Vision Impairment and Frailty Among Mexican American Older Adults: A Longitudinal Study.

We examined the relationship between vision impairment (VI) and new-onset frailty among non-frail Mexican American older adults (≥70 years) at baseline and determined the differential impact of VI on each frailty criteria. Data were from an 18-year prospective cohort from the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (1998/1999, N = 1072 to 2016, N = 175). Frailty was defined as ≥3 criteria: unintentional weight loss of >10 pounds, weakness, exhaustion, low physical activity, and slowness. VI was defined as difficulty in recognizing a friend at arm's length's away, across the room, or across the street. We found that participants with VI (near or distant) and distant VI had greater odds of frailty (near or distant VI, OR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.30-2.73 and distant VI, OR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.34-2.86, respectively) after controlling for covariates over time. Early screening (optimal management) of VI may prevent or delay onset of frailty among older Mexican Americans.

A Review of the Prevalence of Ophthalmologic Diseases in Native American Populations.

PURPOSE: Compared with the general population in North America, Native American/American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations experience a disparate prevalence of eye diseases. Visual impairment is a barrier to communication, interferes with academic and social success, and decreases overall quality of life. The prevalence of ocular pathology could serve as an indicator of health and social disparities. Therefore, the objective of this research was to perform a thorough review comparing the prevalence of common ophthalmological pathologies between AI/AN and non-AI/AN individuals in North America. DESIGN: Retrospective, cross-sectional study. METHODS: A total of 57 articles were retrieved and reviewed, and 14 met the criteria outlined for inclusion. These articles were retrieved from PubMed, MEDLINE, and ISI Web of Knowledge. Only studies that were peer reviewed in the last 25 years and reported on the prevalence of eye diseases in AI/AN compared with a non-AI/AN population met criteria. RESULTS: Rates of retinopathy, cataracts, visual impairment, and blindness were clearly higher for AI/AN compared with non-AI/AN counterparts. Although rates of macular degeneration and glaucoma were similar between AI/AN and non-AI/AN populations, the treatment rates were lower and associated with poorer outcomes in AI/AN individuals. CONCLUSIONS: There are considerable inequities in the prevalence and treatment rates of ophthalmologic conditions in AI/AN individuals. A likely explanation is the barrier of lack of access to adequate health and eye care. Because of substantial underinsurance and geographic variability, attention needs to be brought to expanding eye care access to AI/AN communities. The results are subject to the availability of appropriate technology, health literacy, and language.

The Effect of Self-Reported Visual Impairment and Sleep on Cognitive Decline: Results of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

BACKGROUND: Visual impairment could worsen sleep/wake disorders and cognitive decline. OBJECTIVE: To examine interrelations among self-reported visual impairment, sleep, and cognitive decline in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) Miami-site. METHOD: HCHS/SOL Miami-site participants ages 45-74 years (n = 665) at Visit-1, who returned for cognitive test 7-years later (SOL-INCA). Participants completed the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ), validated sleep questionnaires and test for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) at Visit-1. We obtained verbal episodic learning and memory, verbal fluency, processing speed, and executive functioning at Visit-1 and at SOL-INCA. Processing speed/executive functioning were added to SOL-INCA. We examined global cognition and change using a regression-based reliable change index, adjusting for the time lapse between Visit-1 and SOL-INCA. We used regression models to test whether 1) persons with OSA, self-reported sleep duration, insomnia, and sleepiness have an increased risk for visual impairment, 2a) visual impairment is associated with worse cognitive function and/or decline, and 2b) sleep disorders attenuate these associations. RESULT: Sleepiness (ß= 0.04; p < 0.01) and insomnia (ß= 0.04; p < 0.001) were cross-sectionally associated with visual impairment, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, behavioral factors, acculturation, and health conditions. Visual impairment was associated with lower global cognitive function at Visit-1 (ß= -0.16; p < 0.001) and on average 7-years later (ß= -0.18; p < 0.001). Visual impairment was also associated with a change in verbal fluency (ß= -0.17; p < 0.01). OSA, self-reported sleep duration, insomnia, and sleepiness did not attenuate any of the associations. CONCLUSION: Self-reported visual impairment was independently associated with worse cognitive function and decline.

Access to eye care and support services among adults from minority ethnic communities living with visual impairment in the United Kingdom.

