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Bartolomei F, Costanzo E, Parravano M, Hogg RE, Lawrenson JG, Falchini E, Di Simone A, Pastore V, Mastrantuono C, Sato G, Amore F, Biagini I, Ciaffoni GL, Tettamanti M, Virgili G. Use of electronic devices by people attending vision rehabilitation services in Italy: A study based on the device and aids registry (D.A.Re). Eur J Ophthalmol 2024; 34:789-796. [PMID: 37680037 DOI: 10.1177/11206721231200376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the characteristics of electronic device users, specifically smartphones and tablets, in the Device & Aids Register (D.A.Re), from several low-vision rehabilitation services in Italy. METHODS We collected general and clinical information about ocular and systemic diseases, visual function, reading speed and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) questionnaire score. Technological details of each optical and electronic device, (including screen size, touch-screen and OCR functions, text-to-speech function) were also collected. RESULTS 1218 patients (752 females and 466 males) were included in our analysis, mean age 71.5 (±18.8) years. Users of electronic aids (n.237) were slightly younger (67 vs 72 years, p < 0.001) than non-users (n.981), had a worse reading speed (38 vs 65 words/minute), critical print size (43 vs 28 print size, p < 0.001), poorer visual acuity (VA)(1.0 logMAR or less: 30% non-users vs 73% users, p < 0.001) and more commonly visual field restriction within 10° (23% vs 14%, p = 0.001). A similar proportion of users and non-users were retired (about 70%) and about 16-17% were employed. The use of portable electronic devices (5″or less, p < 0.001; 6″ to 18″ screen size, p = 0.017) was associated with better IADL scores, and the use of stand devices with worse IADL score (p < 0.001); Furthermore, using smartphones and tablets (193 subjects) was strongly associated with better IADL scores. CONCLUSION We found that using electronic devices, and especially smartphone and tablets, were associated with better vision-related quality of life in low-vision people attending rehabilitation services. While this association does not mean causality, these findings seemed robust to confounder adjustment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ruth E Hogg
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast (UK), Belfast, Ireland
| | - John G Lawrenson
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Elisabetta Falchini
- Centro integrato per la Riabilitazione Visiva "Carlo Monti", Florence, Italy
| | - Alessia Di Simone
- Unione Italiana dei Ciechi e degli Ipovedenti Onlus-Sezione Territoriale di Enna, Enna, Italy
| | - Valentina Pastore
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Sato
- Centro Oculistico S. Paolo Hospital, S. Antonio Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Filippo Amore
- National Centre of Services and Research for the Prevention of Blindness and Rehabilitation of Visually Impaired, IAPB- Italia Onlus, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Biagini
- Department NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Tettamanti
- Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Department of Neuroscience, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianni Virgili
- IRCCS - Fondazione Bietti, Rome, Italy
- Department NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Walton M, Bojke L, Simmonds M, Walker R, Llewellyn A, Fulbright H, Dias S, Stewart LA, Rush T, Steel DH, Lawrenson JG, Peto T, Hodgson R. Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Drugs Compared With Panretinal Photocoagulation for the Treatment of Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis. Value Health 2024:S1098-3015(24)00122-0. [PMID: 38548182 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2024.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs (anti-VEGFs) compared with panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) for treating proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in the United Kingdom. METHODS A discrete event simulation model was developed, informed by individual participant data meta-analysis. The model captures treatment effects on best corrected visual acuity in both eyes, and the occurrence of diabetic macular edema and vitreous hemorrhage. The model also estimates the value of undertaking further research to resolve decision uncertainty. RESULTS Anti-VEGFs are unlikely to generate clinically meaningful benefits over PRP. The model predicted anti-VEGFs be more costly and similarly effective as PRP, generating 0.029 fewer quality-adjusted life-years at an additional cost of £3688, with a net health benefit of -0.214 at a £20 000 willingness-to-pay threshold. Scenario analysis results suggest that only under very select conditions may anti-VEGFs offer potential for cost-effective treatment of PDR. The consequences of loss to follow-up were an important driver of model outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Anti-VEGFs are unlikely to be a cost-effective treatment for early PDR compared with PRP. Anti-VEGFs are generally associated with higher costs and similar health outcomes across various scenarios. Although anti-VEGFs were associated with lower diabetic macular edema rates, the number of cases avoided is insufficient to offset the additional treatment costs. Key uncertainties relate to the long-term comparative effectiveness of anti-VEGFs, particularly considering the real-world rates and consequences of treatment nonadherence. Further research on long-term visual acuity and rates of vision-threatening complications may be beneficial in resolving uncertainties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Walton
- Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, UK.
| | - Laura Bojke
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, UK
| | - Mark Simmonds
- Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, UK
| | - Ruth Walker
- Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, UK
| | | | - Helen Fulbright
- Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, UK
| | - Sofia Dias
- Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, UK
| | | | | | | | - John G Lawrenson
- Department of Optometry and Visual Sciences, City, University of London, UK
| | - Tunde Peto
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, UK
| | - Robert Hodgson
- Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, UK
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Lawrenson AL, Lawrenson JG. Cochrane corner: topical anaesthetics for pain control following corneal abrasions. Eye (Lond) 2024; 38:646-647. [PMID: 37749378 PMCID: PMC10920656 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-023-02762-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Annali L Lawrenson
- Emergency Department, Epsom & St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, KT18 7EG, Epsom, UK
| | - John G Lawrenson
- School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, EC1V OHB, London, UK.
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Bott D, Subramanian A, Edgar D, Lawrenson JG, Campbell P. Barriers and enablers to medication adherence in glaucoma: A systematic review of modifiable factors using the Theoretical Domains Framework. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2024; 44:96-114. [PMID: 37985237 DOI: 10.1111/opo.13245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Nonadherence to medication reduces treatment effectiveness, and in chronic conditions it can significantly reduce health outcomes. In glaucoma, suboptimal adherence can lead to sight loss, which places a greater financial burden on society and reduces patients' quality of life. Interventions to improve adherence have so far had limited success and lack robust theoretical underpinnings. A better understanding of the determinants of medication adherence behaviour is needed in order to develop interventions that can target these factors more effectively. This systematic review aims to identify modifiable barriers and enablers to glaucoma medication adherence and identify factors most likely to influence adherence behaviour. RECENT FINDINGS We searched CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and sources of grey literature up to August 2022 for studies reporting determinants of glaucoma medication adherence. Data describing modifiable barriers/enablers to adherence were extracted and analysed using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), a behavioural framework consisting of 14 domains representing theoretical factors that most likely influence behaviour. Data were deductively coded into one of the TDF domains and inductively analysed to generate themes. Key behavioural domains influencing medication adherence were identified by frequency of study coding, level of elaboration and expressed importance. Eighty-three studies were included in the final synthesis. Four key domains influencing glaucoma medication adherence were identified: 'Environmental Context and Resources', 'Knowledge', 'Skills' and 'Memory, Attention and decision processes'. Frequently reported barriers included complex eyedrop regimens, lack of patient understanding of their condition, forgetfulness and difficulties administering eyedrops. Whereas simplified treatments, knowledgeable educated patients and good patient-practitioner relationships were enablers to adherence. SUMMARY We identified multiple barriers and enablers affecting glaucoma medication adherence. Four theoretical domains were found to be key in influencing adherence behaviour. These findings can be used to underpin the development of behaviour change interventions that aim to improve medication adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Bott
- Department of Optometry and Visual Sciences, School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Ahalya Subramanian
- Department of Optometry and Visual Sciences, School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - David Edgar
- Department of Optometry and Visual Sciences, School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - John G Lawrenson
- Department of Optometry and Visual Sciences, School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Peter Campbell
- Department of Optometry and Visual Sciences, School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
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Lawrenson JG, Gill S, Masuid I, Rashid F. Repeatability and agreement of central corneal thickness measurements with a new handheld non-contact pachymeter. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2023; 43:1524-1530. [PMID: 37382205 DOI: 10.1111/opo.13199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare the repeatability of central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements taken with a new handheld pachymeter (Occuity PM1 pachymeter) and to assess its agreement with ultrasound biometry and two commercially available optical biometers in participants with normal eyes. METHODS Three consecutive CCT measurements of the right eye of 105 participants with normal corneas were acquired by the PM1 pachymeter, Lenstar LS 900 and Oculus Pentacam HR in a random order. This was followed by three measurements with a handheld ultrasound pachymeter (UP) (Pachmate 2). Repeatability and the repeatability limit were calculated for each device and Bland-Altman limits of agreement (LoA) were determined for the PM1 pachymeter compared to the other devices. RESULTS The mean CCT (±SD) was 551.04 ± 33.43, 558.62 ± 31.46, 549.41 ± 31.00 and 539.73 ± 29.50 μm for the PM1 pachymeter, UP, Lenstar and Pentacam, respectively. The repeatability limits (expressed as the within subject SD for repeat measurements) were 14.02, 13.68, 4.99 and 9.90 μm, respectively. The closest agreement was between the PM1 and Lenstar (mean difference = -1.63 μm with LoA 10.72 μm below and 13.97 μm above the readings obtained with the Lenstar). The PM1 underestimated CCT compared to UP (mean difference = 7.58 μm, LoA 24.63 μm below and 9.47 μm above UP). The agreement was lowest between the PM1 and Pentacam (mean difference = -11.30 μm, LoA between 4.29 and 26.89 μm). CONCLUSIONS The PM1 pachymeter shows excellent precision for CCT measurements across a range of corneal thicknesses in normal eyes and provides a safe and easy-to-use alternative to ultrasound pachymetry.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G Lawrenson
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Simranjit Gill
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Isra Masuid
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Royal Berkshire, NHS Foundation Trust, Reading, UK
| | - Fardip Rashid
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Azuara-Blanco A, Lawrenson JG, King AJ, Foster PJ, Virgili G, Guiney M, Nolan W, Jindal A, Sharma M, O'Neill C, Cardwell CR, Clarke M. Technologies for the diagnosis of angle closure glaucoma (ACE): protocol of a prospective, multicentre, cross-sectional diagnostic study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e073975. [PMID: 37793921 PMCID: PMC10551982 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Angle-closure is responsible for half of all glaucoma blindness globally. Patients with suspected glaucoma require assessment of the drainage angle by an experienced clinician. The goal of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance and cost-effectiveness of two non-contact tests, anterior segment OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) (AS-OCT) and limbal anterior chamber depth for patients referred to hospital with suspected angle closure compared with gonioscopy by ophthalmologist. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Study design: prospective, multicentre, cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study. INCLUSION CRITERIA adults referred from community optometry to hospital with suspected angle closure. PRIMARY OUTCOME Sensitivity and specificity. SECONDARY OUTCOMES Positive/negative likelihood ratios, concordance, cost-effectiveness, proportion of patients requiring subsequent clinical assessment by ophthalmologist. SAMPLE SIZE 600 individuals who have been referred with suspected angle closure from primary care (community optometry). We will have a 95% probability of detecting the true sensitivity of either test to within ±3.5% based on a sensitivity of 90%. The study would also have a 95% probability of detecting the true specificity of either test to within ±5%, assuming a specificity of 75%. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical Review Board approval was obtained. REC reference: 22/LO/0885. Our findings will be disseminated to those involved in eye care services. We will have a knowledge exchange event at the end of the study, published via the Health Technology Assessment web page and in specialist journals. The results will be presented at professional conferences and directly to patients via patient group meetings and the Glaucoma UK charity. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN15115867.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John G Lawrenson
- Department of Optometry and Visual Sciences, City University of London, London, UK
| | - Anthony J King
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - Paul J Foster
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Division of of Epidemiology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Gianni Virgili
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Mary Guiney
- Northern Ireland Clinical Trials Unit, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, UK
| | - Winnie Nolan
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Moorfields and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Anish Jindal
- Glaucoma Service, Moorfields and Institute of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
- Institute of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Meenakshi Sharma
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Ciaran O'Neill
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | | | - Mike Clarke
- Northern Ireland Methodology Hub, Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
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Evans JR, Lawrenson JG. Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 9:CD000254. [PMID: 37702300 PMCID: PMC10498493 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd000254.pub5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative condition of the back of the eye that occurs in people over the age of 50 years. Antioxidants may prevent cellular damage in the retina by reacting with free radicals that are produced in the process of light absorption. Higher dietary levels of antioxidant vitamins and minerals may reduce the risk of progression of AMD. This is the third update of the review. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements on the progression of AMD in people with AMD. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, one other database, and three trials registers, most recently on 29 November 2022. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared antioxidant vitamin or mineral supplementation to placebo or no intervention, in people with AMD. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard methods expected by Cochrane. MAIN RESULTS We included 26 studies conducted in the USA, Europe, China, and Australia. These studies enroled 11,952 people aged 65 to 75 years and included slightly more women (on average 56% women). We judged the studies that contributed data to the review to be at low or unclear risk of bias. Thirteen studies compared multivitamins with control in people with early and intermediate AMD. Most evidence came from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) in the USA. People taking antioxidant vitamins were less likely to progress to late AMD (odds ratio (OR) 0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58 to 0.90; 3 studies, 2445 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). In people with early AMD, who are at low risk of progression, this means there would be approximately four fewer cases of progression to late AMD for every 1000 people taking vitamins (one fewer to six fewer cases). In people with intermediate AMD at higher risk of progression, this corresponds to approximately 78 fewer cases of progression for every 1000 people taking vitamins (26 fewer to 126 fewer). AREDS also provided evidence of a lower risk of progression for both neovascular AMD (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.82; moderate-certainty evidence) and geographic atrophy (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.51 to 1.10; moderate-certainty evidence), and a lower risk of losing 3 or more lines of visual acuity (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.96; moderate-certainty evidence). Low-certainty evidence from one study of 110 people suggested higher quality of life scores (measured with the Visual Function Questionnaire) in treated compared with non-treated people after 24 months (mean difference (MD) 12.30, 95% CI 4.24 to 20.36). In exploratory subgroup analyses in the follow-on study to AREDS (AREDS2), replacing beta-carotene with lutein/zeaxanthin gave hazard ratios (HR) of 0.82 (95% CI 0.69 to 0.96), 0.78 (95% CI 0.64 to 0.94), 0.94 (95% CI 0.70 to 1.26), and 0.88 (95% CI 0.75 to 1.03) for progression to late AMD, neovascular AMD, geographic atrophy, and vision loss, respectively. Six studies compared lutein (with or without zeaxanthin) with placebo and one study compared a multivitamin including lutein/zeaxanthin with multivitamin alone. The duration of supplementation and follow-up ranged from six months to five years. Most evidence came from the AREDS2 study in the USA; almost all participants in AREDS2 also took the original AREDS supplementation formula. People taking lutein/zeaxanthin may have similar or slightly reduced risk of progression to late AMD (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.01), neovascular AMD (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.02), and geographic atrophy (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.05) compared with control (1 study, 4176 participants, 6891 eyes; low-certainty evidence). A similar risk of progression to visual loss of 15 or more letters was seen in the lutein/zeaxanthin and control groups (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.05; 6656 eyes; low-certainty evidence). Quality of life (Visual Function Questionnaire) was similar between groups (MD 1.21, 95% CI -2.59 to 5.01; 2 studies, 308 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). One study in Australia randomised 1204 people to vitamin E or placebo with four years of follow-up; 19% of participants had AMD. The number of late AMD events was low (N = 7) and the estimate of effect was uncertain (RR 1.36, 95% CI 0.31 to 6.05; very low-certainty evidence). There was no evidence of any effect of treatment on visual loss (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.47; low-certainty evidence). There were no data on neovascular AMD, geographic atrophy, or quality of life. Five studies compared zinc with placebo. Evidence largely drawn from the largest study (AREDS) found a lower progression to late AMD over six years (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.98; 3 studies, 3790 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), neovascular AMD (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.93; moderate-certainty evidence), geographic atrophy (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.10; moderate-certainty evidence), or visual loss (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.00; 2 studies, 3791 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). There were no data on quality of life. Gastrointestinal symptoms were the main reported adverse effect. In AREDS, zinc was associated with a higher risk of genitourinary problems in men, but no difference was seen between high- and low-dose zinc groups in AREDS2. Most studies were too small to detect rare adverse effects. Data from larger studies (AREDS/AREDS2) suggested there may be little or no effect on mortality with multivitamin (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.25; low-certainty evidence) or lutein/zeaxanthin supplementation (HR 1.06, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.31; very low-certainty evidence), but confirmed the increased risk of lung cancer with beta-carotene, mostly in former smokers. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Moderate-certainty evidence suggests that antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplementation (AREDS: vitamin C, E, beta-carotene, and zinc) probably slows down progression to late AMD. People with intermediate AMD have a higher chance of benefiting from antioxidant supplements because their risk of progression is higher than people with early AMD. Although low-certainty evidence suggested little effect with lutein/zeaxanthin alone compared with placebo, exploratory subgroup analyses from one large American study support the view that lutein/zeaxanthin may be a suitable replacement for the beta-carotene used in the original AREDS formula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R Evans
- Centre for Public Health, International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Belfast, UK
| | - John G Lawrenson
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City University of London, London, UK
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Umaefulam V, Wilson M, Boucher MC, Brent MH, Dogba MJ, Drescher O, Grimshaw JM, Ivers NM, Lawrenson JG, Lorencatto F, Maberley D, McCleary N, McHugh S, Sutakovic O, Thavorn K, Witteman HO, Yu C, Cheng H, Han W, Hong Y, Idrissa B, Leech T, Malette J, Mongeon I, Mugisho Z, Nguebou MM, Pabla S, Rahman S, Samandoulougou A, Visram H, You R, Zhao J, Presseau J. Assessing the feasibility, acceptability, and fidelity of a tele-retinopathy-based intervention to encourage greater attendance to diabetic retinopathy screening in immigrants living with diabetes from China and African-Caribbean countries in Ottawa, Canada: a protocol. Pilot Feasibility Stud 2023; 9:158. [PMID: 37689724 PMCID: PMC10492373 DOI: 10.1186/s40814-023-01372-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of preventable blindness in Canada. Clinical guidelines recommend annual diabetic retinopathy screening for people living with diabetes to reduce the risk and progression of vision loss. However, many Canadians with diabetes do not attend screening. Screening rates are even lower in immigrants to Canada including people from China, Africa, and the Caribbean, and these groups are also at higher risk of developing diabetes complications. We aim to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and fidelity of a co-developed, linguistically and culturally tailored tele-retinopathy screening intervention for Mandarin-speaking immigrants from China and French-speaking immigrants from African-Caribbean countries living with diabetes in Ottawa, Canada, and identify how many from each population group attend screening during the pilot period. METHODS We will work with our health system and patient partners to conduct a 6-month feasibility pilot of a tele-retinopathy screening intervention in a Community Health Centre in Ottawa. We anticipate recruiting 50-150 patients and 5-10 health care providers involved in delivering the intervention for the pilot. Acceptability will be assessed via a Theoretical Framework of Acceptability-informed survey with patients and health care providers. To assess feasibility, we will use a Theoretical Domains Framework-informed interview guide and to assess fidelity, and we will use a survey informed by the National Institutes of Health framework from the perspective of health care providers. We will also collect patient demographics (i.e., age, gender, ethnicity, health insurance status, and immigration information), screening outcomes (i.e., patients with retinopathy identified, patients requiring specialist care), patient costs, and other intervention-related variables such as preferred language. Survey data will be descriptively analyzed and qualitative data will undergo content analysis. DISCUSSION This feasibility pilot study will capture how many people living with diabetes from each group attend the diabetic retinopathy screening, costs, and implementation processes for the tele-retinopathy screening intervention. The study will indicate the practicability and suitability of the intervention in increasing screening attendance in the target population groups. The study results will inform a patient-randomized trial, provide evidence to conduct an economic evaluation of the intervention, and optimize the community-based intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Umaefulam
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Mackenzie Wilson
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Marie Carole Boucher
- Department of Ophthalmology, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Ophthalmology University Center, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Michael H Brent
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, Donald K Johnson Eye Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Maman Joyce Dogba
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, Canada
- VITAM, Centre for Research On Sustainable Health, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Olivia Drescher
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, Canada
| | - Jeremy M Grimshaw
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Noah M Ivers
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - John G Lawrenson
- School of Health & Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | | | - David Maberley
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Nicola McCleary
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Sheena McHugh
- School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Olivera Sutakovic
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, Donald K Johnson Eye Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kednapa Thavorn
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Holly O Witteman
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, Canada
| | - Catherine Yu
- Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, St. Michael's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Hao Cheng
- Patient Local Advisory Group, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Wei Han
- Patient Local Advisory Group, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Yu Hong
- Patient Local Advisory Group, Ottawa, Canada
| | | | - Tina Leech
- Centretown Community Health Centre, Ottawa, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | - Sara Pabla
- Centretown Community Health Centre, Ottawa, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Richard You
- Patient Local Advisory Group, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Junqiang Zhao
- School of Nursing, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Justin Presseau
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada.
