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Purpose: The study intends to evaluate the demographic and clinical profile of pediatric patients (0–18 years) attending six vision centers (VCs) of a tertiary eye care facility in south India. Methods: This is a cross?sectional observation study conducted at six major peripheral VCs of a tertiary eye care facility in South India from June 20 to Dec 20. All children presenting at the VCs under a base hospital (BH) in Pondicherry, whose parents gave consent were included. Data were entered by the ophthalmic assistants in the VC and cross checked by the principal investigator at the BH. Results: A total of 250 pediatric patients were brought to the VCs during the study period, predominantly males (60.8%), with a mean age of 8.2 ± 4.5 years (0– 18 years). Half of them were staying within 5 km from the VCs. Most children were escorted by their parents (88%), and the expenditure of travel to the VC was affordable for most of the parents (75%). Also, 53.6% of patients were in their primary school, while schooling had not started for 28% of children. Visual acuity (VA) could be assessed only for school?going children and older children due to lack of age?matched VA assessment tools. Most children (91.3%) had uncorrected VA better than or equal to 6/18 in the better eye, and approximately 3% had VA worse than 6/60. All patients had best corrected VA of 6/6–6/18 after cycloplegic refraction. Most children reported to the VC for allergic conjunctivitis (25%), followed by refractive error (13%) and squint (10.4%). Urgent referral to the BH was made for 47 children. Conclusion: Primary eye care in pediatric population?I (PREPP?I) showed that most children can be treated at the VCs and only one?fifth of the children require active intervention at higher referral centers. Further study on satisfaction of services provided for pediatric patients in these VCs and barriers of not reporting to the BH when referred are considered for the PREPP?II study
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In January 2022, after an eight-year hiatus, the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) published the latest version of AAPOS uniform guidelines for instrument-based pediatric vision screen validation.Based on recent studies, the new guidelines have been updated and supplemented in many aspects, such as screening population, key points, methods and diagnosis criteria, including clinically significant refractive errors and myopia, simplified age subgroups, and adopted meridional refractive power.The updated guidelines will improve pediatric eye care, early detection of amblyopia and refractive screening, reduce excessive referral and ultimately improve the effectiveness of vision screening.In this article, the background and specific content of the updated guidelines were interpreted to guide clinical practice.
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Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the relationship between refractive outcomes with the extent of retinal vascularization and severity of the plus disease in infants treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB). Methods: Pre?IVB fundus images (PFIs), final fundus images (FFIs), and refractive outcomes of the 93 infants who underwent IVB monotherapy for type 1 and aggressive retinopathy of prematurity (A?ROP) were retrospectively evaluated. Quantitative measurements were performed on PFIs and FFIs. Pre?IVB plus severity was scored on a five?leveled scale. Correlation between spherical equivalent (SE) with pre?treatment and final extent of the temporal retinal vascularization and pre?treatment severity of plus disease was analyzed. Results: There was a linear and low positive correlation between the extent of pre?IVB and final temporal retinal vascularization with final SE (p = 0.000, r = 0.267; P = 0.002, r = 0.274, respectively). There was a low negative correlation between the pre?IVB plus severity score with final SE (p = 0.012, r = ?0.192). Gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), IVB dose, presence of additional IVB, or laser treatments were not correlated with refractive outcome. Out of 171 eyes, 38 eyes had >1 D myopia. In the univariate logistic analyses, pre?IVB retinal zone and pre?IVB and final extent of the temporal retinal vascularization were found to be related to the development of >1 D myopia (p = 0.002, odds ratio (OR) = 0.298; P = 0.000, OR = 0.281; P = 0.001, OR = 0.317; respectively). Conclusion: Our study indicates that the pre?treatment and final extent of retinal vascularization were the main parameters that were related to final refractive outcomes in IVB?treated eyes for type 1 and A?ROP.
