Cerebral versus cortical visual impairment: eliminating the conflict and renewing the terminology.

The inconsistency in terminology for Cortical Visual Impairment or Cerebral Visual Impairment presents challenges: (1) different levels of changes in visual pathway and other cerebral areas do not allow discrimination; (2) different visual and oculomotor aspects are not adequately considered. We open a debate to consider a more appropriate diagnosis.

Saccadic movements during an exploratory visual search task in patients with glaucomatous visual field loss.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the saccadic movements of patients with visual field loss due to primary open-angle glaucoma. METHODS: Thirteen patients with good visual acuity (0.2 logMAR or better) (seven patients with primary open-angle glaucoma 65 ± 13 years) and six controls (51 ± 6 years) yielded a comprehensive ophthalmological examination, including Humphrey Visual Field tests (SITA-Standard 24-2), and performed a monocular, exploratory digital visual search task that quantifies the duration for finding the number "4" on a random array of digits distributed on the screen. After individual adjustments of the angle and distance positioning, the screen was spatially matched with the 24-2 visual field, and divided into five areas for analysis. During the task, saccades were simultaneously recorded in the same eye with a video-based eye tracker. RESULTS: The patients with primary open-angle glaucoma showed a significantly higher number of saccades/screen (median ± interquartile range, 59.00 ± 29.00 vs. 32.50 ± 19.75 saccades (p=0.027) and visual search time per screen (38.50 ± 60.14 vs. 23.75 ± 8.90 seconds (p=0.035) than the controls did. Although the univariate analysis indicated a significant correlation with visual field mean deviation (coefficient=26.19 (p=0.02), only the visual search time/screen was significantly associated with the number of saccades/screen in the multivariate regression model (coefficient=0.55 (p<0.001). Overall, no significant correlation was observed between the sectorial number of saccades and the sensitivity of the five visual field areas. CONCLUSIONS: The patients with primary open-angle glaucoma show impaired search performance and showed a higher number of saccades needed to find stimuli when performing the exploratory visual task.

Characterization of patients with ocular pain evaluated with ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: The cause of ocular pain in the quiet eye is challenging to diagnose. It is a common complaint in the ophthalmology clinic and there are no actual guidelines on the exams that should be ordered initially. We decided to characterize patients with eye pain and normal ophthalmological examination who underwent ocular ultrasound, their findings, and systemic work-up. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent ocular ultrasound due to ocular pain and no clinical findings on initial slit-lamp examination. We evaluated patient characteristics and analyzed systemic work-up results in contrast to ocular ultrasound findings. RESULTS: Two hundred and three patients with normal slit-lamp examination and ocular pain were evaluated using ocular ultrasound at Clinica Barraquer. Most of the patients were women (88.7%), and 55% were older than 50 years. Nearly all of the patients had echographic findings, 87.7% of patients showed evidence of scleral scars, from which 66.5% had signs of activity, and 42.9% had thickened extraocular muscles. In general, most patients with ocular pain had normal results on systemic work-up, but the patients who did have positive results tended to have echographic findings. CONCLUSION: Posterior inflammation is present in most patients with ocular pain in a quiet eye, and echography is an optimal tool to identify this. There is a tendency towards abnormal autoimmune test results and echographic findings. This should be considered in the initial work-up of these patients, given the importance of early diagnosis and the threat of vision loss with severe inflammation.

