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Stolwijk ML, Meyer I, van der Pas SL, Twisk JWR, van Nispen RMA, van Rens GHMB. Low vision aids provision in an urban setting in Germany between 2014 and 2017: a regional population based study with healthcare claims data. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2024; 262:3711-3723. [PMID: 38888805 PMCID: PMC11584433 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-024-06541-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Little is known about the utilization of low vision services (LVS) in Germany. To understand which persons and how often these services would be utilized, this study aimed to investigate low vision aids (LVAs) provision in an urban setting and to describe user characteristics and trends in their characteristics. METHODS A retrospective study based on a population-based healthcare claims database in Cologne (N = ~ 500,000), Germany. The study population comprised individuals, who were continuously insured at four large statutory health insurers and who redeemed a prescription for visual aids or aids for blindness between January 2014 and December 2017. We examined their socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Trends in characteristics were examined with logistic and linear regression models over time. RESULTS Out of ~ 500,000 persons, 781 unique individuals (~ 0.2%) redeemed an LVA prescription. They were mainly female (68.7%), 60 years or older (75.3%) and had macular degeneration (50.6%) and/or glaucoma (25.9%). In the working-age subgroup, 33.8% were employed. Visual aids were most often prescribed (74.1%) and of all types of LVAs, individuals most commonly redeemed a prescription for magnifiers (35.8%), screen readers (34.3%) and/or canes (17.1%). Of the entire study population, 75.4% received their prescription from an ophthalmologist, 5.3% from a general practitioner and 7.1% from other medical specialists. Significant trends in characteristics of individuals who redeemed an LVA prescription were not found. CONCLUSIONS Between 2014 and 2017, 781 individuals in Cologne redeemed an LVA prescription. They had characteristics which mostly can be explained by the epidemiology of VI. Results indicate that individuals that redeemed LVAs have a magnification requirement of ≥ 1.5-fold and ≥ 6-fold. Furthermore, next to ophthalmologists, general practitioners and other medical specialists seem to play a role in LVA provision as well, which should be taken into account by policy makers when planning interventions for increasing LVS provision. Our findings provide a starting point to examine LVS provision in Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Stolwijk
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Ophthalmology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Public Health, Quality of Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - I Meyer
- PMV Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - S L van der Pas
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Methodology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J W R Twisk
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - R M A van Nispen
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Ophthalmology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Quality of Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - G H M B van Rens
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Ophthalmology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Quality of Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Terheyden JH, Mauschitz MM, Wintergerst MWM, Chang P, Herrmann P, Liegl R, Ach T, Finger RP, Holz FG. [Digital remote monitoring of chronic retinal conditions-A clinical future tool? : Remote monitoring of chronic retinal conditions]. DIE OPHTHALMOLOGIE 2024; 121:826-834. [PMID: 39276227 DOI: 10.1007/s00347-024-02109-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In view of the predicted increase in incidence and prevalence of chronic retinal diseases and undersupply of care in the population, telemedicine could contribute to reducing access barriers to healthcare and improving the results of treatment. OBJECTIVE A literature review on remote monitoring of chronic retinal diseases was carried out. MATERIAL AND METHODS The medical literature was searched for publications on remote monitoring of chronic retinal diseases. The results were compiled in a narrative overview. RESULTS The four main topics in the literature are: validation studies, implementation strategies, acceptance/target group analyses and health economic analyses. Remote monitoring systems are based on visual function tests, imaging or patient reports and have been particularly investigated in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic eye disease (DED). Studies indicate positive effects regarding an optimization of clinical care and a favorable safety profile but randomized controlled trials are lacking for the majority of monitoring tools. CONCLUSION Remote monitoring could complement existing care structures for patients with chronic retinal diseases, especially AMD and DED. Promising systems are based on hyperacuity or optical coherence tomography, while patient-reported data are not commonly used; however, there is currently insufficient evidence justifying the use of remote monitoring systems in chronic retinal diseases in Europe and more research on the validation of remote monitoring systems is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Maximilian W M Wintergerst
- Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Deutschland
- Augenzentrum Grischun, Chur, Schweiz
| | - Petrus Chang
- Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Deutschland
| | - Philipp Herrmann
- Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Deutschland
| | - Raffael Liegl
- Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Deutschland
| | - Thomas Ach
- Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Deutschland
| | - Robert P Finger
- Universitäts-Augenklinik Mannheim, Universität Heidelberg, Mannheim, Deutschland
| | - Frank G Holz
- Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Deutschland
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Krohn JN, Almaqadma M, Schmidbauer J, Gosch M, Singler K. [Geriatric ophthalmologic co-management : A case report of interdisciplinary collaboration]. Z Gerontol Geriatr 2024; 57:315-320. [PMID: 38772928 DOI: 10.1007/s00391-024-02311-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
This case report details the assessment and interdisciplinary collaboration in the management of an 81-year-old patient presenting with acute visual impairment, dizziness, general weakness, gait disturbances and fear of falling. A holistic geriatric evaluation revealed orthostatic dysregulation and an underlying multifactorial gait disorder exacerbated by visual impairment. Ophthalmological findings included left central retinal artery branch occlusion and cataracts. A comprehensive geriatric assessment showed frailty, impaired mobility and decreased functional abilities. Subsequent patient-centered interdisciplinary approaches included treatment for retinal ischemia, orthostatic testing, medication reconciliation, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. This case emphasizes how interdisciplinary collaboration between ophthalmology and geriatrics enables proactive assessment and intervention to reduce the risk of functional decline and loss of autonomy in visually impaired patients, which is of particular relevance considering the increasing prevalence of visual impairment in the ageing population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Niklas Krohn
- Universitätsklinik für Geriatrie, Klinikum Nürnberg, Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität Nürnberg, Prof. Ernst-Nathan-Str. 1, 90419, Nürnberg, Deutschland.
