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Deutsches Arzteblatt International Oct 2016All over the world, refractive errors are among the most frequently occuring treatable distur - bances of visual function. Ametropias have a prevalence of nearly 70%... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
All over the world, refractive errors are among the most frequently occuring treatable distur - bances of visual function. Ametropias have a prevalence of nearly 70% among adults in Germany and are thus of great epidemiologic and socio-economic relevance.
METHODS
In the light of their own clinical experience, the authors review pertinent articles retrieved by a selective literature search employing the terms "ametropia, "anisometropia," "refraction," "visual acuity," and epidemiology."
RESULTS
In 2011, only 31% of persons over age 16 in Germany did not use any kind of visual aid; 63.4% wore eyeglasses and 5.3% wore contact lenses. Refractive errors were the most common reason for consulting an ophthalmologist, accounting for 21.1% of all outpatient visits. A pinhole aperture (stenopeic slit) is a suitable instrument for the basic diagnostic evaluation of impaired visual function due to optical factors. Spherical refractive errors (myopia and hyperopia), cylindrical refractive errors (astigmatism), unequal refractive errors in the two eyes (anisometropia), and the typical optical disturbance of old age (presbyopia) cause specific functional limitations and can be detected by a physician who does not need to be an ophthalmologist.
CONCLUSION
Simple functional tests can be used in everyday clinical practice to determine quickly, easily, and safely whether the patient is suffering from a benign and easily correctable type of visual impairment, or whether there are other, more serious underlying causes.
Topics: Astigmatism; Eyeglasses; Germany; Humans; Prevalence; Refractive Errors; Visual Acuity
PubMed: 27839543
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2016.0693 -
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology Aug 2022Myopia or short-sightedness is an emerging pandemic affecting more than 50% population in South-Asian countries. It is associated with several sight-threatening... (Review)
Review
Myopia or short-sightedness is an emerging pandemic affecting more than 50% population in South-Asian countries. It is associated with several sight-threatening complications, such as retinal detachment and choroidal neovascularization, leading to an increased burden of visual impairment and blindness. The pathophysiology of myopia involves a complex interplay of numerous environmental and genetic factors leading to progressive axial elongation. Environmental factors such as decreased outdoor activity, reduced exposure to ambient light, strenuous near work, and role of family history of myopia have been implicated with increased prevalence of this refractive error. While multiple clinical trials have been undertaken to devise appropriate treatment strategies and target the modifiable risk factors, there is no single treatment modality with ideal results; therefore, formulating a comprehensive approach is required to control the myopia epidemic. This review article summarizes the epidemiology, dynamic concepts of pathophysiology, and evolution of the treatment modalities for myopia such as pharmacological (atropine and other agents) and optical methods (spectacles, contact lenses, and orthokeratology).
Topics: Atropine; Contact Lenses; Disease Progression; Eyeglasses; Humans; Myopia
PubMed: 35918919
DOI: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_2098_21 -
Clinical & Experimental Optometry Nov 2011This paper discusses the considerations for prescribing a refractive correction in infants and children up to and including school age, with reference to the current... (Review)
Review
This paper discusses the considerations for prescribing a refractive correction in infants and children up to and including school age, with reference to the current literature. The focus is on children who do not have other disorders, for example, binocular vision anomalies, such as strabismus, significant heterophoria or convergence excess. However, refractive amblyogenic factors are discussed, as is prescribing for refractive amblyopia. Based on this discussion, guidelines are proposed, which indicate when to prescribe spectacles and what amount of refractive error should be corrected. It may be argued that these are premature because there are many questions that remain unanswered and we do not have the quality of evidence that we would like; the clinician, however, must make decisions on whether and what to prescribe when examining a child. These guidelines are to aid clinicians in their current clinical decision making.
Topics: Child; Child, Preschool; Decision Making; Eyeglasses; Humans; Infant; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Prescriptions; Refractive Errors
PubMed: 21722183
DOI: 10.1111/j.1444-0938.2011.00600.x -
Korean Journal of Ophthalmology : KJO Feb 2023Myopia is the most common refractive error in the world, and its' prevalence continually increases. The potential pathological and visual complications of progressive... (Review)
Review
Myopia is the most common refractive error in the world, and its' prevalence continually increases. The potential pathological and visual complications of progressive myopia have inspired researchers to study the sources of myopia, axial elongation, and explore modalities to arrest progression. Considerable attention has been given over the past few years to the myopia risk factor known as hyperopic peripheral blur, the focus of this review. The primary theories currently believed to be the cause of myopia, the parameters considered to contribute and influence the effect of peripheral blur, such as the surface retinal area or depth of blur will be discussed. The currently available optical devices designed to provide peripheral myopic defocus will be discussed, including bifocal and progressive addition ophthalmic lenses, peripheral defocus single vision ophthalmic lenses, orthokeratology lenses, and bifocal or multifocal center distance soft lenses, as well as their effectivity as mentioned in the literature to date.
