Vision-related tasks in children with visual impairment: a multi-method study

ObjectiveFunctional Vision (FV) is vital for the successful growth of children with visual impairment. However, tasks related to measuring FV have not been thoroughly studied for this population. To address this gap, this study seeks to establish a comprehensive set of vision-related tasks that consider both the difficulty levels of activities and the ages of children with visual impairment.MethodsThis study utilized a sequential multi-method design, including a scoping review, a qualitative content analysis, and a focus group. Firstly, a scoping review was conducted to identify vision-related tasks based on the literature. Then, to contextualize the vision-related tasks, a qualitative content analysis was carried out. Subsequently, a focus group was conducted to categorize the identified tasks based on their difficulty levels and the children’s level of dependency. We utilized the directed content analysis method to analyze the data, using the occupational domain of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework 4th edition (OTPF-4) as the primary framework.ResultsDuring the review phase, which included 22 studies, and the interview phase, which involved 16 participants, a total of 95 and 85 vision-related tasks were identified, respectively. These tasks were then categorized into 17 activities and five occupations, which included activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), education, play, and participation in social activities. Among these occupations, ADL was the easiest, while participation in social activities was the most challenging. Finally, the tasks were arranged based on their difficulty level for children with visual impairment.ConclusionA comprehensive list of vision-related tasks has been developed based on the difficulty level of the tasks and the degree of dependency of children with visual impairment. This list can be used to develop standardized instruments for assessing FV in children with visual impairment

Breeding Biology of Grey Heron Ardea cinerea in Siahkeshim Protected Area, Northern Iran

Abstract: The breeding ecology of Grey Heron was studied during 2008 and 2009 breeding seasons in Siahkeshim Protected Area of Anzali Wetland. In this study the chicks have been monitored in the nesting, egg-laying and fledgling stages. The nests were oval-shaped and the following parameters were measured: greater and smaller external diameter, greater and smaller internal diameter, external height and depth of nest. In the first year, the average clutch size (totaling 91 eggs) was 4.33±0.68, whereas the average number of hatched eggs and the average numbers of chicks surviving to fledging were 80.2% and 78.02%, respectively. In other words, 3.38 chicks, on average, arrived to fledging per nest in this region. But, in the second year, there were only five active nests with a total of 14 eggs from which only one egg hatched and fledged. The reduction of nesting and breeding success in the second year is compared and discussed

Corneal topography and higher-order aberrations in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Changes in blood sugar levels cause alterations in the anterior segment and retina of the eye. This study was aimed at evaluating corneal topography, aberrometry, and corneal asphericity in patients with treatment-naive type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Participants with treatment-naive T2DM were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The inclusion criteria were glycated hemoglobin A1c (Hb A1c) greater than or equal to 7.5% and absence of other ocular or systemic diseases. Patients who refused to participate or had a history of topical or systemic steroid use, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, anemia, prior ocular disorder or surgery, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataract, active ocular inflammatory or infectious disease, or contact lens use were excluded. All participants underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination. The Pentacam HR Scheimpflug tomography system (Pentacam High Resolution; Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany) was used to measure the anterior-segment parameters. Results: Sixty eyes of 30 patients with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1 were included; the mean (standard deviation [SD]) age and Hb A1c were 51.63 (6.73) years and 8.82% (1.31%), respectively. The mean (SD) values of central corneal thickness, root mean square (RMS) of total aberration, RMS of lower-order aberrations, RMS of higher-order aberrations, spherical aberration, 0° coma, 90° coma, flat anterior keratometry (K), steep anterior K, mean anterior K, anterior topographic astigmatism, flat posterior K, steep posterior K, mean posterior K, posterior topographic astigmatism, anterior corneal asphericity, and posterior corneal asphericity were 540.22 (24.47) µm, 1.72 (0.73) µm, 1.63 (0.73) µm, 0.51 (0.17) µm, + 0.31 (0.09) µm, - 0.06 (0.15) diopters (D), 0.003 (0.21) D, 43.87 (1.49) D, 44.69 (1.50) D, 44.28 (1.44) D, + 0.82 (0.83) D, - 6.25 (0.27) D, - 6.55 (0.31) D, - 6.40 (0.28) D, - 0.30 (0.15) D, - 0.32 (0.12) Q-value, and - 0.47 (0.17) Q-value, respectively. Conclusions: We presented the mean values of Pentacam parameters for aberrometry, keratometry, and corneal asphericity in patients with treatment-naive T2DM. These values could serve as a baseline for prospective monitoring of the ocular health status of this cohort and for comparison with future cohorts of patients with well-controlled T2DM. Further studies are required to assess the presence and applicability of ocular changes following intensive blood glucose control in T2DM and further understand the related pathophysiology

Science and technology diplomacy and the power of students: the case of Iranian student in Malaysia

