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Abraham CH, Sakyi-Badu G, Boadi-Kusi SB, Morny E, Darko-Takyi C, Ocansey S, Hope PKF, Dadzie AK, Aboagye MacCarthy A, Osei-Frimpong K, Nyarkoa Opoku E, Kwasi Abu E. Simulation of visual impairment in persons with normal vision for scientific research. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2024; 44:442-456. [PMID: 38223917 DOI: 10.1111/opo.13268] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Simulation of visual impairment in healthy eyes has multiple applications in students' training, research and product development. However, due to the absence of an existing standard protocol, the method of simulation was left to the discretion of the researcher. This review aimed to outline the various methods of simulating visual impairment and categorising them. A scoping review of the relevant publications was conducted. Of the 1593 articles originally retrieved from the databases, 103 were included in the review. The characteristics of the participants, the method for simulation of the visual impairment in persons with normal vision and the level or type of visual impairment that was simulated were extracted from the papers. None of the methods of simulation can be judged as being superior to the others. However, electronic displays produced the most consistent form of visual impairment simulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl Halladay Abraham
- Department of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Godfred Sakyi-Badu
- Department of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | | | - Enyam Morny
- Department of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Charles Darko-Takyi
- Department of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Stephen Ocansey
- Department of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | | | - Albert Kofi Dadzie
- Department of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | | | | | | | - Emmanuel Kwasi Abu
- Department of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
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Lamoureux D, Yeo S, Bhambhwani V. Reading Speed Using the International Reading Speed Texts in a Normal Canadian Cohort. Cureus 2023; 15:e38196. [PMID: 37252600 PMCID: PMC10224635 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.38196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The International Reading Speed Texts (IReST) are commonly used to measure reading speed, which may be affected in many eye conditions. They were originally tested in a younger British population. Our study evaluates IReST in a normal Canadian population. Methodology A normal Canadian cohort in Ontario was prospectively recruited with age >14 years, education >9 years, English as the primary language, and best-corrected visual acuity >20/25 distance and >N8 near in each eye. Participants with eye conditions and neurological/cognitive problems were excluded. Each participant consecutively read two IReST passages (passages 1 and 8). Reading speed in words per minute (WPM) was calculated. One-sample t-test was used to compare our cohort to published IReST standards. Results A total of 112 participants were included (35 male, 77 female). The mean age was 40 ± 17 years (14-18 years: 12; 18-35 years: 34; 35-60 years: 53; 60-75 years: 13). The mean reading speed for passage 1 was 211 ± 33 WPM compared to the published IReST standard of 236 ± 29 WPM (p < 0.0001). The mean reading speed for passage 8 was 218 ± 34 WPM compared to the IReST standard of 237 ± 24 WPM (p < 0.0001). Thus, our cohort read slower for both passages compared to IReST standards. The mean reading speed for passages 1 and 8 was the highest for the 14-18-year (231 and 239, respectively) and the lowest for the 60-75-year group (195 and 192, respectively). Conclusions Normal older populations have slower reading compared to younger populations. The slower reading in our cohort may also be because the passages were in British rather than in Canadian English. It is important that the IReST is evaluated in different populations to ensure reliable comparison standards for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Lamoureux
- Ophthalmology, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Thunder Bay, CAN
| | - Sarah Yeo
- Ophthalmology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, CAN
| | - Vishaal Bhambhwani
- Surgery, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Thunder Bay, CAN
- Surgery, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Thunder Bay, CAN
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Aubin G, Phillips N, Jaiswal A, Johnson AP, Joubert S, Bachir V, Kehayia E, Wittich W. Visual and cognitive functioning among older adults with low vision before vision rehabilitation: A pilot study. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1058951. [PMID: 37034930 PMCID: PMC10075203 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1058951] [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: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The occurrence of age-related vision changes is inevitable. However, some of these changes can become pathological. Research indicates that vision and hearing loss is correlated with age-related cognitive decline, and with a higher risk of developing dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. Low vision rehabilitation could possibly be a protective factor against cognitive decline, as it provides the clients with compensatory strategies to overcome their visual deficits. Objectives and hypothesis The aim of this pilot study was to assess correlations between visual and cognitive functions in older adults referred for low vision rehabilitation. We hypothesized that more severe impairment of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity would be correlated with more advanced levels of cognitive impairment. The second objective was to examine which of these correlations would remain significant once established variables that influence cognition are statistically removed (e.g., age, education). Methods Thirty-eight older adults (age range: 66-97 years old) with a visual impairment (acuity <20/70) were recruited before the onset of their low vision rehabilitation. They underwent vision (reading acuity, reading speed, contrast sensitivity), hearing (audiogram, speech-in-noise perception) and cognitive (global cognition, memory, executive functions) testing, and demographic information was obtained. Results and discussion Correlations among global cognition and visual aid use, memory and reading speed, memory and contrast sensitivity, memory, and visual aid use, and between executive functions and contrast sensitivity were significant. Correlations between contrast sensitivity and memory, as well as between global cognition and visual aid use remained significant after controlling for age and education. The present study is relevant to clinicians who are assessing the cognitive status of older adults, such as neuropsychologists, because it highlights the importance of considering low vision when administering neuropsychological tests, especially to persons who have not yet received rehabilitation for their visual impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Aubin
