Female carriers of X-linked inherited retinal diseases - Genetics, diagnosis, and potential therapies.

Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are a group of heterogeneous conditions that cause progressive vision loss, typically due to monogenic mutations. Female carriers of X-linked IRDs have a single copy of the disease-causing gene, and therefore, may exhibit variable clinical signs that vary from near normal retina to severe disease and vision loss. The relationships between individual genetic mutations and disease severity in X-linked carriers requires further study.

Microperimetry as an Outcome Measure in RPGR-associated Retinitis Pigmentosa Clinical Trials.

Purpose: To explore which microperimetry sensitivity index (pointwise sensitivity, mean sensitivity, and volume sensitivity) is suitable as a microperimetry outcome measure in patients with X-linked RPGR-associated retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Methods: Microperimetry data from patients with RPGR-associated RP were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Fourteen participants completed triplicate microperimetry testing, across 2 consecutive days for the repeatability analyses.

A cross-sectional study to assess the clinical utility of modern visual function assessments in patients with inherited retinal disease: a mixed methods observational study protocol.

Background: Treatment options for patients with inherited retinal disease are limited, although research into novel therapies is underway. To ensure the success of future clinical trials, appropriate visual function outcome measures that can assess changes resulting from therapeutic interventions are urgently required. Rod-cone degenerations are the most common type of inherited retinal disease.

Microperimetry Reliability Assessed From Fixation Performance.

Purpose: Microperimetry provides an accurate assessment of central retinal sensitivity due to its fundus-tracking capability, but it has limited reliability indicators. One method currently employed, fixation loss, samples the optic nerve blind spot for positive responses; however, it is unclear if these responses arise from unintentional button presses or from tracking failure leading to stimuli misplacement. We investigated the relationship between blind spot scotoma positive responses (termed scotoma responses) and fixation.

Confusion around Certification of Vision Impairment (CVI) and registration processes-are patients falling through the cracks?

Background: In the UK, the Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) certifies a person as sight impaired (partially sighted) or severely sight impaired (blind). This is completed by ophthalmologists and passed with the patient's consent to their GP, their local authority, and The Royal College of Ophthalmologists Certifications office. Once a person is certified, they can be registered by their local authority which is voluntary but enables the person to access rehabilitation or habitation services, financial concessions, welfare benefits and other services provided by local authorities.

Associations between Accommodative Facility, Age, and Refractive Errors in Early, Older Adolescent Myopes and Emmetropes.

Background: Accommodative functions are known to differ between myopes and emmetropes. It is not known whether accommodative facility differs at near between younger adolescent and older adolescent myopes and emmetropes.

Aim: To examine whether accommodative facility differs at near between younger and older adolescent myopes and emmetropes.

Global Trends in Blindness and Vision Impairment Resulting from Corneal Opacity 1984-2020: A Meta-analysis.

Topic: We provide global estimates of the prevalence of corneal blindness and vision impairment in adults 40 years of age and older and examine the burden by age, sex, and geographic region from 1984 through 2020.

Clinical Relevance: Corneal opacities (COs) are among the top 5 causes of blindness worldwide, yet the global prevalence, regional differences, and risk factors are unclear.

Methods: Abstracted data from the published literature and surveys were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Vision Loss Expert Group.

Intravitreal dexamethasone to manage post endothelial keratoplasty cystoid macular oedema refractory to topical therapy.

Background/objectives: To describe the visual and clinical outcomes of patients with post endothelial keratoplasty (EK) cystoid macular oedema (CMO) refractory to topical treatment with intravitreal sustained-release dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex).

Subjects/methods: 131 eyes from 111 patients undergoing solitary or combined EK (52 DSAEK (40.0%) and 79 DMEK (60.

Global prevalence of developmental disabilities in children and adolescents: A systematic umbrella review.

Aim: The provisions of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for disability-inclusive education have stimulated a growing interest in ascertaining the prevalence of children with developmental disabilities globally. We aimed to systematically summarize the prevalence estimates of developmental disabilities in children and adolescents reported in systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Methods: For this umbrella review we searched PubMed, Scopus, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library for systematic reviews published in English between September 2015 and August 2022.

The effects of age and central field loss on maintaining balance control when stepping up to a new level under time-pressure.

Objective: To investigate the effects of age and central field loss on the landing mechanics and balance control when stepping up to a new level under time-pressure.

Methods: Eight older individuals with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), eight visually normal older and eight visually normal younger individuals negotiated a floor-based obstacle followed by a 'step-up to a new level' task. The task was performed under (1) no-pressure; (2) time-pressure: an intermittent tone was played that increased in frequency and participants had to complete the task before the tone ceased.

Self-reported dual sensory impairment and related factors: a European population-based cross-sectional survey.

Background: Data on population-based self-reported dual vision and hearing impairment are sparse in Europe. We aimed to investigate self-reported dual sensory impairment (DSI) in European population.

Methods: A standardised questionnaire was used to collect medical and socio-economic data among individuals aged 15 years or more in 29 European countries.

Assessment of Scotopic Function in Rod-Cone Inherited Retinal Degeneration With the Scotopic Macular Integrity Assessment.