Enfermedad del ojo seco / Dry Eye Disease

El ojo seco es una condición frecuente que tiene un impacto importante sobre la calidad de vida, pues conlleva a una sensación de incomodidad y discapacidad visual. Adicionalmente, puede tener un efecto pernicioso sobre procedimientos quirúrgicos oculares, lo que compromete el resultado de las cirugías de córnea, catarata y refractiva. Este síndrome de disfunción lagrimal es un padecimiento multifactorial, derivado de una deficiencia o evaporación excesiva de la lágrima. Se realizó una búsqueda en la literatura científica, con el objetivo de describir de forma general la enfermedad del ojo seco, brindando información actualizada en relación a su concepto, epidemiología, clasificación, factores de riesgo, fisiopatología, síntomas y signos, retos diagnósticos atendiendo a la complejidad de la entidad y tratamiento. La identificación temprana de los subtipos y el control de la severidad es crucial para mejorar el bienestar del paciente. La carga económica en la sociedad, y el impacto de la enfermedad en el individuo, a través de su efecto sobre la visión, calidad de vida y productividad laboral, así como en su esfera psicológica y física son considerables. Por ello, es importante que los oftalmólogos con el apoyo de los tecnólogos en optometría y óptica diagnostiquen y traten la enfermedad en sus fases iniciales, en la que los signos y síntomas todavía no son graves, lo que permitirá ralentizar su evolución natural, y posiblemente disminuir las consecuencias perjudiciales que provoca(AU)

Dry eye is a common condition that has a significant impact on quality of life, leading to a feeling of discomfort and visual impairment. Additionally, it can have a pernicious effect on ocular surgical procedures, compromising the outcome of corneal, cataract and refractive surgeries. This lacrimal dysfunction syndrome is a multifactorial condition, derived from a deficiency or excessive tear evaporation. A search of the scientific literature was carried out with the aim of describing dry eye disease in a general way, providing updated information regarding its concept, epidemiology, classification, risk factors, pathophysiology, symptoms and signs, diagnostic challenges considering the complexity of the condition and its treatment. Early identification of subtypes and control of severity is crucial to improve patient welfare. The economic burden on society, and the impact of the disease on the individual, through its effect on vision, quality of life and work productivity, as well as on the psychological and physical aspects, are considerable. Therefore, it is important that ophthalmologists with the support of optometrists and ophthalmic technologists diagnose and treat the disease in its early stages, when signs and symptoms are not yet severe, which will slow down its natural progression, and possibly reduce the resulting harmful consequences(AU)

Contribution of objectively measured grating acuity by sweep visually evoked potentials to the diagnosis of unexplained visual loss.

PURPOSE: To investigate the diagnostic contribution of grating visual acuity (GVA) measured by sweep pattern-reversal visually evoked potentials (SPRVEP) in unexplained visual loss (UVL). METHODS: This case-control study included adult patients under suspicion of UVL referred to SPRVEP and transient pattern-reversal visually evoked potentials (TPRVEP) testing. Optotype visual acuity (OVA) was measured by ETDRS 4-meter chart and GVA by SPRVEP. UVL patients were assigned into three distinctive categories, according to the presence of ocular disease, motivation, and electrophysiological evaluation, as follows: exaggerators, malingerers, and psychogenic. Healthy controls and patients with organic visual loss were also tested. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of GVA and TPRVEP parameters. RESULTS: A total of 76 patients with UVL were analyzed: 60 (79.0%) exaggerators, 11 (14.4%) malingerers, and 5 (6.6%) psychogenic. Controls were 49 subjects evaluated for TPRVEP and 28 subjects for SPRVEP. There were 13 patients with organic visual loss enrolled. Mean difference between OVA and GVA was 1.19±0.67 (median=0.84; 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.34) in UVL and 0.14 ±0.09 (median= 0.14; 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.20) in organic visual loss. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of GVA to distinguish UVL from healthy controls was 0.998 with a cutoff of 0.09 logMAR showing specificity of 100% and sensitivity of 96.0%. CONCLUSIONS: GVA measured by SPRVEP had good diagnostic validity to discriminate patients with unexplained visual loss from healthy controls and patients with organic visual loss, demonstrating its contribution to the diagnosis of this condition.

[Characterization of congenital cataract and postoperative visual outcome in a Pediatric Ophthalmology Unit in a middle-income country]. / Caracterización de catarata congénita y resultado visual postoperatorio en una Unidad de Oftalmología Pediátrica en un país de ingresos medios.

