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Amendment to the Regulation of Minister of Labour and Social Policy of 1 December 1998 on safety and occupational hygiene at positions equipped with display monitors, adopted on October 18th, 2023, entered the long-awaited by employees possibility of reimbursement for corrective contact lenses, adjusting the Polish legislation to European directive regulating working conditions with display screen equipment. Contact lenses in many cases of refractive errors can be an alternative to prescription glasses method of correcting the visual impairment. There are however many clinical conditions, in which contact lenses can provide a better corrective effect on visual acuity. The information contained in medical databases of articles and scientific journals (PubMed, Biblioteka Nauki), online publications (Lippincott Journals), books, applicable legal regulations (available in Internetowy System Aktów Prawnych) and guidelines published by organizations and associations (Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in Łódź, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society) were analyzed, covering the discussed issues over the years 2000-2023. Non-correction or suboptimal correction of a refractive error can cause a wide variety of troublesome symptoms, such as eye pain, headache, double vision, balance disorders, nausea, disturbances in the perception of the surroundings, contributing to poorer work efficiency, faster fatigue or an increased risk of error. This article, which is a narrative review, aims to present these conditions, as well as provide a brief overview of the types of contact lenses used, complications that may result from their use and contraindications to the use of this type of correction. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2024;75(4):383-390., (This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.)

Clinical Relevance: Currently eye examinations are usually based on autorefraction followed by subjective refraction (SR) with a phoropter. An automated phoropter that can also perform autorefraction may facilitate the optometric workflow., Background: The efficiency and feasibility of an objective autorefraction and correction system are assessed by comparing objective refractive measurements with SR on the same subjects and evaluating the visual acuity (VA) values obtained after the objective refractive measurement and correction., Methods: Objective autorefraction and correction was performed on 41 subjects using an automated binocular phoropter system. The auto-phoropter performs autorefraction by wavefront measurement and corrects the spherical and cylindrical errors with tunable fluidic lenses while the patient looks at a visual display inside the instrument. The instrument outputs are optometric constants of spherical and cylindrical aberrations. After measurement and automated correction of the refractive errors, the VA values were assessed by having the subjects look at an integrated Snellen chart. The objective measurement results were statistically compared with their SR., Results: The correlations between SR and objective autorefraction and correction spherical equivalents (M) were 0.98 (0.97-0.99) and 0.96 (0.93-0.98), the vertical Jackson cross cylinder (J 0 ) were 0.96 (0.92-0.98) and 0.95 (0.91-0.97), and the oblique Jackson cross cylinder (J 45 ) were 0.73 (0.55-0.85) and 0.82 (0.69-0.90), for the right and left eyes, respectively, with the 95% confidence interval (CI) values in parentheses. 89.0% of the 82 eyes had at least 6/7.5 VA., Conclusions: A significant agreement between the SR and objective autorefraction and correction was observed. An all-objective refractive assessment with instantaneous verification may improve the precision of eye prescriptions and possibly reduce the procedure time.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify clinical guidelines that provide recommendations on prescribing refractive error correction in children, evaluate the overall quality of these guidelines using the Appraisal of Guidelines for REsearch and Evaluation II (AGREE II) tool and subsequently gain consensus on the prescribing recommendations from high-quality guidelines using the modified Delphi technique., Methods: A comprehensive search for prescribing guidelines was conducted using databases and professional websites. The quality appraisal of eligible guidelines was undertaken by scoring the six AGREE II domains. Subsequently, the modified Delphi technique was used by 10 experts (sub-specialist optometrists, ophthalmologists and orthoptists) to gain consensus on the prescribing recommendation statements extracted from guidelines that had been identified as high quality. Three rounds were conducted in which agreement of these statements were scored using a 9-point Likert scale with a free-text option for any additional comments., Results: Five eligible guidelines were identified. The AGREE II tool demonstrated that the guidelines varied substantially in quality, with only one guideline identified as being of high quality. A total of 168 prescribing statements were reviewed in the Delphi procedure. Of these, 95 statements reached expert consensus as being appropriate prescribing recommendations., Conclusion: There is significant scope for improving current guidelines for prescribing refractive error correction in children. We used the modified Delphi technique to find points of agreement on prescribing recommendations to support professionals prescribing refractive error correction in children. We recommend that further work is needed to address gaps in the guidelines., (© 2024 The Author(s). Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of College of Optometrists.)

Purpose: To translate and cross-culturally adapt PREP2 into Danish and to investigate the face validity and reliability of Danish PREP2 through cognitive interviewing, Rasch and reliability analyses., Methods: The Danish PREP2 was translated using a standardized procedure and then pretested following the Three-Steps-Interviews (TSTI) process. A total of 15 myopic children aged 7-14 wearing either orthokeratology lenses (ortho-k) or single-vision spectacles (SVS) were included in pretesting comprising cognitive interviews and Rasch analysis. Data from cognitive interviewing was analysed thematically according to Collins. Rasch analysis was used to pretest the psychometric properties in terms of person- and item-fit statistics. Reliability was assessed via test-retest using Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) in the CONTROL study population, which consisted of 60 Danish children aged 7-14 years wearing either ortho-k or SVS., Results: Fifteen children participated in pilot studies comprising of cognitive interviewing and Rasch analysis and 44 out of 60 CONTROL children participated in test-retest reliability analysis. The translation process resulted in a Danish version of PREP2 corroborating the original. Pretesting highlighted issues in the contextualization of items and in marking responses. Thus, we introduced a digital format with help texts. Cognitive interviewing identified issues in the following Collins' themes: comprehension (understanding of concepts), judgement (ambiguity of items) and response (selecting answers). Rasch analysis indicated that help texts were useful for clarifying context. The ICC was 0.77 (95% CI: 0.66-0.85)., Conclusions: The cross-cultural adaptation of PREP2 was satisfactory and issues were identified and corrected through pretesting. The test-retest reliability showed substantial consistency. The instrument could be validated in a more generalizable setting in future studies., Trial Registration: NCT03246464 (CONTROL study)., (© 2024 The Authors. Acta Ophthalmologica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation.)

Purpose: As per the recent World Health Organization estimates, approximately 2.2 billion people have near and distance vision impairment (VI) globally, and out of this almost 50% is avoidable., Methods: The Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Visual Impairment survey was a cross-sectional study conducted in September 2021, using cluster random sampling in 42 clusters with a cluster size of 140, giving a total of 6000 participants. Two teams comprising of trained optometrists and social workers conducted the ocular examination which included unaided, pinhole, and aided visual acuity assessments followed by examination of the anterior segment and lens. Distance visual acuity was measured using simplified tumbling "E" charts of different sizes for VA of 6/12, 6/18, and 6/60. The lens assessment was done in an un-dilated pupil with torch light by the optometrist., Results: Overall, 6520 individuals aged 6 years and above were enumerated, of whom 5440 (83.4%) were examined. The response rate for examination was better among females (93.1%) than males (73.9%), and it decreased from 93.8% in the age group 6-15 years to 77.1% in the 45+ age group. The prevalence of blindness and VI were 0.18% (95% CI: 0.06-0.29) and 4.19% (95%CI: 3.65-4.72), respectively. The major causes of VI in all age groups were uncorrected refractive error (65.4%), cataract (23.7%), cataract surgical complications (2.6%), corneal opacity (0.4%), and other posterior segment diseases (7.5%). The effective cataract surgical coverage (eCSC) was 61.8%, effective refractive error coverage (eREC) for distance vision was 59.8%, and eREC for near vision was 47.0%., Conclusion: The RAAVI methodology is suitable to measure effective coverage in the general population, both for baseline measurement and periodic monitoring. The 2030 targets for the surveyed district are 90% eCSC and 100% eREC. Such exercises need to be conducted in each district of the country to determine the baseline and target values of effective coverage., (Copyright © 2024 Copyright: © 2024 Indian Journal of Ophthalmology.)

Purpose: Uncorrected refractive error is the leading cause of vision impairment globally; however, little attention has been given to equity and access to services. This study aimed to identify and prioritise: (1) strategies to address inequity of access to refractive error services and (2) population groups to target with these strategies in five sub-regions within the Western Pacific., Methods: We invited eye care professionals to complete a two-round online prioritisation process. In round 1, panellists nominated population groups least able to access refractive error services, and strategies to improve access. Responses were summarised and presented in round 2, where panellists ranked the groups (by extent of difficulty and size) and strategies (in terms of reach, acceptability, sustainability, feasibility and equity). Groups and strategies were scored according to their rank within each sub-region., Results: Seventy five people from 17 countries completed both rounds (55% women). Regional differences were evident. Indigenous peoples were a priority group for improving access in Australasia and Southeast Asia, while East Asia identified refugees and Oceania identified rural/remote people. Across the five sub-regions, reducing out-of-pocket costs was a commonly prioritised strategy for refraction and spectacles. Australasia prioritised improving cultural safety, East Asia prioritised strengthening school eye health programmes and Oceania and Southeast Asia prioritised outreach to rural areas., Conclusion: These results provide policy-makers, researchers and funders with a starting point for context-specific actions to improve access to refractive error services, particularly among underserved population groups who may be left behind in existing private sector-dominated models of care., (© 2024 The Author(s). Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of College of Optometrists.)

