The Minimally Important Difference (MID) in Visual Acuity That Represents Changes in Patients' Quality of Life

To assess the minimal change in visual acuity perceived by patients as important in different eye-related interventions. PubMed was utilized to search articles on each of the four major interventions: cataract surgery, keratoplasty, different glaucoma treatments, and refractive eye surgery, each combined with quality of life (QoL) and visual acuity keywords. The search was narrowed to articles between 2000 and 2023. Seventy-four major articles were thus reviewed. Of these, 27 studies reviewed the results of cataract surgery, 20 studies discussed the effect of keratoplasty interventions on the vision-related QoL (VRQoL), most showing that VRQoL improved significantly after keratoplasty, 11 studies investigated the effect of different glaucoma interventions on patients' visual acuity and the QoL, 16 studies reviewed refractive surgery, where they showed an improved QoL in most of the cases, although some of the studies showed a slight superiority of one intervention over the other in the short term. The minimally important difference (MID) perceived in visual acuity depends mainly on the type of surgical intervention (keratoplasty, glaucoma, or refractive surgery), and the impact on QoL on improved visual acuity differs depending on the intervention.

[Ophthalmic disqualification from the military services: Multicentric cross-sectional study]

PURPOSE

This article aims to describe the causes of ophthalmological disqualification from the military services detected during specialist consultations conducted at Army Training Hospitals.

METHODS

This observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study retrospectively included individuals deemed as "unfit for military service" due to eye diseases identified during the specialist consultation conducted at 3 ATHs between January 2020 and December 2021. The data collected included age, medical and surgical history, reasons for ophthalmological disqualification, uncorrected distance visual acuity, best corrected distance visual acuity and cycloplegic refraction.

RESULTS

Over this period, 133 subjects (98 men and 35 women) were included. Thirty-eight candidates (28.6%) were declared unfit due to a refractive error beyond the required limits, including 30 myopic subjects in excess of -10 diopters (D) and 8 hypermetropic subjects over +8 D. Twenty-five candidates (18.8%) were unfit under the age of 21 years due to corneal refractive surgery performed before the required age. Four subjects (3.0%) were unfit due to phakic intraocular lenses. Degenerative conditions were observed in 23 subjects (17.3%), including 21 patients with severe keratoconus. Other causes of incapacity were linked to oculo-orbital trauma in 11 subjects (8.3%), moderate or severe amblyopia in 7 patients (5.3%), congenital causes in 7 subjects (5.3%), inflammatory or infectious diseases in 7 candidates (5.3%), hereditary causes in 6 subjects (4.5%) and undetermined visual dysfunctions in 4 subjects (3.0%).

CONCLUSION

The three main causes of ophthalmological disqualification were high ametropia, refractive surgery performed before the required age and keratoconus.

Factors influencing myopia stabilisation in young myopic adult Singaporeans

PURPOSE

To evaluate factors influencing stabilisation of myopia in the Singapore Cohort of Risk factors for Myopia.

METHODS

We evaluated the longitudinal natural history of 424 myopic participants from 1999 to 2022. The outcome was the change in myopia from the adolescence follow-up visit (aged 12-19 years) to the adulthood follow-up visit (aged 26-33 years). Association of predictive factors, including baseline spherical error, gender, ethnicity, parental myopia, time outdoor, near work and age at adolescence, was examined with the dichotomous outcome of adult myopia progression (≤ -1.00 dioptres (D) over 10 years) using multiple logistic regression and progression in linear regression models.

RESULTS

For the primary outcome, the mean rate of progression of the outcome was found to be -0.04±0.09 D per year from the adolescent to the adulthood follow-up visits. 82.3% (95% CI 78.3% to 85.8%) had myopia stabilisation, with progression of less than 1.00 D over 10 years while 61.3% (95% CI 56.5% to 66.0%) of the subjects had progression of less than 0.50 D. In logistic regression models, both male gender (p=0.035) and non-Chinese ethnicity (p=0.032) were more likely to achieve myopia stabilisation while in linear multivariate regression models, males had a significantly slower degree of myopia progression (p=0.021).

CONCLUSION

5 in 6 Singaporean young adults had myopia stabilisation. Male gender is 2 times and non-Chinese ethnicities are 2.5 times more likely to achieve myopia stabilisation. However, a proportion of myopes continue to exhibit a clinically significant degree of progression in adulthood.