- School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Natalie Phillips
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Atul Jaiswal
- School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Sven Joubert
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Vanessa Bachir
- School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Eva Kehayia
- School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Walter Wittich
- School of Optometry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Walter Wittich,
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Stark Z, Franzen L, Johnson AP. Insights from a dyslexia simulation font: Can we simulate reading struggles of individuals with dyslexia? DYSLEXIA (CHICHESTER, ENGLAND) 2022; 28:228-243. [PMID: 34854169 DOI: 10.1002/dys.1704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with dyslexia struggle at explaining what it is like to have dyslexia and how they perceive letters and words differently. This led the designer Daniel Britton to create a font that aims to simulate the perceptual experience of how effortful reading can be for individuals with dyslexia (http://danielbritton.info/dyslexia). This font removes forty percent of each character stroke with the aim of increasing reading effort, and in turn empathy and understanding for individuals with dyslexia. However, its efficacy has not yet been empirically tested. In the present study, we compared participants without dyslexia reading texts in the dyslexia simulation font to a group of individuals with dyslexia reading the same texts in Times New Roman font. Results suggest that the simulation font amplifies the struggle of reading, surpassing that experienced by adults with dyslexia-as reflected in increased reading time and overall number of eye movements in the majority of typical readers reading in the simulation font. Future research could compare the performance of the Daniel Britton simulation font against a sample of beginning readers with dyslexia as well as seek to design and empirically test an adapted simulation font with an increased preserved percentage of letter strokes [Correction added on 10 December 2021, after initial online publication. Abstract has been added].
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoey Stark
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Léon Franzen
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, Canada
- Department of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Aaron P Johnson
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, Canada
- CRIR/Centre de Réadaptation MAB-Mackay du CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Canada
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Morrice E, Soldano V, Addona C, Murphy CE, Johnson AP. Validation of the International Reading Speed Texts in a Sample of Older (60+) Canadian Adults. Optom Vis Sci 2021; 98:971-975. [PMID: 34460456 DOI: 10.1097/opx.0000000000001746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE On average, older adults (60+) with normal vision read the International Reading Speed Texts (IReST) 37.8 words per minute slower than the standardized values provided by the IReST manufacturer. When assessing reading speed in older adults, clinicians should bear in mind that the IReST norms do not account for these age-related differences. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to validate the IReST in an English-speaking Canadian sample of older adults (60+). METHODS Canadian English-speaking older adults (n = 25) read all 10 IReST aloud using the same protocol from the original IReST validation study. RESULTS There were significant differences between the older adult sample and the published IReST values for each text (mean difference, -37.84; 95% confidence interval, -41.34 to -34.34). CONCLUSIONS Reading speeds of older (60+) Canadian adults fell outside of the standardized values of the English language IReST. Researchers/clinicians who wish to assess older adults' reading speed using the IReST ought to take this discrepancy into account.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vanessa Soldano
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Cynthia Addona
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Franzen L, Stark Z, Johnson AP. Individuals with dyslexia use a different visual sampling strategy to read text. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6449. [PMID: 33742007 PMCID: PMC7979812 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84945-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with dyslexia present with reading-related deficits including inaccurate and/or less fluent word recognition and poor decoding abilities. Slow reading speed and worse text comprehension can occur as secondary consequences of these deficits. Reports of visual symptoms such as atypical eye movements during reading gave rise to a search for these deficits' underlying mechanisms. This study sought to replicate established behavioral deficits in reading and cognitive processing speed while investigating their underlying mechanisms in more detail by developing a comprehensive profile of eye movements specific to reading in adult dyslexia. Using a validated standardized reading assessment, our findings confirm a reading speed deficit among adults with dyslexia. We observed different eye movements in readers with dyslexia across numerous eye movement metrics including the duration of a stop (i.e., fixation), the length of jumps (i.e., saccades), and the number of times a reader's eyes expressed a jump atypical for reading. We conclude that individuals with dyslexia visually sample written information in a laborious and more effortful manner that is fundamentally different from those without dyslexia. Our findings suggest a mix of aberrant cognitive linguistic and oculomotor processes being present in adults with dyslexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léon Franzen
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, Canada.