The functional visual outcome after cataract surgery is influenced by several factors such as the age at diagnosis and surgical treatment, as well as visual rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE: to characterize con genital cataract patients and assess the postoperative visual outcome in an ophthalmological care center in Guatemala. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A cross-sectional retrospective study. Clinical records of all congenital cataract patients who underwent congenital cataract surgery from 2014 and 2015 were reviewed. The following was recorded: postoperative visual acuity, age at diagnosis and surgery, sex, unilateral or bilateral involvement, etiology and morphology of the cataract, preoperative poor visual prognosis factors, and postoperative follow-up. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients underwent pediatric ca taract surgery in this period, ages ranging from 1 month to 13 years (median 48 months), and 23 were congenital (38.98%). Fourteen were male, 16 bilateral, and the mean age at diagnosis and surgery was 7 and 12 months, respectively. Only 13 patients completed 3 years of follow-up visits. Visual acuity was recorded at 3 years after surgery, observing in 11 patients and 8 patients visual impairment or worse, respectively. Delayed consultations occurred in 82.6% of the patients (older than 3 months of age). CONCLUSION: In this series, the diagnosis of congenital cataract and its surgical treatment were delayed, observing a high rate of patients unable to complete follow-up visits. The visual outcome at 3 years after congenital cataract surgery was mostly visual impairment or worse.

Socioeconomic Status and Vision Care Services in Ontario, Canada: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To test the association of material deprivation and the utilization of vision care services for young children. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a population-based, repeated measures cohort study using linked health and administrative datasets. All children born in Ontario in 2010 eligible for provincial health insurance were followed from birth until their seventh birthday. The main exposure was neighborhood-level material deprivation quintile, a proxy for socioeconomic status. The primary outcome was receipt of a comprehensive eye examination (not to include a vision screening) by age 7 years from an eye care professional, or family physician. RESULTS: Of 128 091 children included, female children represented 48.7% of the cohort, 74.4% lived in major urban areas, and 16.2% lived in families receiving income assistance. Only 65% (n = 82 833) had at least 1 comprehensive eye examination, with the lowest uptake (56.9%; n = 31 911) in the most deprived and the highest uptake (70.5%; n =19 860) in the least deprived quintiles. After adjusting for clinical and demographic variables, children living in the least materially deprived quintile had a higher odds of receiving a comprehensive eye examination (aOR 1.43; 95% CI 1.36, 1.51) compared with children in the most materially deprived areas. CONCLUSIONS: Uptake of comprehensive eye examinations is poor, especially for children living in the most materially deprived neighborhoods. Strategies to improve uptake and reduce inequities are warranted.

Telemedicine for screening eye disease in the remote Peruvian Amazon: proof-of-concept.

BACKGROUND: Improvements in technology could facilitate task-shifting and ocular disease screening in rural areas. METHODS: Visual acuity (VA) was tested using a Ministry of Health 3-m VA card. Anterior segment photographs were taken using a three-dimensional printed cellphone attachment and remotely graded. RESULTS: Of 326 photographed eyes, 1 was ungradable. Of 123 eyes with non-refractive visual impairment, cataract was identified in 35.8%, pterygium in 41.5%, corneal opacity in 5.7% and phthisis in 2.4%. CONCLUSIONS: While the cause of visual impairment cannot be determined without a posterior segment examination, the smartphone attachment proved to be easy to use by non-specialist workers and identified anterior segment pathology in most cases.

