British and Irish Orthoptic Journal最新文献

{"title":"Bullying and Incivility Experiences of Undergraduate Orthoptic Students on Clinical Placement.","authors":"Konstandina Koklanis, Meri Vukicevic, Andrea Simpson, Bojana Šarkić","doi":"10.22599/bioj.368","DOIUrl":"10.22599/bioj.368","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Clinical placements in allied health are crucial for students to develop skills in real-world settings. However, these environments can expose students to incidents of incivility, bullying, or harassment. Whilst much research has explored bullying in medicine and nursing, little is known about the rate or effect of bullying in smaller allied health professions. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of bullying incidents among final year orthoptic students and assess the consequential effects of this experience.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this cross-sectional study, final year orthoptic students and graduates who had completed placements in the preceding year were invited to complete an online survey. The survey instrument was adapted from the Clinical Workplace Learning Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised. Information on demographics, placement attributes, bullying experiences, and their effects was gathered. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 20 individuals responded to the survey; 12 (60%) final year students and 8 (40%) graduates. Almost all participants (95%) reported experiencing at least one negative act whilst on placement, with 10 (50%) indicating they experienced bullying. Of these 10, all reported feeling humiliated by the incidents, and 90% reported a loss of confidence. Almost all students (90%) did not report the behaviour when it happened, with most students also being unaware of bullying and harassment policies of the university or health facility.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Bullying and incivility pose challenges for orthoptic students during placements. This study highlights gaps in policy implementation and underscores the need for effective measures to address this issue.</p>","PeriodicalId":36083,"journal":{"name":"British and Irish Orthoptic Journal","volume":"21 1","pages":"36-42"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11927677/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143693747","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Role of Orthoptists in Refraction.","authors":"Miriam L Conway, Rakhee Shah, Elizabeth Chapman, Bruce J W Evans","doi":"10.22599/bioj.384","DOIUrl":"10.22599/bioj.384","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>In 2022, the General Optical Council initiated a call for evidence concerning the Opticians Act. This consultation aimed to gather input and evidence relevant to potential modifications to the Opticians Act. One piece of research that was commissioned aimed to investigate the role of orthoptists in refraction.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>We invited a range of eye care practitioners to participate in an online virtual focus group. Focus group discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically analysed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Two focus group discussions involving sixteen eye care professionals were completed. Findings confirm some orthoptists are already performing refraction tasks within the hospital eye service, primarily with young children using cycloplegic retinoscopy. Participants indicated that, at present, orthoptists refract on behalf of ophthalmologists who issue spectacle prescriptions based on the findings of the orthoptist's refraction. Potential benefits of orthoptists undertaking refraction responsibilities were discussed including the ability to conduct retinoscopy in hospital paediatric clinics where services are in high demand and there is often a shortage of refraction appointments. This shift could lead to decreased NHS waiting times, fewer patient appointments, improved clinical decision-making, and facilitate the assessment of accommodative dysfunction. Overall, the group were positive towards orthoptists conducting refractions and issuing optical prescriptions but with specific conditions: limited to hospital settings, necessitating adequate postgraduate training, supervision by a hospital eye service consultant, and regular ocular health assessments.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study assessed the involvement of orthoptists in present and prospective refraction services, including their potential to legally issue optical prescriptions. The research outlined both the potential benefits and mitigating strategies to address concerns if orthoptists could issue optical prescriptions.</p>","PeriodicalId":36083,"journal":{"name":"British and Irish Orthoptic Journal","volume":"21 1","pages":"17-35"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11827567/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143433654","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Response to: Arblaster G, Buckley D, Barnes S, Davis H Strabismus Surgery for Psychosocial Reasons - A Literature Review. British and Irish Orthoptic Journal 2024;20:107-132.","authors":"Garth Johnston","doi":"10.22599/bioj.448","DOIUrl":"10.22599/bioj.448","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Language is important. Words we use can be much more descriptive. We propose using the prefix reconstruction when describing strabismus surgery. This word emphaises that extra ocualr muscle surgery is much more that cosmetic, it is always functional even when restoring facial aesthetics that improve patients confidence and perception fo themselves to others.