HbA1c Assay as Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarker for Diabetic Patients Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is one of the most for detection and long-term tracking diabetes mellitus due to measuring average blood glucose levels during the preceding 2-3 months. It is crucial for determining glycemic control and forecasting the likelihood of long-term diabetic consequences, especially microvascular illness. This mini-review focusing in the biochemical basis of glycosylated hemoglobin. its diagnostic and prognostic value, and major factors affecting its reliability. Although HbA1c minimizes the impact of short-term glucose fluctuations, its accuracy may be compromised by non-glycemic factors such as altered erythrocyte turnover, hemoglobin variants, comorbid conditions, and genetic polymorphisms. Awareness of these limitations is crucial for appropriate interpretation of HbA1c results. Understanding these restrictions is essential for correctly interpreting HbA1c findings. HbA1c remains a cornerstone in diabetes care, but optimal use requires integration with clinical context and complementary glycemic assessments.

]]> HA1C, Diabetes mellitus, Diagnostic biomarker, Prognostic biomarker Editorial Article Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 IST The Impact of Aging on HIV Acquisition in the Male Genital Tract Ageing is associated with progressive hormonal, immunological, and structural changes in the male reproductive system, including declining testosterone levels and deterioration of semen parameters. At the same time, the proportion of older men living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is increasing globally. This mini-review summarizes current evidence on the interaction between ageing and HIV within the male genital tract, with emphasis on semen quality, immune status, and fertility implications. Available data indicate that while semen parameters may remain near normal in asymptomatic HIV-positive men, advancing age and disease progression are associated with reduced sperm motility, abnormal morphology, and impaired reproductive potential, particularly in the context of low CD4 cell counts. Understanding the combined effects of ageing and HIV is essential for improving reproductive health counseling and clinical management in older HIV-infected men.

]]> HA1C, Diabetes mellitus, Diagnostic biomarker, Prognostic biomarker Editorial Article Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 IST Comparative Evaluation of Binocular Visual Function in Myopic Individuals Wearing Spectacles and Soft Contact Lenses: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Background: Myopia has emerged as a major global visual health concern, particularly among young adults. The mode of optical correction-spectacles or soft contact lenses (SCLs)-can influence binocular function through variations in vertex distance, prismatic effect, and accommodative demand. This study compared binocular visual performance between myopic individuals wearing spectacles and those using SCLs under habitual correction conditions.

Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted on 60 myopic participants (30 spectacle wearers and 30 SCL wearers) aged 18–35 years. Standardized optometric tests evaluated accommodation (amplitude, near point, relative accommodation), vergence (near point, fusional ranges, facility), and stereopsis. Statistical analyses included independent t-tests and Pearson correlations at α = 0.05, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), Cohen’s d, and post-hoc power reported.

Results: SCL wearers exhibited greater accommodative amplitude (Δ0.60 D, p = 0.03, d = 0.57) and positive relative accommodation (Δ0.27 D, p = 0.02, d = 0.63), along with a closer near point of accommodation (Δ0.70 cm, p = 0.04, d = 0.54). Vergence parameters also favored the SCL group, with a 1.30 cm closer near point of convergence (p = 0.01, d = 0.69) and higher vergence facility (p = 0.03, d = 0.57). Stereoacuity improved slightly but was not statistically significant (p = 0.21, d = 0.33). Positive correlations were observed between accommodative amplitude and vergence facility (r = 0.49, p < 0.01) and between near point of accommodation and convergence (r = 0.43, p = 0.02), indicating coordinated enhancement.

Conclusion: Soft contact lenses provide superior accommodative and vergence function compared to spectacles, promoting greater binocular efficiency and visual comfort. These findings suggest that SCLs may reduce eyestrain and improve endurance during prolonged near work and digital device use, representing a more physiologically natural correction modality for young myopic adults.

]]> Binocular vision, Accommodation, Vergence, Stereopsis, Myopia, Soft contact lenses, Spectacle correction Research Article Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 IST Refractive Errors Among Schoolchildren in Central India: Prevalence and Functional Impact Background: Refractive errors are a primary cause of preventable visual impairment in schoolchildren globally. There is a lack of data from Central India concerning the prevalence and functional impact subsequent to refractive correction. This study sought to assess the prevalence and determinants of refractive errors and to evaluate the visual, functional, and psychosocial enhancements following spectacle correction.

