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Journal of Optometry 2023To analyse the scientific evidence about the efficacy of Syntonic phototherapy for producing changes in visual function. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
To analyse the scientific evidence about the efficacy of Syntonic phototherapy for producing changes in visual function.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A systematic review was performed to obtain studies on the effects of Syntonic phototherapy on vision. A search in health science databases (Medline, Scopus, Web of Science and PsycINFO) for studies published between 1980 and 2022 was conducted in accordance with the principles of Cochrane approach. The search identified 197 articles. Only clinical studies which used the Syntonic phototherapy as a vision therapy for any visual condition were included. Clinical cases and case series were excluded. Following the inclusion criteria, 8 clinical studies met inclusion, 5 of them being pseudo-experimental studies with an equivalent control group and 3 pre-post pseudo-experimental studies. GRADE tool was used to assess the certainty of the evidence of the studies. The GRADE evidence profile for the studies through the Soft table was made to analyse data.
RESULTS
The studies analysed seven outcomes: visual symptoms, functional visual fields, visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, deviation (phoria/tropia), stereopsis and reading abilities. Finding table about results (Soft Table) showed that for all outcomes reviewed, all studies yielded very low certainty of evidence. Results revealed a lack of scientific evidence of the efficacy of Syntonic optometric phototherapy to produce changes in the visual function.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review found no consistent evidence for the efficacy of Syntonic phototherapy to cause changes in visual function. There is no scientific evidence to support its clinical use for treating any type of visual anomalies.
Topics: Humans; Phototherapy; Visual Acuity; Vision Disorders; Contrast Sensitivity; Vision, Low
PubMed: 37230932
DOI: 10.1016/j.optom.2023.03.002 -
JMIR MHealth and UHealth Feb 2022Vision impairments (VIs) and blindness are major global public health issues. A visual acuity (VA) test is one of the most crucial standard psychophysical tests of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Vision impairments (VIs) and blindness are major global public health issues. A visual acuity (VA) test is one of the most crucial standard psychophysical tests of visual function and has been widely used in a broad range of health care domains, especially in many clinical settings. In recent years, there has been increasing research on mobile app-based VA assessment designed to allow people to test their VA at any time and any location.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of the review was to assess the accuracy and reliability of using mobile VA measurement apps.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar for relevant articles on mobile apps for VA assessment published between January 1, 2008, and July 1, 2020. Two researchers independently inspected and selected relevant studies. Eventually, we included 22 studies that assessed tablet or smartphone apps for VA measurement. We then analyzed sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in the 6 papers we found through a meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Most of the 22 selected studies can be considered of high quality based on the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2. In a meta-analysis of 6 studies involving 24,284 participants, we categorized the studies based on the age groups of the study participants (ie, aged 3-5 years, aged 6-22 years, and aged 55 years and older), examiner (ie, professional and nonprofessional examiners), and the type of mobile devices (ie, smartphone, iPad). In the group aged 3 to 5 years, the pooled sensitivity for VA app tests versus clinical VA tests was 0.87 (95% CI 0.79-0.93; P=.39), and the pooled specificity was 0.78 (95% CI 0.70-0.85; P=.37). In the group aged 6 to 22 years, the pooled sensitivity for VA app tests versus clinical VA tests was 0.86 (95% CI 0.84-0.87; P<.001), and the pooled specificity for VA app tests versus clinical VA tests was 0.91 (95% CI 0.90-0.91; P=.27). In the group aged 55 years and older, the pooled sensitivity for VA app tests versus clinical VA tests was 0.85 (95% CI 0.55-0.98), and the pooled specificity for VA app tests versus clinical VA tests was 0.98 (95% CI 0.95-0.99). We found that the nonprofessional examiner group (AUC 0.93) had higher accuracy than the professional examiner group (AUC 0.87). In the iPad-based group, the pooled sensitivity for VA app tests versus clinical VA tests was 0.86, and the pooled specificity was 0.79. In the smartphone-based group, the pooled sensitivity for VA app tests versus clinical VA tests was 0.86 (P<.001), and the pooled specificity for VA app tests versus clinical VA tests was 0.91 (P<.001).