Vision for the Future Project: Screening impact on the prevention and treatment of visual impairments in public school children in São Paulo City, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: Uncorrected refractive errors are the leading cause of visual impairment in children. In this cross-sectional retrospective study, we analyzed a social visual screening program for school children in São Paulo, Brazil, evaluated its impact on the prevention and treatment of children's visual disabilities, and assessed its epidemiological outcomes to outline suggestions for its improvement. METHODS: First-grade children from public schools were submitted to prior visual screening by their teachers. Selected children were forwarded to the hospital's campaigns for a second screening by ophthalmologists and treatment if needed. Data were analyzed for age, sex, visual acuity, biomicroscopy, refractive errors, ocular movement disorders, amblyopia, number of donated spectacles, and number of children forwarded to specialized care. RESULTS: A total of 1080 children were included with mean age of 6.24±0.45 years. Children with normal ophthalmological exam, 591 (54.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 51.7%-57.7%) were dismissed and considered false-positives. Myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism components were found in 164 (15.2%; CI: 13.1%-17.4%), 190 (17.6%; CI: 15.3%-20.0%), and 330 (30.5%; CI: 27.8%-33.4%) children, respectively. Amblyopia was diagnosed in 54 (5%; CI: 3.5%-6.4%) children, and 117 (10.8%; CI: 9.8%-12.8%) presented ocular movement disorders. A total of 420 glasses were donated. CONCLUSION: Epidemiological findings for amblyopia and refractive errors are consistent with those of similar studies. The expressive number of diagnoses performed and number of glasses donated to underprivileged children depict the importance of such projects. New guidelines to improve their cost-effectiveness, such as professional training and community sensitization, are imperative.

[Validation study on self-reported visual impairment among undergraduate students at the Federal University of Pelotas]. / Estudo de validação sobre dificuldade visual autorrelatada entre estudantes dos cursos de graduação da Universidade Federal de Pelotas.

The objectives of the study were to assess the prevalence of self-reported visual impairment among undergraduate students between 18 and 39 years of age at the Federal University of Pelotas, and to validate a question about visual impairment in a subsample of the participants. A cross-sectional study was conducted by asking the question "Do you have any difficulty seeing up close and/or in the distance?" As the gold standard for the validation study, visual acuity (VA) was measured using the Snellen chart. Patients with VA less than 20/40 in either eye were considered to have reduced VA. The prevalence of self-reported visual impairment was 37.3% (95% CI: 35.1-39.6) and VA less than 20/40 in either eye was 6.9% (95% CI: 5.3-8.9). The question revealed sensitivity of 71.4% (95 CI: 57.8-82.7), specificity of 66.9% (95% CI: 63.4-70.2), positive predictive value of 13.8% (95% CI: 10.0-18.3), and negative predictive value of 96.9% (95% CI: 95,1-98.2). The results indicated a high prevalence of self-reported visual impairment among university students. The question showed reasonable sensitivity and specificity and high negative predictive value and may be used for screening for ophthalmological evaluation among young adult university students.

Os objetivos do estudo foram avaliar a prevalência de dificuldade visual autorrelatada entre acadêmicos de 18 a 39 anos de idade da Universidade Federal de Pelotas e realizar a validação de uma pergunta sobre dificuldade visual em uma subamostra dos participantes, com dados coletados entre novembro de 2017 e julho de 2018. Realizou-se um estudo transversal com a pergunta "Você tem alguma dificuldade para enxergar de perto e/ou de longe?". Como padrão-ouro para o estudo de validação, a acuidade visual (AV) foi medida através da tabela de Snellen. Considera-se AV alterada quando menor que 20/40 em qualquer olho. A prevalência de dificuldade visual autorrelatada foi de 37,3% (IC95%: 35,1-39,6) e a de AV menor que 20/40 em qualquer olho foi 6,9% (IC95%: 5,3-8,9). A pergunta apresentou sensibilidade 71,4% (IC95%: 57,8-82,7), especificidade 66,9% (IC95%: 63,4-70,2), valor preditivo positivo 13,8% (IC95%: 10,0-18,3) e valor preditivo negativo 96,9% (IC95%: 95,1-98,2). Os resultados indicaram alta prevalência de dificuldade visual autorrelatada entre os universitários e pergunta com sensibilidade e especificidade razoáveis e com alto valor preditivo negativo, podendo ser utilizada como triagem para consulta com oftalmologista e em estudos epidemiológicos com jovens adultos universitários.

