Better-seeing Eye Research Articles

Low Vision Services Are Underutilized by Patients with Vision Loss from Corneal Disease.

This study evaluated the rate at which patients with visual impairment primarily from corneal disease were referred for low vision (LV) services and assessed the visual outcomes from completed evaluations. This 1-year retrospective, cross-sectional study included patients with corneal disease limiting best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) to ≤ 20/40. Outcome measures included the change in BCVA achieved after distance refraction by a LV specialist. Incremental costs per quality-adjusted life years (QALY) gained were calculated upon the better-seeing eye, by using a willingness-to-pay threshold of USD 50,000/QALY. Of 3230 patients, 143 (4.4%) had visual impairment from corneal disease. The median age of those patients was 80 years (IQR: 66-88 years) and 64.3% were male. Just over half were referred for LV evaluations (53.2%), and most completed appointments (96.1%). Patients more likely to be referred had better vision in their worse-seeing eye (0.961 logMAR vs. 1.451 logMAR, P = 0.002) and were more frequently diagnosed with corneal dystrophies, degenerations, or ectatic disease (51.3% vs. 26.9%, P = 0.003) compared with other corneal conditions, but they were less likely to have immunologic conditions (2.6% vs. 13.4%, P = 0.016). In total, two-thirds of patients achieved improved BCVA for their better-seeing eye, with 32% gaining ≥ 2 lines. This translated into an average gain of 0.04 QALYs/patient at a cost of USD 3128/QALY. The estimated net monetary benefit was USD 1923/LV evaluation completed. Referring patients with corneal disease to LV services resulted in significant improvements in visual function at a reasonable cost.

Characterizing the Preferred Retinal Locus and Fixation Stability in Diabetic Macular Ischemia: A One-Year Study

Eyes with maculopathy usually have poor fixation stability (FS) and develop a new preferred retinal locus (PRL). The exact FS and PRL have never been studied in diabetic macular ischemia (DMI). In this one-year observational study, we recruited 79 patients (145 eyes) with evidence of DMI on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Microperimetry (MP) was performed at baseline and 52 weeks. Overall, DMI eyes demonstrated relatively stable FS without evolving into eccentric fixation over one year. When comparing the better-seeing eye (BSE) with the worse-seeing eye (WSE) in eyes with bilateral DMI, the latter presented with a larger bivariate contour ellipse area (BCEA) initially but gradually aligned with the one in the BSE at the end of the study. Conversely, the foveolar retinal sensitivity (RS) worsened significantly alongside the extension of disorganization of the retinal inner layers (DRIL) in the WSE at one year despite the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) being maintained. This suggests that foveolar RS might reflect the start of DMI deterioration more sensitively than BCVA.

Association Between Visual Acuity and Incident Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Longitudinal Test of Mediators.

Little is known about the prospective relationship between visual acuity (VA) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events and the extent to which this association is mediated via potential mediators. This study aims to investigate the relationship between VA and ASCVD events, including the mediation effects of potential factors. A prospective study was conducted using data from 110,522 participants in the UK Biobank, all of whom had baseline visual acuity (VA) measurements collected between 2006 and 2010. VA was assessed using the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) chart, with the better-seeing eye selected for analysis. Incident ASCVD events were obtained from hospital admissions and death records up to April 2021. The longitudinal association between VA and ASCVD was examined using Cox proportional hazards models. A four-way decomposition mediation analysis was performed to quantify the indirect effects of hypertension, diabetes, depression, and socioeconomic status in mediating the relationship between VA and ASCVD. Over an 11.13-year median follow-up, 5,496 ASCVD cases were recorded. A one-line worsening in VA (0.1 logMAR increase) was associated with an increased risk of ASCVD (HR = 1.63; 95%CI = 1.35-1.96, P < 0.001). Mediation analysis showed that hypertension, diabetes, depression, and Townsend deprivation index contributed 3.8%, 3.3%, 5.7%, and 5.9% to this association, respectively (all P < 0.05). Notably, depression was the strongest mediator, accounting for 10.0% of the association in women (P < 0.05). Our study demonstrates that visual decline is associated with an increased risk of ASCVD. Early intervention through regular eye exams can help mitigate the risk of ASCVD in middle-aged and older adults. Additionally, mental health is a key mediator in the VA-ASCVD relationship, particularly among women.