| | - Mohammed Almaqadma
- Universitätsklinik für Augenheilkunde, Klinikum Nürnberg, Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität Nürnberg, Nürnberg, Deutschland
| | - Josef Schmidbauer
- Universitätsklinik für Augenheilkunde, Klinikum Nürnberg, Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität Nürnberg, Nürnberg, Deutschland
| | - Markus Gosch
- Universitätsklinik für Geriatrie, Klinikum Nürnberg, Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität Nürnberg, Prof. Ernst-Nathan-Str. 1, 90419, Nürnberg, Deutschland
| | - Katrin Singler
- Universitätsklinik für Geriatrie, Klinikum Nürnberg, Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität Nürnberg, Prof. Ernst-Nathan-Str. 1, 90419, Nürnberg, Deutschland
- Institut für Biomedizin des Alterns, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Deutschland
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Brebeck AK, Huber H, Schipke JD, Grehn F, Haritoglou C, Klink T. [Tonometry and pachymetry to evaluate fluctuations of intraocular pressure in the context of SCUBA diving]. DIE OPHTHALMOLOGIE 2024; 121:53-60. [PMID: 37891431 DOI: 10.1007/s00347-023-01931-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is currently still not clarified whether diving using a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCUBA) is associated with intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuations of clinical relevance and whether intensive diving could exacerbate the damage in glaucoma patients. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the effect of SCUBA diving on IOP in healthy volunteers without prior eye injuries or surgery. HYPOTHESIS recreational diving does not lead to significant increases or fluctuations of the IOP. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 16 divers (5 female) who performed a total of 96 dives with air or nitrox32 to a depth of 20-30 m for an average of 50 min. The central cornea thickness was measured using ultrasonic pachymetry Pocket IITM (Quantel Medical Pocket II™, Quantel Medical, Clermont-Ferrand, France), and the IOP was measured using an Icare® PRO (Icare® PRO, Icare Finland Oy, Espoo, Finland) directly before the dive and 10 min after surfacing. RESULTS All data refer to the right eye. Average IOP values ranged from 15.6 to 19.2 mm Hg pre-dive and 16.8 to 18.2 mm Hg post-dive. The range of IOP values was 2.2-11.5 mm Hg pre-dive (∆ = 9.3 mm Hg) and 2.7-14.8 mm Hg post-dive (∆ = 12.1 mm Hg). Of the divers 11.5% vs. 18.8% had increased IOP values > 21 mm Hg (pre-dive vs. post-dive). CONCLUSION This study found no significant differences in IOP values between pre-dive and post-dive measurements in healthy SCUBA divers. Therefore, recreational SCUBA diving is unlikely to affect the IOP in healthy individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- A-K Brebeck
- Univ.-Augenklinik Würzburg, Würzburg, Deutschland.
- Artemis Augenklinik, Frankfurt, Deutschland.
| | - H Huber
- Univ.-Augenklinik Würzburg, Würzburg, Deutschland
- Augenklinik Herzog Carl Theodor, München, Deutschland
| | - J D Schipke
- Univ.-Klinikum Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
| | - F Grehn
- Univ.-Augenklinik Würzburg, Würzburg, Deutschland
| | - C Haritoglou
- Augenklinik Herzog Carl Theodor, München, Deutschland
| | - T Klink
- Univ.-Augenklinik Würzburg, Würzburg, Deutschland
- Augenklinik Herzog Carl Theodor, München, Deutschland
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Terheyden JH, Gerhards J, Ost RAD, Wintergerst MWM, Holz FG, Finger RP. Patient-reported vision impairment in low luminance predicts multiple falls. BMC Geriatr 2023; 23:583. [PMID: 37735629 PMCID: PMC10515075 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-04317-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Visual impairment is an independent risk factor for falling. Whether this extends to patient-reported visual difficulties has not been assessed to date. We have evaluated whether patient-reported visual difficulties in low-contrast and low luminance situations are a risk factor for falls and concerns about falling. METHODS Baseline assessments in outpatients with varying degrees of visual impairment aged ≥ 60 years included the Vision Impairment in Low Luminance (VILL) questionnaire and socio-demographic data; prospective follow-up assessments included falls over 12 months, the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES-I) and the VILL. The VILL was scored using Rasch models, and the FES-I was categorized following published guidelines. Associations were investigated using logistic regression analysis, controlling for age, visual acuity and known risk factors of falling. RESULTS We included 112 participants (74 women, mean age 70 ± 7 years). Twenty-seven participants recalled any falls and eleven recalled multiple falls at follow-up. Higher VILL reading subscale and mobility subscale scores at baseline were significantly associated with reporting less multiple falls at follow-up (OR 0.559 [0.333-0.936], p = 0.027 and OR 0.595 [0.377-0.940], p = 0.026). VILL scores were significantly associated with concerns about falling (high versus low: p ≤ 0.004, reading, mobility and emotional subscales; high versus moderate: p = 0.004, emotional subscale). CONCLUSIONS Patient-reported visual difficulties under low illumination and in low-contrast conditions are predictive of multiple falls in the future, have an additional predictive value over established risk scores, and are associated with concerns to fall. Current fall risk assessments may benefit from the inclusion of such assessments, e.g. the VILL questionnaire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Henrik Terheyden
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Bonn, NRW, Venusberg-Campus 1, Ernst-Abbe-Str. 2, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Johanna Gerhards
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Bonn, NRW, Venusberg-Campus 1, Ernst-Abbe-Str. 2, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Reglind A D Ost
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Bonn, NRW, Venusberg-Campus 1, Ernst-Abbe-Str. 2, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Maximilian W M Wintergerst
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Bonn, NRW, Venusberg-Campus 1, Ernst-Abbe-Str. 2, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Frank G Holz
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Bonn, NRW, Venusberg-Campus 1, Ernst-Abbe-Str. 2, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Robert P Finger
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Bonn, NRW, Venusberg-Campus 1, Ernst-Abbe-Str. 2, 53127, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Mannheim & Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
