Validation of a New Test for Measuring the Contrast Sensitivity Function (Optopad-CSF) at Near Vision.

Our purpose is to develop and validate a new iPad-based contrast sensitivity (CS) test for measuring the contrast sensitivity function at near vision (Optopad-CSF). A total of 200 eyes of 100 healthy subjects (ages 17-63) were evaluated in a comparative study between the Optopad-CSF test (near vision) and the CSV-1000E test (distance vision). The agreement between tests was assessed with the index of contrast sensitivity (ICS) and the area under the curve (AUC). CS for all the spatial frequencies in both eyes showed a negative significant correlation with age, and corrected distance, and near visual acuities (r ≤ -0.512, p ≤ 0.013). A significantly lower CS was found with the Optopad-CSF test in the over-40-year-old subgroup for all the spatial frequencies evaluated compared to the below-40 subgroup (p ≤ 0.008). The mean AUC of the Optopad-CSF test (5.84) was twice that of the CSV-1000E test (2.76). The mean ICS of the Optopad-CSF (-0.019) and CSV-1000E (-0.075) tests showed similar values, both close to 0 (p = 0.3). There was a weak but significant correlation between the Optopad-CSF and CSV-1000E ICS tests (r = 0.246, p < 0.02). A range of normality for the values obtained with the Optopad-CSF test was calculated. The mean CS values in 16 bilateral cataract patients were out of the normal range for all the spatial frequencies evaluated (p < 0.001). Optopad-CSF is a valid portable system for measuring CS at near vision for five spatial frequencies, allowing the detection of age-related changes in CSF with age and CSF loss in cataracts, with no ceiling effect.

Professional perspective of vision therapy worldwide among optometrists and ophthalmologists.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Perception of optometrists and ophthalmologists of vision therapy (VT) as well as their methods for performing the sessions is of great importance for understanding the problems that professionals face and what should be improved in their clinical practice. BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the perception of VT and protocols used by eye care professionals globally. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed among eye care professionals internationally. The participants completed via online (Google Forms) a questionnaire of 40 questions on their perception and clinical practice of VT. The survey only permitted one answer per email address and was only collected if professionals gave their consent to participate. RESULTS: A total of 205 professionals from 43 countries answered the questionnaire (171 optometrists and 34 ophthalmologists). Accommodation and convergence problems were the main indication reported for VT (47.8%), followed by amblyopia (26.3%). The principal negative factor associated to VT was the limited number of professionals dedicated to this field (55.6%). The most common program of VT was the combination of VT sessions at home and at office (85.5%), with a great variability in terms of duration. Few professionals made use of the new technologies when programming VT, such as eye trackers (2.7%) or virtual reality (6.4%). European professionals surveyed had a more negative perception of VT (p < 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Eye care professionals globally perceive VT as a scientifically based procedure. Overall, they believe that it has low recognition and prestige, especially ophthalmologists. A great variability in the programming of VT sessions was found, which highlights the need for standardised protocols that professionals could follow in their clinical practice.

Impact of Immersive Virtual Reality on the Binocular and Accommodative Function: A Systematic Review About Literature and Its Current Limitations.

The use of virtual reality (VR) is expected to increase exponentially in next years, and it is important to study whether VR can generate oculomotor, accommodative and binocular alterations in future users. Visual symptoms after the immersion inside VR have been widely reported, specifically in the case of simulator sickness, but the causes are still in study. Some authors have reported changes on accommodative and binocular parameters, but differences between studies made conclusions difficult. PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to analyze the scientific literature about the effect of VR on the accommodative and binocular function of healthy subjects with both normal visual conditions and binocular anomalies assessing the quality of the existing studies to detect possible limitations and improve future study designs. METHODS: A search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases with the search equation (Virtual reality OR head-mounted displays) AND (accommodation OR accommodative) AND (vergence* OR convergence OR divergence OR binocular vision). A limitation was made in terms of the date of publication from 2010 onwards, identifying a total of 198 publications. Finally, 15 publications were included in the quality analysis. After a comprehensive analysis of the publications, a quality assessment was performed using a Quality Appraisal Checklist. RESULTS: Research on effects of immersive VR on accommodative and binocular function to this date was focused on quasi-experimental pre-post studies well written and with results supporting their conclusions. Unfortunately, this scientific evidence provides heterogeneous outcomes, being the results in some cases even contradictory. CONCLUSIONS: Information about the devices, its interpupillary distance adjustment, the software characteristics and type of task performed by users should be better controlled in future studies. Additionally, participants accommodative and binocular baseline characteristics should be better analyzed to obtain firm conclusions about the consequences of the proper immersive VR experience on visual function.

