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Tajik N, Talebnejad MR, Heydari M. Occlusion therapy for amblyopia, a historical report from 9th century Persian scholar, Ali ibn Sahl ibn Rabban al-Tabari (838-870 CE). Strabismus 2024; 32:217-221. [PMID: 38872592 DOI: 10.1080/09273972.2024.2366392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study reevaluates the historical origins of occlusion therapy for amblyopia, focusing on the contributions of the 9th-century Islamic scholar, Ali ibn Sahl ibn Rabban al-Tabari (838-870 CE). METHODS The investigation delved into al-Tabari's writings, particularly "Firdous al-Hikma," to extract insights into his approach to addressing reduced vision in one eye.Additionally, the study examined subsequent advancements in occlusion therapy by scholars such as Thabit ibn Qurrah and Rhazes, building upon al-Tabari'sfoundational work. RESULTS Al-Tabari's reports contain significant insights into occlusion therapy for amblyopia, predating commonly attributed origins of the treatment. Within "Firdous al-Hikma," he outlines methods for addressing reduced vision, advocating for the covering of the healthier eye to promote the function of the weaker eye. These findings highlight the pioneering efforts of al-Tabari and his contemporaries in the Islamic civilization and challenge the conventional narrative surrounding the history of occlusion therapy. Subsequent advancements by scholars such as Thabit ibn Qurrah and Rhazes expanded upon al-Tabari's work, advocating for similar therapeutic approaches within the Islamic civilization. Their contributions further solidified the practice of occlusion therapy, laying the groundwork for its continued evolution and refinement in subsequent centuries. DISCUSSION Al-Tabari's contributions to occlusion therapy underscore the rich heritage of scientific inquiry in theIslamic civilization during the medieval period. This historical perspective sheds light on the diverse contributions to medical knowledge and practice outside of Western contexts and emphasizes the importance of recognizing and honoring these contributions in the broader history of medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narges Tajik
- Department of History of Medicine, School of Persian Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Talebnejad
- Department of Ophthalmology, Poostchi Ophthalmology Research Center, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Heydari
- Department of Ophthalmology, Poostchi Ophthalmology Research Center, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Research Center for Traditional Medicine and History of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Thompson B, Concetta Morrone M, Bex P, Lozama A, Sabel BA. Harnessing brain plasticity to improve binocular vision in amblyopia: An evidence-based update. Eur J Ophthalmol 2024; 34:901-912. [PMID: 37431104 PMCID: PMC11295393 DOI: 10.1177/11206721231187426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Amblyopia is a developmental visual disorder resulting from atypical binocular experience in early childhood that leads to abnormal visual cortex development and vision impairment. Recovery from amblyopia requires significant visual cortex neuroplasticity, i.e. the ability of the central nervous system and its synaptic connections to adapt their structure and function. There is a high level of neuroplasticity in early development and, historically, neuroplastic responses to changes in visual experience were thought to be restricted to a "critical period" in early life. However, as our review now shows, the evidence is growing that plasticity of the adult visual system can also be harnessed to improve vision in amblyopia. Amblyopia treatment involves correcting refractive error to ensure clear and equal retinal image formation in both eyes, then, if necessary, promoting the use of the amblyopic eye by hindering or reducing visual input from the better eye through patching or pharmacologic therapy. Early treatment in children can lead to visual acuity gains and the development of binocular vision in some cases; however, many children do not respond to treatment, and many adults with amblyopia have historically been untreated or undertreated. Here we review the current evidence on how dichoptic training can be used as a novel binocular therapeutic approach to facilitate visual processing of input from the amblyopic eye and can simultaneously engage both eyes in a training task that requires binocular integration. It is a novel and promising treatment for amblyopia in both children and adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Thompson
- Department of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
- Centre for Eye and Vision Science, Hong Kong
| | - Maria Concetta Morrone
- Department of Translational Research on New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Peter Bex
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anthony Lozama
- Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation, East Hanover, NJ, USA
| | - Bernhard A. Sabel
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
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Dai M, Li J, Hao X, Li N, Zheng M, He M, Gu Y. High Magnesium Promotes the Recovery of Binocular Vision from Amblyopia via TRPM7. Neurosci Bull 2024:10.1007/s12264-024-01242-x. [PMID: 38833201 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-024-01242-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Abnormal visual experience during the critical period can cause deficits in visual function, such as amblyopia. High magnesium (Mg2+) supplementary can restore ocular dominance (OD) plasticity, which promotes the recovery of amblyopic eye acuity in adults. However, it remains unsolved whether Mg2+ could recover binocular vision in amblyopic adults and what the molecular mechanism is for the recovery. We found that in addition to the recovery of OD plasticity, binocular integration can be restored under the treatment of high Mg2+ in amblyopic mice. Behaviorally, Mg2+-treated amblyopic mice showed better depth perception. Moreover, the effect of high Mg2+ can be suppressed with transient receptor potential melastatin-like 7 (TRPM7) knockdown. Collectively, our results demonstrate that high Mg2+ could restore binocular visual functions from amblyopia. TRPM7 is required for the restoration of plasticity in the visual cortex after high Mg2+ treatment, which can provide possible clinical applications for future research and treatment of amblyopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menghan Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiangwen Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Na Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Mingfang Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Miao He
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yu Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Utamura K, Wakayama A, Matsumoto F, Shiraishi Y, Narita I, Tanabe F, Kusaka S. Factors affecting the total occlusion time in eyes with hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia. BMC Ophthalmol 2023; 23:469. [PMID: 37981663 PMCID: PMC10658919 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-023-03206-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amblyopia treatment by occluding the healthy eye is known to be effective during a sensitive critical period. This study aims to clarify the factors for the total occlusion time (TOT) required for the amblyopic eye to achieve a normal visual acuity (VA) level of 1.0 (0.0 logMAR equivalent). This could contribute to an efficient treatment plan for eyes with hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia. METHODS Subjects were 58 patients (26 boys and 32 girls; age range, 3.6-9.2, average, 5.8 ± 1.3 years) with hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia. All the subjects had initially visited and completed occlusion therapy with improved VA of 1.0 or better in the amblyopic eye at Kindai University Hospital between January 2007 and March 2017. Using the subjects' medical records, we retrospectively investigated five factors for the TOT: the age at treatment, the initial VA of the amblyopic eye, refraction of the amblyopic eye, anisometropic disparity, and the presence of microstrabismus. Patient's VA improvement at one month after treatment was also evaluated to confirm the effect of the occlusion therapy. RESULTS The initial VA of the amblyopic eye ranged from 0.1 to 0.9 (median, 0.4). The TOT ranged from 140 to 1795 (median, 598) hours with an average daily occlusion time of 7 hours. The initial VA of the amblyopic eye and presence of microstrabismus were the significant factors for the TOT (p < 0.01). To achieve VA of 1.0 or better, patients with an initial VA of ≤ 0.3 in the amblyopic eye required a longer TOT. Moreover, patients with concomitant microstrabismus required a 1.7-fold longer TOT compared to those without microstrabismus. CONCLUSION Longer daily occlusion hours and early start of the treatment will be necessary for patients with poor initial VA or microstrabismus to complete occlusion therapy within the sensitive critical period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Utamura
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, 377-2 Ohnohigashi, Osakasayama, Osaka, 589-8511, Japan.