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Dieke S, Wurche S, Ruebsam A, Wirbelauer C, Joussen AM, Winterhalter S. Impact of intravitreal injection therapy on contrast sensitivity in patients with nAMD and DME. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2023; 261:1823-1833. [PMID: 36622409 PMCID: PMC10272247 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-022-05944-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The study aims to evaluate changes in contrast sensitivity (CS) during therapy with intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). METHODS Prospective, uncontrolled, multicenter study on patients with neovascular AMD or DME who underwent intravitreal injection therapy with Ranibizumab, Aflibercept, or Bevacizumab was conducted. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and CS measured by Mars Letter Contrast Sensitivity Test (MLCS) and Freiburg Visual Acuity and Contrast Test (FrACT) in logCS were evaluated before 3 consecutive VEGF inhibitor injections, which followed the pro renata regimen in treatment-naïve and pretreated eyes with a maximum of 9 injections. Correlation of MLCS and FrACT was calculated by the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS Eighty eyes of 74 patients (mean age 72.7; SD ± 9.96) were included. BCVA improved significantly from 0.44 (SD ± 0.21) logMAR to 0.38 (SD ± 0.23) logMAR by 0.06 (SD ± 0.14) logMAR values (p < 0.001). CS measured by MLCS increased significantly from 1.27 (SD ± 0.25) logCS to 1.39 (SD ± 0.22) logCS (p < 0.001). CS measured by FrACT also improved significantly from 1.22 (SD ± 0.32) logCS to 1.30 (SD ± 0.29) logCS (p = 0.035). A positive correlation between MLCS and FrACT was found (r = 0.389; p < 0.001). Despite statistical significance, results for BCVA, MLCS, and FrACT failed clinical significance. Overall best test results were achieved with MLCS. CONCLUSIONS Intravitreal injection therapy with VEGF inhibitors led to an improvement of BCVA and CS measured by MLCS and FrACT. MLCS was superior and more sensitive compared to FrACT and even BCVA to evaluate CS in elderly patients with macular pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Dieke
- Beuth Hochschule for Technology Berlin, University of Applied Sciences, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefanie Wurche
- Beuth Hochschule for Technology Berlin, University of Applied Sciences, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne Ruebsam
- Department of Ophthalmology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Antonia M Joussen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Sibylle Winterhalter
- Department of Ophthalmology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
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Yekta A, Hooshmand E, Saatchi M, Ostadimoghaddam H, Asharlous A, Taheri A, Khabazkhoob M. Global Prevalence and Causes of Visual Impairment and Blindness in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Curr Ophthalmol 2022; 34:1-15. [PMID: 35620376 PMCID: PMC9128433 DOI: 10.4103/joco.joco_135_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: To determine the global prevalence and common causes of visual impairment (VI) and blindness in children. Methods: In this meta-analysis, a structured search strategy was applied to search electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, as well as the list of references in the selected articles to identify all population-based cross-sectional studies that concerned the prevalence of VI and blindness in populations under 20 years of age up to January 2018, regardless of the publication date and language, gender, region of residence, or race. VI was reported based on presenting visual acuity (PVA), uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of equal to 20/60 or worse in the better eye. Blindness was reported as visual acuity worse than 20/400 in the better eye. Results: In the present study, 5711 articles were identified, and the final analyses were done on 80 articles including 769,720 people from twenty-eight different countries. The prevalence of VI based on UCVA was 7.26% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.34%–10.19%), PVA was 3.82% (95% CI: 2.06%–5.57%), BCVA was 1.67% (95% CI 0.97%–2.37%), and blindness was 0.17% (95% CI: 0.13%–0.21%). Refractive errors were the most common cause of VI in the subjects of selected articles (77.20% [95% CI: 73.40%–81.00%]). The prevalence of amblyopia was 7.60% (95% CI: 05.60%–09.10%) and congenital cataract was 0.60% (95% CI: 0.3%–0.9%). Conclusion: Despite differences in the definition of VI and blindness, based on PVA, 3.82%, and based on BCVA, 1.67% of the examined samples suffer from VI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbasali Yekta
- Department of Optometry, School of Paramedical Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Elham Hooshmand
- Iranian Research Center on Aging, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Saatchi
- Health in Emergency and Disaster Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hadi Ostadimoghaddam
- Refractive Errors Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amir Asharlous
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Optometry, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azadeh Taheri
- Noor Research Center for Ophthalmic Epidemiology, Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Khabazkhoob
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Leveziel N, Marillet S, Braithwaite T, Peto T, Ingrand P, Pardhan S, Bron AM, Jonas JB, Resnikoff S, Little J, Bourne RR. Self-reported visual difficulties in Europe and related factors: a European population-based cross-sectional survey. Acta Ophthalmol 2021; 99:559-568. [PMID: 33029925 PMCID: PMC8451874 DOI: 10.1111/aos.14643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE There is a relative paucity of self-reported vision problems data in European countries. METHODS In this context, we investigated self-reported vision problems through European Health Interview Survey 2, a cross-sectional European population survey based on a standardized questionnaire including 147 medical, demographic and socioeconomic variables applied to non-institutionalized individuals aged 15 years or more in 28 European countries, in addition to Iceland and Norway. RESULTS The survey included 311 386 individuals (54.18% women), with overall crude prevalence of self-reported vision problems of 2.07% [95% CI; 2.01-2.14]. Among them, 1.70 % [1.61-1.78] of men, 2.41% [2.31-2.51] of women and 4.71% [4.53-4.89] of individuals aged 60 or more reported to have a lot of vision problems or to be not able to see. The frequency of self-reported vision problems was the highest in Eastern European countries with values of 2.43% [2.30-2.56]. In multivariate analyses, limiting long-standing illness, depression, daily smoking, lack of physical activity, lower educational level and social isolation were associated with self-reported vision problems with ORs of 2.66 [2.42-2.92], 2.16 [2.01-2.32], 1.11 [1.01-1.23], 1.31 [1.21-1.42], 1.29 [1.19-1.40] and 1.45 [1.26-1.67], respectively, while higher income was associated with less self-reported vision problems with OR of 0.80 [0.73-0.86]. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated inequalities in terms of prevalence of self-reported vision problems in Europe, with higher prevalence in Eastern European countries and among women and older individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Leveziel
