Risk Of Strabismus Research Articles

Gestational age, maternal smoking, neurological lesion and retinopathy predict strabismus at age 5.5 in preterm children.

Prematurity is a risk factor for strabismus, but the roles of intermediate factors like retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and neurological lesions are less understood. We aimed to identify neonatal risk factors for strabismus at age 5.5 in preterm children. Data were extracted from the étude épidémiologique sur les petits âges gestationnels 2 cohort, a French prospective population-based study of preterm children born in 2011 with gestational age of 34 weeks or less. Strabismus was recorded during a medical interview at 5.5 years. Using a directed acyclic graph, intermediate and confounding factors were identified. Total and direct effects of gestational age on strabismus risk were analysed using generalised estimating equation. Among 2419 children assessed, 274 (52.6% male) presented strabismus at 5.5 years. The direct effect of gestational age remained significant after adjustment (p < 0.001). In the complete imputed model: maternal smoking during pregnancy (odds ratio, OR 1.8; 95% confident interval, 95% CI 1.3-2.6), neonatal severe cerebral lesions (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.8-4.6) and severe ROP (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.9-9.0) were independent risk factors. Special attention is needed regarding strabismus screening at age 5.5 in preterm children, even without severe cerebral lesions and ROP. Smoking cessation during pregnancy should be encouraged.

The Incidence of Strabismus After Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty in the United States.

To compare the incidence of strabismus after upper and lower blepharoplasty in the United States. Retrospective cohort study of adults (age ≥18 years) in the IRIS Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight) who underwent blepharoplasty between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2020. The primary outcome was the Kaplan-Meier estimated cumulative incidence of strabismus diagnosis and surgery within 3 years of blepharoplasty. Multivariable Cox regression was used to determine the association of blepharoplasty type with strabismus diagnosis and surgery, adjusting for patient age, sex, and geographic region. Blepharoplasty was performed in 368,623 patients (median [interquartile range] age, 69 [63-75] years, and 69% female). Compared with those undergoing upper eyelid blepharoplasty, patients treated with lower eyelid blepharoplasty were slightly younger (median age, 66 vs. 69 years; p < 0.001) and more likely to be female (71% vs. 69%; p < 0.001). There was a greater 3-year incidence of strabismus diagnosis (2.0% vs. 1.5%; p < 0.001) and a greater 3-year incidence of strabismus surgery (0.15% vs. 0.06%; p = 0.003) for individuals undergoing lower vs. upper blepharoplasty. After adjusting for age, sex, and geographic region, lower blepharoplasty was associated with a higher 3-year risk of strabismus diagnosis (HR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.23-1.81; p < 0.001) and surgery (HR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.27-5.03; p = 0.008). This registry-based analysis found that individuals undergoing lower eyelid blepharoplasty were at higher risk of strabismus compared with those undergoing upper eyelid blepharoplasty. Using large databases to understand the incidence of complications of frequently performed procedures may improve ophthalmologists' ability to provide data-driven counseling on surgical risks prior to intervention.

Prevalence of strabismus in premature infants in an age-related perspective.

was to investigate the prevalence of strabismus in premature infants; to identify diagnostic indicators for predicting strabismus at the age of 3-8 years. The material was the data of 84 premature infants who underwent ophthalmological examination at the age of 6 months - 3 years and again - at 3-8 years. All children underwent ophthalmic examination for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in infancy. An increase in the frequency of strabismus occurrence among preterm infants was observed in 3-8 years compared to the data from 6 months - 3 years - from 13.3% to 20.0% in children without ROP, from 5.9% to 23.5% in children with self-resolving ROP, from 22.7% to 45.5% in children with ROP after laser retinal photocoagulation. The presence of strabismus and structural changes of eye at ages 6 months - 3 years increase the risk of strabismus at ages 3-8 years, OR = 6.5 (95% CI 3.8-11.3), (p < 0.001); OR = 4.2 (95% CI 2.8-6.2), (p = 0.005). The increase in the risk of developing strabismus at ages 3-8 years is associated with the presence of anisometropia, (p = 0.047), amblyopia, (p < 0.05). Children with higher visual acuity at ages 3-8 years have a decreased risk of strabismus, (p < 0.05). The frequency of strabismus occurrence among preterm infants has increased by ages 3-8 years. Strabismus, structural changes of eye at ages 6 months - 3 years increases the risk of strabismus at ages 3-8 years. Anisometropia and amblyopia increase in the risk of strabismus, higher visual acuity decreases risk of strabismus.

