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Quality of vision and patient satisfaction after LASIK.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to review the literature and find characteristics that lead to improved patient satisfaction and better quality of vision. RECENT FINDINGS: Flatter preoperative corneal curvature is a risk factor for starbursts after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Pupil size has not been found to be correlated with night vision symptoms. Wavefront-guided ablations reduce higher-order aberrations in comparison with traditional LASIK. Night vision symptoms are correlated with younger age, greater correction/increased ablation depth, enhancement, and decreased ablation diameter. Contrast sensitivity has been found to initially decrease after LASIK, returning to baseline 6 to 12 months postoperatively. SUMMARY: LASIK has quickly become the refractive procedure of choice around the world. Quality of vision and patient satisfaction after LASIK can be difficult to assess because of the many variables that must be considered to accurately measure these endpoints. Preoperative characteristics such as: increased patient age, decreased corneal toricity, or increased pupil size reduce patient satisfaction. Intraoperative factors like decentration, ablation-zone size, active eye tracking, and wavefront guided ablations affect quality of vision. Finally, postoperative factors such as night vision symptoms, reduced contrast sensitivity, and re-treatment can lead to a decline in patient satisfaction. Eliminating or limiting these variables may lead to increased patient satisfaction and higher quality of vision after LASIK.

Contrast Sensitivity↗

Color vision tests for early detection of antiepileptic drug toxicity.

A previous suggestion that antiepileptic drugs may induce color vision deficiencies prompted us to examine whether color vision deficiencies may occur at lower drug serum concentrations than those associated with symptoms of neurotoxicity. Eighty patients presenting with epilepsy received monotherapies of valproic acid, phenytoin, or carbamazepine; 18 patients did not receive antiepileptic drug therapy. Color vision was tested by the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-hue test, spectral sensitivity, and the newly developed tritan screening plates. Patients treated with phenytoin or carbamazepine developed blue-yellow color vision deficiencies. In contrast, patients exposed to valproic acid or receiving no drug treatment showed normal color vision. There was a significant correlation (p < 0.0001) between signs of neurotoxicity induced by phenytoin or carbamazepine and blue-yellow color vision deficiencies. In contrast, we found no correlation between these signs of neurotoxicity and the drug serum concentrations (p = 0.0637). Color vision testing in epileptic patients treated with phenytoin or carbamazepine appears to be a sensitive method for early detection and monitoring of clinical neurotoxicity.

Adolescent↗

Healthy People 2010--vision objectives for the nation.

BACKGROUND: In January 2000, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released new national health goals and objectives in a report entitled Healthy People 2010. This national report includes specific objectives for improving the vision of people in the United States during the 2000-2010 decade through prevention, early detection, treatment, and rehabilitation. The vision objectives, along with other health objectives, are designed to help the nation achieve two major outcomes: (1) increase the quality and years of healthy life and (2) eliminate health disparities among different groups. These health objectives will strongly influence many health care programs and the provision of health care through laws, regulations, reimbursements, and clinical guidelines enacted by federal and state agencies. PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to inform optometrists about the new Healthy People 2010 vision objectives. METHODS: A summary of the Healthy People process for developing the objectives--and the specific vision objectives--is provided. These objectives address many important areas, including: regular dilated eye examinations; vision screening for preschool children; uncorrected visual impairment due to refractive errors; blindness and visual impairment in children and adolescents; visual impairment due to diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts; occupational eye injury; the use of personal protective eye wear in recreational activities and hazardous situations around the home; and the use of vision rehabilitation services and adaptive devices by people with visual impairments. CONCLUSION: These new national health goals and objectives will impact optometrists. Therefore, it is important that optometrists understand these objectives and actively work to help implement them at the national, state, and local levels. By doing this, they can help provide the services needed to reduce visual impairments and improve the vision of people in their communities.

Health Promotion↗

Preschool vision screening using the MTI-Photoscreener.

Amblyopia is a condition that, if detected and treated early, can improve vision for most children. Thus, both pediatric and ophthalmologic groups have acknowledged the need for preschool vision screening. However, vision screening is the exception rather than the rule for preschoolers, since traditional methods of vision screening are often inappropriate for the preschool population and almost impossible for those children who are preverbal or nonverbal, developmentally delayed, and/or have chronic illnesses or disabilities. This study evaluated the use of a photoscreener to detect vision problems in a preschool population. Fifty-one children ages 3 to 5 years were evaluated using the MTI Photoscreener. Results were compared with a complete ophthalmologic examination, including cycloplegia. The sensitivity and specificity calculated for this study was 83% and 68%, respectively. Findings conclude that the MTI Photoscreener detected a broad range of vision problems, seemed to require less time, and seemed more acceptable to preschoolers when compared with the traditional vision screening methods performed by registered nurses. Although the sensitivity and specificity rates for this study were less than desired, it is likely that both could be improved with additional photo interpretation training.