Vision-related quality of life with myopia management: A review

The disease of myopia has come into focus as a worldwide public health concern. Myopia has shown increasing prevalence, incidence at earlier age and progression to a higher degree. Progressive increase in degree of myopia is strongly associated with increase in axial length of the eye. Various interventions have been shown to slow axial elongation in children. These interventions have been studied to assess efficacy in slowing axial elongation and correction of vision. In addition, research into quality of vision, risk of adverse events, overall safety and impact on vision-related quality (VR-QoL) of life has been pursued. In contrast, studies have been published to demonstrate the risks of myopia, high myopia and increased axial length. This review will discuss VR-QoL assessment on the most effective and most commonly prescribed interventions to slow axial elongation and myopia progression. The patient attributes considered are VR-QoL scores from validated instruments. The development and use of validated survey instruments to assess the patient-reported outcomes is discussed. The review demonstrates that there are numerous factors that may impact VR-QoL to evaluate in the decision-making process when eye care providers consider when, how and if to prescribe myopia management (MM) for children with myopia.

Reliability and Validity of the Persian Version of Quality of Life Impact of Refractive Correction Questionnaire

PURPOSE

To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of quality of life impact of refractive correction (QIRC) questionnaire and its utility in assessment of refractive error-related quality of life (QoL) following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

METHODS

Patients with low-to-moderate myopia (-0.75 to - 6.0) were enrolled in this study. Standard alcohol-assisted PRK was performed in all patients. The QIRC questionnaire was translated into a Persian version using the standard method. Patients completed QIRC questionnaire preoperatively and 3-month postoperatively. A group of patients completed the questionnaire twice preoperatively. Psychometric properties were evaluated by internal consistency (Cronbach's α), item-total correlation, and known group construct validity. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to examine the repeatability.

RESULTS

One hundred forty-seven patients (60 males and 87 females) with a mean age of 26.3 ± 5.5 (range, 18-39) years were enrolled. Cronbach's α for total score was 0.923. Item-total correlation was above 0.3 for all items. ICC was 0.978 for total score. Preoperatively, predominantly contact lens wearers showed significantly better total QIRC score than predominantly spectacle wearers (P = 0.017), which showed good known group validity. Total QIRC score significantly increased from 41.31 ± 6.69 preoperatively to 50.47 ± 7.26 postoperatively (P < 0.0001). Improvement in total QIRC score was observed both in contact lens wearers and spectacle wearers.

CONCLUSION

The Persian version of QIRC questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool. Refractive error-related QoL assess by QIRC was significantly improved after PRK in an Iranian population.

IMI Impact of Myopia

The global burden of myopia is growing. Myopia affected nearly 30% of the world population in 2020 and this number is expected to rise to 50% by 2050. This review aims to analyze the impact of myopia on individuals and society; summarizing the evidence for recent research on the prevalence of myopia and high myopia, lifetime pathological manifestations of myopia, direct health expenditure, and indirect costs such as lost productivity and reduced quality of life (QOL). The principal trends are a rising prevalence of myopia and high myopia, with a disproportionately greater increase in the prevalence of high myopia. This forecasts a future increase in vision loss due to uncorrected myopia as well as high myopia-related complications such as myopic macular degeneration. QOL is affected for those with uncorrected myopia, high myopia, or complications of high myopia. Overall the current global cost estimates related to direct health expenditure and lost productivity are in the billions. Health expenditure is greater in adults, reflecting the added costs due to myopia-related complications. Unless the current trajectory for the rising prevalence of myopia and high myopia change, the costs will continue to grow. The past few decades have seen the emergence of several novel approaches to prevent and slow myopia. Further work is needed to understand the life-long impact of myopia on an individual and the cost-effectiveness of the various novel approaches in reducing the burden.

Integrating binocular vision assessment in refractive surgery work-up: Proposition and protocol

Refractive surgeries are one of most commonly performed surgeries for correcting visual impairment due to refractive errors. With the increase in demand for refractive surgeries, there is an enormous strain on the operating surgeon for delivering ideal outcomes i.e 20/20 visual acuity. Regression, under-correction and ectasia are the most dreaded complications post-refractive correction, for the surgeon as well as the patient. They have significant effects on the quantity of the vision and most importantly on the quality of life of the patient. With the advent of digital era and jobs requiring the eyes being glued to the screen for hours there has been a surge in the patients presenting with complaints of asthenopia, glare, halos, and difficulty in focusing; pointing towards diagnosis of non-strabismic binocular vision anomalies (NSBVA). NSBVA in a postrefractive surgery patient may masquerade as regression or under-correction. However, timely diagnosis of NSBVA in such patients would prevent the greater harm caused by wrongful re-correction. Home- and office-based vision therapy results in improvement in visual acuity in a large majority of these patients. This preferred practice pattern intends to guide the refractive surgeons to diagnose and treat the postrefractive surgery NSBVA following a case-based and algorithmic approach. It also emphasizes the inclusion of the binocular vision assessment as a part of the pre-operative workup for patients undergoing refractive procedures.