Multivariate Determinants of Emotional Compromise and Subjective Functional Quality of Life in Surgery-Naïve Patients With Keratoconus as Measured With the Keratoconus End Points Assessment Questionnaire.

Keratoconus affects patients' quality of life. No study has assessed the multivariate determinants of quality of life using the keratoconus end points assessment questionnaire (KEPAQ). This study included patients with keratoconus with no history of ocular surgery, who underwent clinical evaluation and tomographic imaging using a dual Scheimpflug/Placido device (Galilei G6). Emotional and functional quality of life was assessed using the KEPAQ. Multiple linear regression models were constructed for each KEPAQ subscale to adjust for confounding variables. A total of 140 surgery-naïve patients with keratoconus were included, with a median age of 39 years and a male predominance (57.1%). For the KEPAQ-E subscale, the multivariate model was significant [F(84,10) = 2.79; adjusted R2 = 0.160, P = 0.005], showing that female sex (β = -0.41) and worse corrected distance visual acuity in the better-seeing eye (β = -0.29) were associated with lower quality of life. Including the functional subscale score significantly enhanced the model's performance (adjusted R2 = 0.464, β = 0.60). For the KEPAQ-F subscale, the model was also significant [F(84,10) = 2.37; adjusted R2 = 0.127, P = 0.016], with corneal astigmatism in the better-seeing eye (β = -0.30) reducing quality of life. Adding the emotional subscale score improved the model (adjusted R2 = 0.442, β = 0.62). Female sex, reduced vision, and corneal astigmatism negatively affect quality of life in patients with keratoconus. Nonetheless, patients' perceived impairment as measured in 1 subscale is a stronger predictor of overall quality of life than clinical and tomographic factors alone.

Gender-specific changes in vision-related quality of life over time - results from the population-based Gutenberg Health Study.

To investigate potential gender- and age-specific changes over time in vision-related quality of life (VRQoL) on a population-based level. Further, factors associated with changes in VRQoL will be explored. The Gutenberg Health Study is a population-based, prospective, observational, single-center cohort study in Germany. VRQoL was quantified at baseline and 5-year follow-up using the visual function scale (VFS) and socio-emotional scale (SES-VRQoL). VFS and SES-VRQoL are calculated using the "National Eye Institute 25-Item Visual Functioning Questionnaire" (NEI-VFQ-25). Both scales range from 0 to 100, 0 corresponds to the sum that would be achieved if a participant had answered all items with the worst performance, and 100 corresponds to the sum of all items answered with the best possible performance. Distance-corrected visual acuity was measured in both eyes. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted to identify ophthalmic and sociodemographic predictors of VRQoL. A total of 10,152 participants (mean age 54.2years; 49.2% female) were included in the analysis. The mean visual functioning decreased from 89.6 (IQR: 81.3, 95.1) at baseline to 85.9 (IQR: 79.2, 92.6) at 5-year follow-up in the VFS (p < 0.001). Participants' socio-emotional well-being remained the same from baseline to 5-year follow-up in the SES-VRQoL. In multivariable linear regression analysis, older age (0.03, p = 0.002) and female gender (-1.00, p < 0.001) were associated with a VFS change. Higher baseline socioeconomic status was associated with a slightly positive increase in VFS (0.07, p = 0.001). Deterioration of visual acuity in the better and worse-seeing eye was associated with negative VFS change over 5years (better-seeing eye: -5.41, p < 0.001, worse-seeing eye: -7.35, p < 0.001). Baseline socioeconomic status was associated with SES-VRQoL change (0.06, p < 0.001). The negative change in visual acuity showed an association with negative SES-VRQoL in the better (-4.15, p < 0.001) and worse-seeing eye (-3.75, p < 0.001).Stratification of the regression modelsby age and gender showed greater reductions in VFS scores with visual acuity changes in participants aged 65 years or olderand a more pronounced decrease in female participantsover 5 years. This study demonstrated an association between visual acuity change and change in VRQoL over 5years, with a greater decrease in female participants and participants aged 65years or older. The better-seeing eye and the worse-seeing eye both had an impact on changes in VRQoL. What is known Previous studies have predominantly used cross-sectional designs to investigate the correlation between visual acuity and vision-related quality of life, with limited insights into how visual acuity changes over time affect vision-related quality of life in a large cohort. What is new This study demonstrates that visual acuity changes significantly impact VRQoL over a 5-year period, with a notable decrease observed in female participants and those aged 65years or older. Analysis reveals both the better-seeing and worse-seeing eye contribute to changes in VRQoL, highlighting the necessity of comprehensive visual assessments in both eyes for a more accurate understanding of VRQoL outcomes.

