Parent-provided photographs as an outcome measure for childhood chalazia.

PURPOSE: To determine whether smartphone photographs of children's eyelids are reliable for diagnosing the presence of chalazia. METHODS: In this prospective cross-sectional study, 60 participants, 7 months to 16.5 years of age, at four sites were enrolled; all participants had a chalazion measuring at least 2 mm on at least one eyelid based on an in-person clinical examination by a pediatric eye care professional. Smartphone photographs taken by the parent during the office visit were uploaded to the study website. A masked reader assessed each photograph for the presence or absence of chalazia; results were compared with the gold standard clinical examination results. Sensitivity and specificity for the presence of chalazion by eyelid were calculated. RESULTS: Photographs were available for 240 eyelids; 85 had at least one chalazion and 155 were without a chalazion based on clinical examination. The masked reader correctly classified 68 of 85 eyelids with at least one chalazion and 151 of 155 eyelids without chalazia for a sensitivity of 80% (95% CI, 72%-86%) and a specificity of 97% (95% CI, 94%-99%). Sensitivity improved to 89% for chalazia 5 mm or larger and 94% when superficially located within the eyelid. CONCLUSIONS: Parental smartphone photographs appear to be useful in assessing chalazia in children as an alternative to in-office follow-up examinations. These photographs may be a valuable outcome measure in future clinical trials of chalazia treatment, especially when assessing larger lesions.

AAPOS uniform guidelines for instrument-based pediatric vision screen validation 2021.

BACKGROUND: As instrument-based pediatric vision screening technology has evolved, the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) has developed uniform guidelines (2003, updated 2013) to inform the development of devices that can detect specified target levels of amblyopia risk factors (ARFs) and visually significant refractive error. Clinical experience with the established guidelines has revealed an apparent high level of over-referral for non-amblyopic, symmetric astigmatism, prompting the current revision. METHODS: The revised guidelines reflect the expert consensus of the AAPOS Vision Screening and Research Committees. RESULTS: For studies of automated screening devices, AAPOS in 2021 recommends that the gold-standard confirmatory comprehensive examination failure levels include anisometropia >1.25 D and hyperopia >4.0 D. Astigmatism >3.0 D in any meridian and myopia < -3 D should be detected in children <48 months, whereas astigmatism >1.75 D and myopia < -2 D should be detected after 48 months. Any media opacity >1 mm and manifest strabismus of >8Δ should also be identified. Along with performance in detecting ARFs and refractive error, validation studies should also report screening instrument performance with regard to presence or absence of amblyopia. Instrument receiver operating characteristic curves and Bland-Altman analysis are suggested to improve comparability of validation studies. CONCLUSIONS: Examination failure criteria have been simplified and the threshold for symmetric astigmatism raised compared to the 2013 guidelines, whereas the threshold for amblyogenic anisometropia has been decreased. After age 4 years, lower magnitudes of symmetric astigmatism and myopia are also targeted despite a low risk of amblyopia, because they can influence school performance and may warrant consideration of myopia prevention therapy.

Comparison of electronic versus conventional assessment methods in ophthalmology residents; a learner assessment scholarship study.

BACKGROUND: Assessment is a necessary part of training postgraduate medical residents. The implementation of methods located at the "shows how" level of Miller's pyramid is believed to be more effective than previous conventional tools. In this study, we quantitatively compared electronic and conventional methods in assessing ophthalmology residents. METHODS: In this retrospective study, eight different conventional methods of assessment including residents' attendance, logbook, scholarship and research skills, journal club, outpatient department participation, Multiple Choice Question (MCQ), Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), and professionalism/360-degree (as one complex) were used to assess 24 ophthalmology residents of all grades. Electronic media consisting of an online Patient Management Problem (e-PMP), and modified electronic OSCE (me-OSCE) tests performed 3 weeks later were also evaluated for each of the 24 residents. Quantitative analysis was then performed comparing the conventional and electronic assessment tools, statistically assessing the correlation between the two approaches. RESULTS: Twenty-four ophthalmology residents of different grades were included in this study. In the electronic assessment, average e-PMP scores (48.01 ± 12.40) were much lower than me-OSCE (65.34 ± 17.11). The total average electronic score was 56.67 ± 11.28, while the total average conventional score was 80.74 ± 5.99. Female and male residents' average scores in the electronic and conventional method were (59.15 ± 12.32 versus 83.01 ± 4.95) and (55.19 ± 10.77 versus 79.38 ± 6.29), respectively. The correlation between modified electronic OSCE and all conventional methods was not statistically significant (P-value >0.05). Correlation between e-PMP and six conventional methods, consisting of professionalism/360-degree assessment tool, logbook, research skills, Multiple Choice Questions, Outpatient department participation, and Journal club active participation was statistically significant (P-value < 0.05). The overall correlation between conventional and electronic methods was significant (P-value = 0.017). CONCLUSION: In this study, we conclude that electronic PMP can be used alongside all conventional tools, and overall, e-assessment methods could replace currently used conventional methods. Combined electronic PMP and me-OSCE can be used as a replacement for currently used gold-standard assessment methods, including 360-degree assessment.