Background: Despite an increased risk of certain eye conditions which can lead to visual impairment (V.I.), there is evidence of a greater delay to treatment-seeking among adults from minority ethnic communities (MEC). MEC adults may also be underrepresented on V.I. registers, within early intervention services, and among the beneficiaries of national V.I. charities. However, much of this evidence is outdated or anecdotal. Methods: This secondary analysis of V.I. Lives survey data explored use of eye health and support services and mobility aids among a matched control sample of 77 MEC and 77 adults aged 18 and over from white communities (WC). Participants were matched on age, gender, UK region and urban/rural setting. Additional subgroup analysis was conducted for Asian (n = 46) and black participants (n = 22). Results: There were no significant group differences in areas such as eye health service use, registration status, contact with charities, and level of practical support received. But MEC participants were significantly more likely than WC participants to have received direct payments from social services to cover their care needs, Χ2 (1, 154) = 8.27, p = 0.004, and to use apps on their mobile for mobility, Χ2 (1, 154) = 5.75, p = 0.017. In contrast, WC participants were significantly more likely to agree that they were getting the level of emotional support to get on with their life, U = 3,638, p = 0.010, to feel confident to ask their friends for support, U = 2,416, p = 0.040, and to have a guide dog for mobility, Χ2 (1, 154) = 3.62, p = 0.057, although the latter did not reach statistical significance. Within the MEC group, Asian participants were significantly more likely than black participants to use a long cane, Χ2 (1, 68) = 7.24, p = 0.007, but they were significantly less likely to agree that they had received the right level of support when they started to experience V.I., U = 236.5, p = 0.040. Conclusion: The preliminary findings suggests that there is scope to increase support provided by V.I. charities and the V.I. register, although, contrary to existing evidence, there were no statistically significant differences in eye health service use, registration status and use of wider support services. Further research is required to confirm these findings and explore reasons for differences.

Visual impairment and its correction among Pacific youth in Aotearoa: findings from the Pacific Islands Families Study.

AIM: Childhood visual impairment has a life-long impact that, with early access to eyecare, is largely avoidable. We aimed to understand visual impairment and its correction among Pacific youth in Aotearoa New Zealand. METHOD: The Pacific Islands Families Study is a birth cohort study that tracks an original sample of 1,398 Pacific children born at Middlemore Hospital (Auckland). This analysis focuses on assessed visual acuity (at 9- and 18-years, using 0.3logMAR or 6/12 as the cut-off for visual impairment) and participants' self-reports about accessing eyecare services. RESULTS: Less than a fifth of children (111/729, 15.2%) and teens (86/457, 18.8%) reported having sought eyecare. The percentage of participants with refractive correction was 3.6% (32/887) at 9-years and 14.3% (66/463) at 18-years. At 9-years, 1.9% of children (16/853) had visual impairment in one eye only, and 0.9% (8/853) had visual impairment impacting both eyes. By 18-years these values increased to 7.9% (36/456) and 4.2% (19/456), respectively. Among those with visual impairment, most children (15/24, 62.5%) and teens (32/55, 58.2%) reported they did not have refractive correction. CONCLUSION: Although prevalence of visual impairment is relatively low compared to non-Pacific youth, much of the reported impairment appears to be avoidable with improved eyecare.

High Rates of Uncorrected Vision Conditions among Schoolchildren in Rural Queensland, Australia.

SIGNIFICANCE: This study is the first to report high rates of uncorrected vision conditions among Australian secondary schoolchildren living in a rural area and to comment on the rate of eye examinations undertaken on Australian Indigenous children. Uncorrected vision problems that continue throughout the school years have significant implications for children's quality of life and education. PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of uncorrected vision conditions among Australian schoolchildren. METHODS: Participants included 280 students from rural primary and secondary schools (aged 4 to 18 years), of whom 40% identified as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent (Indigenous). All participants underwent an eye examination including measurements of monocular distance and near visual acuity, assessment of accommodative and vergence function, stereoacuity, color vision, and cycloplegic autorefraction. A parental questionnaire was used to determine whether the child had previously had his/her eyes examined. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of uncorrected vision conditions in this population was 35%. The odds of previously having had an eye examination were 2.3× higher for non-Indigenous compared with Indigenous children despite both groups exhibiting high rates of uncorrected vision conditions (Indigenous, 31 [29%]; non-Indigenous, 66 [40%]; χ21 = 3.24, P = .07). Of the children who had significant refractive error (Indigenous, 23 [21%]; non-Indigenous, 49 [30%]; χ21 = 2.70, P = .10), 82% were uncorrected, and only 39% of Indigenous children and 54% of non-Indigenous children had previously had an eye examination. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that high rates of uncorrected vision conditions are present among Australian primary and secondary schoolchildren from a rural area and highlight that Indigenous children are much less likely to have had an eye examination. Understanding factors that affect the rate of eye examinations and compliance with spectacle correction must be addressed given the potential impact of these vision conditions.