</p>","PeriodicalId":36083,"journal":{"name":"British and Irish Orthoptic Journal","volume":"21 1","pages":"15-16"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11760226/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143048074","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Psychological Impact of Amblyopia Treatment: A Systematic Literature Review.","authors":"Louisa Haine, Isaac Taylor, Megan Vaughan","doi":"10.22599/bioj.426","DOIUrl":"10.22599/bioj.426","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>The aim of this literature review was to determine if a consensus could be reached on whether amblyopia treatment causes distress to patients and/or their guardians, and if so, establish the impact of this reported psychological distress upon paediatric patients and/or their parents/guardians.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic review of the literature was conducted of all publications written in English. Search terms included both MeSH terms and alternatives related to amblyopia and psychological distress. Evidence quality was assessed using an adapted Newcastle-Ottawa Score (NOS) and evaluation of the literature was used to form a narrative synthesis of the findings.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Initial searches yielded 7,838 titles in total, with 25 peer reviewed papers published between 1999 and 2021 meeting the study inclusion criteria. Factors such as the presence of strabismus, moderate and severe amblyopic density, occlusive patch treatment and patching during school age increase the likelihood of experiencing distress as a result of amblyopia treatment.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Both parents/guardians and patients can experience psychological distress as a result of undertaking amblyopia treatment. School-aged children and those receiving occlusion therapy in the form of patching report higher distress than infants and young-children, and those receiving atropine occlusion therapy or refractive correction only. Further study measuring the physiological markers of distress such as Cortisol and BDNF, is recommended.</p>","PeriodicalId":36083,"journal":{"name":"British and Irish Orthoptic Journal","volume":"21 1","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11740718/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143013202","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Occlusion Outcomes in Unilateral Amblyopia Types: A Longitudinal and Interventional Study in Children from the Marrakech-Safi Region.","authors":"Mustapha Jaouhari, Chaimae El Harrak, Farida Bentayeb, Youssef El Merabet","doi":"10.22599/bioj.382","DOIUrl":"10.22599/bioj.382","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To investigate if the type of unilateral amblyopia can impact the improvement of visual acuity in amblyopic eyes during a longitudinal interventional study involving standard occlusion therapy in children.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A longitudinal and interventional study of 91 children, aged 3-9 years (6.12 ± 1.879) with amblyopia was undertaken. Amblyopia was unilateral and caused by either strabismus, anisometropia, or both. Amblyopia was divided into three levels of severity mild, moderate, and severe. Children underwent amblyopia treatment with standard occlusion therapy and were followed monthly, for eight visits.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A significant improvement in visual acuity was observed in all assessment visits across the three types of amblyopia, with a mean improvement of (0.30 ± 0.184) LogMAR. Specifically, anisometropic amblyopia with (0.28 ± 0.18) LogMAR, strabismic amblyopia (0.31 ± 0.18) LogMAR, and mixed amblyopia (0.31 ± 0.18) LogMAR. No significant differences were found between the improvement in visual acuity during the eight control visits and the types of amblyopia (r = 0.174, p = 0.182). However, a significant correlation was observed within all groups in the mean improvement in visual acuity and the severity level (r = 0.712, p = 0.034).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Amblyopia types do not appear to significantly affect the improvement in visual acuity; however, the initial severity of amblyopia may be a key factor influencing the degree of visual recovery achieved with occlusion therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":36083,"journal":{"name":"British and Irish Orthoptic Journal","volume":"20 1","pages":"264-270"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11673470/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142903751","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension - How Can Orthoptists Help Improve Care?","authors":"Daisy MacKeith","doi":"10.22599/bioj.427","DOIUrl":"10.22599/bioj.427","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Care for people with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) needs improving and I think orthoptists are in a perfect position to help. <b>The problems with IIH care are multi-fold:</b>  People with fulminant IIH are still losing sight due to delayed diagnosis or mismanagement.People with IIH often have a poor quality of life due to disabling chronic headaches and poor mental health.There is a lack of access to evidence-based weight-loss interventions and support.Weight stigma in healthcare remains pervasive and damaging and disproportionately impacts women.Functional vision loss and headaches in IIH can complicate the interpretation of visual function which can have implications for management.There is a lack of evidence to support treatment options. Below I will describe the issues in more detail and outline the ways in which we as orthoptists can help this patient group.