Analysis of Treatment Discontinuation in Orthokeratology: Studying Efficacy, Safety, and Patient Adherence Over Six Months.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and participant compliance of orthokeratology treatment for the correction of myopic refractive errors over a six-month prospective study and to define the potential reasons for early treatment discontinuation. METHODS: A total of 32 participants with low-to-moderate myopia were fitted with the spherical model of corneal refractive therapy (CRT) orthokeratology lenses (Paragon Vision Sciences) and followed over six months, with specific attention to alterations in refractive error, corneal topography, and epithelial thickness. Concurrently, participant feedback and reasons for any treatment discontinuation were documented. RESULTS: Significant changes in refractive error and in corneal topography were observed, with approximately 50% of the refractive error being corrected on the first night of use and 100% by the first two weeks (P<0.001). Central epithelial thickness experienced substantial thinning, reducing to 15.65±4.49 µm (67.38%) (P<0.001) after 6 months of lens use. Six participants withdrew from this study for varied reasons, including unmet visual expectations and difficulty adhering to the lens-wearing regimen. Notably, the dropout group exhibited higher baseline low-order aberrations and less prolate corneas than those who persisted with the treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Orthokeratology with CRT is efficacious and safe for the correction of low-to-moderate myopia in adults, but a portion of patients discontinue the treatment in the first 6 months of contact lens wear. Special care should be taken when recommending orthokeratology in patients with higher levels of myopia and corneas with less prolate shape, providing more realistic expectations and even changing to dual axis or more sophisticated designs.

Rehabilitation of amblyopia using a digital platform for visual training combined with patching in children: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: To assess the possible benefits of the use of perceptual learning and dichoptic therapy combined with patching in children with amblyopia over the use of only patching. METHODS: Quasi-experimental multicentric study including 52 amblyopic children. Patients who improved their visual acuity (VA) by combining spectacles and patching were included in patching group (PG: 20 subjects), whereas those that did not improved with patching performed visual training (perceptual learning + dichoptic therapy) combined with patching, being assigned to the visual treatment group (VT: 32 subjects). Changes in VA, contrast sensitivity (CS), and stereopsis were monitored during a 6-month follow-up in each group. RESULTS: Significant improvements in VA were found in both groups at 1 month (p < 0.01). The total improvement of VA was 0.18 ± 0.16 and 0.31 ± 0.35 logMAR in PG and VT groups, respectively (p = 0.317). The Wilcoxon effect size was slightly higher in VT (0.48 vs. 0.54) at 6 months. An enhancement in CS was observed in the amblyopic eye of the VT group for all spatial frequencies at 1 month (p < 0.001). Likewise, the binocular function score also increased significantly in VT group (p = 0.002). A prediction equation of VA improvement at 1 month in VT group was obtained by multiple linear regression analysis (p < 0.001, R2 = 0.747). CONCLUSIONS: A combined treatment of visual training and patching is effective for obtaining a predictable improvement of VA, CS, and binocularity in patching-resistant amblyopic children.

Simulation of daily soft multifocal contact lenses using SimVis Gekko: from in-vitro and computational characterization to clinical validation.

Multifocal contact lenses (MCLs) are one of the solutions to correct presbyopia, but their adoption is not widespread. To address this situation, visual simulators can be used to refine the adaptation process. This study aims to obtain accurate simulations for a visual simulator (SimVis Gekko; 2EyesVision) of daily soft MCL designs from four manufacturers. In-vitro characterization of these MCLs-several powers and additions- was obtained using NIMO TR-1504. From the averaged relative power profiles across powers, phase maps were reconstructed and the Through-Focus Visual Strehl metric was calculated for each MCL design. The SimVis Gekko simulation corresponding to each MCL design was obtained computationally and bench-validated. Finally, the MCL simulations were clinically validated involving presbyopic patients. The clinical validation results show a good agreement between the SimVis Gekko simulations and the real MCLs for through-focus visual acuity (TF-VA) curves and VA at three real distances. All MCL designs showed a partial correlation higher than 0.90 and a Root Mean Square Error below 0.07 logMAR between the TF-VA of simulations and Real MCLs across subjects. The validity of the simulation approach using SimVis Gekko and in-vitro measurements was confirmed in this study, opening the possibility to accelerate the adaptation of MCLs.

