Department Of Optometry Research Articles

Oscillatory thresholds and foveal and macular thickness using coherence tomography

Background: Technology is evolving and advancing rapidly as is evident in the ophthalmic and optometric fields with the development of new equipment and software programs that assist in the examination of patients and diagnoses of ocular diseases. The new vision psychophysical software for measurements of oscillatory sensitivity (OS) is a recently developed program that can be used to assess visual ability at the fovea by establishing oscillatory thresholds (OT) and it is therefore necessary to assess the reliability and repeatability of this new software.Aim: The goal of this study was to assess the reliability and repeatability of the new vision psychophysical software for measuring OS with special focus on the macular and foveal area.Setting: This study took place at the Department of Optometry at the University of Johannesburg between 2016 and 2017.Methods: To measure OS, an ascending threshold method was used where a simple target was presented, with increasing oscillations until perception of movement occurred. Healthy participants (N = 37), with a mean age of 22.43 ± 2.57 years, were asked to indicate when the high contrast circular (2 mm) target began oscillating on a stationary black background. The target was used at nine points in the macular region to measure OT. Each macular map was measured twice per participant and only the right eyes were involved. Retinal thicknesses were also evaluated using the spectral-domain iVue 100 optical coherence tomography (OCT) from Optovue. Macular thickness and OS (along with OT) measurements were assessed using various graphical and statistical methods to establish test–retest reliability and repeatability.Results: The study focused on OS and retinal thickness measurements of the macular and foveal regions. For retinal thickness measurements, repeatability and reliability were good, data was normally distributed and agreement between test–retest measurements was high, while OS measurements had good repeatability and reliability, were not normally distributed but had good agreement between test–retest measurements. With healthy participants, no correlations between OCT and OS measurements were found (r = −0.14, p = 0.49 and r = 0.03, p = 0.89 for test and retest samples).Conclusion: The results for both procedures suggest that there is good reliability and repeatability within the macular region. Both methods can be used with confidence clinically and in future studies.

Editorial introductions

Editorial introductions

Relationships between Learning Coaching and Self-directed Learning and academie Achievement of Students in the Department of Optometry and Optics Science at a university

Relationships between Learning Coaching and Self-directed Learning and academie Achievement of Students in the Department of Optometry and Optics Science at a university

Optometry students’ attitudes towards research at undergraduate level

Background. Universities worldwide are required to increase their levels of research productivity. Objective. To bring about positive changes in research perspectives if the factors contributing to the attitude of undergraduate optometry students can be identified, enhanced and rectified. Methods. Three nominal group technique (NGT) discussions were conducted with 22 final-year (4th-year) optometry students in central South Africa (SA) to reach consensus on the most important factors that students regarded as influencing their undergraduate research experiences. Data gathering and analysis took place simultaneously, while participants prioritised the data. Data were analysed by in vivo coding, and categories were grouped according to themes that emerged from the codes. Results. Ranking and content analysis of coded statements yielded positive and negative categories, as well as categories with mixed codes. The major factor influencing students’ attitudes towards research was administration and the time-consuming nature of their research projects. Recommendations for more effective administration are given. Conclusions. It was concluded that active steps should be taken by the Department of Optometry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, SA, to alter and minimise negative aspects encountered by the students, which could assist future students’ experiences of research at undergraduate level.

Chalazion and monocular refractive power changes

Purpose: A 60-year-old women consulted a local ophthalmologist (10.2016) because of blurry vision and chalazion (right eye). He prescribed medical treatment of the chalazion and new glasses, since there was a difference of sph. +1.50dpt. cyl. −0.50dpt. of the refraction (right eye only), compared to the wearing glasses (which were bought September 2016). The patient renewed her right lens, blurry vision was unchanged. Such she consulted a different ophthalmologist, who rejected any correlation between the chalazion and blurry vision and recommended further neurological evaluations, including MRI, since both eyes appeared to be healthy. The patient consulted the optometry department of the Horst Riede GmbH, Weinheim, Germany for further clarification in November 2016. Both eyes still appeared to be healthy, except of the known chalazion at the right upper eyelid. The difference to her new lens, as prescribed by the ophthalmologist (October 2016) was sph. −0.75dpt. Topography using a Scheimpflug Camera (Pentacam, Oculus, Wetzlar, Deutschland) showed superior, corneal irregularity (right eye). Diagnoses and Treatment: Cause of the variable refraction were assumed to be due to corneal moulding by the upper eyelid's chalazion. Warm compresses (MGDRx Eye Bag, The Eyebag Co. Ltd., UK) twice a day @45 °C for 10 min each time were recommended. By the scheduled follow-up in December 2016 the chalazion of the right eye had disappeared. Her refractive power of the right eye was now close to the initial one from September 2016. Corneal irregularity appeared to be normalized, refractive power changes were reflected in pre-warm compress topography.