| | - Akemi Wakayama
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, 377-2 Ohnohigashi, Osakasayama, Osaka, 589-8511, Japan
| | - Fumiko Matsumoto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, 377-2 Ohnohigashi, Osakasayama, Osaka, 589-8511, Japan
| | - Yukari Shiraishi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, 377-2 Ohnohigashi, Osakasayama, Osaka, 589-8511, Japan
| | - Ikumi Narita
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, 377-2 Ohnohigashi, Osakasayama, Osaka, 589-8511, Japan
| | - Fumi Tanabe
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, 377-2 Ohnohigashi, Osakasayama, Osaka, 589-8511, Japan
| | - Shunji Kusaka
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, 377-2 Ohnohigashi, Osakasayama, Osaka, 589-8511, Japan
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Abuallut II, Alameer KM, Abuageelah BM, Hurissi E, Alqahtani MM, Gosadi IM, Tubaigy FM, Alyami YM. Parents' Awareness, Knowledge, and Perception of Amblyopia in Children: A Study in Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia. Cureus 2023; 15:e48956. [PMID: 38106752 PMCID: PMC10725705 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.48956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Amblyopia is a vision disorder that results from a development problem in the brain rather than a neurological disease in the eye. The condition causes reduced visual acuity in one or both eyes due to the brain's inability to process inputs, rather than a structural abnormality. This study aims to assess parents' awareness, knowledge, and perception of amblyopia in their children in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. Methods This is a cross-sectional study that used an electronic questionnaire consisting of five main sections to assess the level of awareness of amblyopia among parents in the Jazan region. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS v.25, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) was utilized to input the data. The degree to which participants' level of awareness was related to variables such as age, gender, and educational level was assessed through the chi-square test (χ2), and any values that scored p-values under 0.05 were deemed statistically significant. Results The analysis included 572 participants, 395 mothers (69.0%) and 177 fathers (31.0%). The age groups of the participants were divided into 36-45 years (38.0%), 26-35 years (36.0%), and above 46 years (17.0%). Out of the total, 36 participants (6.0%) had a history of amblyopia, and 73 (13.0%) had a child who suffered from amblyopia. The findings showed that only 18 participants (3.1%) had a good awareness of amblyopia, while 242 (42.3%) had a fair level of awareness. Most participants, 312 (54.5%), were classified as having a poor awareness level of amblyopia. Parents with postgraduate degrees, those with prior awareness, and parents whose children had eye diseases demonstrated higher levels of good awareness. However, gender, age, and residency did not have significant associations with awareness levels. Conclusion While parents must be involved in managing amblyopia, our research found that more than half of the parents surveyed had a limited understanding of various aspects of the disease, which can cause permanent damage to their child's vision. Therefore, we recommend implementing health education programs to increase awareness and knowledge about amblyopia in Jazan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismail I Abuallut
- Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology Division, Jazan University, Jazan, SAU
| | | | | | - Eman Hurissi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Jazan University, Jazan, SAU
| | | | - Ibrahim M Gosadi
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, SAU
| | - Faisal M Tubaigy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, SAU
| | - Yousef M Alyami
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Batterjee Medical College, Aseer, SAU
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Birch EE, Kelly KR. Amblyopia and the whole child. Prog Retin Eye Res 2023; 93:101168. [PMID: 36736071 PMCID: PMC9998377 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2023.101168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Amblyopia is a disorder of neurodevelopment that occurs when there is discordant binocular visual experience during the first years of life. While treatments are effective in improving visual acuity, there are significant individual differences in response to treatment that cannot be attributed solely to difference in adherence. In this considerable variability in response to treatment, we argue that treatment outcomes might be optimized by utilizing deep phenotyping of amblyopic deficits to guide alternative treatment choices. In addition, an understanding of the broader knock-on effects of amblyopia on developing visually-guided skills, self-perception, and quality of life will facilitate a whole person healthcare approach to amblyopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen E Birch
- Pediatric Vision Laboratory, Retina Foundation of the Southwest, 9600 North Central Expressway #200, Dallas, TX, 75225, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5303 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
| | - Krista R Kelly
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5303 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA; Vision and Neurodevelopment Laboratory, Retina Foundation of the Southwest, 9600 North Central Expressway #200, Dallas, TX, 75225, USA.
