Purpose: To estimate the level of job satisfaction among Ophthalmologists in Iran and determine the associated factors that may impact their overall job satisfaction. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 181 Ophthalmologists (79. 0% male) were interviewed by the Warr-Cook-Wall questionnaire with 7-point-Likert scale, which transformed responses from a 0 (most dissatisfied) to 100 (most satisfied). Questionnaires were randomly distributed among registered Ophthalmologists at the 29th Annual Congress of the Iranian Society of Ophthalmology in November 2019. Satisfaction under each scale was considered as a score of >60% of the total score. Results: A total of 181 Ophthalmologists with a mean age of 47. 8 ± 12. 1 years and 16 ± 12 years of practice participated in the present study. They were mostly satisfied with their job as a whole (88. 1%, mean score: 60. 6 ± 20. 7) and dissatisfied with their income (55. 9%, mean score: 47. 6 ± 20. 3). High levels of job satisfaction were found among Ophthalmologists with longer duration of practice (P < 0. 001) while lower levels of satisfaction were identified among those who worked in academic centers (P = 0. 004). Conclusion: In this study, high levels of job satisfaction were found among Ophthalmologists with longer duration of practice while low levels of satisfaction were identified among Ophthalmologists who worked in academic centers. The factors of salary and working hours accounted for the least levels of job satisfaction.

Purpose: To identify the psychological impact of coronavirus disease on Ophthalmologists practicing in Iran between August and December 2020. Methods: In this cross-sectional online survey, a standard Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was completed by 228 Ophthalmologists who were practicing in Iran. The PHQ-9 questionnaire was revised by adding two additional questions specifically applicable for the assessment of the psychological impact of coronavirus disease on the Iranian Ophthalmologists. An organized classification regarding the assessment of different depression severities identified as no (0–4), mild (5–9), moderate (10–14), or severe (15–21) was then considered for data analysis. Results: The mean age of our participants was 49. 0 ± 15. 61 years and the majority of them (67. 1%) were male. Depression was discovered in 73. 68% (n = 168) with different severities ranging from mild (n = 61, 26. 75%), moderate (n = 63, 27. 63%), and severe (n = 44, 19. 3%). It was found that participants with depression were older as compared to those without depression (P = 0. 038). Higher percentages of severe depression were noticed in the high-risk regions contaminated with coronavirus as compared to the other low-risk regions (P = 0. 003). Based on multivariable models, we determined that Ophthalmologists who were somewhat concerned about their training/ profession (OR: 0. 240,95% CI: 0. 086–0. 672,P = 0. 007) and those with no concerns about their income had lower association with depression (OR: 0. 065,95% CI: 0. 005–0. 91,P = 0. 042). Conclusion: High prevalence of depression was observed among older-aged Iranian Ophthalmologists living in high-risk contaminated regions who possessed serious concerns with respect to their training/profession and income. It is recommended that the health policymakers of Iran pay more attention to the Ophthalmologists who experience the aforementioned factors.

Dear Editor, Blindness is a devastating condition that affects millions of people worldwide (1), and Africa bears a disproportionate burden of this global health challenge (2, 3). Africa struggles with a high rate of blindness due to the diversity of its population and the scarcity of Ophthalmologists on the continent (4). This article aims to shed light on the critical issue of blindness in Africa and the indispensable role of Ophthalmologists in combating this problem. Africa faces significant challenges in terms of eye health, resulting in an alarming prevalence of blindness (5). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 36 million people in Africa are estimated to be visually impaired, with around 4. 8 million suffering from complete blindness (6-8). In addition, a significant number of these cases are preventable or treatable. Several factors contribute to the high rate of blindness in Africa. Poverty, limited access to quality healthcare, inadequate sanitation and hygiene, infectious diseases, malnutrition, and a lack of awareness about eye health are among the primary drivers (3, 9). Moreover, conditions such as cataracts, trachoma, glaucoma, and refractive errors remain prevalent across the continent, often leading to irreversible vision loss if left untreated (10)...

