Background:Measurement of for near point of convergence (NPC), amplitude of accommodation (AA) and phoria are important components of diagnosing nonstrabismic binocular vision anomalies. There is a huge variation in the normative data established for orthoptic parameters because of the variation in measurement technique. There are only limited studies for normative data based on nonclinical population in Indian population. Therefore, we aim estimate the normative values for NPC, AA, and phoria measurement in Indian population using techniques, which has good repeatability and reliability.Materials and Methods:Subjects between the age group 10-35 years participated in this prospective cross-sectional study. A self-administered symptom questionnaire was used to exclude patients with asthenopic symptoms. Clinical techniques which have good repeatability and reliability were used. NPC was measured using pen light red, green glass test. AA was measured using minus lens technique. Horizontal and vertical phoria at distance and near was measured using modified Thorington method.Results:One hundred and fifty subjects participated in the study. We found that NPC receded with age, which could because of the increase in horizontal phoria at near with age. The mean normative value for objective NPC, break and recovery of subjective NPC, monocular and binocular AA, horizontal and vertical phoria at distance and near for the three age groups are reported in the study.Conclusion:The data presented in this study can be used as a cut-off by eye care practitioners while diagnosing convergence, accommodation related anomalies in Indian population.

Smoking caused adverse effects on the precorneal tear film and there was strong association between smoking and tear film instability. Although a causative relationship could not be determined, there is a need for further longitudinal studies.

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Background:Eyesight plays an important role in our day today life. When the vision gets hampered, daily activities of an individual will be affected. The prevalence of visual impairment is increasing across the globe, with more burdens on the developing world. The uptake of low vision services remains to be low in developing countries like India.Methods:A newly constructed questionnaire using information from previously conducted telephonic interviews and article search was administered among 50 eye care practitioners from Kerala, India for the pilot study. Modifications were made in the questionnaire, based on the responses obtained from the pilot study. From their responses, awareness, knowledge, and barriers for the low vision services among eye care practitioners were assessed.Results:(1) Pilot study - the Cronbach's alpha values obtained for knowledge, awareness and barrier questions were 0.814, 0.297, and 0.810, respectively, and content validity index was found to be 0.64. (2) Main study - 211 eye care practitioners from 12 states of India took part in the study that accounted for a response rate of 16.7%. The participants included were 95 (45%) men and 116 (55%) women with a mean age of 28.18 ± 7.04 years. The lack of awareness was found to be the major barrier in the provision and uptake of low vision services from the practitioner's perspective.Conclusion:The study results showed that there is a lack of awareness among eye care practitioners about low vision services, which acts as a major barrier in the effective delivery of these services.

Background Preschool vision screenings are considered to be cost‐effective methods to identify children with vision disorders. The children of this age group are poor at communicating their symptoms and hence screening is mandated. This study is aimed at estimating the diagnostic accuracy and agreement of Lea, HOTV and E visual acuity charts for detecting significant refractive errors. Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted, in which monocular unaided vision assessment of each study participant was performed with Lea, HOTV and E charts. Stereo acuity was measured with the Randot Preschool Test and a comprehensive eye examination including dilatation was performed. Significant refractive error was defined as hyperopia > 3.25 D, myopia > 2.00 D, astigmatism > 1.50 D, anisometropia if interocular difference > 1.00 D for hyperopia, > 3.00 D for myopia or > 1.50 D for astigmatism. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were estimated. Bland–Altmann plots were generated to help identify the level of agreement between the vision charts. Results A total of 256 eyes were analysed. Lea, HOTV and E had sensitivities of 87.8 per cent, 90.2 per cent and 90.2 per cent, respectively. Specificity and positive predictive values were better for HOTV (77.3 per cent, 65.5 per cent) and Lea (75 per cent, 62.6 per cent), compared to E chart (69.8 per cent, 58.7 per cent). Negative predictive values for Lea, HOTV and E charts were 92.8 per cent, 93.8 per cent and 93.8 per cent, respectively. Bland–Altmann analysis showed good agreement between Lea and HOTV, Lea and E, and HOTV and E visual acuity charts. The acuity difference was least between Lea and HOTV charts (0.1 logMAR). Eighty‐five (33.2 per cent) eyes had significant refractive errors. Eighty (94.1 per cent) eyes were astigmatic. Conclusion The diagnostic accuracy of the visual acuity charts was high for the identification of significant refractive errors in preschool children. There was very good agreement between the visual acuity charts.