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A Comparison between Practice Intention of Students of Department of Optometry and that of Students of General Departments on Eye Donation

A Comparison between Practice Intention of Students of Department of Optometry and that of Students of General Departments on Eye Donation

Editorial introductions

Editorial introductions

The Effects of Career Identity, Satisfaction with Major, Adjusting to College Life and Self-Esteem of Students in the Department of Optometry and Optic Science at a University on Academic Achievement

The Effects of Career Identity, Satisfaction with Major, Adjusting to College Life and Self-Esteem of Students in the Department of Optometry and Optic Science at a University on Academic Achievement

Clinical evaluation of a dual-polymer rewetting drop: Improved patient-reported outcomes and lid wiper epitheliopathy in contact lens wearers

s / Contact Lens & Anterior Eye 38 (2015) e13–e46 e33 Carme Seres was awarded a degree in Optometry at the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC) and later a Master degree in Optometry and Vision Science at the same university. She is a Facultymember of the Optics and Optometry Department at UPCwith research interests related to contact lenses, ocular surface and tear film. She is currently in charge of the Contact LensUnit at the Centre Universitari de la Visio (university clinic). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clae.2014.11.049

Is there a difference in tear film and meibum composition in asymptomatic adapted contact lens and spectacle wearers?

s / Contact Lens & Anterior Eye 38 (2015) e13–e46 e33 Carme Seres was awarded a degree in Optometry at the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC) and later a Master degree in Optometry and Vision Science at the same university. She is a Facultymember of the Optics and Optometry Department at UPCwith research interests related to contact lenses, ocular surface and tear film. She is currently in charge of the Contact LensUnit at the Centre Universitari de la Visio (university clinic). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clae.2014.11.049

경남지역 안경광학과 학생들의 진로의식 조사

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to investigate career awareness of the students majoring in optometry in Gyeongnam area so that it could be used as a database to educate them on their career. Methods. The graduates of the Department of Optometry in 6 universities of Gyeongnam area were surveyed through a questionnaire. Results. Most of their motive for entering Department of Optometry was for 'finding a job(38%), while at the time of entrance, most of them (55%) thought 'optician' as their job after graduation. Now most of them are the expectant graduate and they still think 'optician' as their job(54%). The biggest reason why they think of this career was 'aptitude(34%),' and most of them wanted their first monthly wage as less than '1.5 million won (46%).' For the desired work time, most of them said 'less than 10 hours a day (73%),' and they have been figured out to want '2 days off a week and monthly paid holiday (35%).' For the questions asking any improvements that are needed for department of Optometry, they (32%) answered 'equipments that are old or in short.' For the question asking if they are willing to choose optical task even if they entered a company that is irrelevant with it, most of them (37%) said they will if the conditions work, and the other 37% said they didn't know. Conclusions. The cooperation among universities and the field and their interest are required so that the students of the Department of Optometry would be able to work with pride as a professional to improve social welfare.

Virtually controlled computerised visual acuity screening in a multilingual Indian population

The efficacy of tele-based (virtually monitored) visual acuity (VA) examination in a hospital-based multilingual population was assessed based on subjects from the Outpatient Department of Optometry, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University and Department of Ophthalmology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, India. Visual acuity measurement using a computerized VA chart (COMPlog) was done using a telemethod and face-to-face method in a randomized fashion for all subjects. Virtual (remotely operated) control of examination procedure and video-conferencing helped the optometrist positioned elsewhere (different physical location) to remotely operate the COMPlog VA chart and also interact with the subjects. The connection was facilitated using Lync software connected through local area network connections. During tele-examination, instructions were given on subject's language preference (Kannada, Malayalam or English). Mean age of 96 subjects (three language groups) was 40.3±14.1 years and a Bland-Altman plot showed good agreement with clinically acceptable limits of agreement. The mean difference in VA between the telemethod and face-to-face method was 0.00 logMAR (±0.16), p=0.844. Two methods had good intra-class correlation (0.912, 95% confidence interval 0.868-0.941) and had good agreement across the language groups (kappa>0.7). Visual acuity measurements using the telemethod along with native dialect was comparable to conventional face-to-face method in a hospital-based multilingual population. Digital VA testing systems along with communication in native dialect can be effectively integrated into a tele-eyecare model.