Child, Preschool↗

Efficacy of vision therapy as assessed by the COVD quality of life checklist.

BACKGROUND: Optometry is very interested in demonstrating that the therapies it prescribes are efficacious. Vision therapy is one of the traditional therapies of optometry, but it has not been as well accepted as other therapies. One of the reasons for this lack of acceptance has been the lack of studies that demonstrate quality of life improvement in the patient who has undergone a course of optometric vision therapy. The College of Optometrists in Vision Development Quality of Life checklist (COVD-QOL) was designed as a tool to assist in the documentation of these improvements. The COVD-QOL has been demonstrated to have good test-retest reliability and has shown that ADD/ADHD children have significantly higher scores on this instrument than non-ADD/ADHD children. This pilot study was designed to study if vision therapy would have a significant positive impact on 7- to 18-year-old children. METHODS: A prospective, five-office study was designed. A total of 62 consecutive children (whose parents agreed to participation) completed a course of optometric in-office vision therapy. Pre- and post-COVD-QOL's were completed at the end of therapy or at the end of 20 hours of in-office optometric vision therapy, whichever was shorter. The pre- and post-symptoms data were analyzed, collectively and by individual symptoms. RESULTS: The mean total scores, as well as each individual item score on the COVD-QOL, were significantly better on post-test than on pre-test. CONCLUSIONS: The COVD-QOL can be used to measure changes in symptoms, and to objectively demonstrate quality of life changes that are achieved through optometric vision therapy.

Adolescent↗

A case of acute loss of binocular vision and stereoscopic depth perception. (The misery of acute monovision, having been binocular for 68 years).

PURPOSE: There are few personal reports in the literature, by knowledgeable vision scientists, of the loss of binocular vision. This case is reported. CASE REPORT: This 68 year old retired pediatric ophthalmologist suffered an almost total loss of vision, OD, as a result of a sudden massive hemorrhage into the vitreous body from a bridging retinal vessel, which remained after repair of a spontaneous large horseshoe retinal tear. This caused significant problems with both remaining monocular vision, cognition, and space perception. It was surprisingly disabling. A diary is included. RESULT: The author now appreciates better: 1. that the overlap and cross compensation of monocular vision is quite significant; 2. that monocular depth perception may be impaired by any type of intervening optical media; 3. that a two dimensional world is very different and vastly inferior to a three dimensional world. COMMENT: Such problems are not ordinarily expected or described in these circumstances, but considering what is in the literature, they may be more common and serious than assumed by eye care professionals, and should be taken into consideration in rendering eye care in similar situations. Loss of binocular vision results in a significant handicap even when the vision remaining in the good dominant eye is normal. It is truly remarkable to this victim that so many mature patients are willing to accept this situation in the form of surgical or optical monovision to avoid spectacles for presbyopia.

Acute Disease↗

Clinicolegal aspects of practice guidelines for pediatric eye and vision examination.

BACKGROUND: The American Optometric Association (AOA) recently joined a growing trend in the health care professions by adopting clinical practice guidelines. The goals of practice guidelines are to improve quality of care and to provide a more objective measure of standard of care for the legal system and the health insurance industry. Practice guidelines may eventually reduce the number and cost of malpractice actions. Historically, the standard of care for pediatric eye and vision examination has been the subject of controversy. Issues of disagreement include the amount of ocular health testing that should be performed and the determination of appropriate emphasis on functional vision. This paper summarizes the precedents that have established a legal standard of care for pediatric eye and vision examination. METHODS: A review of malpractice claims relevant to pediatric optometry was conducted. Public health policy, legal, and malpractice literature was also consulted for current views on practice guidelines. The recent AOA Optometric Clinical Practice Guidelines for Pediatric Eye and Vision Examination were compared to this review. RESULTS: Standards of care for pediatric eye examination should minimally include assessment of visual acuity, refractive error, binocular vision, functional vision, and eye health assessment including dilated funds examination with a binocular indirect ophthalmoscope. These standards are commensurate with the AOA Guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: The AOA Optometric Clinical Practice Guidelines for Pediatric Eye and Vision Examination is compared to the current standard of care for pediatric optometry. It is concluded that the Guidelines are appropriate. Optometrists should integrate these practices into patient care, and the optometric profession should seek to obtain wide spread acceptance of the Guidelines.