Objectives: This study aims to determine the factors influencing eye care service utilisation and compliance with spectacles wear among school students., Design: Mixed-methods study., Setting: 27 community schools from 6 districts of Bagmati province of Nepal., Participants: Adolescents with mild vision impairment who were screened at schools by their trained peers for visual acuity measurement and subsequently received subsidised spectacles for refractive error correction. For the quantitative study, 317 students from 21 schools completed the survey. For qualitative study, 62 students from 6 schools participated in 6 focus group discussions., Primary Outcome Measures: Utilisation of eye care services and compliance with spectacles wear., Results: Among 317 students, 53.31% were aged 15-19, and 35.96% were male. More than half (52.68%, n=167) did not use eye health services. Among students who did not go, 51.50% reported eye health facilities being far away. Thematic analysis showed that distance, COVID-19 and awareness were influential in the utilisation of eye care. The multivariate analysis showed urban residents were likelier (adjusted OR (AOR) 4.347, 95% CI 2.399 to 7.877, p<0.001) to use eye care services. During an unannounced visit to schools after 3-4 months of spectacles distribution, 188 (59.31%) students were wearing spectacles. 20.16% of students not wearing spectacles reported they did not feel the need. Thematic analysis showed the influence of family and peers, affordability, aesthetic appearance, comfortability and symptomatic relief in spectacles compliance. The multivariate analysis showed that urban residents (AOR 2.552, 95% CI 1.469 to 4.433, p<0.001), older adolescents (AOR 1.758, 95% CI 1.086 to 2.848, p=0.022), mothers with paid jobs (AOR 2.440, 95% CI 1.162 to 5.125, p=0.018) and students visiting eye care centres (AOR 1.662, 95% CI 1.006 to 2.746, p=0.047) were more likely to be compliant with spectacles wear., Conclusions: There are multiple barriers for students to use eye care services and stay compliant with spectacles wear. Eye health programmes should include eye health promotion and be accessible, affordable and equitable., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

This study explored the potential of telemedicine integration into the eye health ecosystem with an aim of scaling effective refractive error coverage in Kenya. This exploratory study was conducted telephonically and through online interviews with key opinion leaders, ophthalmologists, optometrists, ophthalmic clinical officers, optical technicians and beneficiaries of the optical technician's services in rural areas. A telemedicine workflow was developed and validated based on the comments from the key opinion leaders using the Delphi technique. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using SPSS and NVivo Software respectively. All of the key opinion leaders agreed that telemedicine is relevant in the eye health ecosystem and recognition of primary vision technicians is critical for effective telemedicine integration. The reasons for the need of telemedicine integration were categorized into; good relationship, organized refractive error service delivery, convenience and availability and cost reduction. The possible factors influencing integration of telemedicine identified were categorized into cost, unwillingness, dominance, perception, lack of technical team, policies and network coverage. The limited human resources in the eye health ecosystem in developing countries cannot effectively deliver refractive error services to the growing population. Hence, integration of telemedicine and establishment of policies recognizing telemedicine are desirable to strengthen task shifting and scale effective refractive error coverage., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Purpose: Indonesia is a rapidly growing county with over 262 million inhabitants, but among highly populated countries it has one of the lowest concentrations of eye care providers. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of a program implemented in South Sulawesi, Indonesia that trained school teachers to conduct vision screenings, organized in-school evaluations by opticians, and provided free eyeglasses to school children with refractive error (RE)., Methods: Schoolteachers across 6 districts in South Sulawesi were trained to screen children with possible RE for subsequent evaluation by opticians. All costs associated with designing and implementing the program (administration, training personnel, labor, service delivery, etc.) were assessed. Expenditures and outcomes data were utilized to calculate the cost per disability-adjusted-life-year (DALY) averted using both 2010 and 2016 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) weights., Results: 521 teachers screened 41,212 students across 172 schools in South Sulawesi. 4,506 (10.9%) students failed screening, 2,652 were seen by optometrists, and 2,038 received glasses.The total program cost was US$97,380, with glasses (39.6%) and labor (23.3%) accounting for the two biggest expenditures. In districts with school-based refraction services, the costs per student screened, refracted, and receiving glasses were $2.57, $31.33, and $41.40, respectively; costs were $2.04, $59.80, and $73.22 when district services were instead provided centrally. The estimated cost per DALY averted was US$89.04 based on GBD 2010 weights., Conclusion: Treating children with correctable RE in limited resource settings can be done cost-effectively through a school-based model.

Background: Uncorrected refractive error (URE) is one of the leading causes of childhood vision impairment. Increasing effective refractive error coverage (e-REC) is one of the main indicators of WHO's 2030 global eye health targets. The aim of this study is to estimate the e-REC and spectacle coverage among school children in Telangana, South India., Methods: School children aged 4-15 years in the study locations underwent vision screening using 6/12 tumbling E optotype by trained community eye health workers in the schools. Those failing the initial vision screening and/or found to be having eye conditions were referred to a nearby referral centre appropriately, where they underwent detailed eye examination., Results: A total of 774,184 children were screened in schools of which 51.49% were boys. The mean age was 9.40 ± 3.27 years. The prevalence of URE was 1.44% (95%CI:1.41-1.46) of which myopia was 1.38% (95%CI: 1.35-1.41). In multivariate analysis, the risk of myopia was higher among older children (Adj.OR: 17.04; 95%CI: 14.64-19.85), those residing in urban areas (Adj.OR:3.05, 95%CI:2.60-3.57), those with disabilities (Adj.OR:2.61, 95%CI:2.00-3.39) and among girls (Adj.OR:1.30, 95%CI:1.25-1.35) (P < 0.001). The overall e-REC was 56.97% and the spectacle coverage was 62.83%., Conclusion: The need for interventions to improve e-REC to achieve 2030 global eye health target is eminent among children in this region. Improving refractive services through school eye health programs could aid in accelerating this process to achieve the target. Myopia being the most common type of RE, the risk factors included increasing age, urban location, and presence of disability., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The Royal College of Ophthalmologists.)

Purpose: Recreational runners who need refractive visual correction will need to choose the type of visual correction (spectacles, contact lenses, or no correction) to wear when running. The prevalence of correction choices and distinguishing demographic features associated with these choices of correction were investigated., Methods: A 26-item online questionnaire covering demographics, running habits, and visual corrections used was answered by 941 people. Participants were aged 18 years or older, considered themselves a recreational runner and reported needing refractive correction for everyday life. Bivariate analyses and binary logistic regression were used to determine the variables independently associated with including or avoiding types of correction for running., Results & Conclusions: Participants ran an average of 3.8times, 3.6hours, and 33.4km per week. Running habits were not associated with type of visual correction, suggesting that visual correction does not present a barrier to participating in recreational running. Solely using spectacles for running was the most common choice (38.8%) and they were worn for running at least sometimes by 65.8%. Fewer people wore spectacles for running than for general purposes (98.9%), suggesting spectacles have limitations for running. Spectacle wear for running was significantly associated with not having contact lenses available and longer duration of wearing visual correction. Running without correction was a common choice, with 15.5% of the sample only running without correction, and 26.2% running at least sometimes without their visual correction. Not wearing correction was significantly associated with not having contact lenses, a shorter duration of wearing visual correction, and a lower myopic refractive error. Contact lenses were the sole correction for running for 15.6% and were worn for running at least sometimes by 40.5%. Contact lenses were significantly more likely to be used by women and younger runners. Signposting runners to contact lenses if this has not previously been considered is recommended., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Latham et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Background:  Childhood vision impairment (VI) has a significantly harmful effect on both health and social outcomes., Aim:  To assess the causes of childhood VI, to determine obstacles to accessing eye care services and to develop a strategy for the childhood eye care system in African nations., Method:  This systematic review was conducted by searching several online databases, including; Scopus, PubMed, ProQuest, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Ebsco and Medline. They focussed on articles available between 2003 and 2023. These studies were conducted to evaluate the causes of childhood VI and to assess obstacles to accessing eye care services in African countries., Results:  The main causes of childhood VI in African nations can be avoided with timely diagnosis and an appropriate management strategy. The leading obstacles to accessing childhood eye care services were a lack of availability, accessibility and affordability. In addition to these barriers, we found that there are concerns with quality of services, primary health care system, geographic barriers, incorrect health beliefs, inappropriate parental perception, a lack of knowledge, attitudes and inadequate practices related to paediatric eye care., Conclusion:  The main causes of childhood VI were uncorrected refractive error (RE), amblyopia, cataract and corneal opacities that can be avoided with timely diagnosis and an appropriate management strategy. While the main obstacles to accessing childhood eye care services were a lack of availability, accessibility, affordability and healthcare system.Contribution: The recommended strategy for childhood eye-care services includes models for delivery and training.

Objective: This randomised clinical trial assessed the impact on symptoms, tear film dynamics and ocular surface integrity of daily disposable silicone-hydrogel contact lenses (CLs) over a month, paying special attention to lid wiper epitheliopathy (LWE) and its implications for CL discomfort., Methods: Neophyte CL wearers (n = 44, 21.09 ± 5.00 years old) were randomly assigned to either the experimental (n = 24) or control group (n = 20). Participants assigned to the experimental group were required to wear daily disposable CLs for 1 month for at least 8 h/day and 6 days/week. All participants were healthy subjects (no history of ocular surgery or active ocular disease) with spherical refractive errors between -8.00 and +5.00 D and cylindrical power <0.75 D. At the baseline and 1-month sessions, the Dry Eye Questionnaire 5 (DEQ-5) was completed, together with the measurement of tear film osmolarity with the TearLab osmometer, tear meniscus height (TMH) and lipid layer pattern (LLP) using a slit-lamp with Tearscope Plus attached, fluorescein break-up time (FBUT), maximum blink interval (MBI), corneal staining with fluorescein under cobalt blue light and LWE with lissamine green under slit lamp and halogen white light., Results: At the baseline session, LWE showed a negative correlation with DEQ-5 (r = -0.37, p = 0.02). Significant differences in FBUT and LWE (p = 0.04) and a positive correlation between LWE and DEQ-5 (r = 0.49, p = 0.007) were observed at 1 month. Intrasession analysis at 1 month showed significant differences between the experimental and control groups in DEQ-5, FBUT and LWE (all p ≤ 0.02). Intersession analysis in the experimental group showed variations in DEQ-5, FBUT and LWE (all p ≤ 0.02) but no significant variation in the control group (all p ≥ 0.11)., Conclusion: The presence of LWE was significantly correlated with higher symptom values in the DEQ-5. Also, participants in the experimental group presented higher values of LWE after 1 month of CL wear, in comparison with the control group., (© 2024 The Authors. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of College of Optometrists.)