The field of ocular inflammation and uveitis is growing rapidly and recent developments have improved the diagnosis and therapy of uveitic entities. Advances in diagnostics including imaging technologies such as laser flare photometry, fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, ultrasonography, optical coherence tomography, confocal scanning and electro physiologic studies on one hand, and microbiological techniques on the other, have led to a better understanding of the causes of new emerging cases of uveitis as well as older established entities. Such changes mandate that all Ophthalmologists, particularly uveitis specialists, be constantly updated on such rapidly evolving changes. Globalization, ethnic and geographical differences, and immigration are among other reasons that should encourage practicing Ophthalmologists to familiarize themselves with evolving patterns and current etiologies of uveitis.

Purpose: To analyze the growth trends in ophthalmic education in Iran since 1979, and to discuss their implications on the profession. Methods: This comprehensive national study was performed by the Academy of Medical Sciences of I. R. Iran. The data were gathered from the Specialty Training Council of the Ministry of Health and from the Medical Council of Iran. Results: Our analysis revealed ten important current growth trends and seven future trends and implications. Between 1979‑ 80 and 2015‑ 16, the number of residents annually admitted to ophthalmology increased from 21 to 84 and related fellowships and from 0 to 34. The number of Ophthalmologists graduating in the country increased from 21 (45%) in 1979 to 69 (98%) in 2015. The ratio of Ophthalmologists per 100, 000 people averaged 1. 91 in 1979 and 3. 00 in 2016. Considering migrant and retired Ophthalmologists, there are approximately 2400 active Ophthalmologists in Iran. In 1979, there was one active ophthalmologist per 52, 112 people; in 2014, there was one per 33, 333 people. This represents a per capita increase of 57%. Since 1979, the number of active Ophthalmologists has increased by 234%. The number of active women Ophthalmologists has increased by more than 600%, from 65 (9%) in 1979 to 470 (20%) in 2016. Conclusion: Equitable geographic distribution and balanced combination of Ophthalmologists (women/men and specialists/fellowships) are necessary to optimize community eye health. We propose further studies on the effects of fellowship training growth and work patterns of female and male Ophthalmologists.

Dear Editor, Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus usually manifests with respiratory symptoms including cough and dyspnea associated with fever and diarrhea, while it rarely presents with conjunctivitis. Ophthalmologists are at high risk for being infected or transmitting the virus due to the following reasons: examining patients with conjunctivitis or asymptomatic carriers from a short distance (usually < 20 cm), the long duration of eye examinations/procedures (> 15 min), touching patients’,eyelids during slitlamp examination, and the possibility of viral shedding and transmission in contact with ocular secretions....

Purpose: Nowadays despite attempts having made by the medical society, health and therapeutic personnel as well as advancements in the therapeutic technology, yet the rate of non-satisfaction and actions by patients continue to increase. The aim of this study was to investigate malpractice complaints against Ophthalmologists referred to the state of legal medicine organization.Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study on medical complaints cases against malpractice in the field of ophthalmology referred to the State of Legal Medicine Organization Medical Commission for consideration between 2003 and 2005. SPSS software was used for data analysis.Results: Total medical negligence complaints considered in the medical commission during 3 years was 1581 cases, of them 147 (9.29%) cases were related to the field of ophthalmology. Out of total 147 cases set forth in the commission, in 31 cases it was established that a medical negligence has been occurred. Legally, the most common type of negligence was found to be of type of lack of expertise and in the next rank, carelessness. Among total cases considered in the present study, the majority was allotted to the actions brought against private sector health centers. Out of total approved cases as negligence in consideration, the rate of negligence allotted to the university centers was less than other therapeutic centers. The highest rate of filed complaints was related to the cataract surgery (92 cases), followed by LASIK procedure (21 cases).Conclusion: Ophthalmologists are advised, while establishing a good communication and behavior with patients and their companions, to be careful that prior to committing any kind of procedure, to inform patients of probable and unpredictable complications of the treatment and also to have necessary medical consultations plus to apply pre-and post-operative cares. Furthermore, physicians shall be educated about legal issues.