Do Black and Asian individuals wait longer for treatment? A survival analysis investigating the effect of ethnicity on time-to-clinic and time-to-treatment for diabetic eye disease.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: This study explored the impact of ethnicity on time-to-clinic, time-to-treatment and rates of vision loss in people referred to hospital with diabetic eye disease. METHODS: A survival analysis was performed on all referrals from an inner-city diabetic eye screening programme to a tertiary hospital eye service between 1 October 2013 and 31 December 2017. Exclusion criteria were failure to attend hospital, distance visual acuity in both eyes too low to quantify with the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letter chart and treatment received prior to referral. Demographic and screening grade data were collected at the point of referral. Small-area statistics and census data were used to calculate indices of multiple deprivation. The main outcome measures were time taken from the date of referral for an individual to achieve the following: (1) attend the first hospital clinic appointment; (2) receive the first macular laser, intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection or pan-retinal photocoagulation treatment, in either eye; and (3) lose at least ten ETDRS letters of distance visual acuity, in either eye. RESULTS: Of 2062 referrals, 1676 individuals were included. Mean age (± SD) was 57.6 ± 14.7 years, with 52% male sex and 86% with type 2 diabetes. The ethnicity profile was 52% Black, 30% White, 10% Asian and 9% mixed/other, with similar disease severity at the time of referral. Time-to-clinic was significantly longer for Asian people than for Black people (p = 0.03) or White people (p = 0.001). Time-to-treatment was significantly longer for Black people than for White people (p = 0.02). Social deprivation did not significantly influence time-to-treatment. There were no significant differences in the rates of vision loss between ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Black people wait longer for hospital eye treatment compared with their White counterparts. The reasons for this delay in treatment warrant further investigation.

Influence of Distance and Near Visual Impairment on Self-Reported Near Visual Functioning in a Multinational Study.

PURPOSE: To assess the influence of distance and near visual impairment on self-reported near visual functioning (VF) in a multinational study. DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Participants aged 35 years or older were selected randomly with cluster sampling at 7 sites: rural sites in Nepal (Kaski) and India (Madurai), a semirural site in China (Shunyi), semiurban sites in South Africa (Durban) and Niger (Dosso), and urban sites in the United States (Los Angeles) and China (Guangzhou). METHODS: Binocular presenting distance and near visual acuity (VA) were measured with a logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution tumbling E chart at 4 m and 40 cm, respectively. A 12-item near VF questionnaire interview was administered by trained local interviewers, with responses scored from 100 to 0 as visual disability increased. Multiple linear regression was used to investigate the association of age, gender, education, and VA with overall eyesight, difficulty with activities, and social functioning subscale scores. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual functioning subscale scores. RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 6851 questionnaire respondents. The VF subscale scores decreased significantly with worse distance and near VA, and even mildly impaired VA could result in reduced VF. Lower VF subscale scores were associated with older age at 4 sites, female gender at 3 sites, and greater education at 2 sites. The influence of near VA was greater than distance VA at 3 sites, and at 1 site, distance VA was more influential than near VA. With study site included in the regression modeling, lower scores for the overall eyesight subscale (compared with the Shunyi reference site) were found in Guangzhou, Kaski, and Durban; lower difficulty in activities scores were found in Kaski and Durban, but better scores were found in Guangzhou and Madurai; and social functioning scores were lower in Kaski, Durban, and Dosso. CONCLUSIONS: Along the entire VA spectrum, lower levels of distance and near VA led to significant reductions in VF subscale scores, with wide variation both within and between study sites. The impact of near vision on VF should receive greater emphasis with further investigation in various socioeconomic and cultural settings.

The Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR): Prevalence and Factors Associated With Vision Impairment in an Urban Population in Malaysia.

Low vision and blindness are major health issues affecting ageing population. This cross-sectional study aims to determine the prevalence of visual impairment (VI) in Petaling Jaya North, Petaling Jaya South, and Lembah Pantai using data from the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research. There were 1322 participants aged ≥55 years selected by random sampling from parliamentary electoral rolls. Visual acuity was assessed using the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution chart at 4 m distance. The overall population-adjusted prevalence of VI was 9.0%. The estimated prevalence of VI was highest in Malays followed by Indians and Chinese. Following adjustments for ethnic discrepancies in age, marital status, education level, gender and medical illness, the Malay ethnicity remained an independent association for VI. Education level was associated with Indian ethnicity. In conclusion, the Malay ethnicity and lower education level among Indian ethnicity were found to be associated with VI among the older population in Malaysia. The Malay ethnicity showed the highest prevalence of VI followed by Indians and Chinese.

Feasibility of using patient-reported outcome measures with visually impaired children/young people attending paediatric ophthalmology clinics.

OBJECTIVE: To explore feasibility of using child/young person patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) routinely in practice, using vision-specific instruments and paediatric ophthalmology as the exemplar. METHODS: Participants comprised patients aged 8-17 years, with visual impairment or low vision (visual acuity of the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) worse than 0.3 in the better eye), attending the Department of Ophthalmology at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK. All participants completed age-appropriate PROMs before attending their outpatient appointment. Half were randomly assigned to completion at home, with the choice of paper-and-pencil or electronic format. The other half were invited to complete PROMs during their hospital appointment, and randomly assigned to completion format. All participants completed a face-to-face survey exploring their attitudes and preferences. Analysis comprised survival analysis, and direct comparisons of proportions, with complementary qualitative data analysis. RESULTS: 93 patients participated. 48 (98%) completing PROMs at home chose the paper-and-pencil format. Completion at home took longer than at hospital (median=20, vs 14 min, p<0.001). Visual acuity was associated with completion time (p=0.007) and missing data (p=0.03). Overall, 52 (60%) reported a preference for completion at home but there was no clear preference for format (37 (43%) preferred either format). CONCLUSION: PROM completion at home ahead of hospital appointments may be preferable for collecting complete, high-quality datasets. Despite equipoise on preference for format, the majority of those completing at home chose the traditional paper-and-pencil format, despite impaired sight. These findings should inform implementation of child/young person PROMs into routine practice.

The prevalence and causes of visual impairment among ethnic Tujia adults in a rural community in China.

We aimed to investigate the prevalence and causes of visual impairment (VI) in an elderly Tujia ethnic rural population in Southwest China.From June 1 to December 31, 2018, a random cluster sampling survey was conducted among Tujia individuals aged 50 years or older in the rural areas of Qianjiang District County in Chongqing. The sampling design used village-based clusters of approximately equal size (1000 people). The sampling frame was composed of 110 clusters including 26,527 adults aged 50 years or older; 10 clusters (2556 adults) were randomly selected, and 2122 subjects were examined. Ophthalmologic examinations and questionnaires were administered to all the participants. Low vision and blindness were defined using best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and presenting visual acuity, according to The World Health Organization standard. The prevalence of VI was estimated, and causes of VI were identified.The participation rate was 83.0%. The prevalence of VI was 15.2% (BCVA 8.0%). In the study population, the prevalence of low vision and blindness increased with age (P < .05) and was higher among those with a low education level (P < .01). The majority of VI was attributed to cataracts (50.0%) and uncorrected refractive error (35.7%). With BCVA, cataract (79.3%) was the most common cause of VI, followed by age-related macular degeneration (10.7%).The main causes of VI in Tujia ethnic were cataracts and refractive errors. Both cataracts and refractive errors are curable eye diseases; thus, local health institutions need to adopt a more active eye care project as a strategy to prevent blindness.

Psychometric Properties of the Vietnamese Catquest-9 Short Form Questionnaire.