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
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Singh S, Keller PR, Busija L, McMillan P, Makrai E, Lawrenson JG, Hull CC, Downie LE. Blue-light filtering spectacle lenses for visual performance, sleep, and macular health in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 8:CD013244. [PMID: 37593770 PMCID: PMC10436683 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013244.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND 'Blue-light filtering', or 'blue-light blocking', spectacle lenses filter ultraviolet radiation and varying portions of short-wavelength visible light from reaching the eye. Various blue-light filtering lenses are commercially available. Some claims exist that they can improve visual performance with digital device use, provide retinal protection, and promote sleep quality. We investigated clinical trial evidence for these suggested effects, and considered any potential adverse effects. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of blue-light filtering lenses compared with non-blue-light filtering lenses, for improving visual performance, providing macular protection, and improving sleep quality in adults. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; containing the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register; 2022, Issue 3); Ovid MEDLINE; Ovid Embase; LILACS; the ISRCTN registry; ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO ICTRP, with no date or language restrictions. We last searched the electronic databases on 22 March 2022. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), involving adult participants, where blue-light filtering spectacle lenses were compared with non-blue-light filtering spectacle lenses. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Primary outcomes were the change in visual fatigue score and critical flicker-fusion frequency (CFF), as continuous outcomes, between baseline and one month of follow-up. Secondary outcomes included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity, discomfort glare, proportion of eyes with a pathological macular finding, colour discrimination, proportion of participants with reduced daytime alertness, serum melatonin levels, subjective sleep quality, and patient satisfaction with their visual performance. We evaluated findings related to ocular and systemic adverse effects. We followed standard Cochrane methods for data extraction and assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 1 (RoB 1) tool. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of the evidence for each outcome. MAIN RESULTS We included 17 RCTs, with sample sizes ranging from five to 156 participants, and intervention follow-up periods from less than one day to five weeks. About half of included trials used a parallel-arm design; the rest adopted a cross-over design. A variety of participant characteristics was represented across the studies, ranging from healthy adults to individuals with mental health and sleep disorders. None of the studies had a low risk of bias in all seven Cochrane RoB 1 domains. We judged 65% of studies to have a high risk of bias due to outcome assessors not being masked (detection bias) and 59% to be at high risk of bias of performance bias as participants and personnel were not masked. Thirty-five per cent of studies were pre-registered on a trial registry. We did not perform meta-analyses for any of the outcome measures, due to lack of available quantitative data, heterogenous study populations, and differences in intervention follow-up periods. There may be no difference in subjective visual fatigue scores with blue-light filtering lenses compared to non-blue-light filtering lenses, at less than one week of follow-up (low-certainty evidence). One RCT reported no difference between intervention arms (mean difference (MD) 9.76 units (indicating worse symptoms), 95% confidence interval (CI) -33.95 to 53.47; 120 participants). Further, two studies (46 participants, combined) that measured visual fatigue scores reported no significant difference between intervention arms. There may be little to no difference in CFF with blue-light filtering lenses compared to non-blue-light filtering lenses, measured at less than one day of follow-up (low-certainty evidence). One study reported no significant difference between intervention arms (MD - 1.13 Hz lower (indicating poorer performance), 95% CI - 3.00 to 0.74; 120 participants). Another study reported a less negative change in CFF (indicating less visual fatigue) with high- compared to low-blue-light filtering and no blue-light filtering lenses. Compared to non-blue-light filtering lenses, there is probably little or no effect with blue-light filtering lenses on visual performance (BCVA) (MD 0.00 logMAR units, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.02; 1 study, 156 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), and unknown effects on daytime alertness (2 RCTs, 42 participants; very low-certainty evidence); uncertainty in these effects was due to lack of available data and the small number of studies reporting these outcomes. We do not know if blue-light filtering spectacle lenses are equivalent or superior to non-blue-light filtering spectacle lenses with respect to sleep quality (very low-certainty evidence). Inconsistent findings were evident across six RCTs (148 participants); three studies reported a significant improvement in sleep scores with blue-light filtering lenses compared to non-blue-light filtering lenses, and the other three studies reported no significant difference between intervention arms. We noted differences in the populations across studies and a lack of quantitative data. Device-related adverse effects were not consistently reported (9 RCTs, 333 participants; low-certainty evidence). Nine studies reported on adverse events related to study interventions; three studies described the occurrence of such events. Reported adverse events related to blue-light filtering lenses were infrequent, but included increased depressive symptoms, headache, discomfort wearing the glasses, and lower mood. Adverse events associated with non-blue-light filtering lenses were occasional hyperthymia, and discomfort wearing the spectacles. We were unable to determine whether blue-light filtering lenses affect contrast sensitivity, colour discrimination, discomfort glare, macular health, serum melatonin levels or overall patient visual satisfaction, compared to non-blue-light filtering lenses, as none of the studies evaluated these outcomes. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS This systematic review found that blue-light filtering spectacle lenses may not attenuate symptoms of eye strain with computer use, over a short-term follow-up period, compared to non-blue-light filtering lenses. Further, this review found no clinically meaningful difference in changes to CFF with blue-light filtering lenses compared to non-blue-light filtering lenses. Based on the current best available evidence, there is probably little or no effect of blue-light filtering lenses on BCVA compared with non-blue-light filtering lenses. Potential effects on sleep quality were also indeterminate, with included trials reporting mixed outcomes among heterogeneous study populations. There was no evidence from RCT publications relating to the outcomes of contrast sensitivity, colour discrimination, discomfort glare, macular health, serum melatonin levels, or overall patient visual satisfaction. Future high-quality randomised trials are required to define more clearly the effects of blue-light filtering lenses on visual performance, macular health and sleep, in adult populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumeer Singh
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Peter R Keller
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ljoudmila Busija
- Biostatistics Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Patrick McMillan
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Eve Makrai
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - John G Lawrenson
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City University of London, London, UK
| | - Christopher C Hull
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City University of London, London, UK
| | - Laura E Downie
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Elafros MA, Callaghan BC, Skolarus LE, Vileikyte L, Lawrenson JG, Feldman EL. Patient and health care provider knowledge of diabetes and diabetic microvascular complications: a comprehensive literature review. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2023; 24:221-239. [PMID: 36322296 PMCID: PMC10202021 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-022-09754-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy occur in more than 50% of people with diabetes, contributing substantially to morbidity and mortality. Patient understanding of these microvascular complications is essential to ensure early recognition and treatment of these sequalae as well as associated symptoms, yet little is known about patient knowledge of microvascular sequalae. In this comprehensive literature review, we provide an overview of existing knowledge regarding patient knowledge of diabetes, retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy. We also discuss health care provider's knowledge of these sequalae given that patients and providers must work together to achieve optimal care. We evaluated 281 articles on patient and provider knowledge of diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy as well as predictors of improved knowledge and screening practices. Results demonstrated that patient and provider knowledge of microvascular sequalae varied widely between studies, which may reflect sociocultural or methodologic differences. Knowledge assessment instruments varied between studies with limited validation data and few studies controlled for confounding. Generally, improved patient knowledge was associated with greater formal education, longer diabetes duration, and higher socioeconomic status. Fewer studies examined provider knowledge of sequalae, yet these studies identified multiple misconceptions regarding appropriate screening practices for microvascular complications and the need to screen patients who are asymptomatic. Further investigations are needed that use well validated measures, control for confounding, and include diverse populations. Such studies will allow identification of patients and providers who would benefit from interventions to improve knowledge of microvascular complications and, ultimately, improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lesli E Skolarus
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Loretta Vileikyte
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Gastroenterology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Department of Endocrinology and Dermatology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - John G Lawrenson
- School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Eva L Feldman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, 48109, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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11
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Umaefulam V, Wilson M, Boucher MC, Brent MH, Dogba MJ, Drescher O, Grimshaw JM, Ivers NM, Lawrenson JG, Lorencatto F, Maberley D, McCleary N, McHugh S, Sutakovic O, Thavorn K, Witteman HO, Yu C, Cheng H, Han W, Hong Y, Idrissa B, Leech T, Malette J, Mongeon I, Mugisho Z, Nguebou MM, Pabla S, Rahman S, Samandoulougou A, Visram H, You R, Zhao J, Presseau J. The co-development of a linguistic and culturally tailored tele-retinopathy screening intervention for immigrants living with diabetes from China and African-Caribbean countries in Ottawa, Canada. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:302. [PMID: 36991464 PMCID: PMC10054218 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09329-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetic retinopathy is a sight-threatening ocular complication of diabetes. Screening is an effective way to reduce severe complications, but screening attendance rates are often low, particularly for newcomers and immigrants to Canada and people from cultural and linguistic minority groups. Building on previous work, in partnership with patient and health system stakeholders, we co-developed a linguistically and culturally tailored tele-retinopathy screening intervention for people living with diabetes who recently immigrated to Canada from either China or African-Caribbean countries. METHODS Following an environmental scan of diabetes eye care pathways in Ottawa, we conducted co-development workshops using a nominal group technique to create and prioritize personas of individuals requiring screening and identify barriers to screening that each persona may face. Next, we used the Theoretical Domains Framework to categorize the barriers/enablers and then mapped these categories to potential evidence-informed behaviour change techniques. Finally with these techniques in mind, participants prioritized strategies and channels of delivery, developed intervention content, and clarified actions required by different actors to overcome anticipated intervention delivery barriers. RESULTS We carried out iterative co-development workshops with Mandarin and French-speaking individuals living with diabetes (i.e., patients in the community) who immigrated to Canada from China and African-Caribbean countries (n = 13), patient partners (n = 7), and health system partners (n = 6) recruited from community health centres in Ottawa. Patients in the community co-development workshops were conducted in Mandarin or French. Together, we prioritized five barriers to attending diabetic retinopathy screening: language (TDF Domains: skills, social influences), retinopathy familiarity (knowledge, beliefs about consequences), physician barriers regarding communication for screening (social influences), lack of publicity about screening (knowledge, environmental context and resources), and fitting screening around other activities (environmental context and resources). The resulting intervention included the following behaviour change techniques to address prioritized local barriers: information about health consequence, providing instructions on how to attend screening, prompts/cues, adding objects to the environment, social support, and restructuring the social environment. Operationalized delivery channels incorporated language support, pre-booking screening and sending reminders, social support via social media and community champions, and providing using flyers and videos as delivery channels. CONCLUSION Working with intervention users and stakeholders, we co-developed a culturally and linguistically relevant tele-retinopathy intervention to address barriers to attending diabetic retinopathy screening and increase uptake among two under-served groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Umaefulam
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada.
