Risk Factors For Visual Impairment Research Articles

Retinopathy of Prematurity-Targeting Hypoxic and Redox Signaling Pathways.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a proliferative vascular ailment affecting the retina. It is the main risk factor for visual impairment and blindness in infants and young children worldwide. If left undiagnosed and untreated, it can progress to retinal detachment and severe visual impairment. Geographical variations in ROP epidemiology have emerged over recent decades, attributable to differing levels of care provided to preterm infants across countries and regions. Our understanding of the causes of ROP, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and associated risk factors continues to advance. This review article aims to present the pathophysiological mechanisms of ROP, including its treatment. Specifically, it delves into the latest cutting-edge treatment approaches targeting hypoxia and redox signaling pathways for this condition.

Prevalence of visual impairment and associated factors among welders in West Shewa Zone Oromia Region, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Visual impairment is one of the major causes of public health problems and is highly devastating in developing countries, including Ethiopia. Visual impairment is associated with a limitation of eye function and the visual system due to various factors that cause poor vision in either one or both eyes. This problem compromise life and, particularly, vision-related quality of life. The prevalence and contributing factors of visual impairment among welders have not been well studied in Ethiopia. Therefore, this aimed to assess the prevalence of visual impairment and associated factors among welders in West Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed among 634 welders at five woredas towns in the West Shewa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, from September 20 to November 20/2022. A cluster sampling method was used to involve study participants. Interviewer-based structured questionnaires and a Snellen chart were used to collect data from eligible subjects. EPI DATA version 3.1 used to enter the data, which then exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Bi-variable and multi-variable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with visual impairment. The data were presented as an odds ratio (OR) with a 95%, CI and the variable associated at P-value<=0.05 was considered asstatistically significant. RESULTS: In this study, 634 welders have participated. The mean age of study participants was 29.13+8.06SD. Among the study subjects, 29.34% (95% CI: 26.6-32.3%) of respondents had visual impairment. Factors include training on eye personal protective equipment use (AOR=1.77; 95% CI: 1.21-2.60), working hours per day (2.78, 95% CI: 1.91-4.06), and not using eye personal protective equipment (AOR=1.83, 95%CI: 1.12-2.99) were significantly associated with visual impairment. CONCLUSION: Based on this study, the visual impairment among welders was 29.34%. Factors including the absence of training on eye personal protective equipment used, prolonged working hours per day, and not using eye personal protective equipment were identified as risk factors for visual impairment.

Prevalence of visual impairment and associated factors among primary school children in Ambo Town, Ethiopia, 2021.

Visual impairment is a functional limitation of the eye(s) or the visual system manifested as reduced visual acuity. At least 2.2 billion people have visual impairment worldwide, and 90% of people with visual impairment have either preventable or treatable causes with cost-effective interventions. To assess magnitude of visual impairment and associated factors among primary school children in Ambo Town, Ethiopia, in 2021. A cross-sectional study was conducted in selected primary schools of Ambo Town. A simple random sampling technique was used to select schools and study participants. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and entered into Epidata version 3.1 for analysis by using SPSS version 23. Binary logistic regression was adopted to identify statistically significant factors which were associated with visual impairment. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to evaluate how well the logistic regression model fits to the data. About 780 out of 838 primary school children were enrolled in the study, yielding a response rate of 93.07%. The estimated prevalence of visual impairment was 8.8% with 95% CI: 6.81-10.79. The main risk factor for visual impairment among primary school children were Students' grade level, exposure to mobile screen, family history of visual problems, and family awareness about the status of their child's eye problems were significantly associated with visual impairments (AOR = 2.375, 95% CI: 1.079-5.226; AOR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.401-5.01; AOR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.071-5.42; and AOR = 4.503, 95% CI: 2.12-9.55, respectively). A high prevalence of visual impairment was observed among primary school children. Attending higher grades, being exposed to mobile screen, and having a family history of visual problems were significantly associated with visual impairment.

