Detecting High Hyperopia: The Plus Lens Test and the Spot Vision Screener.

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of the Plus Lens (Goodlite Company, Elgin, IL) test and the Spot Vision Screener (Welch Allyn, Skaneateles Falls, NY) in detecting high hyperopia in a pediatric population.

Methods: Between June and August 2015, patients were screened with the Spot Vision Screener and the Plus Lens test prior to a scheduled pediatric ophthalmology visit. The following data were analyzed: demographic data, Plus Lens result, Spot Vision Screener result, cycloplegic refraction, and examination findings.

Biologic effects of stress and bonding in mother-infant pairs.

Objective: Maternal stress in humans influences behavior of children and can be assessed using biological markers. Mothers and their one-month-old infants were recruited from an existing study to examine baseline maternal serum oxytocin and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis response to infant blood heel stick stress as measured by salivary cortisol in the dyads. Objectives were to explore (1) relationships between mother and infant cortisol levels, (2) gender differences in infant biologic cortisol response, and (3) the association of cortisol levels in the dyads and maternal oxytocin levels

Methods: Forty-two mother-infant dyads provided biologic samples and self-report data.

Pilot Study and Review: Physiological Differences in BDNF, a Potential Biomarker in Males and Females with Autistic Disorder.

Aims: There is a need for more biologic research in autistic disorder (AD) to determine if biomarkers exist that would be useful for correlating to symptom severity and/or clinical improvement during treatment. Given the fact that AD is 4 times more common in males than females, gender differences in physiological biomarkers may be present. One potential biomarker that has begun to be studied is brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), a peptide involved in the regulation of neuronal cell survival, differentiation, and plasticity, and possessing an ability to influence neurotransmitter systems by modulating gene expression.

Detection of strabismus by the Spot Vision Screener.

Background: The Spot Vision Screener, a new automated screener designed for use in schools and pediatric offices, refers children for strabismus based on the device's measurement of "gaze." We sought to evaluate its ability to detect manifest strabismus of ≥8(Δ) in primary position, which criteria is specified by the 2013 guidelines of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus for detection of amblyopia risk factors by automated vision screeners.

Methods: In this prospective study, new and returning patients seen in the pediatric ophthalmology clinic underwent screening with the Spot Vision Screener (version 1.

Evaluation of the Spot Vision Screener in young children in Costa Rica.

Background: The Spot Vision Screener has demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity in the pediatric ophthalmology clinic setting. We sought to evaluate the updated Spot (version 2.0.

The effectiveness of the Spot Vision Screener in detecting amblyopia risk factors.

Purpose: To evaluate the updated Spot Vision Screener (PediaVision, Welch Allyn, Skaneateles Falls, NY) in detecting amblyopia risk factors using 2013 guidelines of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS).

Methods: In this prospective study, patients seen from June 2012 to November 2013 were tested with the Spot prior to examination by a pediatric ophthalmologist who was masked to test results. The following data were analyzed: age, subject testability, examination findings, and systemic and ocular pathology.

Combining automated vision screening with on-site examinations in 23 schools: ReFocus on Children Program 2012 to 2013.

Purpose: The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI) began the ReFocus on Children Program to assist school nurses in providing vision screening for at-risk children in the Charleston County School District in South Carolina.

Methods: In 2012 to 2013, 2,750 low-income school children ages 3 to 5 years were screened using the Plusoptix Vision screener (Atlanta, GA). Further examinations were performed on 419 (56%) children referred and glasses prescribed and provided for 192 children (positive predictive value 46%).

Growth failure associated with early neglect: pilot comparison of neglected US children and international adoptees.

The long-lasting impact of different neglectful environments on growth in children is not well studied. Three groups of children, 3-10 years old, were recruited (n=60): previously institutionalized international adoptees living in stable home environments for at least 2 years (IA; n=15), children with a history of neglect born in the USA (USN; n=17), and controls (n=28). Children underwent physical examination, anthropometry, and collection of serum for growth parameters.

Photoscreeners in the pediatric eye office: compared testability and refractions on high-risk children.

Purpose: To compare refractive data and testability of Spot (PediaVision) and Plusoptix A09 (Plusoptix, Inc) photoscreeners and to compare each device with traditional cycloplegic retinoscopy.

Design: Prospective, interventional case series.

Methods: After informed consent, patients underwent testing with the Spot and Plusoptix photoscreeners before their examination by a pediatric ophthalmologist masked to the results.