Refractive error and vision related quality of life.

BACKGROUND: To investigate and compare the vision-related quality of life (QOL) in different types of refractive error (RE). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 200 subjects, categorized into four groups of 50 each, consisting of subjects with myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and emmetropia, the latter being the control group. The mean age of the participants was 23.88 ± 5.87 (range, 15 to 38: 110 females and 90 males). RE was defined as myopia, spherical equivalent (SE) < -0.25 diopters (D), hyperopia, SE > + 0.25 D, astigmatism, cylinder < -0.25 D, and emmetropia (-0.25 ≤ SE(D) ≤ + 0.25, cylinder ≥ -0.25). Groups are subdivided into very low magnitudes of RE (0.50 and 0.75) and significant RE (1.00 ≤). Vision-related QOL was assessed using the Persian version of the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25). The NEI-VFQ was scored as visual function and socioemotional scales using Rasch analysis. RESULTS: Corrected myopia, astigmatism, uncorrected myopia, and hyperopia had a lower vision-related QOL than emmetropes. (P < 0.001). Vision-related QOL in myopic subjects was lower than that in astigmatic participants. Very low myopes, who often do not use correction, had a significantly lower QOL than other groups. CONCLUSION: Individuals with refractive errors experience a lower QOL score than those without. Notably, the adverse impact on QOL score is significantly greater in myopic cases, particularly very low myopia, compared to other refractive errors. Therefore, it is strongly recommended not to neglect managing very low myopia since it may improve participants' QOL.

A comparison of Scansys and Sirius tomography in healthy eyes.

PURPOSE: To assess the level of agreement and evaluate the reliability of measurements between two Scheimpflug imaging modalities, Scansys (MediWorks, China) and Sirius (CSO, Italy), in quantifying the anterior segment parameters in healthy eyes. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, the right eyes of 38 healthy participants without any ocular or systemic diseases were examined. A range of anterior segment parameters including anterior and posterior flat and steep keratometry, central corneal thickness (CCT), thinnest corneal thickness (TCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber angle (ACA), corneal volume, anterior chamber volume, and horizontal white to white diameter, derived from the sagittal curvature maps were measured. To evaluate the reliability of the measurements, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and correlation coefficient were measured. Additionally, Bland-Altman plots were employed to examine the agreement in mean (bias line) and 95% limits of agreement between the two devices. RESULTS: The mean age was 31.5 ± 6.9 (range: 19-47) years. The ICC indicated that the majority of anterior segment parameters had an excellent or good level of reliability, surpassing the threshold of 0.9. Nevertheless, CCT and ACA exhibited a moderate level of reliability, with ICC values of 0.794 and 0.728, respectively. The correlation analysis showed a strong correlation for all the variables tested. The Bland-Altman plots revealed that the bias line was near zero and the 95% limits of agreement were narrow for most variables, except for the anterior flat and steep keratometry, which were found to range from - 0.57 to 0.84 D and - 0.68 to 0.87 D, respectively. CONCLUSION: Scansys and Sirius devices can be effectively used interchangeably for the evaluation of most anterior segment parameters; however, for anterior corneal curvatures, CCT and ACA, their alternative use is not recommended.

Clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes in patients with superior oblique muscle palsy: a retrospective study on 1057 patients.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the clinical findings of patients with SOP who underwent surgery. METHODS: This historical cohort study was performed on 1057 SOP patients managed with surgery in Farabi Hospital, Iran, from 2011 to 2022. RESULTS: There were 990 (93.7%) patients with unilateral SOP with the mean age of 21.8 ± 14.8 years. Of these, 715 patients (72.2%) were diagnosed with congenital SOP, and 275 patients (27.8%) had acquired SOP (P < 0.001). In contrast, 67 (6.3%) patients were diagnosed with bilateral SOP, with the mean age of 19.4 ± 15.6 years. Among these, 18 cases exhibited the masked type. The mean angle of vertical deviation in primary position at far in unilateral and bilateral cases was 15.6 ± 8.3 and 13.3 ± 9.1 △, respectively (P < 0.001). In unilateral cases, abnormal head posture (AHP) was detected in 847 (85.5%) patients and 12 (1.2%) had paradoxical AHP. Amblyopia was found in 89 (9.9%) unilateral and 7 (10.3%) bilateral cases. Solitary inferior oblique myectomy, was the most common surgery in both unilateral (n = 756, 77.1%) and bilateral (n = 35, 52.2%) patients. The second surgery was performed for 84 (8.6%) unilateral and 33 (49.3%) bilateral cases (P < 0.001). The prevalence of amblyopia and the mean angle of horizontal deviation were significantly higher in patients who needed more than one surgery (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Congenital SOP was more than twice as frequent as acquired SOP and about 90% of unilateral and 50% of bilateral cases were managed with one surgery. Amblyopia and significant horizontal deviation were the most important factors for reoperation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Institutional Review Board approval was obtained from the Tehran University of Medical Sciences (IR.TUMS.FNM.REC.1400.012) and this study adhered to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki and HIPAA.

Strabismus management in retinoblastoma survivors.

PURPOSE: To report the result of strabismus surgery in eye-salvaged retinoblastoma (Rb) patients. METHODS: A retrospective case series including 18 patients with Rb and strabismus who underwent strabismus surgery after completing tumor treatment by a single pediatric ophthalmologist. RESULTS: A total of 18 patients (10 females and 8 males) were included with a mean age of 13.3 ± 3.0 (range, 2-39) months at the time tumor presentation and 6.0 ± 1.5 (range, 4-9) years at the time of strabismus surgery. Ten (56%) patients had unilateral and 8(44%) had bilateral involvement and the most common worse eye tumor's group was D (n = 11), C (n = 4), B (n = 2) and E (n = 1). Macula was involved by the tumors in 12 (67%) patients. The tumors were managed by intravenous chemotherapy (n = 8, 47%), intra-arterial chemotherapy (n = 7, 41%) and both (n = 3, 17%). After complete treatment, the average time to strabismus surgery was 29.9 ± 20.5 (range, 12-84) months. Except for one, visual acuity was equal or less than 1.0 logMAR (≤ 20/200) in the affected eye. Seven (39%) patients had exotropia, 11(61%) had esotropia (P = 0.346) and vertical deviation was found in 8 (48%) cases. The angle of deviation was 42.0 ± 10.4 (range, 30-60) prism diopter (PD) for esotropic and 35.7 ± 7.9 (range, 25-50) PD for exotropic patients (P = 0.32) that after surgery significantly decreased to 8.5 ± 5.3 PD in esotropic cases and 5.9 ± 6.7 PD in exotropic cases (P < 0.001). The mean follow-up after surgery was 15.2 ± 2.0 (range, 10-24) months, in which, 3 (17%) patients needed a second surgery. CONCLUSION: Strabismus surgery in treated Rb is safe and results of the surgeries are acceptable and close to the general population. There was not associated with tumor recurrence or metastasis.

The effect of online visual games on visual perception, oculomotor, and balance skills of children with developmental dyslexia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of online visual games on the balance, visual perception, and oculomotor skills of children with developmental dyslexia during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: In this single-blind randomized clinical trial, 50 children with developmental dyslexia, aged 7 to 11 years, were recruited from rehabilitation centers in Tehran, Iran, using a convenience sampling strategy. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: intervention (25) and control (25), with close matching based on sex, age, IQ, and type of disease. The interventions consisted of web-based online computer games focusing on visual perception and oculomotor skills. Outcome measures included the Test of Visual Perception Skills-Revised, the Pediatric Balance Scale, and videonystagmography. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV and the Reading and Dyslexia Test were used to evaluate IQ and reading skills, respectively. RESULTS: The intervention group exhibited significant post-intervention improvements in the Test of Visual Perception Skills-Revised, tracking gain, saccade latency, and saccade velocity scores (all P < 0.001). In contrast, the control group showed no significant differences in these tests in pre- and post-intervention (all P > 0.05). Notably, post-intervention comparisons between the groups revealed significant differences in smooth pursuit eye movements (P < 0.001), saccade latency (P = 0.027), and saccade velocity (P < 0.001). The Pediatric Balance Scale scores remained unchanged in both groups post-intervention (intervention: P = 0.317; control: P = 0.999). Game face validity was affirmed with impact scores above 1.5 for all items, suggesting that the games were straightforward, clear, and relevant. CONCLUSION: Online visual games enhanced oculomotor and visual perception skills in children with dyslexia but did not influence balance skills.

