Background.The purpose of our study was to assess the distribution and patterns of refractive errors in children for the proper planning of paediatric eye care at the centre.Material and methods.The study was conducted in the hospital of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences in Kaunas, from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012. During this period, a total of 11,406 children, aged 0–18 years, were evaluated at the outpatient department of paediatric ophthalmology, Kauno klinikos, the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. All the children underwent a complete ophthalmic examination with cycloplegic refraction.Results.Myopia increased from 1.5% (95% CI:1.2, 1.8) in the age group of 0–1 to 44.7% (95% CI:43.46, 45.94) in the age group of 14–18 (p < 0.001). Myopia was associated with older age, female gender (20.3%; 95% CI:19.3, 21.3; p < 0.001). Hypermetropia decreased from 84.6% (95% CI:83.7, 85.5) in the cohort of 0–1 to 11.4% (95% CI: 10.61, 12.19) in the 14–18 age group (p < 0.001). Hypermetropia was associated with younger age, male gender (43.4%; 95% CI:42.16, 44.64; p < 0.001), preterm birth (56.1%; 95% CI:54.86, 57.34; 43.4%; p < 0.001), low birth weight (61.8%; 95% CI:60.59, 63.01; p < 0.001), and birth by Caesarean section (57.1%; 95% CI: 55.87; 58.33) (p < 0.001).The prevalence of astigmatism was 25.5% (95% CI: 24.41; 26.59) (p < 0.001). Astigmatism was associated with female gender (20.1%; 95%. CI: 19.1; 21.1) and too big pregnancy weight (22.1%.; 95%. CI: 21.06; 23.14) (p < 0.001).Conclusions.Of the 14–18 age group, 44.7% of the patients were myopic. Of the 0–1 age group, 84.6% were hypermetropic. Astigmatism was detected in about 25.5% of children. The prevalence of refractive errors was associated with age, gender, gestation age, gestation weight, and parental refractive error.

Background. It has been suggested that contrast sensitivity can provide valuable information about visual function in addition to visual acuity assessment. Some patients retain relatively good visual acuity, yet complain of poor vision. In these patients, other tests of visual function such as contrast sensitivity should be evaluated.Methods. We examined patients with early mild stage age-related macular degeneration (group 1), and early intermediate stage age-related macular degeneration (group 2). Digital analysis methodology was used for retina drusen localisation and its diameter measurement. Functional acuity contrast sensitivity tests (FACT) were performed using a Ginsburg Box, VSCR-CST-6500.Results. The nighttime results without glare in group 2 were worse at 1.5, 3, 6 and 18 cycles per degree of the visual angle, the daytime results without glare were worse at 3 and 6 cycles per degree. The nighttime results with glare were worse at 1.5, 3, 6 and 18 cycles per degree, and the daytime results with glare were worse at 1.5 and 3 cycles per degree. Results after adjusting for age and visual acuity to 1.0 in the group 1 patients were better compared to the group 2 patients and the p value was 0.0005.Conclusions. The test results in patients with early intermediate age-related macular degeneration, in comparison to early mild age-related macular degeneration, showed a significant decrease mostly in the nighttime either with or without glare in high and medium spatial frequencies (cycles/degree). After adjusting for age and visual acuity the FACT results were even worse in early intermediate AMD patients.

Background. As people age, their vision becomes less clear; they can clearly see big objects but experience problems discerning minor things and minor details. The functional acuity contrast test is a very sensitive method used for visual system evaluation which may help to detect the beginning of the disease in case the visual acuity is still normal. Purpose. To determine functional acuity contrast sensitivity in young and in middle age healthy persons at the day time with and without glare. Materials and methods. We examined 40-49 yrs (Group 1), and 50-59 yrs (Group 2) healthy persons. The typical Snellen chart (the direc tion of the gap in Landolt C) was used for the noncorrected and the best corrected visual acuity testing. Functional acuity contrast sensitivity was measured employing a Ginsburg Box, VSCR CST6500, at the day time with and without glare. Results. Functional acuity contrast sensitivity remained very similar in the age groups of 40-49 years and 50-59 years. However, statistically, it significantly decreased at day time without glare (18 cycle / degree) spatial frequencies (p = 0.05). Results in Group 1 as compared to Group 2 decreased from 3.09% to 51.7% at the day time without glare and from 2.16% to 11.61% at the day time with glare. Conclusion. The facts are that contrast sensitivity remained very similar in the age groups of 40-49 years and 50-59 years at the day time with and without glare.