Visual parameters of Polish special schools students

The purpose of this study was to coduct a visual screening of students in special schools with a set of tests chosen by the faculty and staff of the Department of Optometry and Visual System Biology of Poznan University of Medical Sciences. Students mentally handicapped (N = 318) between the age of 7 and 22 (mean age 14.4 ± 2.84) were screened. Group 1 were children aged 7 to 12 (n = 65), group 2 were subjects aged 13 to 16 (n = 167) and group 3 included people aged between 17 and 22 (n = 86). The scope of the screening included: auto-refractometer (Shin-Nippon A type) without cycloplegia, visual acuity for distance, positive lens test +1.00 D (diopter), spatial vision (stereo) at near, color vision and near point of convergence. 72 children (22.6%) were prescribed correction, but only 30 children actually wore glasses on a permanent basis (9.4%). Of those not using correction (n = 288): in group 1 the adopted criteria for visual acuity for the right eye were not met by the 38% of the respondents or 35% for the left eye; group 2 – 36% of the respondents failed (right eye) and 31% (left eye); 50% of students in group 3 did not meet the visual acuity criterion. Stereo was failed in groups 1 and 3 by almost 60% while in group 2 the test was failed by 47% of the respondents. The results of the refraction revealed a small degree of myopia in each eye of 38% in the entire sample. Hyperopia was found in 42% (right eye) of the students whereas 44% (left eye) in the entire sample. Astigmatism ranging from 0.75 to 2.00 D was noted in the case of 32% of people. This study indicates the need for a systematic vision screening, more than just visual acuity at distance, among the students in special schools.

Perceptions and opinions of graduating South African optometry students on the proposed community service

Community service (CS) was introduced inSouth Africa in an attempt to address the shortageand maldistribution of health care professionalswithin the public sector. The Professional Board forOptometry and Dispensing Opticians (PBODO)has approved legislation for the introductionof CS for graduating optometry students. This study examined the perceptions and opinionsof graduating optometry students regarding the proposed CS. A mixed-method design(questionnaires and interviews) was used. Bothapproaches yielded similar results. The quantitativecomponent included 119 participants, aged between 20 and 35 years (mean age and standard deviation;22.8 ± 2.3 years). There were 43.2% Blacks, 28.5%Whites, 19.1% Indians and 9.2% Coloureds. The qualitative part included fourteen participantsfrom the Optometry Department of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. The major themes emergingfrom the questions concerning the participants’ perceived advantages and benefits of CS were (i) it would improve the eye care service delivery to disadvantaged communities; (ii) it would improve the technical and clinical skills of the graduating optometrists and (iii) it would enhance their confidence, personal and social skills. Some of the perceived drawbacks cited by the participants about such service included poor remuneration and concerns about personal safety, transport and accommodation. The findings of this study suggest that graduating optometry students acknowledge the importance of CS in improving access of many South Africans to quality eye care. In order to maximise the full benefits of CS, all stakeholders need to address the highlighted concerns of the participants. (S Afr Optom 2013 72(1) 11-18)

A Descriptive Study on Compliance of Spectacle , Wear in Children of Primary Schools at Qassim Province , Saudi Arabia