Vision outcomes in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Previous studies demonstrated that children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are more likely to have vision impairments. However, existing human clinical and epidemiological investigations are few and include limited sample sizes. This study aimed to explore the association between ophthalmologic abnormalities and FASD in a sample of 5-7 year old children in the general population. This was a cross-sectional study nested in a larger study intended to estimate the prevalence of FASD in San Diego, California, conducted between 2012 and 2014. Prenatal exposure to alcohol, dysmorphology examinations, and a neurobehavioral testing battery were collected for each child and an FASD diagnosis was assigned. Parents of participating children were asked to release their child's vision screening or diagnostic records. Vision records were obtained for 424 participants in the larger prevalence study. Of these, 53 children were classified as having FASD. A statistically significant association was found between FASD and a diagnosis of strabismus; 5/42 (11.9%) of children who were classified as having FASD had strabismus compared to 6/290 (2.1%) of children who were not classified as having FASD (p = .01). All five cases of strabismus in the FASD group occurred in 19 children classified as having partial fetal alcohol syndrome (pFAS). No association was found between FASD and vision impairment (p = .23), refractive errors (p = .66), glasses/contact lens prescription (p = .30), or having one or more ophthalmological abnormalities (p = .97). An association between strabismus and FASD, specifically partial FAS, suggests that the effect of alcohol exposure on risk of strabismus must be severe enough to result in facial features consistent with FASD. This emphasizes the importance of vision screening in children with FASD.

Early childhood eye diseases and perinatal risk factors: potential of record linkage between current information flows.

The aim of this study was to analyze the occurrence of specific maternal, obstetric or neonatal factors, by performing a comparison between children with refractive error, strabismus and/or amblyopia (cases) and unaffected children (controls) in the province of Trento (North-East Italy). In 2012-2014, 14,346 children attending the second year of nursery school were assessed through the preschool orthoptic screening scheme (covering 91% of the preschool population). Record linkage was performed between the orthoptic screening database and birth records (birth confirmation certificate database) for the corresponding birth cohorts (2008-2010), to examine specific maternal factors (age, smoking, nationality/race), obstetric factors (type of delivery) and neonatal factors (gestational age, weight at birth, Apgar Score, congenital birth defects, hospitalization at birth). The correlations were investigated using univariate and multivariate analysis in accordance with the logistic regression method. During orthoptic screening, 6.4% of children were found to have at least one refractive error, with astigmatism being the most common condition (5.1%). 1.9% of children were found to have strabismus and 1.8% amblyopia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of developing a refractive error is associated with: maternal age ≥45 years, foreign nationality, vacuum-assisted delivery and neonatal weight <1500 grams. An excessive risk of strabismus was observed in children whose mother had smoked during pregnancy (adjusted OR=1.64). Preschool orthoptic screening is a well-consolidated practice in the province of Trento, with adhesion values consistently over 90%. Studies of this type show the potential of record linkage between current information flows.

Nonrefractive vision screening with two binocular video games and birefringent scanning

Three recent non-refractive devices target sensory and/or strabismus risk factors for amblyopia. Both EyeSwift with eye tracking (Nova-Sight, Israel) and PDI Check on autostereoscopic Nintendo 3DS (Anchorage) are video games estimating acuity, binocularity and color. The Rebion blinq (Boston) assesses foveation by birefringence.

Contributed Session I: The effect of spherical defocus on vergence and diplopia in adults and children

Anisometropic children (with unequal refractive error in the two eyes) are at risk for strabismus or amblyopia. We simulated unilateral and bilateral spherical defocus to clarify the link between anisometropia, vergence eye movements and the perception of single vision. Adults (N=20, 15-51 yrs) and typically developing children (N=9, 5-8 yrs) viewed a dichoptic cartoon character presented in the fixation plane. Step changes in disparity of between 0 and 8 deg were introduced for 320 ms, followed by a blank screen. Vergence responses were recorded with an Eyelink 1000 and subjects reported whether they perceived a single (fused) or double (diplopic) character. Spherical defocus from 0.5 to 4D was applied to one or both eyes' stimuli using convolution of the point spread function for the subject's pupil size. Open loop vergence amplitude was used to estimate the reflex response (without feedback). For no defocus, open loop vergence peaked at +/-2 deg disparity with amplitudes of 0.29 deg convergence and -0.44 deg divergence for adults, and 0.56 deg and -0.46 deg for children. Bilateral defocus had no effect on this reflex response; however, 4D unilateral defocus significantly reduced vergence amplitudes in both age groups with no corresponding change in diplopia thresholds. Our results confirm that anisometropic blur is particularly disruptive to reflex vergence responses, which could limit the accurate realignment of the eyes and lead to atypical binocular development.