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We piloted an innovation in teaching by conducting live virtual bedside clinics and evaluated the effectiveness compared to conventional bedside clinics. The purpose is to report the methodology and survey results of this innovation in teaching. A virtual bedside clinic was set up utilizing multiple audio-visual aids at a tertiary eye care facility. The bedside clinic was conducted and streamed live to pre-registered participants across the globe using the Zoom platform. The online survey was conducted comparing its effectiveness with conventional bedside clinics. A total of five sessions were conducted. A total of 2058 participants registered (411/session), of which 938 (45.57%) attended (187/session). A total of 287 participants (30.6%) responded to the survey. The respondents included ophthalmology residents (43.4%), fellows (19%), sub-specialty ophthalmologists (15.4%), general ophthalmologists (12%), and optometrists (9%). More than 95% of the respondents felt that these clinics were equally effective/better in imparting the following: physical examination 97%, clinical knowledge 99.3%, clinical reasoning 98.3%, procedural skills 95%, and communication skills 96.5%. Respondents suggested that these clinics were better/equally effective in the following techniques: general examination (96%), ocular motility (93.3%), nystagmus evaluation (93.3%), and anterior (80%) and posterior segment examination (73.3%). The hybrid mode presentation (97.3%) and discussion with the panel (100%) were reported to be equally effective/much better. Live virtual bedside clinics are a novel and effective way of continuing quality teaching and impactful learning. Most of the bedside manners, procedural skills, and examination techniques can be effectively taught through this virtual platform with a scope to improve anterior and posterior segment examination skills.
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Purpose: To study the profile, risk factors, and management outcomes of infantile strabismus at a tertiary eye care center. Methods: We prospectively analyzed the data of infants (children less than 1 year of age) who presented at our institute from August 2018 to December 2019. We excluded infants who did not complete a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Detailed meticulous history based on a set of standardized questionnaires was obtained and a comprehensive ophthalmological examination of the child was performed. Data were collected regarding refractive error (astigmatism; myopia; hyperopia; anisometropia [<1.0 DS or >1.0 DS]; astigmatism [<1.0 DS or >1.0 DS]) and the type of strabismus. Results: During this period, we saw 4,773 infants, out of which 123 infants were diagnosed to have infantile-onset strabismus (hospital prevalence of 2.6%). Boys and girls were equally affected. Sixty-two patients had esotropia, 37 had exotropia, 2 had hypotropia, and 22 had pseudo strabismus. Prematurity, hypermetropia, and anisometropia had increased odds of developing esotropia, whereas delivery by cesarean section, delayed cry at birth, infantile seizures, parental consanguinity, delayed development of milestones, and myopia had increased odds of developing exotropia. Twenty-nine patients underwent a surgical correction. The mean deviation at the first visit was 42.59 ± 15.40 PD and 8.25 ± 12.70 PD at the last visit. For all patients who underwent a squint surgery, the change in ocular deviation was clinically and statistically significant (P-value <0.0001, paired t?test). Conclusion: The hospital prevalence of infantile strabismus in our cohort was found to be 2.6%. Our study suggests that esotropia is two-fold more common in our cohort as compared to exotropia. Further, our study highlights risk factors for the development of strabismus in infancy, which must be kept in mind and awareness must be created among pediatricians. Surgical correction should be considered early during the infantile period, because it may lead to promote the development of good binocular vision.
