MyMedR

Displaying all 5 publications

Abstract:

Sort:

Implementing primary eye care in private practises in Malaysia: the challenges faced by optometrists

Yahaya NA, Musa A, Azemin MZC, Rahman NAA

Med J Malaysia, 2023 May;78(3):357-363.
PMID: 37271846

OBJECTIVE: In Malaysia, optometrists' role in the private sector is limited compared to their counterparts elsewhere. Primary eye care (PEC) is still not widely offered in private practises despite its demand to reduce the public's eye morbidity. This study aims to explore the challenges perceived by the private sector optometrists in implementing PEC in Malaysia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In-depth interview using semistructured open-ended questions were designed to explore the challenges of implementing PEC. Fifteen private optometrists across Malaysian were interviewed via purposive sampling until the data were saturated. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed.
RESULTS: Four major themes emerged: working environment, support and recognition, self-sufficiency and customer influence. The first major theme identified a lack of time and equipment in the workplace as a barrier to PEC implementation. The second major theme acknowledges the lack of support and recognition for PEC practise from financial bodies, the government, Malaysian Optical Council (MOC) and other eye professionals. Meanwhile, some practising optometrists faced significant challenges due to their lack of self-sufficiency regarding skills, knowledge and confidence. The final major theme, customer influence, reflects the customer's role in shaping eye care delivery through their perception and acceptance of PEC.
CONCLUSION: Each of the issues identified played a significant impact in impeding PEC implementation in Malaysia. This study is the first step toward developing tailored interventions to improve eye care delivery in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Optometrists*
Retinal imaging analysis based on vessel detection

Jamal A, Hazim Alkawaz M, Rehman A, Saba T

Microsc Res Tech, 2017 Jul;80(7):799-811.
PMID: 28294460 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.22867

With an increase in the advancement of digital imaging and computing power, computationally intelligent technologies are in high demand to be used in ophthalmology cure and treatment. In current research, Retina Image Analysis (RIA) is developed for optometrist at Eye Care Center in Management and Science University. This research aims to analyze the retina through vessel detection. The RIA assists in the analysis of the retinal images and specialists are served with various options like saving, processing and analyzing retinal images through its advanced interface layout. Additionally, RIA assists in the selection process of vessel segment; processing these vessels by calculating its diameter, standard deviation, length, and displaying detected vessel on the retina. The Agile Unified Process is adopted as the methodology in developing this research. To conclude, Retina Image Analysis might help the optometrist to get better understanding in analyzing the patient's retina. Finally, the Retina Image Analysis procedure is developed using MATLAB (R2011b). Promising results are attained that are comparable in the state of art.

Matched MeSH terms: Optometrists
Fulltext Discrepancy in the accuracy of vision screening program performed by allied health personnel in a preschool

Nurul Farhana Abu Bakar, Ai-Hong Chen

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2017;25(103):151-158.
MyJurnal

The purpose of this study is to assess the performance of allied health personnel, after attending a training programme, in conducting vision screening for preschool children. A total of 43 allied health personnel (20 assistant medical officers (AMOs) and 23 nurses) attended a two-day training program prior to conducting vision screening for preschool children. Vision screening was conducted among 136 preschool children using four similar HOTV visual acuity chart at 6 m. The cut-off referral criterion for visual acuity (VA) testing was 6/9 or worse in either eye. All children were referred to two qualified optometrists for a comprehensive eye examination. The accuracy was based on the sensitivity and specificity of screening by each group of personnel. The overall prevalence of reduced VA in the studied population was about 10%. The sensitivity and specificity of vision screening performed by AMOs were 100% and 98% respectively while that performed by nurses were 56% and 94% respectively. Thus, there were discrepancies in the sensitivity of visual acuity testing despite them being conducted by healthcare providers with similar background and training. This suggests that their performance might be influenced by factors other than their professional training.

Matched MeSH terms: Optometrists
Development and validation of a new vision screening test algorithm for public use mobile application- A pilot study

Siti Nor Aishah AR, Mutalib A, Asma H, Baig AA, Naing NN, Hashim SE, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2020 11;75(6):685-690.
PMID: 33219178

OBJECTIVES: To design and develop a simple vision test algorithm for mobile application and perform a pilot study to determine its validity and reliability as a tool for vision test in the community.
METHODS: A simple visual acuity test algorithm in the form of a single letter E display was designed as the optotype for development of a mobile application. The standardised optotype is presented at random to test visual acuity for corresponding level of 3/60, 6/60, 6/18, and 6/12. The final result is auto-generated based on the classification of the WHO for visual impairment and blindness. The Snellen chart was used as the gold standard to determine its validity while five different users were involved to determine its inter-rater reliability. A pilot study was performed between April till November 2019, in the Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin Medical Centre (UMC) at Kuala Nerus and Mooris Optometrist Centre at Marang, Terengganu. A total of 279 participants aged four years old and above were involved in this study.
RESULTS: The highest sensitivity was found at the vision level cut-off point of 6/12 with the percentage of 92.7% and 86.8% for the right and left eye, respectively. The specificity was more than 89% for all vision levels in both eyes. The Krippendorff's alpha value for the inter-rater reliability was 0.87 and 0.83.
CONCLUSION: The relatively high level of validity and reliability obtained indicate the feasibility of using the designed optotype to develop a valid and reliable mobile app for vision test. The app can be used to screen vision by nonmedical persons, at anytime and anywhere to help improve public awareness and capability to correctly determine their visual status.

Matched MeSH terms: Optometrists
Fulltext Choroidal melanoma – a silent killer

Pei, Fang Neoh, Tai, Evelyn L.M., Liza-Sharmini A.T.

Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 2017;2(2):29-31.
MyJurnal

A 65-year-old lady complained of occasional flashes of light over her left eye for 2 months. She was referred for ocular assessment after she underwent refractive assessment at the optometrist. On examination, best corrected visual acuity in both eyes was 6/9. Both eyes anterior segments were normal, with normal intraocular pressure. The pupils were equal with no relative afferent pupillary defect. Left eye fundus examination was normal. On the contrary, the "normal" right eye fundus examination revealed a huge, well-circumscribed hypo-pigmented elevated choroidal mass. B scan ultrasonography of the right eye showed a mushroom-shaped intraocular mass. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an intraocular lesion. Comprehensive systemic examination and investigations to rule out distant primary malignancy were unremarkable. A provisional diagnosis of right eye primary choroidal melanoma was made. Despite good vision in the affected eye, she underwent right eye enucleation in view of the large intraocular mass. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination.

Matched MeSH terms: Optometrists