Clinical Evaluation of a New Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography-Based Biometer.

The VEMoS-AXL system is a new optical biometer based on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) that has been tested in terms of intrasession repeatability and compared with a swept-source optical coherence tomography biometer (SS-OCT), which is recognized as the gold standard for the performance of an agreement analysis. A biometric analysis was performed three consecutive times in 120 healthy eyes of 120 patients aged between 18 and 40 years with the SD-OCT system, and afterwards, a single measurement was obtained with the SS-OCT system. Within-subject standard deviations were 0.004 mm, 4.394 µm, and 0.017 mm for axial length (AL), central corneal thickness (CCT), and anterior chamber depth (ACD) measures obtained with the SD-OCT biometer, respectively. The agreement between devices was good for AL (limits of agreement, LoA: -0.04 to 0.03 mm) and CCT (LoA: -4.36 to 14.38 µm), whereas differences between devices were clinically relevant for ACD (LoA: 0.03 to 0.21 mm). In conclusion, the VEMoS-AXL system provides consistent measures of anatomical parameters, being most of them interchangeable with those provided by the SS-OCT-based gold standard.

Pilot Study Assessing the Safety and Acceptance of a Novel Virtual Reality System to Improve Visual Function.

PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility of the clinical use of a novel Virtual Reality (VR) training software designed to be used for active vision therapy in amblyopic patients by determining its preliminary safety and acceptance on the visual function of healthy adults. METHODS: Pilot study enrolling 10 individuals (3 men, 7 women, mean age: 31.8 ± 6.5 years) with a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of ≥ .90 (decimal) in both eyes were evaluated before and after 20 minutes of exposure to the NEIVATECH VR system using the HTC Vive Pro Eye head mounted display. Visual function assessment included near (40 cm) and distance (6 m) cover test (CT), stereopsis, binocular accommodative facility (BAF), near point of convergence (NPC), near point of accommodation (NPA), accommodative-convergence over accommodation (AC/A) ratio and positive and negative fusional vergences. Safety was assessed using the VR Sickness Questionnaire (VRSQ) and acceptance using the Technology Acceptance Model ;(TAM). Changes in all these variables after VR exposure were analyzed. RESULTS: Short-term exposure to the NEIVATECH VR system only induced statistically significant changes in distance phoria (p = .016), but these changes were not clinically relevant. No significant changes were observed in VRSQ oculo-motricity and disorientation scores after exposure (p = .197 and .317, respectively). TAM scores showed a good acceptance of the system in terms of perceived enjoyment and perceived ease of use, although some concerns were raised in relation to the intention-to-use domain. CONCLUSION: Exposure to the NEIVATECH VR system does not seem to adversely affect the visual function in healthy adults and its safety and acceptance profile seems to be adequate for supporting its potential use in other populations, such as amblyopic patients.

