Optometry Commons^™

College Of Optometry Overview 2013, Nova Southeastern University

Health Professions Divisions Course Catalogs and Course Descriptions

No abstract provided.

Evidence Of Lower Macular Pigment Optical Density In Chronic Open Angle Glaucoma, Estera Igras, James Loughman, Matthew Ratzlaff, Ronal O'Caoimh, Colm O'Brien

Articles

Background/aims Macular pigment (MP) plays an important role in visual function and in the protection of the retina from oxidative damage. It is not known whether glaucoma, a progressive neurodegenerative disease of the optic nerve, is associated with alterations in MP. This study was designed to investigate the relationship, if any, between the optical density of MP optical density (MPOD) and glaucoma.

Methods 40 subjects (23 males, 17 females) with open angle glaucoma (mean age 69 ±11), and 54 normal controls (23 males, 31 females) without ocular disease (mean age 66 ±11), visual acuity (VA) >6/18, were recruited, and underwent …

Suitability And Repeatability Of A Photostress Recovery Test Device, The Macular Degeneration Detector (Mdd-2), For Diabetes And Diabetic Retinopathy Assessment, James Loughman, Matthew Ratzlaff, Brittany Foerg, Paul Connell

Articles

Background: Diabetic retinopathy can result in impaired photostress recovery time despite normal visual acuity and fundoscopic appearance. The Macular Degeneration Detector (MDD-2) is a novel flash photostress recovery time device. In this study, we examine the repeatability of the MDD-2 in normal and diabetic subjects. Methods: One hundred and ninety one (90 women, 101 men) subjects were recruited and divided into 1 of the 3 study groups (normal controls, n = 40; diabetes no retinopathy, n = 98; nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, n = 53). Photostress recovery time was measured three times in the study eye using the MDD-2, each measurement …

The Development Of A Public Optometry System In Mozambique: A Cost Benefit Analysis, Stephen Thompson, James Loughman

Conference Papers

No abstract provided.

Observations On Eye Care In Lamu, Kenya: Overlooked Needs And Proposed Interventions, Erick Henderson, Rebecca Gearhart

Scholarship

These notes draw attention to the underserved eye care needs of residents of Lamu, Kenya. They are comprised of observations that we, Rebecca Gearhart, an anthropology professor at Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) and Erick Henderson, an IWU biology and pre-optometry major and president of the Optometry Club, made while volunteering at a clinic in Lamu, Kenya during the summer of 2011. Plans to establish a temporary eye clinic emerged after Rebecca discovered that Erick was an optometric technician who might use his portable optometry lens set to fit residents of Lamu Town on Lamu Island for glasses and teach them …

Impact Of Computer Experience On The Viability And Repeatablity Of The Moorfields Motion Displacement Test In A Developing And Underserved African Setting, James Loughman, Carmen Gonzalez Alvarez, Gay Mary Verdon-Roe, Roger Anderson, Ramos Antonio Manuel, Kovin Naidoo

Articles

Background: The current study was designed to explore the effect of computer experience on the viability and testretest repeatability of the Moorfields Motion Displacement Test (MMDT), a novel computer-driven glaucoma screening device, in an African community setting. Methods: 164 healthy subjects were recruited from a semi-rural Mozambican environment, and stratified according to computer experience (computer naïve: n=85, computer familiar: n=79). A suprathreshold screening test algorithm was employed, and the global probability of true damage (GPTD), testing time (TT) and false positive (FP) response rate were recorded. The visual field test was conducted twice on the same eye, and results compared …

Relationship Between Fear Of Falling And Mobility Varies With Visual Function Among Older Adults, Orna Donoghue, Harriet Ryan, Eoin Duggan, Ciaran Finucane, George Sava, Hilary Cronin, James Loughman, Rose Anne Kenny

Articles

Aim: The present study examined the association between vision, fear of falling and fear-related activity restriction, and assessed the effect of vision on the relationship between fear of falling and mobility, using data from a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling adults aged ≥50 years. Methods: Participants (n = 5003) completed an interview and health assessment (including Timed Up-and-Go, vision and cognitive tests). Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were assessed using an Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study logMAR chart and Functional Vision Analyzer, respectively. Participants self-reported their vision as excellent, very good, good, fair or poor. They were assigned to no …

Effects Of Nicotine On The Human Visual System: 1) Color Perception; 2) Processing At The Cortical Level, Naser T. Naser

