Common Approach to Low Vision: Examination and Rehabilitation of the Patient with Low Vision

Due to the increasing age of the global population, rates of visual disability are increasing. Visual rehabilitation is an effective method for increasing quality of life among individuals with low vision or blindness due to unpreventable or untreatable causes. The goal of low vision rehabilitation is to produce people who are independent, have an economically viable profession or skill, and are able to enjoy their lives. The stages of modern low vision rehabilitation include the intake interview, assessment of residual visual functions, assessment of residual functional vision, interventions and recommendations, and vision rehabilitation therapies

Türkiye’de et tüketimi ve sürdürülebilirlik

This study was carried out to determine the amount of meat consumption by adult individuals and its affecting factors in Turkey and to evaluate them within the framework of sustainable nutrition and climate change. The study was completed with 613 adult individuals between 1-31 March 2021. It was determined that the average red meat consumption was per capita 49.34 +/- 53.73 g/day Those with an income of more than 15000 Turkish lira consumed 45.95 g more red meat than those with an income of less than 3000 Turkish lira. "Taste" was the most commonly cited reason for consuming red meat. While 60.8% of the participants reported that they would reduce their red meat consumption for environmental health, 76.7% of them stated that they would not consume artificially produced red meat. In this study, it was determined that women consumed less meat group foods than men and participants with lower incomes consumed less than those with higher incomes. The amount of red meat consumption was found to be about half of the global average. More studies are required to evaluate the effect of nutrition style on climate change in Turkey.Bu çalışma, Türkiye’de yetişkin bireylerin et tüketim miktarını ve etkileyen faktörleri belirlemek ve sonuçları sürdürülebilir beslenme ve iklim değişikliği çerçevesinde değerlendirmek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Çalışma verileri 1-31 Mart 2021 tarihlerinde 613 yetişkin bireyden toplanmıştır. Çalışmada kırmızı et tüketiminin ortalama kişi başı 49,34±53,73 g/gün olduğu belirlenmiştir. Geliri 15000 TL üstü olanların, geliri 3000 TL altı olanlara göre 45.95 g daha fazla kırmızı et tükettiği belirlenmiştir. Kırmızı et tüketme nedeni olarak “lezzet” en çok belirtilendir. Katılımcıların %60,8’i çevre sağlığı için kırmızı et tüketimini azaltabileceğini bildirirken, %76,7’si yapay olarak üretilmiş kırmızı eti tüketmeyeceğini belirtmişlerdir. Bu çalışmada kadınların erkeklerden, düşük gelirlilerin de yüksek gelirlilerden daha az miktarda et grubu besinleri tükettiği belirlenmiştir. Kırmızı et tüketim miktarı küresel ortalamanın yaklaşık yarısı kadar bulunmuştur. Türkiye’de beslenme tarzının iklim değişikliğine etkisini değerlendirecek daha fazla çalışmaya ihtiyaç vardır

Development and validation of the Turkish version of the MNREAD visual acuity charts

Aim: To design and validate a Turkish version of the MNREAD acuity charts. Materials and methods: A vocabulary was created using high-frequency words that appear in Turkish schoolbooks used by 8-year-old children in the third grade. In total, 125 sentences were generated. Th e sentences were read by 2 groups (20 adults and 20 primary school students), and reading time and verbal mistakes were recorded. Th ereaft er, persistent verbal mistakes and sentences with extreme high and low mean reading speeds were excluded. Finally, the validity of the participants’ reading speed as measured with the MNREAD Turkish version was determined by comparing it to their reading speed for daily reading tasks. Results: Reading speed for text of 1.6 M print size (logMAR 0.6) was 185.10 ± 20.46 words/min, reading speed for text of 1 M print size (logMAR 0.4) was 185.45 ± 27.27 words/min, and the maximum reading speeds calculated using the MNREAD Turkish version were 191.50 ± 32.19 words/min for chart 1 and 190.55 ± 27.35 words/min for chart 2. As expected, correlations were observed between chart 1 and chart 2 (r = 0.88, P < 0.01), between chart 1 and logMAR 0.6 text (r = 0.74, P < 0.01), between chart 1 and logMAR 0.4 text (r = 0.67, P < 0.01), between chart 2 and logMAR 0.6 text (r = 0.63, P < 0.01), and between chart 2 and logMAR 0.4 text (r = 0.59, P < 0.01). Conclusion: Th e MNREAD Turkish version was tested using persons with normal vision and results were obtained from similar groups using daily reading material. Th e MNREAD acuity charts are logarithmic and continuous-text reading acuity charts for people in Turkey with normal and low vision

A Comparison of job selection by students with and without hearing impairment

AbstractObjectives: Hearing loss can significantly affect an individual’s life, particularly in communication, education, social life and work life. The objective of the present study was to determine the required educational levels for the preferred jobs by the students with and without hearing impairment. Methods: This study, based on surveys made in two different schools, was performed in Ankara in May 2004. Surveys were made in Yahya Özsoy Primary School for the Deaf (n=119) with students having a hearing loss over 70 dB, and in a National Primary School (n=119) with students without a hearing impairment. The study, conducted by trained staff on both groups was done by filling up questionnaires focused on the job and educational level preferences of students. The required education levels for preferred jobs were considered as two groups: the first group required an education of a minimum of 11 years in order to become doctors, nurses, teachers etc. The second group did not require any education or required an education of less than 11 years in order to become shoe painters, drivers, ironers, grocers etc. Logistic regression analyses were used for the statistical analyses. Results: It was found that several factors influence the required education levels for the preferred jobs: students who were attending the hearing impaired school and were male were more likely to prefer less than 11 years educational level job compared to the other group. There was no association between the required educational levels for the preferred jobs of the students and the class, maternal age, employment status or education, or of the paternal age, employment status or education. Considering only the students with hearing impairment, male students more frequently prefer less than 11 years educational jobs than females. Similar results were also seen in the group of students without hearing impairment. Conclusions: The importance of career training and counseling that may benefit young people, especially those who are hard of hearing was seen. In order to meet these needs, specialized instructional programs for dormitory counselors in schools for the deaf should be implemented.Key Words: Preferred job, hearing-impaired students, career counselingÖzetAmaç: Bu çalışma ile sağlıklı ve işitme engelli öğrencilerin mesleki tercihlerinin karşılaştırılması, olası farklılıklar ile bunu etkileyen faktörlerin saptanması amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem: Çalışma Mayıs 2004’te Ankara’da, 70 dB üzerinde işitme kayıbı olanların devam ettiği Yahya Özsoy İşitme Engelliler İlköğretim Okulu öğrencileri (n=119) ile belirlenmiş engeli olmayanların devam ettiği bir İlköğretim Okulu öğrencileri (n=119) üzerinde yürütülmüştür. Öğrencilere uygulanan anket formlarında, sosyodemografik bilgilerin yanı sıra ileride kendileri için hangi mesleği düşündükleri ve bu meslek için gereken eğitim seviyesi sorgulanmıştır. Seçilen meslek için gereken eğitim seviyesi kriteri olarak 11 yıl alınmıştır. Ayakkabı boyacılığı, terzilik, demircilik, marangozluk, boyacılık, tır şoförlüğü gibi meslekler 11 yıldan az süre eğitim gerektiren meslekler grubuna dahil edilmiş olup; öğretmen, pilot, doktor, hemşire gibi meslekler 11 yıl ve üzerinde bir süre eğitim gerektiren meslekler grubunda ele alınmıştır. İstatistiksel analiz yöntemi olarak lojistik regresyon kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: Seçilen meslek için gereken eğitim seviyesini etkileyen faktörlere bakıldığında, işitme engelli okuluna devam eden öğrenciler ile erkek öğrencilerin diğer gruplara göre daha fazla oranda 11 yıldan az eğitim gerektiren meslek tercihinde bulundukları saptanmıştır. Halen devam edilen sınıf, annenin yaşı, çalışma durumu ve eğitimi ile, babanın yaşı, çalışma durumu ve eğitiminin tercih edilen meslek için gereken eğitim seviyesi ile ilişkili olmadığı görülmüştür. Yalnızca işitme engelli öğrenciler ele alındığında, erkek öğrencilerin kızlara göre daha fazla oranda 11 yıldan az eğitim gerektiren meslek tercihinde bulundukları saptanmıştır. Benzer fark normal okula devam eden öğrenciler arasında da gözlenmiştir. Sonuç: Bu bulgular ışığında, kariyer ve meslek tercihi, konusunda özellikle ağır işitme engeli olan çocukların daha hayatlarının başında beklentilerini düşük tuttukları görülmektedir. Bununla birlikte, diğer ülkelerde bu konuda yapılan çalışmaların sonuçları da göz önüne alınarak yapılan değerlendirmelerde bu grup çocuklar ve genç erişkinlerin ülkemizde yakalayamadıkları kariyer yönlendirme, geliştirme gibi sosyal desteklerle oldukça önemli mesleklerde başarılı oldukları da görülmektedir. Ülkemizde de bu anlamda geliştirici çalışmalar yapılmalıdır.Anahtar Kelimeler: Meslek tercihi, işitme engelli çocuklar, kariyer danışmanlığı </span

Clinical Characteristics and Low Vision Rehabilitation Methods for Partially Sighted School-Age Children

Objectives: To determine the clinical features and the distribution of diagnosis in partially sighted school-age children, to report the chosen low vision rehabilitation methods and to emphasize the importance of low vision rehabilitation. Materials and Methods: The study included 150 partially sighted children between the ages of 6 and 18 years. The distribution of diagnosis, accompanying ocular findings, visual acuity of the children both for near and distance with and without low vision devices, and the methods of low vision rehabilitation (for distance and for near) were determined. The demographic characteristics of the children and the parental consanguinity were recorded. Results: The mean age of children was 10.6 years and the median age was 10 years; 88 (58.7%) of them were male and 62 (41.3%) of them were female. According to distribution of diagnoses among the children, the most frequent diagnosis was hereditary fundus dystrophies (36%) followed by cortical visual impairment (18%). The most frequently used rehabilitation methods were: telescopic lenses (91.3%) for distance vision; magnifiers (38.7%) and telemicroscopic systems (26.0%) for near vision. A significant improvement in visual acuity both for distance and near vision were determined with low vision aids. Conclusion: A significant improvement in visual acuity can be achieved both for distance and near vision with low vision rehabilitation in partially sighted school-age children. It is important for ophthalmologists and pediatricians to guide parents and children to low vision rehabilitatio

Low Vision Rehabilitation in Older Adults

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnosis distribution, low vision rehabilitation methods and utilization of low vision rehabilitation in partially sighted persons over 65 years old. Materials and Methods: One hundred thirty-nine partially sighted geriatric patients aged 65 years or older were enrolled to the study between May 2012 and September 2013. Patients’ age, gender and the distribution of diagnosis were recorded. The visual acuity of the patients both for near and distance were examined with and without low vision devices and the methods of low vision rehabilitation were evaluated. Results: The mean age of the patients was 79.7 years and the median age was 80 years. Ninety-six (69.1%) of the patients were male and 43 (30.9%) were female. According to the distribution of diagnosis, the most frequent diagnosis was senile macular degeneration for both presenile and senile age groups. The mean best corrected visual acuity for distance was 0.92±0.37 logMAR and 4.75±3.47 M for near. The most frequently used low vision rehabilitation methods were telescopic glasses (59.0%) for distance and hyperocular glasses (66.9%) for near vision. A significant improvement in visual acuity both for distance and near vision were determined with low vision aids. Conclusion: The causes of low vision in presenile and senile patients in our study were similar to those of patients from developed countries. A significant improvement in visual acuity can be achieved both for distance and near vision with low vision rehabilitation in partially sighted geriatric patients. It is important to guide them to low vision rehabilitation