Topics: Humans; Myopia, Degenerative; Hyperopia; Retina; Eyeglasses; Lens, Crystalline; Refraction, Ocular
PubMed: 36796348
DOI: 10.3341/kjo.2022.0125 -
Clinical & Experimental Optometry Sep 2017The prevalence of myopia has been steadily rising, with 28 per cent of the global population said to be affected in 2010 and to rise to affect nearly 50 per cent by... (Review)
Review
The prevalence of myopia has been steadily rising, with 28 per cent of the global population said to be affected in 2010 and to rise to affect nearly 50 per cent by 2050. Increasing levels of myopia increase the risk of vision impairment and in particular, high myopia is associated with the risk of serious and permanent visual disability due to associated sight-threatening complications. To stem the burden associated with higher levels of myopia, there are efforts to slow the progression of myopia, and several optical and pharmaceutical strategies have been found useful in slowing myopia to varying degrees. More recently, numerous multifocal soft contact lenses and extended depth of focus soft contact lenses (collectively referred to as myopia control contact lenses) were found effective in slowing myopia. As opposed to overnight orthokeratology, myopia control contact lenses are worn during the day and the hypotheses proposed to explain the efficacy of these lenses are generally based on the premise that the stimulus for eye growth is a defocused retinal image with hyperopic blur either centrally or peripherally. Although the individual power profiles of the lenses vary, the contact lens generally incorporates 'positive power' to reduce the hyperopic blur and/or impose myopic defocus or in the case of the extended depth of focus lens, has a power profile designed to optimise retinal image quality for points on or in front of the retina. The use of soft contact lenses as a platform for myopia control offers an exciting and effective avenue to manage myopia but there is a need for further research on issues such as the mechanism underlying control of myopia, improving efficacy with lenses, and understanding rebound on discontinuation. More significantly, although contact lenses are generally safe and improve quality of life in older children, one of the major challenges for improved uptake and acceptance of contact lenses centres on the perceived risk of complications with lens wear. This issue needs to be addressed.
Topics: Contact Lenses; Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic; Disease Progression; Eyeglasses; Humans; Myopia
PubMed: 28752898
DOI: 10.1111/cxo.12584 -
Scientific Reports Apr 2023This study evaluated the long-term myopia control effect and safety in children wearing Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses. Participants who...
This study evaluated the long-term myopia control effect and safety in children wearing Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses. Participants who completed the 2-year RCT were followed for a total of 6 years; their cycloplegic refractions and axial length were measured. Group 1 (n = 36) wore DIMS spectacles for 6 years; Group 2 (n = 14) wore DIMS lens for the first 3.5 years and SV spectacles afterwards; Group 3 (n = 22) wore SV spectacles in the first 2 years and switched to DIMS; Group 4 (n = 18) wore SV spectacles in the first 2 years, switched to DIMS for 1.5 years and then SV spectacles again. Group 1 showed no significant differences in myopia progression (- 0.52 ± 0.66 vs. - 0.40 ± 0.72D) and axial elongation (0.32 ± 0.26 vs. 0.28 ± 0.28 mm, both p > 0.05) between the first and the later 3 years. In the last 2.5 years, DIMS lens groups (Groups 1 and 3) had less myopia progression and axial elongation than the single vision groups (Groups 2 and 4). There was no evidence of rebound after stopping the treatment. Post-wear visual functions in all groups were within norms. The results supported that DIMS lenses provided sustained myopia control without adverse effects over the 6-year study period.Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov; NCT02206217.
Topics: Humans; Child; Eyeglasses; Refraction, Ocular; Myopia; Vision Tests
PubMed: 37015996
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32700-7 -
Ugeskrift For Laeger Jan 2019Presbyopia, i.e. the loss of accommodative amplitude with age, results from increasing stiffness and thickness of the lens and leads to inability of the lens to change... (Review)
Review
Presbyopia, i.e. the loss of accommodative amplitude with age, results from increasing stiffness and thickness of the lens and leads to inability of the lens to change shape, refractive power and focus of the eye in response to the contraction of the ciliary muscle inside the eye. Multiple remedies are available, the most common being reading glasses. Alternative options include a monovision combination of monofocal lenses or the use of multifocal lenses, in the form of contact lenses or intraocular implant lenses, corneal implants or corneal refractive surgery. This review provides an update on current options and their limitations.
