Baseline macular pigment optical density among Filipinos with age-related macular degeneration

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> To compare the macular pigment optical density (MPOD) among Filipinos with and without age¬related macular degeneration (AMD).</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>METHODS:</strong> Consecutive patients with AMD and without posterior segment disease were recruited into the study Baseline MPOD measurements using an autofluorescence spectrometer were obtained. MPOD in the 0.5 degree retinal eccentricity and the average of 3 measurements (MPOD Max) was the primary outcome measure.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>RESULTS:</strong> 120 patients, aged 50 to 80 years, were included into 3 groups: group 1 (n=40) without retinal disease, group 2 (n=40) with non-neovascular AMD, and group 3 (n=40) with neovascular AMD. The mean baseline MPOD were: 0.382 ± 0.10 DU for group 1, 0.333 ± 0.07 DU for group 2, and 0.283 ± 0.07 DU for group 3. Significant differences were present comparing the MPOD values of the 3 groups.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>Eyes without retinal disease had higher MPOD than those with early non-neovascular or neovascular AMD.</p>

2014 updated recommendations for preschool vision screening: Guidelines for Filipino children entering the Philippine public school system

@#In 2004, the University of the Philippines Manila published the Philippine Guidelines on Periodic Health Examination (PHEX): Effective Screening for Diseases among Apparently Healthy Filipinos. 1 The document was envisioned to “contribute… to the quality and efficiency of health care and health maintenance for all Filipinos… It was an appeal for rational medical decision-making, and an important step toward “equitable distribution of health and health resources.” The guidelines were prepared by designated task forces, with vision disorders, specifically vision impairment, and glaucoma identified as areas of interest. PHEX recommendations were drafted using standardized principles and a common protocol, with each statement undergoing four phases of development: (1) preparation of the evidence- based draft; (2) en banc meeting that gave panelists a chance to assess and revise the draft, where issues of feasibility, resource limitations, value judgment, and experts’ opinions were taken into account. A consensus was declared when at least 75% agreed on a recommendation; (3) for unresolved issues, modified Delphi technique was employed by correspondence until a consensus was reached or a maximum of three circulations were accomplished. If still unresolved, the issue was labeled as such and included in the final draft; (4) lastly, a public forum was conducted before the final draft was written. In this manner, the recommendations for Screening for Visual Impairment were written by the Task Force for Vision Disorders.