An objective technique to measure the depth-of-focus in free space

BCLA CLEAR Presbyopia: Evaluation and diagnosis

It is important to be able to measure the range of clear focus in clinical practice to advise on presbyopia correction techniques and to optimise the correction power. Both subjective and objective techniques are necessary: subjective techniques (such as patient reported outcome questionnaires and defocus curves) assess the impact of presbyopia on a patient and how the combination of residual objective accommodation and their natural DoF work for them; objective techniques (such as autorefraction, corneal topography and lens imaging) allow the clinician to understand how well a technique is working optically and whether it is the right choice or how adjustments can be made to optimise performance. Techniques to assess visual performance and adverse effects must be carefully conducted to gain a reliable end-point, considering the target size, contrast and illumination. Objective techniques are generally more reliable, can help to explain unexpected subjective results and imaging can be a powerful communication tool with patients. A clear diagnosis, excluding factors such as binocular vision issues or digital eye strain that can also cause similar symptoms, is critical for the patient to understand and adapt to presbyopia. Some corrective options are more permanent, such as implanted inlays / intraocular lenses or laser refractive surgery, so the optics can be trialled with contact lenses in advance (including differences between the eyes) to better communicate with the patient how the optics will work for them so they can make an informed choice.

Effects of Lens-Induced Astigmatism at Near and Far Distances

Purpose

To investigate and compare the degradation of visual acuity (VA) in myopic presbyopes due to lens-induced astigmatism at near and at far distance.

Patients and Methods

Fourteen corrected myopic presbyopes were recruited. VA (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) was measured binocularly for different conditions of lens-induced astigmatism: cylindrical powers of -0.25, -0.50, -0.75, -1.00, -1.50, and -2.00 diopters (and positive spherical power of half the cylindrical power) with two axis orientations (with-the-rule WTR and against-the-rule ATR) were added to their optical correction. Measurements were carried out at far and near distance both in photopic and mesopic conditions, and for high and low contrast (HC/LC) stimuli. The paired Wilcoxon signed-rank statistics test was used to evaluate difference between conditions.

Results

The measured VA as a function of the lens-induced astigmatism was described by regression lines in all investigated experimental conditions. The angular coefficients (slopes) of these lines represent the VA degradation, ie, the variation in logMAR corresponding to the addition of 1.00 diopters of cylindrical power. In photopic HC conditions, the VA degradation is significantly more pronounced at far distance than at near distance (0.22±0.06 diopters^-1 vs 0.15±0.05 diopters^-1, p = 0.0061 in WTR conditions; 0.18±0.06 diopters^-1 vs 0.12±0.05 diopters^-1, p = 0.0017 in ATR conditions), although VAs at near and at far with zero cylinder were similar (-0.14±0.10 vs -0.14±0.08, p = 0.824).

Conclusion

The better tolerance to lens-induced astigmatism blur at near than at far distance in photopic conditions with HC stimuli is tentatively attributed to a possible experience-mediated neural compensation associated to the tendency of the eye toward an inherent astigmatism at near.

A Systematic Review of Current Teleophthalmology Services in New Zealand Compared to the Four Comparable Countries of the United Kingdom, Australia, United States of America (USA) and Canada

BACKGROUND

Over 700,000 New Zealanders (NZ), particularly elderly and Māori, live without timely access to specialist ophthalmology services. Teleophthalmology is a widely recognised tool that can assist in overcoming resource and distance barriers. Teleophthalmology gained unprecedented traction in NZ during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown. However, its provision is still limited and there are equity issues. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review identifying, describing and contrasting teleophthalmology services in NZ with the comparable countries of Australia, USA, Canada and the United Kingdom.

METHODS

The electronic databases Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Google were systemically searched using the keywords: telemedicine, ophthalmology, tele-ophthalmology/teleophthalmology. The searches were filtered to the countries above, with no time constraints. An integrative approach was used to synthesise findings.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty-two studies were identified describing 90 discrete teleophthalmology services. Articles spanned from 1997 to 2020. Models were categorised into general eye care (n=21; 16%); emergency/trauma (n=6; 4.5%); school screening (n=25; 19%); artificial intelligence (AI) (n=23; 18%); and disease-specific models of care (MOC) (n=57; 43%). The most common diseases addressed were diabetic retinopathy (n=23; 17%); retinopathy of prematurity (n=9; 7%); and glaucoma (n=8; 6%). Programs were mainly centred in the US (n=72; 54.5%), followed by the UK (n=29; 22%), then Canada (n=16; 12%), Australia (n=13; 10%), with the fewest identified in NZ (n=3; 2%). Models generally involved an ophthalmologist consultative service, remote supervision and triaging. Most models involved local clinicians transmitting fed-forward or live images.

CONCLUSION

Teleophthalmology will likely play a crucial role in the future of eye care. COVID-19 has offered a unique opportunity to observe the use of teleophthalmology services globally. Feed-forward and, increasingly, live-based teleophthalmology services have demonstrated feasibility and cost-effectiveness in similar countries internationally. New Zealand's teleophthalmology services, however, are currently limited. Investing in strategic partnerships and technology at a national level can advance health equities in ophthalmic care.