SIGNIFICANCE: The Catquest-9 Short Form (SF) has good psychometric properties but was not available in Vietnamese. This study provides the Vietnamese Catquest-9SF and evidence supporting for its use in hospital settings along with clinical assessment to evaluate visual function. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Vietnamese Catquest-9SF. METHODS: Literate patients with unilateral/bilateral cataract, without severe systemic and ocular comorbidities, aged 50+ years, and scheduled for first-eye surgery were screened and recruited at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City and Trung Vuong Hospital. Age, sex, and education were self-reported. The Catquest-9SF and the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire were used to assess vision-related quality of life (VRQOL). Best-corrected unilateral and bilateral log of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity was measured, as was best-corrected Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity. Rasch analysis was performed on the Vietnamese version of the Catquest-9SF. Criterion validity and convergent validity were also evaluated. RESULTS: Andrich thresholds and response categories on each Catquest-9SF item were ordered, indicating that patients were able to discriminate VRQOL levels. Person separation index and reliability were 2.51 and 0.86, respectively, indicating that the Catquest-9SF was able to distinguish between patients with low- and high-vision difficulties. The tool was unidimensional, with all items fitting well within the construct. There was no evidence of differential item functioning by sex, age group, or cataract status. The tool also showed criterion validity, correlating significantly with visual acuity in the better eye (r = -0.46), the worse eye (r = -0.39), and both eyes (r = -0.44), and with contrast sensitivity for the better eye (r = 0.41), the worse eye (r = 0.32), and both eyes (r = 0.39). A strong correlation between the Catquest-9SF and the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (r = 0.87) indicated convergent validity. CONCLUSIONS: The Vietnamese Catquest-9SF is valid and psychometrically robust for assessing VRQOL among cataract patients.

A Randomized Noninferiority Trial of Wearing Adjustable Glasses versus Standard and Ready-made Spectacles among Chinese Schoolchildren: Wearability and Evaluation of Adjustable Refraction III.

PURPOSE: To compare wear of standard, adjustable, and ready-made glasses among children. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, open-label, noninferiority trial. PARTICIPANTS: Students aged 11 to 16 years with presenting visual acuity (VA) ≤6/12 in both eyes, correctable to ≥6/7.5, subjective spherical equivalent refractive error (SER) ≤-1.0 diopters (D), astigmatism and anisometropia both <2.00 D, and no other ocular abnormalities. METHODS: Participants were randomly allocated (1:1:1) to standard glasses, ready-made glasses, or adjustable glasses based on self-refraction. We recorded glasses wear on twice-weekly covert evaluation by head teachers (primary outcome), self-reported and investigator-observed wear, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (not prespecified), children's satisfaction, and value attributed to glasses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Proportion of glasses wear on twice-weekly covert evaluation by head teachers over 2 months. RESULTS: Among 379 eligible participants, 127 were allocated to standard glasses (mean age, 13.7 years; standard deviation [SD], 1.0 years; 54.3% were male), 125 to ready-made (mean age, 13.6; SD, 0.83; 45.6%), and 127 to adjustable (mean age, 13.4 years; SD, 0.85; 54.3%). Mean wear proportion of adjustable glasses was significantly lower than for standard glasses (45% vs. 58%; P = 0.01), although the adjusted difference (90% confidence interval [CI], -19.0% to -3.0%) did not meet the prespecified inferiority threshold of 20%. Self-reported (90.2% vs. 84.8%, P = 0.64) and investigator-observed (44.1% vs. 33.9%, P = 0.89) wear did not differ between standard and adjustable glasses, nor did satisfaction with (P = 0.97) or value attributed to study glasses (P = 0.55) or increase in quality of life (5.53 [SD, 4.47] vs. 5.68 [SD, 4.34] on a 100-point scale, P > 0.30). Best-corrected visual acuity with adjustable glasses was better (P < 0.001) than with standard glasses. Change in power of study lenses at the end of the study (adjustable: 0.65 D, 95% CI, 0.52-0.79; standard, 0.01 D; 95% CI, -0.006 to 0.03, P < 0.001) was greater for adjustable glasses, although interobserver variation in power measurements may explain this. Lens scratches and frame damage were more common with adjustable glasses, whereas lens breakage was less common than for standard glasses. CONCLUSIONS: Proportion of wear was lower with adjustable glasses, although VA was better and measures of satisfaction and quality of life were not inferior to standard glasses.