Purpose: Rigid contact lenses have an important role in contact lens practice. The purpose of this work is to update earlier surveys by describing global trends in rigid lens fitting between 2000-2023., Method: An annual contact lens prescribing survey was sent to eye care practitioners in up to 71 countries between 2000 and 2023. Data relating to 342,500 fits undertaken in 20 countries returning reliable longitudinal data were analysed in respect of rigid lens fitting, defined as the fitting of any design of a contact lens manufactured in a rigid material., Results: Overall, rigid lens prescribing increased slightly over time, from 14.2 % of lens fits in 2000 to 15.2 % in 2023 (p < 0.0001). However, post-hoc analysis shows that the change over time is best described as a decline between 2000 and 2012, followed by a steady increase subsequently. There were significant differences in rigid lens prescribing between countries (p < 0.0001). The difference between the percentage of males fitted with rigid lenses, as a proportion of all contact lenses (12.7 %), and females (12.0 %) is significant (p < 0.0001), although not clinically meaningful. Rigid lens wearers are older at fitting than soft lens wearers (38.7 vs 31.3 years, respectively) (p < 0.0001). Analysis of 5,994 rigid lens fits prescribed currently (2019-2023) were categorised as: corneal sphere - 30 %; scleral and corneo-scleral - 28 %; corneal myopia control/orthokeratology - 21 %; and corneal complex (including toric, multifocal and monovision) - 16 %., Conclusion: There has been a slight increase in rigid lens fitting during the second decade of this century. This increase is apparently due to a 'repurposing' of rigid lenses, with the growth of scleral/corneo-scleral and myopia control/orthokeratology lens fits essentially replacing conventional spherical corneal lens fits., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Nathan Efron: Over the past three years Professor Efron has received honoraria from CooperVision. Philip B. Morgan: Over the past three years Professor Morgan’s research group or he personally has received funding or honoraria from: Alcon, Clearlab CooperVision, Daysoft, Johnson & Johnson Vision, Menicon, and Visco Vision. He is a director of M-Optometry Limited. Craig Woods: Over the past 3 years Prof Woods has acted as a consultant for the Brien Holden Vision Institute and Zeiss Vision Care. Deborah Jones: Over the past 3 years Dr Jones has received honoraria from Hoya, Essilor, CooperVision, Alcon and SIghtglass. Lyndon Jones: Over the past three years, Dr Jones’ research group (CORE) or he personally has received research support or lectureship honoraria from Alcon, Azura Ophthalmics, Bausch & Lomb, CooperVision, Essilor, Hoya, iMed Pharma, Integral Biosystems, Johnson & Johnson Vision, Menicon, Novartis, Ophtecs, Ote Pharma, Santen, SightGlass, SightSage, Topcon and Visioneering. Dr Jones is also a consultant and/or serves on an advisory board for Alcon, CooperVision, Johnson & Johnson Vision, Novartis and Ophtecs. Over the last 12 months, Jason Nichols: Dr Jason Nichols has nothing to report. Also, Dr. Kelly Nichols is the spouse of Dr. Jason Nichols, extending her declarations to him. In the past 12 months, Dr Kelly Nichols has consulted for and received honorarium from: Abbvie, Alcon, Alderya, Azura, Bausch + Lomb, Bruder, Cavalry, Dompe, HanAll Bio, Harrow, Novartis, Novaliq, Oyster Point Pharma/Viatris, Sydnexis, Tarsus, TearSolutions, Thea, Topcon, and Trukera. She has received research funding from: Aramis, Kowa, Science Based Health, Sylentis, and TearScience., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Preventable blindness is a global public health problem. In South Africa (SA) the prevalence of blindness is increasing, with a higher proportion of cataracts than the global norm, and a large rural population with limited access to specialised eye-care services., Objective: To determine the level of knowledge regarding preventable blindness and treatment options within a rural and urban population., Setting: Rural and urban areas in the Eastern Cape, SA., Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 309 participants. Questionnaires were administered by fieldworkers at the different sites. Proportions were calculated and χ2 tests done to determine whether there was any significant relationship between the categorical variables. Data analysis was done using Stata version 15., Results: Participants were almost equally distributed among the urban (49.2%) and rural areas (50.8%). Both groups had a similar composition of males and females. Most participants had completed high school. The results showed a statistically significant difference between the urban and rural participants' knowledge about the causes of blindness: refractive error χ 2 (1, N=30) = 8.20, p<0.05, and cataract χ2 (1, N=28) = 8.64, p<0.05. The top two differences in the views between urban and rural participants regarding symptoms associated with eye problems (p<0.05) were: 'people who need spectacles have double vision', χ2 (1, N=122) = 28.19; and 'people who need spectacles squint their eyes', χ2 (1, N=124) = 17.37. The majority of urban participants reported opting to go to a private optometrist for eye health services, while the majority of rural participants would go to a pharmacy. Both groups were aware of the role of ageing in blindness., Conclusion: Urban participants in this study appeared to be more knowledgeable than rural participants about the causes and symptoms of blindness and its treatment options. These findings should provide some value to those who provide primary healthcare services in rural areas as there is a clear opportunity for patient education and health promotion regarding the causes and symptoms of these common preventable causes of blindness. Addressing this knowledge gap regarding the causes and symptoms of blindness and the treatment options is a critical first step for awareness programmes in rural areas. Without this, there will be little demand for any treatment or service. Future studies are needed to understand which health promotion interventions are effective in preventable blindness in rural populations.

Introduction: Uncorrected refractive errors pose a significant challenge globally, particularly in remote regions of low-middle income countries where access to optometric care is often limited. Telerefraction, which involves refraction by a trained technician followed by real-time consultation with remote optometrist, is a promising approach for such remote settings. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of this model., Methods: This prospective study, conducted in New Delhi, compared tele-refraction to in-person examinations. Trained technicians used a simple device, Click-check, to perform objective refraction and a tele-refraction platform to enter the findings of objective refraction. Final prescription was made after consulting a remote optometrist on that platform. Masked face-to-face optometrists served as the gold standard. The study involved refraction in 222 patients and 428 eyes., Results: Tele-refraction demonstrated a strong agreement with in-person optometry, achieving 84.6% in spherical correction and 81% conformity in spherical equivalent. The mean difference of spherical equivalent between the two arms was only 0.11 D. The consultation with a remote optometrist improved conformity of spherical equivalent by 14.8% over objective refraction. 82 percent eyes matched in best corrected visual acuity and 92 percent were within 0.1 logMAR difference. For cylindrical axis, 74% eye were within acceptable 10 degrees of difference. The mismatch amongst the individual trained technicians, in terms of difference between the tele-refraction arm and the face-to face optometrist arm was found to be significant for cylindrical axis and not for spherical power and spherical equivalent., Conclusion: Our study found tele-refraction by a trained technician comparable to refraction done by face-to-face optometrist. Tele-refraction, coupled with remote optometrist guidance can address the optometry resource gap in underserved areas. Thus, this model offers a transformative approach to enhancing the accessibility and quality of eye care services, which can significantly contribute to our efforts in achieving the global targets set by the World Health Organization for effective refractive error coverage. More standardized training for these technicians on ClickCheckTM for detecting the cylindrical axis with better accuracy, can improve this model further., Competing Interests: NO authors have competing interests., (Copyright: © 2024 Kapur et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Purpose: To evaluate the perception of optometrists on causes of professional discordance among eye care professionals and its impact on refractive error service delivery in Kenya., Methods: This was a prospective qualitative case study conducted between January and June 2022 among optometrists registered with the Optometrists Association of Kenya. The data was collected through telephonic interviews. Purposive sampling was used to recruit the participants. Descriptive statistics were presented using frequency, percentages and with p values. Thematic analysis was carried out for qualitative data using the NVivo Software, Version 11. It was an iterative process consisting of both deductive and inductive processes., Results: Out of the 100 respondents, 37 (37%) were female. The mean age for the participants was 30.5 years with majority being in the age group 30-34 years. There was no statistically significant difference between the ages of males and females (p = 0.132) Most participants 82 (82%) had practiced for more than 4 years. The participants reported; mistrust among eye care professionals, employment sector, specialty, undermining the potential of other cadres within the eye care ecosystem, confusion and misconception and negative attitude as the perception of optometrists on causes of professional discordance among eye care professionals on refractive error service delivery. All of the optometrists agreed that professional discordance exists among eye care professionals in Kenya which potentially impacts negatively on refractive error service delivery., Conclusion: Professional discordance remains an underrated barrier which negatively impacts on refractive error service delivery. However, to achieve effective refractive error coverage, a strengthened team approach among eye care professionals is desirable in a country with limited human resource such as Kenya., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Background: Uncorrected refractive error is a leading cause of vision impairment which, in most cases, can be managed with the appropriate spectacle correction. In 2021, the World Health Assembly endorsed a global target of a 40-percentage-point increase in effective coverage of refractive error by 2030. To achieve this global target, equitable access to refractive and optical services within community and primary care settings needs to be strengthened. This review will inform the development of technical guidance to support improvements in the testing and correction of refractive error among World Health Organization (WHO) member states., Objectives: To determine the range of approaches for delivery of refractive and optical care services in community and primary care settings, and the methods employed for their evaluation., Search Methods: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase and Global Health databases, grey literature, and annual reports and websites of relevant organizations involved in eye-care delivery from January 2002 to November 2022 to identify approaches for refractive and optical service delivery., Selection Criteria: We included observational and interventional studies, reviews, and reports from relevant organizations related to delivering refractive services and optical services for preschool and school-aged children and adults in community and primary care settings published between January 2002 and November 2022. We searched for studies and reports published within the last 20 years because vision impairment due to uncorrected refractive error has only recently become a public health and eye health priority, therefore we did not expect to find much relevant literature until after 2002., Data Collection and Analysis: Two review authors screened titles, abstracts and full texts, and extracted data. We resolved any discrepancies through discussion. We synthesized data, and presented results as tables, figures, and case studies. This project was led by the World Health Organization (WHO) Vision and Eye Care Programme., Main Results: We identified 175 studies from searches of databases and grey literature, 146 records from company reports, and 81 records from website searches of relevant organizations that matched our inclusion criteria. Delivery approaches for refractive and optical services in community care included school-based, pharmacy, and outreach models, whereas primary care approaches comprised vision centre, health centre, and a combination of vision or health centre and door-to-door delivery. In community care, school-based and outreach approaches were predominant, while in primary care, a vision-centre approach was mainly used. In the WHO African region, the school-based and outreach approaches were mainly reported while, in the Americas, the outreach approach was mostly used. Very few approaches for service delivery were reported in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean region. Prominent gaps exist in the evaluation of the approaches, and few studies attempted to evaluate the approaches for delivery of refractive and optical care services., Authors' Conclusions: We comprehensively describe a range of approaches for delivery of refractive and optical services in community and primary care. Further evaluation of their effectiveness will better inform the application of these service-delivery approaches. The study outcomes will help guide WHO member states in strengthening refractive and optical services at community and primary care levels., Funding: This scoping review was supported by the Vision and Eye care Programme, World Health Organization and ATscale Global Partnership., Registration: The protocol of this scoping review was published in the Open Source Framework., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Cochrane Collaboration.)