Is blur sensitivity altered in children with progressive myopia?

School aged children with progressive myopia show large accommodative lags to blur only cue which is suggestive of a large depth of focus (DOF). While DOF measures are lacking in this age group, their blur detection and discrimination capacities appear to be similar to their non-myopic peers. Accordingly, the current study quantified DOF and blur detection ability in progressive myopic children showing large accommodative lags compared to their non-myopic peers and adults. Blur sensitivity measures were taken from 12 children (8-13 years, 6 myopes and 6 emmetropes) and 6 adults (20-35 years). DOF was quantified using step changes in the lens induced defocus while the subjects viewed a high contrast target through a Badal lens at either 2 or 4D demand. Blur detection thresholds (BDT) were tested using a similar high contrast target in a 2-alternate forced-choice paradigm (2AFC) at both the demands. In addition to the large accommodative lags, micro fluctuations and DOF were significantly larger in myopic children compared to the other groups. However, BDTs were similar across the three groups. When limited to blur cues, the findings of a large DOF coupled with large response lags suggests that myopes are less sensitive to retinal defocus. However, in agreement to a previous study, refractive error had no influence on their BDTs suggesting that the reduced sensitivity to the defocus in a myopic eye appears to be compensated by some form of an adjustment in the higher visual processes to preserve the subjective percept even with a poor retinal image quality.

The Influence of Induced Astigmatism on the Depth of Focus

PURPOSE

To evaluate whether an induced astigmatism influences the subjective depth of focus.

METHODS

Fifty-one participants aged 18 to 35 years and with a mean spherical equivalent refractive error of -0.51 ± 2.35 DS participated in the study. The accommodation was blocked with three drops of 1% cyclopentolate. Refractive errors were corrected after subjective refraction with a 4-mm artificial pupil. To evaluate the depth of focus (DoF), defocus curves with a spherical range of ±1.5 DS were assessed. The DoF was calculated as the horizontal distance at a threshold level of +0.1 logMAR from the maximum visual acuity (VA). Defocus curves were estimated binocularly during distance (500 cm) and a near vision (40 cm) for two induced axis (ATR in 0° and WTR in 90°) and for a fixed amount of astigmatic defocus of -0.5 DC.

RESULTS

The mean natural DoF was 0.885 ± 0.316 D for far vision and 0.940 ± 0.400 D for near vision. With induced astigmatism, the DoF for far vision was significantly increased to 1.095 ± 0.421 D (p = 0.006, ANOVA) for the WTR astigmatism but not for the ATR astigmatism (1.030 ± 0.395 D; p = 0.164, ANOVA). The induced WTR astigmatism enhanced the DoF for near vision significantly to 1.144 ± 0.338 D (p = 0.04, ANOVA), and DoF with induced ATR astigmatism (0.953 ± 0.318 D) was not significantly different (p = 1.00, ANOVA). ATR-astigmatism reduced VA by +0.08 ± 0.08 logMAR (p < 0.01, t-test).

CONCLUSIONS

With an induced WTR astigmatism of -0.5 DC, the DoF can be enhanced in the near viewing distance with a marginal loss in binocular VA. The approach of using induced WTR astigmatism can lead to novel optical treatments for presbyopia.

Advantages, limitations, and diagnostic accuracy of photoscreeners in early detection of amblyopia: a review

Amblyopia detection is important to ensure proper visual development and avoid permanent decrease of visual acuity. This condition does not produce symptoms, so it is difficult to diagnose if a vision problem actually exists. However, because amblyopia treatment is limited by age, early diagnosis is of paramount relevance. Traditional vision screening (conducted in <3 years) is related with difficulty in getting cooperation from a subject to conduct the eye exam, so accurate objective methods to improve amblyopia detection are necessary. Handheld devices used for photoscreening or autorefraction could offer advantages to improve amblyopia screening because they reduce exploration time to just few seconds, no subject collaboration is needed, and they provide objective information. The purpose of this review is to summarize the main functions and clinical applicability of commercially available devices for early detection of amblyopia and to describe their differences, advantages, and limitations. Although the studies reviewed are heterogeneous (due to wide differences in referral criteria, use of different risk factors, different types of samples studied, etc), these devices provide objective measures in a quick and objective way with a simple outcome report: retest, pass, or refer. However, due to major limitations, these devices are not recommended, and their use in clinical practice is limited.

Accommodation and pupil responses to random-dot stereograms

We investigated the dynamics of accommodative and pupillary responses to random-dot stereograms presented in crossed and uncrossed disparity in six visually normal young adult subjects (mean age=25.8±3.1 years). Accommodation and pupil measures were monitored monocularly with a custom built photorefraction system while subjects fixated at the center of a random-dot stereogram. On each trial, the stereogram initially depicted a flat plane and then changed to depict a sinusoidal corrugation in depth while fixation remained constant. Increase in disparity specified depth resulted in pupil constriction during both crossed and uncrossed disparity presentations. The change in pupil size between crossed and uncrossed disparity conditions was not significantly different (p>0.05). The change in pupil size was also accompanied by a small concomitant increase in accommodation. In addition, the dynamic properties of pupil responses varied as a function of their initial (starting) diameter. The finding that accommodation and pupil responses increased with disparity regardless of the sign of retinal disparity suggests that these responses were driven by apparent depth rather than shifts in mean simulated distance of the stimulus. Presumably the need for the increased depth of focus when viewing stimuli extended in depth results in pupil constriction which also results in a concomitant change in accommodation. Starting position effects in pupil response confirm the non-linearity in the operating range of the pupil.