- Vision & Eye Research Institute Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge UK
- CHU Poitiers Poitiers France
- CIC 1402 Poitiers France
- INSERM 1084 Poitiers France
- University of Poitiers Poitiers France
| | | | - Tasanee Braithwaite
- Centre for Patient Reported Outcomes Research and NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre University of Birmingham Birmingham UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital London UK
| | - Tunde Peto
- Institute of Clinical Sciences Building A Queen's University Belfast Belfast UK
| | - Pierre Ingrand
- CHU Poitiers Poitiers France
- CIC 1402 Poitiers France
- Epidemiology and biostatistics department Faculty of Medicine University of Poitiers Poitiers France
| | - Shahina Pardhan
- Vision & Eye Research Institute Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge UK
| | - Alain M. Bron
- Department of Ophthalmology University Hospital Dijon France
- Eye and Nutrition Research Group Bourgogne Franche‐Comté University Dijon France
| | - Jost B. Jonas
- Department of Ophthalmology Medical Faculty Mannheim Heidelberg University Mannheim Germany
| | - Serge Resnikoff
- Brien Holden Vision Institute and SOVSUniversity of New South Wales Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Julie‐Anne Little
- Centre for Optometry & Vision Science Biomedical Sciences Ulster University Coleraine UK
| | - Rupert R.A. Bourne
- Vision & Eye Research Institute Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge UK
- Cambridge Eye Research Centre Department of Ophthalmology Cambridge University Hospitals Cambridge UK
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Völter* C, Peter Thomas* J, Maetzler W, Guthoff R, Grunwald M, Hummel T. Sensory Dysfunction in Old Age. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 118:512-520. [PMID: 34158149 PMCID: PMC8476826 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The senses serve as the crucial interface between the individual and the environment. They are subject to aging and disease processes. METHODS This review is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a selective search in the Medline and Cochrane Library databases. RESULTS Approximately 40% of persons aged 70 to 79 manifest dysfunction in at least one, and more than 25% in multiple senses. Sensory changes are accompanied by diverse comorbidities which depend on the particular sense(s) affected. The presence of sensory deficits is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia (OR: 1.49 [95% confidence interval: 1.12; 1.98] for dysfunction in a single sensory modality, 2.85 [1.88; 4.30] for dysfunction in three or more sensory modalities). The risk of developing depressive symptoms is elevated as well (OR 3.36 [2.28; 4.96]). The individual's ability to cope with the demands of everyday life is largely determined by the ability to carry out multisensory integration, in which the perceptions of the different senses are bound together. This function itself is subject to age-related changes that can be either adaptive or maladaptive; it can, therefore, serve as an indicator for pathological aging processes. CONCLUSION Sensory dysfunction in old age should be detected as early as possible. This implies the need for close collaboration of all of the involved disciplines. It would be desirable to develop sensory screening tests as well as a procedure for testing multisensory integration in routine clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Völter*
- * Joint first authors
- Hearing Competence Center, St. Elisabeth- Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ruhr University of Bochum
| | - Jan Peter Thomas*
- * Joint first authors
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, St.-Johannes-Hospital, Dortmund
| | - Walter Maetzler
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kiel
| | - Rainer Guthoff
- Department of Ophthalmology, Düsseldorf University Hospital
| | - Martin Grunwald
- Haptic Research Lab, Paul Flechsig Institute of Brain Research, Medical Faculty of the Universität Leipzig
| | - Thomas Hummel
- Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden
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Incidence, individual, and macro level risk factors of severe binocular visual impairment and blindness in persons aged 50 and older. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251018. [PMID: 33939749 PMCID: PMC8092648 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to estimate the incidence of severe binocular vision impairment and blindness (SVI/B) and to identify eye diseases and regional risk factors of persons with SVI/B at ages 50 years and older. METHODS We designed an observational cohort study based on longitudinal, multifactorial, and administrative information of a random sample of 250,000 persons at ages 50+. All individuals were included in the process-produced health claims register of the Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse in 2004, and were followed until 2015. We analyzed ten selected eye diseases and regional characteristics as risk factors for SVI/B using Cox models, adjusting for demographic characteristics and multi-morbidity. RESULTS The age-standardized incidence was 79 new diagnoses of SVI/B per 100,000 person-years (95%-CI: 76-82); 77 for males (72-82) and 81 for females (77-85). By adjusting for multiple factors, the model revealed and confirmed that individuals who were very old (Hazard ratio90+: 6.67; 3.59-12.71), male (1.18; 1.01-1.38), had multi-morbidities (three+ diseases: 3.36; 2.51-4.49), or had diabetes (1.26; 1.07-1.49) had an increased risk of SVI/B. Compared to persons without the particular eye disease (all p<0.001), persons diagnosed with secondary glaucoma had a multiple-adjusted 4.66 times (3.17-6.85) higher risk, those with retinal vascular occlusion had a 4.51 times (3.27-6.23) higher risk, and those with angle-closure glaucoma had a 4.22 times (2.60-6.85) higher risk. Population density was not a risk factor, while persons living in wealthier regions had 0.75 times (p=0.003) to 0.70 times (p<0.001) the risk of SVI/B than persons in the least wealthy regions of Germany. CONCLUSION The study revealed and confirmed some profound risk factors of SVI/B at both the individual and the macro level. The sizes of the effects of the characteristics of the living context were smaller than those of the individual characteristics, especially for some severe eye diseases. While urbanity and access to health services had no effect, regional economic wealth was a risk factor for SVI/B. Future health care measures and advice by physicians should take these dimensions of inequalities in SVI/B into account.