| | - Mackenzie Wilson
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Marie Carole Boucher
- Department of Ophthalmology, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Ophthalmology University Center, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Michael H Brent
- Donald K Johnson Eye Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Maman Joyce Dogba
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Centre for Research On Sustainable Health, VITAM, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Olivia Drescher
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Jeremy M Grimshaw
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Noah M Ivers
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - John G Lawrenson
- School of Health & Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | | | - David Maberley
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Nicola McCleary
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Sheena McHugh
- School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Olivera Sutakovic
- Donald K Johnson Eye Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kednapa Thavorn
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Holly O Witteman
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Catherine Yu
- Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Hao Cheng
- Patient Local Advisory Group, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Wei Han
- Patient Local Advisory Group, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Yu Hong
- Patient Local Advisory Group, Ottawa, Canada
| | | | - Tina Leech
- Centretown Community Health Centre, Ottawa, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | - Sara Pabla
- Centretown Community Health Centre, Ottawa, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Richard You
- Patient Local Advisory Group, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Junqiang Zhao
- School of Nursing, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Justin Presseau
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
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12
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Dhakal R, Huntjens B, Shah R, Lawrenson JG, Verkicharla PK. Influence of location, season and time of day on the spectral composition of ambient light: Investigation for application in myopia. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2023; 43:220-230. [PMID: 36637143 DOI: 10.1111/opo.13085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Given the possible role of spectral composition of light and myopia, this study aimed at investigating the variation in the spectral composition of ambient light in different (a) outdoor/indoor locations, (b) time of a day and (c) seasons. METHODS The spectral power distribution (SPD), categorised into short (380-500 nm), middle (505-565 nm) and long wavelengths (625-780 nm), was recorded using a handheld spectrometer at three outdoor locations ('open playground', 'under shade of tree' and 'canopy') and three indoor locations ('room with multiple windows', 'closed room' and 'closed corridor'). Readings were taken at five different time points (3-h intervals between 6:30 and 18:00 hours) on two days, each during the summer and monsoon seasons. RESULTS The overall median SPD (IQR [25th-75th percentile] W/nm/m2 ) across the three outdoor locations (0.11 [0.09, 0.12]) was 157 times higher than that of the indoor locations (0.0007 [0.0001, 0.001]). Considerable locational, diurnal and seasonal variation was observed in the distribution of the median SPD value, with the highest value being recorded in the 'open playground' (0.27 [0.21, 0.28]) followed by 'under shade of tree' (0.083 [0.074, 0.09]), 'canopy' (0.014 [0.012, 0.015]) and 'room with multiple windows' (0.023 [0.015, 0.028]). The relative percentage composition of short, middle and long wavelengths was similar in both the outdoor and indoor locations, with the proportion of middle wavelengths significantly higher (p < 0.01) than short and long wavelengths in all the locations, except 'canopy'. CONCLUSION Irrespective of variation in SPD values with location, time, day and season, outdoor locations always exhibited significantly higher spectral power than indoor locations. The relative percentage composition of short, middle and long wavelengths of light was similar across all locations. These findings establish a foundation for future research to understand the relationship between spectral power and the development of myopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Dhakal
- Myopia Research Lab, Prof. Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, Infor Myopia Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.,Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City University of London, London, UK
| | - Byki Huntjens
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City University of London, London, UK
| | - Rakhee Shah
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City University of London, London, UK
| | - John G Lawrenson
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City University of London, London, UK
| | - Pavan K Verkicharla
- Myopia Research Lab, Prof. Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, Infor Myopia Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
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Perais J, Agarwal R, Evans JR, Loveman E, Colquitt JL, Owens D, Hogg RE, Lawrenson JG, Takwoingi Y, Lois N. Prognostic factors for the development and progression of proliferative diabetic retinopathy in people with diabetic retinopathy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 2:CD013775. [PMID: 36815723 PMCID: PMC9943918 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013775.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is characterised by neurovascular degeneration as a result of chronic hyperglycaemia. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is the most serious complication of DR and can lead to total (central and peripheral) visual loss. PDR is characterised by the presence of abnormal new blood vessels, so-called "new vessels," at the optic disc (NVD) or elsewhere in the retina (NVE). PDR can progress to high-risk characteristics (HRC) PDR (HRC-PDR), which is defined by the presence of NVD more than one-fourth to one-third disc area in size plus vitreous haemorrhage or pre-retinal haemorrhage, or vitreous haemorrhage or pre-retinal haemorrhage obscuring more than one disc area. In severe cases, fibrovascular membranes grow over the retinal surface and tractional retinal detachment with sight loss can occur, despite treatment. Although most, if not all, individuals with diabetes will develop DR if they live long enough, only some progress to the sight-threatening PDR stage. OBJECTIVES: To determine risk factors for the development of PDR and HRC-PDR in people with diabetes and DR. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register; 2022, Issue 5), Ovid MEDLINE, and Ovid Embase. The date of the search was 27 May 2022. Additionally, the search was supplemented by screening reference lists of eligible articles. There were no restrictions to language or year of publication. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included prospective or retrospective cohort studies and case-control longitudinal studies evaluating prognostic factors for the development and progression of PDR, in people who have not had previous treatment for DR. The target population consisted of adults (≥18 years of age) of any gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geographical location, with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) or PDR with less than HRC-PDR, diagnosed as per standard clinical practice. Two review authors independently screened titles and abstracts, and full-text articles, to determine eligibility; discrepancies were resolved through discussion. We considered prognostic factors measured at baseline and any other time points during the study and in any clinical setting. Outcomes were evaluated at three and eight years (± two years) or lifelong. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently extracted data from included studies using a data extraction form that we developed and piloted prior to the data collection stage. We resolved any discrepancies through discussion. We used the Quality in Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) tool to assess risk of bias. We conducted meta-analyses in clinically relevant groups using a random-effects approach. We reported hazard ratios (HR), odds ratios (OR), and risk ratios (RR) separately for each available prognostic factor and outcome, stratified by different time points. Where possible, we meta-analysed adjusted prognostic factors. We evaluated the certainty of the evidence with an adapted version of the GRADE framework. MAIN RESULTS: We screened 6391 records. From these, we identified 59 studies (87 articles) as eligible for inclusion. Thirty-five were prospective cohort studies, 22 were retrospective studies, 18 of which were cohort and six were based on data from electronic registers, and two were retrospective case-control studies. Twenty-three studies evaluated participants with type 1 diabetes (T1D), 19 with type 2 diabetes (T2D), and 17 included mixed populations (T1D and T2D). Studies on T1D included between 39 and 3250 participants at baseline, followed up for one to 45 years. Studies on T2D included between 100 and 71,817 participants at baseline, followed up for one to 20 years. The studies on mixed populations of T1D and T2D ranged from 76 to 32,553 participants at baseline, followed up for four to 25 years. We found evidence indicating that higher glycated haemoglobin (haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)) levels (adjusted OR ranged from 1.11 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93 to 1.32) to 2.10 (95% CI 1.64 to 2.69) and more advanced stages of retinopathy (adjusted OR ranged from 1.38 (95% CI 1.29 to 1.48) to 12.40 (95% CI 5.31 to 28.98) are independent risk factors for the development of PDR in people with T1D and T2D. We rated the evidence for these factors as of moderate certainty because of moderate to high risk of bias in the studies. There was also some evidence suggesting several markers for renal disease (for example, nephropathy (adjusted OR ranged from 1.58 (95% CI not reported) to 2.68 (2.09 to 3.42), and creatinine (adjusted meta-analysis HR 1.61 (95% CI 0.77 to 3.36)), and, in people with T1D, age at diagnosis of diabetes (< 12 years of age) (standardised regression estimate 1.62, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.48), increased triglyceride levels (adjusted RR 1.55, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.95), and larger retinal venular diameters (RR 4.28, 95% CI 1.50 to 12.19) may increase the risk of progression to PDR. The certainty of evidence for these factors, however, was low to very low, due to risk of bias in the included studies, inconsistency (lack of studies preventing the grading of consistency or variable outcomes), and imprecision (wide CIs). There was no substantial and consistent evidence to support duration of diabetes, systolic or diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, low- (LDL) and high- (HDL) density lipoproteins, gender, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), socioeconomic status, or tobacco and alcohol consumption as being associated with incidence of PDR. There was insufficient evidence to evaluate prognostic factors associated with progression of PDR to HRC-PDR. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Increased HbA1c is likely to be associated with progression to PDR; therefore, maintaining adequate glucose control throughout life, irrespective of stage of DR severity, may help to prevent progression to PDR and risk of its sight-threatening complications. Renal impairment in people with T1D or T2D, as well as younger age at diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM), increased triglyceride levels, and increased retinal venular diameters in people with T1D may also be associated with increased risk of progression to PDR. Given that more advanced DR severity is associated with higher risk of progression to PDR, the earlier the disease is identified, and the above systemic risk factors are controlled, the greater the chance of reducing the risk of PDR and saving sight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Perais
- The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Ridhi Agarwal
- Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jennifer R Evans
- Cochrane Eyes and Vision, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | | | | | | | - Ruth E Hogg
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - John G Lawrenson
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City University of London, London, UK
| | - Yemisi Takwoingi
- Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Noemi Lois
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
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14
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Lawrenson JG, Shah R, Huntjens B, Downie LE, Virgili G, Dhakal R, Verkicharla PK, Li D, Mavi S, Kernohan A, Li T, Walline JJ. Interventions for myopia control in children: a living systematic review and network meta-analysis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 2:CD014758. [PMID: 36809645 PMCID: PMC9933422 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd014758.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myopia is a common refractive error, where elongation of the eyeball causes distant objects to appear blurred. The increasing prevalence of myopia is a growing global public health problem, in terms of rates of uncorrected refractive error and significantly, an increased risk of visual impairment due to myopia-related ocular morbidity. Since myopia is usually detected in children before 10 years of age and can progress rapidly, interventions to slow its progression need to be delivered in childhood. OBJECTIVES To assess the comparative efficacy of optical, pharmacological and environmental interventions for slowing myopia progression in children using network meta-analysis (NMA). To generate a relative ranking of myopia control interventions according to their efficacy. To produce a brief economic commentary, summarising the economic evaluations assessing myopia control interventions in children. To maintain the currency of the evidence using a living systematic review approach. SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL (which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register), MEDLINE; Embase; and three trials registers. The search date was 26 February 2022. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of optical, pharmacological and environmental interventions for slowing myopia progression in children aged 18 years or younger. Critical outcomes were progression of myopia (defined as the difference in the change in spherical equivalent refraction (SER, dioptres (D)) and axial length (mm) in the intervention and control groups at one year or longer) and difference in the change in SER and axial length following cessation of treatment ('rebound'). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We followed standard Cochrane methods. We assessed bias using RoB 2 for parallel RCTs. We rated the certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach for the outcomes: change in SER and axial length at one and two years. Most comparisons were with inactive controls. MAIN RESULTS We included 64 studies that randomised 11,617 children, aged 4 to 18 years. Studies were mostly conducted in China or other Asian countries (39 studies, 60.9%) and North America (13 studies, 20.3%). Fifty-seven studies (89%) compared myopia control interventions (multifocal spectacles, peripheral plus spectacles (PPSL), undercorrected single vision spectacles (SVLs), multifocal soft contact lenses (MFSCL), orthokeratology, rigid gas-permeable contact lenses (RGP); or pharmacological interventions (including high- (HDA), moderate- (MDA) and low-dose (LDA) atropine, pirenzipine or 7-methylxanthine) against an inactive control. Study duration was 12 to 36 months. The overall certainty of the evidence ranged from very low to moderate. Since the networks in the NMA were poorly connected, most estimates versus control were as, or more, imprecise than the corresponding direct estimates. Consequently, we mostly report estimates based on direct (pairwise) comparisons below. At one year, in 38 studies (6525 participants analysed), the median change in SER for controls was -0.65 D. The following interventions may reduce SER progression compared to controls: HDA (mean difference (MD) 0.90 D, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.62 to 1.18), MDA (MD 0.65 D, 95% CI 0.27 to 1.03), LDA (MD 0.38 D, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.66), pirenzipine (MD 0.32 D, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.49), MFSCL (MD 0.26 D, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.35), PPSLs (MD 0.51 D, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.82), and multifocal spectacles (MD 0.14 D, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.21). By contrast, there was little or no evidence that RGP (MD 0.02 D, 95% CI -0.05 to 0.10), 7-methylxanthine (MD 0.07 D, 95% CI -0.09 to 0.24) or undercorrected SVLs (MD -0.15 D, 95% CI -0.29 to 0.00) reduce progression. At two years, in 26 studies (4949 participants), the median change in SER for controls was -1.02 D. The following interventions may reduce SER progression compared to controls: HDA (MD 1.26 D, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.36), MDA (MD 0.45 D, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.83), LDA (MD 0.24 D, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.31), pirenzipine (MD 0.41 D, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.69), MFSCL (MD 0.30 D, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.41), and multifocal spectacles (MD 0.19 D, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.30). PPSLs (MD 0.34 D, 95% CI -0.08 to 0.76) may also reduce progression, but the results were inconsistent. For RGP, one study found a benefit and another found no difference with control. We found no difference in SER change for undercorrected SVLs (MD 0.02 D, 95% CI -0.05 to 0.09). At one year, in 36 studies (6263 participants), the median change in axial length for controls was 0.31 mm. The following interventions may reduce axial elongation compared to controls: HDA (MD -0.33 mm, 95% CI -0.35 to 0.30), MDA (MD -0.28 mm, 95% CI -0.38 to -0.17), LDA (MD -0.13 mm, 95% CI -0.21 to -0.05), orthokeratology (MD -0.19 mm, 95% CI -0.23 to -0.15), MFSCL (MD -0.11 mm, 95% CI -0.13 to -0.09), pirenzipine (MD -0.10 mm, 95% CI -0.18 to -0.02), PPSLs (MD -0.13 mm, 95% CI -0.24 to -0.03), and multifocal spectacles (MD -0.06 mm, 95% CI -0.09 to -0.04). We found little or no evidence that RGP (MD 0.02 mm, 95% CI -0.05 to 0.10), 7-methylxanthine (MD 0.03 mm, 95% CI -0.10 to 0.03) or undercorrected SVLs (MD 0.05 mm, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.11) reduce axial length. At two years, in 21 studies (4169 participants), the median change in axial length for controls was 0.56 mm. The following interventions may reduce axial elongation compared to controls: HDA (MD -0.47mm, 95% CI -0.61 to -0.34), MDA (MD -0.33 mm, 95% CI -0.46 to -0.20), orthokeratology (MD -0.28 mm, (95% CI -0.38 to -0.19), LDA (MD -0.16 mm, 95% CI -0.20 to -0.12), MFSCL (MD -0.15 mm, 95% CI -0.19 to -0.12), and multifocal spectacles (MD -0.07 mm, 95% CI -0.12 to -0.03). PPSL may reduce progression (MD -0.20 mm, 95% CI -0.45 to 0.05) but results were inconsistent. We found little or no evidence that undercorrected SVLs (MD -0.01 mm, 95% CI -0.06 to 0.03) or RGP (MD 0.03 mm, 95% CI -0.05 to 0.12) reduce axial length. There was inconclusive evidence on whether treatment cessation increases myopia progression. Adverse events and treatment adherence were not consistently reported, and only one study reported quality of life. No studies reported environmental interventions reporting progression in children with myopia, and no economic evaluations assessed interventions for myopia control in children. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Studies mostly compared pharmacological and optical treatments to slow the progression of myopia with an inactive comparator. Effects at one year provided evidence that these interventions may slow refractive change and reduce axial elongation, although results were often heterogeneous. A smaller body of evidence is available at two or three years, and uncertainty remains about the sustained effect of these interventions. Longer-term and better-quality studies comparing myopia control interventions used alone or in combination are needed, and improved methods for monitoring and reporting adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G Lawrenson
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health & Psychological Sciences , City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Rakhee Shah
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health & Psychological Sciences , City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Byki Huntjens
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health & Psychological Sciences , City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Laura E Downie
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Gianni Virgili
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Rohit Dhakal
- Myopia Research Lab, Prof. Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | - Pavan K Verkicharla
- Myopia Research Lab, Prof. Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | - Dongfeng Li
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Sonia Mavi
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Ashleigh Kernohan
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Tianjing Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Walline
- College of Optometry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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15
