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| EDITORIAL |
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| Year : 2021 | Volume
: 29
| Issue : 2 | Page : 65-66 |
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Editorial Comments: Nigerian Journal of Ophthalmology, July–December 2021
Nasiru Muhammad
Usman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria
| Date of Submission | 19-Dec-2021 |
| Date of Acceptance | 20-Dec-2021 |
| Date of Web Publication | 18-Jan-2022 |
Correspondence Address:
Nasiru Muhammad
Usman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto-840232
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/njo.njo_53_21
How to cite this article:
Muhammad N. Editorial Comments: Nigerian Journal of Ophthalmology, July–December 2021. Niger J Ophthalmol 2021;29:65-6 |
This issue of the Nigerian Journal of Ophthalmology (NJO) brings to you our readers’ articles focused on issues that are topical and some that are often overlooked in clinical practice. We therefore invite you to read on and enjoy contents that could influence your thoughts and practice in your professional practice.
The prospective study on ulcerative keratitis highlights the potential visual and cosmetic complications of the disease which are avoidable with early diagnosis and effective management. Delayed presentation, use of harmful traditional medications, and the size of the corneal ulcer were reported as the predictors of poor outcome. Although use of steroids was a predictor of outcome in a clinical trial,[1] this study did not find use of steroids as a predictor of treatment outcome. The need for primary health workers’ training to identify and refer patients with suspected corneal ulcers and public health education on early presentation and avoidance of harmful practices were identified as essential to prevent this avoidable cornea-related visual impairment/blindness.
The epidemiology of pseudoexfoliation syndrome varies with gender, age, and ethnic origin. The study on pseudoexfoliation deposits on the lens capsule reports findings from Bangladesh among patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma. The authors observed that finding of pseudoexfoliation deposits on the pupillary ruff was the most common presentation and that poorly dilating pupils were uncommon in this category of patients. Clinicians should watch out for pseudoexfoliation deposits on the lens during dilated lens examination.
Refractive errors are the leading cause of visual impairment globally and an important cause of visual impairment in children.[2] The quasi-experimental study on refractive errors reveals a beneficial effect of spectacle correction for the treatment of refractive errors in school-aged children with an improvement in their academic performance. An observational study elsewhere also reported a relationship between visual information processing tests and refractive errors.[3] The policy implication of this is that the findings of this study support establishment of school eye health as an integral part of the school health system especially with the finding that 2.8% of the examined children have refractive error in one form or another.
Rapid assessment of avoidable blindness continues to be the major source of data on burden and causes of blindness and visual impairment especially in lower middle income countries. The methodology is considered economically effective as population-based studies are expensive and time-consuming. The study comparing the change of acuity level for visual impairment from 6/18 to 6/12 which is also reflected in the change in acuity level cutoff suggests more time will be required per subject during the study. The implication of this is that researchers should note this and plan accordingly as the field work may last longer than previously expected. The recent trend endorsed by World Health Organization (WHO) for monitoring the SDGs 2030 includes effective cataract surgery coverage to reflect the quality of cataract surgery as Universal Health Coverage indicator and visual acuity of 6/12 as cutoff was recommended by the WHO-convened experts[4] also highlights the relevance of the study.
These and other interesting studies in this edition provide useful information for the reading
pleasure and enjoyment of by our readers.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
| References | |  |
| 1. | Ray KJ, Srinivasan M, Mascarenhas J et al. Early addition of topical corticosteroids in the treatment of bacterial keratitis. JAMA Ophthalmol 2014;132:737-41.  |
| 2. | Burton MJ, Ramke J, Marques AP et al. The Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye Health: vision beyond 2020. Lancet Global Health 2021;9:e489-551. |
| 3. | Wood JM, Black AA, Hopkins S, White SLJ. Vision and academic performance in primary school children. Ophthal Physl Opt 2018;38:516-24. |
| 4. | Keel S, Müller A, Block S et al. Keeping an eye on eye care: monitoring progress towards effective coverage. Lancet Global Health 2021;9:e1460-4. |
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