Clinical outcomes of a toric continuous range of vision presbyopia-correcting intraocular lens.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of the toric version of a presbyopia-correcting intraocular lens (IOL) based on the combination of a diffractive-based extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) pattern and a diffractive multifocal platform. SETTING: Miranza COI Bilbao, Bilbao, Spain. DESIGN: Prospective case series. METHODS: 35 patients (51 to 84 years) with corneal astigmatism ranging from 0.75 to 2.19 diopters (D) undergoing bilateral cataract surgery with implantation of the Synergy Toric II IOL were evaluated during a 3-month follow-up. Visual acuity, refraction, defocus curve, and patient-reported outcomes with the Catquest-9SF questionnaire were analyzed. A vectorial analysis was used to analyze the accuracy of astigmatic correction. RESULTS: Mean 3-month monocular postoperative uncorrected distance, intermediate (80 cm) and near (40 cm) visual acuities were 0.06 ± 0.11 logMAR, 0.13 ± 0.12 logMAR, and 0.13 ± 0.09 logMAR, respectively. Mean monocular distance-corrected intermediate (80 cm) and near visual acuity (40 cm) were 0.11 ± 0.12 logMAR and 0.10 ± 0.10 logMAR, respectively. Mean binocular defocus curve showed visual acuities of 0.10 logMAR or better for defocus levels from +0.50 to -2.50 D. Residual cylinder was within ±0.50 D in 97.0% of eyes. The surgically induced astigmatism prediction error ranged between -0.49 D and 0.50 D, with a mean value of 0.04 ± 0.16 D. Mean absolute IOL rotation was 3.79 ± 2.94 degrees. Significant improvements were found in all Rasch-calibrated scores obtained with Catquest-9SF ( P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The implantation of the toric presbyopia-correcting IOL evaluated provides an efficacious astigmatic correction while providing a fully restoration of the visual function across different distances.

Study of the Influence of Boundary Conditions on Corneal Deformation Based on the Finite Element Method of a Corneal Biomechanics Model.

Implementing in silico corneal biomechanical models for surgery applications can be boosted by developing patient-specific finite element models adapted to clinical requirements and optimized to reduce computational times. This research proposes a novel corneal multizone-based finite element model with octants and circumferential zones of clinical interest for material definition. The proposed model was applied to four patient-specific physiological geometries of keratoconus-affected corneas. Free-stress geometries were calculated by two iterative methods, the displacements and prestress methods, and the influence of two boundary conditions: embedded and pivoting. The results showed that the displacements, stress and strain fields differed for the stress-free geometry but were similar and strongly depended on the boundary conditions for the estimated physiological geometry when considering both iterative methods. The comparison between the embedded and pivoting boundary conditions showed bigger differences in the posterior limbus zone, which remained closer in the central zone. The computational calculation times for the stress-free geometries were evaluated. The results revealed that the computational time was prolonged with disease severity, and the displacements method was faster in all the analyzed cases. Computational times can be reduced with multicore parallel calculation, which offers the possibility of applying patient-specific finite element models in clinical applications.

Long-term Prevalence of Opacification of a Hydrophylic Acrylic Rotationally Asymmetric Refractive Multifocal Intraocular Lens.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of opacification of a hydrophylic intraocular lens (IOL) with hydrophobic coverage and the percentage of explantations required, determining possible risk factors associated with these opacifications. METHODS: This ambispective study enrolled 575 eyes of 296 patients (age 36 to 87 years) that underwent cataract surgery between 2010 and 2017 with implantation of different models of Lentis Mplus IOLs: LS-312-MF30, LS-313-MF15, LS-313-MF30, LU-313-MF30, and LU-313-MF30T (Oculentis GmbH). Visual, refractive, and slit-lamp biomicroscopic changes were evaluated in a long-term follow-up. The percentage of cases with IOL opacification and the percentage of cases in which IOL explantation was required due to such opacifications were calculated at each visit. Five of the explanted IOLs from this series could be analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX). RESULTS: IOL opacification developed in 63 eyes (11.0%). With 95% confidence, the prevalence of IOL opacification was between 842 and 1,401 cases per 10,000 eyes. The time elapsed between surgery and the presence of IOL opacification ranged between 0 and 9.3 years (mean: 4.7 ± 2.2 years). No significant differences in terms of IOL opacification rate were found according to gender (P = .378). No significant differences were found in arterial hypertension, diabetes, hypothyroidism, or hyperthyroidism rates between eyes with or without IOL opacification (P ≥ .053). IOL explantation was needed in 9 eyes (1.57%). SEM-EDX analysis confirmed the presence of rough areas on the IOL surface containing different components, such as calcium, phosphorous, copper, or nitrogen. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of opacification with time in Lentis Mplus IOLs is high, with no systemic risk factors associated with this complication, suggesting that it may be attributable to the material and/or the manufacturing process. [J Refract Surg. 2024;40(2):e98-e107.].

Comparative evaluation of methods for obtaining the stress-free geometry of keratoconus corneas with different levels of severity.