</p>","PeriodicalId":36083,"journal":{"name":"British and Irish Orthoptic Journal","volume":"20 1","pages":"258-263"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11623087/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142802422","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancing Paediatric and Strabismus Ophthalmology Departments in Spain Through the Inclusion of Orthoptists: Insights from a Nationwide Survey.","authors":"Ana María Cruz Lasso","doi":"10.22599/bioj.359","DOIUrl":"10.22599/bioj.359","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objectives: </strong>The absence of the orthoptic profession in Spain contrasts with its value and recognition in other countries. This study aimed to gauge Spanish ophthalmologists' interest in including and promoting orthoptists in paediatric and strabismus departments. Secondary objectives included assessing interest in requesting orthoptists, involvement in their training, and aligning their competencies with European standards.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>Participants were recruited via WhatsApp and flyers during the 30th SEEOP Congress in May 2023 and invited to review a report on orthoptists' significance followed by completing a 12-question online survey. Profile questions were asked via multiple-choice options. Opinions on integrating orthoptists to enhance care quality, training involvement, and alignment with European standards were rated using a Likert scale. Open-ended questions captured themes, and comments.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Forty-two paediatric and strabismologists in Spain participated, mostly hospital-employed with advanced degrees, 90% supported integrating orthoptists into their teams, with 83% interested in having them in their workplace. Nearly 90% believed that collaboration between ophthalmologists and orthoptists would improve care quality and reduce waiting lists, and 83% supported promoting this within national medical organisations. Additionally, 90% advocated level 4 advanced European-standard training for orthoptists and 25% were neutral about participating in training orthoptists. Participants emphasised the importance of qualified orthoptists for treating eye movement abnormalities, distinguishing them from other eye healthcare professionals and advocating for collaboration rather than replacement.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This initial survey of paediatric ophthalmologists and strabismologists in Spain highlights support for orthoptists as allied health professionals, though garnering support for their training could be challenging. These conclusions should be considered in light of methodological, sample size, and resource limitations. The survey serves as a pilot for the future, suggesting improvements to explore the feasibility of introducing orthoptists in Spain.</p>","PeriodicalId":36083,"journal":{"name":"British and Irish Orthoptic Journal","volume":"20 1","pages":"241-257"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11623091/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142802278","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Case Series Review on Use of Topical Timolol in the Treatment of Superior Oblique Myokymia.","authors":"Victoria Alexis Smerdon, Joanne Adeoye, Alison Rowlands","doi":"10.22599/bioj.376","DOIUrl":"10.22599/bioj.376","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The treatment options available for Superior Oblique Myokymia (SOM) previously included surgery and systemic drugs, with the addition of beta blockers from the early 1990's. This case review aims to examine the efficacy of topical timolol (0.5%) as a treatment for SOM in the short and long term.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a retrospective case series review on a group of patients identified with this condition who have been assessed and treated with topical timolol 0.5% (off-label), within the same district and general hospital over a period of four years.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Six patients were identified from the case review. Five out of the six patients were treated with the use of off label timolol 0.5%. One patient declined treatment due to other systemic conditions and another later discontinued treatment due to change in cardiac status. Two of the patients required increased dosage from OD to BD to achieve success initially. All the patients treated were symptom free at eight weeks and remained symptom free at six months follow-up. None of the patients in the cohort reported significant side effects.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This case series highlights the efficacy of the use of off label timolol 0.5% for the management of SOM with an 80% success rate for those treated with the drug.