Evaluation of the Amblyopia tracker app.

PURPOSE: The Amblyopia tracker app has been developed to be a tool for parents to monitor changes in vision at home during amblyopia treatment. The aims of this study were to evaluate the feasibility and repeatability of parents testing their children at home and to compare home test results to an assessment in clinic by an orthoptist. METHODS: Children (age < 18 years) with amblyopia (interocular acuity difference of ≥ 0.2logMAR) were recruited. Parents were asked to test their child with the app three times during a two week period followed by an online questionnaire about the usability. Participants also tested within 48 h of their appointment where the measurement was repeated by an orthoptist. RESULTS: Out of 277 potential participants contacted, 37 completed three home measurements, mean age 6.8 years (SD 2.94). Home tests comparisons were made between test two and three to ensure familiarity with the process. Paired t-tests showed no statistically significant difference for either eye or the interocular acuity difference (IAD). However, 29% had a difference in IAD of more than 0.1logMAR on repeated testing, with a maximum of 0.4logMAR difference in the IAD. Questionnaire responses from the parents who participated were predominantly positive with 97% of respondents saying they would use it if were available. Comparison of home and clinical measurements (n = 23, mean age 6.72 SD 2.60) showed no statistically significant differences for either eye or interocular acuity difference (paired t-test, p > 0.3 in all cases). CONCLUSION: Results show no statistically significant differences for the Amblyopia tracker app when used by parents at home on repeated testing, or between the home test by a parent and the test by a clinician. However, variability in the results does indicate that further improvements are required to ensure the results can be used as a reliable clinical tool.

Evaluating the Use of Contrast Sensitivity Tests By Orthoptists in the UK.

Introduction: The importance of the use of contrast sensitivity (CS) tests in orthoptic practice is well established. However, despite the clinical relevance the implementation within clinical care is known to be variable. There are no known studies that investigate the use of CS tests in Orthoptic clinics in the UK, therefore the aim of this study is to gather information from Orthoptists in the UK on their opinion of CS and use of CS testing in clinical practice, now and in the future. Methods: An online survey was distributed via JISC to the British and Irish Orthoptic Journal newsletter three times over a period of four weeks in June 2021 inviting practising orthoptists in the United Kingdom to complete. The questionnaire comprised of a series of questions regarding current use with free text responses for additional information. Results: There were 84 responses to the survey. The preferred test for adult and children testing is Pelli Robson with 50% reporting use of this test. 56% felt there is a need for a new CS test for young children, 12% said no and 32% were unsure. The highest percentage (57.1%) of participants were confident to some degree that their preferred test gave them useful clinical information. Conclusion: The result of the survey demonstrates the variability of CS testing currently in orthoptic practice in the UK. It also highlights the lack of currently available tests for children for CS testing, which may be addressed by the addition of the new Double Happy CS test.