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Purpose: The purpose of our study was to establish a practical and quick test for assessing reading performance and to statistically analyse interchart and test-retest reliability of a new standardized Swedish reading chart system consisting of three charts constructed according to the principles available in the literature., Methods: Twenty-four subjects with healthy eyes, mean age 65 ± 10 years, were tested binocularly and the reading performance evaluated as reading acuity, critical print size and maximum reading speed. The test charts all consist of 12 short text sentences with a print size ranging from 0.9 to -0.2 logMAR in approximate steps of 0.1 logMAR. Two testing sessions, in two different groups (C1 and C2), were under strict control of luminance and lighting environment. Reading performance tests with chart T1, T2 and T3 were used for evaluation of interchart reliability and test data from a second session 1 month or more apart for the test-retest analysis., Results: The testing of reading performance in adult observers with short sentences of continuous text was quick and practical. The agreement between the tests obtained with the three different test charts was high both within the same test session and at retest., Conclusion: This new Swedish variant of a standardized reading system based on short sentences and logarithmic progression of print size provides reliable measurements of reading performance and preliminary norms in an age group around 65 years. The reading test with three independent reading charts can be useful for clinical studies of reading ability before and after treatment., (© 2013 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Purpose: This study aimed to analyse the decline in visual acuity (VA) during normal ageing in two Scandinavian population samples of subjects aged ≥ 70 years and to study the age-specific decline in VA in eyes with early age-related maculopathy (ARM)., Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional analysis of data pertaining to VA in the better eye in one population sample from Oulu (OU), Finland (aged 70-82 years) and a second population sample from Gothenburg (GG), Sweden (aged 82 or 88 years). The change in VA with age was evaluated in healthy eyes (OU, n = 119; GG, n = 40) and in eyes with early ARM (OU-ARM, n = 22; GG-ARM, n = 114) using linear regression or logistic regression. The results were compared with those of previous reports., Results: Our population samples showed a significant decrease with age in VA in healthy eyes in subjects aged ≥ 44 years using both statistical models. Comparisons with previous reports demonstrated a homogeneity in the decline in VA with age. On average, 0.3 logMAR are lost from middle age up to 88 years, presumably as a result of physiological ageing. In early ARM, the rate of age-specific decline in VA more than doubled and the prevalence of VA < 0.5 markedly increased., Conclusions: Visual acuity in healthy eyes declines with age from middle age onwards. The decrease in VA possibly accelerates in subjects aged > 70 years, although no significant evidence for this was found. An age-specific decline in VA is shown in eyes with early ARM. These results are important for the evaluation of age-specific treatment results., (© 2009 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2009 Acta Ophthalmol.)

Purpose: To study the long-term visual outcome and the age at which final visual acuity can be predicted in a population sample of children treated surgically for bilateral dense congenital cataract before 37 weeks of age. In addition, we assessed the influence of associated risk factors and compared the visual development of these aphakic children with presumably blocked visual input before early surgery to that of normal children in Sweden., Methods: The 18 patients included were followed for at least 10 years postoperatively. The median age at last visit was 15.5 years (range 10-18). The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was tested monocularly with a logarithmically scaled letter acuity test from 4 years of age to late teens. Other registered postoperative data were presence of manifest nystagmus, strabismus and complications., Results: The BCVA of the better-seeing eye reached a plateau at 7 years of age. Age at surgery of 80 days or less characterized the majority of cases with a logMAR ≤ 0.3 with a threshold effect between 80 and 130 days of age. Compared to normal children in Sweden, the long-term visual outcome showed a deficit of 0.5-0.6 logMAR., Conclusion: In spite of optimized care and surgery before 9 months, the BCVA was subnormal in our population compared to healthy children. The long-term visual outcome can be predicted at 7 years of age. Screening with early detection followed by surgery before the end of the third month is important to decrease the risk of marked acuity loss., (© 2009 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2009 Acta Ophthalmol.)

Purpose: To evaluate visual acuity (best corrected visual acuity) and peripheral sensitivity, measured by high-pass resolution (HRP) visual fields, in children surgically treated for congenital cataract., Methods: Acuity and peripheral sensitivity were recorded from 16 children, aged 10 to 15 years, either surgically treated for bilateral dense cataract before the age of 4.6 months (n = 10) or surgically treated for bilateral partial cataract at ages 4 to 139 months (n = 6). Data from 22 healthy children, mean age 11 years, served as control., Results: The children with cataract had significantly (P < 0.0001) lower decimal acuity in their better eye (median, 0.55; range, 0.1-1.3) than did the control subjects (median, 1.2; range, 1.0-1.6). Five children were visually impaired according to the World Health Organization's definition (i.e., acuity in the better eye <0.3). The children with previous dense bilateral cataract showed significantly lower peripheral sensitivity than did the control subjects (P = 0.004). Significant correlations were observed between acuity and visual field parameters., Conclusions: Dense cataract, even when surgically treated before the age of 4.6 months, causes persistent impairment of spatial vision, both in the fovea and the visual field. The effect on the visual field is less pronounced than that on visual acuity. This finding has to be taken into account when evaluating visual field results in, for example, the diagnosis of glaucoma, a frequent complication after cataract surgery in early infancy.