Topography of Slowed Dark Adaptation in Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum: PROPXE Study Report 1.

To determine the prevalence and spatial pattern of rod and cone dysfunction in patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) and to correlate these with Bruch's membrane (BrM) calcification. PXE is a rare genetic disorder that causes calcification of Bruch's membrane, which eventually leads to loss of central vision. Understanding the functional implications of BrM calcification is crucial for developing effective treatments. In this prospective natural history study (PROPXE, ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05662085), performed at a tertiary referral center, 26 patients with PXE (14 women, 12 men; median age, 55years; interquartile range, 43-59years), diagnosed according to the Plomp criteria, underwent comprehensive ophthalmic evaluations, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity testing, and multimodal imaging. Dark adaptometry was tested following a 59% rhodopsin bleach at 8°, 15°, 30°, and 46° eccentricity from the fovea along the temporal retina. The eye without a history of exudative macular neovascularization (MNV) or the better-seeing eye was selected as the study eye. Of 26 participants, 12 had no history of exudative MNV in the study eye, while 14 had previous or current treatment for MNV with a median BCVA of -0.07 logMAR and 0.11 logMAR, respectively. In the macula at 8° eccentricity, rod intercept time (RIT) was prolonged in 83.3% of nonexudative and 92.9% of exudative eyes, while BCVA and cone thresholds at 8° eccentricity were affected in only 42.3% and 65.4% of eyes. The delay in RIT was most pronounced in regions at risk of calcification and increased markedly with age. In addition, prolonged cone recovery time constants were evident that correlated with RIT. Patients with PXE exhibit significant slowing of both cone- and rod-mediated dark adaptation, particularly in regions prone to BrM calcification. These findings suggest that dark adaptometry and assessment of BrM calcification can serve as clinical tools for evaluating disease severity and monitoring progression in PXE, enabling earlier interventions before the onset of exudative MNV or atrophy.

Clinical characteristics associated with complications and poor visual outcomes in ocular toxoplasmosis: Analysis of 853 patients: complications and visual outcomes in ocular toxoplasmosis.

Clinical characteristics associated with complications and poor visual outcomes in ocular toxoplasmosis: Analysis of 853 patients: complications and visual outcomes in ocular toxoplasmosis.

Low Vision Rehabilitation Referral Characteristics for Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Background: Despite evidence that low vision rehabilitation (LVR) services can improve visual function in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), many patients are not directed to access these resources. This study was conducted to determine factors associated with LVR referral and to assess the visual outcomes from completed evaluations. Methods: The study comprised a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of patients with nAMD. Referrals for LVR services were extracted from the electronic health record (EHR). The effectiveness of each evaluation was determined by assessing the change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) achieved after distance refraction. Costs, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and incremental costs per-QALY-gained were calculated based upon the better-seeing eye by using a willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000/QALY. Results: Out of 560 eligible patients with nAMD, 110 were referred for LVR (19.6%). Referral was more common for individuals who qualified as having low vision, based upon the visual acuity of the better-seeing eye (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.214; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.920-5.380, p < 0.001), had bilateral nAMD (aOR, 1.592; 95% CI, 1.017-2.492, p = 0.042), or had commercial health insurance compared to those who had Medicare (aOR, 2.887; 95% CI, 1.041-8.009, p = 0.042). Most patients referred completed LVR appointments (86%). More than half of the patients achieved improved BCVA for their better-seeing eye (53%) yielding an average gain of 0.04 QALYs/patient at a cost of $3504/QALY. The estimated net monetary benefit was $1704 per evaluation completed. Conclusions: Most patients with nAMD achieved improvements in visual function after low vision evaluation, yielding improvements in vision-related quality of life at a reasonable cost.

