2nd International Conference & Expo on Optometry and Vision Science September 11-12, 2017 Paris, France

Biography:

Dr. Kenneth R. Seger has been on the faculty at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry for 18 years. Prior to that he spent six years in private practice in his hometown, San Luis Obispo, CA followed by 16 years as part-time clinical faculty at the University of California Berkeley School of Optometry.

At NSUCO Dr. Seger has pursued research interests in contact lenses, myopia development and (with Dr. Ava Bittner) a unique treatment modality for RP.

Abstract:

PURPOSE:  Lower order aberrations have been correctable for generations; defocus for hundreds of years and an astigmatism for over a century.  For the last several years there has been considerable interest in correcting higher order aberrations (HOA).  However, as of now, toric soft lenses, which have become so reliable that they are manufactured as daily disposables, have 0.75DC as their lowest cylindrical correction.  This leaves many patients with an uncorrected cylindrical component which causes a greater negative impact of vision than typical uncorrected HOA values.  Is there a need or justification for manufacturing -0.50DC toric lenses?

METHODS: The data of all spectacle lens prescriptions for three consecutive months was obtained from an independent spectacle lens fabrication laboratory. The cylindrical component powers were tabulated and analyzed. The number of current toric lens combinations and additional lens combinations necessary for 0.50DC correction was calculated.

RESULTS:  Out of 3869 consecutive spectacle lens prescriptions 778 (20.1%) had correction of -0.50DC (27.3% of all cylindrical corrections), suggesting that 20% of potential lens wearers have significant residual astigmatism. Using the parameters of  sphere power of +6.00 to -8.00 (in 0.25D steps) with cylindrical corrections of 0.75, 1.25, 1.75 and 2.25 DC in round the clock axis steps of every 10 degrees 3816 lens alternatives need to be available. To incorporate -0.50DC correction an additional 934 lens parameters (an increase of 24.5%) would be necessary.

CONCLUSIONS:  Increasing the toric lens inventory by ~25% would theoretically capture an additional 20% of currently less-than-optimally corrected potential contact lens wearers.  We suggest contact lens manufacturers, in addition to pursuing HOA correction, might more profitably work on developing a 0.50DC toric lens.

Biography:

Rocío Zamora is a surgeon ophthalmologist with a fellowship in Microsurgery of Anterior Segment of the Eye and a fellowship in Córnea and Refractive Surgery. Nowdays she is working in Mexican institutes as Military Hospital and in private practice.

Abstract:

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Corneal ectasia is one of the most serious complications after refractive surgery and although some risk factors are known, mechanisms ectasia post refractive surgery are not entirely clear.

 

Material and Methods

Retrospective, observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study. Histopathological reports and slides of patients with ectasia secondary refractive surgery treated with penetrating keratoplasty were reviewed. Microscopic to measure corneal thickness and describe changes in the corneal layers pictures were taken.

 

Results

The average corneal thickness greater area ectasia was 344.83 microns and the average was 38.06 microns epithelium. In LASIK cases, the average thickness of the flap and was 162.29 microns 181.34 microns residual stromal bed. The most frequent alterations were atrophy and epithelial hyperplasia (62%), partial loss of Bowman layer (42%) and endothelial (56%) decrease. (Photomicrograph 1).

Discussion

Alterations in subsequent layers of the cornea as a decrease in the stromal bed and endothelial loss, are risk factors for corneal ectasia, which we support with our results; we add alterations in the previous layers.

 Conclusions

The findings of the previous layers of the cornea are histopathological factors that may contribute to the formation of corneal ectasia.

Biography:

Shroug Aldaham has recently graduated from Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), Spain with a PhD degree in Optics, Optometry and Vision. She has a BSc (Hons) in Optometry from King Saud University (KSU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and a Master of Science in Vision Science from the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. She has joined the Optometry department at KSU as a demonstrator (an academic position that prepares for professorship) before joining the Master program in Canada. After her masters she returned to Riyadh and later joined the PhD program at UCM. Both of her Masters and PhD studies were Saudi government-funded research grants. She has a research experience in pediatric vision screening and visual function testing in diabetics and has published in international optometric and vision research meetings. Her research interests are pediatric and diabetic visual function.