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Ojiabo SN, Munsamy AJ. The Effect of Home-Based Dichoptic Therapy on Young Adults with Non-Strabismic Anisometropic Amblyopia on Stereo Acuity. CLINICAL OPTOMETRY 2022; 14:237-247. [PMID: 36466992 PMCID: PMC9718499 DOI: 10.2147/opto.s385845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the effect of home-based dichoptic visual therapy using anaglyphic red-green filters on the stereo acuity in a sample of young adults with non-strabismic anisometropic amblyopia. METHODS The study was observational and cross-sectional in design. Two groups (experimental vs control) were sourced using purposive sampling of young adults with non-strabismic amblyopia (experimental group) in comparison to an age-match control group without amblyopia. For the purpose of refractive adaptation, all participants in both groups were asked to wear their spectacle correction constantly for at least 16 weeks prior to exposure to home-based dichoptic therapy. Stereo acuity measurements using the Stereo Fly test were obtained before and after 40 hours exposure to home-based dichoptic therapy. The changes in stereo acuity post eight weeks (40 hours) training from baseline measurements was obtained. The difference in medians between the experimental and control groups using the Mann-Whitney U-test was measured with significance set at P value of <0.05. RESULTS A total of 38 young adults (19 males, 19 females) with a mean age of 24.05 ± 5.66 years were enrolled in this study. Nineteen anisometropic amblyopes comprised the experimental group, fifteen of which were classified as moderate amblyopia (6/12-6/36) and 19 non-amblyopes comprised the control group. Home-based dichoptic therapy used on the experimental group after 8 weeks showed a significant improvement in stereo-acuity with a mean improvement of 345.26 ± 184.85 sec arc-1 [IQR:260;600; p<0.001] when compared to the control group. CONCLUSION Home-based dichoptic therapy improved stereo-acuity in non-strabismic anisometropic amblyopes (moderate) in young adults. Thus suggesting that binocularity can improve in anisometropic adult amblyopes with a treatment modality that may be a convenient option better suit the demanding lifestyle of economically active adults who may not be able to comply with clinic-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunday Nduka Ojiabo
- Department of Optometry, School of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, South Africa
| | - Alvin J Munsamy
- Discipline of Optometry, School of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, South Africa
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Wang YN, Pan YC, Shu HY, Zhang LJ, Li QY, Ge QM, Liang RB, Shao Y. Altered Spontaneous Brain Activity Patterns in Children With Strabismic Amblyopia After Low-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: A Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:790678. [PMID: 35463933 PMCID: PMC9027809 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.790678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectivePrevious studies have demonstrated altered brain activity in strabismic amblyopia (SA). In this study, low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) was applied in children with strabismic amblyopia after they had undergone strabismus surgery. The effect of rTMS was investigated by measuring the changes of brain features using the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF).Materials and MethodsIn this study, 21 SA patients (12 males and 9 females) were recruited based on their age (7–13 years old), weight, and sex. They all had SA in their left eyes and they received rTMS treatment one month after strabismus surgery. Their vision before and after surgery were categorized as pre-rTMS (PRT) and post-rTMS (POT). All participants received rTMS treatment, underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and their data were analyzed using the repeated measures t-test. The team used correlation analysis to explore the relationship between logMAR visual acuity and ALFF.ResultsPre- versus post-rTMS values of ALFF were significantly different within individuals. In the POT group, ALFF values were significantly decreased in the Angular_R (AR), Parietal_Inf_L (PIL), and Cingulum_Mid_R (CMR) while ALFF values were significantly increased in the Fusiform_R (FR) and Frontal_Inf_Orb_L(FIL) compared to the PRT stage.ConclusionOur data showed that ALFF recorded from some brain regions was changed significantly after rTMS in strabismic amblyopes. The results may infer the pathological basis of SA and demonstrate that visual function may be improved using rTMS in strabismic amblyopic patients.
