The role of optometry in healthcare for visually impaired older adult populations: a Swiss case study.

Background: Visual impairment (VI) is common among older adults aged 70 years and older, and its prevalence increases with advancing age. The optometry profession may play an important role in a patient-centred health system that incorporates medical and psychosocial aspects by working closely with low vision counselling services (LVCS). This paper investigates the current level of cooperation between optometry and LVCS by analysing the referral practice of optometrists to LVCS for the older population with VI, based on the PROVIAGE study.

Ocular thermography and clinical measurements in symptomatic and asymptomatic soft contact lens wearers.

Significance: Symptoms of dryness and discomfort are the main reasons for contact lens dropout. Clinical tests for this purpose are invasive or subjective. Ocular thermography may help to assess the ocular discomfort and dryness in a noninvasive and objective manner.

Corneal sensitivity in silicone hydrogel and rigid gas permeable contact lens wear.

Purpose: The aim of this prospective cross-sectional cohort study was to test the effect of silicone hydrogel (SH) and rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lens (CL) wear on corneal sensitivity, applying the new Swiss Liquid Jet Aesthesiometer for Corneal Sensitivity (SLACS) and the Cochet-Bonnet (CB) aesthesiometer, based on subject feedback (psychophysical method).

Methods: Participants were recruited for three equally large groups: Group A (SH CL), Group B (RGP CL) and Group C (non-CL wearers). Inclusion criteria were healthy eyes and OSDI ≤ 13.

Clinical application of the Swiss Liquid Jet Aesthesiometer for corneal sensitivity measurement.

Clinical Relevance: Corneal sensitivity represents an important indicator for corneal health, its innervation and hence also for ocular disease. It is therefore of great interest from a clinical and research perspective to quantify ocular surface sensation.

Background: The aim of this prospective cross-sectional cohort study was to clinically test the within-day and day-to-day repeatability of the new Swiss Liquid Jet Aesthesiometer, employing small droplets of isotonic saline solution for repeatability, and correlate with the Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer in a cohort of participants of two different age groups, based on participant feedback (psychophysical method).

Age-Related Changes in Corneal Sensitivity.

Purpose: The aim of this prospective cross-sectional cohort study was to clinically test whether corneal sensation decreases with age, based on subject feedback (psychophysical method), and whether it correlates with general pain perception.

Methods: Subjects were recruited from 2 equally large age groups: group A (18-30 years) and group B (50-70 years; n = 45 per group). The inclusion criteria were healthy eyes, Ocular Surface Disease Index ≤13, and no contact lens wear.

Working principle and relevant physical properties of the Swiss Liquid Jet Aesthesiometer for Corneal Sensitivity (SLACS) evaluation.

Purpose: To describe and evaluate relevant physical properties of the Swiss Liquid Jet Aesthesiometer for Corneal Sensitivity (SLACS) for ocular surface sensitivity measurement.

Methods: Characteristics of Liquid Jet (LJ) droplets (consisting of isotonic saline solution) were analysed: vertical and horizontal displacement and speed of LJ droplets were recorded with the aid of the High Speed Photron FASTCAM NOVA S6 camera (stimulus duration: 40 ms). Stimulus mass was assessed for 20 sets of 10 LJs with aid of a microbalance (pressure range of 100-1500 mbar).

Prospective randomized study to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of Ectoin® containing Eye Spray (EES09) and comparison to the liposomal Eye Spray Tears Again® (TA) in the treatment of dry eye disease.

Purpose: To subjectively and objectively evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of preservative-free Ectoin ® Eye Spray - Colloidal (EES09) and Tears Again ® Eye Spray (TA) in subjects with mild-moderate dry eye disease (DED), and to compare efficacy of these two eye sprays with each other.

Methods: Thirty-six volunteers (average age 32.3 ± 16.

Agreement and repeatability of four different devices to measure non-invasive tear breakup time (NIBUT).

Purpose: Since tear film stability can be affected by fluorescein, the Dry Eye Workshop (DEWSII) recommended non-invasive measurement of tear breakup time (NIBUT). The aim of this study was to investigate the agreement and repeatability of four different instruments in the measurement of NIBUT.

Methods: 72 participants (mean 24.