Prevalence of visual impairment and associated factors among welders in West Shewa Zone Oromia Region

BACKGROUND: Visual impairment is one of the major causes of public health problems and is highly devastating in developing countries, including Ethiopia. Visual impairment is associated with a limitation of eye function and the visual system due to various factors that cause poor vision in either one or both eyes. This leads to limitations in all areas of life and, particularly, vision-related quality of life will be compromised. The prevalence and contributing factors of visual impairment among welders have not been well studied in Ethiopia. This study was aimed to assess the prevalence of visual impairment and associated factors among welders in West Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed among 634 welders at five woredas towns in the West Shewa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, from September 20 to November 20/2022. A cluster sampling method was used to involve study participants. Interviewer-based structured questionnaires and a Snellen chart were used to collect data from eligible subjects. EPI DATA version 3.1 was used to enter the data, which was then exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Bi-variable and multi-variable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with visual impairment. The data were presented as an odds ratio (OR) with a 95% CI and the variable associated at P-value<=0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: 634 welders have participated in the study and the mean age of study participants was 29.13+8.06SD. Among the study subjects, 29.34% (95% CI: 26.6-32.3%) of respondents had visual impairment. Factors include training on eye personal protective equipment use (AOR=1.77; 95% CI: 1.21-2.60), working hours per day (2.78, 95% CI: 1.91-4.06), and not using eye personal protective equipment (AOR=1.83, 95%CI: 1.12-2.99) were significantly associated with visual impairment. CONCLUSION: Based on this study, the visual impairment among welders was 29.34%. Factors including the absence of training on eye personal protective equipment used, prolonged working hours per day, and not using eye personal protective equipment were considered as risk factors for visual impairment.

Vision-related quality of life in patients with childhood-onset craniopharyngioma

Quality of life (QoL) is a critical component of aftercare in survivors of childhood-onset craniopharyngioma (CP). Visual impairment adversely affects QoL after CP. This study assessed the frequency of visual impairment in patients with CP and its association with QoL. This study analyzed vision-related QoL in patients recruited 2000–2019 in the prospective cohort studies KRANIOPHARYNGEOM 2000/2007. Ophthalmologic examinations were performed at diagnosis, three, 12, and 36 months, respectively after the diagnosis. The QoL (PEDQOL) scores, were also evaluated at three, 12, and 36 months, respectively after the CP diagnosis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with visual impairment during follow-up. One-hundred twenty patients were included in this study. On ophthalmological examination, visual impairment was observed in the majority of the patients (n = 84, 70%) at CP diagnosis. After surgery, vision was restored in 27 patients (32%) with visual impairment at diagnosis. In the first (p = 0.017) and third (p = 0.011) year after diagnosis, parents of patients with visual impairment reported lower social functioning (family). Reduced autonomy was found three years after diagnosis in self- (p = 0.029) and parental (p = 0.048) assessments. Next to visual impairment at diagnosis, no additional risk factors for visual impairment during follow-up could be identified. Visual impairment has a clinically relevant impact on QoL after CP. The visual status at CP diagnosis determines the visual outcome during follow-up. Early detection of visual impairment, regular QoL assessments, and risk-appropriate aftercare are recommended.Clinical Trial Registration KRANIOPHARYNGEOM 2000 (Clinical trial registration number: NCT00258453) and KRANIOPHARYNGEOM 2007 (Clinical trial registration number: NCT01272622).

THU217 Vision-related Quality Of Life In Patients With Childhood-onset Craniopharyngioma - Results Of Hit-Endo And Kraniopharyngeom 2000/2007