Introduction: Even though the burden of uncorrected refractive error could potentially be addressed through innovative and cost-effective approaches, integration of the services into the National Health Services (NHS) is desirable. However, minimal information exists on the current situation warranting the need for evidence about the integration of refractive error service provided by optometrists into the national health services in Kenya., Methods: A situation analysis of the Kenyan refractive error services provided by optometrists within the NHS was undertaken based on access to service delivery, service coverage, and human resource. A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis was undertaken based on the existent evidence to identify the core factors that could potentially facilitate or hinder the integration of refractive error services provided by optometrists within the National Health Services. The proportion of optometrists to be integrated in the NHS was estimated based on the minimum ratios recommended by the World Health Organization., Results: A section of tertiary and secondary healthcare facilities in Kenya have specific services to address refractive errors within the NHS with most facilities lacking such services. Treatment of refractive error occurs at the level of eye care general services. There are 11,547 health facilities offering primary care services in Kenya. However, none of them offers refractive error services and only a section of facilities offering county health referral services provides eye care services which is limited to refraction without provision of spectacles. The existing workforce comprises of ophthalmologists, optometrists and ophthalmic clinical officers, together with nurses and other general paramedical assistants. Optometrists, ophthalmologists and ophthalmic clinical officers are allowed to undertake refraction. However, optometrists majorly practices in the private sector. Centralization of eye care services in urban areas, weak referral systems, and a shortage in the workforce per population was observed., Conclusions: The Kenyan NHS should advocate for primary care and reorient the current hospital-based delivery approach for refractive error services. This is attributed to the fact that provision of refractive error services at primary care remains effective and efficient and could translate to early detection of other ocular conditions. The existing human resources in the eye health ecosystem in Kenya should maximize their efforts towards addressing uncorrected refractive error and optometrists should be integrated into the NHS., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This study considered two questions associated with intraocular lens (IOL) power and refraction: (1) Given a refraction with a particular IOL in the eye, what will be the refraction for the IOL or another IOL if located differently with regard to tilt or anterior-posterior position? (2) For a target refraction, what is the power of another IOL if located differently with regard to tilt or position? A thin lens technique was developed to address these questions. For the first question, light was traced through the initial correcting spectacle lens to the cornea, refracted at the cornea, transferred to the position of the initial IOL, refracted at this IOL, transferred to the position of a new IOL (which may be the same IOL but with a different position and/or tilt), refracted backwards through the new IOL, transferred to the cornea and refracted out of the eye to give a new correcting spectacle lens power. For the second question, light was traced through the initial correcting spectacle lens to the cornea, refracted at the cornea, transferred to the position of the initial IOL, refracted at the initial IOL and transferred to the position of a new IOL. Light was also traced through the second correcting spectacle lens, refracted at the cornea and transferred to the position of the second IOL. The difference between the reduced image vergence for the first raytrace and the reduced object vergence for the second raytrace gave the effective power of the second IOL, and from this, the power of the second IOL was determined. Examples are presented for different situations, including a case report., (© 2024 The Authors. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of College of Optometrists.)

