To establish consensus definitions for non-visually impairing eye conditions (NVICs) and their methods of assessments to provide standards for use in population-based eye surveys.

A literature review of NVICs in sub-Saharan Africa, a questionnaire of inquiry based on the literature review developed by an expert panel and a modified Delphi exercise with three iterative rounds with eye health experts.

Eye health academia and community eye health in Nigeria.

Nigerian ophthalmologists, including subspecialists experienced in population-based eye health surveys.

Definitions and statements where at least 70% of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed.

Forty-two ophthalmologists practising in Nigeria with experience in conducting population-based eye health surveys were invited to take part in the Delphi exercise. There were three rounds with response rates of 39/42 (92.9%) in round 1, (94.9%) in round 2 and 100% in round 3. Consensus for NVICs to be included in population-based eye surveys, their definitions and methods for assessment was reached by the third round.

We propose case definitions for NVICs to be assessed in population-based eye surveys through a modified Delphi approach with an expert panel of ophthalmologists from across Nigeria. These case definitions will allow for standardisation of NVICs in population-based eye surveys to assess the prevalence and magnitude of the different types of NVICs for planning purposes. Further studies are needed to validate these case definitions and inform their evolution.

Point-of-care lung ultrasound (LUS) can assist in diagnosing acute respiratory diseases for its high accuracy and immediate availability at the bedside, including older patients with frailty. Delirium represents a frequent complication of hospitalisation in this setting, frequently triggered by acute respiratory diseases. LUS may therefore help identify individuals at risk of delirium, but the association between LUS abnormalities and delirium remains unexplored.

This study is a prospective, observational, multicentre study, with the main objective of assessing the correlation between LUS abnormalities and incident delirium during hospitalisation (primary outcome). The secondary objectives are to assess correlations between lung and diaphragm ultrasound parameters and clinical outcomes including duration of delirium, severity of respiratory failure and mortality. 480 patients aged ≥65 years old, urgently hospitalised after an emergency department visit for acute respiratory complaints, will be recruited in eleven acute geriatric wards located in eight teaching hospitals across Italy. LUS examinations will be performed by skilled clinicians prior to treatment whenever feasible, and in any case within 48 hours from admission. They will also undergo comprehensive geriatric assessment, and daily delirium assessment through the 4-AT tool. The association between LUS abnormalities, related parameters (LUS score, Pleural Effusion Score) and outcomes will be assessed by linear and logistic regression models.

Ethics Committee approval of the coordinating centre (Comitato Etico Territoriale Lombardia 3, reference ID 4369_20.03.2024_M) and collaborative centres has been obtained. All participants will provide written informed consent. Study results will be publicly available following peer-reviewed publication in international scientific journals.

NCT06670118.