Subsequent studies on this interface are imperative to bestow upon it the recognition it rightfully deserves.
Increasingly vital today, assistive technology (AT) has the power to lessen functional limitations affecting individuals with disabilities, people with long-term chronic debilitating illnesses, and older adults. bioengineering applications Future prospects indicate that all individuals, in either a temporary or permanent capacity, will require assistive technology (AT) for the improvement of physical and functional abilities, hence leading to self-reliance, social integration, and enhanced learning experiences. Furthermore, the demand for AT is anticipated to escalate, predominantly within low-to-middle-income nations. While the precise number of individuals needing or not needing assistive technology (AT) in India is currently unknown, the requirement for AT will undoubtedly increase. Needs for assistive technology often outstrip access to such technology by a substantial margin. With the 71st World Health Assembly's 2018 resolution as a guide, the WHO has actively developed various initiatives related to assistive technology to enhance access for member states. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) underscore a commitment to inclusivity, guaranteeing that no person is overlooked based on personal traits. The ratified member state of India needs to adapt to and complement the collaborative efforts of the WHO and the UN. Despite facing numerous obstacles, India's creation of an evidence-based AT policy necessitates its integration within the healthcare system's framework, working collaboratively with diverse governmental and non-governmental sectors, including the industrial community. In India, this article explores the need for, access to, and potential barriers to AT services. learn more In conclusion, we explored numerous AT-related projects within the nation and potential suggestions for enhancing AT services nationwide.
Prolonged visual deprivation during childhood can lead to amblyopia, a condition resulting in reduced visual acuity, either monocular or binocular. Poor vision in children is primarily due to refractive error, with the condition under discussion coming in second. immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) The gold standard amblyopia treatment regimen includes patching, with atropine penalization and filters employed less often. The amblyopic eye's sole focus for improvement is the primary target of these therapies. Gains are a consequence of overcoming compliance and psychosocial issues, a process often spanning an extensive period of time. Experimental investigations have unequivocally shown binocular cortical communication in amblyopes, a testament to the neural plasticity that persists throughout late childhood and adulthood. Therefore, binocular vision therapy, centered on stimulating both eyes instead of prioritizing the amblyopic eye, was crafted. Visual tasks in these therapies are structured to demand binocular viewing as a prerequisite for completion. The variety of tasks presented includes straightforward gameplay with red-green glasses, stimulating 3-D games, and movie viewing. Pilot data show that sustained improvements in visual acuity have been attributed to binocular vision therapy, suggesting its potential as a useful supplement to, or potentially, even a substitute for, conventional amblyopia treatments. Within this article, we seek to articulate the sundry binocular vision therapies, subsequently scrutinizing the existing scholarly work.
Diabetic macular edema (DME) poses a substantial visual impairment challenge for the working-age population. Two-dimensional retinal images and optical coherence tomography (OCT) images have facilitated the development of deep learning methods for DME detection. The algorithms' performances fluctuate, frequently casting doubt on their practical application in clinical settings. These algorithms could significantly influence referral decisions and treatment plans in resource-scarce healthcare settings. A diversified overview of macular edema detection methods, encompassing cutting-edge research, is presented in the survey, aiming to equip research groups, healthcare professionals, and diabetic patients with pertinent information about the applications of deep learning in retinal image detection and classification. The period from the beginning of their availability until March 31, 2022, was covered in the search of electronic databases, like PubMed, IEEE Explore, BioMed, and Google Scholar, and the bibliographies of published papers were also reviewed. In alignment with the PRISMA reporting guidelines, the study meticulously followed the preferred items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Various deep learning models, their performance in terms of precision and epochs, ability to detect anomalies with limited data, the fundamental concepts, and the associated challenges within their applications were analyzed. Deep learning model performance was assessed in a collective 53 studies, applying them to a total of 1,414,169 CT volumes, a substantial amount of B-scans, 1,414,169 patients, and 472,328 fundus images. The comprehensive area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was 0.9727. Detection of DME using OCT imaging yielded a sensitivity of 96% (95% CI: 94-98%). DME detection achieved a sensitivity of 94% (95% CI 090-096) when utilizing fundus imagery.