Abstract:

Background: Early retinal neurosensory dysfunction occurs before any apparent retinal vascular changes in type 2 diabetes.(1,2) It has been reported that diabetics without retinopathy show a decrease in mesopic letter contrast sensitivity(2) and in low contrast visual acuity..(3-5) The information however is lacking about whether different visual tests would show equal mesopic visual dysfunction or not. Purpose: The purpose of this study therefore is to assess mesopic visual function in type 2 diabetics without retinopathy, with well controlled glucose level, and compare it with healthy controls using three visual tests. Methods: This cross-sectional study included thirty-four normal controls and thirty type 2 diabetics without retinopathy, with age and sex matched and well controlled glucose level. Three visual function tests were assessed under mesopic luminance conditions (high and low contrast visual acuity, contrast sensitivity using sinusoidal gratings at low spatial frequencies of 0.5, 1, and 2 cycles per degree, and disk halo size). Results: Type 2 diabetics showed a worse high and low contrast visual acuity and a larger disk halo size compared to healthy subjects, but did not show any change in contrast sensitivity at low spatial frequencies. Conclusions: Type 2 diabetics without retinopathy do not show equal mesopic visual dysfunction for the three visual function tests.

This presentation will further examine the visual tests’ differences aiming to see which test can be used as a screening tool for diabetics to detect early visual changes before the onset of retinopathy.

Biography:

 Kumale Tolesa has completed Doctor of Medicine degree from Jimma University, School of Medicine and Ophthalmology specialty. She is an Assistant
Professor of Ophthalmology in Jimma University. She has published 4 papers in reputed journals and has 6 more pending publications. She has inclination towards
Glaucoma and Pediatric Ophthalmology. She did a short term fellowship on Pediatric Ophthalmology and strabismus at Gachon University Gil Hospital, South
Korea and Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, Nepal.

Abstract:

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, accounting for 15% of blindness. According to WHO estimate,
people with high Intraocular pressure (IOP), >21 mm Hg, are around 104.5 million. People who are blind due to glaucoma
are estimated to be 8 million. To date glaucoma community screening is a point of controversy. The aim of this study was to
determine the proportion of glaucoma among adults aged 40 years and above who had participated on a community screening
program in Jimma University, Department of Ophthalmology. A cross-sectional study was conducted among volunteer
residents of Jimma town and surrounding area with age 40 years and above who came on a community screening program
conducted after media announcement. The participants were interviewed by trained data collectors and complete ophthalmic
examination was performed in all cases by general ophthalmologists or/and glaucoma specialist. The data was analyzed using
SPSS for Windows version 16.0 software. X2 test was performed and P-value<0.05 was considered significant. Of the adults
who came for the screening, 47 (10.24%) were diagnosed to have glaucoma, 59 (12.85%) were glaucoma suspects, and 8
(1.74%) had ocular hypertension. The prevalence of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) was the highest (42.55% of all new
glaucoma cases, and 4.4% of all screened adults). Around 5.7% of all glaucoma cases were found to be blind. Female sex, lower
level of education, high blood pressure, and higher intraocular pressure were associated with glaucoma (P- value<0.05, 99%
CI). Female sex and younger age group were associated with POAG, whereas older age was associated with Pseudoexfoliative
glaucoma (P-value<0.05, 99% CI). Glaucoma awareness creation and glaucoma community screening should be promoted for
early diagnosis and intervention to prevent irreversible blindness.

Biography:

Serge Picaud director for Institut de la Vision, Team Leader - Retinal information processing: Pharmacology,toxicology, pathologies. Founder in Fovea Pharmaceuticals,
Founder in Pixium Vision, member of the scientific committee for the Federation des Aveugles de France, member of the administrative committee for the Fondation Voir
et Entendre, member of the CNRS committee for the section 25, member of ANR funding committee, member of AERES Committee

Abstract:

Following photoreceptor loss, electrical activation of residual retinal neurons can restore some visual function in blind
patients. However, the perception provided by current devices does not allow face recognition or autonomous motion
in an unknown environment. At the Vision Institute in Paris, we have assessed new photovoltaic retinal implants and
optogenetic therapy on non-human primates to improve further current strategies for restoring vision. Using photovoltaic
implants, individual retinal ganglion cells were activated by infrared activation of a single 100μm pixel and not by its neighbors
indicating thereby high resolution of the device. In vivo, photoreceptors were found to degenerate below the implant due to
the retinal detachment from the retinal pigment epithelium. Behavioral studies confirmed the presence of a blind spot upon
normal visual stimulation at the implant position. However, infrared stimulations at the implant position induced saccades
indicating thereby visual perception generated by the infrared sensitive implants. In parallel, microbial opsins were expressed
in the non-human primate retina through gene therapy. Activation of the retinal ganglion cells with patterns and short pulse
durations (1-10 ms) demonstrated the potential use of this strategy for visual restoration up to 6 months post injection. These
new results demonstrate efficacy on non-human primates for both photovoltaic implants and optogenetic therapy paving their
ways towards clinical trials.

