Vision

Background/Objectives: Early detection and timely treatment of amblyopia require reliable visual acuity testing in toddlers; however, conventional Landolt ring charts often show poor testability in 2–3-year-old children. Therefore, we aimed to verify the practicality of a new Child-Friendly Minimum-Separable (CFMS) chart for 2–3-year-old children by comparing cooperation rates with the standard Landolt ring visual acuity chart. Methods: A prospective pilot study was conducted on 20 children aged 2 years (30.6 ± 3.2 months) and 20 children aged 3 years (41.8 ± 3.9 months). Right-eye visual acuity was tested in random order using the Landolt ring (four options, 3/5 considered correct) and the CFMS chart (two options, 3/3 considered correct). Test cooperation rates and visual acuity were analyzed. Results: In the 2-year-olds, the cooperation rate was 15% and 75% for the Landolt ring and CFMS chart, respectively (p = 0.0005). Twelve children refused to cooperate with the Landolt ring but cooperated with the CFMS chart; the reverse did not occur. In the 3-year-olds, the cooperation rate was 60% and 90% for the Landolt ring and CFMS chart, respectively (p = 0.031); six children cooperated only with the CFMS chart. The odds ratio for cooperation per additional month of age was 1.34 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12–1.59; p = 0.001) and 1.24 (95% CI: 1.03–1.50; p = 0.026) for the Landolt ring and CFMS chart, respectively. Conclusions: Compared to the Landolt ring, the CFMS chart significantly improves cooperation rates for visual acuity testing in 2−3-year-old children, especially among 2-year-olds.

This study investigated the functional visual impact of simulated astigmatic blur using cylindrical powers of 0.50 D, 1.00 D, and 2.00 D, applied in against-the-rule (ATR), with-the-rule (WTR), and oblique (OBL) axes, in adults aged 18 to 35 years with no known ocular disease. Forty-five young adults were randomly divided into three groups (n = 15). Binocular best-corrected visual acuity (distance and near) was recorded in logMAR using the ETDRS acuity chart at 5 m and 40 cm, supported by acuity optotypes displayed in a Bailey–Lovie chart format. Depth-fusion and disparity discrimination were measured using polarized stereopsis thresholds with the Randot^® Stereo Test from Stereo Optical Company, Inc. Reading performance was quantified as a continuous binocular rate metric (words per minute) using the validated Portuguese digital reading curve provided by the MNREAD iPad App by Precision Vision at 40 cm. The results were preserved verbatim as follows: Distance and near BCVA were significantly affected by ATR astigmatisms (−0.50 + 1.00 90°, −1.00 + 2.00 90°), WTR astigmatisms (−0.25 + 0.50 180°, −0.50 + 1.00 180°, −1.00 + 2.00 180°), and OBL astigmatisms (OD: −0.25 + 0.50 45°, OS: −0.25 + 0.50 135°; OD: −0.50 + 1.00 45°, OS: −0.50 + 1.00 135°; OD: −1.00 + 2.00 45°, OS: −1.00 + 2.00 135°). Stereopsis was significantly influenced by high-power OBL astigmatism (−1.00 + 2.00). Reading rate was also negatively impacted by OBL astigmatisms ≥1.00 D. Simulated astigmatism of different powers and axes reduced high-contrast distance and near BCVA, stereopsis, and reading speed in adults aged 18–35 years. Higher-power astigmatism, particularly along oblique axes, caused the most significant functional impairment.

Background: To evaluate the short-term effects of a dietary supplement containing curcumin, bromelain, glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, sodium hyaluronate, type II collagen, and vitamin C on symptomatic vitreous floaters (SVFs) following Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy. Methods: Forty eyes with SVFs on the first postoperative day were randomized into a control group (standard topical therapy, n = 20) and a treatment group (oral supplement plus standard therapy, n = 20). Outcomes included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity (CS), and subjective scores from a non-standardized questionnaire on floater perception (QS1), interference with daily activities (QS2), and foreign body sensation (QS3). Objective evaluation was performed using two novel ultrasound-based methods: mean number of vitreous peaks (MVP) from A-scans and mean grey intensity (MGI) from B-scan images processed with ImageJ. Results: At 2 months, the treatment group showed greater improvement in CS (Δ = 0.26 LogCS, CI, 0.14–0.38; p < 0.01), QS1 (Δ = 1.10; 95% CI, 0.60–1.60; p < 0.01), QS2 (Δ = 0.90; 95% CI, 0.40–1.40; p < 0.01), QS3 (Δ = 0.90; 95% CI, 0.44–1.36; p < 0.01), MVP (Δ = 1.10; 95% CI, 0.60–1.60; p < 0.01), and MGI (Δ = 12.89 units; 95% CI, 7.84–17.93; p < 0.01). BCVA was comparable between groups (p = 0.478). Conclusions: Short-term dietary supplementation with vitreous-specific nutrients is well tolerated and associated with improvements in reducing SVFs and foreign body sensations after Nd:YAG capsulotomy and may represent a promising non-invasive therapeutic option.