Purpose: To investigate the settling characteristics of a scleral lens in Chinese adults with refractive error and to provide guidance for its clinical application., Methods: A total of 21 healthy Chinese adults (27.2 ± 4.1 years) with refractive error were enrolled in this study. The average spherical equivalent was -5.50 ± 2.92 D. Subjects were fitted with 15.6 mm diameter scleral lenses. The central post-lens tear thickness (PoLTT) was measured immediately after lens placement, 30, 60, 120, and 240 min after lens insertion at the dispensing visit and immediately after lens placement and 240 min after three months through optical coherence tomography. Statistical analyses were conducted using repeated measures analysis of variance and paired-t test., Results: At the dispensing visit, the amount of settling after 240 min of lens wear was 126 ± 33 μm. After three months, the amount of settling was 98 ± 55 μm after 240 min. No significant difference was detected in the PoLTT immediately after lens placement between the dispensing visit and after three months (t = -0.246, p = 0.807), while a significant difference was noted at 240 min after lens insertion (t = -6.575, p < 0.001). The amount of settling was higher at the dispensing visit than that after three months (average difference = 28 ± 63 μm, t = 2.733, p = 0.01). The prediction model of PoLTT over time was y = 26.263-0.690 × t + 0.001 × t 2  + 0.926 × y 30 (R 2  = 0.939), where y denotes the predicted PoLTT at t min after lens insertion, y 30 denotes the PoLTT at 30 min after lens insertion., Conclusion: For the investigated small-diameter scleral lens (material: Boston XO, diameter: 15.6 mm, four-zone and periphery toric design), the PoLTT decreased over time after lens insertion in Chinese adults with refractive error, and the amount of settling varied among individuals (range: 71-204 μm). The amount of settling did not increase further after three months, indicating the long-term fitting stability of the scleral lens. Practitioners could estimate the PoLTT using the prediction model based on the PoLTT at 30 min after wearing lenses., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Dr. Ruzhi Deng is a medical consultant for Vision X Medical Technology Co., Ltd., (Copyright © 2023 British Contact Lens Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To assess the rate of visual impairment (VI) from uncorrected refractive error (URE) and associations with demographic and socioeconomic factors among low-income patients presenting to the Michigan Screening and Intervention for Glaucoma and Eye Health through Telemedicine (MI-SIGHT) program., Design: Cross-sectional study., Participants: Adults ≥ 18 years without acute ocular symptoms., Methods: MI-SIGHT program participants received a telemedicine-based eye disease screening and ordered glasses through an online optical store. Participants were categorized based on refractive error (RE) status: VI from URE (presenting visual acuity [PVA], ≤ 20/50; best-corrected visual acuity [BCVA], ≥ 20/40), URE without VI (PVA, ≥ 20/40; ≥ 2-line improvement to BCVA), and no or adequately corrected RE (PVA, ≥ 20/40; < 2-line improvement to BCVA). Patient demographics, self-reported visual function, and satisfaction with glasses obtained through the program were compared among groups using analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis, chi-square, and Fisher exact testing., Main Outcome Measures: PVA, BCVA, and presence of VI (defined as PVA ≤ 20/50)., Results: Of 1171 participants enrolled in the MI-SIGHT program during the first year, average age was 55.1 years (SD = 14.5), 37.7% were male, 54.1% identified as Black, and 1166 (99.6%) had both PVA and BCVA measured. VI was observed in 120 participants (10.3%); 96 had VI from URE (8.2%), 168 participants (14.4%) had URE without VI, and 878 (75.3%) had no or adequately corrected RE. A smaller percentage of participants with VI resulting from URE reported having a college degree, and a larger percentage reported income < $10 000 compared with participants with no or adequately corrected RE (3.2% vs. 14.2% [P = 0.02]; 45.5% vs. 21.6% [P < 0.0001], respectively). Visual function was lowest among participants with VI from URE, followed by those with URE without VI, and then those with no or adequately corrected RE (9-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire composite score, 67.3 ± 19.6 vs. 77.0 ± 14.4 vs. 82.2 ± 13.3, respectively; P < 0.0001). In total, 71.2% (n = 830) ordered glasses for an average cost of $36.80 ± $32.60; 97.7% were satisfied with their glasses., Conclusions: URE was the main cause of VI at 2 clinics serving low-income communities and was associated with reduced vision-related quality of life. An online optical store with lower prices made eyeglasses accessible to low-income patients., Financial Disclosure(s): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article., (Copyright © 2023 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Uncorrected refractive error has predominantly been delivered through commercial entrepreneurship in Kenya. However, to achieve the 2030 IN SIGHT, integration of other forms of entrepreneurship such as the social entrepreneurship is desirable to supplement the efforts of the dominant commercial entrepreneurship. Therefore, this study intended to undertake a SWOT analysis of the current models used by social enterprises in scaling effective refractive error coverage to achieve the 2030 IN SIGHT in Kenya. A review of the seven national strategic plans for eye health in Kenya was undertaken to get a glimpse on the efforts directed towards uncorrected refractive error in achieving the 2030 IN SIGHT. The review was inclined towards assessing the efforts directed by the strategic plans towards scaling human resource, spectacle provision and refraction points. A SWOT analysis was undertaken based on the financial, impact and the approach report for each model. A key informant interview was conducted with a representative and three to five members of the social enterprise about the model. Thereafter, the modified SWOT analysis based on the review and the interview was presented to the representatives of the social enterprises. Purposive sampling was used to identify seven models used by social enterprises in the delivery of refractive error services in Kenya. Finally, the recommendations were presented to key opinion leaders for an input through a Delphi technique. Out of the seven national strategic plans for eye health reviewed, only the strategic plan 2020-2025 intends to establish optical units within 15 different counties in Kenya. Of the seven models currently utilized by social enterprises, only the Kenya Society for the Blind has integrated the telemedicine concept. On application of mHealth, all of the social enterprises models tend to embrace the approach for screening activities. None of the models has a strengthened referral pathway utilizing telereferral and telemedicine. Out of all the models, only Operation Eyesight Universal, Fred Hollow Foundation and Peek Acuity do not depend on sales of subsidized spectacles for sustainability. Every model has the capacity to propel the delivery of refractive error services depending on its comprehensiveness. However, for the 2030 IN SIGHT to be achieved, models prioritizing human resource through telemedicine integration, service provision across all sectors, awareness creation and enhancing cost efficiency are desirable., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Eye examinations and eyeglasses acquisition are typically integrated into a cohesive procedure in China. We conducted a randomized controlled trial using incognito standardized patient (SP) approach to evaluate the impact of separating eyeglasses sales on the accuracy of final prescription., Methods: 52 SPs were trained to provide standardized responses during eye examinations, and undergoing refraction by a senior ophthalmologist at a national-level clinical center. SPs subsequently received eye examinations at 226 private optical shops and public hospitals in Shaanxi, northwestern China. The visits were randomly assigned to either control group, where SPs would typically purchase eyeglasses after refraction, or treatment group, where SPs made an advance declaration not to purchase eyeglasses prior to refraction. The dioptric difference between the final prescriptions provided by local refractionists and expert in the better-seeing eye was determined using the Vector Diopteric Distance method, and the completeness of exams was assessed against national standards. Multiple regressions were conducted to estimate the impact of no eyeglasses sales on the accuracy of the final prescription of local refractionists, as well as the completeness of examinations., Results: Among 226 eye exams (73 in public hospitals, 153 in private optical shops), 133 (58.8%) were randomized to control group and 93 (41.2%) to no eyeglasses sales group. The inaccuracy rate of final prescriptions provided by local refractionists (≥ 1.0 D, experts' final prescription as the reference) was 25.6% in control group, while 36.6% in no-sale group (P = 0.077). The likelihood of providing inaccurate final prescriptions was significantly higher in no-sale group compared to control group (OR = 1.607; 95% CI: 1.030 to 2.508; P = 0.037). This was particularly evident in private optical shops (OR = 2.433; 95% CI: 1.386 to 4.309; P = 0.002). In terms of process quality, the no-sale group performed significantly less subjective refraction (OR = 0.488; 95% CI: 0.253 to 0.940; P = 0.032) and less testing SP's own eyeglasses (OR = 0.424; 95% CI: 0.201 to 0.897; P = 0.025). The duration of eye exams was 3.917 min shorter (95% CI: -6.798 to -1.036; P = 0.008) in no-sale group., Conclusions: Separating eyeglasses sales from optical care could lead to worse quality of eye care. Policy makers should carefully consider the role of economic incentives in healthcare reform., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This study aimed to evaluate spectacle-wearing compliance and identify the determinants associated with it in infants with bilateral corrective refractive errors. Infants aged < 3 years with bilateral corrective refractive errors who were supplied with spectacles for > 1 month were enrolled at the pediatric comprehensive clinic of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center. Spectacle-wearing compliance was evaluated by calculating the percentage of spectacle-wearing time in the awake time (STIT), and its potential determinants were identified based on interviews with the infants' caregivers using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to further determine the degree of correlation between spectacle-wearing compliance and weight of spectacles. A total of 366 infants (age: 20.85 ± 9.06 months, male: 54.92%) were included. The mean percentage of STIT was 64.00%±41.69%. The communication between caregivers of different infants regarding spectacle-wearing experience (P = .004, OR = 2.290, 95% confidence interval [CI] for OR = 1.301-4.029), perceptions of spectacle-wearing importance (P = .000, OR = 6.337, 95% CI for OR = 3.664-10.961), and weight of spectacles (P = .000, OR = 7.271, 95% CI for OR = 4.141-12.769) were significantly associated with spectacle-wearing compliance. Besides, spectacle-wearing compliance was positively correlated with the weight of spectacles (P < .01), exhibiting a decreasing trend with the weight of spectacles. Overall, spectacle-wearing compliance requires improvement. Moreover, efficient strategies aimed at improving spectacle-wearing compliance, such as enhancing communication between caregivers of different infants regarding spectacle-wearing experience, raising awareness about the importance of wearing spectacles, and reducing the weight of spectacles, are urgently needed., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Purpose: Wearing ortho-k lenses overnight may not fully correct their daytime refractory errors of adolescents with moderate to high myopia. There are three common ways to deal with the daytime residual refractive error (RRE): 1) wearing spectacles to correct the RRE; 2) wear ortho-k lenses during the daytime instead of overnight.; 3) not correcting the residual refractive error. According to previous laboratory studies, myopic peripheral refraction is associated with better myopic control. This study had two aims:1) to compare relative peripheral refractive error (RPRE) among these ways after one-month stabilization; 2) to assess the axial length changes over 2 years of ortho-k lens overnight wear combined with spectacle glasses., Methods: This was a prospective, non-controlled, non-randomized, observational study in which a total of 27 subjects (20 females, 7 males, mean age 12.48 ± 2.23Y) with spherical equivalent refractive error from -5.00 to -8.25D were enrolled. All participants in the study wore orthokeratology (ortho-k) lenses overnight for a minimum of one month. Subsequently, their peripheral refractive error (PRE) was assessed using an open-field autorefractor. During the assessment, the participants underwent three conditions in a random order in a same morning: 1) unaided eye after orthokeratology (referred to as the Unaided-eye condition), 2) wearing glasses to correct any remaining refractive errors after orthokeratology (referred to as the Spec-RE condition), and 3) wearing ortho-k lenses during the daytime (referred to as the Continuous OK wear condition). After testing, all subjects were instructed to wear ortho-k lenses overnight and glasses during the daytime to correct their RRE for the next 2 years, during which time the progression of their axial length was followed up., Results: 1) RPRE in either Unaided-eye or Spec-RE condition subjects were significantly more myopic than those in the Continuous OK wear condition. 2) No difference in RPRE was seen between Unaided-eye and Spec-RE conditions. 3) Axial length growth was 0.05 ± 0.20 mm and 0.17 ± 0.32 mm (mean ± standard deviation) at 1-year and 2-year follow-ups after the initial visit, respectively, which were comparable to mild myopia patients after orthokeratology. 4) After orthokeratology, axial length change had negative correlation with the initial age (p = 0.001, r = -0.616) and residual diopter (p = 0.022)., Conclusions: For myopes above refraction < -5.00D, wearing Ortho-k lenses overnight and glasses to correct the RRE in the daytime is recommended to ensure good visual quality and have more myopic RPRE for potential myopia control., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Virtual reality field testing may provide an alternative to standard automated perimetry. This study evaluates a virtual reality game-based automated perimetry in a healthy pediatric population., Methods: A prospective series of pediatric patients at one institution who performed VisuALL perimetry (Olleyes Inc, Summit, NJ) using a game-based algorithm. Participants were examined by an experienced pediatric optometrist or ophthalmologist, who confirmed that there was no evidence of ocular disease expected to affect visual fields. Testing was performed binocularly, with the child wearing their spectacle correction in place. Age, refractive error, test duration, false positives, and stereoacuity were evaluated for associations with performance on VisuALL, as defined by mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD)., Results: A total of 191 eyes of 97 patients (54% female) were included, with a mean age of 11.9 ± 3.1 years. The average MD was -1.82 ± 3.5 dB, with a mean foveal sensitivity of 32.0 ± 4.7 dB. Fifty-nine eyes (30.9%) had MD < -2 dB. Better performance, as assessed by MD and PSD, was associated with shorter test duration (P < 0.001) and older age (P < 0.001). False positives (P = 0.442), wearing spectacles (P = 0.092), Titmus stereoacuity (P = 0.197), and refractive error (P = 0.120) did not appear to be associated with improved performance, adjusting for age as a covariate., Conclusions: VisuALL virtual reality field testing was well tolerated in this pediatric study cohort. Older age and shorter test duration were associated with better performance on field testing., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Topic: This review summarizes existing evidence of the impact of vision impairment and ocular morbidity and their treatment on children's quality of life (QoL)., Clinical Relevance: Myopia and strabismus are associated with reduced QoL among children. Surgical treatment of strabismus significantly improves affected children's QoL., Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis by screening articles in any language in 9 databases published from inception through August 22, 2022, addressing the impact of vision impairment, ocular morbidity, and their treatment on QoL in children. We reported pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) using random-effects meta-analysis models. Quality appraisal was performed using Joanna Briggs Institute and National Institutes of Health tools. This study was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (identifier, CRD42021233323)., Results: Our search identified 29 118 articles, 44 studies (0.15%) of which were included for analysis that included 32 318 participants from 14 countries between 2005 and 2022. Seventeen observational and 4 interventional studies concerned vision impairment, whereas 10 observational and 13 interventional studies described strabismus and other ocular morbidities. Twenty-one studies were included in the meta-analysis. The QoL scores did not differ between children with and without vision impairment (SMD, -1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.11 to 0.03; P = 0.06; 9 studies). Myopic children demonstrated significantly lower QoL scores than those with normal vision (SMD, -0.60; 95% CI, -1.09 to -0.11; P = 0.02; 7 studies). Children with strabismus showed a significantly lower QoL score compared with those without (SMD, -1.19; 95% CI, -1.66 to -0.73; P < 0.001; 7 studies). Strabismus surgery significantly improved QoL in children (SMD, 1.36; 95% CI, 0.48-2.23; P < 0.001; 7 studies). No randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concerning refractive error and QoL were identified. Among all included studies, 35 (79.5%) were scored as low to moderate quality; the remaining met all quality appraisal tools criteria., Discussion: Reduced QoL was identified in children with myopia and strabismus. Surgical correction of strabismus improves the QoL of affected children, which supports insurance coverage of strabismus surgery. Further studies, especially RCTs, investigating the impact of correction of myopia on QoL are needed., Financial Disclosure(s): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article., (Copyright © 2023 American Academy of Ophthalmology. All rights reserved.)

