Optometry Commons^™

Tfos Lifestyle - Evidence Quality Report: Advancing The Evaluation And Synthesis Of Research Evidence, Laura E. Downie, Alexis Ceecee Britten-Jones, Ruth E. Hogg, Isabelle Jalbert, Tianjing Li, Gareth Lingham, Su-Hsun Liu, Riaz Quereshi, Ian J. Saldanha, Sumeer Singh, Jennifer P. Craig

Articles

Evidence-based practice is a dominant paradigm in healthcare that emphasizes the importance of ensuring the translation of the best available, relevant research evidence into practice. An Evidence Quality Subcommittee was established to provide specialized methodological support and expertise to promote rigorous and evidence-based approaches for the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) Lifestyle Epidemic reports. The present report describes the purpose, scope, and activity of the Evidence Quality Subcommittee in the undertaking of high-quality narrative-style literature reviews, and leading prospectively registered, reliable systematic reviews of high priority research questions, using standardized methods for each topic area report. Identification of …

Tfos Lifestyle: Impact Of The Digital Environment On The Ocular Surface, James S. Wolffsohn, Gareth Lingham, Laura E. Downie, Bykie Huntjens, Takenori Inomata, Saleel Jivraj, Emmanuel Kobia-Acquah, Alex Muntz, Karim Mohamed-Noriega, Sotiris Plainis, Michael Read, Rony R. Sayegh, Sumeer Singh, Tor P. Utheim, Jennifer P. Craig

Articles

Eye strain when performing tasks reliant on a digital environment can cause discomfort, affecting productivity and quality of life. Digital eye strain (the preferred terminology) was defined as “the development or exacerbation of recurrent ocular symptoms and/or signs related specifically to digital device screen viewing”. Digital eye strain prevalence of up to 97% has been reported, due to no previously agreed definition/diagnostic criteria and limitations of current questionnaires which fail to differentiate such symptoms from those arising from nondigital tasks. Objective signs such as blink rate or critical flicker frequency changes are not ‘diagnostic’ of digital eye strain nor validated …

Systematic Review Of Clinical Practice Guidelines For Uveitis, Nima Ghadiri, Ian R. Reekie, Iris Gordon, Sare Safi, Gareth Lingham, Jennifer R. Evans, Stuart Keel

Articles

To facilitate the integration of eye care into universal health coverage, the WHO is developing a Package of Eye Care Interventions (PECI). Development of the PECI involves the identification of evidence-based interventions from relevant clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for uveitis.

A systematic review of CPGs published on uveitis between 2010 and March 2020 was conducted. CPGs passing title and abstract and full-text screening were evaluated using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) tool and data on recommended interventions extracted using a standard data extraction sheet.

Review Of Recent Advances In Photosensitive Polymer Materials And Requirements For Transmission Diffractive Optical Elements For Led Light Sources, Michael Murray, Izabela Naydenova, Suzanne Martin

Articles

Scattered light from outdoor LED sources is a major contributor to blue-spectrum light pollution which negatively impacts ecology and public health. Volume holographic diffractive optical elements (DOEs), made with low-cost photosensitive polymers, are proposed as a technological solution that can minimise this scattering. This review examines requirements needed for efficient operation of transmission-format DOEs with LEDs and implications for material choices. For such DOEs to have a single diffraction order and high efficiency there is a corresponding range of acceptable Δn. A survey of materials also found that many current materials satisfy the Δn requirements for single-element DOEs. It is …

Using Electronic Medical Record Data To Establish And Monitor The Distribution Of Refractive Errors, Sean Longwill, Michael Moore, Daniel Ian Flitcroft, James Loughman

Articles

Objective

To establish the baseline distribution of refractive errors and associated factors amongst a population that attended primary care optometry clinics.

Design

Retrospective cross sectional cohort study of electronic medical records (EMR).

Methods

Electronic medical record data was extracted from forty optometry clinics, representing a mix of urban and rural areas in Ireland. The analysis was confined to demographic and clinical data gathered over a sixty-month period between 2015 and 2019. Distribution rates were calculated using the absolute and relative frequencies of refractive error in the dataset, stratified for age and gender using the following definitions: high myopia ≤ -6.00 …

Visual Factors Associated With Physical Activity In Schoolchildren, Síofra Harrington, John Kearney Prof, Veronica O'Dwyer Dr

Articles

Clinical relevance Physical activity is an essential part of childhood physical and mental development. Recent research identified visual problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle in children in Ireland.

Background This study explored the association between visual function in children and their engagement with physical activities outside school.