Adolescent↗

The Hong Kong vision study: a pilot assessment of visual impairment in adults.

PURPOSE: The Hong Kong Adult Vision Pilot Study is a population based study of the distribution and determinants of eye disease in a random sample of the Chinese population age 40 and over. The present pilot study identifies the extent and causes of visual loss using methods developed in the United States and Australia. The pilot study uses the prevalence data to estimate the sample size necessary to predict the size of an effect a larger study may detect and the confidence with which that effect may be considered and the standard deviation of the Hong Kong population. The smallest detectable odds ratios were calculated based on known risk factor prevalence rates of the pilot study. METHODS: Hong Kong Chinese residents aged 40 and over in 2 random cluster sites were identified by private household census. The examinations were performed at one location and included, health history and habits, presenting and best corrected LogMar vision, Humphrey visual field and IOP measurement, dilated slit lamp, fundus examination, fundus photography and echography. RESULTS: In the two test sites, 355 people were examined of the 441 eligible residents (81% response). 76.6% of the population reported a change in vision in the last 10 years; 45% had not sought examination. 4.54% had vision less than 20/60. This was caused by: myopic choroidal degeneration (31%), cataract (19%), cataract + ARM (19%), ARMD (19%), glaucoma (6%), and corneal disease (6%). Vision loss increased significantly with age. Vision loss was more common in older women than in older men. The prevalence rates calculated from the pilot study data were used, requiring a relative precision of 95% and +/- 20% confidence interval of the prevalence rates, indicate that a sample size of 2500 would be a good number for a larger study. CONCLUSIONS: The methods developed in the United States and Australia for completing eye disease prevalence studies are applicable in Hong Kong. Vision loss is increasingly common in older people and the percent of visual impairment in Hong Kong is higher than studies in the US and Australia. As the population ages demands on the health care systems will increase. The results from this pilot warrant continuation of the study. Efforts must be directed toward prevention of visual loss.

Adult↗

Screening for depression in low-vision elderly.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) in older low-vision patients, and to compare GDS scores with the diagnosis of major depression in statistical models examining the interrelationships of vision, depression and disability. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. PARTICIPANTS: Community-residing older persons attending the low-vision clinic of Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA. MEASUREMENTS: Geriatric Depression Scale, DSM-III-R Checklist for Depression, Community Disability Scale and Snellen Visual Acuity. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of the GDS (GDS = 11) were 63% and 77%, respectively. A receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the GDS's ability to discriminate patients with and without major depression was no better than chance. Although the GDS was limited as a screen for major depression, it was useful in statistical models examining the interrelationships of vision, depression and disability. CONCLUSION: Depressive symptoms are common among elderly patients with impaired vision attending a low-vision clinic. Although the GDS is unable to discriminate patients with and without major depression in this population, it is valuable as a continuous measure of depressive symptomatology to examine the interrelationships of vision, depression and disability.

Aged↗

Demonstration of a genotype-phenotype correlation in the polymorphic color vision of a non-callitrichine New World monkey, capuchin (Cebus apella).

Color-vision polymorphism in New World monkeys occurs because of an allelic polymorphism of the single-copy red-green middle-to-long-wavelength-sensitive (M/LWS) opsin gene on the X chromosome. Because color-vision types can readily be estimated from allelic types of the M/LWS opsin gene, this polymorphic system offers researchers an excellent opportunity to study the association between vision and behavior. As a prerequisite for such studies, genetically determined color-vision types must be concordant with phenotypes determined directly by behavioral criteria (e.g., by a color discrimination test). However, such correlations between genotypes and phenotypes have been studied only for callitrichine species. Using genetic, electrophysiological, and behavioral approaches, we evaluated the color vision of brown capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella), a representative non-callitrichine model animal for physiology and behavior. Two allelic M/LWS opsins-P545 and P530-were identified in the studied captive population. Females had one or both of the alleles, and males had either one. The retinal sensitivity in P530 dichromats was short-wave shifted relative to that in P545 dichromats, whereas that in P530/P545 trichromats was between the two groups. In a discrimination task using Ishihara pseudo-isochromatic plates, P530/P545 trichromats were successful in discriminating stimuli that P530 and P545 dichromats were unable to discriminate. In a food-search task, P530/P545 trichromats were able to locate red targets among green distracters as quickly as among white distracters, whereas both types of dichromats took longer. These results demonstrate the mutual consistency between genotypes and phenotypes of color vision, and provide a solid genetic basis on which the ecology and evolution of color vision can be investigated.