Pediatric Non-Refractive Vision Screening with EyeSwift, PDI Check and Blinq: Non-Refractive Vision Screening with Two Binocular Video Games and Birefringent Scanning.

BackgroundThe purpose of this paper is to validate three recent non-refractive devices that target sensory and/or strabismus risk factors for amblyopia. EyeSwift® with eye tracking and PDI Check on autostereoscopic Nintendo 3DS are video games that estimate acuity, binocularity and color. The Rebion blinq assesses foveation by birefringence.MethodsStudents were consented to be screened by each device as if by a school nurse before confirmatory examination with optimized, refined refraction. Results were compared with correlation and Bland Altman plots while screening ability was compared with 2021 AAPOS Guidelines and the strabismus-amblyopia rubric proposed by David Hunter.ResultsA total of 77 ethnically diverse students, aged 11±4 (4–19) years had a 77% prevalence of 2021 risk factors. Near visual acuity, inter-eye difference and stereopsis correlated significantly (p<0.01) for the EyeSwift® (r2 0.14, 0.06 and 0.45) and PDI Check (r2 0.23, 0.22 and 0.32). The sensitivity/specificity to target 2021-AAPOS: Hunter-rubric for EyeSwift® was 82%/56%: 74%/62%, for PDI Check was 75/64%: 69%/69% and for blinq 75/48%: 82%/39%. Sensitivity/specificity for the seven color-deficient students was 86%/84% for EyeSwift® and 100%/81% for PDI Check. Screening time was 96±19 s for PDI Check and 375±102 s for EyeSwift but less than 25 s for blinq.ConclusionReliable near visual acuity, stereo and color testing were obtained from the two binocular and touch screen devices often with minimal coaching of the student. The blinq rapidly gives an estimate of whether both eyes are steadily fixing, and the ProVersion predicted 100% which eye is deviated or amblyopic. Non-refractive validation metrics were beneficial.

The level of prevalence and risk factors of strabismus among children and adolescents, depending on the type of settlements in the Ganja-Gazakh economic district (Azerbaijan)

BACKGROUND: Strabismus as a pathological condition complicating the visual function and affecting the behavioral functions of children is often in the center of attention of numerous studies. The presence of regional differences in the strabismus prevalence makes this problem a relevant to study issue in the regions of Azerbaijan.&#x0D; AIM: To assess the prevalence rate of strabismus among children depending on the settlement type.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective observation of a sample of children aged 519 years was carried out; the sample size was determined taking into account the size of the margin of sampling error less than 5%. 300 children at the age 59, 1014, 1519 years (150 boys and 150 girls) in a large town (Ganja) and rural settlements of Ganja-Gazakh region (2700 children in total) have been observed. In all children, an ophthalmologic examination was performed by specialists of the mobile team of the National Ophthalmological Center named after academician Z. Aliyeva.&#x0D; RESULTS: Strabismus was found in children aged 5-19 years in 4.6 0.7% of cases in a large town and in 2.7 0.5% of cases in rural settlements. Significant differences of prevalence rate of strabismus by age and gender were not confirmed.&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS: In the region, the incidence of strabismus among children aged 519 years was 3.8 0.4%. In a large town, the risk of strabismus among children is high. In children with strabismus, refractive errors and perinatal conditions (prematurity) are often found.

Botulinum toxin type A for facial wrinkles.

Botulinum toxin type A for facial wrinkles.