Uncorrected Refractive errors are the most common cause of avoidable visual impairment in children worldwide. Importance of school screening of refractive errors are one of the most important initiatives outlined in WHO Vision 2020 targets for control of avoidable visual impairment in children. But the benefit depends on the compliance of the spectacle wear by children. To study the prevalence and determinants of compliance of spectacle wear among children and to investigate the reasons of non compliance associated with the spectacle wear in primary school children. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of 631 students who had been prescribed spectacles for constant wear during school screening programme done by our Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University during 2010-2011. After six months, experienced Optometrists conducted a follow-up visit where these students were assessed about spectacle compliance. Information on age, gender, type of refractive error, reasons for non compliance were collected and analyzed. The non-compliance rate of spectacle wear in primary school children is 66.80%. A significantly higher proportion of boys 244(69.13%) were not wearing their spectacles compared to girls 178 (64.03%) (P<0.05). Non-compliance was not related to age of the students (P<0.05), but older and myopic children were slightly more non-compliant. The main reasons for non-compliance in primary school boys and girls for using spectacles were disapproving spectacle wear by parents, not like to wear spectacles, broken spectacles and many children feel spectacles are not needed or causes head ache. Comprehensive eye care for primary school children with refractive error is practised in Qassim Province, but limited information is available on the magnitude of the compliance for spectacle wear and their reasons. School children were not compliant because of many issues that could and should be addressed. This information is crucial for establishing a program and will strengthen its efforts for a better eye care in primary school children with refractive errors.

The roadmap to close the gap for vision—diabetes‐related eye care in the Indigenous Australian population

Diabetic MedicineVolume 30, Issue 9 p. 1145-1146 Letter The roadmap to close the gap for vision—diabetes-related eye care in the Indigenous Australian population R. J. Tapp, R. J. Tapp Indigenous Eye Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population Health, The University of Melbourne, Vic., Australia Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Vic., AustraliaSearch for more papers by this authorM. D. Anjou, M. D. Anjou Indigenous Eye Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population Health, The University of Melbourne, Vic., AustraliaSearch for more papers by this authorA. I. Boudville, A. I. Boudville Indigenous Eye Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population Health, The University of Melbourne, Vic., AustraliaSearch for more papers by this authorH. R. Taylor, H. R. Taylor Indigenous Eye Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population Health, The University of Melbourne, Vic., AustraliaSearch for more papers by this author R. J. Tapp, R. J. Tapp Indigenous Eye Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population Health, The University of Melbourne, Vic., Australia Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Vic., AustraliaSearch for more papers by this authorM. D. Anjou, M. D. Anjou Indigenous Eye Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population Health, The University of Melbourne, Vic., AustraliaSearch for more papers by this authorA. I. Boudville, A. I. Boudville Indigenous Eye Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population Health, The University of Melbourne, Vic., AustraliaSearch for more papers by this authorH. R. Taylor, H. R. Taylor Indigenous Eye Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population Health, The University of Melbourne, Vic., AustraliaSearch for more papers by this author First published: 16 April 2013 https://doi.org/10.1111/dme.12215Citations: 10Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume30, Issue9September 2013Pages 1145-1146 RelatedInformation