A biomechanical model that simulates the physiological pressure load on the cornea without considering the stresses in vivo will result in an overstress or underestimation of the stress field and incorrect deformation of the corneal structure. Therefore, it is essential to propose numerical models that consider the stress-free geometry of the cornea. In this study, the Displacement and Pre-stress methods were compared to obtain the stress-free geometry (S-FG) and the physiological estimated geometry (P-EG), based on the patient-specific geometric behavior and the computational time required to reach each geometry. The same shape and contour conditions were considered in the models obtained from both methods for each of the pathological scenarios analyzed. Both methods behaved differently to obtain the free geometry, and this difference increased with the severity grade of the disease. However, they behaved in a similar way to reach the physiological estimated geometry. The Displacement method required a lower computational cost to reach the free geometry, with both methods presenting a similar computational cost to obtain the physiological geometry. The stress-free geometries obtained by both methods allowed to characterize the existing biomechanical decompensation during the progression of the diseases. In conclusion, the calculation of the stress-free corneal geometry associated to the clinically measured intraocular pressure with the Displacement and Prestress Methods in keratoconus eyes allows the development of accurate and useable models in clinical practice in real time. This displacement method shows some benefits in terms of computational cost.

Safety, Efficacy, and Visual Performance of an Orthokeratology Lens with Increased Compression Factor.

The aim was to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and visual performance of an orthokeratology lens with an increased compression factor (ICF) of 1.25 D in a 3-month follow-up. Thirty-six myopic patients (5 males and 31 females; 24.2 ± 5.8 years) were fitted with Alexa AR (Tiedra Farmacéutica S.L., Madrid, Spain) contact lenses (CLs) and twenty participants finished the follow-up. Visual acuity (VA), subjective refraction, primary spherical and primary coma aberrations, keratometry, central pachymetry, and ocular surface evaluation were performed at baseline and after 1 night, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months of CL wear. The differences among visits were analyzed using a repeated-measures analysis of variance or the Friedman test. The spherical equivalent decreased (p ≤ 0.005), and the uncorrected VA improved (p < 0.001) until the first week. Corneal and ocular aberrations showed a significant increase (p ≤ 0.02). A significant decrease (p < 0.001) was found for keratometry values. No significant changes were observed in either central pachymetry or ocular surface parameters among study visits. In conclusion, an orthokeratology CL with an ICF of 1.25 D provides good safety, efficacy, and visual performance in a 3-month follow-up. Seven days of orthokeratology wear are enough to achieve the full myopic compensation, resulting in satisfactory VA.

Comparative Analysis of the Clinical Outcomes of Two Toric Presbyopia-Correcting Intraocular Lenses.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate and compare the clinical outcomes of two toric presbyopia-correcting intraocular lenses (IOLs). METHODS: Non-randomized prospective comparative study including 86 eyes of 51 patients (age 43-83 years) that underwent cataract surgery with implantation of one of the following two IOLs: TECNIS Toric Synergy (Johnson & Johnson Vision) (Synergy group) or AT LISA tri toric 939MP (Carl Zeiss Meditec) (ATLISA group). Visual and refractive outcomes were evaluated during a 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: At 6 months after surgery, all eyes achieved uncorrected distance visual acuity 20/25 or better in both groups, whereas 96.2% and 100% of eyes achieved uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA) 20/25 or better in the ATLISA and Synergy groups, respectively. All eyes achieved postoperative mesopic UNVA 20/30 or better in both IOL groups; 96.2% and 100% of eyes had a manifest cylinder ≤ 0.50 D at 6 months in ATLISA and Synergy groups, respectively. Mean magnitude of error was 0.04 ± 0.20 and - 0.04 ± 0.09 D in ATLISA and Synergy groups, respectively (p = 0.05). In the defocus curve, significant differences were found between IOL groups for most of distance-corrected visual acuities, except those corresponding to defocus of 0 D (p = 0.268) and - 1 D (p = 0.361). CONCLUSIONS: The two toric presbyopia-correcting IOLs evaluated provide an efficacious astigmatic correction combined with a successful distance, intermediate and near visual rehabilitation. The visual performance seems to be better for most visual demands with the TECNIS Toric Synergy IOL, especially for distances closer than 40 cm.