Ocular disorders in children exposed in utero to buprenorphine

ABSTRACT Objective: The national prevalence of pregnant women with opioid use disorder (OUD) increased from 1.5 per 1,000 delivery hospitalizations in 1999 to 6.5 in 2014. Relatively little is known about post infancy outcomes in children exposed to buprenorphine during pregnancy. The objective of this study was to determine the presence of strabismus and reduced visual acuity in children exposed to buprenorphine during pregnancy. Methods: Retrospective matched cohort study of 153 exposed infants and 153 unexposed infants matched on demographic characteristics. Results: Exploratory modeling found exposure to buprenorphine during pregnancy (OR = 3.54; 95% CI: (1.26, 9.94); p < .02), exposure to cigarettes during pregnancy (OR = 3.34; 95% CI: (1.09, 10.2); p < .04) and male gender (OR = 2.68; 95% CI: (1.01, 7.12); p < .05) were all associated with an increased risk of strabismus. Of the variables analyzed, only cigarette exposure was associated with an increased risk of reduced visual acuity (OR = 4.48; 95% CI: (1.50, 13.4); p < .01) and there was a dose-response relationship. Conclusions: While further study is needed, pediatric providers caring for infants born exposed to buprenorphine and/or maternal smoking during pregnancy should closely follow eye health of children in their early years and be aware that the presentation of strabismus may be subtle.

A One-Step, Streamlined Children's Vision Screening Solution Based on Smartphone Imaging for Resource-Limited Areas: Design and Preliminary Field Evaluation.

BackgroundYoung children’s vision screening, as part of a preventative health care service, produces great value for developing regions. Besides yielding a high return on investment from forestalling surgeries using a low-cost intervention at a young age, it improves school performance and thus boosts future labor force quality. Leveraging low-skilled health care workers with smartphones and automated diagnosis to offer such programs can be a scalable model in resource-limited areas.ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop and evaluate an effective, efficient, and comprehensive vision screening solution for school children in resource-limited areas. First, such an exam would need to cover the major risk factors of amblyopia and myopia, 2 major sources of vision impairment effectively preventable at a young age. Second, the solution must be integrated with digital patient record-keeping for long-term monitoring and popular statistical analysis. Last, it should utilize low-skilled technicians and only low-cost tools that are available in a typical school in developing regions, without compromising quality or efficiency.MethodsA workflow for the screening program was designed and a smartphone app was developed to implement it. In the standardized screening procedure, a young child went through the smartphone-based photoscreening in a dark room. The child held a smartphone in front of their forehead, displaying pre-entered personal information as a quick response code that duplexed as a reference of scale. In one 10-second procedure, the child’s personal information and interpupillary distance, relative visual axis alignment, and refractive error ranges were measured and analyzed automatically using image processing and artificial intelligence algorithms. The child’s risk for strabismus, myopia, and anisometropia was then derived and consultation given.ResultsA preliminary evaluation of the solution was conducted alongside yearly physical exams in Luoyang, Henan, People’s Republic of China. It covered 20 students with suspected strabismus and 80 randomly selected students, aged evenly between 8 and 10. Each examinee took about 1 minute, and a streamlined workflow allowed 3 exams to run in parallel. The 1-shot and 2-shot measurement success rates were 87% and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of strabismus detection were 0.80 and 0.98, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of myopia detection were 0.83 and 1.00, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of anisometropia detection were 0.80 and 1.00, respectively.ConclusionsThe proposed vision screening program is effective, efficient, and scalable. Compared with previously published studies on utilizing a smartphone for an automated Hirschberg test and photorefraction screening, this comprehensive solution is optimized for practicality and robustness, and is thus better ready-to-deploy. Our evaluation validated the achievement of the program’s design specifications.

Spectacle correction versus no spectacles for prevention of strabismus in hyperopic children.

Hyperopia in infancy requires accommodative effort to bring images into focus. Prolonged accommodative effort has been associated with an increased risk of strabismus. Strabismus may result in asthenopia and intermittent diplopia, and makes near work tasks difficult to complete. Spectacles to correct hyperopic refractive error is believed to prevent the development of strabismus. To assess the effectiveness of prescription spectacles compared with no intervention for the prevention of strabismus in infants and children with hyperopia. We searched CENTRAL (2018, Issue 12; which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register); Ovid MEDLINE; Embase.com; three other databases; and two trial registries. We used no date or language restrictions in the electronic search for trials. We last searched the electronic databases on 4 December 2018. We included randomized controlled trials and quasi-randomized trials investigating spectacle intervention or no treatment for children with hyperopia. We required hyperopia to be at least greater than +2.00 diopters (D). We used standard Cochrane methodological procedures. The primary outcome was the proportion of children with manifest strabismus, as defined by study investigators. Other outcomes included the amblyopia, stereoacuity, and the effect of spectacle use of strabismus and visual acuity. We also collected information on change in refractive error as a measurement of the interference of emmetropization. We identified four randomized controlled trials (985 children enrolled who were aged six months to less than 36 months) in this review. Three trials were in the UK with follow-up periods ranging from one to 3.5 years and one in the US with three years' follow-up. Investigators reported both incidence and final status regarding strabismus. Evidence of the incidence of strabismus, measured in 804 children over three to four years in four trials was uncertain although suggestive of a benefit with spectacle use (risk ratio (RR) 0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.41 to 1.02). We have very low confidence in these results due to high risk of bias, inconsistency, and imprecision. When assessed as the proportion of children with strabismus at the end of three years' follow-up, we found a similar level of evidence for an effect of spectacles on strabismus as reported in one study (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.31 to 3.25; 106 children). We have very low confidence in these results because of low sample size and risk of bias. One trial reported on the risk for developing amblyopia and inadequate stereoacuity after three years in 106 children. There was unclear evidence for a decreased risk of developing amblyopia (RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.93), and limited evidence for a benefit of spectacles for prevention of inadequate stereoacuity (RR 0.38, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.88). We have very low confidence in these findings due to imprecision and risk of bias. The risk of not developing emmetropization is unclear. One trial reported on the proportion of children not achieving emmetropization at three years' follow-up (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.18 to 3.19). One trial suggested spectacles impede emmetropization, and one trial reported no difference. These two trials could not be combined because the methods for assessing emmetropization were different. With the high risk of bias and inconsistency, the certainty of evidence for a risk for impeding or benefiting emmetropization is very low. Based on a meta-analysis of four trials (770 children), the risk of having visual acuity worse than 20/30 measured up to three years of age or at the end of three years of follow-up was uncertain for children with spectacle correction compared with those without correction (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.18; very low confidence due to risk of bias and imprecision). The effect of spectacle correction for prevention of strabismus is still unclear. In addition, the use of spectacle on the risk of visual acuity worse than 20/30, amblyopia,and inadequate emmetropization is also unclear. There may be a benefit on prevention of inadequate stereoacuity. However, these effects may have been chance findings or due to bias.

Is being small for gestational age a risk factor for strabismus and refractive errors at 3 years of age?

Visual problems, cerebral visual impairment, refractive errors and strabismus are commonly found in preterm infants in long-term follow-ups. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that lead to the development of amblyogenic risk factors, such as high refractive errors, anisometropia and strabismus, in the long-term evaluation of preterm infants. We retrospectively evaluated children who were screened for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and who had a 3rd year ophthalmologic examination. The impacts of sex, gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), BW for GA, being small for gestational age (SGA), being appropriate for gestational age (AGA), multiple pregnancies and the results of ROP screening on refractive errors and the development of strabismus were evaluated by logistic regression analysis. The SGA and AGA groups were compared in terms of refractive errors and presence of strabismus. Six hundred and eight children, including 317 (52.1%) males and 291 (47.9%) females, were included in the study. The mean GA was 31 ± 3 weeks (24-36), and the mean BW was 1505 ± 435 g (600-2460). The number of SGA-born children was 101 (16.6%). Manifest deviation was detected in 42 (5.6%) children, and optical correction was required in 101 (16.6%) children. Being an SGA infant and multiple pregnancies were risk factors for refractive errors requiring optical correction, and hyperopia (≥3.00 D) was found to be a risk factor for the development of strabismus in the multivariate regression analysis. Additionally, the SGA group was at high risk for strabismus, hyperopia, high astigmatism and the need for optical correction. We concluded that SGA seems to be associated with an increased risk of strabismus and a high refractive error. It should be taken into consideration during follow-up examinations of SGA infants.

