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Umaefulam V, Safi S, Lingham G, Gordon I, Mueller A, Krishnam NS, Alves Carneiro VL, Yu M, Evans JR, Keel S. Approaches for delivery of refractive and optical care services in community and primary care settings. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2024; 5:CD016043. [PMID: 38808577 PMCID: PMC11134311 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd016043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uncorrected refractive error is a leading cause of vision impairment which, in most cases, can be managed with the appropriate spectacle correction. In 2021, the World Health Assembly endorsed a global target of a 40-percentage-point increase in effective coverage of refractive error by 2030. To achieve this global target, equitable access to refractive and optical services within community and primary care settings needs to be strengthened. This review will inform the development of technical guidance to support improvements in the testing and correction of refractive error among World Health Organization (WHO) member states. OBJECTIVES To determine the range of approaches for delivery of refractive and optical care services in community and primary care settings, and the methods employed for their evaluation. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase and Global Health databases, grey literature, and annual reports and websites of relevant organizations involved in eye-care delivery from January 2002 to November 2022 to identify approaches for refractive and optical service delivery. SELECTION CRITERIA We included observational and interventional studies, reviews, and reports from relevant organizations related to delivering refractive services and optical services for preschool and school-aged children and adults in community and primary care settings published between January 2002 and November 2022. We searched for studies and reports published within the last 20 years because vision impairment due to uncorrected refractive error has only recently become a public health and eye health priority, therefore we did not expect to find much relevant literature until after 2002. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors screened titles, abstracts and full texts, and extracted data. We resolved any discrepancies through discussion. We synthesized data, and presented results as tables, figures, and case studies. This project was led by the World Health Organization (WHO) Vision and Eye Care Programme. MAIN RESULTS We identified 175 studies from searches of databases and grey literature, 146 records from company reports, and 81 records from website searches of relevant organizations that matched our inclusion criteria. Delivery approaches for refractive and optical services in community care included school-based, pharmacy, and outreach models, whereas primary care approaches comprised vision centre, health centre, and a combination of vision or health centre and door-to-door delivery. In community care, school-based and outreach approaches were predominant, while in primary care, a vision-centre approach was mainly used. In the WHO African region, the school-based and outreach approaches were mainly reported while, in the Americas, the outreach approach was mostly used. Very few approaches for service delivery were reported in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean region. Prominent gaps exist in the evaluation of the approaches, and few studies attempted to evaluate the approaches for delivery of refractive and optical care services. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We comprehensively describe a range of approaches for delivery of refractive and optical services in community and primary care. Further evaluation of their effectiveness will better inform the application of these service-delivery approaches. The study outcomes will help guide WHO member states in strengthening refractive and optical services at community and primary care levels. FUNDING This scoping review was supported by the Vision and Eye care Programme, World Health Organization and ATscale Global Partnership. REGISTRATION The protocol of this scoping review was published in the Open Source Framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Umaefulam
- Vision and Eye Care Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sare Safi
- Ophthalmic Epidemiology Research Center, Research Institute for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gareth Lingham
- Centre for Eye Research Ireland, Environmental Sustainability and Health Institute, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Lions Eye Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Iris Gordon
- International Centre for Eye Health (ICEH), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Andreas Mueller
- Noncommunicable Diseases, World Health Organization, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Vera L Alves Carneiro
- Department of Noncommunicable Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mitasha Yu
- Department of Noncommunicable Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer R Evans
- International Centre for Eye Health (ICEH), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Stuart Keel
- Vision and Eye Care Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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Harvey AA, Morjaria P, Tousignant B. Priorities in school eye health in low and middle-income countries a scoping review. Eye (Lond) 2024:10.1038/s41433-024-03032-1. [PMID: 38565599 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-024-03032-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
School eye health (SEH) has been on the global agenda for many years, and there is mounting evidence available to support that school-based visual screenings are one of the most effective and cost-efficient interventions to reach children over five years old. A scoping review was conducted in MEDLINE, Web of Science, PubMed, and CINHAL between February and June 2023 to identify current priorities in recent literature on school eye health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Selection of relevant publications was performed with Covidence, and the main findings were classified according to the WHO Health Promoting Schools framework (HPS). A total of 95 articles were included: cross-sectional studies (n = 55), randomised controlled trials (n = 7), qualitative research (n = 7) and others. Results demonstrate that multi-level action is required to implement sustainable and integrated school eye health programmes in low and middle-income countries. The main priorities identified in this review are: standardised and rigorous protocols; cost-effective workforce; provision of suitable spectacles; compliance to spectacle wear; efficient health promotion interventions; parents and community engagement; integration of programmes in school health; inter-sectoral, government-owned programmes with long-term financing schemes. Even though many challenges remain, the continuous production of quality data such as the ones presented in this review will help governments and other stakeholders to build evidence-based, comprehensive, integrated, and context-adapted programmes and deliver quality eye care services to children all over the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex-Anne Harvey