The world is witnessing a paradigm shift in international relations. Due to rapid changes in science and technology, “Science and Technology Diplomacy” (scientific diplomacy) has emerged as a new strategy for developing, shaping, and reshaping international relations across the world. In this paper, a scientometric approach is applied to study the trend and progress of “Scientific Diplomacy” in Iran’s relationship with Malaysia during the last few years. The results of the study show that, with 5569 joint publications and as part of the 10,239 authors from both countries, Iranian students in Malaysia have contributed to 10.13% of Iran’s international joint publications between 2012 and 2017. Additionally, Iranian students in Malaysia have contributed to 9.8% of all Malaysian international joint publications during the same period. This is equal to 2.06% and 3.6% of all scientific publications in Iran and Malaysia, respectively. Using Malaysia as a specific case, the study shows a significant relationship between the presence of Iranian students in Malaysia and the growth of scientific and academic collaboration between the two countries. The results of the study have many scientific, political, cultural, and social implications. Considering this study and applying its results to similar cases, “Scientific Diplomacy” seems to work successfully worldwide and plays a key role in future relations among nations. “Scientific Diplomacy” has great potential for furthering the development of relations between nations in very intelligent ways, and may help their states avoid possible disputes and conflicts

Seven-year experience in a low vision rehabilitation clinic at a tertiary referral center

Background: Low vision is a major public health concern. This study was aimed at describing the characteristics of patients attending a low vision rehabilitation clinic. Methods:  In this retrospective study, we reviewed the medical records of patients with low vision attending a low vision rehabilitation clinic at a tertiary referral center over 7 years. We extracted the following data from each record: age, sex, education level, employment status, chief complaints with respect to vision, associated ocular diseases, status of previously prescribed optical devices, uncorrected distance and near visual acuities, best-corrected distance and near visual acuities, the status of prescribed optical devices, and cooperation status of patients during optometric examination. Results: Finally, 567 patients were included with a mean (standard deviation) age of 40.46 (28.34) years and a male-to-female ratio of 338 (59.6%) to 229 (40.4%). The majority of participants were cooperative (98.4) with a high rate of unemployment (90.5%) and low education level. Half of the patients had moderate vision impairment (49.2%). Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) was the commonest cause (21.3%). Reading was the most frequent complaint (22.9%) and combination of three complaints (reading, writing, and facial recognition) were recorded in 54.7% of patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the likelihood of difficulties in in-house-activities, reading, facial recognition and social activities, and driving increased with age (odds ratios of 1.39, 1.31, 1.24, and 1.22 per 10-year increment in age) (all P < 0.05). The likelihood of expressing three complaints (reading, writing, and facial recognition together) increased with visual acuity. Besides, men were more likely to have difficulties in driving and reading, while women were more likely to have difficulties in facial recognition and social activities or in-house activities (all P < 0.05). Optical devices for distance or near were prescribed for most patients. Conclusions: Most patients were men and unemployed. The most common category and cause of low vision were moderate vision impairment and ARMD, respectively. Reading, writing, and facial recognition was the most common complaints. Optometrists should address these findings during rehabilitation therapy in patients with low vision

A Comparative Study of Social Anxiety of Blind and Visually-impaired People With Sighted People

Background and Objectives: Social anxiety is a type of disorder in which a person becomes anxious and afraid in social interactions and situations. It is well known that 90% of a person’s social interactions are related to their vision, so blind people definitely have problems in all their social interactions. Methods: Leibovitz’s social anxiety scale is the only tool that is based on social situations. Participants were asked to answer the questions of the data collection tool. Normal subjects were also randomly selected from the normal population who are similar to the patient group in terms of age and gender. The results were analyzed with relevant statistical software. Results: The results show that the average score of social anxiety in the blind group is 43.27 and 44.25 in the sighted group. The average score of avoidance in the blind group is 39.83 and 41.66 in the sighted group. The amount of social anxiety between the blind and the visually impaired group has a significant difference compared to normal people. There is also a significant difference in the comparison between totally blind and mildly impaired people (P=0.027). The amount of avoidance is also different between totally blind and sighted people. There is a significance (P=0.024) and there is a statistical difference between the totally blind and mildly visually impaired (P=0.022). Conclusion: People with normal vision or mild vision loss experience more degrees of social anxiety as well as avoidance than totally blind people

Possible Long Term Effects of Chemical Warfare Using Visual Evoked Potentials

Some studies have already addressed the effects of occupational organic solvent exposure on the visually evoked potentials (VEPs). Visual system is an important target for Sulphur Mustard (SM) toxicity. A number of Iranian victims of Sulphur Mustard (SM) agent were apprehensive about the delay effect of SM on their vision and a possible delay effect of SM on their visual cortex. This investigation was performed on 34 individuals with a history of chemical exposure and a control group of 15 normal people. The Toennies electro-diagnosis device was used and its signals were saved as the latencies. The mean of N75, N140 and P100 of victims of chemical warfare (VCWs) and control group indicated no significant results (P>0.05). The VCWs did not show any visual symptoms and there was no clear deficit in their VEPs