Methods Participants were 1,626 schoolchildren (728 aged 6–7 years, 898 old 12–13 years) in randomly selected schools in Ireland. Before data collection, parents/legal guardians of participants completed a standardised questionnaire reporting physical activity as no activity (mostly on screens), light activity (occasional walking/cycling), moderate activity (/week engaged in sports), or regular activity ( …

Progressive Lenses And Acute Anisomentropia, Alena Lane

Conference Papers

The aim of the poster is to demonstrate that presbyopic patients with acute anisometropia can continue using progressive lenses. Acute or induced anisometropia occurs when a sudden change in the prescription is introduced. A typical example of this occurs following the cataract operation to one eye. The problem arises when the difference in refractive power of both eyes after the operation is 2.00D and more. The difference in lens power can cause the eyes to see different size images and lead to difficulties in fusing them. Additionally, when an image is viewed off axis through the spectacle lens away from …

Big Data Analysis Of Vision Screening Standards Used To Evaluate Fitness To Drive, Michael Moore, John Butler, Daniel Ian Flitcroft, James Loughman

Articles

Purpose: Visual acuity (VA) assessment is the most commonly performed vision screening method for drivers. The standards and repeat assessment intervals used, however, are arbitrary, lack an evidence base and are highly variable across different countries. This study utilizes the power of Big Data to provide evidence-based recommendations for standardized driver vision screening.

Methods: Anonymized electronic medical record data were gathered from 40 Irish optometry practices comprising 81,184 unique patients. A Kaplan-Meier Survival (KMS) analysis was used to determine the effect of increasing age and time since screening on the likelihood of passing the VA standard for driving. A logistic …

The Effect Of Transverse Ocular Magnification Adjustment On Macular Thickness Profile In Different Refractive Errors In Community-Based Adults, Hamed Niyazmand, Gareth Lingham, Paul G. Sanfilippo, Magdalena Blaszkowska, Maria Franchina, Seyhan Yazar, David Alonso-Caneiro, David Mackey, Samantha Sze-Yee Lee

Articles

Purpose Changes in retinal thickness are common in various ocular diseases. Transverse magnification due to differing ocular biometrics, in particular axial length, affects measurement of retinal thickness in different regions. This study evaluated the effect of axial length and refractive error on measured macular thickness in two community-based cohorts of healthy young adults.

Methods A total of 2160 eyes of 1247 community-based participants (18–30 years; 23.4% myopes, mean axial length = 23.6mm) were included in this analysis. Macular thickness measurements were obtained using a spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (which assumes an axial length of 24.385mm). Using a custom program, retinal …

Normative Data On The Foveal Avascular Zone In A Young Healthy Irish Population Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography, Susan M. O'Shea, Veronica O'Dwyer, Grainne Scanlon

Articles

Purpose: To establish normative data on the size, shape and vascular profile of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in a young, healthy, Irish population, using the Cirrus 5000 HD-OCT. Certain diseases may alter FAZ appearance. Normative databases provide normal baseline values for comparison, thus improving diagnostic ability.

Methods: One hundred and fifty-four subjects aged 18–35 years old were recruited. Superficial FAZ area, diameter, circularity, ganglion cell layer, central macular thickness (CMT), vascular perfusion and density were measured using the Cirrus 5000. Axial length was measured with the IOL Master and blood pressure was measured using the Omron sphygmomanometer. …

To Investigate The Foveal Avascular Zone In A Young Healthy Population Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography, Susan O'Shea

Masters

Introduction/Aims Inflammatory diseases such as diabetes, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can alter the size and shape of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ). Macular pigment (MP), a powerful antioxidant, located at the macula can protect the eye from oxidative stress damage. This study aims to investigate possible factors affecting the FAZ, such as vessel perfusion and overweight/obesity, in association with MP status in a young, healthy population. Normative values for FAZ size/shape and vascularity will also be proposed.

Methods One hundred and fifty-four subjects aged 18-35 years old were recruited. Superficial FAZ area, diameter, ganglion cell layer, central macular …

To Investigate The Effects Of Low Plus Prescription Lenses On Quality Of Life And Visual Performance In Children., Patricia Maher

Masters

Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of low plus prescription lenses on Quality of life and visual performance data. As part of the study opinions of optometrists regarding paediatric eye care was also explored. Methods: Each one of the 92 participants, aged between 8 and 12 years, attended for three visits, baseline, at 1 month and 3 months. A quality of life questionnaire was completed at each visit. Optometric probes including dynamic retinoscopy, relative accommodation, fusional reserves and stereopsis as well as reading speed were examined. A survey was sent out electronically to optometrists followed …

Regional Variations And Temporal Trends Of Childhood Myopia Prevalence In Africa: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Emmnuel Kobia Acquah, Daniel Ian Flitcroft, Prince Kwaku Akowuah, Gareth Lingham, James Loughman

Articles

Purpose: To provide contemporary and future estimates of childhood myopia prevalence in Africa.