All ETDs from UAB

The visual system is sensitive to various types of chemical substances, including nicotine. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are found in the nervous system, including the retina. These receptors play a role in modulating signals within the visual system. It has been shown that smoking affects color vision, and visual evoked potentials (VEPs). But few studies have been devoted to understanding the effects of nicotine alone. The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of oral administration of nicotine in human adults, who are non-smokers, on color vision, and visual cortical processing. Previous studies on adult smokers revealed that …

Comparisons Between Electrophysiologic Assessments Of Visual Function And Histological Findings Of Cone Photoreceptors In Light-Damaged Albino Rats, Molly Clark

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this project was to investigate the etiology of decreased cone-driven vision in the light damage model of retinal degenerations. Experimental albino rats underwent moderate, low-intensity light damage for 10 days. Electroretinography was utilized to assess physiologic function of the rod- and cone-driven retinal function in the experimental and control (sibling) rats. Immunohistochemical staining for cone arrestin antibody identified cone photoreceptors, allowing quantification of cone density and comparison to the decline in functional vision. In this experiment the light-damaged rats showed decreased rod- and cone-driven function with partial recovery of responses 30 days later. Outer nuclear layer thickness …

The Role Of Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa Rhodopsin Mutant Ter349glu In Rod Cell Biogenesis And Retinal Inflammation, Tj Hollingsworth

All ETDs from UAB

Retinitis pigmentosa is one of the most common inherited blinding disorders, affecting 1 in 4000 individuals world-wide. Approximately 30% of retinitis pigmentosa cases are dominantly inherited and approximately 30% of these dominant mutations are found in rhodopsin. Most rhodopsin mutations result in misfolded protein aggregates and subsequent apoptosis while others have been shown to result in apoptosis associated with mislocalization, diminished/enhanced activity, or faulty protein-protein interactions. This work serves to test for mechanisms by which the naturally-occurring Ter349Glu rhodopsin mutation causes rod cell death. Ter349Glu rhodopsin was tested for the ability to bind the ligand 11-cis retinal, photoactivate, and activate …

The Effects Of Nicotine On The Human Adult Visual Pathway And Processing, Stefanie B. Varghese

All ETDs from UAB

Nicotine, the primary addictive component found in tobacco/cigarettes, can bind to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR), which are found throughout the central nervous system including the retina of the eye. Previous studies have shown nAChR expression in the retina of non-human and human (Hutchins & Hollyfield, 1985; Liu et al., 2009). By use of electrophysiologic measures, i.e. electroretinograms (ERGs), early reports indicated that nicotine and/or cigarette smoking affects vision and visual processing in different species (Jurklies, Kaelin-Lang, & Niemeyer, 1996; Jünemann & Damaske, 1968). Because previous human studies have used only cigarette smokers, there are questions about what role nicotine, itself, …

Comparison Of Low Abundance Biomarker Levels In Capillary-Collected Non-Stimulated Tears And Washout Tears Of Aqueous-Deficient And Normal Patients, Nicole Guyette

All ETDs from UAB

Purpose: For patients suffering from aqueous-deficient dry eye, non-stimulated (NS) tear collection can be challenging and time-consuming. Adding a small volume of sterile saline to the eye allows a "washout" (WO) tear collection that takes considerably less time. The primary goal of this project was to determine if WO tear collection is a viable alternative to NS tears for comparing the levels of common ocular surface biomarkers in patients with and without aqueous-deficient dry eye (AD). Stimulated (Stim) tears were also investigated as a second possible alternative to NS tears. Methods: Two studies were conducted, tear cytokine levels being measured …

Visual Performance, And It's Response To Intervention, In Subjects With Age-Related Macular Degeneration., Sarah Sabour-Pickett

Doctoral

Abstract Objectives: 1. To explore visual performance status through a range of psychophysical methods beyond corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), in subjects with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). 2. To investigate the effects on these visual performance parameters in subjects with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nv-AMD) and in subjects with early AMD undergoing anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) therapy and macular carotenoid supplementation, respectively. 3. To understand the role of a supplement containing meso-zeaxanthin (MZ; the third, and currently least explored, macular carotenoid) on the augmentation of macular pigment (MP), on visual performance and on disease progression (graded according to the …

Temporal Characteristics Of Monoptic, Dichoptic And Half-Binocular Collinear Lateral Masking Of Contrast Detection, Wesley Tod Kinerk

Dissertations

Purpose: The temporal characteristics of dichoptic contrast integration across space in primary visual cortex are relatively unknown. This study investigated the effect of varying interstimulus interval (ISI) and flank duration on contrast detection threshold (CDT) of a sinusoid target under monoptic, dichoptic and half-binocular viewing. Methods: Eleven subjects with normal vision participated for a mean of 25 hours each. In the main experiment, target and flanks were 3 cpd vertical sinusoids with 6 lambda (sigma = 1.5 lambda) center-to-center vertical separation. Flank contrast was normalized to 3X flank CDT. Flanks were presented at 4 durations (67-500ms) and ISIs were presented …