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Background@#Vision impairment impacts children’s physical well-being, psychological state, and productivity. The Impact of Vision Impairment for Children (IVI_C) is a vision-specific pediatric instrument designed to assess the effects of visual impairment on the quality of life (QoL) in children aged 8 to 18 years who have no additional disabilities. It measures quality of life to assess the needs of children with low vision and outcomes of interventions by deriving answers from both children and their caregivers. @*Objectives@#The primary objective of the study was to determine the effect of visual impairment on the quality of life of children aged 8 to 18 years. @*Methods@#This was an observational, analytical, cross-sectional study conducted at the Outpatient Department of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital, Sentro Oftalmologico Jose Rizal (SOJR), General and Pediatric Ophthalmology Clinics. We included children 8 to 18 years of age with best corrected visual acuity of less than or equal to 20/40 in the better-seeing eye for the visually impaired (VI) group. The control group included children aged 8 to 18 years with best corrected visual acuity of 20/20 to 20/30 in both eyes. Participants underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, including the determination of visual acuity using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study( ETDRS ) chart prior to administration of the Filipino version of IVI_C questionnaire. After the ophthalmologic examination and prior to end of the medical consultation, the investigator administered the questionnaire to the children and their parents. @*Results@#A total of 133 participants were included in the study, 67 in the visually impaired group and 66 in the control group. Participants had a median age of 10 years (range, 8 to 18), and 54% were female. Overall QoL scores and sub-scores across domains were significantly lower in the visually impaired group compared to the control group. The mean total and domain IVI_C scores progressively declined with increasing severity of visual impairment. The mean (±SD) total score ranged from 56 ± 6 in the mildly impaired to 42 ± 8 in the severe bilateral impairment group. On multivariate analysis, the significant predictors of quality of life were visual impairment and age. Quality of life of children with visual impairment is lower by 33.59 points (95% CI -35.82 to -31.36) than those in the control group. The QoL score increased by 0.579 per one unit increase in age. This model explained 87.05% of the variance in the IVI_C scores (p < 0.01). @*Conclusion@#Children with visual impairment have significantly decreased IVI_C and quality of life scores, overall and across domains. Lower scores are associated with increased severity of visual impairment.
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Child , Vision Disorders , Quality of LifeABSTRACT
Childhood blindness causes significant social and economic burden. Even though pediatric eye care has gained priority under Vision 2020, it continues to come under the purview of tertiary care centers due to lack of knowhow and facilities at primary and secondary level. Currently, India does not have standard guidelines on pediatric eye examination, refraction, and amblyopia management and therefore these are being managed inadequately or inappropriately. In view of this, an expert group of pediatric ophthalmologists from across the country met under the aegis of All India Ophthalmological Society, and deliberated to reach a consensus on the correct method of pediatric eye examination, treating refractive error in children and managing amblyopia. The purpose of the consensus statement was to enable all ophthalmologists to have a broad set of guidelines, which can form the basic framework for managing common pediatric eye conditions, in most ophthalmic setups. The consensus statement is divided into three broad categories: Pediatric eye examination, pediatric refraction, and amblyopia management. The pediatric eye exam subsection discusses the recommended clinical history, which should be taken and the essential components of an ophthalmic examination including pediatric vision assessment. Additionally, it discusses the role of special tests and investigations such as imaging and electrophysiology. The section on pediatric refraction emphasizes the correct use of cycloplegia and prescribing glasses in the Indian context. The final section on amblyopia management presents the various options of treating amblyopia and provides standard guidelines for the use of occlusion therapy and its weaning over time.
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@#In recent years, artificial intelligence(AI)technology has developed rapidly, and its practice and application in the medical field have brought new possibilities to the development of the medical industry. In the field of general ophthalmology, AI technology based on machine learning(ML)has greatly improved the efficiency of diagnosis, but less progress has been made in pediatric ophthalmology. At present, AI technology has been applied to the automatic detection of retinopathy of prematurity(ROP), pediatric cataracts, inspection of strabismus and refractive error, prediction of high myopia in the future, diagnosis of dyslexia through eye tracking and research of ophthalmic images. This article reviews the current status, progress, and future development of AI in pediatric ophthalmology.