Abstract Disclosure: P. Sowithayasakul: None. S. Boekhoff: None. J. Beckhaus: None. C. Friedrich: None. H.L. Muller: None. Quality of life (QoL) has become a critical component of therapeutic outcomes in the survivors of childhood-onset craniopharyngioma (CP). Visual deficiency adversely affects daily functioning and QoL in childhood CP. This cohort study aimed to report the vision-related QoL in CP patients. The primary outcome measure was pediatric QoL (PEDQOL score) in patients with and without visual impairment from presentation at the time of CP diagnosis to three-year follow-up. The risk factors associated with visual impairment were also analyzed. A total of 120 patients were included in this study, with a median age at diagnosis of 10 years (ranging from 1.3 to 16.8 years). The most common presenting symptoms at the time of CP diagnosis were headache (42%), visual impairment (20%), and growth retardation (12%). Visual impairment was found in 87 patients (70%). Ophthalmologic examination and PEDQOL scores, which were grouped into seven domains: physical functioning, cognition, social functioning friends, social functioning family, and body image, were evaluated at the third month, first-year, and third-year after diagnosis. Parents of children with visual impairment report worse social functioning in their families than parents of children without visual impairment, one (p=0.017) and three years (p=0.011) after diagnosis. After three years, children with visual impairment were found to have worse quality of life in the autonomy domain of self- (p=0.029) and parental assessment (p=0.048). High tumor volume (>21 cm³), radiation therapy and extrasellar tumor location were identified as potential risk factors for visual impairment. We conclude that visual impairment has a negative impact on QoL after CP. Early detection of visual impairment, regular QoL assessment, and risk-appropriate follow-up care are recommended. Presentation: Thursday, June 15, 2023

Prevalence of visual impairment among primary and secondary school children in Delta State, Nigeria

Purpose: Visual impairment (VI) being a state of physiological or pathological disorders of vision posesa burden on human activities globally. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of VI among school children in Delta State.
 Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 201 respondents aged 6 to 19 years were randomly selected from primary and secondary schools in the three senatorial districts of Delta State. Participants were evaluated using a structured questionnaire, distance Snellen chart, ophthalmoscope, and torchlight. Vision status was defined using World Health Organization categories of visual impairment based on presenting visual acuity (PVA). Data were presented in frequency tables, charts and analysed with Chi-Square statistics. All p-values reported were two-tailed and statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05.
 Results: The mean age of participants was 12.30± 3.14 years, while 118 (58.7%) were females. The overall prevalence of VI (PVA of <6/18 in the better eye) was 58 (28.9%). The prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe VI was 40 (19.9%), 13 (6.5%), and 5 (2.5%) respectively. Refractive error 47 (23.4%) was the leading cause of VI. The prevalence of VI was higher in females, children 13-19 years, and respondents whose parents’ income per month was >100,000. These observed differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05)
 Conclusion: Untreated refractive error was the leading cause of VI among school children in Delta State. This is an avoidable cause of VI that can be treated with spectacle prescription to ease the burden of visual loss.

The prevalence, incidence, and persistence of self-reported visual impairment among Chinese population with diabetes mellitus: evaluation from a nationally representative survey, 2015-2018.

Our aim was to investigate the prevalence, incidence, and persistence of visual impairment (VI) and their correlates among the Chinese population with diabetes mellitus (DM) over 3 years. The China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey is the first nationally representative longitudinal survey of the Chinese population. A cross-sectional analysis of prevalent VI in 2015 consisted of 2,173 participants with DM. A longitudinal observation of incident and persistent VI consisted of 1,633 participants from 2015 to 2018. Risk factors of VI were identified via univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Among our study population with DM, 11.8% reported VI in 2015, 4.5% had persistent VI from 2015 to 2018, and 8.9% developed VI in 2018. Factors identified to be correlated to VI (p < 0.05) were older age, being a woman, lower educational attainment, living in a rural area, application of DM medication and non-pharmacological treatment, receiving DM-related tests, use of spectacles, and poorer health status. This most recent national data provides a baseline for future public health initiatives on VI among the Chinese population with DM. With multiple risk factors identified, these could provide concurrent targets for various public health strategies and interventions with the aim of reducing the burden of VI among the population with DM in China.

A Review of Ambient Air Pollution as a Risk Factor for Posterior Segment Ocular Diseases.

