Understanding myopia and its Prevention Strategies

Myopia, also referred to as near-sightedness, is one of the conditions of the eyes in which an individual develops burred-distance vision. This problem can be corrected with the help of concave spectacles or lenses that would allow the refocusing of an image on the retina. It is one of the most commonly reported eye-related problems in the Asia region, and its prevalence is also increasing around the world. This condition not only relates to health and reduced quality of life but also to the economy, as it increases the financial burden on individuals as well as society.

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Due to the increased burden on health and the economy, it seems imperative to promote knowledge among people regarding the factors that could help reduce the risk and incidence of myopia. For instance, it is important for children to spend a large amount of their time outdoors, as it helps reduce the risk of myopia in them. This reduction in the risk of myopia is due to the protective effects of natural light as well as the release of retinal dopamine, which would help in dealing with visual abnormalities.

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Aside from the protective factors of light in the outdoors, it is also important to work on risk factors that can be associated with the development of myopia. These risk factors may include an increased level of engagement in near-work processes. On a further note, several possible factors that may also require more work to deal with the problem of myopia may include circadian rhythm, spatial frequency of the visual environment, socio‑economic status, nutrition, sleep, smoking, and education. For instance, in the case of food and nutrition, an increased consumption of whole grains, refined carbohydrates, higher saturated fats, and cholesterol can be associated with an increased risk of myopia. Socio‑economic status, higher education, urbanization, and housing have been found to be linked to near-work processes that can eventually be related to myopia.

Consequently, the researchers stated, “Improving the modifiable key environmental predictors like time spent outdoors and engagement in near work can prevent or slow the progression of myopia.”

References

Biswas, S., El Kareh, A., Qureshi, M., Lee, D. M. X., Sun, C. H., Lam, J. S. H., . . . Najjar, R. P. (2024). The influence of the environment and lifestyle on myopia. J Physiol Anthropol, 43(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40101-024-00354-7

Why it is difficult to adapt emergency medicine as career in Pakistan?

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Emergency medicine relates to the healthcare services provided to patients in emergency departments. It is one of the most important departments in a healthcare setting, as it deals with a wide range of different services associated with different medical specialties. However, it is critical to know that even though it is among the critical part of hospitals, not many healthcare providers like to adapt the profession of emergency medicine.

In a recent study, researchers from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, surveyed 144 individuals November and December 2023. They found that about 33.3% of individuals have not considered adapting emergency medicine as a career. On a further note, about 43% of individuals reported that they have not gone through clinical placement in this specialty. Interestingly, a large percentage of these individuals also reported that they, their family members, or close friends have already gone through the problems linking to medical emergency.

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The researchers further reported that several important barriers associated with the adoption of this profession. Among these barriers, they noted that elevated levels of burnout, inability to work in an independent manner, poor work-life balance, increased risk of mortalities, more unfriendly environment, decreased level of patient follow-up, and lack of exposure. Elevated burnout level is considered as the most frequently occurring barrier. For instance, individuals working in emergency departments may experience increased workloads, more restlessness and responsibilities during working hours, and no-to-less margin of error. More unfriendly environment is also among the top most barriers in emergency medicine career. These conditions then negatively affect the mental and physical effects on healthcare providers. Aside from these barriers, some of the participants also reported that family pressure also restricted their chances of pursuing career in emergency medicine.

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Conclusively, the researchers noted that a large number of doctors and medical students do not think of adapting this career in professional life. However, it seems imperative to promote the importance of emergency medicine among healthcare providers. This can be done through education and training of these individuals. For instance, researchers stated, “a considerable proportion of the participants reported that they had not undergone any clinical internship in EM (emergency medicine).” Therefore, increasing the level of internships in the field of emergency medicine can be of great help. Moreover, increasing the awareness and interest among doctors is also important for the promotion of emergency medicine as a career. Furthermore, increasing the number of individuals working in the emergency department is also beneficial in promoting this career. These individuals can help in dealing with several important issues, such as heavy workloads, staff shortages, overcrowding of patients, violence in the workplace, and increased work intensity. Eventually, increasing stipends and incentives can also help in dealing with the problem of emergency department shortages and reducing burden on doctors and nurses in emergency departments.

Reference:

Mutaal, A., Bajwa, S., Rehman, M. S. U., Ashiq, K., Shuaib, F., Shehzad, D., . . . Noor, Z. (2024). Barriers in Opting for Emergency Medicine as a Career in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study. Cureus, 16(1), e52525. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.52525

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