Subjective Happiness and Sleep in University Students with High Myopia

Purpose: Recent investigations described a host of disadvantageous myopia comorbidities including decreased QOL, depression, and sleep problems. The present study evaluated mental status and habitual sleep in young subjects with myopia based on the reported association between myopic error and psychiatric profiles. Methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed 153 university students using a questionnaire containing the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), short morningness/eveningness questionnaire, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results: Participants were classified as having high myopia (n = 44), mild myopia (n = 86), or no myopia (n = 23). The SHS and HADS scores in this cohort were significantly worse in the high myopia group than in the other two groups (p < 0.05, t-test). PSQI values were not significantly different among the three groups. Regression analysis correlated myopic error with poor SHS (p = 0.003), eveningness chronotype (p = 0.032), late wake-up time (p = 0.024), and late bedtime (p = 0.019). Conclusions: University students with myopia tended to be unhappy, have an eveningness chronotype, wake up late, and go to bed late compared to less myopic subjects. Optimal correction might, therefore, be beneficial to myopic students in addition to preventing progression to high myopia in early childhood to potentially avoid related negative effects on mental health and sleep habits in adolescence.

Quality of life impact of refractive correction (QIRC) results three years after SMILE and FS-LASIK

Background

This study aimed to compare long-term postoperative quality of life and satisfaction differences between SMILE and FS-LASIK for myopia correction.

Methods

This cross-sectional study enrolled patients under the age of 39 years, who chose to undergo SMILE or FS-LASIK surgery to both eyes 3 years previously. Patients completed a common vision test and Quality of Life Impact of Refractive Correction (QIRC) questionnaire, together with the surgical satisfaction, adverse symptoms subjective survey. Patients with preoperative corrected distance visual acuity and postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity of 20/20 or greater were included. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to match the preoperative and postoperative spherical equivalent, age, and designed optical zones of the left and right eyes between the two groups.

Results

Forty-nine patients were included in each group after PSM from 188 patients. No significant difference in the total QIRC score was found between the SMILE and FS-LASIK groups (45.89 ± 5.91 vs 45.09 ± 5.65, p = 0.492). There were no differences in surgical satisfaction between the groups (p = 0.178). Compared to the SMILE group, the FS-LASIK group had more glare (2.12 ± 2.25 vs 3.22 ± 2.54, p = 0.026) and severe dryness (1.80 ± 1.98 vs 2.79 ± 2.19, p = 0.021).

Conclusion

Postoperative quality of life is similar after SMILE or FS-LASIK. Dry eye symptoms and glare were milder in the SMILE group than in the FS-LASIK group.

Refractive regression after laser in situ keratomileusis

Uncorrected refractive errors are a leading cause of visual impairment across the world. In today's society, laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) has become the most commonly performed surgical procedure to correct refractive errors. However, regression of the initially achieved refractive correction has been a widely observed phenomenon following LASIK since its inception more than two decades ago. Despite technological advances in laser refractive surgery and various proposed management strategies, post-LASIK regression is still frequently observed and has significant implications for the long-term visual performance and quality of life of patients. This review explores the mechanism of refractive regression after both myopic and hyperopic LASIK, predisposing risk factors and its clinical course. In addition, current preventative strategies and therapies are also reviewed.

Patient-reported Outcomes for Assessment of Quality of Life in Refractive Error: A Systematic Review

SIGNIFICANCE

This review has identified the best existing patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments in refractive error. The article highlights the limitations of the existing instruments and discusses the way forward.

PURPOSE

A systematic review was conducted to identify the types of PROs used in refractive error, to determine the quality of the existing PRO instruments in terms of their psychometric properties, and to determine the limitations in the content of the existing PRO instruments.

METHODS

Articles describing a PRO instrument measuring 1 or more domains of quality of life in people with refractive error were identified by electronic searches on the MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. The information on content development, psychometric properties, validity, reliability, and responsiveness of those PRO instruments was extracted from the selected articles. The analysis was done based on a comprehensive set of assessment criteria.

RESULTS

One hundred forty-eight articles describing 47 PRO instruments in refractive error were included in the review. Most of the articles (99 [66.9%]) used refractive error-specific PRO instruments. The PRO instruments comprised 19 refractive, 12 vision but nonrefractive, and 16 generic PRO instruments. Only 17 PRO instruments were validated in refractive error populations; six of them were developed using Rasch analysis. None of the PRO instruments has items across all domains of quality of life. The Quality of Life Impact of Refractive Correction, the Quality of Vision, and the Contact Lens Impact on Quality of Life have comparatively better quality with some limitations, compared with the other PRO instruments.

