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Abstract ID: 24-107
Eye-tracking during reading and low contrast visual acuity to quantify epiphora symptoms before and after Dacryocystorhinostomy
Elin Bohman
Purpose
To quantify the impact of epiphora on the quality of reading and low-contrast visual acuity in everyday-like situations and the effect of Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery.
Methods
Subjective refraction and binocular visual acuity testing were performed in 9 patients with Primary Acquired Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction (PANDO) listed for DCR. Low contrast visual acuity testing was performed with ETDRS charts at 100%, 10% and 2.5% contrast levels with the cabinet placed on the floor to achieve down gaze (head erect). The time to read each row of five letters on the acuity chart was also voice recorded and transcribed into duration (sec). The subjects then read two standardized texts (iREST) on a laptop (100% contrast) during which an eye tracker device recorded eye movements. Data included horizontal and vertical gaze points on the screen and pupil diameter. The registration was repeated 5-14 weeks after DCR surgery.
Results
Low contrast visual acuity was significantly improved at the post-op visit (F(1,6)=19.41, p=.005) at the 10 and 2.5 % contrast levels. The letters were read on average 0.10 (0.27), 0.17 (0.45) and 0.21 (0.65) secs faster post-op (F(1,6)=2.42, p=.17) for the 100, 10 and 2.5 % contrast levels respectively but this was not significant. No significant differences in reading speed were found after surgery for the short or long texts. The pre-op long text took 67.1 secs (22.8), and the post-op long text 67.1 (24.1) to complete.
Conclusion
This study reveals significantly improved low-contrast visual acuity following DCR surgery for epiphora. There is also a trend of faster visual acuity speed post-op, a factor seldom considered when estimating functional vision. No significant effect was found in reading speed. One reason for this might be the supra-threshold in print size and contrast.
Additional Authors
Mohamed Qutub – Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Eye and Vision, Karolinska Institutet, St. Erik Eye Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
Alexander Berg Rendahl – Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Eye and Vision, Karolinska Institutet, St. Erik Eye Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
Tony Pansell – Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Eye and Vision, Karolinska Institutet, St. Erik Eye Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden