Optometry and Vision Science

Automated Eye Tracking Enables Saccade Performance Evaluation of Patients with Concussion History

imageSIGNIFICANCE

Automated eye tracking could be used to evaluate saccade performance of patients with concussion history, providing quantitative insights about the degree of oculomotor impairment and potential vision rehabilitation strategies for this patient population.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the saccade performance of patients with concussion history based on automated eye-tracking test results.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of patients with concussion history, primarily from sports participation, who underwent oculomotor testing based on an eye-tracking technology at the Duke Eye Center vision rehabilitation clinic between June 30, 2017, and January 10, 2022. Patients’ saccade test results were reviewed, including saccade fixation and saccade speed/accuracy ratio. The outcomes were compared with age-matched normative population data derived from healthy individuals. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with saccade performance among patients with concussion history.

RESULTS:

On hundred fifteen patients with concussion history were included in the study. Patients with concussion, on average, had fewer fixations on self-paced horizontal and vertical saccade tests and lower horizontal and vertical saccade speed/accuracy ratios compared with normative ranges. Among patients with concussion history, multiple linear regression analyses showed that older age was associated with fewer fixations on horizontal and vertical saccade tests, whereas male sex was associated with more fixations on horizontal and vertical saccade tests (all P

By Song, Ailin; Gabriel, Rami; Mohiuddin, Omar; Whitaker, Diane; Wisely, C. Ellis; Kim, Terry, ago

Diurnal Variation in Accommodation, Binocular Vergence, and Pupil Size

imageSIGNIFICANCE

Our results show significant diurnal variations in accommodative function and the magnitude of the phoria. Therefore, when comparing visual measures in clinical or laboratory settings, performing the visual examination at the same time of day (±1 hour) is encouraged.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accommodation, binocular vergence, and pupil behavior on three different times during the day.

METHODS

Twenty collegiate students (22.8 ± 2.1 years) participated in this study. Participants visited the laboratory on three different days at 2-hourly intervals (morning, 9:00 to 11:00 am; afternoon, 2:00 to 4:00 pm; evening, 7:00 to 9:00 pm). The binocular vergence and accommodative function were measured using clinical optometric procedures, and the accommodative response and pupil function were evaluated in binocular conditions using the WAM-5500 autorefractometer.

RESULTS

The accommodative amplitude for the right and left eyes showed statistically significant differences for the time interval (P = .001 and P = .02, respectively), revealing higher accommodative amplitude in the morning and afternoon in comparison with the evening. Participants were more esophoric when assessed in the morning in comparison with the evening at far and near (P = .02 and P = .01, respectively) and when assessed in the afternoon in comparison with the evening at far distance (P = .02). The magnitude of accommodative response was higher in the morning, and it decreased throughout the day at 500 (P

By , ago

Relationship of Low-luminance Visual Acuity with Ocular Aberrations in Older Participants

imageSIGNIFICANCE

This study highlights the importance of twilight adaptation for reliable assessment of low-luminance visual acuity and understanding the relationship between low-luminance visual acuity and ocular aberrations.

PURPOSE

The human eye experiences reduced visual acuity as luminance decreases owing to reduced retinal and optical resolutions; however, the details are unclear. This study aimed to quantify the effects of refraction, pupil diameter, and ocular aberrations on visual acuity during the transition from high- to low-light environments, thereby contributing to the standardization of low-luminance visual acuity measurements.

METHODS

In total, 27 older participants with a mean age of 70.0 ± 4.1 years were included in this study. Visual acuity was measured according to the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) protocol with three luminance conditions: high luminance (300 cd/m2), low luminance (10 cd/m2), and low luminance with short-term (15-minute) twilight adaptation (10 cd/m2).

RESULTS

The mean logarithm of minimum angle of resolution values of visual acuity were −0.09 ± 0.09, 0.10 ± 0.13, and 0.03 ± 0.09 at 300, 10, and 10 cd/m2 with twilight adaptation, respectively. Multiple regression analysis determined that spherical aberration (P

By Iizuka, Tatsuya; Kawamorita, Takushi; Handa, Tomoya; Ishikawa, Hitoshi, ago

Financial Inequities in Optometric Education in Canada: A Comparison of Two Optometry Programs

imageSIGNIFICANCE

The advancing age of the population will require increased access to eye care services to manage eye diseases and vision correction. Optometric education requires a sound financial plan to manage student debt. This study evaluates the financial inequalities of optometric programs in Canada and how this may impact the provision of eye care professionals.

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to compare the financial inequities in optometric education in Canada from the 2020 graduating class.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study assessed monetary variables related to the study of optometry in Canada, including academic and personal expenses, and overall debt and expenses related to the COVID-19 lockdown for the 2020 graduating class.

RESULTS

A total of 108 optometry students from the 2020 graduating classes of the University of Montreal and the University of Waterloo responded, with 68 (female/male respondents, 53:15; mean [standard deviation] age, 25.66 [2.01] years) completing the study. Waterloo students spent more years in university (P

By Bitton, Etty; Jones, Deborah; Wittich, Walter, ago