Visual Rehabilitation (visual + rehabilitation)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


3334: Corneal dystrophies: the paediatric corneal specialist view

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2010
KK NISCHAL
Purpose To describe the range of corneal dystrophies presenting to a tertiary refferral paediatric ophthalmology centre and the treatment approach to these various dystrophies Methods Retrospective review of case notes between Jan 1999 and March 2010 Results The range of corneal dystrophies presenting varied from Meesmans, Map-Dot , Reis-Buckler, Posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy, congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy, Granular and Lattice -Granular and the newly described x linked endothelial corneal dystrophy. The youngest child to present with symptoms was 14 months old. Management approach depended on the ultimate goal of allowing normal visual developemnt until the age of 8 years. Amblyopia plays a great role in the eventual visual outcome in children with corneal transplant surgery also riddled with difficulties in young children. Conclusion The classical descriptions of corneal dystrophies are not how they present in children . Certain symptoms and signs may tip the clinician off to the possibility of a corneal dystrophy. Visual rehabilitation in children is time limited and must be the priority for the treating physician. [source]


Improvement of reading speed after providing of low vision aids in patients with age-related macular degeneration

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 8 2009
Nhung Xuan Nguyen
Abstract. Purpose:, Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of severe visual impairment, including loss of reading ability, among elderly persons in developed countries. The aim of the present study was to evaluate reading ability before and after providing of appropriate low vision aids. Methods:, Five hundred and thirty patients with different stages of AMD (age 82 ± 8 years) were included in this retrospective study. All patients underwent a standardized ophthalmological examination including evaluation of magnification requirement and careful providing of low vision aids. Before and after the provision of low vision aids, reading speed [words per minute (wpm)] was evaluated using standardized reading texts. Results:, For the whole group, the average best-corrected distance visual acuity of the better eye was 0.18 ± 0.15, with 69% of patients having visual acuity of 0.1 (20/200) or better. The mean magnification requirement was 7.4 ± 6.3-fold (range 2,25). Visual rehabilitation was achieved with optical visual aids in 58% of patients, whereas 42% of patients needed electronically closed-circuit TV systems. Mean reading speed was 20 ± 33 wpm before and increased significantly to 72 ± 35 (p < 0.0001) after the provision of low vision aids for the whole group. Between patients with visual acuity < 0.1 and patients with visual acuity of 0.1 or better, there are highly significant differences in reading speed before (0.4 ± 3.8 versus 20 ± 28 wpm, p , 0.0001) and after providing of visual aids (40 ± 13 versus 84 ± 30 wpm, p , 0.0001). Patients with severe visual impairment (visual acuity , 0.1) showed significantly lower improvement of reading speed compared to patients with visual acuity of 0.1 or better following rehabilitation (p , 0.0001). Before providing of low vision aids, only 16% of patients were able to read; in contrast, reading ability was achieved in 94% of patients after the provision of low vision aids for the whole group. Conclusion:, Our results indicate the great value of low vision rehabilitation through adequate providing of vision aids for the improvement of reading ability, with a highly significant increase of reading speed without training of eccentric viewing in patients with retained central fixation. The prompt implementation of low vision aids in patients with macular degeneration will help them to maintain and regain their reading ability, which can lead to an increase in independence, communication, mental agility and quality of life. [source]


Improving the optics of KPros

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2009
C HULL
Purpose The purpose of this talk is to review the clinically relevant optical and visual requirements of keratoprostheses. Methods Modelling of designs using commerical and purpose-written optical design software as well as clinical measurments on a small number of patients implanted with the osteo-odonto keratprosthesis optical cylinder. Results The important visual optical proerties of any keratoprosthesis optic are the foveal image quality (affecting the acuity) and the field of view. These fundamentally depend upon the pupil size, and the length and diameter of the optic since the power must be fixed to give emmetropia. The axial image quality can be changed by controlling the spherical aberration. However, maximising axial (foveal) image quality causes poorer off-axis image quality potentially reducing the effective visual field. Shorter, larger diameter optics help improve the visual field as well as consideration of off-axis image quality. Conclusion The theoretical properties of keratoprosthesis optics must be balanced against other clinical requirements such as longterm complications and stability. The clinical requirements provide the constraints on the optical design. However, discussions can usefully happen between surgeons and those involved in the design of the optics to give the best possible visual rehabilitation. [source]


A longitudinal study of visual acuity and visual rehabilitation needs in an urban Swedish population followed from the ages of 70 to 97 years of age

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 6 2002
Birgitta Bergman
ABSTRACT. 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 (, 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 , 0.1 increased from 1.4% at age 70 to 27% (all women) at age 97. The deterioration was faster at higher ages. No statistically significant difference in best-corrected distance VA between genders was found. A substantial improvement was achieved by correcting refractive errors. There was a statistically significant correlation between distance VA and the probability of independent living at all ages except age 97. At ages 95 and 97, about 50% of the study group were able to read newspaper print with best-corrected glasses. Conclusions:, The number of old people with impaired vision will increase. People aged 80 years and older should have regular eye-screening in order to preserve vision and present conditions of living. Cataract surgery and low vision rehabilitation should be offered when the subject can still benefit from it, preferably during their 80s at the latest. [source]


Contact lens management of infantile aphakia

CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPTOMETRY, Issue 1 2010
Richard G Lindsay BScOptom MBA FAAO (DipCL) FCLSA FVCO
The visual outcomes for infants 18 months or younger with cataracts have improved dramatically over the past couple of decades. Earlier detection of infantile cataract and prompt surgical removal,with subsequent visual rehabilitation with contact lenses,mean that these patients now have a much better visual prognosis. Advances in contact lens technology have led to a significantly higher success rate with contact lenses and this has been a major factor in improving the visual outcomes for aphakic infants. This review outlines the contact lens management of infantile cataract, including a detailed analysis of the various contact lens options available and a discussion regarding the important factors that can cause issues with contact lens wear and affect the overall visual rehabilitation of the infant. [source]