A comparison of computer applications vs conventional colour vision tests: Can they be used interchangeably?

Objective: To determine if three Computer Application colour vision tests (the Insight Colour Vision test, Colour Vision Quiz and the Colour-blind tester MN) can be used in exchange for Conventional methods of colour vision testing. Design and Methodology: A control sample of the general population was selected at random consisting of 50 subjects. The other group, the diseased group included those with diabetes, cataract, glaucoma and retinal diseases, from the Ophthalmology clinic, of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC), and consisted of 25 subjects. All tests were conducted on subjects who volunteered with informed consent. The conventional tests of colour vision, the Ishihara and the Fansworth D15, were trialled on the subjects, then the computer application colour vision tests were tried on the same group. Results: From the tests done, the Colour Vision Quiz and the Colour-blind tester were able to detect the presence of a defect, but unspecific in determining types of defects. Insight colour vision test was found to be as sensitive and specific in detecting colour vision defects among the Control group as the Farnworth D15 test. However it was less accurate in detecting the nature of the colour vision defects among the diseased population. Conclusion: None of the colour vision tests were found to be reliable and reproducible in replacing the conventional methods of colour vision testing.

Association between health literacy, inhaler technique and disease control in obstructive airway disease

OBJECTIVE: The association of health literacy with compliance, inhaler technique and disease control with respect to both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients is poorly addressed. We examined the association between health literacy, inhaler technique and disease control in patients suffering from obstructive lung disease in Trinidad. DESIGN AND METHODS: The method was a cross-sectional study which employed 781 patients from Chest Clinics in Trinidad (Arima Health Facility, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Port of Spain and San Fernando General Hospitals). Out-patients were interviewed on a pilot tested questionnaire for information on compliance and disease control. Morisky 8- item Medication Adherence Questionnaire, Asthma Control Test (ACT), and COPD Assessment Test (CAT) were used to assess compliance, asthma and COPD control respectively. Health literacy was assessed using Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine – short form (REALM- SF), and inhaler technique was observed on dummies.