Comparison of visual outcomes between medical treatment alone and Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation in Shiba dogs with primary angle closure glaucoma.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate visual outcomes between medical treatment alone (MED) and Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation (AGVI) in Shiba dogs with primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG). PROCEDURES: Records of 65 Shiba dogs (104 eyes) with PACG were retrospectively reviewed. Vision was assessed qualitatively using both the menace response and maze testing. The significance of age, sex, intraocular pressure (IOP), and duration of clinical signs (≤72 h or >72 h) at first presentation (V1) was assessed. Eyes with vision at V1 were divided into groups according to subsequent treatment method (MED versus AGVI), and vision as a survival outcome was compared between group by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: At V1, 65 eyes (62.5%) of 54 dogs had vision. There was no statistically significant difference in age or sex on the presence of vision at V1. Median IOP was higher in blind (52 mmHg) compared to sighted eyes (28 mmHg) (p < .001). Eyes presenting in ≤72 h of the onset of clinical signs were more likely to have vision (86.7%) compared to those presenting after 72 h (44.1%) (p < .001). By the Kaplan-Meier analysis, the cumulative visual retention rate was significantly higher with AGVI than with MED (69.2% vs. 7.7%; p < .01) at 12 months. The median time to visual loss was 39.9 months with AGVI vs. 1.7 months with MED. CONCLUSIONS: AGVI resulted in better visual outcomes than MED and should be considered in Shiba dogs with PACG that are visual at the time of presentation and suitable for surgery.

Self-reported driving difficulty in patients with bilateral cataract

Purpose: The presence of cataract causes reduction in visual acuity (VA) and contrast sensitivity (CS) and thus can affect individual's daily activities. The aim of this study was to investigate self-reported driving difficulty in patients with bilateral cataract.MethodsA total of 99 participants aged 50 and above, with bilateral cataract, who possessed a valid driving license and drove regularly were chosen for this cross-sectional study that looked into their visual functions (VA and CS) and driving difficulty using the self-reported Driving Difficulty Questionnaire.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 65.04±7.22 years old. Results showed that the mean composite driving difficulty score was 83.18±11.74 and most of the participants were having difficulty for driving in the rain (73.7%) and at night (85.9%). Furthermore, the study found that there was a significant correlation between driving difficulty score and CS (rs = 0.40, p = 0.03). However, there was no significant correlation between driving difficulty score and VA (rs = -0.14, p = 0.17). A linear regression was calculated to predict driving difficulty score based on binocular CS and a significant regression equation was found (F (1,28) = 8.115, p = 0.008) with R² of 0.225. Drivers with bilateral cataract will most likely experience some forms of difficulty, especially when driving under low contrast conditions.ConclusionThe findings of this study demand that a comprehensive eye examination should be made compulsory for older adult drivers when issuing or renewing their driving license for the safety of all road users. (AU)

Self-reported driving difficulty in patients with bilateral cataract.

PURPOSE: The presence of cataract causes reduction in visual acuity (VA) and contrast sensitivity (CS) and thus can affect individual's daily activities. The aim of this study was to investigate self-reported driving difficulty in patients with bilateral cataract. METHODS: A total of 99 participants aged 50 and above, with bilateral cataract, who possessed a valid driving license and drove regularly were chosen for this cross-sectional study that looked into their visual functions (VA and CS) and driving difficulty using the self-reported Driving Difficulty Questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 65.04±7.22 years old. Results showed that the mean composite driving difficulty score was 83.18±11.74 and most of the participants were having difficulty for driving in the rain (73.7%) and at night (85.9%). Furthermore, the study found that there was a significant correlation between driving difficulty score and CS (rs = 0.40, p = 0.03). However, there was no significant correlation between driving difficulty score and VA (rs = -0.14, p = 0.17). A linear regression was calculated to predict driving difficulty score based on binocular CS and a significant regression equation was found (F (1,28) = 8.115, p = 0.008) with R² of 0.225. Drivers with bilateral cataract will most likely experience some forms of difficulty, especially when driving under low contrast conditions. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study demand that a comprehensive eye examination should be made compulsory for older adult drivers when issuing or renewing their driving license for the safety of all road users.

Association between visual status and social participation in older Japanese: The JAGES cross-sectional study.

RATIONALE: Population aging in Japan has been accompanied by increases in those with visual impairment. No previous study has examined whether visual impairment is associated with reduced social participation in older people in Japan. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, questionnaires were mailed to older people living in 39 Japanese communities in 2016. Data from 24,313 respondents (70.3%, 74.0 ± 6.2 years) included information on visual status, social participation, socioeconomic status, and health. Visual status was measured by self-report (excellent, very good, good, or fair/poor). RESULTS: The prevalence of visual impairment (fair/poor) was 9.3%. After adjusting for individual covariates in multinominal logistic regression analysis with multiple imputations, visual status was significantly associated with reduced participation (once a week or more) in volunteer groups, sports groups, hobby groups, neighborhood associations, study/cultural groups, health promotion groups, and involvement in teaching skills/passing on experiences to others (p for trend <0.01). On the other hand, participation in senior citizen clubs was not associated with visual status (p for trend = 0.07). While excellent/very good vision was associated with increased volunteerism (e.g., involvement in teaching skills/passing on experiences to others: Odds ratios (OR) 1.78/1.21), poor vision disrupted participation in activities that require physical activity (e.g., sports groups: OR 0.64). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that vision status is an important determinant of social participation among older adults in Japan.