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Deng Z, Fuller-Thomson E. Temporal Trends over a Decade in Serious Vision Impairment in a Large, Nationally Representative Population-based Sample of Older Americans: Gender, Cohort and Racial/Ethnic Differences. Ophthalmic Epidemiol 2021; 29:39-48. [PMID: 33645427 DOI: 10.1080/09286586.2021.1889001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: The objectives of this study are:1)To identify temporal trends in the age-sex-race/ethnicity adjusted prevalence of vision impairment among Americans aged 65+ from 2008-2017; To determine if these temporal trends in vision impairment differ by 2)gender and age cohort, and 3)race/ethnicity, and; 4)To investigate if improvements in cohort educational attainment partially attenuate these trends.Methods: Secondary analysis of 10 years of annual nationally-representative data from the American Community Survey with 5.4 million community-dwelling and institutionalized older adults aged 65+. The question on vision impairment was "Is this person blind or does he/she have serious difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses?".Results: The prevalence of serious vision impairment in the US population aged 65+ declined from 8.3% to 6.6% between 2008 and 2017. There would have been an additional 848,000 older Americans with serious vision impairment in 2017 if rates had remained at the 2008 level. After age, sex and race/ethnicity were controlled, women had a 2.1% per year decline in the odds of vision impairment (OR = 0.979; CI = 0.977, 0.980), which represents a 21% decline over the decade, and men had a 9% decline over the decade (OR = 0.991; CI = 0.989, 0.993). Adjusting for education attenuated the decade decline among women, reducing it to 13%, and completely attenuated the decline among men. Most of the decline was among those aged 75+. Racial/ethnic disparities narrowed over the decade.Conclusion: Between 2008 and 2017, the prevalence of serious vision impairment among older Americans declined significantly, with steeper declines among African Americans and Hispanic Americans than among non-Hispanic White Americans.
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Affiliation(s)
- ZhiDi Deng
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College St., Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Esme Fuller-Thomson
- Director of the Institute for Life Course & Aging, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, Cross-appointed to the Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Stahl A. The Diagnosis and Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 117:513-520. [PMID: 33087239 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2020.0513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is thought to cause approximately 9% of all cases of blindness worldwide. In Germany, half of all cases of blindness and high-grade visual impairment are due to AMD. In this review, the main risk factors, clinical manifestations, and treatments of this disease are presented. METHODS This review is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a selective search in PubMed for original articles and reviews, as well as on current position statements by the relevant specialty societies. RESULTS AMD is subdivided into early, intermediate, and late stages. The early stage is often asymptomatic; patients in the other two stages often have distorted vision or central visual field defects. The main risk factors are age, genetic predisposition, and nicotine consumption. The number of persons with early AMD in Germany rose from 5.7 million in 2002 to ca. 7 million in 2017. Late AMD is subdivided into the dry late form of the disease, for which there is no treatment at present, and the exudative late form, which can be treated with the intravitreal injection of VEGF inhibitors. CONCLUSION More research is needed on the dry late form of AMD in particular, which is currently untreatable. The treatment of the exudative late form with VEGF inhibitors is labor-intensive and requires a close collaboration of the patient, the ophthalmologist, and the primary care physician.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Stahl
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medicine Greifswald
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Wolfram C, K. Schuster A, M. Elflein H, Nickels S, Schulz A, S. Wild P, E. Beutel M, Blettner M, Münzel T, J. Lackner K, Pfeiffer N. The Prevalence of Visual Impairment in the Adult Population. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 116:289-295. [PMID: 31196384 PMCID: PMC6584831 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2019.0289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The distribution of visual impairment is an indicator of the health status of the population and for the frequency of diseases of the eye. METHODS The Gutenberg Health Study (GHS) is a population-based cohort study in Germany concerning adults aged 35 to 74. 15 010 subjects from the Mainz-Bingen region underwent general medical and ophthalmological examination, with measurement of the distance-corrected visual acuity in each eye separately. As per the World Health Organization criteria, visual impairment was defined as an acuity below 0.3 in the better eye, and blindness as an acuity below 0.05. All patients who were found to be visually impaired or blind underwent further individual study with clinical history-taking, split-lamp examination, and fundus photography. RESULTS Data from 14 687 subjects were evaluated. The mean age of the partici- pants was 55.0 years (standard deviation, 11.1 years). The prevalence of visual im- pairment was 0.37% (95% confidence interval [0.28; 0.49]) (n = 55) and was higher in women (0.44%) than in men (0.31%). Blindness was present in 0.05% [0.03; 0.11] (n = 8) of the subjects. The prevalence of visual impairment from age 65 on- ward was 0.79%, three times higher than in the younger age groups. 54.5% of the visually impaired subjects had multiple underlying ophthalmological pathologies. CONCLUSION The causes of visual impairment are manifold. Loss of vision is often the combined effect of multiple pathological factors. The etiology of visual impair- ment is thus a more complex matter than is commonly assumed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Wolfram
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Center, University of Mainz
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE)
| | | | - Heike M. Elflein
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Center, University of Mainz
| | - Stefan Nickels
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Center, University of Mainz
| | - Andreas Schulz
- Preventive Cardiology and Medical Prevention, Cardiology I, Medical Center, University of Mainz
| | - Philipp S. Wild
- Preventive Cardiology and Medical Prevention, Cardiology I, Medical Center, University of Mainz
| | - Manfred E. Beutel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Center, University of Mainz
| | - Maria Blettner
- Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), Medical Center, University of Mainz
| | - Thomas Münzel
- Preventive Cardiology and Medical Prevention, Cardiology I, Medical Center, University of Mainz