Background: Developing countries such as Kenya still experience challenges around human resource to deliver refractive error services. However, given the burden of uncorrected refractive error, adoption of innovative and cost effective approaches is desirable. Hence this study intended to develop a task shifting framework integrated with telemedicine to potentially scale refractive error services., Methods: This was an exploratory study conducted in four phases as follows: a scoping review of the scope of practice for ophthalmic workers in Kenya, an interview with key opinion leaders on the need for integration of public health approaches such as the vision corridors within the eye health ecosystem in Kenya and their knowledge on task shifting, and finally development and validation of a proposed task shifting framework through a Delphi technique. Purposive sampling was used to recruit key opinion leaders and data was collected via telephonic interviews. The qualitative data was analyzed thematically using NVivo Software, Version 11., Results: The scoping review showed that only optometrists, ophthalmologists and ophthalmic clinical officers are allowed to undertake refraction in Kenya. All of the key opinion leaders (100%) were aware of task shifting and agreed that it is suitable for adoption within the eye health ecosystem in Kenya. All of the key opinion leaders (100%) agreed that skills development for healthcare workers without prior training on eye health supervised by optometrists through telemedicine is desirable. Notwithstanding, all of the key opinion leaders (100%) agreed that integration of public health approaches such as the vision corridors across all levels of healthcare delivery channels and development of a self-assessment visual acuity tool is desirable. Finally all of the key opinion leaders (100%) agreed that task shifting is relevant for adoption within the eye health ecosystem in Kenya. The developed framework prioritized partnership, advocacy, skills development, establishment and equipping of refraction points. The proposed framework advocated for a telemedicine between professionals with conventional training and those with skills development., Conclusion: Task shifting integrated with telemedicine could cost effectively scale refractive error service delivery. However, internal and external factors may hinder the success warranting the need for a multi-faceted interventions and a connection between planning and training to scale the uptake., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Childhood vision is in the stage of development, and the incidence of ametropia is high. For special types of refractive abnormalities such as ultra-high myopia, ultra-high anisometropia and aphakia, conventional wearing of frame glasses can easily cause aberrations and peripheral visual deformations, affect the visual development of children, and even cause refractory amblyopia. In this article, the benefits of contact lenses are discussed from perspectives of ultra-high refractive error, refraction-related refractory amblyopia, and photosensitivity-related refractive error, so as to attract the attention of clinical physicians, expand the application scope of contact lens wear, give full play to the role of contact lenses, and improve the diagnosis and treatment of refractive abnormalities in children.

Keratoconus is the most common primary corneal ectasia and is associated with significant morbidity. In its early stages, keratoconus is often asymptomatic, making the identification of subclinical disease challenging. Refractive error is a parameter that is documented at most routine optometry visits, yet interestingly, changes in refraction of keratoconic patients over time have not yet been studied and compared with the general population. Early diagnosis of keratoconus facilitates timely referral for treatments such as corneal collagen cross-linking, which has been shown to slow disease progression. In this context, documenting delays between initial presentation to the optometrist and referral for collagen-cross-linking as well as comparing the trends in visual acuity and refractive error between keratoconic and non-keratoconic patients over time are particularly relevant., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Bobba et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Keratoplasty is a radical surgical method for treating various corneal pathologies. Today, there are many types of keratoplasty, each aiming to restore the integrity and transparency of the cornea. However, keratoplasty-induced ametropia often prevents achieving high visual acuity and makes impossible the use of conventional optical correction methods such as glasses or soft and traditional rigid contact lenses. In this regard, the use of scleral contact lenses is the most optimal method for optical correction of postoperative refractive anomalies, ensuring successful visual rehabilitation and preventing the need for additional keratorefractive interventions.

A thin lens technique was developed to determine how the effective powers of toric monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) are influenced by tilt and the refractive errors associated with the tilt. A series of steps determined the effective power of the cornea at the IOL, the IOL power, the effective power of the tilted IOL, the correction required at the front of the eye and the power of an IOL that would compensate for the tilt. The correction was determined by starting at the ideal reduced image vergence at the IOL, backwards raytracing to obtain a reduced image vergence at the cornea, and subtracting the cornea power from this reduced image vergence. Examples are presented for different situations where the IOL is either tilted about the vertical or an oblique axis. Raytracing with a thick lens verified the accuracy of the technique., (© 2023 The Authors. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of College of Optometrists.)

Clinical Relevance: Traditionally, refraction is performed, and spectacles are manufactured in in 0.25D-steps. Trial and spectacle lenses manufactured in smaller increments may allow for a more accurate refraction and prescribed spectacles., Background: To determine whether refraction in 0.05D-steps improves the proportion of eyes achieving achieve duochrome equality, and whether spectacles prescribed in 0.05D-steps offer any vision benefits, compared to 0.25D-steps., Methods: Myopic young adults were enrolled into two prospective studies conducted at different sites. Study 1 comprised 66 participants (refracted under cycloplegia) while Study 2 comprised 51 participants (not cyclopleged). A standard refraction was performed in both studies and a trial frame and trial lenses were used to determine the spherical endpoint of duochrome equality (0.25D-steps first then 0.05D-steps). In Study 2, the cylindrical component was refined in 0.05D-steps before the spherical endpoint in 0.05D-steps. Monocular high-contrast-visual-acuity (HCVA) was measured while wearing the final refractions. Participants in Study 2 wore spectacles manufactured in 0.25D and 0.05D-steps for 7 days each in a randomized, double-masked study. Both spectacles appeared identical. Outcome measures assessed on dispensing and after 7 days of wear comprised monocular acuity-based measurements (HCVA, low-contrast-visual-acuity, vanishing-optotype-acuity, contrast-sensitivity) and subjective ratings. The Quality-of-Vision questionnaire and subjective preference were assessed after 7 days., Results:     Both studies showed a higher proportion of eyes achieved duochrome equality ( P < 0.001) and better average monocular HCVA ( P ≤ 0.006) in 0.05D-steps. Study 2 showed 0.05D-step spectacles provided better average results for all monocular acuity-based measurements ( P < 0.006) and were preferred by 65% ( P = 0.04) of participants after 7 days ( P = 0.04). There were no differences between spectacles for any other measures ( P > 0.1)., Conclusions: Refraction performed, and spectacles manufactured in 0.05D-steps for this study improved average acuity-based outcomes and were preferred by most participants to spectacles in traditional 0.25D-steps.

Aim: The study aimed to determine the epidemiology and evaluate the trends in the uptake of refractive error services in Harare., Methods: A clinic-based retrospective study at the Greenwood Park Eye Centre and its three subsidiaries was conducted from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2020., Results: 12,216 patients' records were retrieved, out of which 1074 (8.79%) had refractive error cases. The prevalence of visual impairment at presentation was 5.80% [95% CI: 5.39 - 6.23]. Among those with refractive error, the sample prevalence of visual impairment before correction was 41.30% [CI: 38.3 - 44.3, 95%], and 2.20% [95% CI: 1.4 - 3.3] after correction. There was inconsistency in the percentage utilization of refractive error services, with the highest being 42.60% in 2015. Refractive error types were related to age, employment position, and type of visual impairment prior to refractive error treatment., Conclusion: There was a low percentage of refractive error services uptake in urban Zimbabwe., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© 2023 Kamuzu University of Health Sciences.)