The introduction of handheld fundus cameras designed for pediatric use, like the RetCam, 3netra Forus, and the Phoenix ICON, has proven invaluable for the effective screening of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), notably in countries with a limited number of trained ophthalmological specialists. The recent emergence of smartphone-based cameras has made pediatric fundus photography significantly more accessible and compact. Ultra-wide field fundus cameras, trans-pars-planar illumination in pediatric fundus cameras, artificial intelligence, deep learning algorithms, and handheld SS-OCTA can facilitate a more accurate and detailed imaging process and documentation. This article scrutinizes current and forthcoming imaging approaches for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), detailing their functionalities, advantages, obstacles, and operational efficiency, thus promoting telescreening as a universal screening standard for ROP in all countries.
Worldwide, glaucoma stands as a significant contributor to irreversible blindness. The only currently known approach to stop further harm to the optic nerve head is by managing intraocular pressure (IOP). Pharmacotherapy constitutes the primary treatment modality for glaucoma. The prominence of prostaglandin analogs (PGAs) as the first-line medication in glaucoma treatment has been a considerable achievement in recent years. The shift from traditional -blockers to PGAs is predominantly driven by their remarkable efficacy, their convenience of a single daily dose, their improved ability to regulate intraocular pressure throughout the day, and their reassuring systemic safety profile. This review article's objective is to give an overview of the diverse PGAs being utilized and the emerging, promising new drugs.
In the global arena, glaucoma, the second leading cause of visual impairment, is estimated to impact 575 million people. Sustaining visual function in glaucoma hinges on lowering intra-ocular pressure; this is the sole validated method to arrest the deterioration of visual fields. Studies suggest yoga may help reduce intra-ocular pressure, thus aiding in the prevention of further glaucoma complications. Consequently, this systematic review was designed to investigate the existing scientific literature concerning yoga's impact on intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients. The investigation of the literature drew its strength from the resources provided by PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. To evaluate the quality of the clinical trials, the Jadad Scale was utilized; similarly, the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist was used to evaluate the quality of the case studies included. Based on meticulous quality assessment and eligibility standards, six studies investigating the impact of yoga on intra-ocular pressure in glaucoma patients, conducted between 2007 and 2021, were ultimately included in the final review process. Results from studies on glaucoma patients practicing Jyoti-trataka (steady gazing) and specific slow yogic breathing exercises showed a reduction in intra-ocular pressure. In contrast, studies on inversion Asanas (yoga postures) highlighted a quick increase in intra-ocular pressure soon after the start of the practice. The meta-analysis, incorporating three high-quality RCTs, revealed superior intra-ocular pressure improvement in yoga groups for both eyes compared to control groups. Limitations, however, included a small sample size, inconsistencies in study quality, the necessity of an extended follow-up, and differences in the yoga practices studied. Thus, to better understand the issues, future investigations requiring a larger participant pool and extended observation periods are necessary to overcome the limitations.
A progressive decline in vision, eventually resulting in complete blindness, is a hallmark of glaucoma, a complex series of interconnected optic nerve diseases, stemming from acquired loss of retinal ganglion cells. Prolonged neglect of optic nerve damage invariably results in visual impairment and, eventually, full loss of sight. The most common form of glaucoma, encompassing a significant portion of glaucoma cases, is primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). This condition, characterized by its multifaceted and heterogeneous nature, arises from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. In 2040, the global tally of glaucoma patients is expected to reach 1,118 million, with a significant concentration of cases occurring in Asia and Africa. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the role of nuclear and mitochondrial genes, and their respective variants, in the etiology of POAG. Papers from PubMed and Google Scholar databases were collected through online searches until the month of September concluded in 2022.