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Zoey Stark
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Aaron P Johnson
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, Canada
- CRIR/Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay Centre de Réadaptation du CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Canada
- Réseau de Recherche en Santé de La Vision, Montréal, Canada
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Morrice E, Murphy C, Soldano V, Addona C, Wittich W, Johnson AP. Assessing optimal colour and illumination to facilitate reading. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2021; 41:281-294. [PMID: 33533095 DOI: 10.1111/opo.12785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study examined the effectiveness of the LuxIQ, the Apple iPad and a smart bulb in assessing optimal colour and illumination to facilitate reading in younger, older and visually impaired adults. METHODS Participants read standardised texts at baseline (normal lighting/no device), then using the Apple iPad, LuxIQ and smart bulb, with their normal vision (20/20 condition) and using a simulated reduction in visual acuity/contrast sensitivity (20/80 condition). Visually impaired participants followed the same procedure used in the 20/80 condition. RESULTS There was a significant interaction between condition and device in younger, F(1.5, 43.51) = 30.41, p < 0.001, ω2 = 0.34 and older, F(1.5, 4.51) = 4.51, p = 0.03, ω2 = 0.05 adults with normal vision, and there was a significant effect of device, F(2, 58) = 5.95, p = 0.004, ω2 = 0.12 in visually impaired adults. In the 20/20 condition, age and colour predicted reading speed, F(3, 176) = 36.25, p < 0.001, Adj. R2 = 0.37, whereas age, lighting and colour predicted reading speed, F(3, 176) = 36.25, p < 0.001, Adj. R2 = 0.37 in the 20/80 condition. In the visual impairment condition, lighting, colour and impairment severity predicted reading speed, F(3, 85) = 10.10, p < 0.001, Adj. R2 = 0.24. CONCLUSIONS The clinical implications of this study are that reading speeds improve in individuals with low vision under improved lighting conditions, specifically, with higher levels of luminance and colour temperature. The effectiveness of the devices varied across groups; however, the LuxIQ was the only device to improve reading speeds from baseline in older adults with visual impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliott Morrice
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, Canada.,CRIR/Centre de réadaptation Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay Réhabilitation Centre du Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Services Sociaux (CIUSSS) Centre ouest de l'ile de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Caitlin Murphy
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, Canada.,CRIR/Centre de réadaptation Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay Réhabilitation Centre du Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Services Sociaux (CIUSSS) Centre ouest de l'ile de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.,École d'optométrie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Vanessa Soldano
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Cynthia Addona
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Walter Wittich
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, Canada.,CRIR/Centre de réadaptation Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay Réhabilitation Centre du Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Services Sociaux (CIUSSS) Centre ouest de l'ile de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.,École d'optométrie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.,CRIR/Institut Nazareth et Louis-Braille du CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre, Longueuil, Canada
| | - Aaron P Johnson
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, Canada.,CRIR/Centre de réadaptation Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay Réhabilitation Centre du Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Services Sociaux (CIUSSS) Centre ouest de l'ile de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
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