Limiting factors of resolution have previously only been investigated by using resolution data and retinal ganglion cell spacing data from different individuals. We report on our unique opportunity to study the intra-individual relationship in three human subjects between retinal ganglion cell separations and resolution thresholds, measured with high-pass resolution perimetry. Our data show that resolution is directly proportional to half the midget population, in accordance with the hypothesis that a dichotomous midget ON/OFF population mediates resolution.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish visual acuity (VA) and the prevalence of amblyopia and other ocular disorders in a population of 12- to 13-year-old children in Mexico who have not been vision screened., Methods: A total of 1,035 12- to 13-year-old children were examined in a field study. The examination included VA, stereopsis, cover testing, refractive retinoscopy, and examination of the red reflex and posterior pole. In cases with unexplained subnormal VA, visually evoked potential/visually evoked response was also performed., Results: A >or=20/20 in at least one eye was found in 93% of the subjects. Bilateral VA

Purpose: To investigate the longitudinal change in visual acuity (VA) in the oldest members of the elderly population, to estimate future numbers of people with visual impairments, and to estimate needs for and the effects of visual rehabilitation., Methods: In the Gerontological and Geriatric Population Studies in Gothenburg, Sweden (H 70), subjects underwent repeated eye examinations at the ages of 70, 82, 88, 95 and 97 years. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the probability of independent living as a function of distance VA at different ages., Results: Rates of normal VA (>or= 0.8) declined from 86% of the study group at age 70 to 7% of the study group at age 95 (0% at age 97). The incidence of VA

To investigate the prevalence of and potential risk factors for ocular disorders and the effects of timing of cataract surgery from age 70–97 years. A representative population sample taken from within the Gerontological and Geriatric Population Studies (H 70) in Gothenburg, Sweden ( n = 958). All subjects underwent eye examinations at age 70 years in 1971 and subsequently at ages 82, 88, 95 and 97 years. All inhabitants of Gothenburg aged 95 and 97 years were invited to participate in the study. Decreased vision (visual acuity ≤ 0.5) was found in 20% and 80% of subjects at ages 82 and 97 years, respectively. Blood folate and physical activity at age 70 years correlated positively and body mass index (BMI) negatively to visual acuity (VA) ≥ 0.8 at ages 82 and 88 years. Smoking at age 70 years correlated to early age-related maculopathy (ARM). Cataract surgery had been performed in 40% of subjects at age 97 years. Surgery 2 years earlier led to a 15% increase in time spent with improved vision. The deterioration of vision in elderly people is a major health problem, for which ‘low’ folate status, smoking, ‘high’ BMI and low physical activity are potential risk factors. Early cataract surgery is also beneficial in very old patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT. Purpose: To investigate the results of preschool vision screening and to evaluate new referral criteria in a Swedish city region. Prior to 1992, all children with visual acuity (VA) of less than 0.8 at the age of 4 years were referred to an eye clinic. Since 1992, those with slightly reduced VA (0.65 in each eye or 0.65 in one eye and 0.8 in the other) have been retested at 5.5 years of age and referred if their VA is less than 0.8. Methods: In a prospective study, the results of vision testing were collected for all children (n = 483) born in 1989–92 inclusive and registered at one child health centre at 4 years of age. The study also involved 123 other children scheduled for retesting at the age of 5.5 years. The results of the examinations and treatments at the eye clinic are evaluated. Results: Few of the children with slightly reduced VA who were retested at the age of 5.5 years had visual defects that required treatment. In those who were treated, the results of treatment were good. Conclusions: The new screening criteria appear to be appropriate and are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Lang II stereo card as a screening test for amblyopia and/or strabismus. Methods: A total of 1046 children aged 12–13 years were examined in a field study in the Göteborg area, Sweden. In addition to the Lang II stereo card, the examination included visual acuity, cover testing, cycloplegic refraction, and inspection of the optical media and posterior pole. Results: If every incorrect subject response was considered a reason for referral, the Lang II test would have correctly identified 82% (23 subjects) of the 28 children with manifest strabismus and 38% (11 subjects) of the 29 children with amblyopia. The test failed to refer 45% (21 subjects). Of all subjects referred, 44 (63%) were found to be ophthalmologically normal. Conclusions: The Lang II stereo card is neither a reliable nor an efficient method of screening for amblyopia and/or strabismus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To establish the distribution of visual acuity and the prevalence of residual amblyopia and other ocular disorders in a vision-screened population group of 12–13-year-old children. Methods: In total 1046 children were examined in a field study in Sweden. The examination included visual acuity, stereopsis, cover testing, red reflex, refractive retinoscopy and examination of the posterior pole. In selected cases VEP was also performed. Results: Visual acuity ≥1.0 in at least one eye was present in 98% of cases. Residual amblyopia (≤0.5) was found in 1.1% of the population. Manifest strabismus was found in 2.7%. There were only a small number of ocular opacities and posterior pole abnormalities. Ocular albinism was found in 7 cases. In 15 children the cause of subnormal VA was unexplained. Conclusion: Results for visual acuity, residual amblyopia and other ocular disorders are very similar to previous Nordic, vision-screened populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]