Orthokeratology effect on the corneoscleral profile: Beyond the bull's eye.

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of 3 months of orthokeratology (ortho-k) contact lenses (CLs) for myopia correction on the corneoscleral profile, as changes in scleral geometry could serve as indirect evidence of alteration in the corneal biomechanical properties. METHODS: Twenty subjects (40 eyes) were recruited to wear ortho-k lenses overnight; however, after discontinuation (two CL fractures, one under-correction and two non-serious adverse events), 16 subjects (31 eyes) finished a 3-month follow-up. Corneoscleral topographies were acquired using the Eye Surface Profiler (ESP) system before and after 3 months of lens wear. Steep (SimKs) and flat (SimKf) simulated keratometry and scleral sagittal height measurements for 13-, 14- and 15-mm chord lengths were automatically calculated by the ESP software. Additionally, sagittal height and slope were calculated in polar format from 21 radii (0-10 mm from the corneal apex) at 12 angles (0-330°). Linear mixed models were fitted to determine the differences between visits. RESULTS: SimKs and SimKf were increased significantly (p ≤ 0.02). The sagittal height in polar format increased significantly (p = 0.046) at a radius of 2.5 mm for 150°, 180°, 210° and 240° orientations and at a radius of 3.0 mm for 210°. Additionally, the slope in polar format significantly decreased (p ≤ 0.04) at radii ranges of 0.0-0.5, 0.5-1.0 and 1.0-1.5 mm for multiple angles and at a radii range of 5.0-5.5 mm for 90°. It also increased significantly (p ≤ 0.045) at a radii range of 1.5-2.0 mm for 30° and at radii ranges of 2.0-2.5, 2.5-3.0 and 3.0-3.5 mm for multiple angles. No significant changes were found for any parameter measured from the scleral area. CONCLUSIONS: Three months of overnight ortho-k lens wear changed the central and mid-peripheral corneal geometry as expected, maintaining the peripheral cornea and the surrounding sclera stability.

Immunohistochemical, functional, and anatomical evaluation of patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane.

PURPOSE: The main purpose of this study was to perform an immunohistochemical, functional, and anatomical evaluation of patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM). METHODS: Twenty-four specimens of idiopathic ERM from 24 consecutive patients who underwent 23 G pars plana vitrectomy for ERM and internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling at the San Juan University Hospital in Alicante (Spain) in 2019 were analyzed. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmological examination including measurement of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and macular analysis by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) at the time of diagnosis and 3 months after surgery. Specific glial fibrillar acid protein antibodies (GFAP) and S100 calcium-binding protein ß (S100ß) immunostaining markers were used to identify the macroglial component of the ERM, Müller cells, and astrocytes. Ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 protein (Iba1) antibodies were used as specific markers for inflammatory cells, such as microglia and macrophages. RESULTS: Mean preoperative BCVA measured with Snellen chart was 0.3 and 0.6 preoperatively and at 3 months after surgery, respectively. SD-OCT identified 15 patients (62.5%) with a disruption of the outer retinal hyperreflective bands. The immunohistochemical study showed the presence of Müller cells in almost all cases (91.6%), as well of abundant microglia and macrophages. Microglia and macrophages were more frequently present in earlier stages of ERM. Microglia were present in ERM independently of the outer retinal hyperreflective bands integrity as measured by SD-OCT. A greater presence of macrophages was found in those ERMs with no outer retinal hyperreflective band disruption. CONCLUSIONS: Müller cells seem to be the most frequent cell group in ERMs, with also presence of microglia cells and macrophages. Astrocytes were more frequently found in early stages of ERMs. Microglia and macrophages were most frequent in ERMs with early stage (1, 2, or 3) than in advanced stages (4).