To review the most recent evidence on the association of ambient air pollution with posterior segment ocular diseases. A search of the most recently published medical literature was performed in PubMed and Google Scholar on 10 December 2022. Articles published between 2018 and December 2022 were included in this rapid review. Studies that evaluated the association between ambient air pollutants (nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), particulate matters (PMs), total hydrocarbons (THC), nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHC), benzene), and ocular posterior segment diseases (glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and retinal vascular diseases) were included. Nineteen research articles met the inclusion criteria. Significant associations were found between PM2.5 and glaucoma, including primary open angle, primary angle closure, and normal tension glaucoma. An increased risk of AMD was linked to increased exposure to PM2.5, NO2, and CO. Single studies suggested that increased exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 is associated with diabetic retinopathy; THC and NMHC increased the risk of retinal vein occlusion; and CO, NO2, and PM10 are linked to an increased risk of central retinal artery occlusion. There is increasing evidence that toxic air pollutants have an impact on posterior segment ocular diseases, hence determining it as a potential modifiable risk factor for visual impairment.

Prevalence and risk factors of keratoconus (including oxidative stress biomarkers) in a cohort study of Shiraz university of medical science employees in Iran

BackgroundTo determine the prevalence of keratoconus in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Employees and the related risk factors including oxidative stress biomarkers.Methods2546 subjects’ mean age ± SD, 40.35 ± 6.70 (46% male) were recruited. All participants underwent objective refraction using auto-refractometer and retinoscopy, followed by subjective refraction, and bio-microscopy. Pentacam imaging was performed for the detected keratoconus patients. The prevalence of keratoconus and frequency of the visual impairment among keratoconus cases were evaluated. Potential risk factors of sex, age, family history of keratoconus, body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2, serum levels of glucose ≥ 100 mg/d, low-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL) ≥ 110 mg/dL, high-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol ≤ 40 mg/d, and triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dL in the blood were evaluated.ResultsThe prevalence of keratoconus at least in one eye was 0.98% (95% CI: 0.6- 1.4%). The best corrected visual acuity in the keratoconus group was 0.06 ± 0.1 and the rest of the population was 0.01 ± 0.07 logMAR (p < 0.001). The frequency of visual impairment in the keratoconus group was zero. Odds ratios of the family history of keratoconus (21.00, 95% CI: 9.00–48.00, p < 0.001) and LDL ≥ 110 mg/dL (3.00, 95% CI: 1.20–6.40, p = 0.01) were significant.ConclusionsKeratoconus is rare and is not considered a risk factor for visual impairment. A family history of keratoconus and elevated serum LDL levels are contributing risk factors, suggesting an inflammatory background for the disease. Serum levels of LDL ≥ 110 mg/dL in the blood increased the risk of keratoconus three folds.

Ophthalmological outcome of 6.5 years children treated for retinopathy of prematurity: a Swedish register study

AimsTo determine the ophthalmological outcome at 6.5 years of age in children treated for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and registered in the national Swedish National Register for ROP register.MethodsData on...

Impacts of regular consumption of grapes on macular pigment accumulation in Singapore older adults: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Oxidative stress is a key risk factor for visual impairment and consuming dietary antioxidant-rich foods may help in managing visual impairments. However, a limited number of studies have investigated the effect of dietary antioxidant-rich food including grapes on eye health in older adults. Objectives: To assess the effects on macular pigment accumulation of regular consumption of grapes in Singapore older adults. Methods: This was a 16 week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Thirty-four Singapore older adults were randomized into regularly consuming either 46 g day-1 of freeze-dried table grape powder (the intervention group) or the same amount of placebo powder (the control group). Macular pigment optical density (MPOD), skin carotenoid status, advanced glycation end product (AGEs) status and dietary lutein intake were assessed every 4 weeks, and plasma lutein concentration, total antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content were measured every 8 weeks. Results: A significant time effect (p = 0.007) was observed for MPOD, and this is largely attributed to the improvement in the MPOD for the intervention group, as a significant increase was observed only in this group (week 0: 0.56 ± 0.04 D.U.; week 16: 0.61 ± 0.04 D.U., p < 0.01). Additionally, a significant increase in plasma total antioxidant capacity (week 0: 0.26 ± 0.13 mM TEAC; week 16: 0.36 ± 0.20 mM TEAC, p < 0.01) and total phenolic content (week 0: 10.50 ± 0.44 mg L-1 GAE; week 16: 12.58 ± 0.55 mg L-1 GAE, p < 0.001) was observed for the intervention group only. In contrast, a significant increase in skin AGE status was observed in the control group (week 0: 2.47 ± 0.24; week 16: 2.99 ± 0.12, p < 0.05) while this was mitigated in the intervention group. There were no differences in dietary lutein intake, plasma lutein concentration and skin carotenoid status between groups throughout the study. Conclusions: Regular intake of grapes may improve eye health in Singapore older adults, specifically in augmenting MPOD, which can be explained by an increase in plasma total antioxidant capacity and phenolic content, and the downregulation of AGEs. This study was registered at clinicatrials.gov as NCT05064865.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Visual Impairment in Patients with Angioid Streaks and Macular Neovascularization

