Prevalence of Refractive Errors in School Children

Prevalence of Refractive Errors in School Children Introduction : Uncorrected errors of refractions have become one of the major important public health problems worldwide nowadays. They include myopia , hyperopia and astigmatism . Myopia (nearsightedness)is an ocular disorder in which the optical power of the eye is very strong for the corresponding axis. (1) It represents a major health problem among school children and it is reported that there are about 80 millions myopic child in the world.(2) It has two groups simple myopia or non pathogenic ( 6 diopters ) that is progressive and presents at early childhood. (3) Hyperopia or ( farsightedness) is categorized by the degree of refractive error into : Low hyperopia is +2.00D or less, Moderate hyperopia ranges from +2.25 to +5.00D, and High hyperopia is +5.25D or more but rarely reach +8 D. (4) Astigmatism is a condition that may affect both farsighted and nearsighted people . It is due to corneal or lenticular irregularities that cause blurring of vision. Mild and moderate astigmatism have the r ange of ( 1 to 2 D ) , severe astigmatism ( 2-3 D) , while the extreme astigmatism reach > 3 D . About 5-15% of children are considered to have refractive errors ( world health organization WHO ,2001) .In 2002 , 161 million people globally have been reported to be visually impaired due to different eye diseases as cataract , trachoma and onchocerciasis ( but errors of refractions as a cause was not included in such statistics) (WHO 2002 ). But since then , the WHO and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness(IAPB), both separately and with them the global initiative ,VISION 2020: The Right to Sight, have worked very hard to include uncorrected errors of refractions in such statistics due to their great importance in visual impairment occurrence. So on October 12, 2006 , the WHO has revealed the magnitude of visually impaired people due to uncorrected errors of refraction to be 153 millions either blind or of low vision , with at least 13 million children (aged 5†“15 years) (5,6) Blindness is defined in terms of visual acuity (VA) as 3/60 in the better seeing eye and low vision as VA between 6/18 to 3/60 in the better seeing eye , but all on the base of the presenting visual acuity rather than the best corrected visual acuity . And so, uncorrected errors of refractions become the second main cause of preventable blindness ( 18%) after the cataract (39%). (7,8). Uncorrected refractive errors are major problem in school children. Lead to inability to read what is written on chalkboard which greatly affect a child’s learning process.[19]. It has serious social effect on the child in school. Continuous blaming of the child as being lazy and stupid is very frequent by non-responsible teachers. schoolmates tease the child. These factors may lead to decrease the child’s performance leading to recurrent school failure. A study formed in Brazil showed the great impact of refractive errors on the child’s education. About 10% of these children at higher probability of dropping out of school. [11] Non-compliant Children who don’t wear spectacles had an average academic score lesser than compliant beers . But, there could be confounders for this like IQ.[17] the prevalence of visual impairment from uncorrected refractive errors in some regions appears to be higher in urban areas than in rural areas, despite the presence of better health services. This may be due to a high incidence of myopia in these populations because of direct relation between increased access to education and myopia.[12] The lack of screening, and the availability and affordability of refractive corrections are the most important. [12,13] Many factors that contribute for refractive errors remaining uncorrected like lack of awareness and recognition of the problem at personal and family level and community level, equipment for diagnosis and treatment of errors of refraction are not available (WHO, 1993). In the age group 5–15 years, non-correction of refractive errors is due to several factors like absence of screening program. However, cultural barriers and believes can play a role, as shown in studies from where free and easy routine screening program and aids to correct errors of refraction are present. [12,13] Poor access to refractive services in rural children, despite the fact that refractive errors are less common amongst rural children.[14,15] cosmetic factors like that the spectacles make the face look more nerdy, which may be more acceptable to girls and boys are more prone for activities and sports in rural areas.[13] A Tanzanian study showed that spectacles provided free of cost under insurance cove rage, were used less as compared to those the patient pay for them.[18] The age factor showing controversial effect on compliance of spectacles wear, increasing the age has minor negative effect in a study from Mexico, while it shows a positive effect in a study from rural china.[16, 17] less educated parents is a contributing factor for non-compliance of spectacle wear. Fathers education has more prominent effect than mother’s educational level. This may be due to that educated women always have equal or more educated husbands. Children from larger villages were more non-compliant than those from smaller villages. Cosmetics is not an important issue in small villages.[19] Non-availability of different types, shapes, colors, and sizes of spectacles is another cause. only one size spectacles that fit all ages is considered unfashionable. Small refractive errors (20] Many studies have been conducted in different parts of the world using the same protocol . The latest global estimate of prevalence of visually impaired children ( 5-15) due to refractive errors was 0.97% with higher prevalence in china and urban areas of south east Asia (9) Few studies were also conducted in Egypt , but one of largest studies conducted in Cairo , the capital of Egypt, using a large sample (6000) children from different governorates and socioeconomic classes has revealed the prevalence of refractive errors (VA = or So the objective of our study is to measure the prevalence of refractive errors among schoolchildren from (5 to 18 years ) at El-Demerdash hospital . Subjects Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study is to be conducted where participants are selected from patients attending the Ophthalmology