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Dhakal R, Rudrapankte JR, Chittajallu HSNS, Lawrenson JG, Huntjens B, Shah R, Verkicharla PK. Development and validation of a 'MyLyt' wearable light tracking device. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2023; 43:132-140. [PMID: 36271902 DOI: 10.1111/opo.13061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We developed a clip-on light tracker (MyLyt) for estimating light exposure in real time. This study aimed at validating and investigating the feasibility of using MyLyt in children and adults. METHOD The study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 involved validation against a factory-calibrated digital lux meter in three separate conditions: controlled environmental set-up, outdoors and indoors where intra-test (two measurements by the same tracker), inter-test (measurements among trackers) and inter-device (MyLyt tracker and lux meter) validations were conducted. Phase 2 involved a feasibility study where MyLyt was used in a real-world setting by 21 adults and 8 children. Participants were asked to log their real-time movements in an 'activity diary', which were correlated with the lux levels measured by the tracker. RESULTS A strong positive correlation and non-significant difference in the recorded mean illuminance levels were observed during intra-test (inter-class correlation: 1.00, p = 0.99), inter-test (0.91-1.00, p > 0.15) and inter-device (0.91-1.00, p > 0.56) validation in all three testing conditions (p > 0.49), except the indoor location. While the lux level measured by MyLyt was significantly higher than that of the lux meter (p < 0.01) in the indoor locations, differences were minimal and clinically insignificant. A Bland-Altman plot showed a minimal mean difference (95% limits of agreement) between the MyLyt tracker and lux meter in all three conditions (controlled environmental set-up: 641 [-949, 2230], outdoor: 74 [-2772, 2920] and indoor: -35 [-151, 80] lux). Phase 2 validation showed an expected illuminance level against the corresponding location with high sensitivity (97.8%) and specificity (99%) to accurately differentiate between outdoor and indoor locations. CONCLUSION The MyLyt tracker showed good repeatability, strong correlation and comparable values with the lux meter in the three tested conditions, making it suitable for tracking light exposure patterns for both research and clinical purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Dhakal
- Myopia Research Lab, Prof. Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.,Infor Myopia Centre, Brien Holden Institute of Optometry and Vision Sciences, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.,Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | | | | | - John G Lawrenson
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Byki Huntjens
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Rakhee Shah
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Pavan K Verkicharla
- Myopia Research Lab, Prof. Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.,Infor Myopia Centre, Brien Holden Institute of Optometry and Vision Sciences, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
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16
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Prothero L, Cartwright M, Lorencatto F, Burr JM, Anderson J, Gardner P, Presseau J, Ivers N, Grimshaw JM, Lawrenson JG. Barriers and enablers to diabetic retinopathy screening: a cross-sectional survey of young adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes in the UK. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care 2022; 10:10/6/e002971. [PMID: 36418058 PMCID: PMC9685243 DOI: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2022-002971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS) attendance in young adults (YAs) is consistently below recommended levels. The aim of this study was to identify barriers and enablers of DRS attendance among YAs in the UK living with type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS YAs (18-34 years) were invited to complete an anonymous online survey in June 2021 assessing agreement with 30 belief statements informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) of behavior change describing potential barriers/enablers to DRS. RESULTS In total, 102 responses were received. Most had T1D (65.7%) and were regular attenders for DRS (76.5%). The most salient TDF domains for DRS attendance were 'Goals', with 93% agreeing that DRS was a high priority, and 'Knowledge', with 98% being aware that screening can detect eye problems early.Overall, 67.4% indicated that they would like greater appointment flexibility (Environmental context/resources) and 31.3% reported difficulties getting time off work/study to attend appointments (Environmental context/resources). This was more commonly reported by occasional non-attenders versus regular attenders (59.1% vs 23.4%, p=0.002). Most YAs were worried about diabetic retinopathy (74.3%), anxious when receiving screening results (63%) (Emotion) and would like more support after getting their results (66%) (Social influences). Responses for T1D and T2D were broadly similar, although those with T2D were more likely have developed strategies to help them to remember their appointments (63.6% vs 37.9%, p=0.019) (Behavioral regulation). CONCLUSIONS Attendance for DRS in YAs is influenced by complex interacting behavioral factors. Identifying modifiable determinants of behavior will provide a basis for designing tailored interventions to improve DRS in YAs and prevent avoidable vision loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Prothero
- Anglia Ruskin University - Rivermead Campus, Chelmsford, UK
- City, University of London, London, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Philip Gardner
- United Kingdom Department of Health and Social Care, London, UK
| | | | - Noah Ivers
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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17
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Prothero L, Lawrenson JG, Cartwright M, Crosby‐Nwaobi R, Burr JM, Gardner P, Anderson J, Presseau J, Ivers N, Grimshaw JM, Lorencatto F. Barriers and enablers to diabetic eye screening attendance: An interview study with young adults with type 1 diabetes. Diabet Med 2022; 39:e14751. [PMID: 34837256 PMCID: PMC9304253 DOI: 10.1111/dme.14751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIM The aim of this study was to identify barriers and enablers of diabetic eye screening (DES) attendance amongst young adults with diabetes living in the United Kingdom. METHODS Semistructured qualitative interviews with adults aged 18-34 years with diabetes. Participants were purposively sampled to aim for representation across gender, geographical locations, diabetes type, years since diabetes diagnosis and patterns of attendance (i.e. regular attenders, occasional non-attenders, regular non-attenders). Data were collected and analysed using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to explore potential individual, sociocultural and environmental influences on attendance. Data were analysed using a combined deductive and inductive thematic analysis approach. Barriers/enablers were mapped to behaviour change techniques (BCTs) to identify potential strategies to increase attendance. RESULTS Key barriers to attendance reported by the sample of 29 study participants with type 1 diabetes, fell within the TDF domains: [Knowledge] (e.g. not understanding reasons for attending DES or treatments available if diabetic retinopathy is detected), [Social Influences] (e.g. lack of support following DES results), [Social role and Identity] (e.g. not knowing other people their age with diabetes, feeling 'isolated' and being reluctant to disclose their diabetes) and [Environmental Context and Resources] (e.g. lack of appointment flexibility and options for rescheduling). Enablers included: [Social Influences] (e.g. support of family/diabetes team), [Goals] (e.g. DES regarded as 'high priority'). Many of the reported barriers/enablers were consistent across groups. Potential BCTs to support attendance include Instructions on how to perform the behaviour; Information about health consequences; Social support (practical) and Social comparison. CONCLUSIONS Attendance to diabetic eye screening in young adults is influenced by a complex set of interacting factors. Identification of potentially modifiable target behaviours provides a basis for designing more effective, tailored interventions to help young adults regularly attend eye screening and prevent avoidable vision loss.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Philip Gardner
- Office for Health Improvement and DisparitiesDepartment of Health and Social CareLondonUK
| | - John Anderson
- Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | | | - Noah Ivers
- Women’s College Research InstituteTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Jeremy M. Grimshaw
- Ottawa Hospital Research InstituteOttawaOntarioCanada
- Department of MedicineUniversity of OttawaOttawaOntarioCanada
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18
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Evans JR, Lawrenson JG, Ramke J, Virgili G, Gordon I, Lingham G, Yasmin S, Keel S. Identification and critical appraisal of evidence for interventions for refractive error to support the development of the WHO package of eye care interventions: a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2022; 42:526-533. [PMID: 35191063 PMCID: PMC9306966 DOI: 10.1111/opo.12963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Purpose The World Health Organization is developing a Package of Eye Care Interventions (PECI) to support the integration of eye health care into national health programmes. Interventions included in the PECI should be based on robust evidence where available. Refractive error is a leading cause of blindness and vision impairment and is a PECI priority condition. The aim of this study was to provide high‐quality evidence to support the development of the PECI by identifying and critically appraising clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), and extracting recommendations for refractive error interventions. Methods We searched for CPGs on refractive error published in the last 10 years. We conducted the searches initially in February and March 2019 and repeated them in March 2020. We evaluated the quality of potentially relevant guidelines using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II tool. Results We identified 12 high‐quality CPGs relevant to refractive error, written by six organisations from three high‐income countries. Organisations used a variety of frameworks to assess the strength of recommendations based on available evidence, with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) being most common. Vision screening for children aged 3 to 5 years was recommended consistently. Evidence for screening and eye evaluations at other ages was weaker, although ophthalmic professional organisations consistently recommended regular evaluations. Recommendations on optical and laser correction of refractive error were limited and did not consider implications for low resource settings. Interventions for slowing myopia progression in children were recommended, but these will need regular updating as new evidence emerges. Conclusions Current high‐quality guidelines on refractive error have been formulated in high‐income countries. Recommendations focused on prevention and treatment of refractive error in low‐and middle‐income countries are lacking. Regular updating of systematic reviews and CPGs is essential to ensure that robust evidence is promptly appraised and incorporated into recommendations for eye health care practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R Evans
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University, Belfast, UK.,International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - John G Lawrenson
- Division of Optometry and Vision Science, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Jacqueline Ramke
- International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Gianni Virgili
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University, Belfast, UK
| | - Iris Gordon
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University, Belfast, UK
| | - Gareth Lingham
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Lions Eye Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | | | - Stuart Keel
- Department of Noncommunicable Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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19
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Harper RA, Edgar DF, Lawrenson JG. Methodological challenges and opportunities in evaluating clinical safety in primary eyecare services. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2022; 42:658-659. [DOI: 10.1111/opo.12954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Harper
- Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Manchester Manchester UK
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health School of Health Sciences University of Manchester Manchester UK
| | - David F Edgar
- Division of Optometry and Visual Sciences School of Health Sciences, City University of London London UK
| | - John G Lawrenson
- Division of Optometry and Visual Sciences School of Health Sciences, City University of London London UK
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20
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Dhakal R, Shah R, Huntjens B, Verkicharla PK, Lawrenson JG. Time spent outdoors as an intervention for myopia prevention and control in children: an overview of systematic reviews. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2022; 42:545-558. [PMID: 35072278 PMCID: PMC9305934 DOI: 10.1111/opo.12945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Outdoor light exposure is considered a safe and effective strategy to reduce myopia development and aligns with existing public health initiatives to promote healthier lifestyles in children. However, it is unclear whether this strategy reduces myopia progression in eyes that are already myopic. This study aims to conduct an overview of systematic reviews (SRs) reporting time spent outdoors as a strategy to prevent myopia or slow its progression in children. METHODS We searched the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE and CINAHL from inception to 1 November 2020 to identify SRs that evaluated the association between outdoor light exposure and myopia development or progression in children. Outcomes included incident myopia, prevalent myopia and change in spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and axial length (AL) to evaluate annual rates of myopia progression. The methodological quality and risk of bias of included SRs were assessed using the AMSTAR-2 and ROBIS tools, respectively. RESULTS Seven SRs were identified, which included data from 47 primary studies with 63,920 participants. Pooled estimates (risk or odds ratios) consistently demonstrated that time outdoors was associated with a reduction in prevalence and incidence of myopia. In terms of slowing progression in eyes that were already myopic, the reported annual reductions in SER and AL from baseline were small (0.13-0.17 D) and regarded as clinically insignificant. Methodological quality assessment using AMSTAR-2 found that all reviews had one or more critical flaws and the ROBIS tool identified a low risk of bias in only two of the included SRs. CONCLUSION This overview found that increased exposure to outdoor light reduces myopia development. However, based on annual change in SER and AL, there is insufficient evidence for a clinically significant effect on myopia progression. The poor methodological quality and inconsistent reporting of the included systematic reviews reduce confidence in the estimates of effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Dhakal
- Myopia Research Lab, Prof. Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.,Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Rakhee Shah
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Byki Huntjens
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Pavan K Verkicharla
- Myopia Research Lab, Prof. Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | - John G Lawrenson
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
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21
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Sethu S, Lawrenson JG, Kekunnaya R, Ali R, Borah RR, Suttle C. Barriers and enablers to access childhood cataract services across India. A qualitative study using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) of behaviour change. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0261308. [PMID: 34972107 PMCID: PMC8719670 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Early presentation for childhood cataract surgery is an important first step in preventing related visual impairment and blindness. In the absence of neonatal eye screening programmes in developing countries, the early identification of childhood cataract remains a major challenge. The primary aim of this study was to identify potential barriers to accessing childhood cataract services from the perspective of parents and carers, as a critical step towards increasing the timely uptake of cataract surgery. In-depth interviews were conducted using a pre-designed topic guide developed for this study to seek the views of parents and carers in nine geographic locations across eight states in India regarding their perceived barriers and enablers to accessing childhood cataract services. A total of 35 in-depth interviews were conducted including 30 at the hospital premises and 5 in the participants' homes. All interviews were conducted in the local language and audio taped for further transcription and analysis. Data were organised using NVivo 11 and a thematic analysis was conducted utilising the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), an integrative framework of behavioural theories. The themes identified from interviews related to 11 out of 12 TDF domains. TDF domains associated with barriers included: 'Environmental context and resources', 'Beliefs about consequences' and 'Social influences'. Reported enablers were identified in three theoretical domains: 'Social influences', 'Beliefs about consequences' and 'Motivations and goals'. This comprehensive TDF approach enabled us to understand parents' perceived barriers and enablers to accessing childhood cataract services, which could be targeted in future interventions to improve timely uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheeladevi Sethu
- Division of Optometry and Visual Science, Centre for Applied Vision Research, City, University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Orbis International, Gurugram, India
- * E-mail:
| | - John G. Lawrenson
- Division of Optometry and Visual Science, Centre for Applied Vision Research, City, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ramesh Kekunnaya
- Child Sight Institute, Jasti V Ramanamma Children’s Eye Care Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | - Rahul Ali
- Orbis International, Gurugram, India
| | | | - Catherine Suttle
- Division of Optometry and Visual Science, Centre for Applied Vision Research, City, University of London, London, United Kingdom
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22
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Prothero L, Lorencatto F, Cartwright M, Burr JM, Gardner P, Anderson J, Presseau J, Ivers N, Grimshaw JM, Lawrenson JG. Perceived barriers and enablers to the provision of diabetic retinopathy screening for young adults: a cross-sectional survey of healthcare professionals working in the UK National Diabetic Eye Screening Programme. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care 2021; 9:9/2/e002436. [PMID: 34740918 PMCID: PMC8573632 DOI: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2021-002436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS) attendance in young adults is consistently below recommended levels. The aim of this study was to conduct a survey of screening providers in the UK Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP) to identify perceived barriers and enablers to DRS attendance in young adults and elicit views on the effectiveness of strategies to improve screening uptake in this population. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Members of the British Association of Retinal Screening (n=580) were invited to complete an anonymous online survey in July 2020 assessing agreement with 37 belief statements, informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) of behavior change, describing potential barrier/enablers to delivering DRS for young adults and further survey items exploring effectiveness of strategies to improve uptake of DRS. RESULTS In total, 140 (24%) responses were received mostly from screener/graders (67.1%). There was a high level of agreement that the DESP had a role in improving attendance in young adults (96.4%) and that more could be done to improve attendance (90.0%). The most commonly reported barriers related to TDF domains Social influences and Environmental context and resources including lack of integration of DRS with other processes of diabetes care, which limited the ability to discuss diabetes self-management. Other barriers included access to screening services and difficulties with scheduling appointments. Less than half (46.4%) of respondents reported having a dedicated strategy to improve screening uptake in young adults. Strategies perceived to be effective included: screening within the community; prompts/reminders and integrating eye screening with other diabetes services. CONCLUSIONS Screening providers were concerned about screening uptake in young adults, although many programs lacked a dedicated strategy to improve attendance. Problems associated with a lack of integration between DRS with other diabetes care processes were identified as a major barrier to providing holistic care to young adults and supporting diabetes self-management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Prothero
- School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Jennifer M Burr
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | | | - John Anderson
- Diabetes and Endocrinology, Homerton University Hospital, London, UK
- Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Blizard Institute, London, UK
| | - Justin Presseau
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Noah Ivers
- Women's College Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeremy M Grimshaw
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - John G Lawrenson
- School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