To estimate the incidence and risk factors of visual impairment and complications in eyes with macular neovascularization (MNV) because of angioid streaks (ASs). Longitudinal multicenter retrospective cohort study. Patients with AS-associated MNV treated with anti-VEGF agents and a follow-up of > 3 months. Clinical and MNV characteristics were collected at baseline. Visual acuity (VA) values and the presence of atrophy or fibrosis were collected at each visit. Rate of VA change over time and associated factors; the incidence rate of moderate-to-severe visual impairment (MSVI) and blindness and hazard ratio (HR) of candidate risk factors for MSVI; the incidence rate of fibrosis and macular atrophy. Overall, 84 eyes of 66 patients (39 men, 58%) with a mean (standard deviation) age of 55.7 (13.8) years were followed for a mean (standard deviation) of 67.7 (48.5) months. The median number of anti-VEGF doses per eye was 13. The average rate (95% confidence interval [CI]) of visual loss was+0.04 (0.02-0.06) logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution/year (P < 0.001); the visual loss was faster in nonnaive eyes (P= 0.007) and those with better baseline VA (P < 0.001); it was slower in eyes with pattern dystrophy-like features (P= 0.04). The incidence rates (95% CI) of MSVI and blindness were 10.4 (6.88-15)/100-eye-years and 2.33 (1.12-4.29)/100-eye-years. A higher number of injections (HR [95% CI]= 0.45 [0.19-0.94] for receiving ≥ 13 injections vs. < 13; P= 0.03) was protective against MSVI. The incidence rates (95% CI) of fibrosis and macular atrophy were 24.1 (17.5-32.3)/100-eye-years and 14.3 (10.1-19.6)/100-eye-years. Eyes with MNV-related AS had a high rate of visual impairment and propensity to macular fibrosis and atrophy. A higher number of injections yielded better chances of maintaining good VA, suggesting the need for intensive treatment. Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Dementia and risk of visual impairment in Chinese older adults

We had previously identified visual impairment increasing risk of incident dementia. While a bi-directional vision-cognition association has subsequently been proposed, no study has specifically examined the longitudinal association between dementia and incidence of clinically defined visual impairment. In this territory-wide community cohort study of 10,806 visually unimpaired older adults, we examined their visual acuity annually for 6 years and tested if dementia at baseline was independently associated with higher risk of incident visual impairment (LogMAR ≥ 0.50 in the better eye despite best correction, which is equivalent to moderate visual impairment according to the World Health Organization definition). By the end of Year 6, a total of 3151 (29.2%) participants developed visual impairment. However, we did not find baseline dementia associating with higher risk of incident visual impairment, after controlling for baseline visual acuity, cataract, glaucoma, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, heart diseases, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, depression, hearing and physical impairments, physical, intellectual and social activities, diet, smoking, age, sex, educational level, and socioeconomic status. Among different covariables, baseline visual acuity appears to be more important than dementia in contributing to the development of visual impairment. Our present findings highlight the need for re-evaluating whether dementia is indeed a risk factor for visual impairment.

Prevalence and associated factors of visual impairment among adult diabetic patients visiting Adare General Hospital, Hawassa, South Ethiopia, 2022.