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Objetivo: Determinar la efectividad de la terapia visual con el uso del PlayStation PortableTM en la ambliopía. Método: Se incluyeron 40 pacientes de 5-10 años de edad con ambliopía estrábica, anisometrópica o ambas, aleatorizados en 4 grupos según el tipo de terapia a utilizar (10 pacientes por grupo): grupo 1, PlayStation PortableTM y lentes rojo-verde; grupo 2, PlayStation PortableTM y lentes con vidrio esmerilado en el ojo fijador (no ambliope); grupo 3, PlayStation PortableTM y parche oclusivo en el ojo fijador; grupo 4, parche oclusivo en el ojo fijador sin el PlayStation PortableTM. Todos los pacientes utilizaron su refracción. Las actividades de los grupos 1 al 3 incluyeron jugar videojuegos y ver películas 1-2 horas al día; el grupo 4 podía realizar cualquier actividad. Se valoró la agudeza visual mejor corregida semanalmente, hasta completar 3 meses de tratamiento. En el postratamiento se valoró la agudeza visual mejor corregida mensualmente durante 3 meses. Resultados: En total se estudiaron 40 pacientes, de los cuales el 60 por ciento fueron del sexo femenino, con un promedio de edad de 8,2 años, rango de 5-10 años. El tipo más frecuente de ambliopía fue la estrábica (55 por ciento), seguido de la anisometrópica (37,5 por ciento) y ambas (7,5 por ciento). En cuanto al ojo afectado, en el 62,5 por ciento fue el ojo izquierdo y en el 37,5 por ciento el ojo derecho. Conclusiones: En este estudio el grupo con mejores resultados fue el de filtro rojo-verde. Al suspender la terapia se observó un deterioro visual en los cuatro grupos, sin regresar a la basal. Se demuestra que el PlayStation PortableTM funciona como terapia en la ambliopía con una mejoría en la agudeza visual mejor corregida(AU)
Objective: Determine the effectiveness of visual therapy with PlayStation PortableTM for amblyopia. Methods: The study sample was composed of 40 patients aged 5-10 years with strabismic amblyopia, anisometropic amblyopia or both, randomized to 4 groups according to the therapy to be used (10 patients per group): Group 1: PlayStation PortableTM and red-green lenses; Group 2: PlayStation PortableTM and frosted glass lenses on the fixating (non-amblyopic) eye; Group 3: PlayStation PortableTM and occlusive patch on the fixating eye; Group 4: occlusive patch on the fixating eye without PlayStation PortableTM. All the patients used their refraction. The activities performed by Groups 1-3 included playing video games and watching movies 1-2 hours per day; Group 4 could perform any activity. Best corrected visual acuity was measured weekly until completing 3 months of treatment. In the post-treatment period best corrected visual acuity was measured monthly for 3 months. Results: A total 40 patients were studied, of whom 60 percent were female, with a mean age of 8.2 years, range of 5-10 years. Strabismic amblyopia was the most common type (55 percent), followed by anisometropic amblyopia (37,5 percent) and both (7.5 percent). The affected eye was the left eye in 62.5 percent and the right eye in 37.5 percent. Conclusions: It was found that PlayStation PortableTM is effective as therapy for amblyopia, improving best corrected visual acuity. The group with the best results was the red-green filter group. Upon suspension of the therapy, visual deterioration was observed in the 4 groups, without returning to baseline values(AU)
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Humans , Female , Child , Amblyopia/therapy , Video Games/adverse effects , Strabismus/etiologyABSTRACT
Purpose: To study the prevalence, determine the magnitude, and cause of amblyopia among the children aged 6 months to 16 years in Kamrup district, Assam, India. Methods: Among a total of 39,651 children between 6 months and 16 years of age, door-to-door screening was conducted by trained workers. For children above 5 years of age who failed to read the 6/9 line, camps were conducted in the nearby schools. Children below 5 years of age were directly referred to the tertiary eye care institute. After visual acuity assessment at the institute, cycloplegic refraction and complete ophthalmic examination were done to rule out other causes of diminution of vision. Axial length measurement and corneal topography were performed in children with high refractive errors. Results: Of the total 39,651 children screened, 469 were diagnosed to have amblyopia at the camp and 223 were diagnosed at the institute. The prevalence of amblyopia was 1.75%. Amblyopia was more common among the males (52.50%) as compared to females. Maximum number of patients were found in the age group of 11–16 (63.58%). Refractive amblyopia was found to be the most common cause of amblyopia (45.29%). In children below 5 years, deprivation amblyopia and strabismic amblyopia were more common. Conclusion: Awareness of amblyopia among the parents is essential for early detection and treatment of the disease, which will, in turn, reduce the burden of childhood visual impairment.
