Choroidal macrovessel and persistent metamorphopsia after epiretinal membrane surgery.

We report the case of a 59-year-old man with decreased visual acuity and metamorphopsia in both eyes in the context of bilateral epiretinal membrane (ERM) who underwent retinovitreal surgery (chromovitrectomy plus peeling of internal limiting membrane). He recovered visual acuity in his left eye. However, the visual results of his right eye were not satisfactory, with persistence of metamorphopsia in that eye. The multimodal imaging study that included color and red filter retinographies, enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT), fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), OCT angiography (OCTA) and OCT en face, were useful to diagnose a choroidal macrovessel. This ran from the fovea to the temporal macula. EDI-OCT revealed that the choroidal macrovessel generated a foveal deformation of both the ellipsoid zone (EZ) and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). This paper discusses whether structural changes in the fovea generated by the choroidal macrovessel are related to persistent metamorfopsia in the affected eye.

Macrovaso coroideo y metamorfopsia persistente después de cirugía de membrana epirretiniana / Choroidal macrovessel and persistent metamorphopsia after epiretinal membrane surgery

Presentamos el caso de un hombre de 59 años con disminución de agudeza visual y metamorfopsia en ambos ojos en el contexto de membrana epirretiniana bilateral (MER) que fue intervenido con cirugía retinovítrea (cromovitrectomía más pelado de membrana limitante interna). Presentó recuperación de agudeza visual en su ojo izquierdo. Sin embargo, los resultados visuales de su ojo derecho no fueron satisfactorios, con persistencia de metamorfopsia en dicho ojo. El estudio con imagen multimodal que incluyó retinografía en color y filtro rojo, tomografía de coherencia óptica con imagen de profundidad mejorada (OCT-EDI), angiografía fluoresceínica (AF), angiografía verde de indocianina (ICGA), OCT-angiografía (OCTA) y OCT en-face fue útil para diagnosticar un macrovaso coroideo. Este recorría desde la fóvea hasta la mácula temporal. La OCT-EDI reveló que el macrovaso coroideo generaba una deformación foveal tanto de la zona elipsoide (ZE) como del epitelio pigmentario de retina (EPR). En este trabajo se discute si los cambios estructurales en la fóvea generados por el macrovaso coroideo están relacionados con la metamorfopsia persistente en el ojo afectado (AU)

We report the case of a 59-year-old man with decreased visual acuity and metamorphopsia in both eyes in the context of bilateral epiretinal membrane (ERM) who underwent retinovitreal surgery (chromovitrectomy plus peeling of internal limiting membrane). He recovered visual acuity in his left eye. However, the visual results of his right eye were not satisfactory, with persistence of metamorphopsia in that eye. The multimodal imaging study that included colour and red filter retinographies, enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT), fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), OCT angiography (OCTA) and OCT en face, were useful to diagnose a choroidal macrovessel. This ran from the fovea to the temporal macula. EDI-OCT revealed that the choroidal macrovessel generated a foveal deformation of both the ellipsoid zone (EZ) and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). This paper discusses whether structural changes in the fovea generated by the choroidal macrovessel are related to persistent metamorfopsia in the affected eye (AU)

Respuesta a: «Teleoftalmología para el cribado de la retinopatía diabética: valor de la formación continuada» / Response to: ‘Teleophthalmology for the screening of diabetic retinopathy: Value of continuing education’

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Teleoftalmología para el cribado de la retinopatía diabética: experiencia de 8 años / Tele-ophthalmology for diabetic retinopathy screening: 8 years of experience

