Purpose To determine the causes of visual impairment and the use of low vision devices in patients attending the low vision clinic in Trinidad and Tobago. Methods A retrospective study of the 222 patients attending the low vision clinic at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus was conducted. The presenting visual acuity, causes of low vision and blindness, and prescribed low vision devices were recorded and analysed to determine the major causes of visual impairment and improvement in visual acuity with low vision aids. Results Out of the total 222 participants, 66.66% ( n = 148) had low vision while the rest (33.33%, n = 74) were legally blind. Glaucoma was the major cause of low vision (31.08%) and blindness (28.38%) followed by diabetic retinopathy (20.94%, low vision and 20.27%, blindness). A total of 193 low vision devices were prescribed, 79.79% ( n = 154) near devices and 20.20% ( n = 39) distance devices. The low vision devices were effective in improving both near visual acuity (120 participants reading 1M or 2M) and distance visual acuity (VA better than 3/60). Conclusion The major causes of vision impairment in Trinidad and Tobago were glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy and low vision devices are effective in improving visual acuity. A comprehensive approach to dealing with the causes of low vision and low vision services are required to mitigate the burden of visual impairment in the country.

Background Keratoconus is associated with thinning and anterior protrusion of the cornea resulting in the symptoms of blurry and distorted vision. The commonly used clinical vision tests such as visual acuity and contrast sensitivity may not reflect the symptoms experienced in keratoconus and there are no quantitative tools to measure visual distortion. In this study, we used a quantitative test based on vernier alignment and field matching techniques to quantify visual distortion in keratoconus and assess its relation to corneal structural changes. Methods A total of 50 participants (25 keratoconus and 25 visually normal) completed the experiment where they aligned supra-threshold white target circles in opposite field in reference to guidelines and circles to complete a square structure monocularly. The task was repeated five times and the global distortion index (GDI) and global uncertainty index (GUI) were calculated as the mean and standard deviation respectively of local perceived misalignment of target circles over five trials. Results Both GDI and GUI were higher in participants with keratoconus compared to controls ( p < 0.01). Both parameters correlated with the best corrected visual acuity, maximum corneal curvature (K max ), topographical keratoconus classification (TKC) and central corneal thickness (CCT). Conclusion Our findings show that the quantitative measure of distortion could be a useful tool for behavioural assessment of progressive keratoconus.

Objectives: The sudden advent of the COVID pandemic resulted in limited face to face interactions and the dental school in the University of the West Indies was challenged to complete the final year with a rapid transition to online teaching. This study examined students' and teachers' perceptions of the effectiveness of emergency remote online teaching and challenges experienced. Materials and Methods: Two independent online cross-sectional surveys were administered on the perception of the online learning environment and challenges experienced and effectiveness of strategies used. Overall thirty three dental students and eleven clinical academic teachers participated. Statistical analysis: Reliability of the questionnaire was determined. Chi-squared (χ 2 ) tests were applied for determining the perceptions of students and teachers towards online teaching. Frequencies and percentages were also computed. Results: The majority of students (60.6% -69.7%) perceived that online teaching strategies enhanced their clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills in clinical practice and found it easy to adapt. However, the majority (87.9%) perceived it to be somewhat or not effective at all in acquiring clinical skills. The main challenge experienced was connectivity to the internet (87.9%). The majority of teachers (72.7% -92.9%) perceived that they effectively communicated with the students and engaged students in clinical reasoning and critical thinking, but 50% did not think they prepared

Background: The sudden advent of the COVID pandemic resulted in the closure of schools and universities in Trinidad, limiting face to face interactions and removing dental students from the clinical environment in The University of the West Indies. The dental school was challenged to complete the final year teaching with a rapid transition to online teaching. This study examined students’ and teachers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of emergency remote online teaching.Method: An online cross-sectional survey was administered on the perception of the online learning environment and challenges experienced and effectiveness of strategies used. Overall thirty-three dental students and eleven clinical academic teachers participated. The questionnaire was emailed to the participants for data collection and they responded by using a Likert scale. Reliability of the questionnaire was determined. Chi-squared (χ2) tests were applied for determining the perceptions of students and teachers towards online teaching. Frequencies and percentages were also computed.Result: Cronbach’s alpha of the students’ and teachers’ questionnaire was calculated at 0.838 and 0.801 respectively. The majority of students (60.6% - 89.5%) perceived that online teaching strategies, have enhanced their clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills in clinical practice, felt motivated to learn, liked learning in their own space, at their own pace and found it easy to adapt. Nearly two-third students (63.6%) were happy to recommend continued use of online strategies. However, the majority (87.9%) perceived it to be somewhat or not effective at all in acquiring clinical skills. The challenges experienced were problems with connectivity to the internet (87.9%) while (48.5%) had experienced distraction during remote teaching. All χ2 values were found to be statistically significant (either P<0.01 or P<0.05). The majority of teachers (72.7% - 92.9%) perceived that they created an enthusiastic online environment, effectively communicated with the students, engaged students in clinical reasoning and critical thinking and gave formative feedback. Teachers were equally divided on whether or not they prepared students to practice clinical skills.Conclusion: Students’ perceptions are similar to teachers’ perceptions in both are positive to the online teaching strategies but both groups reflected concerns over the acquisition of clinical skills.

Background: Vision attributes to about 95% of the sensory requirements for driving. When driving, impaired visual functions will undoubtedly result in a delayed response to obstructions. The regulations governing the issuing and renewal of a driver&rsquo;s license in Trinidad make no provision of a visual requirement assessment. The study was prompted by an upsurge in road traffic accidents in Trinidad and Tobago, a twin-island nation. Aim: This pilot study investigates the relationship between defects in visual functions and traffic accidents among drivers on the island of Trinidad. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study utilizes a non-probability purposive sampling approach to enroll licensed drivers who had been driving within the island&rsquo;s districts for the past five years, the study conducted at a Multi-Health-Training Facility in Trinidad&rsquo;s Central Area. After completing a semi-structured questionnaire, participants were given a full eye examination. Results: 128 licensed drivers, both male and female, were enrolled for this study with ages ranging from 20 to 70 years with a mean age of 40.9 years &plusmn; 13.3 years, in which majority (83.6%, n = 107) of the drivers did not perform an eye exam before obtaining/renewing their driver&rsquo;s license. About 32% (n = 41) of these drivers were involved in an RTA in the last five years. There was a statistically significant association between colour vision defect (c&sup2; = 15.94, p = 0.00), contrast sensitivity with a logCS score of less than 1.52 (c&sup2; = 25.05, p = 0.00, Cramer&rsquo;s V= 0.442) and the occurrence of road traffic accident. Conclusion: According to this study, one-quarter of drivers have been involved in a road traffic accident within the last five years, and three-quarters have never had an eye examination before obtaining or renewing their driver&rsquo;s license. The relevance of designing and developing a screening protocol that can be easily applied to driving safety licensing policies were established in this study. Based on these findings, prospective driver&rsquo;s license applicants must undergo a complete eye examination, to drastically reduce RTAs.