| | - Karl J. Lackner
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Center, University of Mainz
| | - Norbert Pfeiffer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Center, University of Mainz
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Mauschitz MM, Li JQ, Larsen PP, Köberlein-Neu J, Holz FG, Breteler MMB, Finger RP. Epidemiologie hochgradiger Sehbehinderungen und Blindheit älterer Menschen in Deutschland. Ophthalmologe 2019; 116:201-212. [DOI: 10.1007/s00347-019-0853-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Larsen PP, Thiele S, Krohne TU, Ziemssen F, Krummenauer F, Holz FG, Finger RP. Visual impairment and blindness in institutionalized elderly in Germany. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2018; 257:363-370. [DOI: 10.1007/s00417-018-4196-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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Alswailmi FK. Global prevalence and causes of visual impairment with special reference to the general population of Saudi Arabia. Pak J Med Sci 2018; 34:751-756. [PMID: 30034452 PMCID: PMC6041538 DOI: 10.12669/pjms.343.14510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: This review was undertaken to highlight the worldwide prevalence and causes of visual impairment (VI), on the basis of a wide range of recent and clearly defined data and in comparison with published articles from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: These data are mainly based on PubMed indexed journal articles. Some representative surveys from each of the six WHO regions across the globe were included in this review with special reference to Saudi Arabian studies. Results: Published literature show that the prevalence and causes of VI varies markedly in different parts of the world and from region to region within the same country. Cataract, uncorrected refractive errors and glaucoma were shown to be the leading causes of VI worldwide and in Saudi Arabia. Diabetic retinopathy was found to have more contribution in Saudi Arabia due the higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus in this country. Conclusion: Epidemiological surveys about the prevalence and causes of VI are crucial for the formulation of preventive and curative measures. Data about VI are still scarce with a need to make wider population based surveys, worldwide and in Saudi Arabia for in-depth evaluation of the problem and better strategies to reduce the burden of VI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhan Khashim Alswailmi
- Dr. Farhan Khashim Alswailmi, M.D. Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Hafr Albatin, Hafr Albatin, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Thederan L, Steinmetz S, Kampmann S, Koob-Matthes AM, Grehn F, Klink T. The Prevalence of Visual Impairment in Retirement Home Residents. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 113:323-7. [PMID: 27215597 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2016.0323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Revised: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elderly persons often have eye diseases causing either reversible or irreversible visual loss. The prevalence of such problems among retirement home residents is unknown. METHODS 203 residents of retirement homes in and around Würzburg, Germany, were examined. Clinical histories were taken, including information on prior ophthalmological care, and ophthalmological examinations were performed, including visual acuity, slit-lamp examination of the anterior segment of the eye, fundoscopy (with optical coherence tomography), and measurement of the intraocular pressure. RESULTS 119 women and 84 men aged 55 to 101 were examined in 6 retirement homes. 44 (21.7% ) had ophthalmological findings that required acute treatment. The most common diagnoses in the anterior segment of the eye were keratoconjunctivitis sicca (160; 78.8% ), cataract (88; 43.3% ), secondary cataract (15; 7.4% ), glaucoma (33; 12.3% ), and eyelid malpositions (25; 12.3% ). In the fundus, 45 residents (22.2% ) had dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), 7 (3.4% ) had fresh wet AMD, and 7 (3.4% ) had epiretinal gliosis. 81 (39.9% ) could give no information about earlier ophthalmologic examinations, and 42 (20.7% ) had not been to an ophthalmologist for at least 5 years. After correction of refractive errors, their mean decimal visual acuity improved from 0.25 to 0.33. CONCLUSION The retirement home residents that we examined were not receiving adequate ophthalmological care; in particular, some of them had irreversible eye diseases that were not being treated. The ophthalmological care of retirement home residents needs to be improved through better collaboration of all types of personnel taking care of them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Thederan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany, Blindeninstitutsstiftung Würzburg, Germany, Herzog Carl Theodor Eye Hospital, Munich, Germany
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Altpeter EK, Nguyen NX. [Requirements for low vision magnification aids in age-related macular degeneration: Data from the Tübingen low vision clinic (comparison of 2007-2011 with 1999-2005)]. Ophthalmologe 2016; 112:923-8. [PMID: 26040791 DOI: 10.1007/s00347-015-0062-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to investigate if there has been a change in requirements for low vision magnification aids in recent years. PATIENTS AND METHODS The collective data from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients from the Tübingen low vision clinic from the years 2007-2011 were compared with the patient collective from the years 1999-2005. Magnification needs and the prescribed magnifying aids for reading in the categories magnifying spectacles, hand-held magnifiers, monocular telescopes, electronic magnifiers and electronic reading devices were evaluated. In addition patients from 2010 and 2011 were divided into dry and neovascular AMD and the prescribed magnification aids were compared for these AMD forms. RESULTS There was no significant change in in the prescribed magnification reading aids for AMD patients between the years 1999-2005 and 2007-2011. An electronic magnifier was prescribed most often (both collectives 43 %), followed by hand-held magnifiers (32 and 29.5 %, respectively) and magnifying spectacles (17 and 18.8 %, respectively). Also the magnifying needs and mean age of the AMD patients did not change significantly between the two periods (2007-2011 versus 1999-2005). The detailed analysis for dry and neovascular AMD for the years 2010 and 2011 showed no significant differences for the most commonly prescribed low vision aids. The prescription of low vision aids is not influenced by the AMD classification (dry or neovascular), only by the magnification needs. CONCLUSION There is an unchanged and still high demand for rehabilitation aids of AMD patients, for dry as well as for neovascular AMD even after the introduction of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- E K Altpeter
- Sehbehindertenambulanz der Universitäts-Augenklinik, Tübingen, Deutschland.