OBJETIVO: Mostrar los resultados de un programa de cribado de la retinopatía diabética desde el ámbito de la atención primaria. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de los datos recogidos mediante registro informático automatizado desde el 1 de enero de 2007, hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2015. RESULTADOS: El número de pacientes cribados aumentó progresivamente desde 7.173 en 2007 hasta 42.339 en 2015. Asimismo, la habilidad de los médicos de familia en la interpretación de retinografías mejoró progresivamente, clasificando como normales un 55% de las retinografías en 2007, llegando a un 68% en 2015. El número de retinografías consideradas no valorables disminuyó a lo largo del programa, registrándose picos de hasta el 15% y situándose en un 7% en 2015, en parte gracias a un cambio en la normativa, que permitió dilatar la pupila. Se detectaron cada vez menos casos graves, pasándose de un 14% de retinopatías diabéticas no proliferativas severas y proliferativas al inicio del programa a un 3% en 2015. CONCLUSIONES: El cribado de la oftalmopatía diabética mediante teleoftalmología se reveló como un método muy valioso en una población en crecimiento como es la diabética, facilitando las revisiones al usuario, ayudando a descongestionar los servicios de atención especializada y detectando los casos tratables con mayor precocidad. Sin embargo, los efectos de la implantación no fueron inmediatos, obteniéndose unos resultados modestos en los primeros años del proyecto, que mejoraron en los años subsiguienteS

PURPOSE: To describe the results of a diabetic retinopathy screening program implemented in a primary care area. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted using data automatically collected since the program began on 1 January 2007 until 31 December 2015. RESULTS: The number of screened diabetic patients has progressively increased, from 7,173 patients in 2007 to 42,339 diabetic patients in 2015. Furthermore, the ability of family doctors to correctly interpret retinographies has improved, with the proportion of retinal images classified as normal having increased from 55% in 2007 to 68% at the end of the study period. The proportion of non-evaluable retinographies decreased to 7% in 2015, having peaked at 15% during the program. This was partly due to a change in the screening program policy that allowed the use of tropicamide. The number of severe cases detected has declined, from 14% with severe non-proliferative and proliferativediabetic retinopathy in the initial phase of the program to 3% in 2015. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic eye disease screening by tele-ophthalmology has shown to be a valuable method in a growing population of diabetics. It leads to a regular medical examination of patients, helps ease the workload of specialised care services and favours the early detection of treatable cases. However, the results of implementing a program of this type are not immediate, achieving only modest results in the early years of the project that have improved over subsequent years

Tele-ophthalmology for diabetic retinopathy screening: 8 years of experience. / Teleoftalmología para el cribado de la retinopatía diabética: experiencia de 8 años.

PURPOSE: To describe the results of a diabetic retinopathy screening program implemented in a primary care area. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted using data automatically collected since the program began on 1 January 2007 until 31 December 2015. RESULTS: The number of screened diabetic patients has progressively increased, from 7,173 patients in 2007 to 42,339 diabetic patients in 2015. Furthermore, the ability of family doctors to correctly interpret retinographies has improved, with the proportion of retinal images classified as normal having increased from 55% in 2007 to 68% at the end of the study period. The proportion of non-evaluable retinographies decreased to 7% in 2015, having peaked at 15% during the program. This was partly due to a change in the screening program policy that allowed the use of tropicamide. The number of severe cases detected has declined, from 14% with severe non-proliferative and proliferativediabetic retinopathy in the initial phase of the program to 3% in 2015. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic eye disease screening by tele-ophthalmology has shown to be a valuable method in a growing population of diabetics. It leads to a regular medical examination of patients, helps ease the workload of specialised care services and favours the early detection of treatable cases. However, the results of implementing a program of this type are not immediate, achieving only modest results in the early years of the project that have improved over subsequent years.