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Evans JR, Gordon I, Lawrenson JG, Parker R, Rowe FJ, Virgili G, Li T, Ramke J. Identifying priority review questions for Cochrane Eyes and Vision: protocol for a priority setting exercise. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e046319. [PMID: 34172546 PMCID: PMC8237719 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cochrane Eyes and Vision (CEV) is an international network of individuals working to prepare, maintain and promote access to systematic reviews of interventions to treat, prevent or diagnose eye diseases or vision impairment. CEV plans to undertake a priority setting exercise to identify systematically research questions relevant to our scope, and to formally incorporate input from a wide range of stakeholders to set priorities for new and updated reviews. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The scope of CEV is broad and our reviews include conditions that are common and have a high global disease burden, for example, cataract and dry eye disease, and conditions that are rare but have a high impact on quality of life and high individual cost such as eye cancer. We plan to focus on conditions prioritised by WHO during the development of the Package of Eye Care Interventions. These conditions were selected based on a combination of data on disease magnitude, healthcare use and expert opinion. We will identify priority review questions systematically by summarising relevant data on research in Eyes and Vision from a range of sources, and compiling a list of 10-15 potential review questions (new and/or updates) for each condition group. We will seek the views of external and internal stakeholders on this list by conducting an online survey. Equity will be a specific consideration. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study has been approved by the ethics committee of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. We will disseminate the findings through Cochrane channels and prepare a summary of the work for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R Evans
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
- International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Iris Gordon
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
- International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - John G Lawrenson
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Roses Parker
- Cochrane MOSS Network, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Fiona J Rowe
- Department of Health Services Research, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Gianni Virgili
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
- Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Firenze, Toscana, Italy
| | - Tianjing Li
- Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Jacqueline Ramke
- International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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24
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Read S, Lawrenson JG, Harper RA, Hanley T, Balaskas K, Waterman H. Evaluation of training, patient and practitioner perspectives on community-based monitoring of patients with stable age-related macular degeneration compared to hospital-based care: The FENETRE study report no. 1. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2021; 41:864-873. [PMID: 34036613 DOI: 10.1111/opo.12836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Describe the development, delivery, acceptability and evaluation of a modular training programme for community-based, non-medical practitioners monitoring patients with quiescent neovascular age related macular degeneration (QnAMD). Also, report on a qualitative process evaluation conducted during the pilot phase of a randomised control trial (the FENETRE Study) exploring patient and practitioner acceptability of community-based QnAMD care relative to hospital-based care. METHODS Learning outcomes from The College of Optometrists' Medical Retina higher qualifications and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists' Common Clinical Competency Framework were used to develop a competency framework for QnAMD care. Training was delivered online, comprising six asynchronous lectures followed by two synchronous case-based discussion webinars, with an accredited assessment of 24 case vignettes. An anonymous evaluation survey was conducted with the first two FENETRE cohorts (n = 38). Separately, we undertook a qualitative process evaluation, sampling purposively in four hospitals and five community-based practices, interviewing nine patients and eight practitioners. RESULTS Survey responses (n = 26) showed community optometrists were very satisfied (n = 12; 46%) or satisfied (n = 14; 54%) with the training; feedback reflected by qualitative process evaluation data. Overall, optometrists also felt either confident (n = 15; 58%) or very confident (n = 8; 31%) in conducting AMD monitoring appointments following training, a finding also corroborated by interview data from optometrists participating in the initial pilot phase roll-out. Optometrists identified patient convenience and alleviating pressures in hospital care as the primary reasons for acceptability of community pathways. Data from patients entering community practices suggested they largely found this at least as safe and convenient as hospital care, although some patients randomised to hospital care perceived that as safer. CONCLUSION This pilot study has shown the development and implementation of a collaborative community monitoring model is feasible, with satisfaction from community optometrists for training and accreditation, and broad acceptance for the pathway by both patients and practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Read
- School of Healthcare Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - John G Lawrenson
- School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Robert A Harper
- Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, UK.,School of Health Sciences, Manchester University, Manchester, UK
| | - Thomas Hanley
- School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | | | - Heather Waterman
- Formerly, School of Healthcare Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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25
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Suttle CM, Lawrenson JG, Conway ML. Efficacy of coloured overlays and lenses for treating reading difficulty: an overview of systematic reviews. Clin Exp Optom 2021; 101:514-520. [DOI: 10.1111/cxo.12676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M Suttle
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK,
| | - John G Lawrenson
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK,
| | - Miriam L Conway
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK,
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26
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Lawrenson JG, Dhakal R, Verkicharla PK, Shah R, Huntjens B, Downie LE, Kernohan A, Li T, Virgili G, Walline JJ. Interventions for myopia control in children: a living systematic review and network meta-analysis. Hippokratia 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd014758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- John G Lawrenson
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences; City University of London; London UK
| | - Rohit Dhakal
- Myopia Research Lab, Prof. Brien Holden Eye Research Centre; L V Prasad Eye Institute; Hyderabad India
| | - Pavan K Verkicharla
- Myopia Research Lab, Prof. Brien Holden Eye Research Centre; L V Prasad Eye Institute; Hyderabad India
| | - Rakhee Shah
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences; City University of London; London UK
| | - Byki Huntjens
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences; City University of London; London UK
| | - Laura E Downie
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences; The University of Melbourne; Melbourne Australia
| | - Ashleigh Kernohan
- Population Health Sciences Institute; Newcastle University; Newcastle upon Tyne UK
| | - Tianjing Li
- Department of Ophthalmology; University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus; Aurora CO USA
| | - Gianni Virgili
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA); University of Florence; Florence Italy
- Centre for Public Health; Queen's University Belfast; Belfast UK
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27
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Convergence insufficiency is a common binocular vision disorder in which the eyes have a strong tendency to drift outward (exophoria) with difficulty turning the eyes inward when reading or doing close work. OBJECTIVES To assess the comparative effectiveness and relative ranking of non-surgical interventions for convergence insufficiency through a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA). SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed and three trials registers up to 20 September 2019. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining any form of non-surgical intervention versus placebo, no treatment, sham treatment, or other non-surgical interventions. Participants were children and adults with symptomatic convergence insufficiency. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We followed standard Cochrane methodology. We performed NMAs separately for children and adults. MAIN RESULTS We included 12 trials (six in children and six in adults) with a total of 1289 participants. Trials evaluated seven interventions: 1) office-based vergence/accommodative therapy with home reinforcement; 2) home-based pencil/target push-ups; 3) home-based computer vergence/accommodative therapy; 4) office-based vergence/accommodative therapy alone; 5) placebo vergence/accommodative therapy or other placebo intervention; 6) prism reading glasses; and 7) placebo reading glasses. Six RCTs in the pediatric population randomized 968 participants. Of these, the Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial (CITT) Investigator Group completed four RCTs with 737 participants. All four CITT RCTs were rated at low risk of bias. Diagnostic criteria and outcome measures were identical or similar among these trials. The four CITT RCTs contributed data to the pediatric NMA, incorporating interventions 1, 2, 3 and 5. When treatment success was defined by a composite outcome requiring both clinical measures of convergence to be normal, and also show a pre-specified magnitude of improvement, we found high-certainty evidence that office-based vergence/accommodative therapy with home reinforcement increases the chance of a successful outcome, compared with home-based computer vergence/accommodative therapy (risk ratio (RR) 1.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32 to 2.94), home-based pencil/target push-ups (RR 2.86, 95% CI 1.82 to 4.35); and placebo (RR 3.04, 95% CI 2.32 to 3.98). However, there may be no evidence of any treatment difference between home-based computer vergence/accommodative therapy and home-based pencil/target push-ups (RR 1.44, 95% CI 0.93 to 2.24; low-certainty evidence), or between either of the two home-based therapies and placebo therapy, for the outcome of treatment success. When treatment success was defined as the composite convergence and symptom success outcome, we found moderate-certainty evidence that participants who received office-based vergence/accommodative therapy with home reinforcement were 5.12 (95% CI 2.01 to 13.07) times more likely to achieve treatment success than those who received placebo therapy. We found low-certainty evidence that participants who received office-based vergence/accommodative therapy with home reinforcement might be 4.41 (95% CI 1.26 to 15.38) times more likely to achieve treatment success than those who received home-based pencil push-ups, and 4.65 (95% CI 1.23 to 17.54) times more likely than those who received home-based computer vergence/accommodative therapy. There was no evidence of any treatment difference between home-based pencil push-ups and home-based computer vergence/accommodative therapy, or between either of the two home-based therapies and placebo therapy. One RCT evaluated the effectiveness of base-in prism reading glasses in children. When base-in prism reading glasses were compared with placebo reading glasses, investigators found no evidence of a difference in the three outcome measures of near point convergence (NPC), positive fusional vergence (PFV), or symptom scores measured by the Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey (CISS). Six RCTs in the adult population randomized 321 participants. We rated only one RCT at low risk of bias. Because not all studies of adults included composite success data, we could not conduct NMAs for treatment success. We thus were limited to comparing the mean difference (MD) between interventions for improving NPC, PFV, and CISS scores individually using data from three RCTs (107 participants; interventions 1, 2, 4 and 5). Compared with placebo treatment, office-based vergence accommodative therapy was relatively more effective in improving PFV (MD 16.73, 95% CI 6.96 to 26.60), but there was no evidence of a difference for NPC or the CISS score. There was no evidence of difference for any other comparisons for any outcomes. One trial evaluated base-in prism glasses prescribed for near-work activities and found that the prism glasses group had fewer symptoms compared with the placebo glasses group at three months (MD -8.9, 95% CI -11.6 to -6.3). The trial found no evidence of a difference with this intervention in NPC or PFV. No adverse effects related to study treatments were reported for any of the included studies. Excellent adherence was reported for office-based vergence/accommodative therapy (96.6% or higher) in two trials. Reported adherence with home-based therapy was less consistent, with one study reporting decreasing adherence over time (weeks 7 to 12) and lower completion rates with home-based pencil/target push-ups. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Current research suggests that office-based vergence/accommodative therapy with home reinforcement is more effective than home-based pencil/target push-ups or home-based computer vergence/accommodative therapy for children. In adults, evidence of the effectiveness of various non-surgical interventions is less clear.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marjean T Kulp
- College of Optometry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Susan A Cotter
- Southern California College of Optometry, Fullerton, California, USA
| | - John G Lawrenson
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City University of London, London, UK
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Tianjing Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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Perais J, Agarwal R, Hogg R, Lawrenson JG, Evans JR, Takwoingi Y, Lois N. Prognostic factors for the development and progression of proliferative diabetic retinopathy in people with diabetic retinopathy. Hippokratia 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Perais
- The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine; Queen's University Belfast; Belfast UK
| | - Ridhi Agarwal
- Institute of Applied Health Research; University of Birmingham; Birmingham UK
| | - Ruth Hogg
- Centre for Experimental Medicine; Queen's University Belfast; Belfast UK
| | - John G Lawrenson
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences; City University of London; London UK
| | - Jennifer R Evans
- Cochrane Eyes and Vision, ICEH; London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine; London UK
| | - Yemisi Takwoingi
- Test Evaluation Research Group, Institute of Applied Health Research; University of Birmingham; Birmingham UK
| | - Noemi Lois
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine; Queen's University; Belfast UK
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Affiliation(s)
- John G Lawrenson
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, Division of Optometry and Visual Science, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Roger J Buckley
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, Division of Optometry and Visual Science, City, University of London, London, UK.,Vision and Eye Research Institute, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
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30
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) accounts for 50% of glaucoma blindness worldwide. More than three-quarters of individuals with PACG reside in Asia. In these populations, PACG often develops insidiously leading to chronically raised intraocular pressure and optic nerve damage, which is often asymptomatic. Non-contact tests to identify people at risk of angle closure are relatively quick and can be carried out by appropriately trained healthcare professionals or technicians as a triage test. If the test is positive, the person will be referred for further specialist assessment. OBJECTIVES To determine the diagnostic accuracy of non-contact tests (limbal anterior chamber depth (LACD) (van Herick test); oblique flashlight test; scanning peripheral anterior chamber depth analyser (SPAC), Scheimpflug photography; anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), for identifying people with an occludable angle. SEARCH METHODS We searched the following bibliographic databases 3 October 2019: CENTRAL; MEDLINE; Embase; BIOSIS; OpenGrey; ARIF and clinical trials registries. The searches were limited to remove case reports. There were no date or language restrictions in the searches. SELECTION CRITERIA We included prospective and retrospective cross-sectional, cohort and case-control studies conducted in any setting that evaluated the accuracy of one or more index tests for identifying people with an occludable angle compared to a gonioscopic reference standard. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently performed data extraction and quality assessment using QUADAS2 for each study. For each test, 2 x 2 tables were constructed and sensitivity and specificity were calculated. When four or more studies provided data at fixed thresholds for each test, we fitted a bivariate model using the METADAS macro in SAS to calculate pooled point estimates for sensitivity and specificity. For comparisons between index tests and subgroups, we performed a likelihood ratio test comparing the model with and without the covariate. MAIN RESULTS We included 47 studies involving 26,151 participants and analysing data from 23,440. Most studies were conducted in Asia (36, 76.6%). Twenty-seven studies assessed AS-OCT (analysing 15,580 participants), 17 studies LACD (7385 participants), nine studies Scheimpflug photography (1616 participants), six studies SPAC (5239 participants) and five studies evaluated the oblique flashlight test (998 participants). Regarding study quality, 36 of the included studies (76.6%) were judged to have a high risk of bias in at least one domain.The use of a case-control design (13 studies) or inappropriate exclusions (6 studies) raised patient selection concerns in 40.4% of studies and concerns in the index test domain in 59.6% of studies were due to lack of masking or post-hoc determination of optimal thresholds. Among studies that did not use a case-control design, 16 studies (20,599 participants) were conducted in a primary care/community setting and 18 studies (2590 participants) in secondary care settings, of which 15 investigated LACD. Summary estimates were calculated for commonly reported parameters and thresholds for each test; LACD ≤ 25% (16 studies, 7540 eyes): sensitivity 0.83 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74, 0.90), specificity 0.88 (95% CI 0.84, 0.92) (moderate-certainty); flashlight (grade1) (5 studies, 1188 eyes): sensitivity 0.51 (95% CI 0.25, 0.76), specificity 0.92 (95% CI 0.70, 0.98) (low-certainty); SPAC (≤ 5 and/or S or P) (4 studies, 4677 eyes): sensitivity 0.83 (95% CI 0.70, 0.91), specificity 0.78 (95% CI 0.70, 0.83) (moderate-certainty); Scheimpflug photography (central ACD) (9 studies, 1698 eyes): sensitivity 0.92 (95% CI 0.84, 0.96), specificity 0.86 (95% CI 0.76, 0.93) (moderate-certainty); AS-OCT (subjective opinion of occludability) (13 studies, 9242 eyes): sensitivity 0.85 (95% CI 0.76, 0.91); specificity 0.71 (95% CI 0.62, 0.78) (moderate-certainty). For comparisons of sensitivity and specificity between index tests we used LACD (≤ 25%) as the reference category. The flashlight test (grade 1 threshold) showed a statistically significant lower sensitivity than LACD (≤ 25%), whereas AS-OCT (subjective judgement) had a statistically significant lower specificity. There were no statistically significant differences for the other index test comparisons. A subgroup analysis was conducted for LACD (≤ 25%), comparing community (7 studies, 14.4% prevalence) vs secondary care (7 studies, 42% prevalence) settings. We found no evidence of a statistically significant difference in test performance according to setting. Performing LACD on 1000 people at risk of angle closure with a prevalence of occludable angles of 10%, LACD would miss about 17 cases out of the 100 with occludable angles and incorrectly classify 108 out of 900 without angle closure. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The finding that LACD performed as well as index tests that use sophisticated imaging technologies, confirms the potential for this test for case-detection of occludable angles in high-risk populations. However, methodological issues across studies may have led to our estimates of test accuracy being higher than would be expected in standard clinical practice. There is still a need for high-quality studies to evaluate the performance of non-invasive tests for angle assessment in both community-based and secondary care settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anish Jindal
- Division of Optometry and Visual Science, City University London, London, UK
| | - Irene Ctori
- Division of Optometry and Visual Science, City University London, London, UK
| | - Gianni Virgili
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Ersilia Lucenteforte
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - John G Lawrenson
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City University of London, London, UK
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31
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Abstract
