Reliability of Visual Field Testing in a Telehealth Setting Using a Head-Mounted Device: A Pilot Study.

PRCIS: Monitoring visual fields (VFs) through virtual reality devices proved to have good inter-test and test-retest reliability, as well as easy usability, when self-administered by individuals with and without VF defects in a remote setting. PURPOSE: To assess the reliability of remote, self-administered VF monitoring using a virtual reality VF (VRVF) device in individuals without ocular disease and with stable VF defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Individuals without ocular disease and with stable defects were recruited. All participants had a baseline standard automated perimetry (SAP) test. Participants tested remotely on a VRVF device for 4 weeks (examinations V 1 , V 2 , V 3 , and V 4 ), with the last 3 unassisted. The mean sensitivities of VRVF results were compared with each other and to SAP results for reliability. RESULTS: A total of 42 eyes from 21 participants were tested on the VRVF device. Participants tested consistently although external factors impacted outcomes. VRVF results were in reasonable agreement with the baseline SAP. Examinations performed by the cohort with stable defects evinced better agreement with SAP examinations (V2, P = 0.79; V3, P = 0.39; V4, P = 0.35) than those reported by the cohort without ocular disease (V2, P = 0.02; V3, P = 0.15; V4, P = 0.22), where the null hypothesis is that the instruments agree. Fixation losses were high and variable in VRVF examinations compared with those of SAP, particularly in certain test takers. Participants considered the device comfortable and easy to use. CONCLUSIONS: Self-administered, remote VF tests on a VRVF device showed satisfactory test-retest reliability, good inter-test agreement with SAP, and acceptability by its users. External factors may impact at-home testing and age and visual impairment may hinder fixation. Future studies to expand the sample size and understand inconsistencies in fixation losses are recommended.

The impact of childhood glaucoma on psychosocial functioning and quality of life: a review of the literature.

We present a novel comprehensive literature review of studies of the psychosocial functioning (PF) and quality of life (QoL) of patients with childhood glaucoma and their caregivers. Our findings demonstrate variable study quality and approach, as well as inconsistent results relating to the association of glaucoma-specific factors and sociodemographic variables with measured PF and QoL. Future studies should focus on the development of culturally cognizant and standardized assessment tools, execution of multi-center longitudinal studies with global representation, evaluation of PF and QoL among siblings and childhood glaucoma providers, and implementation of interventions to improve patient and caregiver PF and QoL.

Placement and Extension of Glaucoma Drainage Devices Using Polypropylene Suture in Pediatric Patients.

Glaucoma drainage device tube placement and extension in pediatric patients may be complicated by abnormal anterior segment anatomy and corneal opacities. The authors describe two techniques for placement and extension of non-valved glaucoma drainage device tubes using polypropylene suture as a guidewire and stabilizer, respectively. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2022;59(5):e62-e65.].

A Novel Technique for Anterior Segment Imaging Using B-scan Ultrasonography When Ultrasound Biomicroscopy Is Unavailable.

Ultrasound biomicroscopy offers high-resolution images of anterior segment anatomy, essential for determining surgical intervention in special circumstances, yet is sometimes unavailable. The authors describe a novel technique to obtain gross anterior segment visualization using a commonly available instrument, B-scan ultrasonography, and compare it to ultrasound biomicroscopy imaging from two pediatric cases. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2022;59(5):e58-e61.].