Methods: A systematic online literature search was conducted for articles on childhood (≤18 years) myopia (spherical equivalent [SE] ≤ −0.50D; high myopia: SE ≤ −6.00D) in Africa. Population-or school-based cross-sectional studies published from 1 Jan 2000 to 30 May 2021 were included. Meta-analysis using Freeman–Tukey double arcsine transformation was performed to estimate the prevalence of childhood myopia and high myopia. Myopia prevalence from subgroup analyses for age groups and settings were used as baseline for generating a prediction model using linear regression.

Results: Forty-two studies from 19 …

Will Treating Progressive Myopia Overwhelm The Eye Care Workforce? A Workforce Modelling Study, Gareth Lingham, James Loughman, Stella Kuzmenko, Matilda Biba, Daniel Ian Flitcroft

Articles

Purpose

Treatments for myopia progression are now available, but implementing these into clinical practice will place a burden on the eye care workforce. This study estimated the full-time equivalent (FTE) workforce required to implement myopia control treatments in the UK and Ireland.

Methods

To estimate the number of 6- to 21-year-olds with myopia, two models utilising separate data sources were developed. The examination-based model used: (1) the number of primary care eye examinations conducted annually and (2) the proportion of these that are for myopic young people. The prevalence-based model used epidemiological data on the age-specific prevalence of myopia. The …

Investigation Of The Suitability Of A Commercial Radiation Sensor For Pretherapy Dosimetry Of Radioiodine Treatment Patients, Janet O'Callaghan, Dervil Cody, Jennie Cody

Articles

Radioiodine (I-131) therapy is routinely used to treat conditions of the thyroid. Dosimetry planning in advance of I-131 therapy has been shown to improve patient treatment outcomes. However, this pretherapy dosimetry step requires multiple outpatient appointments and is not feasible for patients living at greater distances. Here, the feasibility of a commercially available smartphone-operated radiation sensor (Smart Geiger Pro, Technonia) for at-home patient pretherapy dosimetry has been investigated. The influence of both treatment-specific parameters (radioisotope activity, gamma photon energy, patient size) and external factors (sensor placement and motion) on the ability of the radiation sensor to accurately quantify radiation dose …

Characterisation Of Holographic Recording In Environmentally Stable Photopolymerisable Glass, Tatsiana Mikulchyk, Pamela Stoeva, Alicja Kaworek, Mohamed Oubaha, Brian Rogers, Suzanne Martin, Dervil Cody, Izabela Naydenova

Articles

Photopolymerisable glasses are holographic recording materials which provide good recording capability, improved dimensional stability, and negligible shrinkage. Recently, a novel photopolymerisable hybrid sol-gel (PHSG) for holographic recording of volume gratings has been reported. The PHSG has significantly improved gelation time and high water resistance, both of which make it an attractive material for mass production of holographic optical elements (HOEs) with no sensitivity to ambient humidity. In order to achieve full control over the performance of the material and further improve its properties, a study of grating formation under holographic patterning is essential. This paper reports characterisation of the grating …

A Magnetic Nanoparticle-Doped Photopolymer For Holographic Recording, Muhammad Irfan, Suzanne Martin, Muhammad Ahmed Obeidi, Scott Miller, Frank Kuster, Dermot Brabazon, Izabela Naydenova

Articles

Functionalised holograms are important for applications utilising smart diffractive optical elements for light redirection, shaping and in the development of sensors/indicators. This paper reports on holographic recording in novel magnetic nanocomposites and the observed temperature change in dry layers and liquid samples exposed to alternating magnetic field (AMF). The nanocomposite consists of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA)-based polymer doped with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), and local heating is achieved through magnetic induction. Here, volume transmission holographic gratings (VTHGs) are recorded with up to 24% diffraction efficiency (DE) in the dry layers of magnetic nanocomposites. The dry layers and liquid samples are then exposed to …

What Type Of Soft Contact Lens Works Best For Reverse Piggyback?, Claire E. Mcdonnell, Emma Chaney, Tara Kennedy, Aoife Farrell

Conference Papers

Aim

To determine which type of soft contact lens works best in a reverse piggyback lens system.