Topics: Cornea; Eyeglasses; Humans; Lenses, Intraocular; Presbyopia; Visual Acuity
PubMed: 30722817
DOI: No ID Found -
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology Aug 2020Asthenopic and related symptoms are a major problem in school-going children. With the inception of computers and other gadgets for near work, the unseen problems... (Review)
Review
Asthenopic and related symptoms are a major problem in school-going children. With the inception of computers and other gadgets for near work, the unseen problems arising out of constant and continuous near work, are on the rise. Parents wander from pillar to post, seeking respite from their child's constant complaints from near work; but despite best spectacle correction and avoidance of excessive near work, the complaints continue. Studies have shown that the majority of these problems arise from defects in accommodation, even in a young child. Therefore, various aspects of accommodation deficiencies have to be studied clinically, detected, and treated to ameliorate the symptoms.
Topics: Accommodation, Ocular; Asthenopia; Child; Computers; Eyeglasses; Humans; Schools
PubMed: 32709767
DOI: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_1973_18 -
JAMA Ophthalmology Apr 2021Despite growing support for early school-based vision screening and eyeglass provision, few studies have rigorously monitored the compliance of eyeglass wear among...
IMPORTANCE
Despite growing support for early school-based vision screening and eyeglass provision, few studies have rigorously monitored the compliance of eyeglass wear among preschool-aged children who receive eyeglasses through such programs.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence and factors associated with eyeglass wear compliance among preschoolers from low-income families who receive eyeglasses through the See Well to Learn program.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
Longitudinal cross-sectional study of eyeglass wear compliance patterns among 188 children 3 to 5 years of age from 51 Bay Area Head Start preschools in San Francisco, California. The study conducted during the 2017 to 2018 school year included students with a failed vision screening who met predetermined refractive criteria following cycloplegic refraction and received eyeglasses through the See Well to Learn program.
EXPOSURES
Eyeglass distribution.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Eyeglass wear compliance, measured by a school-year's worth of weekly teacher reports, was a longitudinal measure of consistent eyeglass wear, defined by eyeglass wear for more than 50% of every school day (compliance score of 4).
RESULTS
Of 188 students (91 boys [49%]; 94 girls [51%]; mean [SD] age, 3.89 [0.5] years), 133 (71%; 95% CI, 64%-77%) maintained a mean compliance score throughout the school year of 4 or higher. Compliance prevalence was relatively stable throughout the school year, ranging from 139 students (74%) to 164 students (87%). Baseline uncorrected visual acuity in both the better-seeing and worse-seeing eyes was the only assessed factor that was associated with compliance. In the better-seeing eye, the mean uncorrected visual acuity of students with eyeglass wear compliance was 0.473 logMAR (95% CI, 0.433-0.514) (Snellen equivalent, 20/60) compared with 0.394 logMAR (95% CI, 0.334-0.454) (Snellen equivalent, 20/50) for students with noncompliance (P = .03). In the worse-seeing eye, the mean uncorrected visual acuity of students with compliance was 0.576 logMAR (95% CI, 0.530-0.623) (Snellen equivalent, 20/75) compared with 0.492 logMAR (95% CI, 0.433-0.551) (Snellen equivalent, 20/62) for students with noncompliance (P = .03). In the better-seeing eye, the difference between students with compliance vs noncompliance was 0.079 logMAR (95% CI, 0.009-0.150) (5 Snellen letter difference) compared with 0.084 logMAR (95% CI, 0.007-0.160) (5 Snellen letter difference) in the worse-seeing eye.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
This study found that nearly 3 of 4 preschool students consistently wore their glasses at school during their first year of use, supporting the continued implementation of preschool-based vision screening programs. These findings suggest that programs involving school-based screening and eyeglass delivery may lessen disparities in accessing pediatric vision care. Consistent with previous studies, students with poorer uncorrected baseline visual acuity were found to be more likely to wear eyeglasses compliantly.
Topics: Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Eyeglasses; Female; Humans; Male; Prevalence; Refraction, Ocular; Refractive Errors; San Francisco; Vision Disorders
PubMed: 33599687
DOI: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2020.7053 -
Eye (London, England) Aug 2020
Topics: Eyeglasses; Humans; Refractive Errors; Visual Acuity
PubMed: 31996841
DOI: 10.1038/s41433-020-0784-5