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INTRODUCTION: Novel strategies to improve the adherence to anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs include the digital adherence technology for monitoring these patients. The purpose of the study is to determine the acceptability and satisfaction of the medication event reminder monitoring system (MERMS) by the patients and to assess various determinants among adherent and nonadherent groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A facility-based cross-sectional study was undertaken among the drug-sensitive TB patients of a TB unit where the MERMS box was issued to them on a pilot basis under the national program. These were assessed on a validated scale of 11 questions graded on a 5-point Likert scale for the usability of MERMS box and various determinants among adherent and Nnonadherent groups were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 126 patients were included in our study with high satisfaction scores for the usage of the MERMS box. There was 89.7% adherence and 10.3% Nonadherence with this and the determinants found to be statistically significant were the large distance of the center from home, loss of daily wages, any of the family problems, Having insufficient money for performing regular investigations, fear of side effects of drugs, social stigma attached, travel cost, long waiting periods at DOTS center, and any toxicity of drugs being experienced. CONCLUSIONS: The usability of MERMS can be enhanced by bringing changes in the font of printed labels and operation instructions and the removal of social stigma can improve adherence.

Purpose: To describe the increase in prevalence of ethambutol-induced optic neuropathy (EON) in patients presenting to a single tertiary referral eye care center in India after introduction of weight-based fixed dose combinations and an increase in duration of ethambutol use from 2016 in the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program. Methods: This was a retrospective, observational, referral hospital-based study of 156 patients with a diagnosis of EON presenting to a single tertiary referral eye care center between January 2016 and December 2019. The main outcome measure was to assess the increase in prevalence of EON cases presenting to our tertiary care institute. Results: During the 4-year study period, 156 new patients were diagnosed with EON. A total of 101 patients (64.7%) were males and 55 (35.3%) were females. The most common age group affected was 41–60 years. The significant complaint at presentation was decreased vision in all the patients. A rising trend in the number of patients diagnosed as EON was seen, with the prevalence increasing from 16 cases in 2016, 13 cases in 2017, and 31 cases in 2018 to 96 cases in 2019. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated an alarming increase in the trend of EON cases presenting to our tertiary care institute.