Resultados coste-efectividad del implante de dexametasona en edema macular / A cost-effectiveness study of dexamethasone implants in macular edema

OBJETIVO: Analizar el beneficio coste-efectividad del implante intravítreo de dexametasona (Ozurdex®, Allergan, Irvine, CA, EE. UU.) en sus aplicaciones clínicamente relevantes. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Un total de 88 ojos de 86 pacientes con edema macular de > 300 μm medido mediante tomografía de coherencia óptica (Zeiss Cirrus, Dublín, CA, EE. UU.) fueron incluidos en este trabajo retrospectivo de 2 años, con un seguimiento mínimo de 6 meses. Se incluyeron 3 grupos de pacientes: el grupo 1 con edema macular en oclusión venosa retiniana, el grupo 2 con uveítis posterior no infecciosa y el grupo 3 con edema macular diabético, estando este fuera de indicación pero avalado por la literatura médica. Antes del implante y los días 1, 30, 60, 90 y 180 se evaluó la agudeza visual corregida (Snellen), espesor retiniano central, presión intraocular y biomicroscopia. Los análisis de coste-beneficio se tabularon por línea de visión ganada, comparando las principales alternativas terapéuticas, y se valoró el perfil de seguridad del implante intravítreo de dexametasona (Ozurdex®; Allergan, Irvine, CA, EE. UU.). RESULTADOS: Los resultados de este estudio no difirieron de los publicados por otros, en términos de mejoría de la agudeza visual en el 63,3% y del espesor macular central en el 97%. En los casos de recidiva, se produjo a los 120 días de media; la necesidad de retratamiento fue del 40,9%. Entre los efectos secundarios, el incremento de presión intraocular > 23 mm Hg se produjo en el 29,54%, controlándose con tratamiento tópico, excepto un 1,13% de los casos que requirieron tratamiento quirúrgico. El desarrollo de catarata fue del 44,7%, requiriendo cirugía un 10,6%. Los resultados del tratamiento mostraron una menor necesidad en la frecuencia del uso de Ozurdex® frente a otros tratamientos para el control de la enfermedad, convirtiéndose en una opción que permite el ahorro de costes. DISCUSIÓN: Los análisis coste-efectividad son clínicamente relevantes cuando se aplican estrategias terapéuticas en pacientes con edema macular. El implante de dexametasona intravítrea es una opción terapéutica segura y eficiente

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the cost-effectiveness and benefits of a dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex®, Allergan, Irvine, CA, USA.) in its clinically relevant applications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 88 eyes of 86 patients with macular edema of > 300 μm measured by optical coherence tomography (Cirrus Zeiss, Dublin, CA, USA) were included in this two-year retrospective study, with a minimum of 6 months follow-up. The patients were divide into 3 groups: group 1 with macular edema in retinal vein occlusion, group 2 with non-infectious posterior uveitis, and group 3 with diabetic macular edema. The treatment was off-label but supported by the literature. Before implantation, and on days 1, 30, 60, 90 and 180, corrected visual acuity (Snellen), central retinal thickness, intraocular pressure and biomicroscopy were evaluated. The cost-benefit analysis was tabulated by line of visual acuity gained, comparing the main therapeutic alternatives and assessment of the safety profile of the dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex®, Allergan, Irvine, CA, USA). RESULTS: The results of this study did not differ from the published studies, in terms of visual acuity improvement in 63.3% of cases, and with central macular thickness improvement in 97% of cases. There were relapses, which occurred after 120 days on average, and the need for retreatment was 40.9%. Increased intraocular pressure >23 mm Hg was among the side effects in 29.54%, and was controlled with topical treatment, except in 1.13% requiring surgical treatment. The development of cataract was 44.7%, and 10.6% required surgery. Treatment results showed less frequent use of Ozurdex® than other treatments for disease control, being a cost saving option. DISCUSSION: Cost-effectiveness analyses are clinically relevant when applying treatment strategies in patients with macular edema. Dexamethasone intravitreal implant appears to be a safe and efficient therapy