Effect of Vergence Facility Testing on Horizontal Fusional Reserves.

SIGNIFICANCE: The effect of vergence adaptation on test sequences should be considered in clinical practice. PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effect of vergence adaptation after different vergence facility (VF) testing methods on following horizontal fusional reserve measurement at near. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 50 healthy subjects with a mean ± standard deviation age of 21.18 ± 1.41 years. The baseline horizontal fusional reserves were measured using base-in (BI) and base-out (BO) prisms (∆) at near. Then, VF was measured using 3∆BI/12∆BI flip prism at near, and then the measurement of fusional reserves was repeated. In the next step, fusional reserves were measured after VF testing using 8∆BI/8∆BO flip prism. The values of fusional reserves were compared with their baseline findings. RESULTS: The results of negative fusional reserves after VF measurement using the 3∆BI/12∆BO prisms were significantly lower than the baseline values (blur [P = .03], break [P = .03], and recovery [P = .03]). There were no significant differences between the values of fusional reserves before and after VF testing using the 8∆BI/8∆BO prisms (P > .05). No correlation was observed between fusional reserves and VF responses (P > .05); however, the results revealed a positive correlation between the values of fusional reserves before and after VF testing using both methods (all P < .05). There was no significant difference in VF findings between the methods (P = .23). CONCLUSIONS: The measurements of horizontal fusional reserves followed by VF testing were not affected except for the responses of negative fusional reserves, which decreased after VF determination using the 3∆BI/12∆BO method. Although the vergence adaptation does not seem clinically significant, it is recommended to evaluate horizontal fusional reserves before VF measurement or long-enough time after VF testing for the vergence system to return to its nonadapted state.

Long-term comparison of the outcomes of Ahmed Glaucoma Valve surgery between glaucoma surgeons and cornea trained surgeons.

PURPOSE: To compare the long-term outcomes obtained by glaucoma surgeons versus cornea trained surgeons performing Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) surgery. METHODS: Of the total 376 patients (3 month to 83 year) conducted in this retrospective study, 130 patients with refractory glaucoma were evaluated who had been followed up for at least six months during ten years period. The primary outcome measure was the surgical success of AGV surgery that was categorized in two groups: (A5 ≤ IOP ≤ 21 mmHg and at least 20% reduction in IOP without any glaucoma medications (complete success) and reduction by using one or more glaucoma medications (qualified success) (B) similar to previous criteria but the cutoff for higher IOP at 16 mmHg without vision loss and the need for medication or re-surgery. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 32.99 ± 24.20 years in the glaucoma surgeon group and 25.18 ± 24.33 years in the cornea trained surgeons group (P = 0.07). The overall success of both methods at the end of four years were 66.7% and 41.7% for the group of glaucoma surgeons and cornea trained surgeons, respectively (p = 0.661). The cumulative success according to criterion A and B was 66.7% in the glaucoma surgeon group and 47.1% in the others surgeon group (P = 0.661). Repeated glaucoma surgery was required in 33.3% and 52.9% of the patients in the glaucoma surgeon and cornea trained surgeons groups, respectively (P = 0.661). Although there was a significant difference for IOP among various follow-up periods (p = 0.004), this difference was not significant between the two groups (p = 0.374).Visual Acuity did not have a signifiant difference between various follow-up periods and surgeons groups (p = 0.419 and P = 0. 690, respectively). CONCLUSION: There were comparable outcomes with regard to complications and success rates between glaucoma surgeons and cornea trained surgeons performing AGV surgery.