Background

A reverse piggyback lens system comprises of a soft contact lens worn over a rigid gas permeable lens. Several uses of this system include prevention of rigid gas permeable lens decentration during sporting activities and reduction of rigid gas permeable lens intolerance due to lid sensitivity.

Methods

Four different types of soft contact lenses; Senofilcon A, Omafilcon A, Etafilcon A and Delefilcon A, were assessed in a reverse piggyback system, in both eyes of twelve subjects (n=24). Over refraction, best corrected visual …

Application Of Big-Data For Epidemiological Studies Of Refractive Error, Michael Moore, James Loughman, John Butler, Arne Ohlendorf, Siegfried Wahl, Daniel Ian Flitcroft

Articles

Purpose

To examine whether data sourced from electronic medical records (EMR) and a large industrial spectacle lens manufacturing database can estimate refractive error distribution within large populations as an alternative to typical population surveys of refractive error.

Subjects

A total of 555,528 patient visits from 28 Irish primary care optometry practices between the years 1980 and 2019 and 141,547,436 spectacle lens sales records from an international European lens manufacturer between the years 1998 and 2016.

Methods

Anonymized EMR data included demographic, refractive and visual acuity values. Anonymized spectacle lens data included refractive data. Spectacle lens data was separated into lenses …

Praseodymium Mid-Infrared Emission In Alf3-Based Glass Sensitized By Ytterbium, Jiquan Zhang, Mo Liu, Jin Yu, Ruicong Wang, Shijie Jia, Zijun Liu, Gerald Farrell, Shunbin Wang, Pengfei Wang

Articles

Broadband emission was obtained over 2.6 to 4.1 μm (Pr3+: 1G4→3F4, 3F3) in AlF3-based glass samples doped with different concentrations of praseodymium and 1 mol% ytterbium using a 976 nm laser pump. An efficient energy transfer process from Yb3+: 2F5/2 to Pr3+: 1G4 was analyzed through emission spectra and fluorescence lifetime values. The absorption and emission cross-sections were calculated by Füchtbauer-Ladenburg and McCumber theories and a positive gain can be obtained when P>0.3. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this work represents the first report of broadband mid-infrared emission of Pr3+ in an AlF3-based glass. The results show …

Application Of Big-Data For Epidemiological Studies Of Refractive Error, James Loughman

Articles

To examine whether data sourced from electronic medical records (EMR) and a large industrial spectacle lens manufacturing database can estimate refractive error distribution within large populations as an alternative to typical population surveys of refractive error.

Job Satisfaction And Its Associated Factors Among Optometrists In Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study, Kwadwo Owusu Akufo, Eldad Agyei-Manu, David Ben Kumah, Anthony Danso-Appiah, Abubakar Sadik Mohammed, Akosua Kesewah Asare, Emmanuel Kofi Addo

Articles

Job satisfaction describes an employee’s motivation and/or feeling of satisfaction towards his/her work. Globally, healthcare professionals’ turnover and retention play a critical role in the delivery of essential health services. In Ghana, however, little has been done to ascertain job satisfaction levels among human resources for eyehealth. The objective of this study therefore was to assess job satisfaction and its associated factors among optom‑ etrists in Ghana.

The Risks And Benefits Of Myopia Control, Mark A. Bullimore, Eric R. Ritchey, Sunil Shah,, Nicolas Leveziel, Rupert Bourne, Daniel Ian Flitcroft

Articles

The prevalence of myopia is increasing around the world, stimulating interest in 3 methods to slow its progression. The primary justification for slowing myopia progression is to 4 reduce the risk of vision loss through sight-threatening ocular pathology in later life. The paper 5 analyzes whether the potential benefits of slowing myopia progression by one diopter justify the 6 potential risks associated with treatments.

Myopia Control In The Republic Of Ireland, Claire E. Mcdonnell, Adebola Obadare, Muno Osman, Sinead Redmond

Conference Papers

Purpose: to estimate how many independent optical practices in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) are offering myopia control options to patients and parents.