[A cost-effectiveness study of dexamethasone implants in macular edema]. / Resultados coste-efectividad del implante de dexametasona en edema macular.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the cost-effectiveness and benefits of a dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex®, Allergan, Irvine, CA, USA.) in its clinically relevant applications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 88 eyes of 86 patients with macular edema of > 300 µm measured by optical coherence tomography (Cirrus Zeiss, Dublin, CA, USA) were included in this two-year retrospective study, with a minimum of 6 months follow-up. The patients were divide into 3 groups: group 1 with macular edema in retinal vein occlusion, group 2 with non-infectious posterior uveitis, and group 3 with diabetic macular edema. The treatment was off-label but supported by the literature. Before implantation, and on days 1, 30, 60, 90 and 180, corrected visual acuity (Snellen), central retinal thickness, intraocular pressure and biomicroscopy were evaluated. The cost-benefit analysis was tabulated by line of visual acuity gained, comparing the main therapeutic alternatives and assessment of the safety profile of the dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex®, Allergan, Irvine, CA, USA). RESULTS: The results of this study did not differ from the published studies, in terms of visual acuity improvement in 63.3% of cases, and with central macular thickness improvement in 97% of cases. There were relapses, which occurred after 120 days on average, and the need for retreatment was 40.9%. Increased intraocular pressure >23 mm Hg was among the side effects in 29.54%, and was controlled with topical treatment, except in 1.13% requiring surgical treatment. The development of cataract was 44.7%, and 10.6% required surgery. Treatment results showed less frequent use of Ozurdex® than other treatments for disease control, being a cost saving option. DISCUSSION: Cost-effectiveness analyses are clinically relevant when applying treatment strategies in patients with macular edema. Dexamethasone intravitreal implant appears to be a safe and efficient therapy.

A combination of topical and systemic carbonic anhydrase in the treatment of chromosome X-linked retinoschisis.

CASE REPORT: A 17 year-old male patient, who since 2000 has referred to a progressive bilateral decrease in visual acuity. A "bicycle wheel" macula pattern was observed in his retina. The electroretinogram showed a decrease in the b-wave amplitude. The visual evoked potentials were normal. Optical coherence tomography showed bilateral macular edema. All this supported the diagnosis of X-linked retinoschisis. DISCUSSION: Genetic counseling was given and the pattern of X-linked inheritance was explained. A significant improvement of the macular thickness was observed after treatment with topical dorzolamide and oral acetazolamide.

[Guidelines of clinical practice of the SERV (Spanish Retina and Vitreous Society): management of ocular complications of diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy and macular oedema]. / Guías de práctica clínica de la SERV: manejo de las complicaciones oculares de la diabetes. Retinopatía diabética y edema macular.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetes mellitus is considered the most common cause of blindness in the working population of industrialized countries, with diabetic macular edema being the most common cause of decreased visual acuity and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) being responsible for the most severe visual deficits. We have therefore tried to establish a guide for clinical intervention whose purpose is to provide orientation on the treatment of diabetic retinopathy and its complications. This is necessary at a time when many treatment options have emerged whose role is not yet fully defined. METHOD: A group of expert retina specialists selected by the SERV (Vitreous-Retina Spanish Society) assessed the published results of different treatment options currently available, suggesting lines of action according to the degree of diabetic retinopathy present and the presence or absence of macular edema. RESULTS: PDR is primarily treated with pan-retinal photocoagulation. For clinically significant diabetic macular edema without signs of vitreomacular traction, the treatment of choice continues to be focal/grid photocoagulation. Similarly, retinovitreal surgery is indicated for both conditions. The use of antiangiogenic drugs was also analyzed but remains inconclusive. CONCLUSION: Laser therapy is effective in the management of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema. The role of antiangiogenics is not yet sufficiently defined.