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PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of anterior segment swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) for examining horizontal extraocular muscle thickness, distance from the corneal limbus to the insertion of the horizontal extraocular muscle (limbus to insertion distance), and scleral thickness in Korean pediatric strabismus patients. METHODS: This study included pediatric strabismus patients between 5 and 10 years of age. Children with any ocular disease other than strabismus or a history of ocular surgery were excluded. SS-OCT was used to measure horizontal extraocular muscle thickness, limbus to insertion distance, and scleral thickness. Eyes were classified into subgroups by sex, spherical equivalent of the refractive error (measured with cycloplegic refraction), and fixating/deviating eye. RESULTS: One patient initially included in this study was excluded due to poor cooperation. Of the remaining 35 eyes of 20 patients, 19 eyes (54.3%) were from male patients and 16 eyes (45.7%) were from female patients. The mean patient age was 7.86 ± 1.38 years. Lateral scleral thickness was greater in male eyes than in female eyes (p = 0.048). No other differences were noted between male and female children. Additionally, there were no statistically significant differences between fixating and deviating eyes or among spherical equivalent groups for any parameter examined. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior segment SS-OCT can successfully and comfortably measure horizontal extraocular muscle and scleral anatomy in children. These measurements may be helpful for treatment and follow-up of pediatric strabismus patients.
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Child , Female , Humans , Male , Follow-Up Studies , Limbus Corneae , Oculomotor Muscles , Refractive Errors , Sclera , Strabismus , Tomography, Optical CoherenceABSTRACT
La parálisis de convergencia se caracteriza por la imposibilidad de la convergencia en la mirada próxima, con diplopía horizontal cruzada a partir de 1 metro, con aducción normal. La parálisis de la convergencia es una condición distinta de la insuficiencia de la convergencia y normalmente secundaria a una lesión intracraneal. Acude paciente de 12 años de edad por presentar diplopía horizontal de cerca ± 1 metro de 3 meses de evolución, cefalea, lagrimeo y fotofobia. La impresión diagnóstica fue parálisis de convergencia. En los estudios neurológicos solo se encontró implantación baja de las amígdalas cerebrales. Aún no se precisa la etiología aunque se recoge el antecedente de un traumatismo craneal sin relevancia por la familia
The convergence paralysis is characterized by impossible convergence in the near sight, with crossed horizontal diplopia at one meter distance and normal adduction. The convergence paralysis is a condition different from the inadequate convergence and usually secondary to intracranial lesion. A 12-years old patient went to the hospital because he had suffered horizontal diplopia in near sight (± 1 meter) for 3 months, migraine, watering and photophobia. The definitive diagnosis was convergence paralysis. In the neurological studies, the low placing of the tonsils of cerebellum was the only finding. The etiology of this disorder is not determined yet; although there is some history of head trauma to which the family did not pay enough attention
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Humans , Female , Child , Convergence, Ocular/physiology , Diplopia/complications , Case ReportsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To report the clinical outcome of children with unilateral high myopic anisometropic amblyopia who were treated with contact lenses (CL). METHODS: Patients who had myopic anisometropia greater than -7 diopters and was treated with contact lenses combined with occlusion therapy during the period between 1998 and 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-seven patients who were followed up for more than 1 year after treatment were included in the study. Initial and final best corrected visual acuities (BCVA) were compared and factors which influence the visual outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 10 out of 27 patients (37%) acquired visual improvement of more than 2 lines. At the final examination, 6 patients (22.2%) had BCVA better than logMAR 0.3 and 10 patients (37.0%) had BCVA better than logMAR 0.7. Medullated nerve fiber and strabismus were the most commonly associated ocular pathologies among the patients. Patients without strabismus or medullated nerve fiber acquired greater visual improvement than patients with these comorbidities. Patients with lower initial refractive error (spherical equivalent) in the amblyopic eye acquired a better final vision. Poor compliance to CL wearing or occlusion therapy adversely affected the final vision. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study of children with unilateral severe myopic anisometropic amblyopia treated with CL combined with occlusion therapy, a third of the patients acquired visual improvement of more than 2 lines. The absence of medullated nerve fiber or strabismus was determined to be a good prognostic factor.