Evaluation of Hydroxychloroquine Retinopathy Using Ultra-Widefield Fundus Autofluorescence: Peripheral Findings in the Retinopathy.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the application of ultra-widefield fundus autofluorescence (UWF-FAF) imaging in evaluating hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) retinopathy and to report peripheral autofluorescence findings in Asian patients with this condition. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Setting: institutional. PATIENT POPULATION: 58 eyes of 29 patients with HCQ retinopathy. OBSERVATION PROCEDURES: UWF-FAF imaging was performed, and the images were compared to conventional FAF images obtained using a confocal digital ophthalmoscope. The sensitivities of detecting retinopathy using the 2 modalities were compared. Peripheral autofluorescence findings in the eyes with HCQ retinopathy were assessed, and their association with the Humphrey visual field test results obtained using the 30-2 and full-field 120 (FF-120) protocols was analyzed. Main outcome measurements were abnormal FAF findings. RESULTS: In 41 of 58 eyes (70.7%) with HCQ retinopathy, abnormal FAF findings were noted in the retinal periphery outside the field of view of conventional FAF as hypoautofluorescent (23 eyes, 39.7%) and hyperautofluorescent (38 eyes, 65.5%) lesions. In 5 eyes (8.6%), differences were revealed between conventional FAF and UWF-FAF in detecting retinopathy. Most of the eyes with severe retinopathy showed the most extensive hypoautofluorescence in the nasal peripheral retina. The areas with abnormal FAF findings were significantly correlated with the number of unseen spots on FF-120 results and mean deviation and pattern standard deviation of the 30-2 test results (all P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral autofluorescence findings varied in eyes with HCQ retinopathy according to the severity of the retinopathy. The retinal findings with UWF-FAF were functionally correlated to visual field results. UWF-FAF may be useful for evaluating HCQ retinopathy, particularly in Asian patients.

Diabetic Retinopathy and the Cascade into Vision Loss.

Vision loss from diabetic retinopathy should be unnecessary for patients with access to diabetic retinopathy screening, yet it still occurs at high rates and in varied contexts. Precisely because vision loss is only one of many late-stage complications of diabetes, interfering with the management of diabetes and making self-care more difficult, Vision Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy (VTDR) is considered a "high stakes" diagnosis. Our mixed-methods research addressed the contexts of care and treatment seeking in a sample of people with VTDR using safety-net clinic services and eye specialist referrals. We point to conceptual weaknesses in the single disease framework of health care by diagnosis, and we use the framework of "cascades" to clarify why and how certain non-clinical factors come to bear on long-term experiences of complex chronic diseases.

Vision Testing Among Children Aged 3-5 Years in the United States, 2016-2017.

Childhood vision screenings may provide early detection of vision disorders and opportunities for subsequent treatment (1). The United States Preventive Service Task Force recommends that children aged 3-5 years receive a vision screening at least once to detect amblyopia (lazy eye), or its risk factors (2). This report examines the percentage of children aged 3-5 years who have ever had a vision test by selected characteristics using data from the vision supplement included in the 2016-2017 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).

Status of visual impairment among indigenous (Orang Asli) school children in Malaysia.

BACKGROUND: School children are considered a high-risk group for visual impairment because uncorrected refractive errors and problems such as amblyopia can seriously affect their learning abilities and their physical and mental development. There are many studies reporting the prevalence of refractive errors among school children of different ethnic groups in Malaysia, however, studies concerning the prevalence of refractive errors among indigenous or Orang Asli children are very limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and causes of visual impairment among Orang Asli children. METHODS: One hundred ten Orang Asli children aged 7 to 12 years old in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia were selected. 51% of these children were boys while the remainders were girls. They underwent visual acuity test, cover test, Hirschberg's test, ocular external assessment and ophthalmoscopy. Children who failed the vision screening were then referred for further eye examination. RESULTS: Of these 110 Orang Asli children, 46 failed the vision screening and subsequently 45 of them were confirmed to have visual problems (40.9% of the total subjects). The main cause of visual impairment in this study was refractive error (34.5% of the total subjects) where the main refractive error found was hyperopia (28.2%) followed by amblyopia (2.7%), strabismus (1.8%) and ocular abnormalities (1.8%). CONCLUSION: Hence, vision screening and a comprehensive eye examination is very important and needs to be done on all Orang Asli children so that any visual problems can be detect at an early stage to avoid the development of learning difficulties among these already disadvantaged children.

