Purpose: To compare the efficacy of carbomer alone and carbomer with triglyceride in relieving ocular discomfort and improving ocular-surface condition and tear-film stability in patients with dysfunctional-tear syndrome. Methods: We conducted an institution-based, double masked, randomized, controlled trial involving 45 patients (90 eyes) diagnosed with dysfunctional-tear syndrome who were randomly assigned to receive either carbomer alone (Vidisic) or carbomer with triglyceride (Lipolin) eye gels. Corneal and conjunctival staining with fluorescein and lissamine green, tear-breakup time (TBUT), Schirmer test with anesthesia, and subjective gradings of ocular discomfort were measured at baseline and at 1, 2,4, and 8 weeks after treatment. Outcome measures from both groups were subjected to statistical analyses. Results: Fifteen patients in the Vidisic group and 20 patients in the Lipolin group completed the study. The mean age was 53 +/- 12 years (range, 21 to 71). Both groups exhibited significant improvement from baseline in conjunctival lissamine green staining (p=0.001), TBUT (p=0.001), and subjective improvement of symptoms (/> = 0.001) after 8 weeks of treatment. The decrease in conjunctival staining by lissamine green and improvement in Schirmer test were significantly greater for Vidisic (p=0.03 for both). Conjunctival fluorescein staining worsened in the Lipolin group (p=0.02). Corneal fluorescein (p=0.25) and lissamine green (p=0.08) staining, and Schirmer test (p=0.28) were not significantly different for both groups. Conclusion: Vidisic and Lipolin are both well tolerated and effective in reducing dry-eye symptoms, improving ocular-surface integrity, and stabilizing the tear film. There is a trend toward better treatment response with Vidisic.
Human ; Adult ; DRY EYE SYNDROMES ; TRIGLYCERIDES ; LACRIMAL APPARATUS DISEASES ; EYE DISEASES

Objective: To determine the visual outcome of amblyopia treatment and describe the relationship between age of onset and consult, compliance as measured by a patch diary, amblyopia subtype, and severity with the final visual outcome. Methods: Thirty-two consecutive, newly-diagnosed cases of amblyopia, aged 3-8 years on initial consult, with no history of prior amblyopia treatment, were included. Patching was done based on current AAO recommendations and patients were followed up monthly for 6 months. Treatment success was defined as best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) better than 20/30 (0.17LogMAR), or a 3-line improvement from baseline, or stable isoacuity for at least 3 months. Treatment failure was defined as no improvement of BCVA after 3 months of occlusion therapy or a regression of 2 lines. Descriptive and correlation statistics were performed comparing age of onset and consult, amblyopia subtype, severity, and compliance with the main outcome measure of BCVA at 6 months. Results: Sixteen (50%) attained treatment success. Patients seen earlier (age 2-5 years) had higher rates of success (75%) than those seen later (age 6-8 years) (35%). A moderately strong negative correlation (r=-0.48, p=0.01) existed between severity of amblyopia and final BCVA at 6 months. overall compliance to patching was 88±18%, with good compliance in the success group (92%) compared to fair compliance in the failure group (84%) and a moderate correlation between compliance and BCVA (r=0.37, p=0.05). Conclusion Treatment success was related to severity, compliance, and younger age of treatment. In the presence of good compliance, severity was a strong prognostic variable.
Amblyopia ; Compliance ; Sensory Deprivation ; Anisometropia

Objective: The objectives of this study were to translate into Filipino the Children’s Visual Function Questionnaire for children 3 years and above (CVFQ3plus), and to validate the translated CVFQ3plus to be used locally to assess the quality of life (QoL) of Filipino children aged 3 to 7 years old with visual impairment. Methods: Study Design: The study was a single-center, non-randomized translation and validation study. Translation: The CVFQ3plus translation into Filipino involved translation, reconciliation, pretesting, and small group discussion, based on the KIDSCREEN Group Translation and Validation procedures. Participants and Sampling: Convenience sampling was done to select the participants of the study. Participants were included in the study if they were parents or primary caregivers of children aged 3-7 years old who were noncompliant with treatment and/or those with non-treatable visual impairment defined as mild, moderate, severe unilateral, and severe bilateral. Procedure: All patients underwent complete ophthalmologic examination, including determination of the visual acuity using either the LEA chart or HOTV chart, prior to the administration of both the Filipino and English versions of the CVFQ3plus to their parents or caregivers. Participants were also asked to do a self-rating of their English proficiency, and their preferred version of the CVFQ. Statistical Analysis: Chronbach’s Alpha with a 95% confidence interval was used to determine the validity and internal consistency of the Filipino version of the CVFQ3plus questionnaire. Results: A total of 122 participants were included in the study. Chronbach’s Alpha score (α=0.86, CI=95%) for the translated Filipino version of the CVFQ3plus suggests high reliability and internal consistency, comparable to the original English version of the questionnaire. Conclusion This study was able to produce a highly reliable and internally consistent Filipino version of the CVFQ3plus.
Surveys and Questionnaires ; Quality of Life