General pain perception sensitivity, lid margin sensitivity and gas permeable contact lens comfort.

Background: The non-predictable variability in the capability of sensory adaptation to rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses (CLs) represents a considerable challenge for CL practitioners and patients when choosing this CL type. This study explored if lid margin sensitivity and general pain sensitivity at baseline may help predict experienced subjective comfort of RGP CL wear.

Methods: For this prospective clinical cohort study, subjects filled in the Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire and lid margin sensitivity was measured at the lid wiper of the upper and lower lid at baseline, using the Cochet Bonnet aesthesiometer.

Relationship Between the Degree of Iris Pigmentation and Corneal Sensitivity to a Cooling Stimulus.

Purpose: To explore the relationship between the degree of iris pigmentation and corneal sensitivity threshold (CST) on a variety of different ethnicities, using the air-jet noncontact corneal aesthesiometer and by applying a consistent method of subject iris pigmentation classification.

Methods: A total of 200 subjects (mean age 23.7 ± 3.

Does air gas aesthesiometry generate a true mechanical stimulus for corneal sensitivity measurement?

Background: Belmonte Ocular Pain Meter (OPM) air jet aesthesiometry overcomes some of the limitations of the Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer. However, for true mechanical corneal sensitivity measurement, the airflow stimulus temperature of the aesthesiometer must equal ocular surface temperature (OST), to avoid additional response from temperature-sensitive nerves. The aim of this study was to determine: (A) the stimulus temperature inducing no or least change in OST; and (B) to evaluate if OST remains unchanged with different stimulus durations and airflow rates.

Relationship between Corneal Sensation, Blinking, and Tear Film Quality.

Purpose: To examine the possible role of corneal sensitivity and tear film quality in triggering a blink by investigating the relationship between blink rate, central corneal sensitivity threshold (CST), ocular surface temperature (OST), tear meniscus height (TMH), tear film quality (noninvasive tear break-up time [NIBUT]), and tear film lipid pattern under normal conditions.

Methods: Forty-two volunteers (average age, 27.76 ± 5.

Blink Animation Software to Improve Blinking and Dry Eye Symptoms.

Purpose: To evaluate if the animation "blink blink" increases blink rate and improves dry eye symptoms during prolonged computer use.

Methods: Study part A: Blink rate was recorded at baseline and during computer work of normal subjects without symptoms of dry eye. Half of the subjects used "blink blink," instructed to blink on animation appearance; the other half used a placebo version for 1 week during computer use.

The accuracy of dynamic contour tonometry over soft contact lenses.

Purpose: Dynamic contour tonometry (DCT) has been shown to measure the intraocular pressure (IOP) independently of corneal thickness. This study aimed to investigate if DCT remains accurate when the IOP measurement is taken over soft contact lenses (CLs) of different thicknesses and material characteristics.

Methods: This was a prospective clinical study that included 42 patients.

Dynamic Contour Tonometry (DCT) over a thin daily disposable hydrogel contact lens.

Unlabelled: Dynamic Contour Tonometry (DCT) has been shown to measure the intraocular pressure (IOP) independent of corneal physical properties such as thickness, curvature and rigidity. The aim of this study was to find out if DCT remains accurate when it is applied on regularly shaped corneas while a thin, daily hydrogel contact lens (CL) is worn.

Methods: This was a prospective, randomised study and included 46 patients (46 right eyes): 26 females and 20 males.

Contact lens profile: a tale of two countries.

Introduction: This study investigated the modality, type and duration of contact lens wear as well as compliance and hygiene related issues (hand and case hygiene, use of tap water, dozing and overnight wear) in the UK and Germany. Questionnaires were collected anonymously from 417 UK and 767 German patients attending optometric practices for contact lens appointments. It is the seventh of a series of contact lens wearer profiles conducted since 2000.

The application of a computerised videokeratography (CVK) based contact lens fitting software programme on irregularly shaped corneal surfaces.

Purpose: To explore the success of the application of a computerised videokeratography (CVK) software system for the fitting of rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses (CLs) on irregular corneal surfaces and compare it to the standard diagnostic fitting procedure.

Methods: This was a comparative prospective study, over a 1-year period (2004-2005). It included 41 RGP CL wearers (68 eyes) with irregular corneal surfaces.