Estudo de validação sobre dificuldade visual autorrelatada entre estudantes dos cursos de graduação da Universidade Federal de Pelotas / Validation study on self-reported visual impairment among undergraduate students at the Federal University of Pelotas

Resumo Os objetivos do estudo foram avaliar a prevalência de dificuldade visual autorrelatada entre acadêmicos de 18 a 39 anos de idade da Universidade Federal de Pelotas e realizar a validação de uma pergunta sobre dificuldade visual em uma subamostra dos participantes, com dados coletados entre novembro de 2017 e julho de 2018. Realizou-se um estudo transversal com a pergunta "Você tem alguma dificuldade para enxergar de perto e/ou de longe?". Como padrão-ouro para o estudo de validação, a acuidade visual (AV) foi medida através da tabela de Snellen. Considera-se AV alterada quando menor que 20/40 em qualquer olho. A prevalência de dificuldade visual autorrelatada foi de 37,3% (IC95%: 35,1-39,6) e a de AV menor que 20/40 em qualquer olho foi 6,9% (IC95%: 5,3-8,9). A pergunta apresentou sensibilidade 71,4% (IC95%: 57,8-82,7), especificidade 66,9% (IC95%: 63,4-70,2), valor preditivo positivo 13,8% (IC95%: 10,0-18,3) e valor preditivo negativo 96,9% (IC95%: 95,1-98,2). Os resultados indicaram alta prevalência de dificuldade visual autorrelatada entre os universitários e pergunta com sensibilidade e especificidade razoáveis e com alto valor preditivo negativo, podendo ser utilizada como triagem para consulta com oftalmologista e em estudos epidemiológicos com jovens adultos universitários.

Abstract The objectives of the study were to assess the prevalence of self-reported visual impairment among undergraduate students between 18 and 39 years of age at the Federal University of Pelotas, and to validate a question about visual impairment in a subsample of the participants. A cross-sectional study was conducted by asking the question "Do you have any difficulty seeing up close and/or in the distance?" As the gold standard for the validation study, visual acuity (VA) was measured using the Snellen chart. Patients with VA less than 20/40 in either eye were considered to have reduced VA. The prevalence of self-reported visual impairment was 37.3% (95% CI: 35.1-39.6) and VA less than 20/40 in either eye was 6.9% (95% CI: 5.3-8.9). The question revealed sensitivity of 71.4% (95 CI: 57.8-82.7), specificity of 66.9% (95% CI: 63.4-70.2), positive predictive value of 13.8% (95% CI: 10.0-18.3), and negative predictive value of 96.9% (95% CI: 95,1-98.2). The results indicated a high prevalence of self-reported visual impairment among university students. The question showed reasonable sensitivity and specificity and high negative predictive value and may be used for screening for ophthalmological evaluation among young adult university students.

Visual field progression in patients with severe glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To assess the cumulative risk of progression in glaucomatous eyes in the severe stage of disease. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study. Patients that had severe damage in at least one eye, as defined by three criteria including a mean deviation of ≤ - 20 dB, were included. Glaucoma progression was defined as a loss of ≥ 2 dB in mean deviation confirmed in three consecutive visual field tests, or a persistent loss of two or more lines of vision-not attributable to non-glaucomatous causes-in three consecutive follow-up examinations. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to assess the cumulative incidence of progression of the first eye to reach endpoint in cases where both eyes were eligible. RESULTS: A total of 143 eyes from 119 patients, were studied over a mean period of 4.9 ± 2.9 years. Baseline mean deviation was - 25.3 ± 3.6 dB. Twenty-three eyes of 22 patients reached the progression endpoint: 14 eyes by visual field criteria and 9 by visual acuity criteria. The cumulative 5-year risk of progression estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis was 14.6% (95% confidence interval: 6.1-22.2%). CONCLUSIONS: In severe glaucoma patients, we found a cumulative incidence of progression of 2.9% per year during the first 5 years of follow-up. Similar incidences have been reported in other studies of glaucoma at different stages of severity.