A commonly occurring genetic variant within the NPLOC4\u2013TSPAN10\u2013PDE6G gene cluster is associated with the risk of strabismus

Strabismus refers to an abnormal alignment of the eyes leading to the loss of central binocular vision. Concomitant strabismus occurs when the angle of deviation is constant in all positions of gaze and often manifests in early childhood when it is considered to be a neurodevelopmental disorder of the visual system. As such, it is inherited as a complex genetic trait, affecting 2–4% of the population. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) for self-reported strabismus (1345 cases and 65,349 controls from UK Biobank) revealed a single genome-wide significant locus on chromosome 17q25. Approximately 20 variants across the NPLOC4–TSPAN10–PDE6G gene cluster and in almost perfect linkage disequilibrium (LD) were most strongly associated (lead variant: rs75078292, OR = 1.26, p = 2.24E−08). A recessive model provided a better fit to the data than an additive model. Association with strabismus was independent of refractive error, and the degree of association with strabismus was minimally attenuated after adjustment for amblyopia. The association with strabismus was replicated in an independent cohort of clinician-diagnosed children aged 7 years old (116 cases and 5084 controls; OR = 1.85, p = 0.009). The associated variants included 2 strong candidate causal variants predicted to have functional effects: rs6420484, which substitutes tyrosine for a conserved cysteine (C177Y) in the TSPAN10 gene, and a 4-bp deletion variant, rs397693108, predicted to cause a frameshift in TSPAN10. The population-attributable risk for the locus was approximately 8.4%, indicating an important role in conferring susceptibility to strabismus.

Risk factors for strabismus following glaucoma drainage device implantation for refractory childhood glaucoma

Strabismus is common in children after glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation, but the risk factors for postoperative strabismus remain speculative. The purpose of this study was to investigate possible risk factors for strabismus following GDD implantation for refractory childhood glaucoma. The medical records of consecutive patients who underwent GDD implantation for refractory childhood glaucoma at Duke Eye Center from 2005 to 2016 were reviewed retrospectively. Pre- and postoperative motility and alignment, best-corrected visual acuity, and demographic and surgical data were extracted from the record for analysis. A total of 81 patients (mean age, 7.9±4.8years) met inclusion criteria. The most common glaucoma type was glaucoma following cataract surgery (GFCS), and the most common GDD was a Baerveldt 250mm2 device. Before GDD surgery, 38 patients (47%) had documented strabismus. After GDD implantation, 25 (31%) had new or worsened strabismus, with vertical (16% of new/worsened), horizontal strabismus (exotropia, 48% of new/worsened; esotropia, 12% of new/worsened) and vertical and horizontal (24% of new/worsened) noted. New motility limitation occurred in 32 of 81 (40%) patients. Risk factors including age, type/location/number of GDD, revision, motility limitation, glaucoma type, asymmetric visual acuity, and visual impairment were not significantly associated with new or worsened post-GDD strabismus. Children with refractory childhood glaucoma are at high risk for strabismus, which increases after GDD implantation; this study identified no clear risk factors for new or worsened post-GDD strabismus.

Maternal smoking during pregnancy and the risk of strabismus in offspring: a meta-analysis.

The effect of maternal smoking during pregnancy on strabismus in offspring remains unclear. We conducted a meta-analysis to summarize epidemiological evidences on the association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and the risk of offspring strabismus. Eligible studies were searched from the PubMed, Ovid, Embase and CNKI databases up to May 2018. The qualities of included articles were assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the assessment scale recommended by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Odds ratios (ORs) corresponding with its 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled to estimate the effects of maternal cigarette smoking on the risk of offspring strabismus. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were performed to explore the potential sources of heterogeneity. The Begg's test and Egger's test were used to assess the publication bias. Eleven articles involving 4,833 patients with strabismus were included. The pooled OR showed that maternal smoking during pregnancy was significantly associated with strabismus in offspring (OR=1.46, 95% CI=1.32-1.60). Compared with less than 10 cigarettes per day (OR=1.17, 95% CI=1.06-1.29), maternal smoking 10 cigarettes or more per day during pregnancy significantly increased the risk of offspring strabismus (OR=1.79, 95% CI=1.39-2.31). The risk of developing esotropia and exotropia for smoking pregnant women, respectively, increased by 65% (OR=1.65, 95% CI=1.31-2.09 and OR=1.65, 95% CI=1.24-2.19) than those who did not smoke during pregnancy. Additionally, the increased risk of maternity smoking associated with offspring strabismus was stable across all subgroup analyses. Overall, maternal smoking during pregnancy was associated with a significantly increased risk of offspring strabismus and the result was persistent in subgroup analyses, suggesting the importance in changing smoking habit or smoking cessation for women who are pregnant or preparing to.