Digital therapeutic improves visual acuity and encourages high adherence in amblyopic children in open-label pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of amblyopia therapy can be limited by poor adherence. Dichoptic therapies are a new approach, but recent trials have demonstrated difficulty maintaining high adherence over extended periods of at-home treatment. We evaluated the efficacy and adherence of Luminopia One-a dichoptic treatment that applies therapeutic modifications to streaming content chosen by the patient. METHODS: This single-arm, multicenter prospective pilot study enrolled children aged 4-12 with anisometropic, strabismic, or mixed amblyopia at 10 pediatric ophthalmic and optometric practices across the United States. The therapeutic was prescribed for 1 hour/day, 6 days/week for 12 weeks of at-home use. The primary endpoint was best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the 12-week follow-up visit. RESULTS: In total, 90 participants (mean age, 6.7 ± 2.0 years) were enrolled, and 73/90 participants (81%) had prior treatment beyond refractive correction. For those who completed the 12-week visit, mean amblyopic eye BCVA improved from 0.50 logMAR to 0.35 logMAR (1.5 logMAR lines; 95% CI, 1.2-1.8 lines; P < 0.0001). Mean stereoacuity improved by 0.28 log arcsec (95% CI, 0.14-0.42 log arcsec; P < 0.0001). Median adherence was 86% (interquartile range, 70%-97%). CONCLUSIONS: In our study cohort, adherence over the 12-week study period was high, and participants demonstrated clinically and statistically significant improvements in visual acuity and stereoacuity.

Pediatric posttraumatic orbital subperiosteal hematoma.

AIM: To report five children with posttraumatic orbital subperiosteal hematoma. METHODS: In this study, five cases with posttraumatic orbital subperiosteal hematoma were studied and reviewed along with similar cases in a systematic literature review. RESULTS: The mean age of our patients was 9.40 ± 3.51 years, ranging from 4 to 13 years, and all were male. Mechanisms of injuries were blunt trauma, falling from a building, car accident, and falling from a bicycle. All patients had unilateral involvement. Treatment options included needle aspiration, surgical drainage, and observation for spontaneous resolution. Except for one patient, positive outcomes were achieved. CONCLUSION: The most common location for posttraumatic orbital subperiosteal hematoma is the superior orbital wall. Traumatic optic neuropathy and permanent visual loss are uncommon. Observation, surgical drainage, and aspiration are common treatment options.

Evaluation of a smartphone photoscreening app to detect refractive amblyopia risk factors in children aged 1-6 years.

PURPOSE: To determine the specificity and sensitivity of a smartphone app (GoCheckKids [GCK] used as a photoscreening tool on the iPhone 7 to detect refractive amblyopia risk factors in children aged 1-6 years. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A prospective, multicenter, 10-month evaluation of children aged 1-6 years old who underwent photoscreening with the GCK app to detect amblyopia risk factors. The first acceptable quality photograph of each study subject was evaluated by trained technicians using GCK's proprietary automated image processing algorithm to analyze for amblyopia risk factors. Trained graders, masked to the cycloplegic clinical data, remotely reviewed photographs taken with the app and compared results to the gold standard pediatric ophthalmology examinations using the 2013 American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus amblyopia risk factor guidelines. Primary outcome was the ability of the GCK app to identify amblyopia risk factors compared to the cycloplegic refraction. RESULTS: There were 287 patient images analyzed. The overall sensitivity and specificity in detecting amblyopia risk factors were 76% and 85%, respectively using manual grading. The overall automated grading results had a sensitivity and sensitivity in detecting amblyopia risk factors of 65% and 83%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The GCK smartphone app is a viable photoscreening device for the detection of amblyopia risk factors in children aged 1-6 years.