Animals↗

Rehabilitation of the visually handicapped with advanced macular degeneration. A follow-up study at the Low Vision Clinic, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Linköping.

Hundred-and-twenty patients with advanced macular degeneration (senile, disciform, and hereditary forms), which could not be helped in a satisfactory way by simple magnifying aids, were studied for an average of 5 years (a minimum of 3 years), during which they had access to a full range of low vision rehabilitation measures including advanced optical aids and educational methods for training in the use of these aids and in the utilization of residual vision. The mean age of the patients was 72 years. They were all in a mental condition enabling them to understand and follow instructions. Just over half the patients were obliged to learn from the outset how to utilize peripheral retina, i.e. through eccentric viewing, high magnification low vision aids and very short reading distances, a mean of 4.4 cm, which demand specially qualified educational methods for low vision training. (A second group of 198 patients with macular degeneration was handled by the optician alone because either macular degeneration was moderate and the patients could manage with simple optical aids, or the patients were in such a bad mental condition, obvious already from the referral documents, that they were unable to use sophisticated aids in spite of the fact that they would have needed them with regard to their poor vision.) Telescopes were the most frequent aid used for distance, having a mean magnification of 4.6 X. Among the aids for reading, the most common were increased near additions and hyperocular lenses, having a mean power of 22.6 dioptres (magnification 5.7 X). Aids were also furnished for intermediate distance and for 'spot use'. The mean number of series of visits was 2.5 and the number of training sessions (1 h) per series of visits was 3.0. Mean visual acuity improved from 0.18 to 0.64 with aids and training on the first series of visits, and reached 0.53 by the last series. The number of patients able to read TV titles increased from 6.7% to 57.5% and was 49.2% after the last series of visits. The number of individuals able to read newspaper text increased from 0.8% to 92.5%. After the last series of visits, the number was still as high as 80.0%. The results show that the presented methods for rehabilitation of patients with macular degeneration through optical aids and educational methods for training in the utilization of these aids and of residual vision are outstandingly successful. The use of the individual's vision and his situation in life often improve dramatically.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗

Visual rehabilitation of patients with advanced diabetic retinopathy. A follow-up study at the Low Vision Clinic, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Linköping.

Seventy-nine patients with advanced diabetic retinopathy were subjected to a full range of low vision rehabilitation measures and followed for an average of 3.6 years at the Low Vision Clinic. They were provided with high power optical aids, followed by educational training in the use of such aids and of residual vision, including the utilization of peripheral retina by means of eccentric viewing technique in many cases (23%). Mean age was 52.7 years. Type I diabetes was diagnosed in 69 subjects and type II in 10 subjects. Proliferative retinopathy was present in 73 cases and background retinopathy in 6 cases. All subjects showed macular changes in varying degrees. (Another 36 patients participated in the first series of visits but could not be followed up, the main reason being that 31 of them died before follow-up. There were no major differences between the two groups regarding rehabilitation results.) The average power of the telescopes used for distance vision was 4.8 X, and the mean power of the aids used for reading and near vision, mainly increased near addition and hyperocular lenses, was 22.2 dioptres (5.6 X). The patients were also provided with aids for intermediate distance and for 'spot use'. The average number of series of visits was 2.7 and the number of 1 h training sessions 2.5 per series of visits. With aids and training, mean visual acuity improved from 0.17 to 0.73 on the first series of visits. After the last series of visits acuity was still as good as 0.64. Ability to read TV titles increased from 15.2% to 79.7% in the group and reached 64.6% after the last series of visits. The number of individuals able to read newspaper text increased from 1.3% to 97.5%. After the last series of visits the number was still as large as 86.1%. Of the individuals who had to stop working because of poor vision, 89% would have been able to return to work after rehabilitation. However, because of unemployment problems in the area, only 72% managed to return. It is quite obvious from the results that the presented methods, including high power aids and training sessions, are extremely successful in rehabilitation of patients with advanced diabetic retinopathy, provided that they have at least some residual vision. Dramatic improvements in visual performance were seen, allowing a life of much better quality than before.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗

Development and psychometric tests of the Chinese-version Low Vision Quality of Life Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To develop and assess the psychometric validity of a Chinese language Vision Health related quality-of-life (VRQoL) measurement instrument for the Chinese visually impaired. METHODS: The Low Vision Quality of Life Questionnaire (LVQOL) was translated and adapted into the Chinese-version Low Vision Quality of Life Questionnaire (CLVQOL). The CLVQOL was completed by 100 randomly selected people with low vision (primary group) and 100 people with normal vision (control group). Ninety-four participants from the primary group completed the CLVQOL a second time 2 weeks later (test-retest group). The internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, item-internal consistency, item-discrimination validity, construct validity and discriminatory power of the CLVQOL were calculated. RESULTS: The review committee agreed that the CLVQOL replicated the meaning of the LVQOL and was sensitive to cultural differences. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient and the split-half coefficient for the four scales and total CLVQOL scales were 0.75-0.97. The test-retest reliability as estimated by the intraclass correlations coefficient was 0.69-0.95. Item-internal consistency was > 0.4 and item-discrimination validity was generally < 0.40. The Varimax rotation factor analysis of the CLVQOL identified four principal factors. the quality-of-life rating of four subscales and the total score of the CLVQOL of the primary group were lower than those of the Control group, both in hospital-based subjects and community-based subjects. CONCLUSION: The CLVQOL Chinese is a culturally specific vision-related quality-of-life measure instrument. It satisfies conventional psychometric criteria, discriminates visually healthy populations from low vision patients and may be valuable in screening the local community as well as for use in clinical practice or research.

Aged↗

Vision-related quality of life in patients suffering from age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relative impact of best and worst eye on vision-related quality of life in patients suffering from age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Quality of life and visual acuity data were collected at baseline during a randomized clinical trial. METHODS SETTING: Multicenter (11 centers), international study. PATIENTS: One hundred fourteen patients with a diagnosis of exudative AMD and primary or recurrent subfoveal neovascular membrane (greatest linear dimension of lesion < or =5400 microm; > or =50% of the total lesion was choroidal neovascularization (CNV); classic component of the total CNV > or = 1.0 mm(2)). All patients were over age 50 years, of any race, either sex. INTERVENTION OR OBSERVATION PROCEDURE: NEI-VFQ-39 questionnaire administered to patients at home by trained telephone interviewers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ETDRS visual acuity (VA) was measured in both eyes separately. Vision-related quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the NEI-VFQ-39. An analysis of variance was performed on the NEI-VFQ scores, including best eye VA (VA > 20/40 vs VA < or = 20/40), worst eye VA (VA > 20/200 vs VA < or = 20/200), and the interaction between the two as independent variables. RESULTS: Best eye VA was 0.34 on average, with VA > 20/40 in 43.0% of patients. Worst eye VA was 0.85 on average, with VA > 20/200 in 32.5% of patients. VA was not linked to general health and ocular pain scores. General Vision, Near Activities, Distance Vision, Driving, Mental Health, Role Difficulties, Dependency, Peripheral Vision, and the Global NEI-VFQ scores were affected by both best eye VA and worst eye VA. CONCLUSION: In the study sample, worst eye VA (< or =20/200) and best eye VA (< or =20/40) contributed independently to vision-related QoL. These results suggest that preserving a minimal visual acuity in the worst eye may contribute to vision-related quality of life.

Aged↗

The functional role of central and peripheral vision in the control of posture.

Three experiments were conducted to investigate the role of central and peripheral vision (CV and PV) in postural control. In Experiment 1, either the central or peripheral visual field were selectively stimulated using a circular random dot pattern that was either static or alternated at 5 Hz. Center of foot pressure (CoP) was used to examine postural sway during quiet standing under both CV and PV conditions. The results showed that, when the visual stimulus was presented in the periphery, the CoP area decreased and more so in the anterior-posterior (AP) than in the medio-lateral (ML) direction, indicating a characteristic directional specificity. There was no significant difference between the static and dynamic (alternating) conditions. Experiment 2 investigated the directional specificity of body sway found in Experiment 1 by having the trunk either be faced toward the stimulus display or perpendicularly to it, with the head always facing the display. The results showed that the stabilizing effect of peripheral vision was present in the direction of stimulus observation (i.e., the head/gaze direction), irrespective of trunk orientation. This suggested that head/gaze direction toward the stimulus presentation, rather than a biomechanical factor like greater mobility of the ankle joint in AP direction than in ML direction, was essential to postural stability. Experiment 3 further examined whether the stabilizing effect of peripheral vision found in Experiments 1 and 2 was caused because more dots (500) were presented as visual cues to the peripheral visual field than to the central visual field (20 dots) by presenting the same number of dots (20) in both conditions. It was found that, in spite of the equal number of dots, the postural sway amplitudes were larger for the central vision conditions than for the peripheral vision conditions. In conclusion, the present study showed that peripheral rather than central vision contributes to maintaining a stable standing posture, with postural sway being influenced more in the direction of stimulus observation, or head/gaze direction, than in the direction of trunk orientation, which suggests that peripheral vision operates primarily in a viewer-centered frame of reference characterized by the head/gaze direction rather than in a body-centered frame of reference characterized by the anatomical planes of the body.

