Scleral Remodeling in Early Recovery from Induced Experimental Myopia.

Purpose: To explore the contribution and impact of fibrous scleral remodeling in the early recovery from lens induced myopia of chicks.

Method: Refractive error, axial length and histopathological studies were performed on chicks subject to myopic influence with -10 D goggles unilaterally on the day of hatching for a period of 14 days, after which the eyes were enucleated and immediately fixed for histopathological assessment. Three groups, myopia (measurements taken directly after 14 days), early recovery from induced myopia (chicks allowed a three-hour recovery period by removing goggles before analysis) and control (no goggles) were evaluated.

An Urgent Call for Concussion Incidence Measures in Para Sport for Athletes with Vision Impairment: A Narrative Review.

Concussion in para athletes with vision impairment (VI) is poorly understood. Recently published studies have suggested that athletes with VI may be more likely to sustain sport-related concussions compared to non-disabled athletes and athletes with other impairment types. There is a critical need for objective concussion incidence measures to determine concussion injury rates and risks more accurately.

Comparing paediatric optometric vision care in Canada over a 14-year period.

Purpose: In Canada, teaching in paediatric eye care has increased in the past decade both within the optometry curriculum and as continuing education to optometrists. Paediatric vision care guidelines have also been established by North American optometric associations. This study examined whether this exposure was associated with changes in paediatric eye care in Canada over a 14-year period.

Validation of the Waterloo Differential Visual Acuity Test (WatDAT) and Comparison With Existing Pediatric Tests of Visual Acuity.

Purpose: The new Waterloo Differential Acuity Test (WatDAT) is designed to allow recognition visual acuity (VA) measurement in children before they can typically undertake matching tests. The study purpose was to validate WatDAT in adults with normal and reduced VA.

Methods: Eighty adults (18 to <40 years of age) participated (32 normal VA, 12 reduced VA, and 36 simulated reduced VA).

Trust and Access: Eye Information-seeking Practices and Preferences among Canadians.

Significance: This study highlights the value that the public places on obtaining trusted and accessible health-related information and their preference for obtaining it from their health care practitioners. Previous research has not been specific to Canadians or vision. Findings can be used to increase eye health literacy and eye care utilization.

Measuring recognition visual acuity in young children - testability with the Waterloo Differential Acuity Test (WatDAT).

Clinical Relevance: Visual acuity measurement is important for the detection and monitoring of eye disorders. Developing accurate and sensitive visual acuity tests suitable for young children is therefore desirable.

Background: Recognition or form visual acuity (VA), which is measured with matching in children aged 3 years and up, is more sensitive for detecting visual deficits compared to resolution VA.

Shape judgments in natural scenes: Convexity biases versus stereopsis.

Determining the relief of upcoming terrain is critical to locomotion over rough or uneven ground. Given the significant contribution of stereopsis to perceived surface shape, it should play a crucial role in determining the shape of ground surfaces. The aim of this series of experiments was to evaluate the relative contribution of monocular and binocular depth cues to judgments of ground relief.

What the Canadian public (mis)understands about eyes and eye care.

Clinical Relevance: Inadequate public knowledge about eyes and eye care poses avoidable risks to vision-related quality of life.

Background: This study of eye care knowledge among Canadians extends earlier findings from focus groups.

Methods: Perceptions about eyes and eye care were sought using a 21-item online survey and snowball sampling.

Changing vergence function in persons with Parkinson's disease and convergence insufficiency.

Individuals with Parkinson's disease and convergence insufficiency were assigned vergence training. After two months, average positive fusional vergence increased and average near point of convergence decreased. Vergence can be improved with training in persons with Parkinson's disease who also have convergence insufficiency.

Contributions of Stereopsis and Aviation Experience to Simulated Rotary Wing Altitude Estimation.

Objective: We examined the contribution of binocular vision and experience to performance on a simulated helicopter flight task.

Background: Although there is a long history of research on the role of binocular vision and stereopsis in aviation, there is no consensus on its operational relevance. This work addresses this using a naturalistic task in a virtual environment.

Differential visual acuity - A new approach to measuring visual acuity.

Background: A novel type of acuity measurement, which we refer to as 'differential acuity', requires the observer to identify one unique target among three others which are identical. This is a proof of concept study aimed to determine if differential acuity is equivalent to standard measures of recognition acuity.

Methods: To create a range of visual acuity, vision was optically blurred in sixteen adults with normal visual acuity.

Motivators and deterrents for seeking eye care in a Canadian region.

Background: Motivators and deterrents for seeking eye care in a Canadian setting were sought using a qualitative study. Provincial deregulation of eyewear dispensing in 2010 allows consumers to order eyewear without an optical prescription, thus eliminating a potential motivator for obtaining an eye examination.