Impact Of Macular Pigment On Visual Performance, James Loughman, Peter Davison, John Nolan, Stephen Beatty

Articles

PURPOSE. To investigate changes in macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and visual performance following supplementation with different macular carotenoid formulations. METHODS. Thirty-six subjects (19 male, 17 female; mean 6 SD, age 51 6 13 years) were recruited into this single-masked placebo-controlled study, and were randomly assigned to one of the following three intervention (supplementation) groups: (1) group 1 (20 mg lutein [L] and 2 mg zeaxanthin [Z]); (2) group 2 (10 mg L, 2 mg Z, and 10 mg meso-zeaxanthin [MZ]); and group 3 (placebo). Outcomes measures included visual performance and MPOD response. Data were collected at baseline, at 3 …

Clinical Applicability Of The Macular Degeneration Detection Device (Mdd-2): A Novel Photostress Recovery Measurement Device, James Loughman, Ciara Hewitt, Claire Judge, Louise Martin, Claire Moulds, Peter Davison

Articles

Background: Diseases affecting the macula, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy and central serous retinopathy can result in impaired photostress recovery time (PSRT) despite normal visual acuity and fundoscopic appearance. The MDD-2 Macular Degeneration Detection Device is a novel flash photostress recovery device. In this study, we examine the repeatability of the MDD-2 in a normal population and its suitability for incorporation into routine clinical practice. Methods: One hundred (60 female) subjects (mean age 35+-8 years; range 18 to 66 years) were recruited to partake in this study. The photostress recovery time was measured using the MDD-2 on …

Growth And Expression Of Halorhodopsin For Application In A Protein-Based Artificial Retina, Megan Ryan Gillespie

Honors Scholar Theses

Halorhodopsin (HR), a light-activated chloride ion pump, demonstrates potential for use as the scaffolding in an artificial retina. Retinal implants are needed to restore vision to people afflicted with ophthalmic diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP). A protein-based chloride ion-patch would be utilized by the eye to create an influx of chloride ions, similar to ion concentrations in healthy retinas during the conversion of light stimuli to electrochemical signals. This protein-based retinal prosthesis will directly stimulate the bipolar cells of the retina, replacing the function of damaged photoreceptor cells. Other alternative treatments for AMD and …

Student Experience In Optometry Education In Mozambique: Initial Challenges In An International Collaborative Program, Kajal Shah

Conference Papers

Purpose:

One of the solutions to creating sustainable eye care structures is education of personnel. Mozambique currently has only 17 ophthalmologists for a population of 21 million and 34 trained Ophthalmic Technicians, the only two providers of refraction services within the local health system. There are no optometrists. The Mozambique Eyecare Project is funding the training of the country’s first optometrists at the University of Lurio in Nampula, Mozambique. Their core competencies will be evaluated with a view to creating best practise in education in a developing world environment.

Method:

This is a longitudinal evaluation of the refraction competencies …

Faculty Requirement For A Portuguese Language Optometry Program: Experience And Challenges Of The Mozambique Eye Care Project, Diane Wallace

Conference Papers

Faculty recruitment for a Portuguese-language optometry program: experiences and challenges of The Mozambique Eye Care Project

Ms Diane Wallace BOptom, MPA

University of KawZulu Natal, South Africa

Purpose

The Mozambique Eyecare Project (MEP) is a unique institutional collaboration in a programme for the development, implementation and evaluation of a regional optometry training model for Portuguese-speaking Africa. The Project was initiated in February 2009 with the first cohort of undergraduate students beginning classes at Lúrio University in Northern Mozambique. This is the first Portuguese-language optometry program in Africa, and with no professionally qualified optometrists locally, faculty had to be recruited from …

Primary School Vision Screening Involving Teachers In Nampula, Mozambique., Aoife Phelan

Conference Papers

Purpose

There is no plan for a national child eye care programme or existing human resource infrastructure to address the immediate challenge of child eye health in Mozambique. Furthermore, the prevalence and incidence of refractive error, visual impairment (VI) and child blindness (CB) in Mozambique is unknown. VI and CB have devastating personal, developmental, economic and other implications for the child, the family, the community and indeed, the nation. This study aims to design, implement and evaluate a school based paediatric vision screening service, to identify those in need of eye health services, among Mozambique’s 11,561,000 children.

Methods

Primary School …