| | - N X Nguyen
- Sehbehindertenambulanz der Universitäts-Augenklinik, Tübingen, Deutschland
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Bertram B, Gante C, Hilgers RD. [Increase in examinations for cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration : Comparative cross-sectional study between 2010 and 1997 in ophthalmological practices]. Ophthalmologe 2015; 111:757-64. [PMID: 24343245 DOI: 10.1007/s00347-013-2966-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The importance of the four most commonly occurring vision-threatening diseases, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and cataract in ophthalmological practices has changed due to demographic developments, medical progress and transference of inpatient treatment to the outpatient area of private practice. METHODS In the fourth quarter year of 2010 a survey of 15,125 patients (approximately 10%) from 96 private ophthalmology practices (mean 149 patients per ophthalmologist, range 45-376) was carried out. The results for the four most commonly occurring vision-threatening diseases were compared with the result from a previous survey carried out for the fourth quarter year of 1997. RESULTS Compared to 1997 there was an increase in the age-adjusted proportion of examinations in 2010 for cataracts by 29 %, for glaucoma by 21 %, for diabetic retinopathy by 39 % and for vitreoretinal diseases by 19 %. The number of AMD examinations in the age group over 70 years old showed a particularly high increase. CONCLUSIONS The number of patients examined for the four most commonly occurring vision-threatening diseases increased from 1997 to 2010 not only in absolute numbers but also in relation to age. In the future financial and personnel resources must be made available for the early and guidelines-conform detection, diagnostics and therapy by ophthalmologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Bertram
- Augenarztpraxis, Löhergraben 30, 52064, Aachen, Deutschland,
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Weber BHF, Charbel Issa P, Pauly D, Herrmann P, Grassmann F, Holz FG. The role of the complement system in age-related macular degeneration. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2015; 111:133-8. [PMID: 24622760 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2014.0133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2013] [Revised: 01/24/2014] [Accepted: 01/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common retinal disease in older people. In Europe, about 1.6% of persons over age 65 and more than 13% of persons over age 85 have late-stage AMD, which can severely impair vision. The development of AMD is influenced both by environmental factors and by a strong hereditary component. METHOD We selectively searched the PubMed database for articles published between April 2001 and November 2013 with the key words "age-related macular degeneration," "risk factor," "complement," and "therapy." The website www.clinicaltrials.gov was also used to search for relevant clinical trials. RESULTS Old age and smoking are confirmed risk factors for AMD. Moreover, genetic association studies have pointed to signaling pathways in which the complement system, a part of the individual's innate immune system, takes on a central role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Several clinical trials designed to interfere specifically with these pathomechanisms have yielded rather disappointing results, although a phase II study of the monoclonal antibody lampalizumab showed that blocking complement factor D lessened the progression of geographic atrophy. A risk model based on 13 genetic markers was found to have positive predictive values in predisposed individuals that ranged from 5.1% (in persons aged 65 to 69) to 91.7% (in persons aged 85 or older). It should be borne in mind that 50% of patients with AMD are not carriers of risk-associated markers. CONCLUSION There is no rationale at present for genetic testing to estimate the individual risk of developing AMD. Several recent clinical trials have incorporated current pathophysiological knowledge, but nearly all of these trials have yielded negative findings, with only one exception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard H F Weber
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London
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Schwander B. Early health economic evaluation of the future potential of next generation artificial vision systems for treating blindness in Germany. HEALTH ECONOMICS REVIEW 2014; 4:27. [PMID: 26208927 PMCID: PMC4531883 DOI: 10.1186/s13561-014-0027-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2014] [Accepted: 10/17/2014] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The next generation of artificial vision devices (AVDs), which is currently developed in pre-clinical settings, has the potential to improve the vision of blind patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in a manner that they will be categorized as visual impaired but no more as blind. This unprecedented vision improvement will result in a mentionable quality of life gain which poses the question at which costs the next generation AVDs are to be regarded as cost-effective, from a German healthcare payer perspective. In order to answer this research question a Markov model was developed to simulate and to compare the costs and effects of next generation AVDs versus best supportive care (BSC). Applying the base case settings resulted in incremental costs of 107,925, in 2.03 incremental quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and in a cost-effectiveness ratio of 53,165 per QALY gained. Probabilistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses as well as scenario analyses for the effect size and the AVD costs were performed in order to investigate the robustness of results. In these scenario analyses a strong variation of the cost-effectiveness results was obtained ranging from 23,512 (best case) to 176,958 (worst case) per QALY gained by AVD therapy. This early health economic evaluation has to handle with three main uncertainty factors: the effect size of next generation AVDs, the costs of next generation AVDs and the WTP threshold that might be applied in RP patients, which reflect the main limitations of the presented assessment. In conclusion the presented early cost-effectiveness evaluation has obtained that next generation AVDs have the potential to be a cost-effective therapy option in patients with RP in Germany. The innovative nature, the high unmet medical need and the expected unprecedented efficacy of next generation AVDs will highly likely lead to the case that even relatively high incremental cost-effectiveness ratios, that have been obtained when simulating various effect and pricing scenarios, will be regarded as acceptable from a German healthcare payer perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjoern Schwander
- AHEAD GmbH, Agency of Health Economic Assessment and Dissemination, Arndtstr. 19, 79539, Loerrach, Germany,