Association between dietary inflammatory index and visual impairment among adults in the NHANES 2005–2008

The association between the dietary inflammatory index (DII) and visual impairment remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the DII and non-refractive visual impairment among US populations. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2008, including dietary information and visual impairment assessment. Participants with presenting visual impairment, defined as presenting visual acuity in the better-seeing eye worse than 20/40, were included. Participants whose visual acuity in the better-seeing eye could be corrected to 20/40 or better through automated refraction, were classified as having uncorrected refractive error, while others were considered to have non-refractive visual impairment. Logistic regression models, restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis, subgroup analyses, and propensity score matching (PSM) were performed to assess the association between DII and the prevalence of non-refractive visual impairment. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, a positive association was observed between DII scores and the prevalence of non-refractive visual impairment (odds ratio [OR] = 1.277, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.017–1.603, P < 0.05). RCS analysis demonstrated that there was no nonlinear relationship between them (P for nonlinear > 0.05). Furthermore, sensitivity analysis by PSM indicated the robustness of this positive association. This study revealed a positive correlation between the DII and the prevalence of non-refractive visual impairment among those with presenting visual impairment in the United States. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm a causal relationship and elucidate the underlying mechanisms involved.

Protective eyewear in children with one eye vision loss: compliance and trends

Abstract Purpose Safety glasses are an important measure to prevent blindness, especially in one- eyed patients. However, patient compliance with eye protection is often limited. Unlike previous studies that described protective eyewear wearing in anophthalmic patients, this study analyzed their usage in functionally one-eyed children, having a significantly reduced visual acuity in one eye, determining common obstacles to their use. Methods A survey-based study analyzing protective eyewear usage in children with one eye vision loss (mean logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution (logMAR) visual acuity ≤ 0.7). Results This study included 83 functionally one-eyed children (44 males), who received a recommendation to wear safety glasses. Ninety-nine percent of their caregivers were aware of this recommendation; however, 31% of them did not know the glasses’ true purpose. Regarding actual usage, only 29 (35%) children wore safety glasses at least 90% of the day, 26 (31%) children wore them part-time (10–90% of the day) and 28 (34%) wore them rarely or never at all (&lt; 10% of the day). Compliance was higher when glasses provided optical correction. Reasons provided for non-compliance included: discomfort, appearance, cost and vision reduction. Many respondents recollected incidents in which the glasses prevented an eye injury, and less commonly an eye injury occurring while the child was not wearing eye protection. Conclusions Compliance with safety glasses in functionally one-eyed children is limited. Emphasizing that numerous gaps and barriers need to be bridged to improve eyewear protection in these children to prevent trauma in the better-seeing eye with its devastating lifestyle effect. Key messages What is known Anophthalmic patients often do not wear protective glasses, which are needed to prevent trauma to their only remaining eye. What is new Non-anophthalmic children with reduced visual acuity in one eye use protective glasses even less often, even when doing sports. Common reasons for not wearing safety glasses include: discomfort, dislike of self-appearance with glasses, and lens-induced vision reduction.

The Prevalence of Obesity is Increased in Adolescents with Amblyopia: An Analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data.

Background: Amblyopia is the most common cause of vision loss in children. Amblyopia has been associated with impaired depth perception but little attention has been paid to the extent to which amblyopia increases the risk of obesity. Methods: Public-use data from the 1999-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used. Analyses were limited to children aged 12-18, who had a visual examination, and a best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of at least 20/40 in the better-seeing eye. Amblyopia was defined as two or more-line interocular difference in BCVA. Obesity was defined as Body Mass Index (BMI) or body fat percentage (BFP) ≥95th percentile for age and gender. Sedentary lifestyle was defined as cardiovascular fitness level (CFL) rating of "low." We used Mantel-Haenszel odds ratios (ORs) to examine the relative prevalence of obesity in children with/without amblyopia. Results: Adolescents with amblyopia (n = 360) were more likely than those without (n = 7935) to have a high BMI [OR = 1.56; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.24-1.98; p < 0.001]. The associations with either high BFP (OR = 1.20; 95% CI: 0.86-1.56, p = 0.167) or low CFL (OR = 1.15; 95% CI: 0.83-1.57; p = 0.267) were not statistically significant but in the direction of a priori hypotheses. Conclusions: This analysis of population-based data suggests that adolescents with amblyopia may be at higher risk of having obesity. Given the high prevalence of amblyopia and the range of morbidities associated with childhood obesity, targeted interventions to reduce the risk of obesity among children with amblyopia could be warranted.

Association Analysis of Telomere Length and Vision in a Large Community-Based Survey

ABSTRACT Purpose To investigate whether there is a direct, age-independent association between telomere length and visual acuity decline in a large community-based cohort study. Methods Participants older than 40 with linked leukocyte telomere length (LTL) were enrolled in NHANES. LTL was assayed using qPCR from the participants’ blood samples. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of the better-seeing eye was analyzed, with visual impairment (VI) defined as BCVA ≥ 20/40. LTL was grouped into quartiles, and its association with BCVA and VI was evaluated after adjusting for covariates. Results Among the 4,480 enrolled participants, the weighted means of age, BCVA, and telomere length were 56.1 ± 11.9 years, 0.05 ± 0.08 logMAR, and 5,662 ± 36 base pairs, respectively. The proportion of VI was 2.6%. After adjusting for covariates including sex, ethnicity, education, family poverty income ratio, general health status, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and body mass index, BCVA was significantly worse in participants with shorter LTL, with a significant trend (p = 0.002). However, after further adjusting for age, the association between LTL and BCVA was no longer significant, without a trend (p = 0.640). No significant association or trend between LTL and VI was found in the stepwise logistic model. Conclusions No age-independent association between LTL and BCVA was found. Our study indicates LTL may not serve as a biomarker for age-related visual acuity decline.

Chronic hypotony and uveitis managed with pars plana vitrectomy, silicone oil tamponade, and permanent keratoprosthesis.

We report a case of silicone oil placement after Boston Type 1 keratoprosthesis implantation for improvement and maintenance of intraocular pressure in a patient with chronic hypotony secondary to chronic uveitis. Observational case report. A 54-year-old female with a history of bilateral chronic panuveitis and subsequent hypotony presented with progressive corneal decompensation and band keratopathy in her better-seeing left eye. Her CDVA in her left eye declined from count fingers at 3' to hand motion. In an effort to clear the visual axis and stabilize intraocular pressure, implantation of a Boston Type 1 Keratoprosthesis combined with pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil injection was performed. Post operatively, the intraocular pressure improved to the mid-teens and vision improved to count fingers at 4'with a follow-up of 2 years. Pars plana vitrectomy and injection of silicone oil after placement of a Boston Type 1 keratoprosthesis can successfully improve and maintain intraocular pressure in eyes affected by chronic uveitis with ciliary body atrophy and chronic hypotony. This strategy effectively reverses such problems as hypotony maculopathy, disk swelling, scleral infolding, and corneal failure.

Paediatric visual impairment in Western Australia: Results and lessons from a registry analysis.

