Browsing by Author "Shrestha, Rashmi"
Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Publication Amblyopia among Patients Attending the Outpatient Department of Ophthalmology of a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study(Nepal Medical Association, 2022) Adhikari, Sikshya; Suwal, Rinkal; Singh, Basanta; Shrestha, Rashmi; Karki, Sudip; Khatri, BijayAbstract Introduction: Amblyopia is defined as a reduction in visual acuity unilaterally or bilaterally without any detectable cause. It is a major public health issue in developing and underdeveloped countries. Its prevalence is usually underestimated because of proper study and lack of awareness. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence of amblyopia among patients attending the Outpatient Department of Ophthalmology of a tertiary care centre. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among outpatients visiting a tertiary care centre in the Outpatient Department of Ophthalmology between 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2019. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board (Registration number: 407/2020 P). All patients had gone through a comprehensive eye examination. Convenience sampling was used. Point estimate and 99% Confidence Interval were calculated. Results: Among 82972 patients, prevalence of amblyopia was 344 (0.41%) (0.37-0.46, 99% Confidence Interval). Amblyopia was more common in anisometropia 263 (63.50%). A total of 117 (34%) patients had no history of eye examination and were newly diagnosed with amblyopia. Astigmatism was the most common type of refractive error among 224 (56.70%) amblyopic patients. Conclusions: The prevalence of amblyopia was found to be lower than in previous studies conducted in similar settings. Early detection and diagnosis of amblyopia can help to design more effective plans and treatments to reduce amblyopia through optical correction and amblyopia therapy.Publication Bilateral Iridochorioretinal Coloboma Managed with Low Vision Rehabilitation: A Case Report(Nepal Medical Association, 2023) Singh, Basanta; Suwal, Rinkal; Shrestha, Rashmi; Adhikari, Sikshya; Karki, Sudip; Khadka, DeepakAbstract Ocular coloboma is a rare congenital disability. If involving the macula, it affects the patient’s vision and subsequently affects childhood development and quality of life in the future. Appropriate low vision aid and timely rehabilitation can provide the best possible quality of life for visually impaired children. We report a 9-year-old boy who presented with a diminution of vision in both eyes, and who was just enrolled in pre-school. He was diagnosed with bilateral iridochorioretinal coloboma associated with nystagmus and unilateral cataract. After all the necessary evaluation, a telescope was prescribed for distance and a dome magnifier for near. Furthermore, a peaked cap and photo grey lens were given for outdoor activities. This case highlights the importance of low vision intervention in a visually impaired child. Appropriate low vision aid and rehabilitation can improve patients’ lifestyle and academic performance who are diagnosed with iridochorioretinal coloboma.Publication Effectiveness of Structured Counseling Program for Patients with Newly Diagnosed Essential Hypertension(Nepal Health Research Council, 2024) Shrestha, Anmol Purna; Shrestha, Abha; Shrestha, Roshana; Karmacharya, Robin Man; Thakur, Chanda; Shrestha, Rashmi; Vaidya, Nirish; Karmacharya, Biraj ManBackground: The burden of hypertension is high in our context. Poor adherence contributes to poor hypertension control. This pilot study aims to study the effect of structured counseling programs on antihypertensive therapy adherence and blood pressure control. Methods: This is an effectiveness-implementation hybrid design type I- Quasi-experimental feasibility study. We recruited newly diagnosed hypertensive patients under antihypertensives with 50 each in the intervention and control group. We adapted existing guidelines to devise a structured counseling program. The intervention group underwent the counseling program. We called both groups after one month to assess the adherence and blood pressure control. Results: We recruited 100 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. Twenty-two participants dropped out in the one-month follow-up visit. Among the remaining 78 individuals, 73 (94%) demonstrated good adherence. The post-intervention median (IQR) of medication adherence scores assessed with the Medication Adherence and Report Scale (MARS) in the intervention and control groups after one month was 50 (48-50) and 48 (43.5-50) respectively (p=0.015). The immediate knowledge score increased significantly in the intervention group after the structured counseling. Nevertheless, there was no significant change in systolic and diastolic pressure recordings in the intervention group one-month post-intervention when compared to that of the control group. Conclusions: The findings of this pilot study suggest that the structured counseling program should be tailored to local needs and should be compounded with regular follow-ups for reinforcement, drug reminders, and family and peer support along with a collaborative effort to ensure adherence and control. Keywords: Adherence; antihypertensive; hypertension management; structured counseling.