Background/aims Diurnal variation in intraocular pressure (IOP) is a routine assessment in glaucoma management. Providing patients the opportunity to perform self-tonometry might empower them and free hospital resource. We previously demonstrated that 74% of patients can use the Icare® HOME tonometer. This study further explores Icare® HOME patient self-monitoring. Methods Patients were trained by standard protocol to use the Icare® HOME rebound tonometer. Patient self-tonometry was compared to Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) over one clinical day. Following this, each patient was instructed to undertake further data collection that evening and over the subsequent two days. Results Eighteen patients (35 eyes) participated. Good agreement was demonstrated between GAT and Icare® HOME for IOPs up to 15 mm Hg. Above this IOP the Icare® tended to over-read, largely explained by 2 patients with corneal thickness >600 um. The mean peak IOP during ‘clinic hours’ phasing was 16.7 mm Hg and 18.5 mm Hg (p = 0.24) over three days. An average range of 5.0, 7.0 and 9.8 mm Hg was shown during single day clinic, single day home and three day home phasing respectively (p =<0.001). The range of IOP was lower in eyes with prior trabeculectomy (6.1 mm Hg vs 12.2 mm Hg). All patients undertook one reading in the early morning at home with an average of 4.8 readings during, and 3.1 readings after office hours. Conclusions This small study shows that self-tonometry is feasible. The findings from home phasing demonstrated higher peak and trough IOPs, providing additional clinical information. Home phasing is a viable alternative. The cost-effectiveness of this approach has yet to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily McGarva
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Jane Farr
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Priya Dabasia
- Division of Optometry and Visual Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - John G Lawrenson
- Division of Optometry and Visual Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK.,UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Ian E Murdoch
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
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Lorencatto F, Asif S, Francis JJ, Harper AM, Lawrenson JG. Seeing New Opportunities to Help Smokers Quit: A UK National Survey of Optometrist-Delivered Smoking Cessation Behavioral Support Interventions. Nicotine Tob Res 2020; 21:655-662. [PMID: 29660046 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/nty066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Smoking is a risk factor for various eye conditions. Brief smoking cessation interventions have demonstrated effectiveness when delivered by a range of health care professionals. Optometrists are well placed in the community to advise otherwise healthy smokers to quit, yet remain relatively neglected in smoking cessation research and policy. In a national survey, this study investigated self-reported practices of UK optometrists for delivering brief tobacco smoking cessation interventions to patients. METHODS A randomly selected sample of 1200 optometrists out of the 9000 optometrists registered on the UK College of Optometrists database were invited to complete a 40-item, web-based survey assessing: training related to smoking cessation, current practice (ie, the proportion of patients to which components of very brief advice [Ask, Advise, Assist] and other evidence-based smoking cessation behavior change techniques were delivered), and barriers/enablers to intervention delivery. RESULTS In total, 408 (34%) responses were received. Most (83%) optometrists received no training in practical skills for delivering smoking cessation support. A third (34%) routinely assessed smoking status. Fewer self-reported advising smokers to quit (22%), offering assistance (via referral to dedicated services) (3%), or advice on smoking cessation medications (2%). Perceived barriers included insufficient knowledge/training (81%) and time (65%). Optometrists were more likely to assess and advise on smoking cessation if they practiced in Scotland, χ2(2) = 32.95, p < .001; an independent optometry practice, χ2(1) = 4.27, p = .39; or had received smoking cessation training, χ2(1) = 13.1, p < .001. CONCLUSIONS Substantial gaps exist in UK optometrists' current smoking cessation training and practice. Evidence-based training resources are needed to support the implementation of smoking cessation interventions into routine optometry practice. IMPLICATIONS Optometrists are well placed in the community to deliver brief advice interventions to a large population of smokers. This survey provides a comprehensive description of current UK optometry practice related to the provision of evidence-based brief tobacco smoking cessation interventions to patients. Although optometrists perceive advising on smoking cessation as part of their role, numerous substantial gaps in current practice and training remain, which need to be addressed through targeted interventions to increase implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Lorencatto
- Centre for Behaviour Change, University College London, London, UK.,Centre for Health Services Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | | | - Jill J Francis
- Centre for Health Services Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Alice M Harper
- Centre for Health Services Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - John G Lawrenson
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
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33
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Downie LE, Wormald R, Evans J, Virgili G, Keller PR, Lawrenson JG, Li T. Analysis of a Systematic Review About Blue Light-Filtering Intraocular Lenses for Retinal Protection: Understanding the Limitations of the Evidence. JAMA Ophthalmol 2020; 137:694-697. [PMID: 30789642 DOI: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2019.0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Importance Cataract surgery, with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, is the most common ocular surgical procedure worldwide. It has been suggested that IOLs that selectively attenuate short wavelength visible light (blue light-filtering IOLs) may be beneficial for macular health. Whether blue light-filtering IOLs impart retinal photoprotection is of public health relevance, particularly in the context of aging demographics and the increasing global prevalence of age-related macular degeneration. This review analyzes and interprets the key findings, including consideration of the implications for practice and future research, of a 2018 Cochrane systematic review that evaluated the efficacy and safety of blue light-filtering IOLs for providing protection to macular health and function. Observations The Cochrane systematic review included 51 randomized controlled trials that were performed in 17 countries. The trials involved adults undergoing cataract surgery in which a blue light-filtering IOL was compared with an equivalent non-blue light-filtering IOL. Study follow-up periods ranged from 1 month to 5 years. Together, these studies considered clinical outcomes in more than 5000 eyes. There was limited ability to combine data across trials (to draw overall conclusions) because of the use of different measurement techniques for outcomes, incomplete reporting of data, and/or varied follow-up periods. We identified substantial shortcomings in the internal validity of many of the included studies, particularly regarding trial design, conduct, and reporting. We propose several avenues for improving the rigor of potential future research in the field, including developing a core set of outcome measures, the inclusion of sample size calculations, the masking of trial participants and outcome assessors, and prospective clinical trial registration. Conclusions and Relevance Using blue light-filtering IOLs to impart benefits to the macula is currently not supported by the best available clinical research evidence, and it is important that clinicians are mindful of this evidence limitation when adopting these devices in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Downie
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Richard Wormald
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, England.,International Centre for Eye Health, Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England
| | - Jennifer Evans
- International Centre for Eye Health, Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England
| | - Gianni Virgili
- Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Peter R Keller
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - John G Lawrenson
- Division of Optometry and Visual Science, City, University of London, London, England
| | - Tianjing Li
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
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Fidalgo BR, Dabasia P, Jindal A, Edgar DF, Ctori I, Peto T, Lawrenson JG. Role of advanced technology in the detection of sight-threatening eye disease in a UK community setting. BMJ Open Ophthalmol 2020; 4:e000347. [PMID: 31909190 PMCID: PMC6936448 DOI: 10.1136/bmjophth-2019-000347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/aims To determine the performance of combinations of structural and functional screening tests in detecting sight-threatening eye disease in a cohort of elderly subjects recruited from primary care. Methods 505 subjects aged ≥60 years underwent frequency doubling technology (FDT) perimetry, iVue optical coherence tomography (iWellness and peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) scans) and intraocular pressure with the Ocular Response Analyzer, all performed by an ophthalmic technician. The reference standard was a full ophthalmic examination by an experienced clinician who was masked to the index test results. Subjects were classified as presence or absence of sight-threatening eye disease (clinically significant cataract, primary open-angle glaucoma, intermediate or advanced age-related macular degeneration and significant diabetic retinopathy). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the association between abnormal screening test results and the presence of sight-threatening eye disease. Results 171 subjects (33.8%) had one or more sight-threatening eye diseases. The multivariate analysis found significant associations with any of the target conditions for visual acuity of <6/12, an abnormal FDT and peripapillary RNFL thickness outside the 99% normal limit. The sensitivity of this optimised screening panel was 61.3% (95% CI 53.5 to 68.7), with a specificity of 78.8% (95% CI 74.0 to 83.1), a positive predictive value of 59.5% (95% CI 53.7 to 65.2) and an overall diagnostic accuracy of 72.9% (95% CI 68.8 to 76.8). Conclusions A subset of screening tests may provide an accurate and efficient means of population screening for significant eye disease in the elderly. This study provides useful preliminary data to inform the development of further larger, multicentre screening studies to validate this screening panel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno R Fidalgo
- Applied Vision Research Centre, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Priya Dabasia
- Applied Vision Research Centre, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Anish Jindal
- Applied Vision Research Centre, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - David F Edgar
- Applied Vision Research Centre, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Irene Ctori
- Applied Vision Research Centre, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Tunde Peto
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - John G Lawrenson
- Applied Vision Research Centre, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
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Jindal A, Ctori I, Fidalgo B, Dabasia P, Balaskas K, Lawrenson JG. Impact of optical coherence tomography on diagnostic decision-making by UK community optometrists: a clinical vignette study. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2019; 39:205-215. [PMID: 30994199 PMCID: PMC6849707 DOI: 10.1111/opo.12613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Purpose In recent years, there has been widespread investment in imaging technologies by community optometrists in the UK, most notably optical coherence tomography (OCT). The aim of the current study was to determine the value of OCT in the diagnosis of posterior segment diseases in a representative sample of community optometrists using a clinical vignette methodology. Methods A group of community optometrists (n = 50) initially completed a standardised training package on OCT interpretation followed by a computer‐based assessment featuring 52 clinical vignettes, containing images of healthy (n = 8) or glaucomatous (n = 18) discs or healthy (n = 8) or diseased (n = 18) fundi. Each vignette featured either a single fundus/disc photographic image, or a combination of a fundus/disc image with the corresponding OCT scan. An expert panel confirmed that the fundus images presented alone and those in combination with OCT data were of a similar level of difficulty and that the cases were typical of those seen in primary care. For each case, the optometrist selected their diagnosis from a pull‐down list and reported their confidence in their decision using a 10‐point Likert scale. Pairwise comparisons of the fundus image alone and fundus image/OCT combination were made for both diagnostic performance and confidence. Results The mean percentage of correct diagnoses using fundus imaging alone was 62% (95% CI 59–64%) and for the combination of fundus image/OCT was 80% (95% CI 77–82%). The mean false negative rate with fundus alone was 27% reducing to 13% with the OCT combination. Median confidence scores for fundus imaging alone was 8.0 (IQR 7.0–8.0) and 8.3 (IQR 8.0–9.0) for the combination. Improvements in performance and confidence were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion The results from this vignette study suggests that OCT improves optometrists’ diagnostic performance compared to fundus observation alone. These initial results suggest that OCT provides valuable additional data that could augment case‐finding for glaucoma and retinal disease; however, further research is needed to assess its diagnostic performance in a routine clinical practice setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anish Jindal
- Division of Optometry and Visual Science, City University of London, London, UK
| | - Irene Ctori
- Division of Optometry and Visual Science, City University of London, London, UK
| | - Bruno Fidalgo
- Division of Optometry and Visual Science, City University of London, London, UK
| | - Priya Dabasia
- Division of Optometry and Visual Science, City University of London, London, UK
| | | | - John G Lawrenson
- Division of Optometry and Visual Science, City University of London, London, UK
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Lawrenson JG, Graham-Rowe E, Lorencatto F, Rice S, Bunce C, Francis JJ, Burr JM, Aluko P, Vale L, Peto T, Presseau J, Ivers NM, Grimshaw JM. What works to increase attendance for diabetic retinopathy screening? An evidence synthesis and economic analysis. Health Technol Assess 2019; 22:1-160. [PMID: 29855423 DOI: 10.3310/hta22290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS) is effective but uptake is suboptimal. OBJECTIVES To determine the effectiveness of quality improvement (QI) interventions for DRS attendance; describe the interventions in terms of QI components and behaviour change techniques (BCTs); identify theoretical determinants of attendance; investigate coherence between BCTs identified in interventions and determinants of attendance; and determine the cost-effectiveness of QI components and BCTs for improving DRS. DATA SOURCES AND REVIEW METHODS Phase 1 - systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating interventions to increase DRS attendance (The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE and trials registers to February 2017) and coding intervention content to classify QI components and BCTs. Phase 2 - review of studies reporting factors influencing attendance, coded to theoretical domains (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and sources of grey literature to March 2016). Phase 3 - mapping BCTs (phase 1) to theoretical domains (phase 2) and an economic evaluation to determine the cost-effectiveness of BCTs or QI components. RESULTS Phase 1 - 7277 studies were screened, of which 66 RCTs were included in the review. Interventions were multifaceted and targeted patients, health-care professionals (HCPs) or health-care systems. Overall, interventions increased DRS attendance by 12% [risk difference (RD) 0.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.10 to 0.14] compared with usual care, with substantial heterogeneity in effect size. Both DRS-targeted and general QI interventions were effective, particularly when baseline attendance levels were low. All commonly used QI components and BCTs were associated with significant improvements, particularly in those with poor attendance. Higher effect estimates were observed in subgroup analyses for the BCTs of 'goal setting (outcome, i.e. consequences)' (RD 0.26, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.36) and 'feedback on outcomes (consequences) of behaviour' (RD 0.22, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.29) in interventions targeting patients and of 'restructuring the social environment' (RD 0.19, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.26) and 'credible source' (RD 0.16, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.24) in interventions targeting HCPs. Phase 2 - 3457 studies were screened, of which 65 non-randomised studies were included in the review. The following theoretical domains were likely to influence attendance: 'environmental context and resources', 'social influences', 'knowledge', 'memory, attention and decision processes', 'beliefs about consequences' and 'emotions'. Phase 3 - mapping identified that interventions included BCTs targeting important barriers to/enablers of DRS attendance. However, BCTs targeting emotional factors around DRS were under-represented. QI components were unlikely to be cost-effective whereas BCTs with a high probability (≥ 0.975) of being cost-effective at a societal willingness-to-pay threshold of £20,000 per QALY included 'goal-setting (outcome)', 'feedback on outcomes of behaviour', 'social support' and 'information about health consequences'. Cost-effectiveness increased when DRS attendance was lower and with longer screening intervals. LIMITATIONS Quality improvement/BCT coding was dependent on descriptions of intervention content in primary sources; methods for the identification of coherence of BCTs require improvement. CONCLUSIONS Randomised controlled trial evidence indicates that QI interventions incorporating specific BCT components are associated with meaningful improvements in DRS attendance compared with usual care. Interventions generally used appropriate BCTs that target important barriers to screening attendance, with a high probability of being cost-effective. Research is needed to optimise BCTs or BCT combinations that seek to improve DRS attendance at an acceptable cost. BCTs targeting emotional factors represent a missed opportunity to improve attendance and should be tested in future studies. STUDY REGISTRATION This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42016044157 and PROSPERO CRD42016032990. FUNDING The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G Lawrenson
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London,London,UK
| | - Ella Graham-Rowe
- Centre for Health Services Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London,London,UK
| | - Fabiana Lorencatto
- Centre for Health Services Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London,London,UK
| | - Stephen Rice
- Health Economics Group, Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University,Newcastle upon Tyne,UK
| | - Catey Bunce
- Department of Primary Care & Public Health Sciences, King's College London,London,UK
| | - Jill J Francis
- Centre for Health Services Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London,London,UK
| | | | - Patricia Aluko
- Health Economics Group, Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University,Newcastle upon Tyne,UK
| | - Luke Vale
- Health Economics Group, Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University,Newcastle upon Tyne,UK
| | - Tunde Peto
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast,Belfast,UK
| | - Justin Presseau
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute,Ottawa, ON,Canada.,School of Epidemiology, Public Health, and Preventive Medicine, University of Ottawa,Ottawa, ON,Canada
| | - Noah M Ivers
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Women's College Hospital - University of Toronto,Toronto, ON,Canada
| | - Jeremy M Grimshaw
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute,Ottawa, ON,Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa,Ottawa, ON,Canada
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Downie LE, Keller PR, Busija L, Lawrenson JG, Hull CC. Blue-light filtering spectacle lenses for visual performance, sleep, and macular health in adults. Hippokratia 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Downie
- The University of Melbourne; Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences; Level 4, Alice Hoy Building Melbourne Victoria Australia 3010
| | - Peter R Keller
- The University of Melbourne; Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences; Level 4, Alice Hoy Building Melbourne Victoria Australia 3010
| | - Ljoudmila Busija
- Monash University; Biostatistics Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine; Melbourne Victoria Australia 3000
| | - John G Lawrenson
- City University of London; Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences; Northampton Square London UK EC1V 0HB
| | - Christopher C Hull
- City University of London; Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences; Northampton Square London UK EC1V 0HB