Clinical registries are an important research tool to enhance our understanding of vision loss in the Australian paediatric population. We aim to provide an update on the epidemiology of visual impairment among Western Australian children using registry data analysis, and to highlight the challenges of registry data collection. This is a retrospective study of visual impairment and blindness registrations of children aged 0-16 years in Western Australia from 1996 to 2015. Blindness was defined as visual acuity ≤6/60 in the better-seeing eye or binocular visual field ≤20° diameter, with all other certifications labelled as visual impairment. Certificates were assessed for primary causes of vision loss by age strata and sex. Registration rate trends were analysed across three discrete registration periods. Of 11 800 certificates issued between 1996 and 2015, 728 certificates (6.2%) were issued to 710 children. Five hundred and twenty-nine (74.5%) certificates were issued for visual impairment and 181 (25.5%) for blindness. The leading cause of certification was inherited retinal disease (73, 10.3%), followed by cortical visual impairment (57, 8.0%) and albinism (56, 7.9%). The annual registration rate of visual impairment increased from 0.5 to 9.8 per 100 000 person-years across the study period, whereas blindness rates fell from 2.7 to 1.3. Overall registration rates of paediatric visual impairment in Western Australia are increasing, but these trends should be interpreted with caution given the known limitations of registry data. Enhancements of the registration process could be achieved through digitisation, inclusion of patient outcome data, and incentives for greater practitioner engagement.

Autologous Contralateral and Ipsilateral Rotational Penetrating Keratoplasty - A Case Series and Mini-Review.

Corneal stromal opacities can severely impact visual acuity if they are located in the visual axis. Homologous penetrating keratoplasty (HPK) is usually the preferred surgical option in such clinical circumstances. However, autologous penetrating keratoplasty (APK) could be an immunologically safer alternative. The purpose of this study was to report the surgical technique, indications, and (dis)advantages of ipsilateral rotational and contralateral APK, as well as pre- and postoperative clinical findings of four patients who underwent contralateral APK. In ipsilateral rotational APK, eccentric trephination places the central corneal opacity at the excision edge, whereafter the corneal button is rotated to clear the visual axis. Contralateral APK is suitable for more specific clinical situations with corneal opacity in a functionally much better eye. Clear cornea of the (almost) blind eye suffering from a noncorneal pathology is transplanted to the potentially better seeing eye suffering from a corneal pathology, followed by HPK in the (almost) blind donor eye. After 18 months, potentially better-seeing eyes improved from logMAR 1.3 to 0.6 in visual acuity, with most HPK-treated weaker eyes matching preoperative levels. Considering ipsilateral rotational and contralateral APK before moving on straight towards HPK is crucial in select cases. Autologous contralateral keratoplasty should be preferred for patients with (1) corneal scars in a potentially better seeing eye and (2) a clear cornea in an (almost) blind eye, especially in cases of high risk for graft rejection.

Vision screening of school children in greenland 2017-2022: coverage and low vision prevalence

ABSTRACT Vision screening during childhood is vital for the early detection and treatment of visual impairment that may significantly impact a child’s development and quality of life. This nationwide cross-sectional study used data from Greenland’s national electronic medical records, including 2,493 six-year-old children from July 2017 to July 2023, to evaluate the coverage rate of vision screening and the prevalence of low vision in Greenlandic schoolchildren. The participation rate in vision screening increased from 43% in 2017 to 61% in 2022, while referral rates to ophthalmologists decreased from 14% to 5%, despite a consistent prevalence of low vision. The mean prevalence of impaired vision (0.3 logMAR / ≤0.50 Snellen decimal) in the better-seeing eye at the vision screening throughout the study period was 3%. At the same time, it was 8% for the worse-seeing eyes, indicating a continuous need for ophthalmological evaluation of the Greenlandic children. This study highlights healthcare delivery challenges in Greenland’s sparsely populated areas and emphasises the need for new national guidelines to optimise referral processes. Utilising other healthcare professionals, such as optometrists, for vision screenings and ensuring follow-ups are critical for improving the visual health outcomes of Greenlandic children.