Success rate of placement of a bicanalicular stent for partial nasolacrimal obstruction in adults under local, monitored anesthesia care and general anesthesia.

PURPOSE: To study The Kaneka Lacriflow Stent, a self-retaining bicanalicular intubation set that can be placed under local anesthetic, providing a new option to treat epiphora and partial NLDO. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SUBJECTS: 93 adult patients requiring treatment for a partial NLDO were evaluated. Stents were placed in office setting under local/topical anesthetic or in OR (MAC or GEN). The stent is placed with a stylet, and self-retains due to a widened portion sitting distal to the common canaliculis. It does not require recovery from the nose. METHODS: Outcomes analyzed to evaluate success of stent placement. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Success rate of placement of the stent in adults. RESULTS: Stents left in place for 3 months. Results recorded 1 month after removal. Stents successfully placed in 124 of 136 (91%) eyes. Under local anesthesia in the office setting, 83 of 92 (90%) were placed successfully. Records were complete in 59 patients (78 eyes) and were analyzed further. 33 patients (52 eyes) had stents retained for the full 90 days and had follow-up recorded one-month post removal. Of the patients who retained the stents for 90 days and had full follow-up, 32 patients (51 eyes, 98%) reported improvement in their symptoms, while 1 patient reported no improvement. CONCLUSION: Silicone intubation of the NLD in adults is rarely done due to need for general anesthesia. The Lacriflow stent can be successfully placed in the office under local anesthesia offering a new approach for tearing in adults.

Comparing Visual Acuity Measured by Lea Symbols and Patti Pics.

INTRODUCTION: There is little data validating most illiterate eye charts. Lea Symbols®, however, have been well validated in numerous studies. In this study, we compare the assessment of visual acuity employing both the Lea Symbol hanging wall Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS)-style chart and a similar Patti Pics® ETDRS-style chart in order to determine whether the two charts provide clinically similar data. METHODS: We tested the vision of the right eyes of fifty-two consecutive patients. Patients were cooperative children or adults between the ages of 3 and 88 years (mean 58 years). We alternated the order of the chart used first. Patients were also categorized by age and by visual acuity. RESULTS: The visual acuities measured by the two charts were equal for 83% of the measurements (forty-three eyes). In 8% of eyes (four eyes), the visual acuity measured with the Lea Symbols was one line better than that measured by the Patti Pics; in 9% of eyes (five eyes), the acuity from the Patti Pics chart measured one line better than the Lea Symbols. There was no difference in measurements for either adults or children or among patients with different visual acuities. CONCLUSION: We believe this study will serve to provide useful information when choosing an eye chart to assess visual acuity in a clinic setting. Patti Pics performed similarly to Lea Symbols in adults and children tested in a multi-specialty ophthalmology practice. We suspect that it would also perform similarly in the primary care and school settings.

Convergence insufficiency associated with migraine: a case series.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The appearance of convergence insufficiency in migraineurs suggests a possible link between migraine and convergence insufficiency. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Relevant patients reporting to our neuro-ophthalmology clinic complained of symptoms consistent with convergence insufficiency and had a history of migraine. Patients underwent thorough neuro-ophthalmic evaluations including history, physical exam, and cranial imaging. Four illustrative cases are presented in this report. RESULTS: Convergence insufficiency may develop after migraine. In some cases, it may be a persistent cause of reduced visual functioning. In patients with persistent asthenopia, orthoptic therapy has proven successful. CONCLUSIONS: A history of migraine should be sought in patients complaining of reading difficulties secondary to new onset convergence insufficiency. Furthermore, migraineurs should be asked about whether they suffer asthenopia. Finally, a larger scale, prospective study should be considered to further explore a possible link between migraine and convergence insufficiency.

Silent sinus syndrome presenting after a roller coaster ride: a case report.

This is a case presentation of a 39-year-old male who presents with silent sinus syndrome. He was initially diagnosed by a neuroophthalmologist, and at first, the patient's otolaryngologist disagreed. The patient had a significant reduction in his symptoms with surgical and orthoptic intervention.

Performance of the Spot vision screener for the detection of amblyopia risk factors in children.

PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy of the Spot photoscreener (Pediavision Holdings LLC Lake Mary, FL) in detecting amblyopia risk factors in children to the 2003 and 2013 referral criteria of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS). METHODS: The medical records of children 1-6 years of age who underwent vision screening at a single clinic from February 2012 through May 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Participants were screened with the Spot photoscreener on the same day as a pediatric ophthalmology examination. Visual acuity examination, ocular alignment testing, and cycloplegic refraction were performed that day or within the preceding 6 months for all included subjects by one pediatric ophthalmologist. Sensitivity and specificity of the Spot photoscreening results were compared to the 2003 and to the recently revised 2013 AAPOS referral criteria. RESULTS: A total of 151 children were included. The Spot had a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 74%. With the revised 2013 AAPOS referral criteria, the sensitivity was 87% and specificity was 74%. CONCLUSIONS: The Spot is a fully portable, automated tool for the detection of amblyopia risk factors in children. In this study cohort it was found to reliably detect amblyopia risk in children when compared to the 2003 and 2013 AAPOS referral criteria.

Comparison of SureSight autorefractor and plusoptiX A09 photoscreener for vision screening in rural Honduras.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the SureSight autorefractor and compare it to the plusoptiX A09 photoscreener in the detection of amblyopia risk factors in a cohort of Honduran children examined during medical mission work and to assess the utility of both devices in the rural setting. METHODS: The medical records of patients who had undergone SureSight autorefractor screening, plusoptiX photoscreening, and a gold standard pediatric ophthalmology examination, including cycloplegic refraction, during a recent medical mission trip to Honduras were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 216 children were examined. Of these, 9 (4%) were found to have amblyopia risk factors based on the current referral criteria of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus on ophthalmological examination. The plusoptiX was found to have 89% sensitivity and 80% specificity; the SureSight, using manufacturer's referral criteria, was found to have sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 71%. CONCLUSIONS: Both devices were found to be reliable vision screening devices when used on the general population of remote villages in Honduras, although the specificity of the plusoptiX A09 was higher.

Office probing for treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction in infants.

PURPOSE: To determine whether demographic or clinical factors are associated with the outcome of office-based nasolacrimal duct probing for the treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO). METHODS: In two multicenter prospective studies, 384 eyes of 304 children aged 6 to <15 months with NLDO underwent a nasolacrimal duct probing performed in the office using topical anesthesia. Treatment success, defined as no clinical signs of NLDO (epiphora, increased tear lake, or mucous discharge) and no reoperation, was assessed 1 month after probing in one study and 6 months after probing in the other study. Data from both studies were pooled to evaluate associations between baseline characteristics and treatment success. RESULTS: Office probing was successful in 75% of eyes overall (95% CI, 70%-80%). The procedure was less successful in eyes of children with bilateral NLDO compared with unilateral NLDO (63% vs 80%; relative risk = 0.78 [95% CI, 0.66-0.92]) and in eyes that had 2 or 3 clinical signs of NLDO compared with one (71% vs 83%; relative risk = 0.88 [95% CI, 0.81-0.96]). Treatment success did not appear to be related to age, specific clinical signs of NLDO, prior treatment, or research study. CONCLUSIONS: Performing nasolacrimal duct probing in the office successfully treats NLDO in the majority of cases in children aged 6 to <15 months. The success rate is lower with bilateral disease or when more than one clinical sign of NLDO is present.

Flip chart Visual Acuity Screening for Amblyopia Risk Factors Compared to the PlusoptiX A09 Photoscreener,Tests Performed by a Lay Screener.

IMPORTANCE: The gold standard of vision screening is considered acuity testing, this article will compare the gold standard against new technology to provide more choices for pediatric vision screening programs. OBJECTIVE: To determine the reliability of recognition visual acuity screening performed by a lay screener compared to the plusoptiX A09 photoscreener for the detection of amblyopia risk factors. DESIGN: One lay screener received basic training in how to test monocular visual acuity using the 10 foot Patti Pics single crowded chart and the plusoptiX A09 photoscreener. All children underwent a complete pediatric ophthalmology examination and cycloplegic refraction after screening and this examination was the standard against which the screening method was compared. Each patient received a pass or refer grade after either screening. For the Patti Pics screening, children were referred if they failed to reach threshold visual acuity of twenty forty in either eye; the plusoptiX determines if the child is a pass or refer based on pre-set referral criteria. SETTING: Pediatric ophthalmology clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Screening was performed on children ages 3 to 10 years. RESULTS: Seventy-one children were screened. Flip chart-screening was found to have a sensitivity of 83%, specificity of 44%, false positive rate of 56% and false negative rate of 17%. Those same metrics for the plusoptiX A09 were 94%, 89%, 11% and 6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The plusoptiX photoscreener was more sensitive and specific in making appropriate referrals for further care than flip chart-screening in this cohort of children age 3-10. The plusoptiX A09 photoscreener operated by a lay screener is a reliable method to screen for amblyopia risk factors. These finding have important implications for community based vision screening, and screening in the medical home.

