METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted including 34 healthy participants with a mean age of 22.26 ± 1.88 years. AA was measured using dynamic retinoscopy and the push-up, pull-away, modified push-up, and minus-lens techniques.
RESULTS: The mean AA scores for the push-up, pull-away, minus-lens, and modified push-up techniques and dynamic retinoscopy were 11.38 ± 2.03, 10.35 ± 1.64, 9.24 ± 1.18, 8.26 ± 1.44, and 7.2 ± 1.0 diopters, respectively. No AA measurements showed significant difference among ethnicities (Chinese, Malay, and Indian). This study suggested that AA obtained using push-up (p = 0.005) and pull-away (p = 0.017) methods and dynamic retinoscopy (p = 0.041) were significantly different according to sex. No significant difference was observed in AA for the minus-lens (p = 0.051) and modified push-up (p = 0.216) techniques by sex. A moderately negative correlation was found between AA and age for the push-up (r = -0.434, p = 0.010), pull-away (r = -0.412, p = 0.016), and minus-lens (r = -0.509, p = 0.002) techniques and dynamic retinoscopy (r = -0.497, p = 0.003). A weak negative correlation was found between age and AA measured using a modified push-up technique (r = -0.393, p = 0.022).
CONCLUSIONS: Mean AA was highest for the push-up technique, followed by the pull-away technique, the minus-lens technique, the modified push up technique, and dynamic retinoscopy. The push-up and pull-away methods and dynamic retinoscopy showed a significant difference in measurement of AA between sexes.
METHODS: A cross-over, randomised study was carried out on 40 individuals (11 males and 29 females) aged 21 to 30 years. The rate of reading and reading accuracy was calculated with and without ChromaGen blue filter lens in all subjects. Wilkins Rate of Reading Test was used to measure the rate of reading and reading accuracy. Contrast sensitivity was also evaluated by using with and without the ChromaGen blue filter lens.
RESULTS: The mean rate of reading with and without ChromaGen blue filter lens was 160.58±16.03 words per minute and 150.52±15.66 words per minute respectively, with significant difference of p<0.001. The mean of reading accuracy (words correctly read per minute) in subjects, with ChromaGen blue filter was 149.30±0.79 words and without using filter lens was 148.53±1.11 words and found to be significant (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in the contrast sensitivity between subjects with and without the ChromaGen blue filter lens (p=0.083). No significant correlation was noted between the reading speed with age, spherical equivalent, contrast sensitivity, and reading accuracy.
CONCLUSION: This study concludes that there was an increase of 6.68% in the rate of reading and improvement of 0.52% in accuracy among subjects with ChromaGen blue filter lens.
METHODS: This prospective, interventional study was conducted on primary school children with dyslexia aged 8 - 11 years. The participants underwent comprehensive ophthalmic and optometric examinations and were categorized into groups A, B, and C, comprising primary school children at level 1 or 2. Groups A and B received combined VTM and MOE interventions for 12 and 24 weeks, respectively, and group C received MOE intervention alone. The reading performance was assessed at baseline and 12, 24, and 36 weeks post-intervention.
RESULTS: Both components of the reading performance improved significantly for school children at both levels in all study groups (all P < 0.05). However, the reading performance improvement was only approximately 28% in group C and 38% - 50% in groups A and B. In group A, students at level 1 showed significantly improved reading speed from baseline to 12 weeks post-VTM intervention and reading rate from baseline to 24 weeks post-VTM intervention (both P < 0.05). Students at level 2 showed significantly improved reading speed and rate from baseline to 12 and 24 weeks post-VTM intervention (all P < 0.05). In group B, students at both levels showed significantly improved reading speed and rate from baseline to 24 and 36 weeks post-VTM intervention (all P < 0.05). Students at level 2 showed significantly improved reading speed 12 weeks after cessation of intervention (at 36 weeks post-VTM intervention) compared to 24 weeks post-VTM intervention (P < 0.05). The improvement remaining stable 12 weeks after discontinuation of intervention indicated a sustained effect.
CONCLUSIONS: Combined or individual intervention improved the reading performance of school children with dyslexia at levels 1 and 2. However, combined intervention showed a better reading improvement effect. Improvement in the reading performance was maintained after discontinuation of the VTM intervention. Further interventional studies with a longer study period after discontinuation of this optical intervention are required to confirm the long-term sustainability of its positive effects on the reading performance of school children with dyslexia.
SETTING: Nationwide data from the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) of Malaysia.
PARTICIPANTS: A stratified random sample of workers registered with the SOCSO of Malaysia with documentation of eye injury.
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Characteristics of eye injuries and medical costs related to eye injury (primary) and return-to-work status (secondary).
RESULTS: A total of 884 from 8861 case files workplace accidents involving eye injury registered with Social Security Services (SOCSO) were identified. The mean age was 35±10 years and the highest incidence of work-related eye injury occurred in the age group 30-39 years and among Malay ethnics. Males are affected more than females' workers. The highest cause of eye injury was the impact from a moving object excluding falling objects (89.2%) and anterior segment injuries occurred more than posterior segment injuries. The total direct and Indirect medical cost was RM1 108 098.00 (US$316 599.40) and RM4 150 140.00 (US$1 185 754.20) for 884 cases.
CONCLUSION: The majority of workers suffered from the low level of eye injury. A significant relationship was found between the severity of eye injury and employee work status. The indirect cost of medical and vision rehabilitation was higher than the direct cost. Awareness and vision rehabilitation programmes at the workplace need to be addressed for better prevention and rehabilitative service.