Relative colour learning in honeybees, colour distance and receptor noise

Event Abstract Back to Event Relative colour learning in honeybees, colour distance and receptor noise Misha Vorobyev1*, Jaime Martinez-Harmes2, Natalie Marquez2 and Randolf Menzel2 1 University of Auckland, Department of Optometry and Vision Science and School of Biological Science, New Zealand 2 Free University of Berlin, Institute of Neurobiology, Germany Do the honeybees categorize colours and learn colour absolutely or do they estimate the distance between colours and learn colours relatively? If colours are learned absolutely, then, in the test, the colours that belong to the category of the rewarded colour are preferably chosen. If colours are learned relatively, then the colours are chosen according to a perceptual distance to both positive (S+) and negative (S-) colour stimuli. A prediction of the relative colour learning is a ‘peak shift’ phenomenon - when a S+ stimulus is presented against the a novel stimulus that is close to the S+, but is further from S- then S+, the novel stimulus is preferred to S+. Here we demonstrate that bees learn colours relatively using two methods of training. In the first series of experiments, bees were trained to discriminate a stimulus rewarded with sugar water (S+) from an unrewarded stimulus (S-). Both stimuli were presented in a Y maze simultaneously. In the second series of experiments, bees were trained to discriminate between opened (S+) and closed (S-) hive entrances. During the tests, the (S+) was presented against the novel stimulus. In both cases, bees preferred the novel stimulus, when it was further from the S- then from the S+. This demonstrates a peak shift phenomenon and indicates that bees learn colours relatively. The results of our experiments can be explained by a model of proximity judgments – we assume that bees estimate the perceptual distances from presented stimuli to both S+ and S- stimuli. Depending on the cost of incorrect decision and on the extent of training, different weight can be given to the distance to S+ and S- stimuli. The distance between colours that are close to discrimination threshold can be estimated using the receptor noise limited model of colour discrimination. However, the perceptual distance between colours that are far apart is not necessary related to noise. Here we demonstrate that the colour distance estimated from the noise originating in photoreceptors reasonably well approximates the perceptual distance between colours describing the peak shift phenomenon. Keywords: Bees, colour, learning and memory, hive entrance learning, Photoreceptor Cells Conference: International Conference on Invertebrate Vision, Fjälkinge, Sweden, 1 Aug - 8 Aug, 2013. Presentation Type: Oral presentation preferred Topic: Colour and polarisation vision Citation: Vorobyev M, Martinez-Harmes J, Marquez N and Menzel R (2019). Relative colour learning in honeybees, colour distance and receptor noise. Front. Physiol. Conference Abstract: International Conference on Invertebrate Vision. doi: 10.3389/conf.fphys.2013.25.00106 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 28 Feb 2013; Published Online: 09 Dec 2019. * Correspondence: Dr. Misha Vorobyev, University of Auckland, Department of Optometry and Vision Science and School of Biological Science, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand, m.vorobyev@auckland.ac.nz Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Misha Vorobyev Jaime Martinez-Harmes Natalie Marquez Randolf Menzel Google Misha Vorobyev Jaime Martinez-Harmes Natalie Marquez Randolf Menzel Google Scholar Misha Vorobyev Jaime Martinez-Harmes Natalie Marquez Randolf Menzel PubMed Misha Vorobyev Jaime Martinez-Harmes Natalie Marquez Randolf Menzel Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Influence of age on measured anatomical and physiological interpupillary distance (far and near), and near heterophoria, in Arab males

To compare the effects of age and near phoria on interpupillary distance measured at far (FIPD) and near (NIPD) using the Viktorin's and pupillometer (PD-5) methods. Interpupillary distance (IPD) by Viktorin's method and the corneal reflex pupillometer (PD-5) method, as well as near heterophoria by the Saladin near point card, were each obtained on 133 randomly selected normal subjects aged 20-67 years. Comparison within and between techniques, influence of age on IPD, and near heterophoria were assessed. The mean FIPD varied significantly from the NIPD (P < 0.001 for both methods). Overall, FIPD ranged from 56-73 mm, and NIPD ranged from 50-70 mm. For FIPDs of 55 mm, 63 mm, and 71 mm, the corresponding NIPDs were less by 3.9 mm, 4.4 mm, and 5.0 mm, respectively, which were measured by Viktorin's method, and 4.0 mm, 4.6 mm, and 5.2 mm, respectively, measured by the PD-5 method. Between methods, the limits of agreement were: -3.9 mm and 3.2 mm (P > 0.05) for FIPD, and -3.1 mm and 2.9 mm (P > 0.05) for NIPD. Both IPDs varied significantly across age groups (P < 0.0001). Post hoc analysis revealed a significant variation (P < 0.01 in both techniques) only in the comparison between age groups 16-25 years and 41-67 years. The mean difference was -2.2 mm (-4.0 mm to -0.3 mm) and -2.8 mm (-4.7 mm to -1.0 mm) for Viktorin's method for FIPD and NIPD, respectively. For PD-5, the corresponding values were -1.3 mm (-3.2 mm to 0.4 mm) and -1.7 mm (-4.1 to -0.5 mm). Also, the near phoria differed significantly (P < 0.0001) across age groups and correlated positively with age (r(2) = 0.27, P < 0.0001) and NIPD (r(2) > 0.04; P < 0.03, both techniques). The difference between FIPD and NIPD (about 4.4 mm in Arab males) was observed independent of the technique used. The Viktorin's and the PD-5 methods of IPD assessment resulted in similar values, and therefore, could be interchangeably used. However, caution is advised in cases of high power refractive corrections as the difference could vary from -4 mm to +3 mm (FIPD) and -3 mm to +3 mm (NIPD). Both IPDs have demonstrated an increase until the patients are in their early 40s, and a slight decrease has been observed thereafter. Age and NIPD were significantly associated with heterophoria in our subjects.