Methods: 346 independent optical practices were identified in the ROI using a listing provided on the Association of Optometrists Ireland website. All practices identified were emailed to ask if they practised any myopia control. Practice websites (where available) were examined to see if myopia control was mentioned as a service offered. Some practices believed to be offering myopia control were phoned directly to ascertain if they were practising myopia control. This research was carried out between Feb …

School Performance And Undetected And Untreated Visual Problems In Schoolchildren In Ireland; A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study, Síofra Harrington, Peter Davison, Veronica O'Dwyer

Articles

This study explored the association between children’s vision and their school academic progress as reported by parents/guardians. Participants were 1,612 schoolchildren (722 6-7-year-olds, 890 12-13-year-olds) in randomly selected schools in Ireland. In advance of data collection, parents/guardians reported school performance as (a) much better than classmates (high-performance) (b) about the same as classmates (average-performance) (c) not as well as classmates (low-performance). Measurements included logMAR monocular visual acuities (with spectacles if worn, and pinhole) in the distance (3 m) and near (40 cm); the amplitude of accommodation; stereoacuity, colour vision assessment, and cyclopleged autorefraction. Controlling for confounders, children presenting with visual …

Prevalence And Associated Risk Factors Of Symptomatic Dry Eye In Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study, Emmnuel Kobia Acquah, Stephen Ankamah-Lomotey, Ebenezer Owusu, Sedinam Forfoe, Joseph Bannor, Joana Abokoma Koomson, Martin Opoku, Daniel Mensah Dzikpo, Derrick Nii Okaikwei Mensah, Jedidiah N. Amonoo, Prince Kwaku Akowuah

Articles

Purpose This study sought to estimate the prevalence and associated risk factors of symptomatic dry eye in the general non-clinical Ghanaian population.

Methods This was a cross-sectional population-based study conducted from November 2019 to February 2020. A stratified, multistage, random sampling technique was used to select participants aged 18 years and above from the capital cities of eight administrative regions in Ghana. Symptomatic dry eye was assessed using the Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire (OSDI). A study specific structured questionnaire was administered to collect information on participants’ demographics and self-reported risk factors of dry eye disease such as smoking, diabetes, …

Cantilever-Based Sensor Utilizing A Diffractive Optical Element With High Sensitivity To Relative Humidity, Catherine M. Grogan, Faolan Radford Mcgovern, Rory Staines, George Amarandei, Izabela Naydenova

Articles

High-sensitivity and simple, low-cost readout are desirable features for sensors independent of the application area. Micro-cantilever sensors use the deflection induced by the analyte presence to achieve high-sensitivity but possess complex electronic readouts. Current holographic sensors probe the analyte presence by measuring changes in their optical properties, have a simpler low-cost readout, but their sensitivity can be further improved. Here, the two working principles were combined to obtain a new hybrid sensor with enhanced sensitivity. The diffractive element, a holographically patterned thin photopolymer layer, was placed on a polymer (polydimethylsiloxane) layer forming a bi-layer macro-cantilever. The different responses of the …

Investigation Of Surrogate Biomarkers Associated With Macular Pigment Status In A Group Of Older Irish Adults, Grainne Scanlon, John S. Butler, Daniel Mccartney, Ekaterina Lostutova, Rose Anne Kenny, James Loughman

Articles

SIGNIFICANCE: Macular pigment (MP) confers potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects at the macula; however, its optical density in the eye is not routinely measured in clinical practice.

PURPOSE: This study explored a range of surrogate biomarkers including anthropometric, clinical, and plasma measures that may be associated with lower MP optical density (MPOD).

METHODS: Two thousand five hundred ninety-four subjects completed a full MP assessment as part of wave 1 of The Irish Longitudinal Study of Aging. Macular pigment optical density was measured using customized heterochromatic flicker photometry. Clinical (blood pressure), plasma (lipoproteins, inflammatory markers), and anthropometric (waist, hip, height, weight) …

The Relationship Between Serum Zinc Levels And Myopia, Niamh Burke, John Butler, Daniel Ian Flitcroft, James Loughman

Articles

Clinical significance: Myopia is inherently associated with eye growth and thereby possibly amenable to nutritional influence. However, little attention has been given to possible die- tary influences. This study demonstrates that serum zinc does not play a role in myopia development. Background: Myopia is inherently associated with eye growth and thereby possibly amena- ble to nutritional influence. A number of Asian studies have reported lower levels of serum zinc in myopic children. This study was designed to assess the relationship between serum zinc and myopia in the Korean population – using a subsample of participants from nation- ally representative data.

Macular Pigment And Diabetes Mellitus, Grainne Scanlon

Doctoral

The macula is a specialised part of the retina responsible for detailed central and colour vision. The carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin are uniquely concentrated in the inner and central layers of the primate macula, where they are collectively known as macular pigment (MP). Macular pigment confers potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in the eye. Many studies have suggested that these carotenoids are lower in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and that increased levels of MP may confer protection against AMD, especially the late form of the disease. Research is now beginning to focus on MP optical density (MPOD) and carotenoid …