Insect vector-borne diseases (VBDs) pose significant global health challenges, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. The WHO has launched the "Global Vector Control Response (GVCR) 2017-2030" to address these diseases, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to vector control. This systematic review investigates the potential of malaria and dengue vaccines in controlling mosquito-borne VBDs, aiming to alleviate disease burdens and enhance public health. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, the review incorporated 39 new studies out of 934 identified records. It encompasses various studies assessing malaria and dengue vaccines, emphasizing the significance of vaccination as a preventive measure. The findings indicate variations in vaccine efficacy, duration of protection, and safety considerations for each disease, influencing public health strategies. The review underscores the urgent need for vaccines to combat the increasing burden of VBDs like malaria and dengue, advocating for ongoing research and investment in vaccine development.

Patients with ocular emergencies often visit emergency doctors before they visit an ophthalmologist. Therefore, emergency physicians must have adequate knowledge for preliminary diagnosis. We aimed to assess emergency resident doctors’ training in managing eye emergencies, as well as their level of confidence, competence, and equipment use skills in dealing with ocular emergencies. This cross-sectional, multicenter, questionnaire-based study included all emergency resident doctors in the Western, Central, and Eastern regions of Saudi Arabia. In total, 181 emergency residents were enrolled. Moreover, 28.2% received adequate training in the management of eye emergencies, and 72.2% reported that they received training from senior emergency medical staff. Overall, 14.9% of residents expressed confidence in handling emergency eye cases, compared with 66.3% who expressed less confidence. The prevalence of residents demonstrating confidence in the management of emergency eye cases was significantly high among those who received instructions on how to use an ophthalmoscope (p < 0.001), those who had been taught to use the slit lamp (p < 0.001), and those who expressed confidence in using the slit lamp (p < 0.001). We advise integrating basic ophthalmic clinical skills into emergency resident training programs to help gain greater insight, reduce the workload of ophthalmic services, and provide proper emergency eye care.

Keratoconus is a progressive corneal ectasia that results in substantial visual impairment and imposes a significant functional and psychosocial burden on affected individuals. Despite evidence suggesting earlier onset and a potentially more aggressive disease course of keratoconus in Saudi populations, there is a significant lack of region-specific data evaluating vision-related quality of life (VRQoL) in Riyadh. This cross-sectional study conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, evaluated VRQoL in individuals with keratoconus using the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25). Data were obtained from January to March 2025 through an online, structured, self-administered questionnaire. A total of 1007 participants were included, of whom 299 (29.7%) reported a diagnosis of keratoconus. The mean composite NEI-VFQ-25 score among participants with keratoconus was 61.0 ± 15.8, reflecting moderate impairment in VRQoL. Reduced VRQoL was significantly associated with eye-rubbing behavior, including both frequency (p = 0.027) and method (p = 0.026). The results highlight the importance of early detection and the relevance of eye-rubbing behavior in relation to reduced VRQoL, while supporting the need for longitudinal research to further clarify these associations.