported skin cancers. Other cancers including mycosis fungoides (MF) (10/91), Kaposi's sarcoma (6/91), and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) (5/91) were also detected. The rest of the detected tumors were rarely detected. Aggressive CD4+/CD4+/CD8+ MF was more prevalent than CD3+/CD4+/CD8- MF cancer cases. CD34+ /S100- DFSP cancers were evident in most of the DFSP cases. Human herpes virus 8 was detected in all Kaposi's sarcoma cases and all of them were HIV-confirmed cases. Surgical treatment was the most frequently used approach to treat skin cancers, followed by phototherapy (9.9%), surgical/radiotherapy (5.5%), surgical/chemotherapy (4.4%), chemotherapy (3.3%), and then chemoradiotherapy immunotherapy (1.1%). Conclusion The incidences of SCC and BCC are relatively high in comparison to other types of skin cancers with the surgical intervention being most frequently used.

Public Awareness About Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Taif, Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: Islamic culture does not tolerate homosexuality and extramarital sex. This may result in ignorance of safe sex practices and a lack of proper public health education by the authorities and parents; this includes knowledge and awareness about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), modes of transmission, protection methods, and sources of information about STDs. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, a Quick Response (QR)-code-based survey. A standard web-based questionnaire was electronically delivered to our enlisted sample. The statistical analysis started by transferring data from the Excel spreadsheet (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington, United States) to the SPSS software program. We used one-way ANOVA to compare mean scores between the various groups. And we used the Pearson correlation coefficient to assess the association of age with the score. Significance was established at a p-value of 0.05 or less with a 95% confidence interval. All statistical calculations were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 27.0 (Released 2020; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). RESULTS: The study analysed the sociodemographic characteristics and STD knowledge of 608 participants. Findings revealed a balanced gender distribution, 52.8% male and 47.2% female, the majority being single (72.0%) and with a university education (72.0%). Knowledge gaps were identified, such as confusion between genital herpes and HIV, limited understanding of chlamydia transmission, and misconceptions about human papillomavirus (HPV) and HIV. No significant differences were found based on sex, age, marital status, or father's education. However, higher education of mother correlated with significantly higher knowledge scores (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: This study shed light on the limited knowledge and misconceptions surrounding STDs in Taif city. The findings highlighted knowledge gaps, including confusion between different STDs and misconceptions about transmission modes. The results revealed a positive correlation between higher maternal education and increased knowledge scores. These findings underscore the urgency for health authorities to develop awareness campaigns and educational initiatives to promote accurate information and foster healthier attitudes toward sexual activity in these regions.

Parents' knowledge regarding first-aid management of epistaxis in children in Taif, Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: Epistaxis among children is considered a scary issue for both the child and the parents. In Saudi Arabia, one third of children suffer from epistaxis. In our study, we aimed to assess the level of knowledge among parents regarding first-aid management of epistaxis in Taif city, Saudi Arabia. Method: We carried out a descriptive cross-sectional study among parents who visited Alhada Armed Forces Hospital and Prince Mansour Military Hospital between May 2022 and July 2022 in Taif, Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire with 17 questions was distributed among the participants. We excluded parents with children who were older than 18 years. Results: A total of 502 parents were included in the study. About two thirds (67.5%) of parents had a moderate level of knowledge and around one third (30.9%) showed a good level of knowledge regarding epistaxis first aid. Furthermore, higher knowledge scores were found among parents who had epistaxis previously (P = 0.026), who attended a course on first aid (P = 0.002), and who were aged more than 35 years (P = 0.017). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that most Saudi parents had a moderate level of knowledge regarding first-aid management of epistaxis. Additionally, several factors, such as the number of children, age, those attending first-aid courses, and experience treating others with epistaxis, were associated with the level of knowledge among parents. Further larger studies are required among Saudi parents to examine the knowledge, practice, and related factors regarding first-aid management of epistaxis.

Can older adults' balance and mobility improve with visual attention training?

PURPOSE: We hypothesize that training older adults with a structured visual attention task will result in improved balance and mobility, potentially reducing their risk for falls. METHODS: Healthy older adults aged 70 + took part in the study (mean age 80.3 ± 6 years). In this randomised control trial (NCT02030743), 15 participants were randomly assigned to a visual attention training group and 15 to a control group. Visual attention training was undertaken twice a week (45 min sessions) for 3 weeks (= six sessions) using versions of a selective attention useful field of view test and attended field of view test. The outcome measures were postural sway using a force plate, the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test, the One-Legged Stance test, the 5 Meter Walking test, the Sit to Stand test, the Timed Up and Go test without and with a concurrent cognitive task. RESULTS: There was a greater improvement in visual attention after training in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.01). However, a mixed ANOVA (2× groups, 2× visit) showed no main effect of visit or group or any interaction for any of the force plate parameters. T tests of the changes over time between the intervention group and the control groups for the other balance and mobility assessment tools showed no improvement after the visual attention training. CONCLUSION: It was found that there was no improvement in either mobility or balance after the visual attention training and no difference between the intervention and the control groups.

Development and validation of Visual Impairment as a Risk for Falls Questionnaire.

Purpose: visual impairment is associated with an increased risk of falls, yet eye care professionals are infrequently members of falls prevention clinics. The aim of this preliminary study was to validate a newly created Visual Impairment as a Risk for Falls Questionnaire intended to be used by those professionals not involved in eye care. Methods: about 53 participants with various visual impairments known to be associated with falls and 33 participants with normal sight were contacted within 4 months of a full oculo-visual assessment and were asked the questions from the current questionnaire pertaining to their visual function. A retrospective file review was undertaken and the sensitivity and specificity of participants' responses were calculated compared to the actual vision impairment based on the findings from their visual assessment. Results: the question regarding ability to read was included to identify people with central vision loss, a risk factor for falling. It was found to have sensitivity of 74% and specificity of 87%. Both sensitivity and specificity improved when participants with cognitive impairment were excluded. The question on recognising facial features gave sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 97% for this subgroup. However, questions related to impairments in stereopsis and peripheral fields were not useful. Conclusion: the study demonstrates that several questions of the new questionnaire are useful; however, further testing with a larger population is needed to fully validate the questionnaire for use by health care professionals.

Binocular Vision Disorders and Visual Attention: Associations With Balance and Mobility in Older Adults.

Understanding which aspects of vision are related to falls is important. We examine the associations between tests of balance, mobility, fear of falling (FES-1) and aspects of vision in 72 adults aged 70+. Balance and mobility were examined using the One Legged Stance test (OLST), the Sit to Stand test (STST) and the 5 Meter Walking test (5MWT). Visual measures included visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity, stereoacuity, binocular vision (BV) measurements, Useful field of View (UFV) and Attended Field of View (AFOV). Reduced performance on the OLST and the STST was significantly correlated with abnormal BV and poorer intermediate VA. Poorer function on the 5MWT and the FES-I was also predicted by poor intermediate VA and poorer performance on the OLST, STST and the 5MWT was associated with UFV errors. The results are of high importance as many BV disorders are treatable and visual attention is trainable.