Sensory Compensation in Children Following Vision Loss after Trauma and Disease

Sensory compensation or sensory substitution occurs when a sense organ, such as the eye, is lost due to trauma or disease. Individuals often experience phantom limb sensation or pain but research increasingly points towards some individuals developing a heightened level of functioning in their remaining senses, particularly in their remaining intact eye. Losing an eye at an early age can often result in “super functioning” in the remaining eye providing that no similar trauma or disease results. Cases include young children who have undergone enucleation because of diagnosed unilateral retinoblastoma and whose remaining eye is free from disease

Normative Values for 18-30 Age Group of Benton Visual Retention Test Scores and Pre-morbid Intelligence Quotients: New Data Comparisons for Diagnosing Memory and Visual Spatial Deficits in Alzheimer's Disease and Stroke

The Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT) is a well known test used to assess visual memory deficits and visual spatial abilities in patients. Normative data for the 18-30 age group is not presently covered thoroughly; hence, this study continues the work of previous series that examined data comprising BVRT scores, intelligence quotients (IQ), anxiety and depression levels, and gender effects. Correlations between pre-morbid estimates of IQ across different BVRT administrations were examined and discussed in order to compile a database of new data comparisons for this age group

Normative Values for 18-30 Ages of Benton Visual Retention Test Correct Scores and Intelligence Quotients: A Short Report for Clinical Comparison

The Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT) is a well known test used to assess visual memory deficits and visual spatial abilities in patients. There is normative data available for the 18-30 age range though it is not comprehensive and does not cover the higher intelligence quotient ranges. Findings from two studies are presented in combination for use as normative correct score values

Establishing normative values for 18-35 years age in neuropsychological tests used with head and brain injury patients during cognitive rehabilitation: Benton Visual Retention Test and National Adult Reading Test

The Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT) is a neuropsychological assessment of visuo-spatial and visuo-memory ability. Claims of high reliability and validity are based on solitary samples representative of a wide age range. This study validated theBVRTagainst the National Adult Reading Test (NART), a highly validated and reliable test of estimated pre-morbid IQ in an age-specific group of participants (18-35 years). Using Between-subjects factorial design, fifty-three participants (24 female, 29 male) aged 18-35 years (inclusive) were administered the NART and 3 administrations of the BVRT. Significant positive correlations were found betweenBVRTError scores and NART Error scores for administrations B and C of theBVRTwhich is when presented stimuli are followed by a short time delay before allowing respondents to recall. Significant negative correlations were found over these administrations forBVRTCorrect scores and NART Error scores. No significant relationship was found between depression and performance on theBVRT. However, a weak, non-significant relationship was found between anxiety andBVRTperformance. The BVRTis a well-validated and highly reliable neuropsychological test of visuo-spatial and visuo-memory abilities. Findings provide new data for the 18-35 years age group as well as providing a cautionary note on the possible influence of anxiety on performance levels in light of the frequent occurrence of anxiety post-neurological injury

Are Mock Jurors Influenced by the Defendants Gender, Socio-Economic Status and Emotional State in Forensic Medicine?

The aim of this study was to investigate whether mock jurors’ decisions were affected by the defendant’s gender, socio-economic status and emotional state in mock cases. The implications are far reaching, especially in trials that involve forensic medicine. An experimental design was used where a total of 24 participants from Bournemouth University took part, and were assigned to one of four groups. In these groups, the three independent variables were manipulated. Participants were presented with two murder/manslaughter cases. The results suggest male defendants received harsher judgements than female defendants. More female defendants were found not guilty than male defendants. Male defendants from a high socio-economic background received harsher judgements than male defendants from a low socio-economic background. Female defendants from a low socio-economic background received harsher judgements than female defendants from a high socio-economic background. Female defendants were found to be more trustworthy than male defendants. These findings are discussed are discussed in the context of the jury’s verdict, sentence length and personal opinion of the defendant