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Garin N, Olaya B, Lara E, Moneta MV, Miret M, Ayuso-Mateos JL, Haro JM. Visual impairment and multimorbidity in a representative sample of the Spanish population. BMC Public Health 2014; 14:815. [PMID: 25103270 PMCID: PMC4139603 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2014] [Accepted: 06/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the context of population aging, visual impairment has emerged as a growing concern in public health. However, there is a need for further research into the relationship between visual impairment and chronic medical conditions in the elderly. The aim of our study was to examine the relationship between visual impairment and three main types of co-morbidity: chronic physical conditions (both at an independent and additive level), mental health and cognitive functioning. METHODS Data were collected from the COURAGE in Europe project, a cross-sectional study. A total of 4,583 participants from Spain were included. Diagnosis of chronic medical conditions included self-reported medical diagnosis and symptomatic algorithms. Depression and anxiety were assessed using CIDI algorithms. Visual assessment included objective distance/near visual acuity and subjective visual performance. Descriptive analyses included the whole sample (n = 4,583). Statistical analyses included participants aged over 50 years (n = 3,625; mean age = 66.45 years) since they have a significant prevalence of chronic conditions and visual impairment. Crude and adjusted binary logistic regressions were performed to identify independent associations between visual impairment and chronic medical conditions, physical multimorbidity and mental conditions. Covariates included age, gender, marital status, education level, employment status and urbanicity. RESULTS The number of chronic physical conditions was found to be associated with poorer results in both distance and near visual acuity [OR 1.75 (CI 1.38-2.23); OR 1.69 (CI 1.27-2.24)]. At an independent level, arthritis, stroke and diabetes were associated with poorer distance visual acuity results after adjusting for covariates [OR 1.79 (CI 1.46-2.21); OR 1.59 (CI 1.05-2.42); OR 1.27 (1.01-1.60)]. Only stroke was associated with near visual impairment [OR 3.01 (CI 1.86-4.87)]. With regard to mental health, poor subjective visual acuity was associated with depression [OR 1.61 (CI 1.14-2.27); OR 1.48 (CI 1.03-2.13)]. Both objective and subjective poor distance and near visual acuity were associated with worse cognitive functioning. CONCLUSIONS Arthritis, stroke and the co-occurrence of various chronic physical diseases are associated with higher prevalence of visual impairment. Visual impairment is associated with higher prevalence of depression and poorer cognitive function results. There is a need to implement patient-centered care involving special visual assessment in these cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noe Garin
- />Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Universitat de Barcelona, Dr Antoni Pujades, 42, 08830 Barcelona, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain
- />Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa, 39-57, 08950 Barcelona, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
- />Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Monforte de Lemos 3–5. Pabellón 11, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz Olaya
- />Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Universitat de Barcelona, Dr Antoni Pujades, 42, 08830 Barcelona, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain
- />Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa, 39-57, 08950 Barcelona, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
- />Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Monforte de Lemos 3–5. Pabellón 11, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Elvira Lara
- />Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Universitat de Barcelona, Dr Antoni Pujades, 42, 08830 Barcelona, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain
- />Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Monforte de Lemos 3–5. Pabellón 11, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Victoria Moneta
- />Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Universitat de Barcelona, Dr Antoni Pujades, 42, 08830 Barcelona, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Marta Miret
- />Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Monforte de Lemos 3–5. Pabellón 11, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- />Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Arzobispo Morcillo s/n, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose Luis Ayuso-Mateos
- />Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Monforte de Lemos 3–5. Pabellón 11, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- />Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Arzobispo Morcillo s/n, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- />Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IP), Diego de León, 62, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Josep Maria Haro
- />Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Universitat de Barcelona, Dr Antoni Pujades, 42, 08830 Barcelona, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain
- />Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, Santa Rosa, 39-57, 08950 Barcelona, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
- />Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Monforte de Lemos 3–5. Pabellón 11, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DRP) is a common complication caused by multiple biochemical abnormalities of the underlying metabolic disease. While the incidence of DRP appears to decline due to evidence-based changes in diabetes management, the predicted increase in patients affected in particular by type 2 diabetes may outweigh the positive trend. The diagnosis is based on the alterations of the vessels, usually indicating abnormalities of the blood-retinal barrier and increased vasoregression, but the neuroglial elements appear equally vulnerable to the diabetic condition. Control of blood glucose, blood pressure and timely identification of coincident nephropathy are important to prevent progression to vision-threatening stages. Guidelines give specific indications for laser photocoagulation, in particular when euglycemia is no longer effective in preventing progression to advanced stages. Intravitreal administration of antibodies directed against the single best characterized propagator of clinically significant macular edema, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), has become popular despite uncertainty about the patient subgroups which benefit best and the optimum administration schedule. Multifactorial intervention beyond glycemic control includes antihypertensive, lipid-lowering and antiaggregatory and is effective in type 2 diabetic patients with high-risk profiles, in particular coincident nephropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Peter Hammes
- 5th Medical Department, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
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