Department, at El Demerdash Hospital, with a total of 500 children; 250 boys and 250 girls. Age group ranges from 5-18 years and the study will take place in the period from February 2014 till July 2014. Each participating child will have his/her personal details recorded on a form, and will undergo a standard ophthalmological examination including: Visual Acuity (VA) with/without glasses, cycloplegic retinoscopy, cycloplegic autorefraction, external eye and fundus examination with all the results recorded. Refraction will be done using retinoscopy after 1% cyclopentolate eye drops instilled in the eyes at least half an hour prior to the examination. Only children who have a VA of less than 6/6 in at least one eye will undergo retinoscopy. Inclusion criteria: Any child at the school age of 5-18 years, attending the Ophthalmology Department, at El Demerdash hospital as inpatients, whose parents will sign a written informed consent forum. Exclusion criteria: Children who are unwilling to undergo the examination, although an informed consent is signed by their parents. Children with co-morbidities or other illness, or children taking any drugs that might have ocular side effects. Sampling method used is the convenience (purposeful) method, sample size of 500 patients with a sampling frame from the patients’ records are to be obtained at the start of the study. Data analysis: Data will be entered into a computerized database-using the CDC-WHO package EPI-INFO, and results of analysis are presented in the form of tables. Ethical considerations : The study protocol is approved by the ethical committee at Ain Shams University. Written informed consent are taken from parents or legal guardians as a pre requisite for inclusion References : 1-The National Eye Institue, The National Institute ofHealth.http://www.nei.nih.gov/healthyeyes/myopia.asp [May 2010] . 3-Friedman NJ, Kaiser PK. Essentials of Ophthalmology. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Inc; 2007:253-254. 4-Moore BD, Augsburger AR, Ciner EB, Cockrell DA, Fern KD, Harb E. Optometric Clinical Practice Guideline: Care of the Patient with Hyperopia. St. Louis, MO: American Optometric Association; 1997:1-29. 5-World Health Organization. Sight test and glasses could dramatically improve the lives of 150 million people with poor vision.Press release, 11 October 2006. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/HYPERLINK http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2006/pr55/en/index.html2006HYPERLINK http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2006/pr55/en/index.html/prHYPERLINK http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2006/pr55/en/index.html55HYPERLINK http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2006/pr55/en/index.html/en/index.html. 6-Resnikoff S et al. Global data on visual impairment in the year 2002. Bulletin of the World Health Organization 7- Dandona R, Dandona L. Refractive error blindness. Bull World Health Organ. 2001;79(3):237–243. 8-World Health Organization. International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. 10th Revision, 2nd Ed. Geneva,World Health Organization: 2005. 9.Zhao, J., Mao, J., Luo, R., Li, F., Pokharel, G. P., Ellwein, L. B. (2004). Accuracy of noncycloplegic autorefraction in school-age children in China. Optometry and Vision Science, 81, 49-55. http://dx.doi.org/HYPERLINK http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00006324-200401000-0001010HYPERLINK http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00006324-200401000-00010.HYPERLINK http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00006324-200401000-000101097HYPERLINK http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00006324-200401000-00010/HYPERLINK http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00006324-200401000-0001000006324HYPERLINK http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00006324-200401000-00010HYPERLINK http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00006324-200401000-00010200401000HYPERLINK http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00006324-200401000-00010HYPERLINK http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00006324-200401000-0001000010 10. Negrel AD, Maul E, Pokharel GP, Zhao J, Ellwein LB. Refractive errorstudy in children: sampling and measurement methods for amulticountry survey. Am J Ophthalmol. 2000;129(4):421–426. 11. Gomes-Neto J, Hanushek E, Leite R, Frota-Bezzera R. Health and schooling: evidence and policy implications for developing countries. Econ Edu Rev. 1997;16(3):271–282. 12.Khandekar, R., Mohammed, A. J., Al Raisi, A. (2002). The compliance of spectacle wear and its determinants among school children of Dhakhiliya region of the Sultanate of Oman. A descriptive study. Sultan Qaboos University Journal for Scientific Research Medical Sciences, 4, 39-42. 13.Preslan, M. W., Novak, A. (1998). Baltimore vision screening project. Phase 2 Ophthalmology, 105, 150-3. 14.Dandona R, Dandona L, Srinivas M, Sahare P, Narsaiah S, Muà ±oz SR, et al. Refractive error in children in a rural population in India.Invest Ophthalm Visc sci.2002;43:623–31.[PubMed] 15.Murthy GVS, Gupta SK, Ellwein LB, Muà ±oz SR, Pokharel GP, Sanga L, et al. Refractive error in children in an urban population in New Delhi.Invest Ophthalm Visc Sci.2002;43:615–22. 16.Congdon N, Zheng M, Sharma A, Choi K, Song Y, Zhang M, et al. Prevalence and determinants of spectacle non-wear among rural Chinese secondary school children. The Xichang Pediatric Refractive Error Study Report 3.Arch Ophthalmol.2008;126:1717–23.[PubMed] 17.Castanon Holguin AM, Congdon N, Patel N, Esteso P, Toledo Flores S, et al. Factors associated with spectacle-wear compliance in school-aged Mexican Children.Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci.2006;47:925–8.[PubMed] 18.Esteso P, Castanon A, Toledo S, Rito MA, Ervin A, Wojciechowski R, et al. Correction of moderate myopia is associated with improvement in self-reported visual functioning among Mexican school-aged children.Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci.2007;48:4949–54.[PubMed] 19.Preslan MN, Novak A. Baltimore vision screening project.Phase 2.Ophthalmology.1998;105:150–3.[PubMed] 20.Congdon NG, Patel N, Esteso P, Williams C, Wolke D. The association between refractive cutoffs for spectacle provision and visual improvement among school aged children in south Africa.Br J Ophthalmol.2008;92:13–8.[PubMed]