Methods: A cross-sectional analytical mixed-methods study was executed from August 2023 to July 2024 in 12 randomly chosen schools in Rajgarh District, Madhya Pradesh. Using multistage stratified random sampling, we screened 300 kids between the ages of 9 and 15. They did a visual acuity test, an objective and subjective refraction test, and a pre-validated questionnaire. All diagnosed students received spectacles, and a follow-up after 6–8 weeks evaluated adherence and functional enhancement. Descriptive statistics, χ² tests, t-tests, and multivariable logistic regression were used to look at the quantitative data. Qualitative responses were subjected to thematic analysis.

Results: Refractive errors were detected in 24% (n=72; 95% CI: 19.2–28.8) of the students. Myopia was the most common (45.8%), followed by hyperopia (29.2%) and astigmatism (25%). Age (aOR = 1.18; p = 0.004) and living in a city (aOR = 2.09; p = 0.006) were both important predictors. After correction, the mean visual acuity improved significantly from 0.38 ± 0.12 to 0.05 ± 0.03 LogMAR (p < 0.001). At the follow-up, 83% of participants said they wore glasses regularly, and there were significant improvements in visibility in the classroom (91%), concentration (87%), and relief from headaches (82%).

Conclusion: In Central India, refractive errors are very common among students. Significant visual, academic, and psychosocial benefits were obtained from spectacle correction, confirming the efficacy of school-based screening models. The results encourage district-level school health systems to continue integrating refractive-error services.

]]> Refractive errors, schoolchildren; myopia, vision screening, spectacle compliance, Central India Research Article Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 IST Glycemic Status and its Relationship with Corneal Tomographic and Endothelial Parameters in Diabetes Mellitus This study aims to compare corneal tomographic and endothelial parameters in diabetic patients with both controlled and uncontrolled glycemic status, as well as to investigate the relationships between corneal parameters, glycemic control, and the duration of diabetes. Conducted in a hospital setting, this cross-sectional study involved diabetic patients categorized into controlled and uncontrolled groups according to their HbA1c levels. Corneal tomography was executed utilizing Scheimpflug imaging, while endothelial evaluation was performed through non-contact specular microscopy. To maintain statistical independence, the right eye was predetermined for all inferential analyses. Between-group comparisons were carried out using suitable statistical tests, with effect sizes presented alongside p-values. Correlation and multivariable regression analyses were employed to assess the associations among corneal parameters, HbA1c levels, and the duration of diabetes. The findings revealed that patients with uncontrolled diabetes exhibited a significantly steeper flat keratometry (K1) in comparison to those with controlled glycemic status, with a moderate-to-large effect size, suggesting potential clinical significance. Conversely, other tomographic parameters such as steep keratometry, mean keratometry, central corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, and corneal volume did not show significant differences between the groups and were associated with small effect sizes. Nevertheless, a greater dispersion of various tomographic parameters was descriptively noted in the uncontrolled diabetes cohort, indicating heightened structural variability. The density of endothelial cells was numerically elevated in the uncontrolled diabetes group; however, it did not achieve statistical significance and was associated with increased variability. Indices of endothelial morphology, such as the coefficient of variation and hexagonality, were similar across the groups. Correlation and multivariable regression analyses indicated no significant independent relationship between HbA1c and central corneal thickness or endothelial cell density after controlling for age, sex, and duration of diabetes. The magnitude of the observed regression coefficients fell below thresholds deemed clinically significant. Uncontrolled diabetes is linked to subtle changes in corneal curvature and increased structural variability, rather than consistent alterations in corneal thickness or endothelial parameters. These results imply heterogeneous, subclinical corneal involvement in diabetes and underscore the multifactorial nature of diabetes-related corneal changes. Larger longitudinal studies are necessary to elucidate their clinical implications.

]]> Diabetes mellitus, Corneal tomography, Endothelial cell density, Glycemic control, Specular microscopy Research Article Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 IST