Purpose: The scotopic macular integrity assessment (S-MAIA) can perform scotopic assessment to detect localized changes to scotopic rod and cone function. This study is an exploratory investigation of the feasibility of using the S-MAIA in a rod-cone dystrophy population to identify the pattern of loss in scotopic photoreceptor function.

Methods: Twenty patients diagnosed with a rod-cone dystrophy underwent visual acuity testing, full-field stimulus threshold assessment, and multiple S-MAIA tests after dark adaptation periods of 20 minutes and 45 minutes performed separately.

Individual patient-centered target-driven intervention to improve clinical outcomes of diabetes, health literacy, and self-care practices in Nepal: A randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: To examine the effectiveness of a culturally and linguistically appropriate, patient-centered, target-driven lifestyle intervention with video education training in improving clinical outcomes, health literacy, and diabetic self-care practices in newly diagnosed patients in Nepal.

Methods: A total of 110 participants with newly and consequently diagnosed Type 2 were randomly allocated into intervention (mean age = 45 ± 9.7 years) and control (mean age = 47 ± 12.

Mental health support across the sight loss pathway: a qualitative exploration of eye care patients, optometrists, and ECLOs.

Background: The process of becoming visually impaired or blind is undoubtedly a highly emotional experience, requiring practical and psychological support. Information on mental health support provision in the UK across the sight-loss pathway, however, is largely unknown, especially amongst healthcare practitioners that are often sought after for advice: the referring optometrist and eye clinic liaison officer (ECLO). This study aims to ascertain the perceived accessibility and quality of mental health support across the sight-loss pathway.

Harnessing the potential of practice-based clinical optometry research in the United Kingdom.

Research is the core of evidence-based practice across all healthcare, in order to ensure optimum patient care. The College of Optometrists is a national standard setting institution for optometric practice in the United Kingdom. However, the standards are only as good as the available evidence, and currently there is little evidence relating directly to optometric practice.

Associations between diabetic retinopathy, mortality, disease, and mental health: an umbrella review of observational meta-analyses.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes affecting the eyes and can lead to blindless if left untreated. Several significant risk factors have been reported for DR, of which several can be classified as some form of disease. Furthermore, several systematic reviews have reported associations between several types of mortality and DR.

Finger-Prick Autologous Blood (FAB) Eye Drops for Dry Eye Disease: Single Masked Multi-Centre Randomised Controlled Trial.

Purpose: To investigate the quantitative and qualitative efficacy of finger-prick autologous blood (FAB) eye drops versus conventional medical therapy for the treatment of severe dry eye disease (DED).

Methods: Two centre, single masked, randomised controlled trial. Sixty patients in total were recruited with thirty patients (sixty eyes) treated with FAB eye drops four times per day in addition to their conventional DED treatment, and thirty patients (fifty-eight eyes) served as control subjects on conventional treatment alone.

Multimodal Analysis of the Visual Pathways in Friedreich's Ataxia Reveals Novel Biomarkers.

Background: Optic neuropathy is a near ubiquitous feature of Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA). Previous studies have examined varying aspects of the anterior and posterior visual pathways but none so far have comprehensively evaluated the heterogeneity of degeneration across different areas of the retina, changes to the macula layers and combined these with volumetric MRI studies of the visual cortex and frataxin level.

Methods: We investigated 62 genetically confirmed FRDA patients using an integrated approach as part of an observational cohort study.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding antimicrobial usage, spread and resistance emergence in commercial poultry farms of Rajshahi district in Bangladesh.

Background: Inappropriate and injudicious use of antimicrobials in broiler and layer farms has become a common practice in lower and middle-income countries including Bangladesh. This study aimed to assess poultry farmers' knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding antimicrobial usage (AMU), and their beliefs in factors that affect antimicrobial resistance (AMR) spread and emergence in humans through commercial poultry farms in Bangladesh.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 204 farmers (95.

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Microthin Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty With Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty: Two-Year Report.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to report the 2-year outcomes of a double-blinded randomized controlled trial comparing Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and microthin Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (MT-DSAEK).

Methods: Fifty-six eyes of 56 patients were randomized to DMEK or microthin DSAEK (MT-DSAEK). The main outcome measure was best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) at 24 months.

The Effect of Cataract on Color Vision Measurement with the Low-Vision Cambridge Colour Test: Providing an Adjustment Factor for Clinical Trials.

Purpose: To quantify the effect of cataract on color vision as measured by the low-vision Cambridge Colour Test (lvCCT; Cambridge Research Systems) and to understand whether different types and severities of cataract have different effects on color vision.

Design: Cohort study.

Participants: Patients aged 18 to 95 undergoing routine cataract surgery at the Oxford Eye Hospital.

Global and regional prevalence of disabilities among children and adolescents: Analysis of findings from global health databases.

Objective: The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) require population-based data on children with disabilities to inform global policies and intervention programs. We set out to compare the prevalence estimates of disabilities among children and adolescents younger than 20 years as reported by the world's leading organizations for global health statistics.

Methods: We purposively searched the disability reports and databases of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank and the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) Study.