Purpose: To describe the prevalence of vision concerns among US adolescents and the association of time spent worrying about eyesight with physical and mental health., Design: Cross-sectional study., Methods: This study included adolescent children (age 12 to ≤18 years) particpating in the 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey with completed visual function questionnaires and eye examinations. Vision concerns were identified by a survey question of time spent worrying about eyesight and response was treated as a dichotomous variable. Recent poor physical and mental health was defined as at least 1 day of poor health within the last month. Odds ratios (ORs) derived from survey-weighted multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with vision concerns in the adolescent population, adjusting for participant demographics and refractive correction., Results: The survey participants included 3100 adolescents (mean [SD] age, 15.5 [2.0] years; 49% [n = 1545] female). Vision concerns were expressed by 24% (n=865) of adolescents. Vision concerns were more prevalent among female (29% vs 19%, P < .001), low-income (30% vs 23%, P < .001), and uninsured (31% vs 22%, P = .006) adolescents. Participants worried about their eyesight were more likely to have undercorrected refractive error (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.43-2.98). Poor recent mental health (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.01-1.67), but not physical health (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.69-1.45), was associated with adolescent vision concerns., Conclusions: Female, low-income, and uninsured adolescents living in the United States are more likely to report worrying about their vision and often have uncorrected or undercorrected refractive errors., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background/aims: To model the suitability of conventional ready-made spectacles (RMS) and interchangeable-lens ready-made spectacles (IRMS) with reference to prescribing guidelines among children and adults using a large, global database and to introduce a web-based application for exploring the database with user-defined eligibility criteria., Methods: Using refractive power and interpupillary distance data for near and distance spectacles prescribed to children and adults during OneSight clinics in 27 countries, from 2 January 2016 to 19 November 2019, we modelled the expected suitability of RMS and IRMS spectacle designs, compared with custom-made spectacles, according to published prescribing guidelines., Results: Records of 18 782 presbyopic adult prescriptions, 70 619 distance adult prescriptions and 40 862 paediatric prescriptions were included. Globally, 58.7%-63.9% of adults could be corrected at distance with RMS, depending on the prescribing cut-off. For presbyopic adult prescriptions, coverage was 44.1%-60.9%. Among children, 51.8% were eligible for conventional RMS. Coverage for all groups was similar to the above for IRMS. The most common reason for ineligibility for RMS in all service groups was astigmatism, responsible for 27.2% of all ineligible adult distance prescriptions using the strictest cut-off, 31.4% of children's prescriptions and 28.0% of all adults near prescriptions globally., Conclusion: Despite their advantages in cost and convenience, coverage delivered by RMS is limited under current prescribing guidelines, particularly for children and presbyopic adults. Interchangeable designs do little to remediate this, despite extending coverage for anisometropia. Our free application allows users to estimate RMS coverage in specific target populations., Competing Interests: Competing interests: VFC is a Trustee of Vision Aid Overseas, an organisation working to provide refractive and eye care in low-income and middle-income countries. RD and MS were employed by OneSight during the course of the research. NC is the Director of Research for Orbis International, an organisation working on eye health issues in underserved areas. All other authors declare no competing interests., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Significance: Recently, novel refraction technology allows subjective refractions to be performed with a higher-resolution. It is unclear, however, if these benefits are noticed and appreciated by the patient during the examination and after dispensing., Purpose: This study investigated benefits and drawbacks of high-resolution refraction technology over standard, specifically in terms of the refraction, glasses prescription, and participant's perceptions of the technology., Methods: Sixty progressive-addition-lens wearers (aged 35 to 70 years) and 60 single-vision wearers (18 years or older) were randomized to a high-resolution refraction (Vision-R 800; Essilor Instruments, Dallas, TX; essilorinstrumentsusa.com ) and standard refraction in a 2-week crossover dispensing design. Refractive results were converted to M, J0, and J45 and analyzed using multivariate t tests. Bayesian estimation was used to analyze differences between refraction type and age group for subjective outcomes., Results: Differences in refractive error between the two refractions were small, and none differed statistically ( P > .05) or clinically (e.g., <0.25 D) in either subgroup. Visual acuities at distance and near were better than 0.00 logMAR; none of the mean differences between the refractions reached statistical or clinical (e.g., <0.10 D) significance. Participants significantly preferred the high-resolution refraction for its quickness and efficiency, improved comfort, and less stress. Bayesian analysis indicated a 76% probability that participants had higher confidence in the high-resolution refraction, 93% probability that they would seek it out for their care, and 94% probability that they would recommend an optometrist using this technology., Conclusions: Refractive and acuity endpoints were similar with the high-resolution and standard refraction. Participants, however, perceived several key benefits of the high-resolution refraction and prescription for their care, the care of their friends/family, and the practice itself., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest Disclosure: The authors listed report a financial conflict of interest (DM, MR, OR, PK). The sponsor provided financial and material support but had no role in the conduct, analysis and interpretation, or writing of the report. The sponsor did have a role in study design, of which author PJ is an employee. The authors (DM, MR, OR) had full access to the study data and take full responsibility for their presentation in this article., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the American Academy of Optometry.)

Clinical Relevance: Optimisation of vision screening programmes can result the detection of refractive anomalies in a high proportion of school children., Background: The Refractive Errors Among Children (REACH) programme aims to optimise outcomes of school-based vision screening in India by collaborating with hospitals and monitoring eye care throughout school attendance., Methods: REACH delivers school vision screening using pocket vision screeners (cards presenting rows of seven 0.2 logMAR Sloan letters at a 3 m viewing distance) in five states across India. Children who fail screening are referred for detailed evaluation including refraction, those requiring cycloplegic refraction are referred to partner hospitals. Spectacles are dispensed as needed and compliance is assessed. All data are recorded electronically., Results: Out of 2,240,805 children aged 5 to 18 (mean 11.5; SD ±3.3) years, 2,024,053 have undergone REACH screening in 10,309 schools predominantly in rural locations (78.7%) and government-funded (76%). Of those screened, 174,706 (8.6%) underwent detailed evaluation. A higher proportion of children in private or urban schools (11.8% and 10.4% respectively) were referred for detailed evaluation than those in government-funded or rural schools (5.9% and 7.2%, respectively; p < 0.001). The proportion referred for detailed evaluation differed by state (p < 0.001), from 4.0% in West Bengal to 14.4% in Kerala., Conclusion: The REACH programme screened a high proportion of school children, providing further care and follow-up to optimise visual outcomes.

Background: Uncorrected refractive error (RE) may affect the work performance of adults in the workplace. The aim of current study was to determine the prevalence of corrected and uncorrected RE, and the determinants of uncorrected RE in adult employees of a university., Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of Tehran University Medical Sciences' staff. Besides demographic and some specific questionnaires, ophthalmic examinations including the measurement of uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacles corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and presenting visual acuity were performed for all participants. The need for spectacles was defined as UCVA worse than 6/12 in the better eye that could be corrected to better than 6/12 with spectacles based on subjective refraction., Results: In total, 4460 individuals with mean age of 42.32 ± 8.80 were included in the study. The VA of the better eye was 0.01 ± 0.05 logMAR for BCVA, 0.13 ± 0.26 for UCVA, and 0.05 ± 0.12 for presenting VA. Prevalence of RE was 15.7%, including uncorrected RE of 5% and spectacles coverage (corrected RE) of 10.7%. The proportion of individuals with elementary education and poor-fair status of general health were 1.62 times higher in the uncorrected group. In the univariate analysis, type of occupation (office versus non-office workers), socioeconomic status, and insurance of employees were not related to uncorrected RE (all P > 0.4). Myopia was the only factor associated with uncorrected RE in logistic regression analysis (odds ratio = 2.73, 95%CI = 1.02-7.31, P = 0.04)., Conclusion: The prevalence of uncorrected RE and spectacle coverage were 5% and 10.7%, respectively. Myopia was almost three times more likely to be associated among employees with uncorrected RE.

Purpose: To report the proportion of older people in England who wear distance spectacles full time, part time and rarely, and to investigate factors that influence how much the distance vision (DV) correction is worn., Methods: A two-part questionnaire investigating the spectacle-wearing habits of older people was developed and completed by 322 participants (age 72 years ±7.7, range 60-94). A subcohort of 209 DV correction wearers with a mean spherical equivalent (MSE) of <±4.00DS was selected for a logistic regression to investigate which factors influence how much the DV correction is used., Results: In total, 43% of emmetropic, and 55% of pseudophakic, DV spectacle wearers wear their correction full time. Lens type, MSE and the age that participants first wore a DV correction significantly predicted DV correction wearing habit (adjusted R 2  = 0.36), with lens type being the strongest predicting factor and progressive users wearing their spectacles 37% more than those using single vision lenses., Conclusions: Many patients appear to consider convenience more important than being spectacle independent at distance, with lens type the most significant influencing factor of how much those with low/moderate refractive error wear their distance correction. Many emmetropes and pseudophakes choose to wear their progressive or bifocal spectacles full time, and the emmetropia provided by cataract surgery does not provide independence from full-time spectacle wear for many patients. The optometrist has a key role in discussing both choice of spectacle lens correction and the refractive outcome options of cataract surgery with patients., (© 2023 The Authors. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of College of Optometrists.)

Purpose/background: Visual acuity (VA) screening in children primarily detects low VA and amblyopia between 3 and 6 years of age. Photoscreening is a low-cost, lower-expertise alternative which can be carried out on younger children and looks instead for refractive amblyopia risk factors so that early glasses may prevent or mitigate the conditions. The long-term benefits and costs of providing many children with glasses in an attempt to avoid development of amblyopia for some of them needs clarification. This paper presents a framework for modeling potential post-referral costs of different screening models once referred children reach specialist services., Methods: The EUSCREEN Screening Cost-Effectiveness Model was used together with published literature to estimate referral rates and case mix of referrals from different screening modalities (photoscreening and VA screening at 2, 3-4 years and 4-5 years). UK 2019-20 published National Health Service (NHS) costings were used across all scenarios to model the comparative post-referral costs to the point of discharge from specialist services. Potential costs were compared between a) orthoptist, b) state funded ophthalmologist and c) private ophthalmologist care., Results: Earlier VA screening and photoscreening yield higher numbers of referrals because of lower sensitivity and specificity for disease, and a different case mix, compared to later VA screening. Photoscreening referrals are a mixture of reduced VA caused by amblyopia and refractive error, and children with amblyopia risk factors, most of which are treated with glasses. Costs relate mainly to the secondary care providers and the number of visits per child. Treatment by an ophthalmologist of a referral at 2 years of age can be more than x10 more expensive than an orthoptist service receiving referrals at 5 years, but outcomes can still be good from referrals aged 5., Conclusions: All children should be screened for amblyopia and low vision before the age of 6. Very early detection of amblyopia refractive risk factors may prevent or mitigate amblyopia for some affected children, but population-level outcomes from a single high-quality VA screening at 4-5 years can also be very good. Total patient-journey costs incurred by earlier detection and treatment are much higher than if screening is carried out later because younger children need more professional input before discharge, so early screening is less cost-effective in the long term. Population coverage, local healthcare models, local case-mix, public health awareness, training, data monitoring and audit are critical factors to consider when planning, evaluating, or changing any screening programme.

Significance: Uncorrected refractive errors (UREs) present an enormous lifetime burden in children. Despite this, there is a dearth of knowledge on URE-related preference-based quality of life (QoL) in East Africa. This study demonstrates the positive impact of interventions on UREs; hence, it provides an empirical justification for advocacy to improve the QoL of children with URE., Purpose: This study investigated the preference-based QoL (utility) for URE in school-going adolescents of Kakamega County, in Kenya., Methods: An observational cross-sectional study with multistage sampling was conducted on randomly selected secondary school adolescents. School-going adolescents in Forms 1 to 4 were clinically examined for the presence of URE and classified according to their URE types. Pre-screened students who met the selection criteria were classified into two groups: URE and normal sight. Participants in the normal-sight group were randomly selected from among screened students without URE. Selected participants were administered a previously validated adolescent-specific utility weighting instrument-Assessment of Quality of Life-Six Dimensions., Results: A total of 330 participants aged 17.32 ± 1.60 years (URE, 17.50 ± 1.58 years; normal-sight, 17.15 ± 1.61 years) were included in the study. The mean utility score, as elicited by the Assessment of Quality of Life-Six Dimensions scoring algorithm, was better in the normal-sight group (URE, 0.496 ± 0.22; normal sight, 0.567 ± 0.25) at baseline, whereas the reverse was true at follow-up (URE, 0.655 ± 0.20; normal sight, 0.603 ± 0.25). In all cases, the differences were significant ( P < .05); however, there was no significantly better ( P > .05) utility elicited by any URE subtype at any given time point. Nonetheless, the URE group showed significantly better utility ( P < .05) after spectacle correction., Conclusions: Uncorrected refractive errors are associated with reduced utility in school-going adolescents, regardless of URE subtype. Spectacle correction resulted in a significantly improved utility for those with URE. Thus, this study recommends early public health strategies and spectacle interventions in schools for adolescents with URE., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None of the authors have reported a financial conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 American Academy of Optometry.)