Scoping Review of the development of artificial eyes throughout the years

Losing an eye following trauma can lead to profound psychosocial difficulties making it imperative for the wearer to be fitted with an aesthetically pleasing custom-made artificial eye. Despite recent technological advancements, current design and manufacturing processes have remained unchanged in over 55 years. With the aim of portraying current knowledge regarding the development of artificial eyes in order to aid future development, a scooping review was conducted. Six online search engines were used: Scopus, PubMed, MedLine Complete, Web of Science, Science Direct and Google Scholar. Thirty-eight articles met the inclusion criteria and underwent numerical and thematic analysis with three thematic themes emerging. History and the current process of artificial eyes has been well documented, however, the impact of wearing artificial eyes is sparse. On-going research and development into the design and manufacturing processes of artificial eyes and the psychosocial impact of wearing an artificial eye is needed

Psychological impact of NBS for CF

Newborn screening for cystic fibrosis has resulted in diagnosis often before symptoms are recognised, leading to benefits including reduced disease severity, decreased burden of care, and lower costs. The psychological impact of this often unsought diagnosis on the parents of seemingly well children is less well understood. The time during which the screening result is communicated to families but before the confirmatory test results are available is recognised as a period of uncertainty and it is this uncertainty that can impact most on parents. Evidence suggests this may be mitigated against by ensuring the time between communication and confirmatory testing is minimized and health professionals involved in communicating positive newborn screening results and diagnostic results for cystic fibrosis to families are knowledgeable and able to provide appropriate reassurance. This is particularly important in the case of false positive results or when the child is given a Cystic Fibrosis Screen Positive, Inconclusive Diagnosis designation. However, to date, there are no formal mechanisms in place to support health professionals undertaking this challenging role, which would enable them to meet the expectations set out in specific guidance

The importance of incorporating technological advancements into the artificial eye process: a perspective commentary

Application of technology into healthcare has typically been targeted to high demand illnesses and treatments. However, with an increasing need to meet patient’s expectations combined with increased accessibility and reduced costs, smaller healthcare fields are starting to investigate its function and usability. Services have historically been led by skills and expertise, and recent developments are being seen by ocularists in the field of prosthetic eyes who acknowledge the potential benefit from technological advancement. Utilising the technologies recently investigated in maxillofacial prosthesis can start the evolutionary process where products are continually re-designed and re-developed to achieve excellent patient outcome and satisfaction levels

Retinoblastoma: Identifying the Diagnostic Signs for Early Treatment

Retinoblastoma is a rare but significant cause of childhood eye cancer world-wide. The prognosis depends upon early diagnosis and treatment but also upon accurate classification of the tumours. Unilateral incidence is normally non-hereditary compared with bilateral incidence where secondary tumours are more common. Survivorship is much better for unilateral compared with bilateral and trilateral retinoblastoma. Early signs are important to detect and photography can assist in identifying no return of “red-eye” during flash photography and yellow appearance of the tumour. Treatment options are discussed together with new psycho-oncology approaches that address potential trauma in the survivor as well as in the family of the survivor

The Penetration of Solar Radiation into Water and Carbon Dioxide Snow, with reference to Mars

The depth to which solar radiation can penetrate through ice is an important factor in understanding surface‐atmosphere interactions for icy planetary surfaces. Mars hosts both water and carbon dioxide ice on the surface and in the subsurface. At high latitudes during autumn and winter carbon dioxide condenses to form the seasonal polar cap. This has been both modelled and observed to, in part, occur as snowfall. As snow accumulates, the thermal properties of the surface are changed, whether the underlying surface was rocky, regolith or a solid ice sheet. This results in a change (usually increase) in albedo, affecting the proportion of the incident solar energy reflected, or transmitted below the surface of the snow layer. The depth to which light can penetrate through this layer is an important parameter in heat transfer models for the Martian surface, and is often quantified using the e‐folding scale. We present the first measurements of the e‐folding scale in pure carbon dioxide snow for the wavelengths 300 nm to 1100 nm alongside new measurements of water snow