The increased prevalence of visual impairment among diabetic patients has become a major public health problem. However, there was limited information on the extent of visual impairment among diabetic patients in our country, and there was no study in the study area. Providing updated data regarding this area is critical for the prevention of visual impairment among diabetic patients. The study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of visual impairment among adult diabetic patients visiting Adare General Hospital, Hawassa, South Ethiopia, 2022. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on adult diabetic patients from May 30 to July 15, 2022, at Adare General Hospital, Hawassa, South Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling method was used to select 398 study participants. Data was collected through a face-to-face interview, a medical chart review, and an ocular examination. A binary logistic regression was performed to identify potential risk factors for visual impairment and their strength of association was expressed using an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval. Variables with a P-value of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. In this study, a total of 391 participants were involved, with a response rate of 98.2%. The prevalence of visual impairment was 28.6% (95% CI: 24.6-33.0). Age ≥ 60 years (AOR = 4.03, 95% CI: 1.72, 10.71), poor physical exercise (AOR = 3.26, 95% CI: 1.62, 6.53), poor glycemic control (AOR = 4.34, 95% CI: 2.26, 8.34), history of eye examination (AOR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.50, 5.76), duration of diabetes ≥ 9 years (AOR = 4.78, 95% CI: 2.11, 10.83) and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (AOR = 3.01, 95% CI: 1.21, 7.50) were positively associated with visual impairment. The study found a high prevalence of visual impairment among adult diabetic patients. Older age, longer duration of diabetes, poor physical exercise, poor glycemic control, history of eye examination, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy were significantly associated with visual impairment. Thus, regular physical activity, good control of glucose levels, and regular eye exams were recommended for all diabetic patients.

Prevalence, Cause, and Associated Factors of Visual Impairment Among Diabetic Patients at the Debre Tabor General Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

Introduction: Visual impairment is a major public health challenge for diabetics who have ocular comorbidities. In Ethiopia, data are lacking on the prevalence of visual impairment among diabetics as well as information on causes and predisposing factors. The current study was designed to assess the causes, risk factors, and levels of diabetes-related visual impairment within an Ethiopian population. Methods: The study enrolled a total of 296 diabetic patients at the Debre Tabor General Hospital (DTGH). Data were ascertained through face-to-face interview, from patients’ medical folder, and through comprehensive ocular health assessment. Descriptive and analytical statistics were performed. Result: Generally, the prevalence of visual impairment among adult diabetic patients was 39.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 33.8–45.6). Visual impairment was primarily due to diabetic retinopathy (44.4%), followed by refractive error (20.6%), cataract (13.9%), other ocular conditions (6.1%), and glaucoma (5.4%). Age &gt;45 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 7.8, 95% CI: 3.5–18), female gender (AOR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.4–7.7), low educational status (AOR = 8.1, 95% CI: 2.4–26.0), and longer span of diabetes (AOR = 3.7, 95% CI: 2.1–6.8) had a notable association with visual impairment among diabetic patients. Discussion: This study observed a high prevalence of visual impairment in diabetic patients. Diabetic retinopathy, refractive error, and cataract were the most common causes of visual impairment, followed by other ocular conditions and glaucoma. Older age, female gender, low educational status, and longer span of diabetes were important risk factors of visual impairment among diabetic patients. Implications for Practitioners: This result could alert health care professionals to inform their diabetic clients about the serious impacts of diabetes and the need for a regular eye check-up. Health care providers and policy makers should work to integrate the diabetic clinics into a general hospital with an eye care unit for an effective screening of diabetic eye disease and prevention of blindness.

Risk Factors for Legal Blindness in 77 Japanese Patients with Endogenous Endophthalmitis: A Multicenter Cohort Study from J-CREST

ABSTRACT Purpose We investigated potential predictive factors for visual prognosis in Japanese patients with endogenous endophthalmitis. Design Retrospective observational multicenter cohort study. Methods We examined the characteristics of 77 Japanese patients with endogenous endophthalmitis and performed statistical analyses of these real-world data. The primary endpoint was the identification of factors associated with visual prognosis. We examined differences between patients in the better vision and legal blindness groups at 12 weeks after treatment initiation. Results The five risk factors for visual impairment at 12 weeks after treatment initiation were presence of pressure injuries, severe clinical symptoms (presence of eye pain and ciliary injection), pathogen identification, and poor best-corrected visual acuity at baseline. Staphylococcus aureus and fungus were associated with a better visual impairment outcome. Conclusions Endogenous endophthalmitis remains a severe ocular infection; however, it can be managed with rapid treatments, as well as other advances in medical knowledge and technology.