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Chan J, Hao X, Liu Q, Cang J, Gu Y. Closing the Critical Period Is Required for the Maturation of Binocular Integration in Mouse Primary Visual Cortex. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:749265. [PMID: 34899187 PMCID: PMC8663722 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.749265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Binocular matching of orientation preference between the two eyes is a common form of binocular integration that is regarded as the basis for stereopsis. How critical period plasticity enables binocular matching under the guidance of normal visual experience has not been fully demonstrated. To investigate how critical period closure affects the binocular matching, a critical period prolonged mouse model was constructed through the administration of bumetanide, an NKCC1 transporter antagonist. Using acute in vivo extracellular recording and molecular assay, we revealed that binocular matching was transiently disrupted due to heightened plasticity after the normal critical period, together with an increase in the density of spines and synapses, and the upregulation of GluA1 expression. Diazepam (DZ)/[(R, S)-3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl) propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP)] could reclose the extended critical period, and rescue the deficits in binocular matching. Furthermore, the extended critical period, alone, with normal visual experience is sufficient for the completion of binocular matching in amblyopic mice. Similarly, prolonging the critical period into adulthood by knocking out Nogo-66 receptor can prevent the normal maturation of binocular matching and depth perception. These results suggest that maintaining an optimal plasticity level during adolescence is most beneficial for the systemic maturation. Extending the critical period provides new clues for the maturation of binocular vision and may have critical implications for the treatment of amblyopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangping Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangwen Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianhua Cang
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States.,Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Yu Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Kumaran SE, Rakshit A, Hussaindeen JR, Khadka J, Pesudovs K. Does non-strabismic amblyopia affect the quality of life of adults? Findings from a qualitative study. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2021; 41:996-1006. [PMID: 34382230 DOI: 10.1111/opo.12864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE While much is known about the psychosocial impacts of strabismus, little is known about the effects of non-strabismic amblyopia on quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to explore the long-term impacts of anisometropic amblyopia. METHODS A phenomenological qualitative investigation was carried out on a sample of adults with anisometropic amblyopia. Subjects participated in in-depth telephone interviews and described how their eye condition affected different aspects of their life. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed iteratively to form emergent themes. RESULTS Sixteen participants took part in the study (median age: 21.5 years; range: 18-36 years; 11 male and 5 female). Six themes emerged: (1) symptoms experienced by participants, (2) concerns and apprehensions, (3) emotional impacts, (4) activity limitations, (5) hassle and inconveniences and (6) economic and career implications. Symptoms reported by participants ranged from glare to difficulty concentrating. They were extremely concerned about the safety of their better eye and lived with several doubts and anxieties. Negative emotions such as grief and disappointment due to eye care negligence in childhood was apparent. Guilt and regretful feelings were present in those who did not comply with past treatment. Participants expressed several limitations in driving, reading, mobility (e.g., using stairs) and tasks requiring high resolution. Reported inconveniences associated with coping with their eye condition included having to travel across the country in search of a cure for their amblyopia. Economic impacts ranged from costs associated with accessing eye care and management to career choices being compromised. CONCLUSION Lived experiences of people with anisometropic amblyopia indicate that the QoL impacts are multifaceted and substantial, even in the absence of strabismus. The results have the potential to influence patient-practitioner relationship by opening newer horizons to communication and care while managing adult amblyopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheela Evangeline Kumaran
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Archayeeta Rakshit
- Elite School of Optometry, Chennai, India.,Unit of Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya Eye Hospital, Chennai, India
| | - Jameel Rizwana Hussaindeen
- Elite School of Optometry, Chennai, India.,Unit of Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya Eye Hospital, Chennai, India
| | - Jyoti Khadka
- Health and Social Care Economics Group, Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Registry of Senior Australians, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Konrad Pesudovs
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Differences between children with Down syndrome and typically developing children in adaptive behaviour, executive functions and visual acuity. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7602. [PMID: 33828124 PMCID: PMC8027651 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85037-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
In children with Down syndrome (DS) development of visual, motor and cognitive functions is atypical. It is unknown whether the visual impairments in children with DS aggravate their lag in cognitive development. Visual impairment and developmental lags in adaptive behaviour and executive functions were assessed in 104 children with DS, 2–16 years, by comparing their adaptive behaviour, executive functions and visual acuity (distant and near) scores against published age-matched norm scores of typically developing children. Associations between these lags were explored. Mean (± SEM) differences to age-matched norms indicated reduced performance in DS: Vineland Screener questionnaire, − 63 ± 3.8 months; task-based Minnesota Executive Function Scale (MEFS), − 46.09 ± 2.07 points; BRIEF-P questionnaire, 25.29 ± 4.66 points; BRIEF parents’ and teachers’ questionnaire, 17.89 ± 3.92 points and 40.10 ± 3.81 points; distant and near visual acuity, 0.51 ± 0.03 LogMAR and 0.63 ± 0.03 LogMAR (near − 0.11 ± 0.04 LogMAR poorer than distant). Adaptive behaviour (Vineland-S) correlated with the severity of visual impairment (r = − 0.396). Children with DS are severely impaired in adaptive behaviour, executive functions and visual acuities (near visual acuity more severely impaired than distant visual acuity). Larger impairment in adaptive behaviour is found in children with larger visual impairment. This supports the idea that visual acuity plays a role in adaptive development.