Visual Outcome of Occlusion Therapy in Anisometropic Amblyopia

Background: Amblyopia is a common visual disorder in children, often treated with occlusion therapy. This study aimed to assess the visual outcomes following occlusion therapy in children with anisometropic amblyopia, focusing on improvements in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) over a six-month period. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Shaheed Monsur Ali Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from January 2015 to August 2015. Participants underwent occlusion therapy, where the better-seeing eye was covered for varying durations based on initial BCVA. Visual acuity was measured using the Snellen chart and converted to logMAR units at baseline, and after 1, 3, and 6 months of therapy. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson’s correlation test. Results: The mean BCVA improved significantly from 0.88±0.28 at baseline to 0.55±0.21 after 1 month, 0.42±0.15 after 3 months, and 0.23±0.12 after 6 months (p &lt; 0.001 for all comparisons). Among the participants, 68% had hypermetropia, 22% had astigmatism, and 10% had myopia. The majority of participants (68%) had anisometropic amblyopia in the right eye. The age distribution was 32% aged 5-7 years, 47% aged 8-9 years, and 21% aged 10-11 years, with a mean age of 8.64 years. Gender distribution was 64% male and 36% female. Conclusion: Occlusion therapy significantly improves visual acuity in children with anisometropic amblyopia, with early and consistent treatment yielding the best results. These findings support the continued use of occlusion therapy as an effective treatment modality, even when initiated later in childhood. Future research should explore long-term outcomes and complementary treatment approaches.

Describing the Eye Health of Newly Arrived Refugees in Adelaide, South Australia.

This study describes the eye health of newly arrived refugees attending a state-funded health service in Adelaide, South Australia, helping to address the paucity of data on the eye health of refugees. Patients attending the Refugee Health Service undergo comprehensive assessment by an on-site optometrist with accredited interpreters if they have eye symptoms, personal or family history of eye disease, or visual impairment (using World Health Organization definitions). A retrospective audit of this service was performed to obtain patient demographics, presenting best-corrected distance visual acuity (better-seeing eye), diagnoses, and management. In 2017-2018, 494 of the 1400 refugees attending the service underwent an optometry assessment (age range 1-86 years, mean age 33.1 ± 18.6 years, 53% female). Regions of origin included the Middle East (25%), Bhutan (24%), Afghanistan (22%), Myanmar (15%), and Africa (14%). Of the 124 cases of visual impairment, 78% resolved with corrective lenses and 11% were due to cataracts. Ophthalmology follow-up was required for 56 (11%) patients, mostly for cataracts (22 patients). Newly arrived refugees have high rates of visual impairment from refractive error and cataracts. Integration of optometry and state-based refugee health services may improve the timely detection and treatment of these conditions.

Cross-sectional study of cognitive impairment and visual impairment among the elderly population in residential care in India: the Hyderabad Ocular Morbidity in Elderly Study (HOMES)

ObjectiveTo report the relationship between visual impairment (VI) and cognitive impairment (CI) among the older population living in residential care homes in Hyderabad, India.Study designCross-sectional study.Setting41 homes for the aged...

Visual Outcome of Occlusion Therapy in Anisometropic Amblyopia

Background: Amblyopia is a common visual disorder in children, often treated with occlusion therapy. This study aimed to assess the visual outcomes following occlusion therapy in children with anisometropic amblyopia, focusing on improvements in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) over a six-month period.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Shaheed Monsur Ali Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from January 2015 to August 2015. Participants underwent occlusion therapy, where the better-seeing eye was covered for varying durations based on initial BCVA. Visual acuity was measured using the Snellen chart and converted to logMAR units at baseline, and after 1, 3, and 6 months of therapy. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson’s correlation test.Results: The mean BCVA improved significantly from 0.88±0.28 at baseline to 0.55±0.21 after 1 month, 0.42±0.15 after 3 months, and 0.23±0.12 after 6 months (p &lt; 0.001 for all comparisons). Among the participants, 68% had hypermetropia, 22% had astigmatism, and 10% had myopia. The majority of participants (68%) had anisometropic amblyopia in the right eye. The age distribution was 32% aged 5-7 years, 47% aged 8-9 years, and 21% aged 10-11 years, with a mean age of 8.64 years. Gender distribution was 64% male and 36% female.Conclusion: Occlusion therapy significantly improves visual acuity in children with anisometropic amblyopia, with early and consistent treatment yielding the best results. These findings support the continued use of occlusion therapy as an effective treatment modality, even when initiated later in childhood. Future research should explore long-term outcomes and complementary treatment approaches.