</p>","PeriodicalId":36083,"journal":{"name":"British and Irish Orthoptic Journal","volume":"20 1","pages":"236-240"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11623083/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142801512","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Opinions on Amblyopia Treatment in Microtropia - A Questionnaire Study of Orthoptists in Scandinavia.","authors":"Jannicke Røe, Gemma Arblaster","doi":"10.22599/bioj.316","DOIUrl":"10.22599/bioj.316","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Microtropia is a small angle strabismus of less than or equal to ten prism diopters. It often co-exists with anisometropia, and patients may require amblyopia treatment. Diplopia following amblyopia treatment is considered rare, but older literature can advise caution when treating amblyopia in microtropia. This study aimed to explore orthoptists' opinions on amblyopia treatment in microtropia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Orthoptists working in Scandinavia were invited to complete an online questionnaire regarding their views on amblyopia treatment. They were presented with three different clinical scenarios: 1) patient with anisometropia; 2) patient with anisometropia and microtropia with identity; and 3) patient with anisometropia and microtropia without identity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The questionnaire received responses from 30 orthoptists, which were analysed. The results showed a significantly higher concern for diplopia in patients with microtropia undergoing amblyopia treatment than in patients with anisometropia. They responded that to prevent diplopia, it is more important to stop amblyopia treatment before equal visual acuity (VA) is reached in microtropia compared to anisometropia. Thus, amblyopia treatment was stopped more often in microtropia, even if VA was improving and diplopia was absent. Equal VA was perceived to be more difficult to achieve in microtropia, both with and without identity, compared to anisometropia.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Despite more recent evidence that diplopia following amblyopia treatment is extremely rare, orthoptists working in Scandinavia reported more concerns about diplopia when treating amblyopia in microtropia than in anisometropia. Stopping amblyopia treatment in microtropia before equal VA was achieved was considered somewhat important to prevent diplopia. Orthoptists also reported that equal VA was difficult to achieve in patients with microtropia, both with and without identity. Further research would help improve the evidence and inform clinical decisions about microtropia and amblyopia treatment in microtropia.</p>","PeriodicalId":36083,"journal":{"name":"British and Irish Orthoptic Journal","volume":"20 1","pages":"226-234"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11568811/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142648907","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spectrum of Visual Dysfunction Detected by a Novel Testing Protocol Within a Special School Eye Care Service.","authors":"Mohammud Musleh, Alison Green, Aleks Mankowska, Catherine Viner, Rachel Pilling","doi":"10.22599/bioj.391","DOIUrl":"10.22599/bioj.391","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Children with special educational needs are more likely to have vision problems than peers in mainstream education. Reports focus on visual acuity and refraction, overlooking visuoperceptual difficulties, including cerebral visual impairment. This article reports on the feasibility and outcomes of visual function testing performed during in-school visual assessments.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A retrospective chart review was undertaken of children participating in a special school vision programme. The testing strategy included acuity, fields, contrast sensitivity, eye movements, accommodation, stereopsis, visual attention, refraction and a parent-completed questionnaire. The testing method was chosen based on the child's ability to engage with testing.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>78 cases were identified (mean age 9.6 years). Low vision (worse than 6/19) was identified in 31%. All six tests of visual function were completed by 44% (mean 5.1; range 2-6). The mean number of atypical responses was 1 (range 0-4). Almost half (49%) showed at least one atypical response, most commonly visual attention (35%) and 25% had atypical eye movements.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Overall, only 20% of children in the special school setting demonstrated a normal response to each test they were able to complete. Acuity testing alone does not demonstrate the atypical visual function of a child with special needs. Using techniques which require minimal cognitive, speech or motor function, a range of visual functions can be elicited during in-school testing. This testing strategy has the advantage of demonstrating areas of visual (dys)function impacting on the child's ability to access learning which can be immediately fed back to teaching staff and carers.</p>","PeriodicalId":36083,"journal":{"name":"British and Irish Orthoptic Journal","volume":"20 1","pages":"219-225"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11568808/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142648910","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}