Eye movements as a predictor of preference for progressive power lenses

The purpose of this study is to determine if there is any correlation between the characteristics of the user’s eye movements (EMs) and the preference of the user when wearing different Progressive power lenses (PPLs) distributions. An eye-tracker system with a sample rate of 120Hz and temporal resolution of 8.3ms (Tobii-X3-120) was used to register EMs of 38 PPL users when reading in a computer screen with 2 types of PPLs (PPL-soft and PPL-hard). Number of fixations, complete fixation time, fixation duration mean, saccade duration mean, saccade distance mean, and number of regressions were analyzed for 6 different regions of the computer screen. A statistically significant difference was observed between the characteristics of the user’s EMs and the user’s PPL subjective preference (p<0.05*). Subjects that preferred the PPL-hard presented significantly lower complete fixation time, lower fixation duration mean and lower number of regressions than those subjects indicating a preference for the PPL-soft. Results of this study suggest that eye-tracking systems can be used as PPL design recommendation systems according to the user EMs performance

Early Detection of Refractive Errors by Photorefraction at School Age

Early detection and treatment of refractive defects during school age are essential to avoid irreversible future vision loss and potential school problems. Previously, vision screening of preschool children used methods based on subjective visual acuity; however, technologies such as photorefraction have promoted the detection of refractive errors quickly and easily. In this study, 1347 children from 10 schools in Madrid aged 4 to 12 years participated in a program of early detection of visual problems, which consisted of visual screening composed of anamnesis and photorefraction with a PlusOptix A12R. The prevalence of refractive errors was analyzed in terms of spherical equivalent, cylinder and its orientation, and potential cases of development of high myopia or amblyopia. Hyperopia predominates in the early years, but the number of myopic subjects is higher than that of hyperopic subjects from the age of ten onwards. At all ages, the predominant orientation of astigmatism was with-the-rule. On average, 80% of the myopic subjects were uncorrected. Potential high myopia increased with age, from 4 to 21% of the measured population. Potential amblyopia cases decreased across age groups, from 19 to 13.7%. There is a need to raise awareness of the importance of vision screening at school age to address vision problems

Effectiveness of a Spectacle Lens with a Specific Asymmetric Myopic Peripheral Defocus: 12-Month Results in a Spanish Population

Background: Different designs of ophthalmic lenses have been studied to control the progression of myopia in children. This study aims to evaluate the short-term efficacy of a new design of ophthalmic lens with asymmetric myopic peripheral defocus (MPDL) on myopia progression in children compared to a control group wearing a single-vision lens (SVL). Methods: Children aged 5 to 12 with myopia up to −0.50 D, astigmatism and anisometropia under 1.50 D, and corrected visual acuity over 20/20 were randomized to either the study group (MPDL) or control group (SVL). The myopia progression was evaluated by measuring axial length (AL) growth (IOL Master; Zeiss) over a period of one year. Results: Ninety-two subjects were recruited. Forty-six children were randomly assigned to the control group, and 46 to the study group. In total, 83 children completed the clinical trial, with a mean age of 10.81 [9.53–11.92] years, among which 59.04% were female. After one year of treatment, there was less AL elongation in the study group compared to the control group (0.16 ± 0.16 mm vs. 0.24 ± 0.16 mm, p = 0.034). Conclusions: The MPDL significantly reduced the absolute growth of AL by 39% (p = 0.014) and relative growth of AL by 37.3% (p = 0.012) after 12 months in comparison to the control group in a Spanish population