Digital humanities, scholarly communication and communication science Essay

Objectives of this research proposal is to identify a problem n work place and propose a solution to the management on the problem facing the company. Justification             Communication is very essential for the progress of a company. In today’s world, companies are striving to have good communication in places of work. However, good communication is hard to achieve because communication is increasingly becoming complex because complex work activities and multicultural environment in the places of work. Lack of communication increases job dissatisfaction and kills morale of workers. This research will evaluate the causes of poor communication. It will also come up with solutions on what needs to bedone. WorkcompletedI have managed to calculate the total cost for research and written a breakdown of all expenses to be incurred in this research. I have also written a schedule of all activities that I will carry on eve day. Interview was one of research methodology used in the proposal. I intended to interview five people from Youth Health Partnership Organization. The proposed persons to be interviewed are Mr. Phillip Hardy, Human Resources Manager, Mr. Charles Chah, Senior Accountant, two casual workers and Ms. Agnes Ashley, Finance officer. I have managed to interview two casual workers and Ms. Agnes. I have also managed to gather and reviewed all the journals and books that I needed for the purpose of this research Work remaining             The remaining work is to secure an appointment with Mr. Philip and Mr. Charles and to interview them. I have not completed collecting data using questionnaires. Obstacle encountered             Mr. Philip and Mr. Chah have been canceling our scheduled meeting at the last minute. Another challenge is that workers are refusing to fill in the questionnaire due to fear of victimization from supervisors. References Klyukanov, I. (2013). Digital humanities, scholarly communication and communication science. Modern communication studies, 2(1), 43-53. Rayudu, C. S. (2010). Communication (Rev. ed.). Mumbai [India: Himalaya Pub. House.Zaremba, A. J. (2010). Organizational communication (3rd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. CarriÃÆ' ¨re, J., & Bourque, C. (2009). The effects of organizational communication on job satisfaction and organizational commitment in a land ambulance service and the mediating role of communication satisfaction. Career Development International, 14(1), 29-49. Ryabova, I. (2013). Communication components of management and organizational culture of the company. Modern communication studies, 2(2), 13-40. Source document