Guías de Práctica Clínica de la SERV: Manejo de las complicaciones oculares de la diabetes. Retinopatía diabética y edema macular / Guidelines of Clinical Practice of the SERV: Management of ocular complications of diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy and macular oedema

Objetivo: La diabetes mellitus está considerada como la causa más frecuente de ceguera en lapoblación activa en los países industrializados,siendo el edema macular diabético la causa más frecuentede disminución de la agudeza visual y laretinopatía diabética proliferante la responsable delos déficit visuales más severos. Por ello hemosintentado establecer una guía de actuación clínicacuyo propósito es proporcionar unas directrices quesirvan de orientación para el tratamiento de la retinopatía diabética y sus complicaciones. Esto sehace necesario en un momento en el que han aparecidonumerosas alternativas terapéuticas cuyo papelaún no está completamente definido.Método: Un grupo de expertos retinólogos seleccionadospor la SERV han evaluado los resultadospublicados sobre las distintas opciones terapéuticasque existen en la actualidad, en base a lo cual sesugieren líneas de actuación según el grado de retinopatíadiabética que presenta el paciente y la presenciao no de edema macular.Resultados: El tratamiento princeps de la RDP esla panretinofotocoagulación (PFC). El tratamientode elección en el edema macular diabético clínicamentesignificativo sin signos de tracción vítreomacular continúa siendo la fotocoagulaciónfocal/rejilla. La cirugía retinovítrea tiene así mismosus indicaciones en ambas afecciones. Se discute eluso de fármacos antiangiogénicos.Conclusión: La laserterapia es efectiva en el manejode la RD y del EMD. El papel de los antiangiogénicosaún no está suficientemente definido (AU)

Objective: Diabetes mellitus is considered the most common cause of blindness in the working populationof industrialized countries, with diabetic macularedema being the most common cause of decreasedvisual acuity and proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR) being responsible for the most severevisual deficits. We have therefore tried to establisha guide for clinical intervention whose purpose is toprovide orientation on the treatment of diabetic retinopathyand its complications. This is necessary at a time when many treatment options have emergedwhose role is not yet fully defined.Method: A group of expert retina specialists selectedby the SERV (Vitreous-Retina Spanish Society)assessed the published results of different treatmentoptions currently available, suggesting lines ofaction according to the degree of diabetic retinopathypresent and the presence or absence of macularedema.Results: PDR is primarily treated with pan-retinalphotocoagulation. For clinically significant diabeticmacular edema without signs of vitreomacular traction,the treatment of choice continues to befocal/grid photocoagulation. Similarly, retinovitrealsurgery is indicated for both conditions. The use ofantiangiogenic drugs was also analyzed but remainsinconclusive.Conclusion: Laser therapy is effective in the managementof diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macularedema. The role of antiangiogenics is not yet sufficiently defined (AU)

[Review of the protocol for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy]. / Revisión del protocolo para el tratamiento de la retinopatía diabética.

We present general guidelines to help us with the treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) at a time when numerous therapeutic alternatives have been developed although their role has not yet been adequately defined. This protocol is not directed at experienced retinologists but rather at general ophthalmologists who require a practical and up to date guide of a pathology as prevalent as RD. The different therapeutic options available, and their most accepted indications depending on the degree of diabetic retinopathy that patients have, are reviewed. We propose what to do in cases of mild, moderate and severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy as well as in cases of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (panphotocoagulation/antiangiogenic drugs/vitreorretinal surgery). The treatment of diabetic macular edema depending on its angiographic and topographic characteristics is also discussed. The importance of metabolic control of the patient is stressed (tight glycemic control, control of arterial hypertension and dyslipemia) in aiding the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. This therapeutic proposal has been discussed widely by retinologists from the four largest hospitals in the Canary Islands, and is therefore an agreed text based on recent scientific literature.