Static accommodative responses following adaptation to differential levels of blur

PURPOSE

To investigate the effects of two levels of blur adaptation on visual resolution and steady-state accommodation responses in emmetropes and myopes.

METHODS

Eleven emmetropes (mean refractive error +0.01 +/- 0.31 DS) and 11 early-onset myopes (EOM, mean refractive error -4.44 +/- 1.64 DS) fixated monocularly at 4 m in three trials of 45 min duration with either: optimal refractive correction, +1 DS defocus, or +3 DS defocus. Monocular logMAR visual acuity (VA) was measured at 10 min intervals during each trial, and immediately following completion of the trial. Accommodative stimulus-response function (ASRF), refractive error and pupil size were measured before and after each trial.

RESULTS

Blur adaptation was found to have no effect on pupil size or baseline refraction, irrespective of the power of the blurring lens. Adaptation to +1 DS of defocus yielded an improvement in VA of -0.16 +/- 0.07 logMAR and -0.17 +/- 0.11 logMAR in the emmetropes and myopes respectively. An improvement in VA of -0.20 +/- 0.18 logMAR in the emmetropes and -0.26 +/- 0.17 logMAR in the myopes was observed following adaptation to +3 DS of defocus. The changes in acuity became significant following 30 min of exposure to defocus. Blur adaptation was found to have no effect on the ASRF gradient or individual steady-state accommodative responses.

CONCLUSIONS

Following blur adaptation, visual resolution was found to increase in both emmetropes and myopes. The magnitude of the blur level did not produce significantly different increases in resolution. Blur adaptation failed to affect either the steady-state responses to an accommodative stimulus or ASRF gradient.

Conceptual model of human blur perception

An empirically based, conceptual model of human blur perception is presented. It incorporates the concepts of blur detection and blur discrimination in depth, and across the central and peripheral retina, in two- and three-dimensional visual space. Key aspects of the model are its dynamic nature, predictability regarding the blur-based depth-ordering of objects, patterns of retinal defocus with far and near viewing, and interactions related to retinal defocus between the central and peripheral retina. Furthermore, a two-dimensional schematic representation of the blur-free region during near viewing is depicted in dioptric space. This model has implications with respect to accommodative control, depth perception, and refractive error development and progression.

Effect of blur adaptation on blur sensitivity in myopes

Although blur adaptation in myopia has been investigated, knowledge regarding its effect on blur sensitivity remains unknown. In the present study, changes in three blur thresholds (i.e., noticeable, bothersome, and non-resolvable blur) were assessed monocularly after 1h of blur adaptation in myopes. A Badal optical system was used to present either an isolated 20/50 Snellen E or 20/50 lines of text, with the full text field used in the latter condition for all blur judgments. Eight visually normal adult myopes were tested with paralyzed accommodation. All subjects exhibited blur adaptation, with a significant improvement in group mean visual acuity of -0.16 LogMAR. There was a consistent and concurrent significant decrease of 0.15-0.19 D in all blur thresholds for the isolated 20/50 E. However, there was no significant effect of blur adaptation on blur thresholds for the 20/50 text, with large intersubject variability evident. The enhanced blur sensitivity for the isolated E target may in part be attributed to the increased visual resolution following blur adaptation. Differences found in the blur thresholds for the two targets may be related to a variety of neuroperceptual phenomena, in particular lateral masking.

“Bothersome blur”: A functional unit of blur perception

Knowledge regarding the amount of blur perceived to be "bothersome" to an individual, namely that which is assumed to be annoying and to adversely affect task performance, remains limited. A Badal optical system was used to measure the blur detection, bothersome blur, and non-resolvable blur dioptric thresholds monocularly either to an isolated 20/50 or 20/200 Snellen E, or to three 20/50 lines of text. Subjects were comprised of 13 visually normal young adults and 3 absolute presbyopes. Cycloplegia was used to paralyze accommodation in the young adults. Within each target type for the young adults, the mean bothersome blur threshold was always significantly larger than that found for blur detection and significantly smaller than that found for non-resolvable blur. Across target types and blur criteria, the bothersome blur thresholds for the isolated 20/50 E (1.02 D) and the 20/50 text (1.34 D) were not significantly different, although in 12 of the 13 subjects the latter were larger (p<0.002, sign test). However, both were significantly smaller than for the isolated 20/200 E (1.80 D). In a subset of young adult subjects, bothersome blur was found to be repeatable over time. The results were similar in the absolute presbyopes. The bothersome blur threshold was primarily influenced by target detail and secondarily by target extent. These findings have important implications with respect to tolerances for optical lens design and refractive surgery outcomes, as well as provide insight into basic aspects of human blur perception.