Early prediction of severe retinopathy of prematurity requiring laser treatment using physiological data.

BACKGROUND: Early risk stratification for developing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is essential for tailoring screening strategies and preventing abnormal retinal development. This study aims to examine the ability of physiological data during the first postnatal month to distinguish preterm infants with and without ROP requiring laser treatment. METHODS: In this cohort study, preterm infants with a gestational age <32 weeks and/or birth weight <1500 g, who were screened for ROP were included. Differences in the physiological data between the laser and non-laser group were identified, and tree-based classification models were trained and independently tested to predict ROP requiring laser treatment. RESULTS: In total, 208 preterm infants were included in the analysis of whom 30 infants (14%) required laser treatment. Significant differences were identified in the level of hypoxia and hyperoxia, oxygen requirement, and skewness of heart rate. The best model had a balanced accuracy of 0.81 (0.72-0.87), a sensitivity of 0.73 (0.64-0.81), and a specificity of 0.88 (0.80-0.93) and included the SpO2/FiO2 ratio and baseline demographics (including gestational age and birth weight). CONCLUSIONS: Routinely monitored physiological data from preterm infants in the first postnatal month are already predictive of later development of ROP requiring laser treatment, although validation is required in larger cohorts. IMPACT: Routinely monitored physiological data from the first postnatal month are predictive of later development of ROP requiring laser treatment, although model performance was not significantly better than baseline characteristics (gestational age, birth weight, sex, multiple birth, prenatal glucocorticosteroids, route of delivery, and Apgar scores) alone. A balanced accuracy of 0.81 (0.72-0.87), a sensitivity of 0.73 (0.64-0.81), and a specificity of 0.88 (0.80-0.93) was achieved with a model including the SpO2/FiO2 ratio and baseline characteristics. Physiological data have potential to play a significant role for future ROP prediction and provide opportunities for early interventions to protect infants from abnormal retinal development.

An educational cartoon accelerates amblyopia therapy and improves compliance, especially among children of immigrants.

PURPOSE: We showed previously that an educational cartoon that explains without words why amblyopic children should wear their eye patch improves compliance, especially in children of immigrant parents who speak Dutch poorly. We now implemented this cartoon in clinics in low socioeconomic status (SES) areas with a large proportion of immigrants and clinics elsewhere in the Netherlands. DESIGN: Clinical, prospective, nonrandomized, preimplementation, and postimplementation study. PARTICIPANTS: Amblyopic children aged 3 to 6 years who started occlusion therapy. METHODS: Preimplementation, children received standard orthoptic care. Postimplementation, children starting occlusion therapy received the cartoon in addition. At implementation, treating orthoptists followed a course on compliance. In low SES areas, compliance was measured electronically during 1 week. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The clinical effects of the cartoon-electronically measured compliance, outpatient attendance rate, and speed of reduction in interocular-acuity difference (SRIAD)-averaged over 15 months of observation. RESULTS: In low SES areas, 114 children were included preimplementation versus 65 children postimplementation; elsewhere in the Netherlands, 335 versus 249 children were included. In low SES areas, mean electronically measured compliance was 52.0% preimplementation versus 62.3% postimplementation (P=0.146); 41.8% versus 21.6% (P=0.043) of children occluded less than 30% of prescribed occlusion time. Attendance rates in low SES areas were 60.3% preimplementation versus 76.0% postimplementation (P=0.141), and 82.7% versus 84.5%, respectively, elsewhere in the Netherlands. In low SES areas, the SRIAD was 0.215 log/year preimplementation versus 0.316 log/year postimplementation (P=0.025), whereas elsewhere in the Netherlands, these were 0.244 versus 0.292 log/year, respectively (P=0.005; the SRIAD's improvement was significantly better in low SES areas than elsewhere, P=0.0203). This advantage remained after adjustment for confounding factors. Overall, 25.1% versus 30.1% (P=0.038) had completed occlusion therapy after 15 months. CONCLUSIONS: After implementation of the cartoon, electronically measured compliance improved, attendance improved, acuity increased more rapidly, and treatment was shorter. This may be due, in part, to additional measures such as the course on compliance. However, that these advantages were especially pronounced in children in low SES areas with a large proportion of immigrants who spoke Dutch poorly supports its use in such areas.

Comfort of wear and material properties of eye patches for amblyopia treatment and the influence on compliance.

BACKGROUND: Occlusion therapy for amblyopia has been the mainstay of treatment for centuries, however, acceptance of the patch is often lacking. This study evaluated comfort of wear of the eye patch and assessed the mechanical properties in order to achieve a more individualized prescription. METHODS: For 8 consecutive days, parents used each of the four main brands of patches for 2 consecutive days in a randomized fashion. After 2 days a 21-item questionnaire was completed to evaluate comfort of wear for each patch. Compliance was measured electronically using the Occlusion Dose Monitor (ODM). In addition, breathing capacity at 23°C and 33°C, resistance to water penetration, opacity, and strength of adhesion to the skin were measured. RESULTS: Twenty-four children participated. Overall, satisfaction was moderate: large differences in discomfort when removing the patch, skin reaction, and cosmetic appearance were found. In the material measurements large differences were found in opacity and strength of adhesion to the skin. In all brands breathing capability was minimal. Answers given by the parents matched the physical properties of the eye patch. There was no difference in electronically measured compliance between patches. CONCLUSIONS: We found large differences in comfort of wear and mechanical properties. Therefore, when prescribing a certain brand of patch, the wide variety needs to be taken into account. Further study into these properties seems warranted; especially breathing capability requires improvement since children often wear the patch for a longer period of time. This could contribute to increasing satisfaction and consequently may improve compliance.

