Effects of spectacles and telescopes on visual function in students with oculocutaneous albinism

• Published in: African health sciences 2020-06, Vol.20 (2), p.758-767
• Main Authors: Jhetam, Siddeeqa, Mashige, Khathutshelo P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Albinism, Oculocutaneous - diagnosis; Albinism, Oculocutaneous - therapy; Child; contrast sensitivity; Contrast Sensitivity - physiology; Eyeglasses; Humans; Oculocutaneous albinism; Reading; reading rate; telescope; Telescopes; visual acuity; Visual Acuity - physiology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1680-6905; 1729-0503; 1729-0503; 1680-6905
• DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v20i2.28

Purpose: To investigate the effects of spectacle and telescope corrections on visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity (CS) and reading rates (RR) in students with oculocutaneous albinism (OCA). Methods: An observational study design was conducted on 81 students with OCA. Distance and near VA, CS and RR were measured without correction, with spectacle correction and with a combination of spectacle correction and telescopes. Results: The mean distance and near VA values with a combination of spectacle correction and telescopes were significantly better than those without correction and with spectacle correction alone (p = 0.01). Mean CS values achieved with spectacles alone were significantly better than those obtained with a combination of spectacles and telescopes (p = 0.01). There was no significant difference between logCS values obtained without correction compared to those obtained with a combination of spectacle correction and telescopes. There were no significant differences between RR values obtained with a combination of spectacles and telescopes and those without and with spectacle correction alone (all p > 0.05). Conclusion: This article provides valuable information to eye care practitioners on the effects of spectacles and telescopes on visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and reading rate in students with OCA.