Facial Asymmetry in Unilateral Congenital Superior Oblique Muscle Palsy.

SIGNIFICANCE: This study was conducted to evaluate facial asymmetry in unilateral congenital superior oblique muscle palsy (SOP). The results showed that all facial asymmetry parameters had a higher frequency in SOP patients compared with orthotropic individuals. PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of facial asymmetry in unilateral congenital SOP and compare with orthotropic individuals. METHODS: This cross-sectional comparative case series was conducted in 58 patients with ocular torticollis caused by SOP (mean ± standard deviation age, 18 ± 12 years) and 58 orthotropic individuals (mean ± standard deviation age, 19 ± 13 years). The exact form of torticollis was determined by direct observation from yaw, roll, and pitch axes. Four photographs were taken from patients: (1) with torticollis to calculate the amount of head tilt; (2) with the head in the straight position to calculate the facial angle and relative facial size (RFS); and (3 and 4) with the head positioned downward (to compare the cheek size) and upward (to assess columella deviation and nostril asymmetry). RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients (50%) had a head tilt, 23 (39.66%) had combined head tilt and a face turn, and 6 (10.44%) had a pure face turn. The mean ± standard deviation of head tilt, facial angle, and RFS was 10.11 ± 6.31°, 1.11 ± 1.67°, and 1.003 ± 0.126 in SOP patients, respectively, and the mean RFS and facial angle were significantly higher in SOP patients compared with orthotropic individuals (both P < .001). Facial hemihypoplasia, unilateral cheek compression, nostril asymmetry, and columella deviation were observed in 43 (74.1%), 31 (53.4%), 39 (67.2%), and 38 patients (65.5%), respectively, which were all significantly more common compared orthotropic individuals (P < .001). Facial asymmetry was seen in 52 patients (91.2%) and 17 orthotropic subjects (29.3%), respectively (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: All quantitative and qualitative facial asymmetry parameters had a higher frequency in SOP patients compared with orthotropic subjects.

Comparison of Postoperative Symptoms of Alcohol-Assisted Versus Mechanical Epithelial Removal in Photorefractive Keratectomy: A Contralateral Double Blind Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: To compare the short-term complaints of postoperative pain, and other ocular discomfort symptoms in patients who underwent photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) with alcohol-assisted epithelial removal in one eye versus mechanical debridement in the other eye. METHOD: A prospective, interventional, contralateral double blind clinical trial was performed on 164 eyes of 82 candidates of PRK surgery. The patients were divided into two groups. The first group was alcohol-assisted PRK group in which the epithelial removal was performed on their right eye. The second group was mechanical PRK group in which epithelial removal was performed on their left eye. A numerical rating scale was given to the patients to describe the severity of postoperative pain on the first day following PRK. Postoperative discomfort symptoms including the complaints of light sensitivity, tearing, blurring, and foreign body sensation was also provided by the survey form. RESULTS: One day following PRK, the mean pain score of the alcohol-assisted PRK group and the mechanical PRK group was 3.4±3.1 and 4.1±3.3, respectively (P=0.019). The highest scores recorded for alcohol-assisted and mechanical treated groups were burning (5.22) and light sensitivity (5.46), respectively. Sixty-eight (82.9%) of all patients experienced postoperative pain, and in 52 (76.5%) of them, the time of pain onset was less than 2 hrs. CONCLUSION: We found less pain and discomfort using alcohol-assisted technique compared with mechanical epithelial removal that was provided by a detailed pain and ocular discomfort symptoms assessment one day following PRK surgery.