CONCLUSIONS

This review describes the PRO instruments and informs the choice of an appropriate measure in refractive error. We identified need of a comprehensive and scientifically robust refractive error-specific PRO instrument. Item banking and computer-adaptive testing system can be the way to provide such an instrument.

[Evaluation of vision quality after laser vision correction in healthcare professionals]

PURPOSE

Healthcare professionals require good quality of vision. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the satisfaction and vision quality after laser vision correction in healthcare professionals.

METHODS

This is a monocentric retrospective study. An online 25-question survey was sent to ametropic physicians, surgeons and nurses who underwent corneal refractive surgery with laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) between July 2012 and February 2016. Questionnaire responses were recorded anonymously by the internet survey site. These patients' pre- and postoperative data were analyzed.

RESULTS

In total, 2491 laser vision corrections were performed during this time frame. One hundred and fifty-eight patients were healthcare providers; 131 received the survey, and 111 responded. Ninety-nine were surgeons, 60 were medical physicians, and 32 were nurses. Ninety-one percent reported that they were satisfied with their postoperative vision quality, 63.9% even reported an improvement in their quality of vision compared with their corrected preoperative vision, 92.8% reported that they would have the procedure again, and 94.6% would recommend the procedure to a family member or a patient. Visual outcomes showed high levels of efficacy and predictability.

CONCLUSION

While healthcare professionals require good quality of vision, those who had undergone laser vision correction reported the same satisfaction as the general population and would recommend the procedure to their family, friends and patients.

Four-year observation of predictability and stability of small incision lenticule extraction

BACKGROUND

To investigate long-term refractive outcomes, wavefront aberrations and quality of life after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for moderate to high myopia.

METHODS

A total of 26 patients (47 eyes) with preoperative mean spherical equivalent (SE) of -6.30 ± 1.47 diopters (D) who underwent SMILE were recruited. The measurements included uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), manifest refraction, wavefront aberrations, and quality of life.

RESULTS

At 4 years postoperatively, UDVA was better than or equal to 20/20 in 92 % of eyes. The efficacy index was 1.07 ± 0.16. 89 % of eyes were within ± 0.5 D of the intended refractive target. No eye lost any Snellen lines. The safety index was 1.16 ± 0.14. No significant changes of SE occurred among postoperative follow-ups at months 1, 3, 6 and years 1, 2, 4 (P > 0.05, Scheffe test). Higher-order aberrations, coma, spherical aberration and higher-order astigmatism increased postoperatively, and no significant changes of aberrations were detected among the 1-month, 6-month or 4-year follow-ups postoperatively (37 eyes). Compared to the spectacles group, the surgery group showed a significantly higher total score on quality of life (45.71 ± 2.61 vs 39.96 ± 3.56, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

SMILE provides a predictable and stable correction of moderate to high myopia as documented by long-term follow-up.

Vision-related quality of life and visual outcomes after small-incision lenticule extraction and laser in situ keratomileusis

PURPOSE

To compare vision-related quality of life (VRQoL) scores and clinical outcomes between small-incision lenticule extraction and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

SETTING

Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

METHODS

Patients had small-incision lenticule extraction using the Visumax 500 kHz femtosecond laser; or LASIK excimer ablation with the Wavelight Allegretto 400 Hz laser. Primary outcomes were 3-month predictability, efficacy, and safety. Secondary outcomes were intraoperative experience, visual symptoms, and VRQoL (validated Quality of Life Impact of Refractive Correction [QIRC] questionnaire) in 25 a subgroup of patients in each group. Following Rasch analysis, "Functional" and "Emotional," QIRC dimensions were analysed separately.

RESULTS

At 3 months, predictability (82.5% versus 85.3%, ±0.5 diopters attempted correction, P =.453), safety index (1.13 ± 0.19 [SD] versus 1.07 ± 0.16, P = .158), and efficacy index (0.91 ± 0.21 versus 0.97 ± 0.19; P = .002) were found when comparing small-incision lenticule extraction (172 eyes) and LASIK (matched 688 eyes). Intraoperative experience between groups was not statistically different; visual fluctuations (P = .020) and episodes of visual blurring (P = .008) were greater after small-incision lenticule extraction than after LASIK at 1 month but not at 3 months. There was no difference in "functional" (66.7 ± 15.7 versus 55.3 ± 22.2, P = .064) and "emotional" (42.7 ± 23.2 versus 37.9 ± 23.8, P = .394) QIRC dimensions between the 2 groups (25 patients in each group) at 3 months.

CONCLUSION

The study, 3-month predictability, safety, and VRQL scores were not statistically different between small-incision lenticule extraction and LASIK.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.