Body Height↗

Predictive factors underlying the restoration of macular binocular vision in adults with acquired strabismus.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether macular binocular vision can be permanently lost following acquired strabismus and to identify predictive factors underlying its restoration. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients with strabismus acquired after binocular vision maturation were enrolled. Factors studied included duration of eye misalignment, age at treatment, pre-surgical strabismus type, pre-surgical diplopia, and pre-surgical capacity for binocularity. The restoration of macular binocular vision was evaluated between 1 and 3 years following successful eye re-alignment and was defined as 60 seconds of arc stereopsis or better on the Titmus circles and/or the Preschool Randot Stereoacuity test. RESULTS: Sixteen of 23 (70%) or 7/23 (30%) of patients achieved macular binocular vision following successful surgical eye realignment using the Titmus circles versus the Preschool Randot Stereoacuity test. Patients with < or =12 months constant eye misalignment were more likely to achieve macular binocular vision following treatment than patients with >12 months constant eye misalignment. CONCLUSIONS: Macular binocular vision continues to be susceptible to permanent loss in adult patients. Factors that are predictive of the restoration of macular binocular vision include duration of constant eye misalignment and the pre-surgical capacity for binocularity.

Adolescent↗

Prevalence and causes of low vision and blindness in a Japanese adult population: the Tajimi Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and causes of low vision and blindness in a Japanese adult population. DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Randomly selected residents (n = 3870) of Tajimi City, Japan, who were 40 years of age or older. METHODS: Of the 3021 study participants (78.1% of 3870 eligible persons), 2977 (76.9%) underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination including measurement of the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) with full subjective refraction using a Landolt ring chart at 5 m. Age- and gender-specific prevalence rates of low vision and blindness were estimated and causes were identified. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Low vision and blindness were defined as BCVA in the better eye worse than 20/60 to a lower limit of 20/400 and worse than 20/400, respectively (World Health Organization [WHO] criteria) and worse than 20/40 but better than 20/200 and 20/200 or worse, respectively (United States criteria). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of blindness according to the WHO or U.S. criteria was 0.14% (n = 4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.06-0.32). The primary causes were optic atrophy, myopic macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, and uveitis. The overall prevalence of low vision according to the WHO criteria was 0.39% (95% CI, 0.18%-0.60%) and according to the U.S. criteria was 0.98% (95% CI, 0.66%-1.30%), which was significantly greater in women and in the older half of the participants than in the younger half (P = 0.0079 and <0.0001, respectively). The leading causes of low vision in descending order were cataract followed by glaucoma, and those of monocular blindness were myopic macular degeneration, glaucoma, and trauma. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of low vision and blindness in Japanese adults was one of the lowest among those reported. The major causes of low vision were cataract and glaucoma, and the leading cause of monocular blindness was myopic macular degeneration.

Aged↗

Causes of low vision and blindness in adult Latinos: the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the causes of low vision and blindness in a population-based sample of adult Latinos. DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Six thousand three hundred fifty-seven Latinos 40 years and older from 6 census tracts in Los Angeles, California. METHODS: Participants underwent a detailed ophthalmologic examination including measurement of best-corrected distance visual acuity using a standard Early Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy Study protocol, a complete anterior and posterior segment evaluation by an ophthalmologist, Humphrey Visual field testing, and optic disc and fundus photography. Consensus diagnosis of independent investigators reviewing all patient data was used to determine the major causes of low vision and blindness in adult Latinos. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary causes of vision loss in persons with low vision and blindness. RESULTS: The leading causes of low vision were cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration, together accounting for approximately 82% of all persons with low vision. The primary causes of blindness were age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and myopic degeneration, accounting for 63% of the cases of blindness. CONCLUSIONS: Many of the leading causes of low vision and blindness in adult Latinos are potentially preventable and treatable diseases. Given the projected aging and growth in the Latino population, consideration needs to be given to the development of targeted early detection and treatment programs.

Adult↗