Journal of the Nigerian Optometric Association

Awareness and practice of scleral contact lens fitting among optometrists in Nigeria– A Cross-Sectional Study

Ngozi N. Billo — 2024-07-29

Background: To investigate the awareness and practice of scleral contact lens fitting among optometrists in Nigeria.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between November and December 2022 that required optometrists practicing in Nigeria to fill a self-administered, electronic online pretested questionnaire that included 17 questions on practitioner demographics, awareness and practice of scleral contact lenses. Microsoft Excel was used for Descriptive statistics of data obtained, while IBM SPSS Version 25.0 software was used for the Cronbach Alpha test for reliability of the modified questionnaire and Chi-square test to determine the relationship between gender and awareness of scleral contact lens practice.

Results: A total of 307 of the 310 responses were included in the study. 3 of the responses were excluded because they were not properly filled. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of years of practice was 11.2 ± 8.4 years and the contact lens fitting experience was 7.3 ± 6.9 years. Most optometrists surveyed worked in private practice (60.3%, n=185) or hospital-based settings (30.6%, n=94). The majority of optometrists (94.1%, n=289) reported they were aware of scleral contact lenses and only a small portion (5.9%, n=18) had not heard of it. There was no significant relationship between gender and awareness of scleral contact lens (p=0.422). Out of the 307 responses received, only 44 (14.3%) optometrists indicated that they fit scleral contact lenses. The most frequent condition for which scleral contact lenses were prescribed included Keratoconus (n=33, 75%) and the least condition was Presbyopia (n=1, 2.3%). However, majority of optometrists (n=263, 85.7%) reported scleral contact lenses were not fitted in their practice, the most frequent reason being the unavailability and cost of scleral contact lenses (n=177, 67.3%), followed by negative assumptions and attitudes of patients towards contact lens wear (n=107, 40.7%).

Conclusion: The level of awareness of scleral contact lenses among optometrists in Nigeria is high; however, there is a limited practice of scleral contact lens fitting in Nigeria which could be as a result of the unavailability and cost of these lenses.

Tear Quantity and Quality in Smartphone Users Amongst Students of University of Benin

Faustina K. Idu — 2024-07-29

Purpose: This study was aimed at investigating how smartphone use affects tear quantity and tear quality in students of the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria.

Methods: The study involved 300 participants, comprising 174 males and 126 females, aged between 16 and 25 years, with mean age of 20.76 ± 3.00 years. The study began by instructing participants to refrain from using smartphones for 60 minutes. Baseline measurements for tear quantity and tear quality were obtained through Schirmer and invasive tear breakup time test respectively. Subsequently, participants were asked to read an article on a smartphone for 60 minutes, followed by the same tear tests.

Results: Statistical analysis, using paired t-tests, revealed a statistically significant decrease (p <0.05) in tear quantity after smartphone use: right eye (RE) from 17.08 ± 3.01mm to 14.71 ± 2.63mm and left eye (LE) from 17.01 ± 2.63mm to 14.91 ± 2.47mm. Tear quality also showed a statistically significant decline (p<0.05) after smartphone use: RE from 16.17 ± 2.90 secs to 14.26 ± 2.67 secs and LE from 16.17 ± 2.74 secs to 14.46 ± 2.67 secs.

Conclusion: Smartphone use was found to lead to reduced tear quantity and tear quality among University of Benin students.

Identification of Contact lens bacterial Isolates from Students of University of Benin, Nigeria, Using 16S rRNA Gene Sequence Analysis

E. Iyamu — 2024-07-29

Purpose: Molecular phylogenetic analyses have proven beneficial in overcoming some limitations of traditional phenotypic procedures for the detection and characterization of bacterial isolates. The aim of this study was to identify bacterial isolates from hydrogel (soft) contact lenses worn by selected students of the University of Benin, Nigeria, using 16S rRNA gene analysis.

Methods: Eleven bacterial isolates from the worn hydrogel lenses, which remained unidentified with the traditional phenotypic techniques, were transferred to the molecular biology section of the Labor Medical and Research Laboratory for possible identification by phylogenetic analysis, to have a full range of bacteria considered as normal flora of the eyes. Bacterial genomic DNA was extracted with the ZymoBIOMICS DNA Mini Kit (Zymo Research Corp., Irvin, CA, USA), amplified with polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the amplicons were sequenced with the ABI3500xL Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA). The nucleotide sequences were assembled and deposited in the GenBank database for alignment with the prototype strains.