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis in herpes simplex virus keratitis with and without epithelial involvement.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis in herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis with and without epithelial involvement. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 70 patients with different HSV types and an active ocular lesion in Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran. From these 70 patients, 171 samples were collected, including seventy tear samples and 33 scraping samples from involved eyes; and 68 samples from uninvolved fellow eyes. Samples were frozen at - 70 °C until DNA extraction was performed. Quantity of HSV was measured using qRT-PCR in all three samples. RESULTS: The mean age of HSV patients was 52.19 ± 20.42 years (range, 4-85 years). Forty-one (58.6%) HSV patients had epithelial involvement, and 29 (41.4%) patients did not have epithelial involvement. In PCR-positive cases, the mean number of viruses in affected eyes' tears (8,831,234 ± 4,051,979) was significantly higher than uninvolved eyes' tears (182,603 ± 69,141) (P = 0.02). The mean of PCR in HSV patients with and without epithelial involvement was 10,320,269 ± 5,329,800 and 1,469,419 ± 1,070,396, respectively (P = 0.04). The qRT-PCR of involved tears in both groups (with and without epithelial involvement) was significantly higher than unaffected eyes' tears (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.01, respectively). In cases with and without epithelial involvement, the cutoff points of viral load in involved eyes' tears were 281,000 and 126,000 copies, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that qRT-PCR is an excellent method for the detection of herpes simplex keratitis.

Facial Asymmetry in Unilateral Duane Retraction Syndrome.

SIGNIFICANCE: The overall objective of this study was to evaluate facial asymmetry in patients with unilateral Duane retraction syndrome (DRS). The results showed a high frequency of facial asymmetry parameters of the opposite side of head turn in unilateral DRS patients. PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to evaluate the characteristics of facial asymmetry in unilateral exotropic and esotropic DRS and to compare the findings with orthotropic subjects. METHODS: This cross-sectional comparative case series study was performed in 44 consecutive patients with head turn caused by DRS and 44 orthotropic subjects from 2016 to 2019. Four pictures were taken from the patients' faces. The first and second pictures were taken when patients had head turn and when the head was completely straight for calculating the facial angle and relative facial size, respectively. The third and fourth pictures were taken when the head was positioned downward (to compare the size of the cheek) and upward (to evaluate nose asymmetry). RESULTS: The mean ± SD age of DRS patients and orthotropic subjects was 16.23 ± 9.92 and 20.68 ± 11.82 years, respectively. The frequency of facial asymmetry and all facial parameters (cheek compression, nasal tip and columella deviation, and compression of one of the nostrils) was significantly higher in DRS patients compared with orthotropic subjects (P < .001). In DRS patients with facial asymmetry, columella and nasal tip deviation (P = .006) and cheek and face compression (P = .03) were significantly more prevalent in the opposite direction of head turn. In the DRS group, the mean ± SD age of the patients with and without facial asymmetry was 17.37 ± 9.76 and 7.40 ± 6.54 years, respectively (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of facial asymmetry and all facial parameters was significantly higher in DRS patients compared with orthotropic subjects. In unilateral DRS patients, the face was more commonly affected on the opposite side of head turn.

Comparison of two different 360-degree intrastromal corneal rings combined with simultaneous accelerated-corneal cross-linking.

PURPOSE: to compare five-year outcomes of two complete intracorneal implants (MyoRing versus annular-shaped intracorneal implant [AICI]) combined with accelerated corneal cross-linking (A-CXL) in progressive KCN. METHODS: In this historical cohort study, preoperative and postoperative visual, refractive, tomographic, biomechanical, and aberrometric parameters of 27 eyes of 27 patients who underwent implantation of two complete rings (13 AICI and 14 MyoRing) combined with A-CXL were recorded. RESULTS: The mean age of patients in "AICI plus A-CXL" and "MyoRing plus A-CXL" groups were 28.1 ± 4.6 and 26.3 ± 3.8 years, respectively. All pre- and postoperative visual and refractive parameters between the two groups were not significantly different (p > 0.05). Comparing pre- and postoperative tomographic measurements showed that anterior corneal surface (ACS) flat-K and corneal thickness at pachymetric apex significantly improved for MyoRing plus A-CXL group after five years (p < 0.05). On the other hand, ACS K-max and mean-K values were significantly improved for AICI plus A-CXL group after five years (p < 0.05). Both groups revealed significant improvements in ACS steep-K and corneal astigmatism (p < 0.05). Five years after surgery, the high order aberration in the AICI group (2.60 ± 0.83) was significantly better than the MyoRing group (1.70 ± 0.43) (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Both complete intrastromal rings (MyoRing or AICI) combined with A-CXL significantly Improved visual, refractive, and corneal aberrometric, biomechanical, and tomographic parameters and halt the progression of KCN with comparable long-term outcomes.

