Optometry Commons^™

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 …

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.

Identification Of Deep-Intronic Splice Mutations In A Large Cohort Of Patients With Inherited Retinal Diseases, Xinye Qian, Jun Wang, Meng Wang, Austin D Igelman, Kaylie D Jones, Yumei Li, Keqing Wang, Kerry E Goetz, David G Birch, Paul Yang, Mark E Pennesi, Rui Chen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

High throughput sequencing technologies have revolutionized the identification of mutations responsible for a diverse set of Mendelian disorders, including inherited retinal disorders (IRDs). However, the causal mutations remain elusive for a significant proportion of patients. This may be partially due to pathogenic mutations located in non-coding regions, which are largely missed by capture sequencing targeting the coding regions. The advent of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) allows us to systematically detect non-coding variations. However, the interpretation of these variations remains a significant bottleneck. In this study, we investigated the contribution of deep-intronic splice variants to IRDs. WGS was performed for a cohort …

Loss Of Class Iii Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Vps34 Results In Cone Degeneration, Ammaji Rajala, Feng He, Robert E Anderson, Theodore G Wensel, Raju V S Rajala

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The major pathway for the production of the low-abundance membrane lipid phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI(3)P) synthesis is catalyzed by class III phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) Vps34. The absence of Vps34 was previously found to disrupt autophagy and other membrane-trafficking pathways in some sensory neurons, but the roles of phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate and Vps34 in cone photoreceptor cells have not previously been explored. We found that the deletion of Vps34 in neighboring rods in mouse retina did not disrupt cone function up to 8 weeks after birth, despite diminished rod function. Immunoblotting and lipid analysis of cones isolated from the cone-dominant retinas of the …

Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline: Comprehensive Pediatric Eye And Vision Examination, American Optometric Association

Optometric Clinical Practice

Republished with the written permission granted from the American Optometric Association, October 2, 2020.

Developed by the AOA Evidence-Based Optometry Guideline Development Group

Approved by the AOA Board of Trustees February 12, 2017

Diane T. Adamczyk, O.D., Chair – State University of New York, College of Optometry, New York, New York

John F. Amos, O.D., M.S. – University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, Birmingham, Alabama, Dean and Professor Emeritus

Felix M. Barker, II, O.D., M.S. – W. G. (Bill) Hefner VAMC, Salisbury, North Carolina

Benjamin P. Casella, OD – Private Practice – Casella Eye Center, Augusta, Georgia

Linda …

Metachronous Eyelid Basal Cell Carcinoma On Opposite Eye And Lid: A Case Report, Danielle C. Kalberer Od, Faao, Matthew A. Delmauro Md

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common eyelid malignancy, accounting for approximately 90% of malignant eyelid lesions.¹ Despite its high occurrence rates, it is frequently misdiagnosed as one of the benign “lumps and bumps” that can be present on the eyelid. In the present case, a patient with a past BCC on the right upper eyelid presented with a left lower eyelid lesion which persisted for months before the patient sought evaluation by an eyecare provider. This benign-looking lash-line lesion was the only external sign of the malignancy found on the deep surface of the eyelid and …

Case Report: The Dilemma Of Imaging An Isolated Sixth Nerve Palsy, Shannon Santapaola Od, Faao, Cheryl Haskes Od, Richard Sui Od, Faao

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: Traditionally, eyecare providers employ a wait-and-see approach with respect to older patients presenting with a presumed vasculopathic isolated sixth nerve palsy. However, given review of recent literature and the potential of morbidity in these patients, acute neuroimaging should be strongly considered. Eyecare providers are often faced with challenging decisions when patients present with acute isolated oculomotor nerve palsies. This case highlights the diagnostic dilemma of an older patient with significant vasculopathic risk factors who presents with an isolated sixth nerve palsy. For patients older than 50, a vasculopathic etiology is the most likely cause, however, a small but significant …

Optic Disc Pits: A Case Report And Review, Jeffrey A. Sterling Od, Faao, Fsls

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: Congenital optic disc pits (ODP) are a rare clinical finding affecting approximately 1 in 11,000 people. Affected individuals are generally asymptomatic unless fluid accumulates in the macula resulting in severe vision loss. The management of ODPs depends mostly on clinical findings and can range from observation to surgery. Optometrists need to be aware of clinical presentations and possible complications of ODPs.

Case Report: This report will review a case of an asymptomatic optic disc pit and discuss the potential treatment options if complications arise.