Determinants and outcome of unsuccessful referral after positive screening in a large birth-cohort study of population-based vision screening.

PURPOSE: The efficacy of population-based vision screening is hampered by unsuccessful referral after a positive screening test. We studied the nature and causes of unsuccessful referral in a 7-year birth cohort study of vision screening in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. METHODS: All parents of children who had been unsuccessfully referred were asked whether they recalled the referral. Reasons for noncompliance, if any, were identified using semi-structured interviews. Screening records were checked for written evidence of the referral. The parents' fluency in Dutch and their socioeconomic status were also assessed. RESULTS: Of the 561 screen-positive children, 129 (23%) had not been referred successfully. For the current study, 97 parents were successfully contacted. Of these, 14 parents had been willingly noncompliant and 83 said they were unaware of the referral, with 47% having poor to moderate fluency in Dutch. In 53 cases, the screening charts contained no written evidence of any referral. Amblyopia was identified in 3 of the unsuccessful referrals. CONCLUSIONS: In this population-based screening program, 1 of 4 positively screened children was not successfully referred. Apart from parental noncompliance, the unsuccessful referrals can be explained by miscommunication, deficient documentation, and physician noncompliance with screening guidelines. An effective monitoring feedback system may improve the efficacy of child vision screening.

Sociocultural and psychological determinants in migrants for noncompliance with occlusion therapy for amblyopia.

BACKGROUND: Compliance with occlusion therapy for amblyopia in children is low when their parents have a low level of education, speak Dutch poorly, or originate from another country. We determined how sociocultural and psychological determinants affect compliance. METHODS: Included were amblyopic children between the ages of 3 and 6, living in low socio-economic status (SES) areas. Compliance with occlusion therapy was measured electronically. Their parents completed an oral questionnaire, based on the "Social Position & Use of Social Services by Migrants and Natives" questionnaire that included demographics and questions on issues like education, employment, religion and social contacts. Parental fluency in Dutch was rated on a five-point scale. Regression analysis was used to describe the relationship between the level of compliance and sociocultural and psychological determinants. RESULTS: Data from 45 children and their parents were analyzed. Mean electronically measured compliance was 56 ± 44 percent. Children whose parents had close contact with their neighbors or who were highly dependent on their family demonstrated low levels of compliance. Children of parents who were members of a club and who had positive conceptualizations of Dutch society showed high levels of compliance. Poor compliance was also associated with low income, depression, and when patching interfered with the child's outdoor activity. Religion was not associated with compliance. CONCLUSIONS: Poor compliance with occlusion therapy seems correlated with indicators of social cohesion. High social cohesion at micro level, i.e., family, neighbors and friends, and low social cohesion on macro level, i.e., Dutch society, are associated with noncompliance. However, such parents tend to speak Dutch poorly, so it is difficult to determine its actual cause.

Rotterdam AMblyopia screening effectiveness study: detection and causes of amblyopia in a large birth cohort.

PURPOSE. The Dutch population-based child health monitoring program includes regular preverbal (age range, 1-24 months) and preschool (age range, 36-72 months) vision screening. This study is on the contribution of an organized vision screening program to the detection of amblyopia. METHODS. A 7-year birth cohort study of 4624 children was started in 1996/1997 in Rotterdam. Vision screening data were obtained from the child screening centers. Treating orthoptists working at the regional ophthalmology departments provided information about diagnosis and treatment. The diagnosis was reviewed by two experts. The parents provided additional information on their child's eye history through written questionnaires and telephone interviews. At age 7 years, the children underwent a final examination by the study orthoptists. RESULTS. Of the 3897 children still living in Rotterdam by 2004, 2964 (76.1%) underwent the final examination. Amblyopia was diagnosed in 100 (3.4%) of these (95% CI, 2.7-4.0). At age 7, 23% had visual acuity >0.3 logMAR. Amblyopia was caused by refractive error (n = 42), strabismus (n = 19), combined-mechanism (n = 30), deprivation (n = 7), or unknown (n = 2). Eighty-three amblyopia cases had been detected before age 7. Amblyopia detection followed positive results in vision screening in 56 children, either preverbal (n = 15) or preschool (n = 41). Twenty-six other amblyopes were self-referred (n = 12, before a first positive screening test), especially strabismic or combined-mechanism amblyopia; data were uncertain for one other positively screened amblyopic child. Amblyopia remained undetected until age 7 due to unsuccessful referral (n = 4, three with visual acuity >0.3 logMAR at age 7) or false-negative screening (n = 13). CONCLUSIONS. Most cases of amblyopia were detected by vision screening with visual acuity measurement. Preverbal screening contributed little to the detection of refractive amblyopia.