Being an optometrist, I am writing this article on COVID-19 pandemic effects on the eye and role of an optometrist for prevention as well as awareness about the further spread of this pandemic.
In late December 2019, a new coronavirus COVID-19 was reported in Wuhan (a city of China). Its ailment may be as minor as cold or may be as serious as bronchitis and kidney failure, severity can be life-threatening. As an optometrist, if I relate it with the eye, we can see significant ocular symptoms. Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is inflammation of the conjunctiva, a membrane covering the eyeball. Conjunctivitis is presented as an infected/red eye, wet and weepy eyes. It may be viral, bacterial or fungal.COVID-19 is known to present with upper respiratory infections like cold, flu and it can associate with symptoms of viral conjunctivitis.
In a recent study of hospitals across China, published in “New England journal of medicine” we have found conjunctiva congestion / red infected eyes in 9 of 1099 patients’ i.e. about 0.8% with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Another study in ‘The journal of medical virology” of 30 patients hospitalize for COVID-19 had only one patient diagnosed with conjunctivitis. Based on this information the occurrence of conjunctivitis is low. So in the condition of this pandemic, If you see someone with pink eye, don’t panic. Health officials believe a viral pink eye develops in about 1-3% of people with COVID-19.
Researchers are advising the intake of hydroxychloroquine as treatment of this virus but if we talk about the side effects of these drugs it can cause irreversible skin, eye, muscle, and heart toxicity if they are taken without guidance. Plaquenil can cause a condition called hydroxychloroquine retinopathy (If high dosage or taken for a long time), often referred to as bulls-eye maculopathy. As it progresses, it begins to affect central vision and becomes life-altering. Glad to know that our government is taking good steps against this pandemic. Lockdown and Quarantine are preventing the further spread of this disease to a greater extent although we have to spread public awareness for further prevention and control.
Usama b. Zaid said the prophet (P.B.U.H) said:
“If you hear of a plague inland do not enter it, and if
It breaks out in the land where you stay, do not leave’’
Abu Huraira narrated that Allah’s Messenger (P.B.U.H) said:
‘’Do not quarantine the healthy with infected”
So if we talk about optometrists in this situation:
Macular degeneration or when you are getting regular eye injections.
For public awareness, we have some key points to instruct the public.
The writer is working as a practitioner at The University of Lahore Teaching Hospital and LRBT, Lahore.
KARACHI - Following are the foreign currency exchange rates for US Dollar, Saudi Riyal, UK Pound Sterling, U.A.E. Dirham, European Euro, and other foreign currencies in Pakistan open market on February 8, 2023 (Wednesday).
Source: Forex Association of Pakistan. (last update 09:00 AM)
Currency | Symbol | Buying | Selling |
US Dollar | USD | 276.9 | 280.15 |
Euro | EUR | 296.12 | 296.74 |
UK Pound Sterling | GBP | 331.78 | 332.48 |
U.A.E Dirham | AED | 75.06 | 75.36 |
Saudi Riyal | SAR | 73.48 | 73.79 |
Australian Dollar | AUD | 190.31 | 192.71 |
Bahrain Dinar | BHD | 732.23 | 740.23 |
Canadian Dollar | CAD | 205.22 | 207.42 |
China Yuan | CNY | 40.72 | 41.12 |
Danish Krone | DKK | 39.92 | 40.32 |
Hong Kong Dollar | HKD | 35.08 | 35.45 |
Indian Rupee | INR | 3.35 | 3.46 |
Japanese Yen | JPY | 2.5 | 2.54 |
Kuwaiti Dinar | KWD | 900.32 | 909.32 |
Malaysian Ringgit | MYR | 64.65 | 65.25 |
New Zealand Dollar | NZD | 174.19 | 176.18 |
Norwegians Krone | NOK | 27.12 | 27.41 |
Omani Riyal | OMR | 715.11 | 723.11 |
Qatari Riyal | QAR | 75.64 | 76.34 |
Singapore Dollar | SGD | 208.03 | 210.03 |
Swedish Korona | SEK | 26.1 | 26.4 |
Swiss Franc | CHF | 297.31 | 299.81 |
Thai Bhat | THB | 8.25 | 8.4 |
KARACHI – Gold prices fell on Wednesday for the third straight day in local markets, after hitting aan all-time high in previous week.
The per tola price of 24 carats gold in Pakistan dropped by Rs2,000 to settle at Rs198,000 while the price of 10 grams decreased by Rs1715 to reach Rs169753.
On Monday, the gold price witnessed a drop of Rs200 per tola to close at Rs204,300.
In the international market, the commodity witnessed an upward trend as per ounce price reached to $1,880 after an increase of $11 dollars.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/08-Feb-2023/pakistani-rupee-registers-gains-against-dollar-amid-imf-talks
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