CONCLUSIONS
In this study, we conducted a comprehensive review of the research on existing mobile apps for VA tests to investigate their diagnostic value and limitations. Evidence gained from this study suggests that mobile app-based VA tests can be useful for on-demand VI detection.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Child, Preschool; Computers, Handheld; Humans; Middle Aged; Mobile Applications; Reproducibility of Results; Smartphone; Visual Acuity; Young Adult
PubMed: 35156935
DOI: 10.2196/26275 -
Brain Sciences Jul 2017Patients with Lewy body disease (LBD) frequently experience visual hallucinations (VH), well-formed images perceived without the presence of real stimuli. The structural... (Review)
Review
Patients with Lewy body disease (LBD) frequently experience visual hallucinations (VH), well-formed images perceived without the presence of real stimuli. The structural and functional brain mechanisms underlying VH in LBD are still unclear. The present review summarises the current literature on the neural correlates of VH in LBD, namely Parkinson's disease (PD), and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Following a systematic literature search, 56 neuroimaging studies of VH in PD and DLB were critically reviewed and evaluated for quality assessment. The main structural neuroimaging results on VH in LBD revealed grey matter loss in frontal areas in patients with dementia, and parietal and occipito-temporal regions in PD without dementia. Parietal and temporal hypometabolism was also reported in hallucinating PD patients. Disrupted functional connectivity was detected especially in the default mode network and fronto-parietal regions. However, evidence on structural and functional connectivity is still limited and requires further investigation. The current literature is in line with integrative models of VH suggesting a role of attention and perception deficits in the development of VH. However, despite the close relationship between VH and cognitive impairment, its associations with brain structure and function have been explored only by a limited number of studies.
PubMed: 28714891
DOI: 10.3390/brainsci7070084 -
Deutsches Arzteblatt International Nov 2023In this systematic review, we address the question whether children and adolescents with developmental visual disorders benefit from computer-assisted visual training.
BACKGROUND
In this systematic review, we address the question whether children and adolescents with developmental visual disorders benefit from computer-assisted visual training.
METHODS
Systematic literature searches were carried out in three bibliographic databases (initial search in October 2021) and trial registries. Included were randomized controlled trials that evaluated the efficacy of computer-assisted visual training in children and adolescents with developmental visual disorders in comparison to no training, sham training, or conservative treatment.
RESULTS
The inclusion criteria were met by 17 trials (with a total of 1323 children and adolescents) focusing on binocular or monocular computer-assisted visual training for the treatment of amblyopia. In these trials, visual training was carried out for 2 to 24 weeks, either as "stand alone" therapy or in addition to occlusion therapy. Six trials showed a statistically significant difference in favor of the visual training for the outcome "best corrected visual acuity of the amblyopic eye." However, this difference was small and mostly below the threshold of clinical relevance of -0.05 logMAR (equivalent to an improvement of 0.5 lines on the eye chart, or 2.5 letters per line). Only few data were available for the outcomes "binocular vision" and "adverse events"; the differences between the groups were similarly small.
CONCLUSION
The currently available data do not permit any firm conclusions regarding the efficacy of visual training in children and adolescents with amblyopia. Moreover, treatment adherence was often insufficient and the treatment durations in the trials was relatively short. No results from randomized trials have yet been published with respect to other developmental visual disorders (refractive errors, strabismus).
Topics: Child; Humans; Adolescent; Amblyopia; Visual Acuity; Vision Disorders; Refractive Errors; Computers; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37656479
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2023.0191 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Feb 2020Glaucoma is a multi-factorial optic neuropathy characterized by an acquired loss of retinal ganglion cells at levels beyond normal age-related loss and corresponding... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Glaucoma is a multi-factorial optic neuropathy characterized by an acquired loss of retinal ganglion cells at levels beyond normal age-related loss and corresponding atrophy of the optic nerve. Although many treatments are available to manage glaucoma, patients may seek complementary or alternative medicine approaches such as acupuncture to supplement their regular treatment. The underlying plausibility of acupuncture is that disorders related to the flow of Chi (traditional Chinese concept of vital force or energy) can be managed by stimulating relevant points on the body surface.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture compared with other treatments, no treatment, or placebo in patients with glaucoma.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register (2018, Issue 11); Ovid MEDLINE; Embase.com; the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL); the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED); PubMed; Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences (LILACS); ZETOC; the metaRegister of Controlled Trials (mRCT); ClinicalTrials.gov; the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP); and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) website. We did not use any language or date restrictions in the search for trials. We last searched electronic databases on November 16, 2018, with the exception of NCCAM, which we last searched on July 14, 2010, and the metaRegister of Controlled Trials (mRCT), which we last searched on January 8, 2013. We handsearched Chinese medical journals at Peking Union Medical College Library in April 2007. We searched the Chinese Acupuncture Trials Register, the Traditional Chinese Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System (TCMLARS), the Chinese Biological Database (CBM), and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). We last searched Chinese electronic databases on November 19, 2018.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which one arm involved acupuncture treatment.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently screened results, then extracted the data and assessed risk of bias for eligible trials.