Low Vision Rehabilitation in Patients with Hereditary Retinal Dystrophy

Objectives: To examine the methods of low vision rehabilitation in patients with hereditary retinal dystrophy. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ophthalmology Department of Low Vision Rehabilitation and Research Unit between January 2005 and May 2013. The diagnosis of 181 of 1841 patients referred to this unit was determined as hereditary retinal dystrophy (HRD). Patients were grouped according to their distant and near visual acuities as indicated in ICD-10 classification. The demographic data and the optical-telescopic device types were recorded. Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD), number, or percent (%). Results: Of the 181 patients, 73 were women and 108 were men. The mean age of patients was 27.1±17.3 years at first examination. 39.2% of patients were under the age of 18 as a pediatric age group. HRDs in decreasing order of frequency were as follows: retinitis pigmentosa (35.7%), cone-rod dystrophy (22.0%), Stargardt’s disease (19.6%), cone dystrophy (17.1%), achromatopsy (4.4%), congenital stationary night blindness (0.4%), and Leber’s congenital amaurosis (0.4%). According to the ICD-10 classification, 10 patients were with mild visual impairment, 126 patients were with low vision, and 44 patients were within the category of blindness. Telescopes were recommended to 127 patients (70.1%). In our study, mean near visual acuity was 1.2±0.3 logMAR. Optical systems were proposed to 136 patients (75.1%) for near visual rehabilitation. Filter glasses were proposed to 43.6% of patients. Conclusion: The patients with hereditary retinal dystrophy are candidates for low vision rehabilitation. In our study, low vision devices were proposed to 2/3 of the patients. It is important to refer these patients to the low vision clinics for benefit from the optical and non-optical systems. (Turk J Ophthalmol 2015; 45: 25-30

Rehabilitation Methods for Patients with Geographic Atrophy due to Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Effects of Rehabilitation on Quality of Life

Purpose. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the low vision rehabilitation methods and to investigate the effect of visual rehabilitation on quality of life in patients with low vision due to geographic atrophy from age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).Methods. The better-seeing eye of 78 patients with geographic atrophy due to ARMD were included in the study. Sociodemographic characteristics, ophthalmological examination findings, and preferred low vision aids for near and distant were recorded. Fifty-seven patients who preferred to use a low vision aid device in daily life were considered as a rehabilitation group, whereas 21 patients who did not use any device were considered as a control group. The National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25) was applied to all patients at the initial examination and at least 6 months after the initial examination.Results. In the rehabilitation group, statistically significant increases were found in the overall composite score, and general vision, near and distance activities, social functioning, mental health, role difficulties, and dependency subscale scores of the NEI-VFQ-25 quality of life scale after low vision rehabilitation (p=0.009 for general vision, p0.05). All patients (n = 78) were recommended to use at least one low vision aid for near vision. Hyperocular glasses were recommended for 77 patients (98.72%), magnifiers for 15 patients (19.23%), electro-optical devices for 2 patients (2.56%), and telemicroscope for one patient (1.28%). Furthermore, 17 patients (21.8%) were prescribed more than one low vision aids. However, for distance vision, only 29 patients (37.18%) received a recommendation for a low vision aid.Conclusions. Low vision patients with ARMD-related geographic atrophy should meet with low vision aids as soon as possible and should be included in low vision rehabilitation programs

Screening 5 and 6 year-old children starting primary school for development and language

Anlar, Banu/0000-0001-6727-6229WOS: 000389714300003PubMed: 27976553Beginning school is an important milestone for children. Children's readiness for school involves cognitive, physical, and emotional development. Certain school programs allow children to start first grade after 66 months of age, together with 72 month-old children. In order to estimate school readiness, we screened children before starting first grade and compared their school performance according to their age and socio-demographic characteristics. Marmara School Readiness, Denver II developmental screening, and language assessment tests were applied. Language delays were more frequent and school readiness test scores were lower in the younger group compared to older children. However, school achievement did not differ between the two age groups. Preschool education, parental income and education affected performance in most tests. Preschool screening seems effective in detecting children with lower than average developmental skills, and the school system may provide a practical opportunity for providing support to those children