Sensory Strabismus; A Literature Review.

Persistent unilateral or bilateral visual deprivation at any age, particularly in children, can compromise sensory fusion and result in a type of strabismus known as sensory or secondary strabismus. There are several pathologies that can induce visual impairment, such as severe anisometropia, congenital unilateral cataract, corneal opacity, retinal diseases, and optic nerve anomalies. Sensory strabismus may be horizontal or vertical or a combination of them; however, most reports indicate the development of horizontal deviation as sensory strabismus. Regardless of the direction of the sensory strabismus, early diagnosis and management of the underlying pathology are important before strabismus treatment. The primary treatment approach for patients with sensory strabismus is surgery to correct ocular misalignment and straighten the eyes. This can help to improve the patients' symptoms and diminish the negative psychosocial impacts. In this article, we review the underlying etiologies and background pathologies associated with sensory strabismus. In addition, we investigate the determinant factors of the direction of sensory strabismus and its management strategies.

Sensory exotropia versus sensory esotropia: A comparative clinical features study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the preoperative clinical features of patients with sensory esotropia (ET) and sensory exotropia (XT). METHODS: In a retrospective study, the medical records of 13,252 patients who underwent strabismus surgery were reviewed at the Farabi Eye Hospital, Iran, from 2012 to March 2022. There were 1017 patients with sensory horizontal strabismus whose, in their worse eye, had corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) equal to or <20/160 tested with the Snellen chart. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 29.0 ± 12.4 years [574 (56.4%) males and 443 (43.6%) females]. Sensory XT and ET were observed in 717 (70.5%) and 300 (29.5%) patients, respectively (P<.001). The mean CDVA in the strabismic and non-strabismic eyes was 1.40 ± 0.75 and 0.05 ± 0.13, respectively (P<.001). Also, the CDVA in the strabismic eyes was significantly worse in the patients with sensory XT than in the patients with sensory ET (P<.001). Sphere and spherical equivalent (SE) components were more hyperopic in both eyes of patients with sensory ET than sensory XT (P<.001). In sensory ET group, the mean horizontal deviation at far and near was significantly higher than the sensory XT group (both P<.001). The prevalence of moderate and severe amblyopia among all patients with sensory strabismus was 274 (26.9%) and 727 (71.5%), respectively (P<.001). There were 398 (39.1%) patients who needed more than one surgery. CONCLUSION: The frequency of sensory XT was about 2.5 times more than the sensory ET. Most patients with sensory ET were operated at a younger age, had better CDVA, more hyperopic spherical and SE, and higher angle of deviation compared with patients with sensory XT. The chance of reoperation in patients with sensory strabismus was about 40%.