MAIN RESULTS
We included three completed trials and one ongoing trial in the 2019 update of this review. The three completed trials, conducted in Taiwan and the United States, included participants with glaucoma or intraocular hypertension. The interventions investigated varied across trials. One trial compared auricular acupressure-a non-standard acupuncture technique-with the sham procedure in 33 patients. Another trial compared transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) with a sham procedure in 82 patients. The third trial compared 12 sessions of acupuncture on eye-points versus on non-eye-points in 22 patients. All three trials were rated at high risk of bias for at least one domain. The certainty of evidence across all outcomes was very low due to high risk of bias in at least one contributing study; substantial clinical heterogeneity and methodological heterogeneity; and imprecision of results. One trial reported change in the visual field from baseline without any between-group comparison. Because of the quantity of missing data (50%), we did not calculate a between-group comparison, as the quantitative results are difficult to interpret. All three trials reported data for estimation of reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP). However, time points of IOP measurement varied. For the trial comparing acupressure to a sham procedure, the difference in IOP reduction (measured in mm Hg) is estimated to be -3.70 (95% confidence interval [CI] -7.11 to -0.29) for the right eye and -4.90 (95% CI -8.08 to -1.72) for the left eye at four weeks, and -1.30 mm Hg (95% CI -4.78 to 2.18) for the right eye and -2.30 mm Hg (95% CI -5.73 to 1.13) for the left eye at eight weeks. For the trial comparing TENS to sham treatment, the difference reduction is estimated to be -2.81 (95% CI -3.8 to -1.84) for the right eye and -2.58 (95% CI -3.36 to -1.80) for the left eye immediately after treatment, -2.93 (95% CI -3.72 to -2.13) for the right eye and -3.56 (95% CI -4.35 to 2.78) for the left eye 30 minutes after treatment, and finally -3.61 (95% CI -4.47 to -2.75) for the right eye and -3.61 (95% -4.47 to -2.74) for the left eye. For the trial that compared acupuncture on eye-points versus non-eye-points, 11 out of 22 (50%) participants did not complete the treatment. One trial reported data for estimation of visual acuity. When acupressure is compared to sham treatment, the difference in uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA, measured in logMAR) is estimated to be -0.01 (95% CI -0.24 to 0.22) for the right eye and -0.04 (95% CI -0.27 to 0.19) for the left eye at four months, and -0.03 logMAR (95% CI -0.27 to 0.21) for the right eye and -0.16 logMAR (95% CI -0.43 to 0.11) for the left eye at eight months. The difference in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) is estimated to be 0.10 (95% CI -0.06 to 0.26) for the right eye and 0 (95% CI -0.14 to 0.14) for the left eye at four months, and -0.04 logMAR (95% CI -0.09 to 0.17) for the right eye and -0.04 logMAR (95% CI -0.18 to 0.10) for the left eye at eight months. One trial reported progression of optic disc damage or nerve fiber layer loss without any between-group comparison. Because of the quantity of missing data (50%), we did not calculate a between-group comparison, as the quantitative results are difficult to interpret. One trial reported adverse events in two patients (out of 22) who experienced needle sensitivity. However, the study did not report between-group comparisons. Because of the quantity of missing data (50%), we did not calculate a between-group comparison, as the quantitative results are difficult to interpret.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
At this time, it is impossible to draw reliable conclusions from available data to support the use of acupuncture for treatment of patients with glaucoma. Because of ethical considerations, RCTs comparing acupuncture alone with standard glaucoma treatment or placebo are unlikely to be justified in countries where the standard of care has already been established.