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Vagge A, Ferro Desideri L, Traverso CE. An update on pharmacological treatment options for amblyopia. Int Ophthalmol 2020; 40:3591-3597. [PMID: 32770293 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-020-01535-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Amblyopia is a common cause of visual impairment in children and young adults. The cornerstone in the management of this disorder is based on increasing visual stimulation of the amblyopic eye by occlusion, by administering atropine or by causing optical penalization of the dominant eye. All these treatment options have shown some limits in terms of efficacy, due to the suboptimal treatment adherence for the patients and the lack of long-term clinical outcomes. Moreover, although it is well known that clinical efficacy decreases with age, new evidence is suggesting that cortical plasticity can be induced also in older children. For these reasons, new treatment options are being studied, in order to extend the "treatment window" beyond the critical period also in older patients. In this review, we will discuss all the most promising novel pharmacological agents in the management of amblyopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo Vagge
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University Eye Clinic of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Macula Onlus Foundation, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Ferro Desideri
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University Eye Clinic of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. .,Macula Onlus Foundation, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Carlo Enrico Traverso
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University Eye Clinic of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Macula Onlus Foundation, Genoa, Italy
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Milla M, Piñero DP. Characterization, passive and active treatment in strabismic amblyopia: a narrative review. Int J Ophthalmol 2020; 13:1132-1147. [PMID: 32685403 PMCID: PMC7321947 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2020.07.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Strabismic amblyopia is characterized by a distorted spatial perception. In this condition, the neurofunctional disorder occurring during first years of life provoke several monocular and binocular anomalies such as crowding, deficits in the accommodative response, contrast sensitivity, and ocular motility abilities. The inhibition of the binocular function of the brain by the misaligned amblyopic eye induces a binocular imbalance leading to interocular suppression and the reduction or lack of stereoacuity. Passive treatments such as occlusion, optical and/or pharmacological penalization, and Bangerter foils has been demonstrated to be potentially useful treatments for strabismic amblyopia. Recent researches have proved new pharmacological options to improve and maintain visual acuity after occlusion treatment in strabismic amblyopia. Likewise, the active vision therapy, in the last years, is becoming a very relevant therapeutic option in combination with passive treatments, especially during and after monocular therapy, in the attempt of recovering the imbalanced binocular vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myriam Milla
- Department of Optometry, OFTALVIST Alicante, Alicante 03016, Spain
- Group of Optics and Visual Perception, Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante 03690, Spain
| | - David P. Piñero
- Group of Optics and Visual Perception, Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante 03690, Spain
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Alsaqr AM, Masmali AM. The awareness of amblyopia among parents in Saudi Arabia. Ther Adv Ophthalmol 2019; 11:2515841419868103. [PMID: 31448359 PMCID: PMC6688140 DOI: 10.1177/2515841419868103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Amblyopia is the most common cause of unilateral visual impairment. This study investigated parents' awareness of amblyopia in different regions of Saudi Arabia. Methods This was a cross-sectional population study. The survey consisted of two main sections; the first section contained 13 general background questions, and the second section (10 questions) focused on awareness of amblyopia, routine vision checks and how to raise awareness of amblyopia in the community. The survey was distributed to respondents using email and social media. Results The responses of 1649 families were received. Respondents' age range was from 22-62 years (mean ± standard deviation = 33.6 ± 8.7 years). Most respondents had no previous knowledge of amblyopia (1155 