Prevalence and risk factors for visual impairment among elderly patients attending the eye clinic at Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda: a cross-sectional study.

The elderly have an increased risk of developing visual impairment (VI). Due to the increase in life expectancy of individuals in Sub-Saharan Africa, the population of the elderly is projected to increase. It is thus postulated that the prevalence of VI will increase which is currently unknown in Uganda. To determine the prevalence and risk factors for VI among the elderly at Mulago National Referral Hospital eye clinic in Uganda. This was a cross-sectional study carried out in 2020 with consecutive enrolment of patients aged 60 years and above. Obtaining history was followed by systemic and ocular examination. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with VI. Of 346 elderly participants examined, 174 (50.3%) were males and median age was 67 (IQR 63-74). Prevalence of VI was 32.1%. Cataract was the leading cause of blindness 54.1%, followed by refractive error (21.6%), glaucoma (11.7%), and corneal opacities (5.4%). Age (adjusted Prevalence Ratio (aPR): 1.05, 95% CI (1.02, 1.06)), history of diabetes mellitus (aPR 1.46, 95%CI (1.04, 2.05)), history of hypertension (aPR 1.46, 95%CI (1.10, 1.93)), having completed primary level of education (aPR 0.74, 95%CI (0.55, 0.98)) and secondary level of education (aPR 0.47, 95%CI (0.30,0.73)), presence of a cataract at examination (aPR: 2.28, 95%CI (1.66, 3.13)) were statistically significantly associated with VI. In Mulago hospital, the prevalence of VI among the elderly is high with majority of the causes being correctable. We recommend that efforts towards early case identification of causes of VI among the elderly should be a priority.

Retrospective evaluation of ophthalmological and neurological outcomes for infants born before 24 weeks gestational age in a Swedish cohort

ObjectivesTo retrospectively evaluate ophthalmological and neurological outcomes in a Swedish cohort of infants born before 24 weeks gestational age (GA) and explore risk factors for visual impairment.SettingEye and paediatric clinics...

Prevalence, Causes, and Risk Factors of Visual Impairment in Emiratis and Non-Emiratis of Dubai: A Subnational Population-Based Cross-Sectional Survey.

Purpose To study the prevalence, causes, and risk factors of visual impairment (VI) among the Dubai Emiratis and non-Emiratis. Methods The survey was a population-based cross-sectional eye health study conducted 2019-2020. Cluster sampling was used to randomly select local (Emirati) and expatriate (non-Emirati) Dubai residents aged 40 years and older. Ocular examinations were conducted in selected eye clinics to determine the visual acuity (VA) and cause(s) of VI if any. Trained nurses, optometrists, and ophthalmologists did the examinations. VA was measured using ETDRS visual chart. The World Health Organization VI and blindness definitions and classifications for the cause(s) of VI were used. Results A total of 892 participants were included in the final analysis. The mean age [SD] was 52.09 [9.48] years, with 55.8% as males. Prevalence of presenting mild, moderate, and severe VI was 4.7% (2.94–7.11%), 1.8% (0.78–3.5%), and 0% for Emiratis, and 3.6% (2.06–5.76), 1.6% (0.63–3.21), and 0% for non-Emiratis, respectively. Four Emirati participants were blind, with a prevalence of 0.9% (0.25%–2.28%). Men had lower likelihood of VI than women (odds ratio [OR] (95% CI): 0.42 (0.24–0.77)) after adjustment for covariates. Diabetes (OR (95% CI): 1.91 (1.04–3.52)) was an independent risk factor for VI. Higher education level was associated with a lower likelihood of VI (OR (95% CI): 0.34 (0.13–0.89). Leading causes of VI among Emiratis were uncorrected refractive error (52%) and cataract (17.2%). Glaucoma, optic atrophy, and absent globe were the causes of blindness. Conclusions Prevalence of VI is comparably low with leading causes readily treatable. An effective strategy to improve spectacle correction and cataract services would reduce the VI burden.