Assessment of intraocular pressure measurement between Goldman applanation tonometer, rebound tonometer, non-contact tonometer, and its correlation with central corneal thickness.

Purpose: To compare readings of intraocular pressure (IOP) taken with the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT), the non-contact tonometer (NCT), and the rebound tonometer (RBT), and to compare their correlation with central corneal thickness (CCT). Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional, observational study to which patients above 18 years of age were enrolled. A total of 400 eyes of 200 non-glaucomatous patients underwent IOP recordings using the GAT, NCT, and RBT, and CCT was also noted. Informed consent of the patients was taken. The IOP readings taken via the three methods were compared and correlated with CCT. Paired t test was used to compare the two devices. Simple and multivariate linear regression analyses were used to study the relationship between factors. A P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Correlation was determined using the Pearson correlation coefficient, and a Bland-Altman graph was plotted. Results: Mean IOP measured by the NCT was 15.65 ± 2.80 mmHg, by the RBT was 14.23 ± 3.05 mmHg, and by the GAT was 14.69 ± 2.97 mmHg. The mean CCT was 510.61 ± 33.83 microns. The difference between mean IOP recorded by the NCT and that by the RBT was 1.41 ± 2.39 mmHg, between the NCT and GAT was 0.95 ± 2.03 mmHg, and between the GAT and RBT was 0.45 ± 2.22 mmHg. The difference between the IOP values was statistically significant (P < 0.005). All tonometers showed a statistically significant correlation with CCT, but it was observed that the NCT had a stronger correlation (0.4037). Conclusion: The IOP readings taken by all the three methods were comparable; however, RBT values were closer to GAT values. CCT did influence the IOP values, and this should be kept in mind while evaluating.

The All India Ophthalmological Society - Academic and Research Committee pan-India diabetic retinopathy project "Fixing the missing link": Prevalence data from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

Purpose: : To determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and its risk factors among diabetic patients in the states of Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Chhattisgarh (CG). Methods: : Diabetic patients were screened in the treating diabetologist/physician's clinic by a team that included an ophthalmologist, an optometrist, and a counselor. Demographic details, diabetic control, compliance to eye checkup, awareness regarding diabetic blindness, and visual acuity were recorded using a questionnaire. DR was graded both by indirect ophthalmoscopy and fundus photo taken with a portable fundus camera. Results: : In total, 602 subjects were screened across five selected locations of MP and CG. The prevalence of DR was 13.62%. No significant difference with gender was seen. The presence and grade of DR were related to age, diabetic age, and diabetic control. Conclusion: : This study provides the prevalence data for DR among diabetic patients from the states of MP and CG and highlights important barriers to DR screening in our country.

The All India Ophthalmological Society - Academic and Research Committee pan-India diabetic retinopathy project "Fixing the missing link": Prevalence data from West Bengal.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and its risk factors among diabetic patients in rural and urban West Bengal (WB). METHODS: Patients were screened in the physician's clinic by a team of ophthalmologist, optometrist and counsellor. Demographic details, diabetic control, compliance to eye checkup, awareness regarding diabetic blindness, and visual acuity were recorded using a questionnaire. DR was graded both by indirect ophthalmoscopy and fundus photo taken with a portable fundus camera. RESULTS: A total of 1553 subjects were screened over 39 camps across 14 districts of WB over 17 months. The prevalence of DR was 21.51%, with a significant difference between rural (26.55%) and urban (13.89%) areas (P < 0.01). No significant difference with gender was seen (P = 0.99). Presence and grade of DR were related to age, loss of vision, diabetic age, diabetic control, awareness of diabetic blindness and last eye checkup. CONCLUSION: This study provides the first major prevalence data from WB, and gives valuable insight regarding modifiable risk factors for DR. It is also the first DR study in India to be conducted in the physician's clinic. The study results emphasise the need to "fix the missing link" between ophthalmologists and treating physicians to win the battle against DR.

Understanding the changes in practice patterns in ophthalmology following COVID-19 lockdown.

PURPOSE: Severe acute respiratory syndrome-Coronavirus 2 pandemic has brought the world to a halt. We performed a questionnaire-based survey to know more about these issues which affected them due to this pandemic and resultant lockdown. METHODS: A questionnaire-based survey (53 questions) was conducted online among Indian ophthalmologists with a 2-week response time. The invitation to participate was also circulated widely among various ophthalmologists as members on different social media platforms and emails. It was mandatory to answer all the questions in the questionnaire to make it a valid response. RESULTS: A total of 903 responses were received across the country. A majority of these responses, 403 (44.6%), were from private practitioners. Almost 876 (97%) of the responders had either kept the daily working hours as same as pre-COVID-19 era or had reduced the actual working hours. Overall, 547 (60.6%) responders did not downsize their staff and 569 (63%) did not reduce the staff salary. Consultation charges were not revised by a majority (659, 73%) of responders. Total of 663 (73.4%) were following the appointment system and 702 (77.7%) responders had reduced the number of patients to less than 6 an hour. Only 106 (11.7%) were doing a mandatory RT-PCR test before surgery, whereas 567 (62.8%) did on the basis of suspicious symptoms. CONCLUSION: Our survey gives valuable inputs regarding the changes made by different ophthalmologist groups during the times of COVID-19 and lockdown.