Results: The bacterial isolates identified were Burkholderia cenocepacia GIMC 4560: BCN122, Cupriavidus pauculus KPS 201, and Comamonas testosteroni M.pstv. 4.2, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus NBRC 13006, Achromobacter denitrificans SW2, Bacillus cereus FORC_048, Staphylococcus saprophyticus Marseille-P541, Burkholderia cenocepacia GIMC 4560: Bcn122, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus 7.3, and Comamonas sp. 6.1 and Acinetobacter sp. pp2a.

Conclusion: The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis was able to identify 82% of the isolates at the strain level and 18% at the genus level.

Factors Associated with Readership of Journal of the Nigerian Optometric Association - A Cross-sectional Study of Nigerian Optometrists

Bernadine Nsa Ekpenyong — 2024-07-29

Background: Academic journals are often the primary repositories of evidence-based practice (EBP) which is an essential component of good quality, patient-centred health care. Although medical journals shape clinical practice and decision-making, there is a backdrop of perceived reader apathy. Here, we describe the readership of the Journal of the Nigerian Optometric Association (JNOA), investigate the attitudes and perceived barriers towards the JNOA.

Methods: Of the 155 optometrists surveyed, aged 39.0 ± 9.8 years, 13 (8.4%) were researchers/ academics, and majority were women (n=83, 53.5%). Participants’ reading pattern, perception of the articles, suggestions on what could motivate them to read the journal articles were assessed. Chi-square test determined the association between journal readership and individual variables.

Results: Although majority of the participants (90.2%) said their clinical practice was guided by evidence, 53% read a scientific article at least once a month, and only 41% (mostly younger optometrists aged 20-40years) with fewer years of practice experience read the JNOA. Those concerned about the length of the articles (67%, p=0.015) or who felt the articles lacked clinical relevance (75%, p=0.002) were less likely to read JNOA. Presentation format (electronic or hard copies) had no significant effect on readership. Participants felt that providing updates on current clinical practice, and having a continuing professional development (CPD) article in JNOA could encourage readership.

Conclusion: Overall, readership of JNOA was low among members with length of articles and lack of clinical relevance perceived as barriers. Including CPD articles and sections like clinical relevance may improve readership of JNOA.

New Trends in Neuro-protection in Glaucoma

Andrew U. Omaka — 2024-07-29

Recent advancements in neuroprotection for glaucoma have seen a shift towards multifaceted approaches targeting various aspects of the disease's pathophysiology. Traditional strategies were primarily focused on lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) but emerging trends highlight the importance of preserving retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their axons. Novel therapeutics aim to enhance neurotrophic support, reduce excitotoxicity, and mitigate oxidative stress, complementing IOP-lowering therapies for comprehensive management. Stem cell therapies, neurotrophic factors, and gene therapies show promise in promoting RGC survival and axonal regeneration. Additionally, the repurposing of existing drugs, such as calcium channel blockers and anti-inflammatory agents, for neuro-protection in glaucoma underscores the importance of exploring diverse mechanisms. These innovative approaches represent a paradigm shift in glaucoma management, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach targeting both IOP and neuroprotection to preserve vision effectively.

Case report on scleral lens management of corneal irregularity secondary to oculocutaneous Albinism

John Samssedi — 2024-07-29

The purpose of this case report is to show the benefits of scleral lenses in the management of corneal irregularity and primary corneal ectasia. Scleral lenses are special corneal gas permeable lenses designed with a larger diameter to rest on the conjunctiva and vault over the cornea. This way, the lenses replace the damaged cornea with a smooth, uniform, regular surface that corrects the visual distortions caused by an irregular cornea. Scleral lenses provide optimization of vision with additional benefits of protection and continuous hydration of the ocular surface through the post-lens tear reservoir. In Nigeria, scleral lenses are a new line of treatment that is rapidly becoming a valuable treatment option in the management of irregular astigmatism, corneal irregularity, and ocular surface diseases like keratoconus, keratoglobus, and pellucid marginal degeneration. This is a case of a teenage Nigerian girl with oculocutaneous albinism, nystagmus, and irregular astigmatism.

Editor’s Perspectives

Nwakaego Ikoro — 2024-07-29

No Abstract

Current and future impacts of climate change in eye and vision health

Obialo Iwunze Osigwe — 2024-07-29

No Abstract