Reliability and Agreement of Keratometry Measurements Obtained With Eye Surface Profilometry and Partial Coherence Interferometry.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the repeatability of keratometry parameters obtained using the Eye Surface Profiler (ESP) system and their agreement with the IOL Master 500 device. METHODS: Seventy-one eyes of 71 healthy participants were evaluated. Three repeated measurements were performed using the ESP system. Simulated keratometry in the flat (SimKf) and steep (SimKs) meridians, astigmatism, and axis were obtained. The same parameters were measured using the IOL Master 500 device. The J0 and J45 vector components of the astigmatism were calculated. The intrasession repeatability was analyzed using within-subject SD (Sw) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Agreement was assessed using paired statistical tests and the Bland-Altman method. RESULTS: The Sw was 0.07 mm, 0.04 mm, 0.51 D, 0.33 D, and 0.22 D, and the ICC was 0.96, 0.98, 0.74, 0.61, and 0.55 for SimKf, SimKs, astigmatism, J0, and J45, respectively. The mean difference and limits of agreement when comparing the ESP system with the IOL Master 500 device were 0.37 mm (0.08/0.66) for SimKf ( P < 0.001), 0.18 mm (0.00/0.35) for SimKs ( P < 0.001), -0.93 D (-2.42/0.56) for astigmatism ( P < 0.001), 0.51 D (-0.22/1.24) for J0 ( P < 0.001), and 0.06 D (-0.48/0.60) for J45 ( P = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: The ESP system provides consistent values for simulated keratometry, showing moderate consistency for astigmatism parameters. Contact lens practitioners should be aware that the ESP system and IOL Master 500 device provide different simulated keratometry from a clinically viewpoint.

Treatment of Anisometropic Amblyopia with a Dichoptic Digital Platform in Argentinian Children and Adults.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the results of dichoptic training in Argentinian children and adults with anisometropic amblyopia. METHODS: Prospective non-comparative study enrolling 41 subjects with anisometropic amblyopia (age, 6-60 years old). Two groups were differentiated according to age, children (6-16 years, 24 subjects) and adults (>17 years, 17 subjects). All patients were treated with the Bynocs® platform (Kanohi Eye Pvt. Ltd, India) following a protocol of 30 sessions of training of 30 min daily 5 times a week for 6 weeks. Changes in corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and binocular function (BF) score with treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: In the whole sample, CDVA in the amblyopic eye improved significantly, with a mean change of 0.30 logMAR (p < .001). Likewise, a significant improvement was also found in BF score (p < .001), with a mean change of 1.14 log units. The change achieved in CDVA was significantly correlated with the baseline CDVA in the amblyopic eye (r=-0.568, p < .001). Furthermore, no significant differences were found between age groups in the change achieved in CDVA (p = .431) and BF with therapy (p = .760). CONCLUSIONS: Dichoptic training with the digital platform evaluated provides an effective improvement of visual acuity and binocular function in children and adults with anisometropic amblyopia.

Professional perspective and practice patterns of vision therapy in Spain.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: An analysis of the professional perspective of vision therapy (VT) by eye care professionals allows understanding the current controversies about this therapeutic option of which aspects can be improved for its correct application in clinical practice. BACKGROUND: The aim of the current study was to analyse the perception of VT and the clinical protocols in this context followed among optometrists and ophthalmologists in Spain. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey among Spanish optometrists and ophthalmologists. Google Forms tool was used to collect data via an online questionnaire divided into 4 sections (40 questions): consent to participate, demographic characteristics, opinion of the professional perspective of VT, and protocols. Only one submission from each email address was permitted by the survey tool. RESULTS: A total of 889 Spanish professionals answered (age, 25-62 years): 848 optometrists (95.4%) and 41 ophthalmologists (4.6%). VT was considered as a scientifically-based procedure by 95.1% of participants, but its recognition and prestige was considered as low. The main cause reported for this was bad reputation or perception of placebo therapy (27.3%). The main indication of VT according to the surveyed professionals was convergence and/or accommodation problems (72.4%). Significant differences were found in the perception of VT among optometrists and ophthalmologists (p ≤ 0.027). A total of 45.3% of professionals reported performing VT in their current clinical practice. A combination of training sessions in office and home was regularly prescribed by 94.5% of them, but with significant variability in the duration of such sessions. CONCLUSIONS: VT is perceived by Spanish optometrists and ophthalmologists as a therapeutic option with scientific basis, but with limited recognition and prestige, although with more negative perception among ophthalmologists. A great variability was found in the clinical protocols followed between specialists. Future efforts should be focused on creating internationally recognised evidence-based protocols for this therapeutic option.