Topics: Acupuncture Therapy; Glaucoma; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome; Visual Acuity
PubMed: 32032457
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006030.pub4 -
Nutrients Apr 2023The Mediterranean diet (MD) is a healthy diet pattern that can prevent chronic age-related diseases, especially age-related eye diseases (AREDs) including cataract,... (Review)
Review
The Mediterranean diet (MD) is a healthy diet pattern that can prevent chronic age-related diseases, especially age-related eye diseases (AREDs) including cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR) and dry eye syndrome (DES). In this study, we systematically reviewed studies in the literature that had reported associations between adherence to the MD and the five above-mentioned AREDs. Randomized controlled trials as well as prospective and retrospective observational studies were included; 1164 studies were identified, of which 1, 2, 9, 2 and 4 studies met our eligibility criteria for cataract, glaucoma, AMD, DR, and DES, respectively. According to these studies, higher MD adherence was associated with reduced risks of incident DR, incident AMD and progression to late AMD, but whether early and neovascular AMD could be alleviated remained to be debated. The results regarding the effects of the MD on DES were mixed, with three studies reporting an associations between MD and decreased severity or incidence of DES, whereas one study reported the opposite. No significant associations were observed between the MD and cataract or glaucoma. Generally, convincing evidence suggested a protective effect of the MD against AMD and DR. However, the evidence for cataract, glaucoma, and DES was less conclusive, and high-quality studies are needed for comprehensive evaluations of the potential benefits of MD on these eye diseases.
Topics: Humans; Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Diet, Mediterranean; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Visual Acuity; Wet Macular Degeneration; Glaucoma; Cataract; Diabetic Retinopathy
PubMed: 37432187
DOI: 10.3390/nu15092043 -
Acta Ophthalmologica Feb 2013Corneal neovascularization (CNV) is thought to negatively influence visual acuity. New therapeutic options that offer a differentiated influence on the ingrowths or... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Corneal neovascularization (CNV) is thought to negatively influence visual acuity. New therapeutic options that offer a differentiated influence on the ingrowths or regression of either corneal blood or lymphatic vessels force us to re-evaluate the association between CNV and visual acuity.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted. Electronic databases were searched up to August 2009. Given the heterogeneity in study populations, interventions and measures of association, we were unable to undertake meta-analysis. The association between CNV and visual acuity was reported descriptively for each study.
RESULTS
Eleven studies using either vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor treatments (i.e. bevacizumab, Avastin(®) ; Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland) or an antiangiogenic treatment based on IRS-1 modulation [Gene-Signal (GS) 101, Aganirsen(®) ; GeneSignal, Evry (Paris), France] in a total of 131 patients (142 eyes) with corneal neovascularization were included. Ten of the eleven studies reported evidence of a statistically significant reduction in neovascularization following treatment. However, only four studies reported a statistically significant improvement in visual acuity following therapy. We found no studies that assessed the patient-level association between the change in neovascularization and visual acuity.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review found that there is currently weak evidence to support the hypothesis that in patients with pathological neovascularization, a treatment-related reduction in neovascularization is associated with an increase in visual acuity. There is a need for future appropriately designed studies.
Topics: Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Corneal Neovascularization; Humans; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Visual Acuity
PubMed: 22103683
DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2011.02312.x -
BMC Ophthalmology Aug 2017Many patients who suffer unilateral non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) will eventually develop the same condition in their other eye, worrying them... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Many patients who suffer unilateral non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) will eventually develop the same condition in their other eye, worrying them about losing vision in both eyes. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to determine whether it is possible to predict the visual outcome of the consecutive NAION event based on initial presentation and to compare mean visual loss of firstly versus secondly affected eyes.
METHODS
A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published between January 1st 1966 and May 31st 2016 reporting on visual acuity and/or visual field loss of both affected eyes, measured either at presentation or follow-up following bilateral NAION.
RESULTS
Ten studies were included in the meta- analysis of visual acuity, including 9 retrospective reports and one randomized clinical trial, and five retrospective studies were included in visual field meta-analysis. A significant correlation exists for visual acuity (R = 0.387, P < 0.001) in both eyes of the same patient following bilateral NAION, and also for visual field loss (R = 0.445, P < 0.001) in the two eyes. The calculated coefficient of determination (R) of 0.149 for visual acuity, and 0.198 for visual field loss indicates that for any given individual suffering from unilateral NAION only 15% of visual acuity and 20% of visual field loss in the secondly affected eye can be explained by these outcomes in the first eye. In addition, there was no difference in mean visual outcome of the first versus second NAION events (standardized mean differences of visual acuity 0.008, P = 0.890; and visual field loss, -0.019, P = 0.819).
CONCLUSION
Even though a weak connection exists between visual outcome in both eyes following bilateral NAION it is still impossible to predict with certainty the visual outcome of a sequential contralateral NAION event based on the severity of visual loss in the first affected eye. Measures often taken after the first event are ineffective in improving the visual outcome of a second event should it occur.