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Priya Morjaria
- International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Peek Vision, Berkhamsted, UK
| | - Benoit Tousignant
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Sabherwal S, Adhisesha Reddy P, Siddiqui Z, Sood I, Singh BP, Ganesh S, Majumdar A, Bassett KL. Visual Acuity Screening in North Indian Schools: Testing Accuracy and Cost of Alternate Screening Models. Ophthalmic Epidemiol 2024; 31:70-77. [PMID: 36880784 DOI: 10.1080/09286586.2023.2187069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Our study compares the sensitivity, specificity and cost of visual acuity screening as performed by all class teachers (ACTs), selected teachers (STs) and vision technicians (VTs) in north Indian schools. METHODS Prospective cluster randomized control studies are conducted in schools in a rural block and an urban-slum of north India. Consenting schools, with a minimum of 800 students aged 6 to 17 years, within a defined study region in both locations, were randomised into three arms: ACTs, STs or VTs. Teachers were trained to test visual acuity. Reduced vision was defined as unable to read equivalent of 20/30. Optometrists, who were masked to results of initial screening, examined all children. Costs were measured for all three arms. RESULTS The number of students screened were 3410 in 9 ACT schools, 2999 in 9 ST schools and 3071 in 11 VT schools. Vision deficit was found in 214 (6.3%), 349 (11.6%) and 207 (6.7%), (p < .001) children in the ACT, ST and VT arms, respectively. The positive predictive value of VT screening for vision deficit (81.2%) was significantly higher than that of ACTs (42.5%) and STs (30.1%), (p < .001). VTs had significantly higher sensitivity of 93.3% and specificity of 98.7%, compared to ACTs (36.0% and 96.1%) and STs (44.3% and 91.2%). The cost of screening children with actual visual deficit by ACTs, STs and VTs, was found to be $9.35, $5.79 and $2.82 per child, respectively. CONCLUSION Greater accuracy and lower cost favours school visual acuity screening by visual technicians in this setting, when they are available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalinder Sabherwal
- Department of Community Ophthalmology and Public Health Research, Dr Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Priya Adhisesha Reddy
- Centre for Public Health, Royal Victoria Hospital, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
- Seva Canada, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Zeeshan Siddiqui
- Department of Projects and Marketing, Dr Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Ishaana Sood
- Department of Community Ophthalmology and Public Health Research, Dr Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Birendra P Singh
- Department of Optometry, Dr Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Suma Ganesh
- Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Dr Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Atanu Majumdar
- Department of Bio-statistics, Dr Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Ken L Bassett
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Sil A, Aggarwal P, Sil S, Mitra A, Jain E, Sheeladevi S, Murthy G. Design and delivery of the Refractive Errors Among Children (REACH) school-based eye health programme in India. Clin Exp Optom 2023; 106:859-868. [PMID: 37914536 DOI: 10.1080/08164622.2022.2125793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
CLINICAL RELEVANCE Optimisation of vision screening programmes can result the detection of refractive anomalies in a high proportion of school children. BACKGROUND The Refractive Errors Among Children (REACH) programme aims to optimise outcomes of school-based vision screening in India by collaborating with hospitals and monitoring eye care throughout school attendance. METHODS REACH delivers school vision screening using pocket vision screeners (cards presenting rows of seven 0.2 logMAR Sloan letters at a 3 m viewing distance) in five states across India. Children who fail screening are referred for detailed evaluation including refraction, those requiring cycloplegic refraction are referred to partner hospitals. Spectacles are dispensed as needed and compliance is assessed. All data are recorded electronically. RESULTS Out of 2,240,805 children aged 5 to 18 (mean 11.5; SD ±3.3) years, 2,024,053 have undergone REACH screening in 10,309 schools predominantly in rural locations (78.7%) and government-funded (76%). Of those screened, 174,706 (8.6%) underwent detailed evaluation. A higher proportion of children in private or urban schools (11.8% and 10.4% respectively) were referred for detailed evaluation than those in government-funded or rural schools (5.9% and 7.2%, respectively; p < 0.001). The proportion referred for detailed evaluation differed by state (p < 0.001), from 4.0% in West Bengal to 14.4% in Kerala. CONCLUSION The REACH programme screened a high proportion of school children, providing further care and follow-up to optimise visual outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asim Sil
- Community Eye Care, Vivekananda Mission Ashram Netra Nirmay Niketan, West Bengal, India
| | | | - Subhra Sil
- Community Eye Care, Vivekananda Mission Ashram Netra Nirmay Niketan, West Bengal, India
| | - Ankita Mitra
- Community Eye Care, Vivekananda Mission Ashram Netra Nirmay Niketan, West Bengal, India
| | - Elesh Jain
- Department of Community Ophthalmology, Sadguru Netra Chikitsalaya, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | | | - Gvs Murthy
- Department of Public Health, Indian Institute of Public Health, Telangana, India
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Reliability of Smart Phone Photographs for School Eye Screening. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:children9101519. [PMID: 36291455 PMCID: PMC9601144 DOI: 10.3390/children9101519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Smartphone photographs capturing Bruckner’s reflex have demonstrated reliability in identifying amblyogenic conditions in children. Assessing visual acuity for screening has been the traditional method since the inception of school screening. The present study aims to assess the reliability of smartphone photographs in detecting ocular morbidities in school children and to compare it with traditional vision screening. Two thousand five hundred and twenty school children underwent vision screening and smartphone cameraphotography by a trained research assistant followed by a comprehensive eye examination of all children by an ophthalmologist. Children with unaided visual acuity less than 6/12 in either of the eyes were graded as abnormal. Based upon the characteristics of the Bruckner’s reflex, the photographs were graded as normal or abnormal by two investigators blinded to the clinical findings. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the sensitivity and specificity of traditional vision screening and photograph based screening, considering comprehensive eye examination as the gold standard. The sensitivity and specificity of vision screening was 81.88% and 97.35% whereas for photographs it was 94.69% and 98.85% respectively. When the two methods were compared, the p value was <0.05. We conclude that smartphone photography is better than traditional vision screening for detecting ocular morbidities in school children.