Methods: Convenience sampling was used to obtain 25 members of the public who contributed to one of seven focus groups that were facilitated, audiotaped, anonymised and transcribed.

Difference between vertical and horizontal saccades across the human lifespan.

The purpose of the study was to analyze vertical saccade parameters (latency, peak velocity, amplitude gain), and compare them to those of horizontal saccades in a cross-sectional study across the ages of the human lifespan. One hundred and thirty one participants (62 males) between the ages of 3 and 86 years made vertical prosaccades of 2-44° in response to a dot stimulus projected on a screen. A subset of participants also made horizontal prosaccades of 2-60° under the same conditions.

"I can see fine": patient knowledge of eye care.

Purpose: To learn more about the perceptions and attitudes toward eye care of members of the public - in particular, their knowledge of the purpose, components and providers of eye examinations, their ability to self-monitor ocular status and their awareness of major sight threatening eye conditions.

Methods: This study used the qualitative research strategy, grounded theory. Participants were recruited via poster and social media.

Refractive error magnitude and variability: Relation to age.

Purpose: To investigate mean ocular refraction (MOR) and astigmatism, over the human age range and compare severity of refractive error to earlier studies from clinical populations having large age ranges.

Methods: For this descriptive study patient age, refractive error and history of surgery affecting refraction were abstracted from the Waterloo Eye Study database (WatES). Average MOR, standard deviation of MOR and astigmatism were assessed in relation to age.

Visual and binocular status in elementary school children with a reading problem.

Purpose: This descriptive study provides a summary of the binocular anomalies seen in elementary school children identified with reading problems.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of all children identified with reading problems and seen by the University of Waterloo, Optometry Clinic, from September 2012 to June 2013.

Results: Files of 121 children (mean age 8.

Prevalence of Convergence Insufficiency-Type Symptomatology in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) often present with visual symptoms (e.g., difficulty in reading, double vision) that can also be found in convergence insufficiency (CI).

Myopia progression control lens reverses induced myopia in chicks.

Purpose: To determine whether lens induced myopia in chicks can be reversed or reduced by wearing myopia progression control lenses of the same nominal (central) power but different peripheral designs.

Methods: Newly hatched chicks wore -10D Conventional lenses unilaterally for 7 days. The myopic chicks were then randomly divided into three groups: one fitted with Type 1 myopia progression control lenses, the second with Type 2 myopia progression control lenses and the third continued to wear Conventional lenses for seven more days.

Visual Acuity and Contrast Sensitivity Development in Children: Sweep Visually Evoked Potential and Psychophysics.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the development of visual acuity (VA) and contrast sensitivity in children as measured with objective (sweep visually evoked potential) and subjective, psychophysical techniques, including signal detection theory (SDT), which attempts to control for differences in criterion or behavior between adults and children. Furthermore, this study examines the possibility of applying SDT methods with children.

Methods: Visual acuity and contrast thresholds were measured in 12 children 6 to 7 years old, 10 children 8 to 9 years old, 10 children 10 to 12 years old, and 16 adults.

Orthoptic Treatment of Convergence Insufficiency in Parkinson's Disease: A Case Series.

This study reports a case series of orthoptic treatment (OT) for convergence insufficiency (CI) in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). We are reporting two cases of individuals with PD who completed OT for CI. Both had a confirmed diagnosis of CI, accompanied by CI-type symptomatology.

Prevalence of Convergence Insufficiency in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: We recently reported that convergence insufficiency (CI)-type visual symptomatology was more prevalent in participants with Parkinson's disease (PD), compared to controls. The objective of this work was to determine the prevalence of a confirmed clinical diagnosis of CI in PD, compared to controls.

Methods: Participants with (n = 80) and without (n = 80) PD were recruited and received an eye exam.

Value of Routine Eye Examinations in Asymptomatic Patients.

Purpose: To determine if routine eye examinations in asymptomatic patients result in spectacle prescription change, new critical diagnosis, or new management of existing conditions. We also investigate whether age and time between assessments (assessment interval) impact detection rates.

Methods: The Waterloo Eye Study (WatES) database was created from a retrospective file review of 6397 patients seen at the University of Waterloo Optometry Clinic.

Refractive plasticity of the developing chick eye: a summary and update.

Purpose: To summarize the OPO 1992 Classic Paper: Refractive plasticity of the developing chick eye (12: 448-452) and discuss recent findings in refractive development.

Summary And Recent Findings: The classic paper shows that when lightweight plastic goggles with rigid contact lens inserts are applied to the eyes of newly hatched chicks, the eye responds accurately to defocus between -10 and +20 D, although hyperopia develops more rapidly. While the changes largely are due to change in axial length, high levels of hyperopia are associated with corneal flattening.