Revisión del protocolo para el tratamiento de la retinopatía diabética / Revision of the protocol for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy

Se presentan unas directrices generales con el objetivode proporcionar una orientación en el manejo dela retinopatía diabética (RD) en un momento en elque han aparecido numerosas alternativas terapéuticascuyo papel aún no está suficientemente definido.Este protocolo está dirigido no a retinólogos expertossino a oftalmólogos generales que precisen una guíapráctica y actualizada de una patología tan prevalentecomo la RD.En este documento se revisan las distintas opcionesterapéuticas disponibles y su indicación más aceptadasegún el grado de retinopatía diabética que presenteel paciente. Se plantea así que hacer con unaretinopatía diabética no proliferativa (RDNP) leve,moderada (ambas control por su oftalmólogo dezona) y severa (en casos muy seleccionados puedeconsiderarse la realización de una panfotocoagulación–PFC–). Los pacientes con retinopatía diabéticaproliferativa (RDP) serán tratados en los centroshospitalarios (PFC/fármacos antiangiogénicos/cirugía vítreorretiniana –CVR–) hasta que sea controladosu proceso. Se discute asimismo el tratamientodel edema macular (EM) diabético según sus característicasangiográficas y topográficas.Se hace hincapié en la importancia del control metabólicodel paciente (optimizar el control glucémico,de su hipertensión arterial y de la dislipemia) comotratamiento necesario y coadyuvante de su RD.Esta propuesta terapéutica ha sido ampliamente discutidapor retinólogos de los cuatro grandes hospitalesde Canarias por lo que se trata de un texto consensuadobasado en la bibliografía científica actual(AU)

We present general guidelines to help us with thetreatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) at a timewhen numerous therapeutic alternatives have beendeveloped although their role has not yet been adequatelydefined. This protocol is not directed atexperienced retinologists but rather at general ophthalmologistswho require a practical and up to dateguide of a pathology as prevalent as RD.The different therapeutic options available, andtheir most accepted indications depending on thedegree of diabetic retinopathy that patients have, arereviewed. We propose what to do in cases of mild,moderate and severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathyas well as in cases of proliferative diabeticretinopathy (panphotocoagulation/antiangiogenicdrugs/vitreorretinal surgery). The treatment of diabeticmacular edema depending on its angiographicand topographic characteristics is also discussed.The importance of metabolic control of thepatient is stressed (tight glycemic control, control of arterial hypertension and dyslipemia) in aidingthe treatment of diabetic retinopathy.This therapeutic proposal has been discussedwidely by retinologists from the four largest hospitalsin the Canary Islands, and is therefore an agreedtext based on recent scientific literature(AU)

[Topographic classification of glaucomatous visual fields]. / Clasificación topográfica del campo visual glaucomatoso.

PURPOSE: To propose a classification of glaucoma visual fields based on affected ganglion cells axons on their way through the optic nerve head. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 255 Octopus 1-2-3 visual fields from glaucoma patients and glaucoma suspected patients were analyzed. Determination coefficients (r(2)) between the 10 points closest to the blind spot and the 73 reminding ones were calculated by linear regression. RESULTS: Significant correlation was found (r(2)>0.33) with very distant points sensitivity related to the ones closer to the optic disc due to the fibers path. Seven areas could be defined by this method: three of them are not affected or latterly affected by the disease: S1 and I1 corresponding to the upper and lower papillo-macular bundle and T, located on the temporal aspect of the blind spot. Areas S2 and L2 correspond to the nasal and para-central upper and lower sensitivities. Areas S3 and I3 are in the border of upper and lower nasal fields where axons enter the optic disc at the apical portion. CONCLUSIONS: There is a relationship between the anatomical arrangement of ganglion cells axons on their way to the optic nerve and topography of glaucoma defects which may justify this proposed classification.

Clasificación topográfica del campo visual glaucomatoso / Topographic classification of glaucomatous visual fields