Comparison of Cambridge vision stimulator (CAM) therapy with passive occlusion therapy in the management of unilateral amblyopia; a randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: There are limited studies on the effectiveness of Cambridge vision stimulator (CAM) therapy as a management strategy in amblyopic patients. In addition, all these studies have a low sample size. The main purpose of this study was to compare the effect of CAM therapy with passive occlusion therapy in the management of unilateral amblyopia. METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial study, 110 cooperative amblyopic children, who had not been managed previously, were randomly divided into two groups of CAM therapy (n = 55) and passive occlusion therapy (n = 55). In the CAM procedure, five discs with different spatial frequencies (SF) (2, 6, 15, 20, 30 cycles/degree) were presented to the patient (30 minutes a day, twice a week). Plates with SF equal to the two lines better than the measured corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) were chosen. During the training, the non-amblyopic eye was occluded. The standard occlusion therapy protocols were performed in the occlusion therapy group. The CDVA for all patients was measured at baseline and then at one, two, and three months after the treatment. RESULTS: The mean age of patients in CAM and occlusion therapy groups was 7.0 ± 2.1 and 6.9 ± 1.9 years, respectively (p = .721). There was no significant difference in the mean CDVA between CAM and occlusion therapy groups after one (0.30 ± 0.16 vs. 0.25 ± 0.14, p = .079), two (0.15 ± 0.10 vs. 0.15 ± 0.11, p = .732) and three months (0.05 ± 0.08 and 0.05 ± 0.06, p = .919) from baseline. However, the mean amount of CDVA increased significantly in each follow-up in both groups (all p < .001). Regarding the amblyopia type and severity, the mean improvement of CDVA from baseline in the anisometropic patients and in moderate amblyopia was significantly higher in the CAM group than the occlusion group after two and three months (p < .05). DISCUSSION: CAM and conventional occlusion therapies significantly improved CDVA in children with amblyopia, and the difference was not significant; therefore, they could be used as alternatives. CAM therapy requires cost and time for the amblyopic patient and parents. Thus, it can be considered as a second treatment option in amblyopic patients, especially anisometropic type and moderate amblyopia, with poor compliance to patching.

Brown syndrome: a literature review.

The current data on various aspects of Brown syndrome are limited and sporadic. This review provides a coherent and comprehensive review of basic features, etiology, classification, differential diagnosis, and different management strategies of patients with Brown syndrome. In this topical review, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar search engines were searched for papers, published between 1950 and January 2023 based on the keywords of this article. The related articles were collected, summarized, categorized, assessed, concluded, and presented. Brown syndrome is identified by restricted passive and active elevation of the eye in adduction. The condition is divided into congenital and acquired causes. The clinical features result from a restricted motion of the superior oblique tendon sheath through the trochlea while trying to look up in adduction. The newest explanation of the underlying pathophysiology has been explained as the presence of a fibrotic strand in the superior oblique muscle tendon with variable insertion sites which creates various elevation deficits seen in Brown syndrome. The most common clinical features include the presence of an abnormal head posture, V-pattern strabismus, and hypotropia in the primary position. Management of Brown syndrome includes watchful observation, surgical, and non-surgical procedures. Some cases might resolve spontaneously without any intervention; however, some acquired cases might require systemic and/or intra-trochlear steroid administration to treat the underlying causes. Surgical procedures such as superior oblique tenectomy and using a silicon tendon expander are indicated in the presence of hypotropia and significant abnormal head posture in the primary position.

The Frequency and Manifestations of Ocular Causes of Abnormal Head Posture.

PURPOSE: To determine the frequency and manifestations of different ocular causes of abnormal head posture (AHP). METHOD: This prospective, consecutive case series study was performed on 149 patients with ocular AHP at Farabi hospital, Iran, from February 2020 to June 2021. All patients underwent routine ophthalmic examinations. The manifestation of AHP was determined by direct observation from three viewing angles, while the patient read the smallest line on the vision chart that they could see. In front, above, and lateral gazes, observations were performed to find head tilt, head turn, and chin abnormal position, respectively. A picture with habitual AHP was taken from all patients. The amount of head tilt was measured by calculating the angle between the line that connects the lips center to the center of the eyebrows and the vertical line using the Corel Draw X7 computer software. RESULTS: The mean age of 149 patients with ocular AHP [101 (67.8%) males and 48 (32.2%) females] was 16.2 ± 12.2 (range, 2-57) years. The most common ocular sources of AHP were found to be superior oblique palsy (SOP) in 66 (44.3%) patients, 54 (36.2%) cases with Duane's retraction syndrome (DRS), and 12 (8.1%) patients with nystagmus. Other frequent causes of ocular AHP were dissociated vertical deviation (DVD) in 5 (3.4%), A and V pattern strabismus in 3 (2.0%), and 2 cases (1.3%) in each of Brown syndrome, inferior rectus (IR) palsy, and congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles (CFEOM). The most common manifestations of AHP in all cases were "pure head turn" (48.3%), followed by "pure head tilt" (24.8%), "simultaneous head tilt and head turn" (20.8%), and "chin up" (6.0%). The mean head tilt among all patients with head tilt was 10.4° ± 8.9° (range, 5.0°-31.7°). CONCLUSION: The most frequent ocular sources of AHP were SOP, DRS, and nystagmus, followed by DVD, A and V pattern strabismus, IR palsy, CFEOM, and Brown syndrome. In addition, pure head turn and pure head tilt were the most common manifestations of ocular AHP but were not always seen in the same direction or combination as previously reported with these etiologies.

