Search

Aim The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of strabismus and nystagmus and to analyse associated factors in preterm and full-term infants in adulthood. Methods The Gutenberg Prematurity Eye Study is a retrospective cohort study with a prospective ophthalmological examination of participants born preterm and full-term (aged 18-52 years). Perinatal data were carefully assessed for risk factors and comprehensive ophthalmological examinations were conducted. The association between strabismus and nystagmus was assessed by analysing 16 different perinatal and actual risk factors in multivariable analysis. Participants were grouped into full-term controls (gestational age (GA) at birth =37 weeks), preterm participants without retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and GA 33-36 weeks (group 2), GA 29-32 weeks (group 3), GA =28 weeks (group 4), non-treated ROP (group 5) and treated ROP (group 6). Results In total, 892 eyes of 450 preterm and full-term individuals (mean age: 28.6 years, SD: ± 8.6 years, 251 females) were included. Strabismus was observed in 2.1% (3/140), 6.6% (9/137), 17.4% (16/92), 11.1% (2/18), 27.1% (13/48) and 60% (9/15) of participants and nystagmus in 0.7% (1/140), 1.5% (2/137), 4.3% (4/92), 5.6% (1/18), 10.4% (5/48) and 26.7% (4/15) of participants in the respective groups. In the multivariable regression model, strabismus was associated with GA (OR=0.90; p=0.046), anisometropia =1.5 diopter (OR=3.87; p=0.003), hypermetropia =2 diopter (OR=9.89; p<0.001) and astigmatism =1.5 diopter (OR=2.73; p=0.017). Esotropia was more frequent than exotropia and hypermetropia/hypometropia. Most strabismus cases occurred within the first 10 years of life. The strongest predictor associated with nystagmus was perinatal adverse events (OR=15.8; p=0.002). Conclusion Low GA and refraction of the eye are independent risk factors for strabismus, which typically occurs in the first 10 years of life. Perinatal adverse events are the most important factors for the presence of nystagmus in adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Low birth weight (BW) is linked to impaired organ development in childhood, including altered ocular morphological and functional development. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether low BW has longterm effects on visual acuity and refraction in adulthood. Methods The Gutenberg Health Study is a populationbased, observational cohort study in Germany, including 15 010 participants aged between 35 and 74 years. These participants were divided into three different BW groups (low: <2500 g; normal: between 2500 and 4000 g; and high: >4000 g). Best-corrected visual acuity and objective refraction were examined. We used multivariable linear regression models with adjustment for age, sex, socioeconomic status and self-reported glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, corneal disease and cataract to assess associations between BW and the main outcome measures, best-corrected visual acuity, spherical equivalent and astigmatism. Results Overall, 8369 participants reported their BW. In a multivariable analysis, an association for low BW with spherical equivalent (B=-0.28 per dioptre, P=0.005) and best-corrected visual acuity (B=0.02 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution, P=0.006) compared with normal BW was observed. For participants with high BW, an association was observed with spherical equivalent (B=0.29 per dioptre, P<0.001), while none with visual acuity. Conclusions Our data demonstrated that low BW is linked to visual acuity and refractive long-term outcomes long after childhood. Individuals with low BW are more likely to have lower visual acuity and a higher myopic refractive error in adulthood. Adults with high BW are more likely to have a more hyperopic refractive error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Each child in Germany undergoes a preschool health examination including vision screening and recommendations for further ophthalmic care. This study investigated the frequency of and adherence to these recommendations. Methods: A population-based prospective cohort study was performed in the area of Mainz-Bingen (Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany). All preschoolers were examined at the statutory preschool health examination, which includes vision testing (Rodenstock vision screener) with available correction in the last preschool year. Based on the results, recommendations for further ophthalmic care were given to the parents. Six weeks prior to school entry, parents were surveyed concerning ophthalmic health care visits, diagnoses, and treatments. Ophthalmic care recommendation frequency and its adherence were investigated using logistic regression analysis adjusted for potential confounders. Results: 1226 children were included in this study, and 109 children received a recommendation for ophthalmic care based on the preschool health examination. At the follow-up, 84% of children who had received a recommendation had visited an ophthalmologist within the preceding year compared to 47% of children who had not received a recommendation. The recommendation for ophthalmic care was clearly associated with a higher number of ophthalmological visits (odds ratio = 7.63; 95% confidence interval: 3.96–14.7). In a subgroup analysis, adherence to a recommendation was lower in children with migrant background (OR = 2.26; 95%-CI: 0.64–7.90, compared to: OR = 11.6; 95%-CI: 4.95–27.4) and in those with low socio-economic status. Conclusions: Adherence to preschool recommendations for ophthalmic care is high in German preschoolers. However, a migrant background and low socio-economic status may reduce this adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Deutsches Ärzteblatt International is the property of Deutscher Aerzte-Verlag GmbH and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: By identifying diseases of the anterior segment of the eye associated with exposure to UV light, recommendations for action can be derived., Aim: After reading this review, the reader should be familiar with UV light-associated diseases of the anterior segment of the eye., Method: Using a selective literature search, UV light-associated diseases of the anterior segment of the eye were identified and protective mechanisms are described., Results: The UV light-associated lesions of the anterior segment of the eye include basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, malignant melanoma of the eyelids and conjunctiva, pterygium, keratoconjunctivitis photoelectrica and climatic droplet keratopathy as well as cortical cataract., Conclusion: Eyeglasses for filtering UV light, sunglasses and special safety glasses, such as welding helmets and wearing headgear protect against UV light exposure to the anterior segment of the eye and the associated diseases., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)

