Purpose: To study the effect of smoking on tear film parameters and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL) in chronic smokers. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, which included 60 (120 eyes) smokers who have smoked at least 10 pack-year and an equal number of healthy subjects as a control for comparison. In addition to history, a detailed slit-lamp examination was done to evaluate the anterior and posterior segments. All patients underwent Schirmer’s I test (SIT) with Whatman-41 filter paper, tear meniscus height (TMH), and RNFL with a Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) and tear film breakup time (TBUT) with 2% fluorescein and cobalt blue filter using slit-lamp biomicroscopy. Results: The (mean ± SD) age of the participants was 56.48 ± 10.38 years. There was a statistically significant reduction in tear film parameters in smokers compared to nonsmokers ( P = 0.000). The incidence of MGD was found to be higher in smokers when compared to nonsmokers with a P value of 0.000. RNFL in all four quadrants was also significantly reduced in smokers compared to nonsmokers ( P = 0.00). Conclusion: This study shows that chronic smoking leads to an increased incidence of dry eye disease and is associated with RNFL thinning. Smoking can result in cumulative RNFL loss in patients with ocular neurodegenerative disorder and OCT of these patients may have to be interpreted keeping this in mind.

Objectives: This present study was to evaluate the prevalence and severity of dry eye with respect to age in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Methods: Visual acuity was assessed on Snellen’s chart and anterior segment evaluation was done with slit lamp biomicroscope. Ocular surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire was completed and grading done. Dry eye evaluation was done with Schirmer I, by placing a special filter paper in the lower fornix and Tear film Break-Up time was done by an impregnated fluorescein strip moistened with saline which was instilled into the lower fornix. Results: 64(32%), 42(21%) and 35(17.5%) women were belonged in age group of 61-70 years, > 7o years and 51-60 years respectively. dry eye was seen in 6(6%) premenopausal and 47(47%) in postmenopausal women. Higher prevalence of dry eye 29(45.31%) was seen in age 61-70 years. 11(26.19%) prevalence was seen in age > 70 years. Premenopausal women had mainly 6(100%) mild dry eye. 22(46.81%) Postmenopausal women had 22(46.81%), 14(29.79%) and 11(23.40%) mild, moderate and severe grade of dry eye respectively. Conclusions: Dry eye was commonly seen in older age postmenopausal women. Premenopausal women had mainly mild dry eye. Postmenopausal women had commonly mild to moderate grade of dry eye. Hence, early detection of dry eye is important to arrest the progression of dry eye as well as to prevent the complications that can reduce corneal transparency and reduce vision. Environmental and behavioural modifications such as taking breaks while reading, keeping the computer monitors at eye level, use of UV protective glasses and humidification of the environment can be tried. Keywords: Dry eye, premenopausal, postmenopausal, age group

BACKGROUNDPhacoemulsification is the standard technique for elective cataract surgery worldwide. In spite of recent advances in techniques and technology, the management of black and brunescent cataracts remains a challenge for even experienced surgeons. Objective-Successful management tips that surgeons need to understand first and then employ it with specific strategies to achieve gratifying result in these cases.

Introduction: Hands of health care workers act as the most common vehicle for the transmission of healthcare associated infections. A good practice of hand hygiene reduces the incidence of these nosocomial infections. There is a dearth of precise data about the awareness of hand hygiene practice amongst Ophthalmologists in India. Aim: To assess the knowledge of hand hygiene amongst the Ophthalmologists and trainees in Uttarakhand and surrounding regions of Northern India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted by Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences , Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India amongst Ophthalmologists attending a three days long annual ophthalmology conference in Uttarakhand in October 2019, after taking due approval from the Ethics Committee of the Institute. All the 150 participants which were included in the study filled the World Health Organisation (WHO) hand hygiene questionnaire comprising of 10 multiple-choice questions. The respondents were asked to tick the most appropriate choices and scores were given out of a maximum score of 25. Mann Whitney test was used for statistical analysis in the study. Results: A total of 150 subjects participated in the survey among which 70 were females and 80 were males. Of all, 60% of the participants were practicing surgeons while 60 (40%) were postgraduate students. About 126 (84%) reported having received a formal training on hand hygiene. Hands of the health care workers were reported to be the commonest route of cross transmission of germs between the patients and healthcare facilities. The average total score of the participants in the survey was 16 (64%) and there was no significant difference between the scores of participants based on gender and training. Conclusion: The study shows that majority of the Ophthalmologists have formal training and fair knowledge on the basics of hand hygiene, but lacked the in-depth knowledge, which needs to be addressed in order to reduce the incidence of hospital acquired infections.