Vision status of children aged 7-15 years referred from school vision screening in Norway during 2003-2013: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Undetected vision problems is an important cause of reduced academic achievement, performance in everyday life and self-esteem. This receives little attention in national health care services in Norway even though most of these vision problems are easily correctable. There are no published data on how many Norwegian schoolchildren are affected by correctable vision problems. This study aims to determine the vision status in primary and secondary schoolchildren referred from vision screening during the 10 year period of 2003-2013. METHODS: Of the 1126 children (15%) aged 7-15 years referred to the university eye clinic by the school screening program, all 782 who attended the eye clinic were included in the study. Patient records were retrospectively reviewed with regard to symptoms, refractive error, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of logMAR, binocular vision, ocular health and management outcomes. RESULTS: Previously undetected vision problems were confirmed in 650 (83%) of the children. The most frequent outcomes were glasses (346) or follow-up (209), but types of treatment modalities varied with age. Mean refractive errors were hyperopic for all age groups but reduced with age (ANOVA, p < 0.001). Overall, 51% were hyperopic, 32% emmetropic and 17% myopic. Refractive errors did not change across the decade (linear regression, all p > 0.05). Mean logMAR BCVAs were better than 0.0 and improved with age (ANOVA, p < 0.001). The most prevalent symptoms were headaches (171), near vision problems (149) and reduced distance vision (107). CONCLUSIONS: The vision screening identified children with previously undetected visual problems. This study shows that the types of visual problems varied with age and that most problems could be solved with glasses. Our results stress the importance of regular eye examinations and that vision examinations should be included in primary health care services. Furthermore, there is a need for raised awareness among parents and teaching staff regarding vision problems in children.

The Importance Of Visual Awareness Among Junior Athletes In Klang Valley, Malaysia

The lack of awareness about comprehensive eye examination amongst athletes could impact their eye health, hence it needs to be addressed. The authors hypothesize that a majority of athletes in Malaysia have never undergone a thorough eye examination. The present study aims to determine Malaysian athletes’ awareness of the importance of eye assessment. One hundred and twenty-one junior athletes, aged 13 to 16 years participated in the visual screening programme. A questionnaire consisting of fourteen dichotomous questions was developed in two languages, each being English and Malay language and administered prior to eye examination. The questionnaire was designed to measure self-reported visual function, ocular symptoms, and perceptions towards eye health. Questionnaire analysis showed 67.8% of participants never underwent any eye examination. A majority of participants, 66.9% and 75.2%, complained of visual and ocular symptoms respectively. The critical finding of this study showed that 57.9% of participants had reduced vision which could be visually corrected. Overall 90.9% of the participants agreed that eye examination was important. Almost none of the athletes owned any sports safety eyewear nor had undergone any visual training. The importance of wearing protective eyewear during sports needs to be given emphasis. This study implies that athletes' awareness of eye health, as well as visually related issues, is still at a very low level. Hence, the need for comprehensive eye examination and regular review among athletes’ needs to be emphasized. Athletes should also be educated on the importance of regular eye examinations from a young age.

Visual Status following Contact Lens Related Microbial Keratitis

Introduction: A hospital based case control study was conducted in government hospitals on contact lens patients diagnosed with microbial keratitis. Methods: The objective of this study is to determine the visual outcomes of contact lens related microbial keratitis. The visual outcomes which comprised of visual acuity, keratometry readings, corneal topography findings and contrast sensitivity examinations was determined after three months from the first presentation at the hospitals. Results: The mean LogMAR visual acuity during presentation was 0.96 ± 0.73 or a Snellen equivalent 6/60 (n=76) and mean LogMAR visual acuity after three months was 0.10 ± 0.48 or a Snellen equivalent 6/7.5 (n=76) with a significant difference (t=11.22, df=78, p=0.001). Best fit curve for the cases had a regression coefficient, r=0.350 ± 0.063 (95% CI = 0.224, 0.447, df=78, p=0.001. The visual acuity in cases and controls was 0.10 ± 0.48 and -0.10 ± 0.14 respectively (t= -3.61, df=154 p=0.001) after three months which showed improvement. There was a reduction in the corneal uniformity index and corneal asphericity in the cases. The Corneal Uniformity Index (CU index) in cases was 63.03 ± 26.38 (n=76) and in controls, 80.13 ± 11.30 (n=77), (t= -5.22, df=151, p=0.001). There was also a reduction in the contrast sensitivity function at all spatial frequencies in the cases which was significantly different. Conclusion: Microbial keratitis reduced the vision, corneal uniformity index, asphericity and contrast sensitivity after three months in eyes of patients diagnosed with the condition.