Topics: Humans; Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic; Retrospective Studies; Vision Disorders; Visual Acuity; Visual Fields
PubMed: 28836961
DOI: 10.1186/s12886-017-0543-y -
JAMA Ophthalmology Nov 2022A bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) can help compare the various types of multifocal and monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) used in clinical practice. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Visual Outcomes and Optical Quality of Accommodative, Multifocal, Extended Depth-of-Focus, and Monofocal Intraocular Lenses in Presbyopia-Correcting Cataract Surgery: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-analysis.
IMPORTANCE
A bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) can help compare the various types of multifocal and monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) used in clinical practice.
OBJECTIVE
To compare outcomes of presbyopia-correcting IOLs frequently recommended in clinical practice through a bayesian NMA based on a systematic review.
DATA SOURCES
Medline (PubMed) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched on May 15, 2021, from inception.
STUDY SELECTION
Based on the research question, randomized clinical trials assessing multifocal IOLs in patients who underwent bilateral cataract extraction were searched. Nonrandomized studies, studies in patients with unilateral or contralateral cataract extractions, duplicated studies, conference abstracts, and nonpeer-reviewed articles were excluded.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Descriptive statistics and outcomes were extracted. The NMA was conducted to compare different types of IOLs. The mean differences for continuous variables, odds ratios for binary variables, 95% credible intervals (CrIs), and ranks of interventions were estimated.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The outcomes examined included binocular visual acuities by distance and optical quality, including glare, halos, and spectacle independence.
RESULTS
This NMA included 27 studies comprising 2605 patients. For uncorrected near visual acuity, trifocal IOLs (mean difference, -0.32 [95% CrI, -0.46 to -0.19]) and old bifocal diffractive IOLs (mean difference, -0.33 [95% CrI, -0.50 to -0.14]) afforded better visual acuity than monofocal IOLs. Regarding uncorrected intermediate visual acuity, extended depth-of-focus IOLs provided better visual acuity than monofocal IOLs. However, there were no differences between extended depth-of-focus and trifocal diffractive IOLs in pairwise comparisons. For uncorrected distant visual acuity, all multifocal IOLs were comparable with monofocal IOLs. There were no statistical differences between multifocal and monofocal IOLs regarding contrast sensitivity, glare, or halos.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
For patients considering a multifocal IOL due to presbyopia, bilateral implantation of a trifocal IOL might be an optimal option for patients without compromising distant visual acuity.
Topics: Humans; Presbyopia; Network Meta-Analysis; Bayes Theorem; Lenses, Intraocular; Cataract Extraction; Contrast Sensitivity; Cataract
PubMed: 36136323
DOI: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2022.3667 -
Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation... Apr 2023Although most research on spatial neglect (SN) has focused on spatial perception deficits with regard to the lateral (left-right) axis, deficits of spatial perception... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Although most research on spatial neglect (SN) has focused on spatial perception deficits with regard to the lateral (left-right) axis, deficits of spatial perception with regard to the vertical (up-down) axis, such as disturbances in the perception of verticality (e.g., judgement of vertical orientations), have also been suggested.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to systematically analyse reported associations between SN and characteristics of verticality perception while considering the time post-stroke.
METHODS
PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, PubPsych and PsycArticles databases were searched on May 24, 2022 for articles written in English that evaluated the association between SN and verticality perception (i.e., the subjective visual vertical [SVV], subjective postural vertical [SPV] and subjective haptic vertical [SHV]) in adults after stroke. Left and right SN were considered and had to be assessed using standardized methods. Data were manually extracted, and risk of bias was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The tilt of the line/chair relative to the gravitational vector and its direction, together with uncertainty (i.e., variability across measurements), were evaluated.
RESULTS
Thirteen studies were included (431 participants after stroke); at least 191 participants exhibited SN. Mainly the first 3 to 6 months post-stroke were evaluated. SN was associated with SVV misperception, which resulted in larger SVV tilts (mostly in the contralesional direction) and uncertainty in participants with than without SN. SVV tilt magnitudes ranged from a mean/median of -8.9° to -2.3° in SN participants and from -1.6° to 0.6° in non-SN participants, the latter falling within normative ranges. For SPV and SHV measurements, the magnitude of tilt and the uncertainty were insufficiently assessed or results were inconclusive.
CONCLUSIONS
SN was associated with larger SVV tilts and uncertainty, which suggests that SVV misperception is a key feature of SN. This observation highlights the importance of regular SVV assessment in people with SN in clinical practice.
PROSPERO
CRD42019127616.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Space Perception; Stroke; Orientation; Perceptual Disorders; Visual Perception
PubMed: 35963568
DOI: 10.1016/j.rehab.2022.101700