participants, 70%), and 313 participants (19%) had no idea if their children had amblyopia. In total, 990 participants (60%) did not visit the eye clinic with their children for a routine eye exam. A total of 495 parents (30%), who were aware of amblyopia, knew of it mainly from eye clinic visits and from Internet websites. A total of 140 respondents reported that their children had amblyopia; 58.3% of those children underwent routine eye examinations once a year, and the rest underwent routine eye examinations twice a year. Conclusion The results clearly showed a lack of amblyopia awareness among the Saudi community. This lack of awareness can lead to visual impairment among children. More efficient efforts are urgently needed from health professionals, education centres, the media and social organizations to promote awareness of amblyopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali M Alsaqr
- Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, PO Box 10219, Riyadh 11433, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali M Masmali
- Cornea Research Chair, Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Weger C, Boonstra N, Goossens J. Effects of bifocals on visual acuity in children with Down syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Acta Ophthalmol 2019; 97:378-393. [PMID: 30367541 PMCID: PMC6587837 DOI: 10.1111/aos.13944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Children with Down syndrome (DS) typically have reduced visual acuity (VA) and accommodation lag, but it is unclear whether prescribed glasses should correct both distance VA (DVA) and near VA (NVA) due to the lack of RCTs. We therefore conducted a multicentre RCT to compare the effects of bifocals designed to correct both DVA and NVA with distance‐correcting unifocal glasses in children with DS. Methods A total of 119 children with DS, aged 2–16, were randomly allocated for bifocal or unifocal glasses (with full correction of refraction error in cycloplegia) in 14 Dutch hospitals and followed during 1 year. VA data were analysed in relation to baseline VA with ancova. Results Treatment groups showed no differences at baseline. Shortly after receiving new corrections (~6 weeks), uncrowded NVA (bifocals 0.18 ± 0.33 LogMar; unifocals 0.09 ± 0.19 LogMar) and crowded NVA with bifocals (bifocals 0.13 ± 0.36 LogMar; unifocals 0.08 ± 0.33 LogMar) were significantly better than at baseline, but these short‐term improvements in NVA were not significantly different between the two treatments (p > 0.151). The 1‐year treatment differences were as follows: significantly larger improvement for bifocals compared to unifocals in both uncrowded NVA (bifocals 0.23 ± 0.29 LogMar, unifocals 0.12 ± 0.30 LogMar, p = 0.045) and crowded NVA (bifocals 0.31 ± 0.28 LogMar; unifocals 0.16 ± 0.30 LogMar, p = 0.017). Improvements in DVA were comparable (bifocals 0.07 ± 0.21 LogMar, unifocals 0.08 ± 0.22 LogMar, p = 0.565). Children with poor baseline VA improved more. Accommodation lag stayed unchanged. Conclusion After one year, bifocals with full correction of ametropia led to significantly larger improvement of both uncrowded NVA and crowded NVA in children with DS with accommodation lag compared to unifocals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Weger
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour Radboud University Medical Centre Nijmegen Nijmegen The Netherlands
- Bartiméus Institute for the Visually Impaired Zeist The Netherlands
| | - Nienke Boonstra
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour Radboud University Medical Centre Nijmegen Nijmegen The Netherlands
- Royal Dutch Visio National Foundation for the Visually Impaired and Blind Huizen The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Goossens
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour Radboud University Medical Centre Nijmegen Nijmegen The Netherlands
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Dolzhich AV, Bubnova IA, Aslamazova AE. [Modern methods of treatment of amblyopia]. Vestn Oftalmol 2018; 134:74-79. [PMID: 30166514 DOI: 10.17116/oftalma201813404174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Throughout the history of pediatric ophthalmology, pathophysiological state has always played an important role. It's characterized by reduced central vision, often paired with disruption of binocular vision, which is interpreted as amblyopia. Central vision is necessary for social integration, so its disorders cause great quality of life changes in patients limiting their professional activities and complicating everyday life. Despite large number of proposed methods of treatment, amblyopia still remains a pressing problem and its prevalence has not changed significantly over the years.