Background: Within the framework of the German pediatric screening examinations, the checks include visual functions. There is no ophthalmological screening examination in childhood in Germany. This study investigated whether participation in the pediatric screening examinations U8 (at the end of the fourth year of life) and U9 (at the beginning of the sixth year of life) is associated with the results of visual acuity, which are compiled at the school entry examinations (SEU)., Methods: This study evaluated data of the SEU for school the enrollment years 2009/2010-2014/2015 of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate. In these years visual acuity was assessed using the Rodenstock visual testing device (E-hooks; Rodenstock intruments GmbH, Ottobrunn, Deutschland) wearing glasses if present. The association between participation in the U8 and U9 screening examinations and the presence of unilateral and bilateral visual acuity <0.7 was investigated using multiple logistic regression adjusted for important disturbance variables., Results: Data from 189,704 children (91,041 girls, 98,663 boys) from 35 out of 36 districts were included. A visual acuity <0.7 was measured in 8416 (4.4%) children and in both eyes in 4345 (2.3%) children. The participation rates in the U8 and U9 were 93.9% and 93.3%, respectively. There was a negative association between participation in the U8 and U9 and a unilateral or bilateral SEU visual acuity <0.7 (adjusted odds ratio, OR 0.68, 95% confidence interval, CI 0.61-0.75; p < 0.01, N = 124,467/adjusted OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.51-0.65; p < 0.01, N = 121,496)., Conclusion: The proportion of children with visual acuity <0.7 at the SEU was high. Children who were examined in the U8 and U9 had a better chance for a good visual acuity in the school entry examination.

Introduction: Strabismus is a common cause for amblyopia and affected children need regular ophthalmic care. This study evaluated the frequency of ophthalmic care in children suffering from strabismus and analyzed associated factors., Methods: The data of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents from the Robert Koch Institute (KiGGS, baseline survey 2003-2006, N = 17,640) were analyzed. Details on the presence of strabismus and the frequency of ophthalmic care were documented from information provided by the parents. Children aged 1-6 years were included. The relationship between strabismus and ophthalmic care in the previous 12 months was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression analysis and adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic status, migration background, region and participation in regular pediatric check-ups., Results: A total of 5247 children were included in this study of which 3.0% (N = 175) were reported by the parents as suffering from strabismus. Ophthalmic care within the last 12 months was reported by 66.9% of the parents (95% confidence interval [CI] 54.7-77.2%) of children with strabismus and was more frequent compared to those without strabismus (19.7%, 95% CI 18.2-21.3%). Of the children with strabismus 33.8% had visited an ophthalmologist in the last 12 months once, 33.1% twice, 12.6% three times, 13.3% four times and 7.2% more than four times. There was a relationship between strabismus (odds ratio [OR] = 9.21, 95% CI 5.44-15.6) and ophthalmic care during the preceding year., Conclusion: In Germany approximately one third of children with strabismus did not receive ophthalmic care within the previous year. This underlines the need for improvements in ophthalmic care in children with strabismus.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of strabismus in children and adolescents in Germany and to determine the associated risk factors, particularly those related to early childhood development., Methods: In the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS, baseline survey 2003 to 2006, N = 17,640, 49.1% girls), the presence of strabismus and potential risk factors were derived using parental questionnaires. The analyses were performed using the KIGGS public use file. The following relevant factors were analyzed: smoking during pregnancy, gestational age at birth, birth weight, medical problems within the first four weeks of life, and officially confirmed disability. Associations with strabismus were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals [95%-CI] were calculated and adjusted for age, sex, socio-economic status, migrational background, and participation in regular pediatric checkups., Results: The prevalence of strabismus was estimated to be 4.1% [3.7-4.5]. Boys had a slightly lower prevalence (3.7%; [3.3-4.2%]) compared to girls (4.4%; [3.9-5.0%]; p value > 0.05). After adjusting for confounders, strabismus was found to be significantly associated with smoking during pregnancy (OR = 1.38; [1.08-1.78]), gestational age (OR = 0.91 per week; [0.86-0.96]), medical problems within the first four weeks of life (OR = 1.29; [1.01-1.65]) and disability (OR = 4.33; [2.81-6.67]), but not with other risk factors under study., Conclusions: In Germany, strabismus is among the most prevalent chronic eye conditions. Former preterm infants and disabled children and adolescents are at greater risk.

Purpose To determine the population prevalence and risk factors of myopia in children and adolescents in Germany. Methods The prevalence of myopia in Germany was computed using data from the 2003-2006 German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (N=17 640, 49% girls). Status of myopia was derived from parental questionnaire responses for myopia and the use of spectacles. Potential risk factors were identified using directed acyclic graphs and evaluated using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results The population prevalence of myopia in the age group 3-17 years was estimated at 13.3% (95%-confidential interval 12.6-14.0%). In the age group 3-10 years, myopia was positively associated with age (per 2 years: OR=1.78 [1.59; 2.00]) and negatively associated with male gender (OR=0.73 [0.57; 0.95]), but neither with leisure-time activities nor with media use. In the age group 11-17 years, attending a High School was positively associated with myopia (OR=1.69 [1.32; 2.16]), while regular physical activity (OR=0.67 [0.53; 0.84]) was negatively associated. Media use was not associated. Conclusions In Germany, myopia is one of the most frequent chronic medical conditions among children and adolescents. Girls, adolescents, and pupils attending a Gymnasium are at higher risk of developing myopia while being physically active may be protective., Competing Interests: Interessenkonflikt: Die Autoren erklären hiermit, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)