Infectious endophthalmitis is a serious and vision-threatening complication of commonly performed intraocular surgeries such as cataract surgery. The occurrence of endophthalmitis can result in severe damage to the uveal and other ocular tissues even among patients undergoing an uncomplicated surgical procedure. If the infections result from common factors such as surgical supplies, operative or operation theater-related risks, there can be a cluster outbreak of toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS) or infectious endophthalmitis, leading to several patients having an undesirable outcome. Since prevention of intraocular infections is of paramount importance to ophthalmic surgeons, the All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS) has taken the lead in the formation of a National Task Force to help ophthalmic surgeons apply certain universal precautions in their clinical practice. The Task Force has prepared a handy checklist and evidence-based guidelines to minimize the risk of infectious endophthalmitis following cataract surgery.
Purpose:
In India, school eye screening is an important component of the National Programme for the Control of Blindness providing spectacles free of cost to children from primary section. The primary aim of this study was to know the compliance of wearing spectacles provided during school screening program and to find out reasons for noncompliance. The secondary aim of this study was to get information regarding the types of modifications required in the school eye screening program to improve the compliance level.
Methods:
It was a cross-sectional follow-up study involving school children of age group 10–16 years, class 5–9 from different parts of the country. Public or private schools were randomly selected based on their distance from the base hospitals/partner organizations. Data were collected by standard format directly from the students after informed written consent from school principal or class teacher.
Results:
The utilization of spectacles was found to be only 29.8% (
n
= 289) within 2 years of receiving the spectacles. Thirty-five percent (
n
= 108) students were using spectacles with less than 0.75 D. Appearance of the frame was a deciding factor. It was observed that the frames provided by the DBCS were especially not liked by the children. Twenty-five percent (
n
= 79) children were found to be wearing adult frames.
Conclusion:
Less than a third of the students were compliant with their spectacle prescription in this study. To improve the compliance, children should not be prescribed spectacles for nonsignificant refractive errors, should be given choices for frames and quality of work being conducted under school screening program needs a review.
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