Prevalence of Strabismus Among Children With Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Disease With and Without Optic Pathway Glioma.

To evaluate the prevalence of strabismus in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) by comparing children with normal neuroimaging to those with optic pathway glioma. A retrospective data collection of all children with NF-1 with neuroimaging studies examined at a single medical center between 2000 and 2016. Of the 198 children with NF-1 reviewed, 109 (55%) were male, 121 (61%) had normal neuroimaging, and 77 (39%) had an optic pathway glioma. Mean age at presentation was 6.3 ± 4.7 years and mean follow-up was 4.8 ± 3.1 years. Strabismus was present in 29 (15%) children and was significantly more prevalent in children with NF-1 with optic pathway glioma (21 of 77 [27%]) than in those with normal neuroimaging (8 of 121 [7%], P < .001). Sensory strabismus was only found in children with optic pathway glioma, accounting for most cases (12 of 21 [57%]). A strong association between strabismus and optic pathway glioma is demonstrated by an odds ratio of 5.29 (P < .001). Children with NF-1 with optic pathway glioma have a 4.13 times higher relative risk of developing strabismus than children with NF-1 without it (P = .001). The direction of ocular misalignment in children with NF-1 with optic pathway glioma was not significantly different than that observed in children without optic pathway glioma (P = .197, Fisher's exact test). Only 5 (17%) children with NF-1 with strabismus (3 with optic pathway glioma) underwent corrective surgery to align their eyes. Optic pathway glioma in children with NF-1 is associated with an increased risk of strabismus that is often sensory. Although exotropia is the most common ocular misalignment associated with optic pathway glioma, the direction of strabismus cannot be used as an accurate predictor for its presence. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2019;56(1):19-22.].

Relationship between Ocular Deviation and Visual Function in Retinitis Pigmentosa

In retinitis pigmentosa (RP), peripheral visual-field loss starts in early stages, whereas central vision loss occurs in advanced stages. Sensory strabismus gradually occurs in RP. We investigated the relationship between ocular deviation and visual function and explored for sensory strabismus risk factors in 119 consecutive patients with RP at various stages. We assessed ocular deviation at far and near distances, that is the central visual field, using the mean deviation (MD) value and visual acuity (VA), and the residual binocular field area, using Goldmann perimetry (GP), in 33 patients. The horizontal ocular deviation at near distance was >10° in 30% patients and correlated with residual visual function. Although there was no effective cut-off value for central visual function, a cut-off residual GP area of 40 cm2 distinguished patients with a larger from those with a smaller horizontal ocular deviation at far distance (P = 0.04). Our findings suggest that visual function is negatively associated with ocular deviation in patients with RP and that the sensory strabismus risk is relatively high for patients with a binocular visual field <40 cm2. Thus, screening for ocular alignment may be necessary for patients with RP-associated severe vision loss as part of their comprehensive care.

Early childhood eye diseases and perinatal risk factors. Potential of record linkage between current information flows.

The aim of this study was to analyse the occurrence of specific maternal, obstetric or neonatal factors, by performing a comparison between children with refractive error, strabismus and/or amblyopia (cases) and unaffected children (controls) in the province of Trento (north-east Italy). In 2012-2014, 14,346 children attending the second year of nursery school were assessed through the pre-school orthoptic screening scheme (covering 91% of the pre-school population). Record linkage was performed between the orthoptic screening database and birth records (birth confirmation certificate database) for the corresponding birth cohorts (2008-2010), to examine specific maternal factors (age, smoking, nationality/race), obstetric factors (type of delivery) and neonatal factors (gestational age, weight at birth, Apgar score, congenital birth defects, hospitalisation at birth). The correlations were investigated using univariate and multivariate analysis in accordance with the logistic regression method. During orthoptic screening, 6.4% of children were found to have at least one refractive error, with astigmatism being the most common condition (5.1%). 1.9% of children were found to have strabismus and 1.8% amblyopia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of developing a refractive error is associated with: maternal age ≥45 years, foreign nationality, vacuum-assisted delivery and neonatal weight <1500 grams. An excessive risk of strabismus was observed in children whose mother had smoked during pregnancy (adjusted OR 1.64). Pre-school orthoptic screening is a well-consolidated practice in the province of Trento, with adhesion values consistently over 90%. Studies of this type show the potential of record linkage between current information flows.