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Affiliation(s)
- A V Dolzhich
- I.M. Sechenov Fist Moscow State Medical University, Chair of Ophthalmology, 8/2 Malaya Trubetskaya St., Moscow, Russian Federation, 119991; LLC 'Plus', 105/3 Veresaeva St., Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation, 344072
| | - I A Bubnova
- Research institute of Eye Diseases, 11, A, B, Rossolimo St., Moscow, Russian Federation, 119021
| | - A E Aslamazova
- I.M. Sechenov Fist Moscow State Medical University, Chair of Ophthalmology, 8/2 Malaya Trubetskaya St., Moscow, Russian Federation, 119991
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Bruce A, Kelly B, Chambers B, Barrett BT, Bloj M, Bradbury J, Sheldon TA. The effect of adherence to spectacle wear on early developing literacy: a longitudinal study based in a large multiethnic city, Bradford, UK. BMJ Open 2018; 8:e021277. [PMID: 29895654 PMCID: PMC6009541 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-021277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the impact of adherence to spectacle wear on visual acuity (VA) and developing literacy following vision screening at age 4-5 years. DESIGN Longitudinal study nested within the Born in Bradford birth cohort. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Observation of 944 children: 432 had failed vision screening and were referred (treatment group) and 512 randomly selected (comparison group) who had passed (<0.20 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) in both eyes). Spectacle wear was observed in school for 2 years following screening and classified as adherent (wearing spectacles at each assessment) or non-adherent. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Annual measures of VA using a crowded logMAR test. Literacy was measured by Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests-Revised subtest: letter identification. RESULTS The VA of all children improved with increasing age, -0.009 log units per month (95% CI -0.011 to -0.007) (worse eye). The VA of the adherent group improved significantly more than the comparison group, by an additional -0.008 log units per month (95% CI -0.009 to -0.007) (worse eye) and -0.004 log units per month (95% CI -0.005 to -0.003) in the better eye.Literacy was associated with the VA, letter identification (ID) reduced by -0.9 (95% CI -1.15 to -0.64) for every one line (0.10 logMAR) fall in VA (better eye). This association remained after adjustment for socioeconomic and demographic factors (-0.33, 95% CI -0.54 to -0.12). The adherent group consistently demonstrated higher letter-ID scores compared with the non-adherent group, with the greatest effect size (0.11) in year 3. CONCLUSIONS Early literacy is associated with the level of VA; children who adhere to spectacle wear improve their VA and also have the potential to improve literacy. Our results suggest failure to adhere to spectacle wear has implications for the child's vision and education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Bruce
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Bradford, UK
| | - Brian Kelly
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Bradford, UK
| | - Bette Chambers
- Institute for Effective Education, University of York, York, UK
| | - Brendan T Barrett
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
| | - Marina Bloj
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
| | - John Bradbury
- Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, UK
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P300-based acuity estimation in imitated amblyopia. Doc Ophthalmol 2017; 136:69-74. [PMID: 29134296 DOI: 10.1007/s10633-017-9617-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE A frequent approach to estimating visual acuity objectively is the recording of visual evoked potentials (VEPs) to patterns of different coarseness. This, however, overestimates acuity in patients with fragmented and distorted vision such as in amblyopia. This is likely due to VEP-based techniques using checkerboard or grating stimuli. We hypothesized that no overestimation would occur when the event-related potential P300 in response to optotype stimuli is used for acuity estimation. METHODS In 29 visually normal participants, we recorded P300 responses to Landolt C optotypes of different sizes. Vision was artificially degraded by placing a patterned polymethyl methacrylate pane in front of the monitor, which resulted in fragmentation and distortion of the stimulus. As control, a frosted pane was used. Both panes were adjusted to yield the same reduction of acuity in a standard subjective acuity test. A difference of less than 0.1 log MAR was defined as criterion to judge the outcomes of the objective tests as equivalent for both types of artificial visual impairment. RESULTS The average difference of P300-based objective acuity estimates between types of visual degradation was significantly smaller than 0.1 log MAR, indicating that the performance of the objective acuity test was equivalent for both types of visual degradation. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that P300-based objective acuity testing with optotype stimuli is more akin to standard psychophysical acuity testing and thus a suitable approach in cases of visual impairment where VEP-based methods fail to yield reliable results.
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Schielambulanz Graz damals und heute. SPEKTRUM DER AUGENHEILKUNDE 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00717-017-0355-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Walton EL. The two faces of invariant natural killer T cells. Biomed J 2015; 38:465-8. [PMID: 27013445 PMCID: PMC6138262 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2016.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this issue of the Biomedical Journal, we take a look at some of the immune system's most peculiar cells, invariant natural killer T cells, which have features of both innate and adaptive cells. We also highlight a clinical study revealing that high serum phosphate levels could show that it's time to start dialysis in patients with chronic kidney diseases. Finally, this issue also includes some case reports, including an unusual case of aspergillosis related to long-term inhaler use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L Walton
- Staff Writer at the Biomedical Journal, 56 Dronningens Gate, 7012 Trondheim, Norway.
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