Refractive features and amblyopia in Duane's Retraction Syndrome: A review of the 582 patients.

PURPOSE: To report the visual and refractive characteristics and the prevalence of amblyopia in patients with different types of Duane's Retraction Syndrome (DRS). METHOD: This retrospective study was performed on hospital records of 582 DRS patients at Farabi Hospital, Iran, from 2012 to March 2022. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 19.4 ± 11.9 (range, 3-70) years [335 (57.6 %) females and 247 (42.4 %) males (P < .001)]. DRS type I, II, III, and IV were presented in 347 (59.6 %), 148 (25.4 %), 82 (14.1 %), and 5 (0.9 %) patients, respectively. There were 530 (91.1 %) patients with unilateral and 52 (8.9 %) with bilateral involvement. In the unilateral patients, the DRS eyes' corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and astigmatism were significantly worse than the Non-DRS Eyes (P < .001). The mean amount of all refractive and visual parameters in bilateral patients' right or left eyes was significantly lower than in unilateral patients' non-DRS eyes (all P < .05). Anisometropia was observed in 75(12.9 %) of the patients. Amblyopia was observed in 18.5 % (98 patients) and 36.5 % (19 patients) of unilateral and bilateral DRS patients, respectively (P < .001). In unilateral patients, amblyopia was found in 57 (16.4 %) patients with Type I, 22 (14.9 %) patients with Type II, 16 (19.5 %) patients with Type III, and 3 (60 %) patients with Type IV. Forty-four (37.6 %) of patients with amblyopia had anisometropia. CONCLUSION: This large-scale study indicates that DRS types differ in terms of refractive error, visual acuity, and the prevalence of amblyopia and anisometropia. Clinicians should be aware of the clinical features associated with different types of DRS.

Evaluation of the effect of artificial tears on corneal epithelial thickness changes after photorefractive keratectomy.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the corneal epithelial thickness changes after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and the impact of long-term artificial tear usage on epithelial thickness changes in these patients. METHODS: This study was performed on 71 patients (142 eyes) without dry eye disease who received PRK for myopic refractive correction. The corneal epithelial thickness profile was obtained before, one, three, and six months after surgery using anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: group A, who received preservative-free artificial tears post-surgery, and group B, who did not receive artificial tears. RESULTS: The epithelial thickness decreased universally in the first month and then increased in the 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Group A had a significantly thicker epithelium in central, paracentral, and midperipheral zones compared with group B in the 3-month follow-up. In the 6-month follow-up, no significant differences were detected between groups. At the last follow-up, the central, paracentral, and midperipheral zone epithelial thicknesses in all patients were significantly higher than preoperative values, but peripheral zone thickness only increased to preoperative values. CONCLUSIONS: Patients using artificial tears showed a faster thickening, especially in the central and paracentral zones, but there were no significant differences between the two groups in the final follow-up. Artificial tear usage may increase the rate of the epithelial remodeling process in post-PRK patients without significantly altering the final epithelial thickness profile. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the influence of different factors on epithelial remodeling.