Conclusion: Although rare, congenital optic disc pits need to be accurately assessed and diagnosed. Symptoms …

Alternative Therapies For Treatment Of Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca Associated With Sjogren's Syndrome, Brittney M. Brady Od, Faao, Michelle K. Man Od, Faao

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: Sjogren’s syndrome is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disorder, which often results in significant ocular surface disease. Dry eye associated with Sjogren’s syndrome is a multifactorial disease which leads to decreased function of the lacrimal glands and altered tear composition. There currently are numerous anti-inflammatory methods used for treatment of this disease.

Case Report: This case report will focus on the use of amniotic membrane placement and autologous serum tears to facilitate a successful scleral contact lens fit allowing for reduced ocular inflammation and discomfort associated with Keratoconjunctivitis sicca due to Sjogren’s syndrome.

Conclusion: Clinical management of keratoconjunctivitis sicca due …

The Art Of Prescribing Low Amounts Of Prism, Leonard J. Press Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Expanding the Box

Why Don't More Of Us Write Scholarly Papers?, Paul B. Freeman Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Letter from the Editor-in-Chief

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) …

Mtor-Initiated Metabolic Switch And Degeneration In The Retinal Pigment Epithelium, Young-Mi Go, Jing Zhang, Jolyn Fernandes, Christopher Litwin, Rui Chen, Theodore G Wensel, Dean P Jones, Jiyang Cai, Yan Chen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a particularly vulnerable tissue to age-dependent degeneration. Over the life span, the RPE develops an expanded endo-lysosomal compartment to maintain the high efficiency of phagocytosis and degradation of photoreceptor outer segments (POS) necessary for photoreceptor survival. As the assembly and activation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) occur on the lysosome surface, increased lysosome mass with aging leads to higher mTORC1 activity. The functional consequences of hyperactive mTORC1 in the RPE are unclear. In the current study, we used integrated high-resolution metabolomic and genomic approaches to examine mice with RPE-specific deletion …

Pterygium Recurrence And Corneal Stabilization Point After Pterygium Excision Using The Controlled Partial Avulsion Fibrin Glue Technique, Mohd Radzi Hilmi, Khairidzan Mohd Kamal, Mohd Zulfaezal Che Azemin

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the pterygium recurrence rate and corneal stabilization point after pterygium excision via the controlled partial avulsion fibrin glue technique using multiple corneal parameters.

Methods: One hundred eyes of 100 patients who had undergone primary pterygium excision surgery via the controlled partial avulsion fibrin glue technique were retrospectively reviewed. Corneal stabilization points were determined over four follow-up sessions (i.e., the 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th months after surgery) based on changes in Simulated-K, corneal irregularity measurement, shape factor, and toric mean keratometry. Post-operative courses were followed for 12 months after surgery. Recurrence was …

Effects Of Oral Antihistamines On Tear Volume, Tear Stability, And Intraocular Pressure, Brian K. Foutch, Kyle A. Sandberg, Edward S. Bennett, Leonard L. Naeger

Educator Preparation & Leadership Faculty Works

The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of two commonly used oral antihistamines—diphenhydramine and loratadine—on tear volume, tear breakup time, and intraocular pressure. Placebo, diphenhydramine, and loratadine were administered for one week to 33 subjects experimentally blind to the treatment given. All the subjects received all three treatments over a period of six weeks. The outcome measures were the change in phenol red thread test (PRT), the tear breakup time (TBUT), and the intraocular pressure (IOP) of both eyes evaluated by experimentally masked observers. Neither of the mean changes in TBUT or IOP depended on the treatment …

Access To Eye Care Before And After Vision Loss: A Qualitative Study Investigating Eye Care Among Persons Who Have Become Blind, Tosha Zaback, Stephanie Lam, Joan Randall, Teresa Field, Mitchell V. Brinks

The Qualitative Report

Navigating access to eye care requires that patients recognize the need for screening and care, employ limited financial and social resources, manage complex health insurance policies, and access specialty clinical care. We investigated the experience of patients through the progression of vision loss to blindness, utilizing qualitative methods. We conducted structured telephone interviews with 28 persons with blindness throughout Oregon. Utilizing closed and open-ended questions, we explored patient experience on the events preceding avoidable blindness. Coding for emergent themes was conducted independently by two researchers using a constant comparative method. Participants described important barriers to accessing eye care: at the …