Pupil size and anisocoria in children measured by the plusoptiX photoscreener.

PURPOSE: To investigate pupil size and the incidence of anisocoria in children at a single community-based practice using the plusoptiX A04 and A09 photoscreeners (plusoptiX GmbH, Nuremberg, Germany). METHODS: The medical records of consecutive patients <1 to 17 years of age who had received a comprehensive ophthalmological examination that included photoscreening with the plusoptiX were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected included sizes of both pupils, age, sex, laterality, and magnitude of anisocoria. RESULTS: A total of 1,306 patient records were reviewed. Of these, 1,057 (80.9%) had 0-0.4 mm of anisocoria; 219 (16.8%), 0.5-0.9 mm; 20 (1.5%), 1.0-1.4 mm; and 10 (0.8%), ≥1.5 mm. Magnitude of anisocoria appears to increase with age (P = 0.0073). Pupil size and age were positively correlated (P < 0.0001), that is, older children had larger pupils. Average pupil size of children <1 year of age was 5.0 mm; of children ≥16 years of age, 6.1 mm. When sorted into age buckets of 0-3, 4-7, 8-11, 12-15, and 16-17, this increase becomes apparent. There is no significant relationship between pupil size and sex (P = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: Our study of 1,306 children shows that pupil size increases through childhood, and that 19.1% of children in a clinical population have anisocoria >0.4 mm.

Part-time vs. full-time occlusion for amblyopia: evidence for part-time patching.

Amblyopia is characterized by a decreased uncorrectable visual acuity in a structurally normal eye. Occlusion therapy has been used for years to improve acuity, and, traditionally, practitioners have utilized full-time patching. This article will explore more recent research looking at using part-time patching in the treatment of amblyopia.

Incidence of amblyopia risk factors in children with nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Previously published research suggested that children with nasolacrimal duct obstruction and amblyopia risk factors on initial examination often develop clinical amblyopia. The present study reports the incidence of clinical amblyopia in children presenting with nasolacrimal duct obstruction but no amblyopia risk factors.

Nonsurgical treatment of neurologic diplopia.

The ocular motor pathways are complex and disorders of these pathways can be devastating for patients, in some cases leading to loss of employment and independence. Surgical intervention for these cases is not always warranted, possible, or even safe for some patients, and nonsurgical and orthoptic treatments can provide significant relief. This paper will discuss various treatment options, including eye exercises, prisms, optical manipulation, occlusion, and lifestyle changes.

Incidence of strabismus and amblyopia in preverbal children previously diagnosed with pseudoesotropia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We previously reported that 12% of children under age 3 diagnosed with pseudoesotropia without significant refractive error later developed strabismus or mild refractive amblyopia. Mohan and Sharma recently reported on fifty-one patients with pseudoesotropia and hyperopia and noted that esotropia developed in 53.9% of the children with >1.50 D of hypermetropia compared to 2.6% of those who had ≤1.50 D hypermetropia, implying a low risk of esotropia unless hyperopia was greater than 1.50 D on initial exam. We reviewed our data to see if we had similar findings in our patients. METHOD: Medical records between January 1, 2001, and February 26, 2010, were reviewed retrospectively. Three hundred ninety-four patients diagnosed with pseudoesotropia with an otherwise normal examination were reviewed, and 253 with follow-up were analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-six children were 36 months or older at initial presentation; none developed strabismus; 207 children were <36 months at initial presentation; twenty-two children (11%) were later found to have strabismus. Seventy-eight of these children had hyperopia > 1.50 D; eight children (10%) later developed strabismus. One hundred twenty-nine children had hyperopia ≤ 1.50 D, and fourteen (11%) developed strabismus. Our analysis showed an equal risk of strabismus developing in pseudoesotropia patients under age 3 with greater or less than 1.50 D of hyperopia. CONCLUSION: There is a significant risk of esotropia developing in children under three diagnosed with pseudoesotropia. Hyperopia less than 1.50 D, does not obviate the need for careful follow-up.