Biography:

Hortense Chatard has her expertise in visual neurosciences and retina. This research is integrated in her thesis work “Postural control and eye movements in AMD subjects”. The aim is to improve knowledge on the impact of AMD on postural control and to develop functional rehabilitation techniques, in order to reduce functional disability and cost of coverage.

Abstract:

Age-related macular degeneration(AMD) represents a true public health issue because of the prevalence (1.6% before 64 years old and 27.9% after 85 years old), the cost of care (which increases with disease severity), psychological impact and functional disability (difficulty reading,driving restriction, etc.). According to HAS (Haute Autorité de Santé) and other authors, 33% of subjects older than 65 years have experienced at least one fall per year. It is a real public health problem because of autonomy loss and of themedical cost. Postural control iscontrolled by vestibular, proprioceptive, and visual information. The main goal of this study is to compare the impact of unilateral vs. bilateral AMDon postural sway, and the influence of different visual conditions. The hypothesis of our study was that the impact of AMD will be different between unilateral and bilateral AMD subjects compared to age-matched healthy elderly.Methods: Postural stability was measured with a platform (TechnoConcept®) in 10 elderly unilateral AMD subjects (mean age: 71.1±4.6 years), 10 elderly bilateral AMD subjects (mean age: 70.8±6.1 years), and 10 healthy age-matched control subjects (mean age: 69.8±6.3 years). Four visual conditionswere tested: both eyes viewing condition, dominant eye viewing, non-dominant eye viewing, and eyes closed. We analyzed the surface area, the length, the mean speed, the anteroposterior (AP),and mediolateraldisplacement of the center of pressure (CoP).Results: Bilateral AMD subjects had a surface area (p < 0.05) and AP displacement of the CoP (p < 0.01) higher than healthy elderly. Unilateral AMD subjects had more AP displacement of the CoP(p < 0.05) than healthy elderly.Conclusions: We suggest that ADM subjects could have poor postural adaptive mechanisms leading to increase their postural instability. Further studies will aim to improve knowledge on such issue and to develop reeducation techniques in these patients.

 

 

 

Biography:

Faith Ukachukwu is an Optometrist with clinical and research interest in primary eye care, community eye health, low vision and rehabilitation. He adopts a public
health approach in exploring critical eye care issues. His published work investigated refractive error distribution in children in an urban population in Nigeria. He
combines his experience and passion to advocate for blindness prevention, actively engage in eye health education and delivers papers at conferences.

Abstract:

Trachoma accounts for 4.2% of blindness in Nigeria and 17.9% of the blindness prevalence (2.5%) in Yobe state. Trachoma prevalence in children aged 1-5 years is 35.7%. The socio-economic burden includes visual disability, decreased productivity and reduced quality of life. Trachoma has remained endemic in Yobe state, despite WHO’s recommended SAFE strategy, (which includes Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial hygiene, and Environmental sanitation), to prevent the spread of trachoma and eliminate it by 2020.

PURPOSE

This evidence review study was conducted to identify the factors militating against the elimination of Trachoma in Yobe state and the feasibility for its ‘SAFE’ end in 2020.

METHOD/FINDINGS

A review of the literature on Trachoma prevalence in Yobe state, Nigeria and implementation of the SAFE strategy was conducted to identify gaps and opportunities of public health interventions to assist in eliminating Trachoma by 2020. Although, the evidence shows substantial coverage of Azithromycin distribution in Yobe state, the enduring cycle of Trachoma transmission is likely to be caused by absence of fly vector control, overcrowded households, poor sanitation, inadequate toilet facilities, lack of clean water, poverty and social inequalities, absence of a national Trachoma policy and disruption to services due to terrorism.