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Fidalgo BR, Jindal A, Tyler CW, Ctori I, Lawrenson JG. Development and validation of a new glaucoma screening test using temporally modulated flicker. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2018; 38:617-628. [PMID: 30575071 DOI: 10.1111/opo.12588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Describing the psychometric characteristics and diagnostic accuracy of the Accelerator 4-Alternative Forced-Choice Flicker Test prototype (A4FTp) for detecting chronic open angle glaucoma (COAG). METHODS A4FTp measures temporally-modulated flicker thresholds in regions of the visual field with high susceptibility to glaucomatous loss. We initially evaluated its psychometric properties on 20 normals (aged 33.8 ± 8.5 years) who were tested multiple times over a period of 3 months. All subjects underwent four repetitions for shorter (T8) and longer (T12) staircase termination criteria, to determine the most suitable threshold criterion. Four randomly selected subjects underwent a total of 10 repetitions to study test-retest repeatability and learning effects. To determine its diagnostic accuracy, one eye of 40 participants with COAG and 38 normal controls were tested with the A4FTp in comparison with the Frequency Doubling Technology (FDT; C20-5 programme) and iVue Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT). Tests were conducted in a random order with results masked to the clinician conducting the reference ophthalmic examination. The accuracy of each test was determined by analysis of the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC). RESULTS A4FTp flicker thresholds were stable, with standard deviations of only 0.52 decilog (dL) for T8, increasing to 1.32 dL for T12, and no significant flicker sensitivity threshold improvement over the 10 repeat runs. T8 was superior to T12 on several other measures, so it was used for the remaining comparisons. In terms of diagnostic accuracy, the mean AUROC for the three tests were A4FTp [T8 criterion; 0.82, 95% confidence interval (0.73-0.92)]; SD-OCT [any RNFL parameter p < 1% level; 0.90 (0.83-0.97)]; and FDT [one or more locations missed at p < 5% level; 0.91 (0.82-0.96)]. There was no statistical difference in AUROC between A4FTp and SD-OCT (p = 0.18) or FDT (p = 0.12). The A4FTp test duration averaged just over 2 min per eye, taking approximately one-third of the time for completion of the HFA SITA 24-2 algorithm (conducted as part of the reference examination) and twice the time for the suprathreshold FDT. CONCLUSION Test accuracy for the A4FTp was comparable to those of the FDT and SD-OCT for the detection of COAG. Time taken to complete the A4FTp was relatively short and initial results are promising. With further refinement, the A4FTp could have a future role in glaucoma detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno R Fidalgo
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Anish Jindal
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Christopher W Tyler
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Irene Ctori
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - John G Lawrenson
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
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39
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Harper
- Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.,Optometry and Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester University, Manchester, UK
| | - John G Lawrenson
- Divison of Optometry and Visual Science, City, University of London, London, UK
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40
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Gunn PJG, Marks JR, Konstantakopoulou E, Edgar DF, Lawrenson JG, Roberts SA, Spencer AF, Fenerty CH, Harper RA. Clinical effectiveness of the Manchester Glaucoma Enhanced Referral Scheme. Br J Ophthalmol 2018; 103:1066-1071. [PMID: 30309913 PMCID: PMC6678050 DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2018-312385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Background Glaucoma referral filtering schemes have operated in the UK for many years. However, there is a paucity of data on the false-negative (FN) rate. This study evaluated the clinical effectiveness of the Manchester Glaucoma Enhanced Referral Scheme (GERS), estimating both the false-positive (FP) and FN rates. Method Outcome data were collected for patients newly referred through GERS and assessed in ‘usual-care’ clinics to determine the FP rate (referred patients subsequently discharged at their first visit). For the FN rate, glaucoma suspects deemed not requiring referral following GERS assessment were invited to attend for a ‘reference standard’ examination including all elements of assessment recommended by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) by a glaucoma specialist optometrist. A separate 33 cases comprising randomly selected referred and non-referred cases were reviewed independently by two glaucoma specialist consultant ophthalmologists to validate the reference standard assessment. Results 1404 patients were evaluated in GERS during the study period; 651 (46.3%) were referred to the Hospital Eye Service (HES) and 753 (53.6%) were discharged. The FP rate in 307 assessable patients referred to the HES was 15.5%. This study reviewed 131 (17.4%) of those patients not referred to the HES through the GERS scheme; 117 (89.3%) were confirmed as not requiring hospital follow-up; 14 (10.7%) required follow-up, including 5 (3.8%) offered treatment. Only one patient (0.8%) in this sample met the GERS referral criteria and was not referred (true FN). There were no cases of missed glaucoma or non-glaucomatous pathology identified within our sample. Conclusion The Manchester GERS is an effective glaucoma filtering scheme with a low FP and FN rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J G Gunn
- Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Manchester, Manchester, UK .,Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Joanne R Marks
- Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Evgenia Konstantakopoulou
- Division of Optometry and Visual Science, Centre for Applied Vision Research, University of London, London, UK.,NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - David F Edgar
- Division of Optometry and Visual Science, Centre for Applied Vision Research, University of London, London, UK
| | - John G Lawrenson
- Division of Optometry and Visual Science, Centre for Applied Vision Research, University of London, London, UK
| | - Stephen A Roberts
- Centre for Biostatistics School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Anne F Spencer
- Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Cecilia H Fenerty
- Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Robert A Harper
- Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Division of Optometry and Visual Science, Centre for Applied Vision Research, University of London, London, UK
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Graham-Rowe E, Lorencatto F, Lawrenson JG, Burr JM, Grimshaw JM, Ivers NM, Presseau J, Vale L, Peto T, Bunce C, J Francis J. Barriers to and enablers of diabetic retinopathy screening attendance: a systematic review of published and grey literature. Diabet Med 2018; 35:1308-1319. [PMID: 29790594 DOI: 10.1111/dme.13686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To identify and synthesize studies reporting modifiable barriers/enablers associated with retinopathy screening attendance in people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, and to identify those most likely to influence attendance. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library and the 'grey literature' for quantitative and qualitative studies to February 2017. Data (i.e. participant quotations, interpretive summaries, survey results) reporting barriers/enablers were extracted and deductively coded into domains from the Theoretical Domains Framework; with domains representing categories of theoretical barriers/enablers proposed to mediate behaviour change. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted within domains to describe the role each domain plays in facilitating or hindering screening attendance. Domains that were more frequently coded and for which more themes were generated were judged more likely to influence attendance. RESULTS Sixty-nine primary studies were included. We identified six theoretical domains ['environmental context and resources' (75% of included studies), 'social influences' (51%), 'knowledge' (51%), 'memory, attention, decision processes' (50%), 'beliefs about consequences' (38%) and 'emotions' (33%)] as the key mediators of diabetic retinopathy screening attendance. Examples of barriers populating these domains included inaccurate diabetic registers and confusion between routine eye care and retinopathy screening. Recommendations by healthcare professionals and community-level media coverage acted as enablers. CONCLUSIONS Across a variety of contexts, we found common barriers to and enablers of retinopathy screening that could be targeted in interventions aiming to increase screening attendance.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Graham-Rowe
- Psychology Applied to Health Group, Institute of Health Research, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
- School of Health Sciences, Centre for Applied Vision Research, City University of London
- School of Health Sciences, Centre for Health Services Research, City University of London
| | - F Lorencatto
- Centre for Behaviour Change, University College London, London, UK
| | - J G Lawrenson
- School of Health Sciences, Centre for Applied Vision Research, City University of London
| | - J M Burr
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - J M Grimshaw
- Clinical Epidemiology Programme, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - N M Ivers
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Women's College Hospital - University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - J Presseau
- Clinical Epidemiology Programme, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
- School of Epidemiology, Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - L Vale
- Institute of Health and Society, Health Economics Group, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - T Peto
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queens University of Belfast, UK
| | - C Bunce
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health Sciences, King's College London, UK
| | - J J Francis
- School of Health Sciences, Centre for Health Services Research, City University of London
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Sheeladevi S, Lawrenson JG, Fielder A, Kekunnaya R, Ali R, Borah RR, Suttle C. Delay in presentation to hospital for childhood cataract surgery in India. Eye (Lond) 2018; 32:1811-1818. [PMID: 30061651 PMCID: PMC6292888 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-018-0176-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Cataract is one of the major causes of avoidable visual disability in children and the aim of this study was to investigate the age at which children with cataract present for surgery at tertiary hospitals across India. Methods A prospective multicenter study collected data from 9 eye hospitals in 8 states in India. All children admitted for cataract surgery between Nov 2015 and March 2016 were considered eligible. Parents were interviewed at the hospital by trained personnel and socio demographic information, age at diagnosis and at surgery and the relevant clinical data were obtained from the medical records. Mean age, age range at surgery were used and performed logistic regression analyses. Results Parents of 751 consecutive cases were interviewed, of which 469(63%) were boys and 548 (73%) were from rural areas. Cataract was bilateral in 493 (66%) and unilateral in 258 (34%); of the unilateral cases, 179 (69%) were due to trauma. The mean age at surgery for ‘congenital’ and ‘developmental’ cataract was 48.2 ± 50.9 and 99.7 ± 46.42 months, respectively and the mean age was lower in the southern region compared to other regions. Children with 2 or more siblings at home were five times more likely to undergo surgery within 12 months (OR, 4.69; 95% CI: 2.04–10.79; p = < 0.001). Conclusions Late surgery for childhood cataract remains a major challenge and the factors determining this issue in India are pertinent also to several other countries and need to be addressed for every child with cataract to achieve full visual potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sethu Sheeladevi
- Division of Optometry and Visual Science, City, University of London, London, UK.
| | - John G Lawrenson
- Division of Optometry and Visual Science, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Alistair Fielder
- Division of Optometry and Visual Science, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Ramesh Kekunnaya
- Child Sight Institute & Jasti V Ramanamma Children's Eye Care Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | | | | | - Catherine Suttle
- Division of Optometry and Visual Science, City, University of London, London, UK
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Konstantakopoulou E, Harper RA, Edgar DF, Larkin G, Janikoun S, Lawrenson JG. Clinical safety of a minor eye conditions scheme in England delivered by community optometrists. BMJ Open Ophthalmol 2018; 3:e000125. [PMID: 29657980 PMCID: PMC5895973 DOI: 10.1136/bmjophth-2017-000125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to monitor the activity and evaluate the clinical safety of a minor eye conditions scheme (MECS) conducted by accredited community optometrists in Lambeth and Lewisham, London. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Optometrists underwent an accredited training programme, including attendance at hospital eye services (HES) clinics. Patients who satisfied certain inclusion criteria were referred to accredited MECS optometrists by their general practitioners (GPs) or could self-refer. Data were extracted from clinical records. A sample of MECS clinical records was graded to assess the quality of the MECS optometrists' clinical management decisions. Referrals to the HES were assessed by the collaborating ophthalmologists and feedback was provided. RESULTS A total of 2123 patients (mean age 47 years) were seen over 12 months. Two-thirds of the patients (67.3%) were referred by their GP. The most common reasons for patients needing a MECS assessment were 'red eye' (36.7% of patients), 'painful white eye' (11.1%), 'flashes and floaters' (10.2%); 8.7% of patients had a follow-up appointment. Of the patients seen, 75.1% were retained in the community, 5.7% were referred to their GP and 18.9% were referred to the HES. Of the HES referrals, 49.1% were routine, 22.6% urgent and 28.3% emergency. Of the records reviewed, 94.5% were rated as appropriately managed; 89.2% of the HES referrals were considered appropriate. CONCLUSION The findings of this study indicate that optometrists are in a good position to work very safely within the remits of the scheme and to assess risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenia Konstantakopoulou
- Division of Optometry and Visual Science, Centre for Applied Vision Research, City University of London, London, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- University College London, Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Robert A Harper
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - David F Edgar
- Division of Optometry and Visual Science, Centre for Applied Vision Research, City University of London, London, UK
| | | | | | - John G Lawrenson
- Division of Optometry and Visual Science, Centre for Applied Vision Research, City University of London, London, UK
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Jindal A, Ctori I, Virgili G, Lucenteforte E, Lawrenson JG. Non-contact methods for the detection of people at risk of primary angle closure glaucoma. Hippokratia 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd012947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anish Jindal
- City University London; Division of Optometry and Visual Science; Northampton Square London UK EC1V 2PD
| | - Irene Ctori
- City University London; Division of Optometry and Visual Science; Northampton Square London UK EC1V 2PD
| | - Gianni Virgili
- University of Florence; Department of Translational Surgery and Medicine, Eye Clinic; Largo Brambilla, 3 Florence Italy 50134
| | - Ersilia Lucenteforte
- University of Florence; Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Children’s Health; viale Gaetano Pieraccini, 6 Florence Italy 50139
| | - John G Lawrenson
- City University of London; Centre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health Sciences; Northampton Square London UK EC1V 0HB
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Lawrenson JG, Graham‐Rowe E, Lorencatto F, Burr J, Bunce C, Francis JJ, Aluko P, Rice S, Vale L, Peto T, Presseau J, Ivers N, Grimshaw JM. Interventions to increase attendance for diabetic retinopathy screening. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018; 1:CD012054. [PMID: 29333660 PMCID: PMC6491139 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd012054.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite evidence supporting the effectiveness of diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS) in reducing the risk of sight loss, attendance for screening is consistently below recommended levels. OBJECTIVES The primary objective of the review was to assess the effectiveness of quality improvement (QI) interventions that seek to increase attendance for DRS in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.Secondary objectives were:To use validated taxonomies of QI intervention strategies and behaviour change techniques (BCTs) to code the description of interventions in the included studies and determine whether interventions that include particular QI strategies or component BCTs are more effective in increasing screening attendance;To explore heterogeneity in effect size within and between studies to identify potential explanatory factors for variability in effect size;To explore differential effects in subgroups to provide information on how equity of screening attendance could be improved;To critically appraise and summarise current evidence on the resource use, costs and cost effectiveness. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, ProQuest Family Health, OpenGrey, the ISRCTN, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the WHO ICTRP to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that were designed to improve attendance for DRS or were evaluating general quality improvement (QI) strategies for diabetes care and reported the effect of the intervention on DRS attendance. We searched the resources on 13 February 2017. We did not use any date or language restrictions in the searches. SELECTION CRITERIA We included RCTs that compared any QI intervention to usual care or a more intensive (stepped) intervention versus a less intensive intervention. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We coded the QI strategy using a modification of the taxonomy developed by Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) and BCTs using the BCT Taxonomy version 1 (BCTTv1). We used Place of residence, Race/ethnicity/culture/language, Occupation, Gender/sex, Religion, Education, Socioeconomic status, and Social capital (PROGRESS) elements to describe the characteristics of participants in the included studies that could have an impact on equity of access to health services.Two review authors independently extracted data. One review author entered the data into Review Manager 5 and a second review author checked them. Two review authors independently assessed risks of bias in the included studies and extracted data. We rated certainty of evidence using GRADE. MAIN RESULTS We included 66 RCTs conducted predominantly (62%) in the USA. Overall we judged the trials to be at low or unclear risk of bias. QI strategies were multifaceted and targeted patients, healthcare professionals or healthcare systems. Fifty-six studies (329,164 participants) compared intervention versus usual care (median duration of follow-up 12 months). Overall, DRS attendance increased by 12% (risk difference (RD) 0.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.10 to 0.14; low-certainty evidence) compared with usual care, with substantial heterogeneity in effect size. Both DRS-targeted (RD 0.17, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.22) and general QI interventions (RD 0.12, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.15) were effective, particularly where baseline DRS attendance was low. All BCT combinations were associated with significant improvements, particularly in those with poor attendance. We found higher effect estimates in subgroup analyses for the BCTs 'goal setting (outcome)' (RD 0.26, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.36) and 'feedback on outcomes of behaviour' (RD 0.22, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.29) in interventions targeting patients, and 'restructuring the social environment' (RD 0.19, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.26) and 'credible source' (RD 0.16, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.24) in interventions targeting healthcare professionals.Ten studies (23,715 participants) compared a more intensive (stepped) intervention versus a less intensive intervention. In these studies DRS attendance increased by 5% (RD 0.05, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.09; moderate-certainty evidence).Fourteen studies reporting any QI intervention compared to usual care included economic outcomes. However, only five of these were full economic evaluations. Overall, we found that there is insufficient evidence to draw robust conclusions about the relative cost effectiveness of the interventions compared to each other or against usual care.With the exception of gender and ethnicity, the characteristics of participants were poorly described in terms of PROGRESS elements. Seventeen studies (25.8%) were conducted in disadvantaged populations. No studies were carried out in low- or middle-income countries. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The results of this review provide evidence that QI interventions targeting patients, healthcare professionals or the healthcare system are associated with meaningful improvements in DRS attendance compared to usual care. There was no statistically significant difference between interventions specifically aimed at DRS and those which were part of a general QI strategy for improving diabetes care. This is a significant finding, due to the additional benefits of general QI interventions in terms of improving glycaemic control, vascular risk management and screening for other microvascular complications. It is likely that further (but smaller) improvements in DRS attendance can also be achieved by increasing the intensity of a particular QI component or adding further components.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G Lawrenson