Importance: Uncorrected refractive error is the most common cause of vision impairment in children. Most children 12 years or older can achieve visual acuity (VA) of 20/25 or better by self-refraction using adjustable-focus spectacles, but data on younger children are lacking., Objective: To assess refractive accuracy, corrected VA, and factors associated with not achieving VA of 20/25 or better among children aged 5 to 11 years performing self-refraction with Adspecs adjustable-focus spectacles (Adaptive Eyecare), compared with noncycloplegic autorefraction and cycloplegic refraction., Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a cross-sectional noninferiority trial conducted from September 2, 2015, to December 14, 2017. The study setting was an academic pediatric eye clinic. Children aged 5 to 11 years with uncorrected VA of 20/40 or worse in 1 or both eyes and without systemic or ocular conditions preventing best-corrected VA of 20/25 or better were enrolled. Children who had best-corrected VA worse than 20/25 were excluded. Study data were analyzed from September 2017 to June 2023., Exposures: Children were taught to self-refract with adjustable-focus spectacles., Main Outcomes and Measures: Spherical equivalent refractive error (using self-refraction, noncycloplegic autorefraction, and cycloplegic refraction) and VA (uncorrected and using self-refraction, noncycloplegic autorefraction, and cycloplegic refraction) for study eyes were evaluated. Potential predictors of failure to achieve VA of 20/25 or better with self-refraction were assessed using logistic regression., Results: A total of 127 consecutive children were enrolled. After exclusions, 112 children (median [IQR] age, 9.0 [8.0-10.3] years; 52 boys [46.4%]) were included in the study. Mean (SD) spherical equivalent refractive power was -2.00 (1.52) diopters (D) for self-refraction, -2.32 (1.43) D for noncycloplegic autorefraction, and -1.67 (1.49) D for cycloplegic refraction. Mean (SD) difference in refractive power between self-refraction and noncycloplegic autorefraction was 0.32 (1.11) D (97.5% 1-sided CI, 0.11 to ∞ D; P < .001) and between self-refraction and cycloplegic refraction was -0.33 (1.15) D (97.5% 1-sided CI, -0.54 to ∞ D; P = .77). The proportion of children with corrected VA of 20/25 or better was 79.5% (89 of 112) with self-refraction, 85.7% (96 of 112) with noncycloplegic autorefraction, and 79.5% (89 of 112) with cycloplegic refraction (self-refraction vs noncycloplegic autorefraction: McNemar P value = .27; self-refraction vs cycloplegic refraction: McNemar P value > .99). Those failing to achieve best-corrected VA of 20/25 or better with self-refraction had higher astigmatism (odds ratio [OR], 10.6; 95% CI, 3.1-36.4; P < .001) and younger age (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-2.2; P = .02)., Conclusions and Relevance: Self-refraction among children aged 5 to 11 years may result in more myopic power than cycloplegic refraction but not necessarily to a clinically relevant degree. Although the proportion of children achieving VA of 20/25 or better with self-refraction using adjustable-focus spectacles did not differ from cycloplegic refraction, it was less likely among younger children and those with higher astigmatism.

Background: Uncorrected refractive error has been suggested to affect children's development, educational performance, and socialization. Sociodemographic and environmental differences among individuals may impact their accessibility to utilizing appropriate services, impacting their vision-dependent activities., Methods: Guided by the population health framework, this retrospective study assessed the prevalence of self-reported vision correction needs and its determinants for a sample of adolescents (n = 6363) from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aged 13 to 20 years between 2007 to 2009., Results: The findings suggest a relatively high prevalence of self-reported vision correction needs (26.8%), with among 24.8% males and 31.7% among females. Factors that were significantly associated with vision correction needs included age, biological sex, location of residence (emirate), nationality, parental education and employment level, household financial status, screen time use, visiting an eye specialist in the past year, and daily functional capacity., Conclusion: Reporting the vision correction needs of the adolescent population and identifying its determinants may help identify and resolve modifiable barriers to accessing the appropriate vision care resources. Further research in assessing the type of refractive error, potential genetic and environmental factors, and vision care services in each emirate may help decision-makers set appropriate policies to improve the overall quality of eye health.

Significance: Myopia prevalence is increasing worldwide. Axial length, refractive error, and keratometry are important outcome measures in myopia management. Precise measurement methods are required for myopia management. Various devices are used to measure these three parameters, and it is not known whether their results can be used interchangeably., Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare three different devices to evaluate axial length, refractive error, and keratometry., Methods: A total of 120 subjects (37.7 ± 15.5 years) were enrolled in this prospective study. All subjects were measured with DNEye Scanner 2 (Rodenstock GmbH, Munich, Germany), Myopia Master (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany), and IOLMaster 700 (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Germany). Myopia Master and IOLMaster 700 use interferometry to measure axial length. Rodenstock Consulting software (Rodenstock GmbH, Munich, Germany) was used to calculate axial length from DNEye Scanner 2 measurement. Differences were analyzed using Bland-Altman 95% limits of agreement., Results: Differences for axial length were as follows: DNEye Scanner 2 versus Myopia Master, 0.67 ± 0.46 mm; DNEye Scanner 2 versus IOLMaster 700, 0.64 ± 0.46 mm; and Myopia Master versus IOLMaster 700, -0.02 ± 0.02 mm. Differences for mean corneal curvature were as follows: DNEye Scanner 2 versus Myopia Master, -0.20 ± 0.36 mm; DNEye Scanner 2 versus IOLMaster 700, -0.40 ± 0.35 mm; and Myopia Master versus IOLMaster 700, -0.20 ± 0.13 mm. The difference in noncycloplegic spherical equivalent between DNEye Scanner 2 and Myopia Master was 0.05 ± 0.25 D., Conclusions: The results for axial length and keratometry from Myopia Master and IOLMaster were comparable. The axial length calculated by DNEye Scanner 2 was significantly different from interferometry devices and is not appropriate for myopia management. The differences in keratometry readings were clinically not significant. All refractive outcomes were comparable., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None of the authors have reported a financial conflict of interest. PH and SD are speakers for OCULUS Academy., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the American Academy of Optometry.)

Clinical Relevance: Physical activity is an essential part of childhood physical and mental development. Recent research identified visual problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle in children in Ireland., Background: This study explored the association between visual function in children and their engagement with physical activities outside school., Methods: Participants were 1,626 schoolchildren (728 aged 6-7-years, 898 aged 12-13-years) in randomly selected schools in Ireland. Before data collection, parents/legal guardians of participants completed a standardised questionnaire reporting physical activity as no activity (mostly on screens), light activity (occasional walking/cycling), moderate activity (<3 hrs/week engaged in sports), or regular activity (>3hrs/week engaged in sports). Measurements included logMAR monocular visual acuities (with spectacles and pinhole), in the distance (3 m) and near (40 cm), stereoacuity (TNO stereo-test), cover test, and cycloplegic autorefraction (1% cyclopentolate)., Results: Controlling for confounders (socioeconomic disadvantage and non-White ethnicity), linear regression analysis revealed presenting distance visual acuity, near visual acuity, and stereoacuity were significantly better amongst participants who reported regular physical activity rather than moderate, light or no activity in both 6-7-year-old and 12-13-year-old participants. Absence of clinically-significant refractive error (>-0.50D < 2.00D) was associated with regular physical activity. Participants presenting with visual impairment (better-eye vision <6/12) (odds ratio = 5.78 (2.72-12.29)), amblyopia (pinhole acuity ≤6/12 plus an amblyogenic factor) (odds ratio = 5.66 (2.33-13.76)), and participants at school without their spectacles (odds ratio = 2.20 (1.33-3.63)), were more likely to report no activity., Conclusions: Children regularly engaged in physical activities, including sports; had better visual and stereoacuity; and were less likely to need spectacles. Visual impairment, amblyopia, and refractive error were associated with no physical activity. Spectacle wear compliance was associated with regular physical activity. Regular physical activity is an essential factor in childhood vision and addressing visual impairment in children is vital to increasing participation in sports and exercise. Socioeconomically disadvantaged and non-White communities would benefit most from these measures.

Approximately 7% of children in the United States younger than 18 years have a diagnosed eye disorder, and 1 in 4 children between two and 17 years of age wears glasses. Routine eye examinations during childhood can identify abnormalities necessitating referral to ophthalmology, which optimizes children's vision through the early diagnosis and treatment of abnormalities. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends vision screening at least once in children three to five years of age to detect amblyopia or its risk factors to improve visual acuity. The American Academy of Family Physicians supports this recommendation. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screening starting at three years of age and at regular intervals in childhood, and that instrument-based screening (e.g., photoscreening, autorefraction) is an alternative to vision charts for testing visual acuity in patients three to five years of age. Eye examinations include visual acuity testing, external examinations, assessing ocular alignment and pupillary response, and assessing for opacities with the red reflex examination. Common abnormalities include refractive errors, amblyopia (reduction in visual acuity in one eye not attributable to structural abnormality), and strabismus (misalignment of the eye). Rare diagnoses include retinoblastoma (often detectable through loss of red reflex), cataracts (detectable by an abnormal red reflex), and glaucoma (often manifests as light sensitivity with corneal cloudiness and enlargement).