Presumed Unilateral Acute Idiopathic Maculopathy following H1N1 Vaccination.

Purpose: To report a case of unilateral acute idiopathic maculopathy (UAIM) following vaccination for type A influenza virus (H1N1).Methods: Clinical, fundus autofluorescence (FAF), fluorescein angiography (FA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings are presented.Results: A 25-year old white male presented with an acute decrease of vision in his left eye eight days after immunization with influenza A vaccine. Clinical evaluation revealed a deep yellowish-white lesion at the macula, early hyperfluorescence at the level of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and leakage and staining during the late phase of FA. OCT demonstrated disruption of the photoreceptor ellipsoid zone, as well as heterogeneous reflectivity changes and thickening at the level of the outer retina-RPE. Three months after presentation, fundus examination showed resolution of the yellowish foveal lesion, with persistence of mild RPE atrophic changes.Conclusion: This is the first reported case of UAIM following H1N1 vaccination to date.

Pediatric Ocular Toxocariasis in Costa Rica: 1998-2018 Experience.

PURPOSE: To report the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, treatment and outcomes of patients with ocular toxocariasis. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients diagnosed with ocular toxocariasis at a pediatric referral center from 1998 until 2018 in Costa Rica. RESULTS: 157 patients were diagnosed with ocular toxocariasis with a mean follow-up of 3.1 years. The mean age at presentation was 6.7 years old. The most common causes of consultation included decreased vision (29.9%), strabismus (26.7%), and leukocoria (19.7%). The most common findings included peripheral granuloma, posterior pole granuloma, and chronic endophthalmitis. Sixty-nine (43.9%) eyes had retinal detachment. Patients were managed with a variety of treatments including pars plana vitrectomy, systemic corticosteroids, anti-helminthic drugs or a combination of these. Most eyes did not exhibit functional improvement despite treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with pediatric ocular toxocariasis in Costa Rica often present late and despite treatment, most remain with poor vision in the affected eye.

Visual Field Characteristics of Type I Boston Keratoprosthesis Patients Without Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To determine visual field findings in Boston type 1-KPro (BI-KPro) patients without glaucoma. Characterize normal threshold values and global indices using standard automated perimetry and characterize visual field amplitude using Goldmann's manual perimetry. METHODS: This cross-sectional prospective noninterventional study included patients (n=6 patients, 6 eyes) with BI-KPro who had normal optical coherence tomography and fundoscopic evaluation of the optic disc and retina. None had a previous history of glaucoma. Visual acuity, reliable and reproducible standard automated perimetry (24-2 and 30-2), and manual perimetry examinations were obtained from all patients. Each patient answered the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire, and the results were correlated with visual field indices. RESULTS: The mean visual acuity was 0.35±0.31 logMAR (0.84 to 0.10). All visual fields had good reliability indices. The standard automated perimetry mean deviation values were -7.25±3.63 decibels (dB) and -7.75±3.23 (24-2 and 30-2 values, respectively), whereas pattern SD values were 2.72±0.82 and 3.30±1.13 (24-2 and 30-2, respectively). The manual visual field mean values of the 4 quadrants (superior, temporal, inferior, and nasal), were 39.7±4.5, 61.8±6.2, 54.0±4.3, and 48.2±7.6 degrees, respectively. The authors found a significant correlation between the VFQ-25 indexes of general sight and close-range activities with the values of total deviation at 10 degrees. VFQ-25 peripheral vision indexes also correlated significantly with values of total deviation at 30 degrees (outermost locations in the 30-degree area). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with BI-KPro presented reliable and reproductive visual field measurements. The authors found a consistent reduction in visual field extension and a global sensitivity reduction in these patients. Despite visual field changes, our patients had a good quality of life scores. Overall, these results could be useful to improve early glaucoma diagnosis and to follow-up BI-KPro patients.