Factors Associated with Visual Impairment in Chinese American Adults: The Chinese American Eye Study.

Purpose: To assess associations between multiple factors comprising a conceptual model of visual impairment (VI) in a population of Chinese Americans (CAs), and identify independent VI risk factors. Methods: A population-based study of 4582 CAs aged 50 years and older residing in Monterey Park, California. A comprehensive eye examination was performed. VI was defined as best-corrected visual acuity <20/40 (US definition) in the better-seeing eye. Results: Of five independent risk factors identified, age and self-reported history of ocular disease were most strongly associated with VI. Participants 70 years and older were 10.0 times as likely to have VI compared to those in their 50s (95% confidence interval (CI) 4.0-25.0), while those with a history of ocular disease were 4.2 times as likely to have VI (95% CI 2.2-7.8). Additional risk factors included low education (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.7-4.8), low acculturation (OR 5.9, 95% CI 2.0-17.3) and self-reported history of diabetes (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2-3.2). A comparison to data previously described from the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study indicated that four of the factors that predict VI risk in CAs also represent clinically relevant risk factors for VI in Latinos. Conclusions: Screening programs for individuals with advanced age and a history of ocular disease have the potential to reduce the burden of VI in CAs, as do educational programs for those with fewer years in school, a history of diabetes, and low acculturation.

Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography in Detecting Sub-Clinical Retinal Findings in Asian Indian Children with Down Syndrome.

Purpose: Trisomy 21, also known as Down syndrome (DS), is the most common trisomy worldwide. Although ocular associations have been reported, retinal anatomy and pathology remain uninvestigated. We evaluate the role of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in analyzing foveal morphology of children with DS. Methods: Nineteen consecutive DS children and eight controls were enrolled under a cross-sectional study in an institutional practice. All subjects underwent SD-OCT imaging on a hand-held device. The morphology and thickness of central fovea, inner retinal layers, outer retina, and photoreceptor layers were measured and compared with age-group sub-analysis. Results: Mean age of the cases was 24 months (3-78 months). All cases and controls had a normal fundus on ophthalmoscopy and foveal thickness was comparable (p = 0.718). Inner retinal fusion was complete in the foveal center in only three eyes (15.8%) of cases compared to all eyes (100%) of controls (p < 0.001). The outer plexiform layer was normal in 10 eyes of cases (52.6%) compared to all eyes (100%) of the controls. Only 10 eyes of DS (52.6%) had a normal external limiting membrane, compared to all eyes of controls (100%, p = 0.01). The interdigitation zone (outer segment) was normal in one (5.3%) case compared to eight (67%) controls (p = 0.001). On subgroup analysis, in older cohorts, cases had a greater proportion of abnormal layers compared to controls. Visual acuity was found to be lower in cases when compared to controls, although not significant (p = 0.19). Conclusion: DS babies have abnormal foveal morphology and persistence of inner retinal layers. This may assist our understanding of their visual development.

Vision-related Quality of Life in Glaucoma Patients and its Correlations With Psychological Disturbances and Visual Function Indices.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the vision-related quality of life (VR-QoL) in glaucoma patients and its correlations with psychological disturbances and visual function components. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaires were administered to 428 Chinese glaucoma patients to evaluate their VR-QoL and anxiety and depression disorders, respectively. Sociodemographical and clinical factors were collected at the same time. Univariate analyses were used to investigate the associations between the variables and the VR-QoL. Multivariate linear regression analyses were used to identify the independent psychological and visual functional predictors of the VR-QoL. Standardized partial regression analyses were used to reveal the variables that mostly relevant to the VR-QoL. RESULTS: The composite score (mean±SD) was 71.88±14.44 for NEI VFQ-25 and 13.17±6.56 for HADS. Visual function indices, including best-corrected visual acuity and mean deviation of both eyes in addition to psychological symptoms including anxiety and depression were both correlated with VR-QoL significantly, even after adjusting for sociodemographical and clinical factors. Standardized partial regression analyses further suggested that psychological disorders, especially anxiety rather than visual function components, were mostly relevant to VR-QoL. CONCLUSIONS: Deterioration of vision impairment and visual field defects in addition to increased recognition of psychological disturbances reduce the VR-QoL of glaucoma patients significantly. Alleviating psychological symptoms, especially anxiety, perhaps have a greater influence on the improvement of VR-QoL.