PROPOSED INNOVATION

There is a need for stronger upstream interventions, within the development of a national Trachoma program just like Ghana and Gambia. Investment in innovative Information and Communication Technology (ICT) like the Tropical data smartphone app could help monitor progress of elimination efforts, and Zithromax® Shipment Tracker could track donations of drugs to Yobe. Government should prioritise socio-economic development, sustainable health promotion campaigns and fighting terrorism. Midstream intervention includes use of deltamethrin insecticides to control flies such as has been done in Gambia. Downstream intervention involves rain water harvesting, introduction of Peepoo disposable single-use toilet bags for defecation, promotion of good personal and facial hygiene, and strengthening of primary health system.

 

CONCLUSION

Properly implementing the F and E aspect of the SAFE strategy and the strong action across three streams of prevention identified will reduce transmission and bring us close to trachoma elimination if not in 2020 perhaps in the decade afterwards.

 

Biography:

Erwan David is a PhD student in the LS2N laboratory (University of Nantes, France). After completing Master degrees in social and cognitive psychology (2014), then in cognitive sciences (2016) he is now studying visual attention in a multidisciplinary position, harnessing knowledge from computer science, psychology and vision science to create new visual attention models. With his team, they are studying central and peripheral visions' idiosyncracies thanks to patients with visual defects (glaucoma, AMD) and normal participants.

Abstract:

Understanding roles played by the processing of central and peripheral stimuli would mean a better understanding of the
ocular behaviour and strategies of patients with peripheral or central visual field defects. This could lead to detection tests,
visual field restoration therapies, or adapted viewing devices and applications designed to help visually-impaired individuals.
Considering this, we devised an experimental setup to simulate scotomas during visual tasks. This protocol relies on online
eyetracking data to modify on-screen stimuli; applying a mask covering part of the screen. For instance, this mask can be a
disk displayed at the center of the participant’s vision, effectively preventing any sampling of the scene with the fovea. The
eyetracking device continuously sends gaze positions to the rendering computer which modifies the display accordingly. One
issue here has to do with the delay between eye movements and relocation of the mask, for scene perception has been reported
at very low latencies. A maximum latency of 13 milliseconds was achieved by relying on the GPU acceleration to update the
scene with the latest gaze position. In our application, the rationale stemmed from the fact that experimenting on patients
presents many drawbacks (e.g. variability of visual defects, cognitive idiosyncracies of elderly subjects and evolution of coping
strategies); but this protocol allows the study of visual defects with normal participants through simulation. The nature of the
masks is binary (hiding part of a surface, showing the remainder) as in the previous example. Though, we know that visual field
defects can be experienced in many ways, this is why this protocol allows adjusting the size, deepness, form and localization
of the defect. This setup could find applications in visual field training. It might become useful in training patients toward
developing proper pseudofoveas in the case of AMD.

Biography:

Nuha Fath Elrahman obtained PhD in Optometry and Visual Science in 2009. She started the Department of Medical and Ophthalmic Photography and is the
Head of the Department of Medical and Ophthalmic Photography at Al-Neelain University, Sudan. She is a Member of Al-Neelain University Senate and General
and Academic Secretary of Sudanese Union of Optometrists. She is a Member of the Medical and Health Professional Council and AOA, and attended many
international conferences.

Abstract:

The study is considered to be the first study in Sudan concerned with children who were born blind. It was aimed to find
out the main causes of born blindness, and the role of inheritance through their families. The study was done in Khartoum
State- Sudan. Any subject who was registered as blind since birth, his visual acuity 3/60 or less and agreed to participate in
this study was included. Permission was taken from the leader of the centers of blinds. Verbal consent was obtained before
examinations. Personal demographic data, history, visual acuity test and refraction, ocular examinations were taken. A
questionnaire was used to assess parent's relationship and history of blindness. A total number of 211 subjects were screened,
120 subjects (56.87%) were suitable. 75.83% males and 24.17% females. Their mean age was 23.15±8.1 years. The causes of
born blindness were congenital cataract (28.33%), corneal abnormalities (28.33%), optic nerve defects (27.5%) and retinal
abnormalities (5.83). Structural abnormalities (3.33%) and 6.68% of the subjects were without ocular anatomical defects. 75%
of the subjects showed positive family history of blindness, 93.33% of the subject's parents were related (71.66% of the parents
were of 1st degree cousins, 10% are 2nd degree and 11.67% far relationship). 75% of childhood blindness was inherited (51.66%
autosomal recessive, 9.17% autosomal dominant, 14.17% X-linked, 25% isolated cases).