- City University of LondonCentre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health SciencesNorthampton SquareLondonUKEC1V 0HB
| | - Ella Graham‐Rowe
- City University LondonSchool of Health Sciences, Centre for Health Services ResearchNorthampton SquareLondonUKEC1V 0HB
| | - Fabiana Lorencatto
- City University LondonSchool of Health Sciences, Centre for Health Services ResearchNorthampton SquareLondonUKEC1V 0HB
| | - Jennifer Burr
- University of St AndrewsSchool of Medicine, Medical and Biological Sciences BuildingFifeUKKY16 9TF
| | - Catey Bunce
- Kings College LondonDepartment of Primary Care & Public Health Sciences4th Floor, Addison HouseGuy's CampusLondonUKSE1 1UL
| | - Jillian J Francis
- City University LondonSchool of Health Sciences, Centre for Health Services ResearchNorthampton SquareLondonUKEC1V 0HB
| | - Patricia Aluko
- Newcastle UniversityNational Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Innovation ObservatoryTimes Central offices, 4th Floor, GallowgateNewcastle upon TyneUKNE1 4BF
| | - Stephen Rice
- Newcastle UniversityInstitute of Health & SocietyNewcastle upon TyneUKNE2 4AX
| | - Luke Vale
- Newcastle UniversityInstitute of Health & SocietyNewcastle upon TyneUKNE2 4AX
| | - Tunde Peto
- Queen's University BelfastCentre for Public HealthBelfastUKBT12 6BA
| | - Justin Presseau
- Ottawa Hospital Research InstituteClinical Epidemiology Program501 Smyth RoadOttawaOntarioCanadaK1H 8L6
| | - Noah Ivers
- Women's College HospitalDepartment of Family and Community Medicine76 Grenville StreetTorontoONCanadaM5S 1B2
| | - Jeremy M Grimshaw
- Ottawa Hospital Research InstituteClinical Epidemiology Program501 Smyth RoadOttawaOntarioCanadaK1H 8L6
- University of OttawaDepartment of MedicineOttawaONCanada
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Lawrenson JG, Hull CC, Downie LE. The effect of blue-light blocking spectacle lenses on visual performance, macular health and the sleep-wake cycle: a systematic review of the literature. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2017; 37:644-654. [PMID: 29044670 DOI: 10.1111/opo.12406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Blue-blocking (BB) spectacle lenses, which attenuate short-wavelength light, are being marketed to alleviate eyestrain and discomfort when using digital devices, improve sleep quality and potentially confer protection from retinal phototoxicity. The aim of this review was to investigate the relative benefits and potential harms of these lenses. METHODS We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), recruiting adults from the general population, which investigated the effect of BB spectacle lenses on visual performance, symptoms of eyestrain or eye fatigue, changes to macular integrity and subjective sleep quality. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and clinical trial registers, until 30 April 2017. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool. RESULTS Three studies (with 136 participants) met our inclusion criteria; these had limitations in study design and/or implementation. One study compared the effect of BB lenses with clear lenses on contrast sensitivity (CS) and colour vision (CV) using a pseudo-RCT crossover design; there was no observed difference between lens types (log CS; Mean Difference (MD) = -0.01 [-0.03, 0.01], CV total error score on 100-hue; MD = 1.30 [-7.84, 10.44]). Another study measured critical fusion frequency (CFF), as a proxy for eye fatigue, on wearers of low and high BB lenses, pre- and post- a two-hour computer task. There was no observed difference between low BB and standard lens groups, but there was a less negative change in CFF between the high and low BB groups (MD = 1.81 [0.57, 3.05]). Both studies compared eyestrain symptoms with Likert scales. There was no evidence of inter-group differences for either low BB (MD = 0.00 [-0.22, 0.22]) or high BB lenses (MD = -0.05 [-0.31, 0.21]), nor evidence of a difference in the proportion of participants showing an improvement in symptoms of eyestrain or eye fatigue. One study reported a small improvement in sleep quality in people with self-reported insomnia after wearing high compared to low-BB lenses (MD = 0.80 [0.17, 1.43]) using a 10-point Likert scale. A study involving normal participants found no observed difference in sleep quality. We found no studies investigating effects on macular structure or function. CONCLUSIONS We find a lack of high quality evidence to support using BB spectacle lenses for the general population to improve visual performance or sleep quality, alleviate eye fatigue or conserve macular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G Lawrenson
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, Division of Optometry and Visual Science, City University of London, London, UK
| | - Christopher C Hull
- Centre for Applied Vision Research, Division of Optometry and Visual Science, City University of London, London, UK
| | - Laura E Downie
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Bunce C, Lawrenson JG, Wormald R, Virgili G. Cochrane Risk of Bias : 'Your common man has no conception of the zeal that animates a scientific investigator, the fury of contradiction you can arouse in him'. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2017; 37:627-628. [PMID: 28836390 DOI: 10.1111/opo.12394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Catey Bunce
- Primary Care & Public Health, Kings College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Gianni Virgili
- Department of Translational Surgery and Medicine, Eye Clinic, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been proposed that antioxidants may prevent cellular damage in the retina by reacting with free radicals that are produced in the process of light absorption. Higher dietary levels of antioxidant vitamins and minerals may reduce the risk of progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). OBJECTIVES The objective of this review was to assess the effects of antioxidant vitamin or mineral supplementation on the progression of AMD in people with AMD. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL (2017, Issue 2), MEDLINE Ovid (1946 to March 2017), Embase Ovid (1947 to March 2017), AMED (1985 to March 2017), OpenGrey (System for Information on Grey Literature in Europe, the ISRCTN registry (www.isrctn.com/editAdvancedSearch), ClinicalTrials.gov (www.clinicaltrials.gov) and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (www.who.int/ictrp/search/en). We did not use any date or language restrictions in the electronic searches for trials. We last searched the electronic databases on 29 March 2017. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared antioxidant vitamin or mineral supplementation (alone or in combination) to placebo or no intervention, in people with AMD. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Both review authors independently assessed risk of bias in the included studies and extracted data. One author entered data into RevMan 5; the other author checked the data entry. We graded the certainty of the evidence using GRADE. MAIN RESULTS We included 19 studies conducted in USA, Europe, China, and Australia. We judged the trials that contributed data to the review to be at low or unclear risk of bias.Nine studies compared multivitamins with placebo (7 studies) or no treatment (2 studies) in people with early and moderate AMD. The duration of supplementation and follow-up ranged from nine months to six years; one trial followed up beyond two years. Most evidence came from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) in the USA. People taking antioxidant vitamins were less likely to progress to late AMD (odds ratio (OR) 0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58 to 0.90; 2445 participants; 3 RCTs; moderate-certainty evidence). In people with very early signs of AMD, who are at low risk of progression, this would mean that there would be approximately 4 fewer cases of progression to late AMD for every 1000 people taking vitamins (1 fewer to 6 fewer cases). In people at high risk of progression (i.e. people with moderate AMD) this would correspond to approximately 8 fewer cases of progression for every 100 people taking vitamins (3 fewer to 13 fewer). In one study of 1206 people, there was a lower risk of progression for both neovascular AMD (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.82; moderate-certainty evidence) and geographic atrophy (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.51 to 1.10; moderate-certainty evidence) and a lower risk of losing 3 or more lines of visual acuity (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.96; 1791 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Low-certainty evidence from one study of 110 people suggested higher quality of life scores (National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire) in treated compared with the non-treated people after 24 months (mean difference (MD) 12.30, 95% CI 4.24 to 20.36). Six studies compared lutein (with or without zeaxanthin) with placebo. The duration of supplementation and follow-up ranged from six months to five years. Most evidence came from the AREDS2 study in the USA. People taking lutein or zeaxanthin may have similar or slightly reduced risk of progression to late AMD (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.01; 6891 eyes; low-certainty evidence), neovascular AMD (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.02; 6891 eyes; low-certainty evidence), and geographic atrophy (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.05; 6891 eyes; low-certainty evidence). A similar risk of progression to visual loss of 15 or more letters was seen in the lutein and control groups (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.05; 6656 eyes; low-certainty evidence). Quality of life (measured with Visual Function Questionnaire) was similar between groups in one study of 108 participants (MD 1.48, 95% -5.53 to 8.49, moderate-certainty evidence). One study, conducted in Australia, compared vitamin E with placebo. This study randomised 1204 people to vitamin E or placebo, and followed up for four years. Participants were enrolled from the general population; 19% had AMD. The number of late AMD events was low (N = 7) and the estimate of effect was uncertain (RR 1.36, 95% CI 0.31 to 6.05, very low-certainty evidence). There were no data on neovascular AMD or geographic atrophy.There was no evidence of any effect of treatment on visual loss (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.47, low-certainty evidence). There were no data on quality of life. Five studies compared zinc with placebo. The duration of supplementation and follow-up ranged from six months to seven years. People taking zinc supplements may be less likely to progress to late AMD (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.98; 3790 participants; 3 RCTs; low-certainty evidence), neovascular AMD (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.93; 2442 participants; 1 RCT; moderate-certainty evidence), geographic atrophy (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.10; 2442 participants; 1 RCT; moderate-certainty evidence), or visual loss (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.00; 3791 participants; 2 RCTs; moderate-certainty evidence). There were no data reported on quality of life.Very low-certainty evidence was available on adverse effects because the included studies were underpowered and adverse effects inconsistently reported. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS People with AMD may experience some delay in progression of the disease with multivitamin antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplementation. This finding was largely drawn from one large trial, conducted in a relatively well-nourished American population. We do not know the generalisability of these findings to other populations. Although generally regarded as safe, vitamin supplements may have harmful effects. A systematic review of the evidence on harms of vitamin supplements is needed. Supplements containing lutein and zeaxanthin are heavily marketed for people with age-related macular degeneration but our review shows they may have little or no effect on the progression of AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R Evans
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineCochrane Eyes and Vision, ICEHKeppel StreetLondonUKWC1E 7HT
| | - John G Lawrenson
- City University of LondonCentre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health SciencesNorthampton SquareLondonUKEC1V 0HB
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Abstract
BACKGROUND There is inconclusive evidence from observational studies to suggest that people who eat a diet rich in antioxidant vitamins (carotenoids, vitamins C, and E) or minerals (selenium and zinc) may be less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration (AMD). OBJECTIVES To determine whether or not taking antioxidant vitamin or mineral supplements, or both, prevent the development of AMD. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register) (2017, Issue 2), MEDLINE Ovid (1946 to 29 March 2017), Embase Ovid (1947 to 29 March 2017), AMED (Allied and Complementary Medicine Database) (1985 to 29 March 2017), OpenGrey (System for Information on Grey Literature in Europe) (www.opengrey.eu/); searched 29 March 2017, the ISRCTN registry (www.isrctn.com/editAdvancedSearch); searched 29 March 2017, ClinicalTrials.gov (www.clinicaltrials.gov); searched 29 March 2017 and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (www.who.int/ictrp/search/en); searched 29 March 2017. We did not use any date or language restrictions in the electronic searches for trials. SELECTION CRITERIA We included all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing an antioxidant vitamin or mineral supplement (alone or in combination) to control. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Both review authors independently assessed risk of bias in the included studies and extracted data. One author entered data into RevMan 5; the other author checked the data entry. We pooled data using a fixed-effect model. We graded the certainty of the evidence using GRADE. MAIN RESULTS We included a total of five RCTs in this review with data available for 76,756 people. The trials were conducted in Australia, Finland, and the USA, and investigated vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and multivitamin supplements. All trials were judged to be at low risk of bias.Four studies reported the comparison of vitamin E with placebo. Average treatment and follow-up duration ranged from 4 to 10 years. Data were available for a total of 55,614 participants. There was evidence that vitamin E supplements do not prevent the development of any AMD (risk ratio (RR) 0.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.90 to 1.06; high-certainty evidence), and may slightly increase the risk of late AMD (RR 1.22, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.67; moderate-certainty evidence) compared with placebo. Only one study (941 participants) reported data separately for neovascular AMD and geographic atrophy. There were 10 cases of neovascular AMD (RR 3.62, 95% CI 0.77 to 16.95; very low-certainty evidence), and four cases of geographic atrophy (RR 2.71, 95% CI 0.28 to 26.0; very low-certainty evidence). Two trials reported similar numbers of adverse events in the vitamin E and placebo groups. Another trial reported excess of haemorrhagic strokes in the vitamin E group (39 versus 23 events, hazard ratio 1.74, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.91, low-certainty evidence).Two studies reported the comparison of beta-carotene with placebo. These studies took place in Finland and the USA. Both trials enrolled men only. Average treatment and follow-up duration was 6 years and 12 years. Data were available for a total of 22,083 participants. There was evidence that beta-carotene supplements did not prevent any AMD (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.14; high-certainty evidence) nor have an important effect on late AMD (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.24; moderate-certainty evidence). Only one study (941 participants) reported data separately for neovascular AMD and geographic atrophy. There were 10 cases of neovascular AMD (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.17 to 2.15; very low-certainty evidence) and 4 cases of geographic atrophy (RR 0.31 95% CI 0.03 to 2.93; very low-certainty evidence). Beta-carotene was associated with increased risk of lung cancer in people who smoked.One study reported the comparison of vitamin C with placebo, and multivitamin (Centrum Silver) versus placebo. This was a study in men in the USA with average treatment duration and follow-up of 8 years for vitamin C and 11 years for multivitamin. Data were available for a total of 14,236 participants. AMD was assessed by self-report followed by medical record review. There was evidence that vitamin C supplementation did not prevent any AMD (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.18; high-certainty evidence) or late AMD (RR 0.94, 0.61 to 1.46; moderate-certainty evidence). There was a slight increased risk of any AMD (RR 1.21, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.43; moderate-certainty evidence) and late AMD (RR 1.22, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.69; moderate-certainty evidence) in the multivitamin group. Neovascular AMD and geographic atrophy were not reported separately. Adverse effects were not reported but there was possible increased risk of skin rashes in the multivitamin group.Adverse effects were not consistently reported in these eye studies, but there is evidence from other large studies that beta-carotene increases the risk of lung cancer in people who smoke or who have been exposed to asbestos.None of the studies reported quality of life or resource use and costs. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Taking vitamin E or beta-carotene supplements will not prevent or delay the onset of AMD. The same probably applies to vitamin C and the multivitamin (Centrum Silver) investigated in the one trial reported to date. There is no evidence with respect to other antioxidant supplements, such as lutein and zeaxanthin. Although generally regarded as safe, vitamin supplements may have harmful effects, and clear evidence of benefit is needed before they can be recommended. People with AMD should see the related Cochrane Review on antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for slowing the progression of AMD, written by the same review team.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R Evans
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineCochrane Eyes and Vision, ICEHKeppel StreetLondonUKWC1E 7HT
| | - John G Lawrenson
- City University of LondonCentre for Applied Vision Research, School of Health SciencesNorthampton SquareLondonUKEC1V 0HB
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Mason T, Jones C, Sutton M, Konstantakopoulou E, Edgar DF, Harper RA, Birch S, Lawrenson JG. Retrospective economic analysis of the transfer of services from hospitals to the community: an application to an enhanced eye care service. BMJ Open 2017; 7:e014089. [PMID: 28698317 PMCID: PMC5541458 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This research aims to evaluate the wider health system effects of the introduction of an intermediate-tier service for eye care. SETTING This research employs the Minor Eye Conditions Scheme (MECS), an intermediate-tier eye care service introduced in two London boroughs, Lewisham and Lambeth, in April 2013. DESIGN Retrospective difference-in-differences analysis comparing changes over time in service use and costs between April 2011 and October 2014 in two commissioning areas that introduced an intermediate-tier service programme with changes in a neighbouring area that did not introduce the programme. DATA SOURCES MECS audit data; unit costs for MECS visits; volumes of first and follow-up outpatient attendances to hospital ophthalmology; the national schedule of reference costs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Volumes and costs of patients treated. RESULTS In one intervention area (Lewisham), general practitioner (GP) referrals to hospital ophthalmology decreased differentially by 75.2% (95% CI -0.918% to -0.587%) for first attendances, and by 40.3% for follow-ups (95% CI -0.489% to -0.316%). GP referrals to hospital ophthalmology decreased differentially by 30.2% (95% CI -0.468% to -0.137%) for first attendances in the other intervention area (Lambeth). Costs increased by 3.1% in the comparison area between 2011/2012 and 2013/2014. Over the same period, costs increased by less (2.5%) in one intervention area and fell by 13.8% in the other intervention area. CONCLUSIONS Intermediate-tier services based in the community could potentially reduce volumes of patients referred to hospitals by GPs and provide replacement services at lower unit costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Mason
- Manchester Centre for Health Economics, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Cheryl Jones
- Manchester Centre for Health Economics, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Matt Sutton
- Manchester Centre for Health Economics, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Evgenia Konstantakopoulou
- Division of Optometry and Visual Science, Applied Vision Research Centre, University of London, London, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - David F Edgar
- Division of Optometry and Visual Science, Applied Vision Research Centre, University of London, London, UK
| | - Robert A Harper
- Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Stephen Birch
- Manchester Centre for Health Economics, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Centre for Health Economics and Policy Analysis, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada
| | - John G Lawrenson
- Division of Optometry and Visual Science, Applied Vision Research Centre, University of London, London, UK
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