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Tobi P, Ibrahim N, Bedell A, Khan I, Jolley E, Schmidt E. OUP accepted manuscript. Int Health 2022; 14:i41-i48. [PMID: 35385871 PMCID: PMC8986355 DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihab085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Tobi
- Corresponding author: Tel: +44(0)20 8411 4395; E-mail:
| | | | | | - Imran Khan
- Sightsavers, 35 Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 3BW
| | - Emma Jolley
- Sightsavers, 35 Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 3BW
| | - Elena Schmidt
- Sightsavers, 35 Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 3BW
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Engels T, Trotignon G, Agyemang D, Khan I, Puthy K, Roolvink L, Schmidt E. Cost and budget impact analysis of a school-based vision screening programme in Cambodia and Ghana: Implications for policy and programme scale-up. HEALTH POLICY OPEN 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hpopen.2021.100043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Bechange S, Gillani M, Jolley E, Iqbal R, Ahmed L, Bilal M, Khan IK, Yasmin S, Schmidt E. School-based vision screening in Quetta, Pakistan: a qualitative study of experiences of teachers and eye care providers. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:364. [PMID: 33593327 PMCID: PMC7885518 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10404-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Visual impairment in children is a significant public health problem affecting millions of children globally. Many eye problems experienced by children can be easily diagnosed and treated. We conducted a qualitative study with teachers and optometrists involved in a school-based vision screening programme in Quetta district of Pakistan to explore their experiences of training, vision screening and referrals and to identify factors impacting on the effectiveness of the programme. Methods Between April 2018 and June 2018, we conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with 14 teachers from eight purposefully selected schools with high rates of inaccurate (false positive) referrals. Interviews were also conducted with three optometrists from a not-for profit private eye care hospital that had trained the teachers. Interviews were audio recorded and professionally transcribed. NVIVO software version 12 was used to code and thematically analyze the data. Results Findings suggest that the importance of school-based vision screening was well understood and appreciated by the teachers and optometrists. Most participants felt that there was a strong level of support for the vision screening programme within the participating schools. However, there were a number of operational issues undermining the quality of screening. Eight teachers felt that the duration of the training was insufficient; the training was rushed; six teachers said that the procedures were not sufficiently explained, and the teachers had no time to practice. The screening protocol was not always followed by the teachers. Additionally, many teachers reported being overburdened with other work, which affected both their levels of participation in the training and the time they spent on the screening. Conclusions School-based vision screening by teachers is a cost-effective strategy to detect and treat children’s vision impairment early on. In the programme reviewed here however, a significant number of teachers over referred children to ophthalmic services, overwhelming their capacity and undermining the efficiency of the approach. To maximise the effectiveness and efficiency of school-based screening, future initiatives should give sufficient attention to the duration of the teacher training, experience of trainers, support supervision, refresher trainings, regular use of the screening guidelines, and the workload and motivation of those trained. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-10404-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stevens Bechange
- Sightsavers Pakistan Country Office, Plot 3-A, Street 7, Sector G-10/2, Islamabad, Pakistan.
| | - Munazza Gillani
- Sightsavers Pakistan Country Office, Plot 3-A, Street 7, Sector G-10/2, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Emma Jolley
- Sightsavers - United Kingdom, 35 Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 3BW, UK
| | | | - Leena Ahmed
- Sightsavers Pakistan Country Office, Plot 3-A, Street 7, Sector G-10/2, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammed Bilal
- Sightsavers Pakistan Country Office, Plot 3-A, Street 7, Sector G-10/2, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Itfaq Khaliq Khan
- Sightsavers Pakistan Country Office, Plot 3-A, Street 7, Sector G-10/2, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Sumrana Yasmin
- Sightsavers Pakistan Country Office, Plot 3-A, Street 7, Sector G-10/2, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Elena Schmidt
- Sightsavers - United Kingdom, 35 Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 3BW, UK
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