Objetivo: Clasificar los campos visuales glaucomatosos, atendiendo al haz de axones de células ganglionares afectado en el momento de su transcurrir por la cabeza del nervio óptico. Métodos: Se analizaron 255 campos visuales de archivo de pacientes con sospecha de glaucoma o glaucoma establecido, realizados con el programa 32 del perímetro Octopus 1-2-3. Excluyendo la mancha ciega, se calculó el coeficiente de determinación (r2) utilizando regresión lineal, entre los umbrales de los 10 puntos situados en torno a la mancha ciega y los 73 puntos restantes. Resultados: Se alcanzaron correlaciones significativas (r2>0,33) con la sensibilidad de puntos muy distantes pero relacionados con los situados junto a la papila a causa del trayecto de las fibras. De esta forma pudieron definirse 7 regiones: tres de ellas se afectan poco o tardíamente por la enfermedad: S1 e I1 correspondientes al haz papilo-macular superior e inferior y T situada temporalmente respecto a la mancha ciega. Las regiones S2 e I2 recogen la sensibilidad nasal y para-central superior e inferior. Las regiones S3 e I3 delimitan los campos supero-nasales e infero-nasales cuyos axones penetran por los polos apicales de la papila. Conclusiones: Existe una correspondencia entre la disposición anatómica de los axones de las células ganglionares al penetrar en el nervio óptico y la topografía de los defectos glaucomatosos, que permite su sistematización en la clasificación que se propone (AU)

Estudio de la agudeza visual y ambliopía en los niños de 3 a 5 años de El Hierro / A study of the visual acuity and amblyopia in infants aged 3 to 5 from El Hierro island

Objetivo: Conocer la prevalencia de alteraciones visuales en una población infantil estanca como la herreña y evaluar la eficacia de los maestros para la realización de un programa de despistaje visual en la infancia. Métodos: Los maestros de Educación Infantil de El Hienro tomaron la agudeza visual a los niños de 3 a 5 años remitiendo al Servicio de Oftalmología del hospital de la isla a aquellos que no alcanzaban un nivel visual previamente establecido. Allí se les sometió a un estudio oftalmológico completo. Posteriormente se revisó también a algunos niños considerados como normales por los maestros. Resultados: De los 240 niños entre 3 y 5 años que viven en la isla, los profesores tomaron la visión a 205 y entre ellos encontraron a 21 niños que no lograron el nivel visual deseado según la edad. De éstos, 9 fueron realmente patológicos (6 de los mismos eran amblíopes). Los otros 12 eran oftalmológicamente normales. De los 184 niños considerados como normales por los maestros 81 fueron estudiados en Oftalmología encontrándose 2 niños patológicos (2,5 por ciento de falsos negativos), tratándose en ambos casos de miopías leves. El grado de correlación entre la agudeza visual tomada por los profesores y por los oftalmólogos fue de r=0,6 y la media de discrepancia fue de 0,07.Conclusiones: Creemos que los maestros son una buena opción para la detección de las anomalías visuales en la infancia. Se discuten estrategias para disminuir el elevado número de falsos positivos (AU)

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[A study of the visual acuity and amblyopia in infants aged 3 to 5 from El Hierro island]. / Estudio de la agudeza visual y ambliopía en los niños de 3 a 5 años de El Hierro.

PURPOSE: To discover the prevalence of visual alterations in a static child population, like that of El Hierro island, and to evaluate the efficacy of having infant teachers carrying out visual screening in infants. METHODS: Infant teachers tested the visual acuity of children between 3 and 5 years of age, and referred those who did not reach a previously established visual level to the Ophthalmology Department of the island's Hospital. There, a complete ophthalmological study was undertaken. Subsequently, a group of children that the teachers considered normal was also checked. RESULTS: Of the 240 children between 3 and 5 years of age who live on the island, 205 had the visual acuity tested by teachers. It was found that 21 did not achieve the desired visual level for their age. Of these, 9 were truly pathological (6 of them were amblyopes). The other 12 were normal, ophthalmologically speaking. Of the 184 children which the teachers considered normal, 81 were studied in the ophthalmology department. Two children were found to be pathological (2.5% of false negatives), both being slightly myopic. The degree of correlation between the visual acuity taken by the teachers and by the ophthalmologists was r=0.6 and the mean difference was 0.07. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that infant teachers are a good choice for initial screening of visual abnormalities in infancy. Strategies are being discussed to diminish the high rate of false positives