Ahist 1401 Unit 4 Written Assignment. In An Essay, Discuss

AHIST 1401: UNIT 4 WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT In an essay, discuss the relationship between the arts and the growing body of scientific knowledge during this time. Specifically refer to at least one work of art from each of the three major stylistic periods from this unit (Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo), and explain how the artist used new scientific knowledge in creating their work. Between the 15th and 18th centuries, art went from the renaissance to baroque to Rococo. There was a distinct connection between science and art. Artists like Joseph Wright â€Å"invented a new subject: scenes of experiments and new machinery as well as the beginning of the industrial revolution.† (Khan Academy, n.d.) During the Renaissance period some important†¦show more content†¦An example of this is Ludovico Cigoli’s ‘Assumption of the Virgin’ (1612). In the Baroque style period. Landscapes were no longer the main subject of art. â€Å"Art was meant to impress, to convince the viewer of its message; art impacted the senses awakening the emotions, and activating – even sharing – the viewer’s space.† (Camara, n.d.) Art during the Baroque period was later seen as bizarre. The proportions were not as correct as in the previous period. Subjects of the art were misshapen and irregular. An example of this would be Francisco de Zurbaran’s oil painting ‘Saint Francis of Assisi According to Pope Nicholas V’s Vision, c. 1640’ The 18th century was known as the Enlightenment. Thinkers of Rococo period were inspired and influenced by scientific revolutions. Artists wanted to ‘shed the light’ on these scientific discoveries and find reason to question the traditional ways of doing things. It is said that â€Å"Enlightenment was a period of profound optimism, a sense that with science a reason – and the consequent shedding of old superstitions – human beings and human society would improve.† (Khan Academy, n.d.) The Rococo period gave birth to thinkers and artists that did not conform. It also brought about the corruption on the monarchy. Ultimately there was a shift from the monarchy to an aristocracy. Aristocracy had the wealth and the power and art

A Research Study On Social Research Methods - 1605 Words

METHODS Participants were selected through convenience as well as snowball sampling. The subjects were either students in Dr. Shieva Davarian’s SOCL 109-02 Social Research Methods class or acquaintances of the researchers .The participants that were targeted were between the ages of 17 and 22 and were currently enrolled in a university or secondary education program in the United States of America. In total 25 people responded to the survey in which there were 17 female respondents, 7 male respondents, and 1 respondent who did not indicate their gender. However for six of the survey questions some of the participants were excluded due to response error. The study specifically gathered data from Loyola Marymount University, which is a†¦show more content†¦After completing the survey the Likert scale questions were reverse coded, to make one the least likely and five the most likely. At that point the results for each category were added together to create an average sc ore. The open-ended questions were used to determine a general trend for why people choose the diets they consume. RESULTS Quantitative Looking at Figure 1 we see that respondents tended to buy and consume conventional foods (score of 104 out of 120) and organic products (score of 101 out of 120) the most, while home grown, gluten free, and vegetarian/vegan products were bought and consumed significantly less. Similarly in Figure 2, which rates the importance of food choices, respondents drastically preferred organic products (score of 106 out of 120) to all other types of foods. Ninety-two percent of participants believed that sustainable food costs more than conventional products, and 64% of participants believed that consuming sustainably should be a mandated practice. However participants had varied responses on who had the greatest influence on sustainable consumption (see Figure 3). At the top, participants rated communities (score of 79 out of 112), legislation/ governments (score of 72 out of 112), and individuals/ households (score of 70 out of 112), while food producers and the general public s cored slightly lower. When it came to incorporating sustainability into