Prevalence of Strabismus and Its Impact on Vision-Related Quality of Life

Purpose This study investigates the prevalence of manifest strabismus and its subtypes in adulthood and analyzes the risk factors and its impact on vision-related quality of life (VRQoL). Design The Gutenberg Health Study (GHS) is a population-based, observational cohort study. A cross-sectional analysis of the baseline examination was conducted. Participants Participants aged 35 to 74 years were included (n = 15  010). Methods All participants were examined with a comprehensive ophthalmologic and general examination including the Hirschberg corneal reflex test to detect manifest strabismus. The following risk factors were analyzed: age, sex, socioeconomic status, birth weight, maternal age…

A retinal snap shot may indicate individual risk for cardiovascular disease — The MIPH Eye&Health Study

Examination of retinal vasculature can be used to non-invasively quantify changes within the microvasculature of the human body and might be a predictor of cardiovascular disease. This study evaluates associations of the structure of the retinal vasculature with established risk factors for cardiovascular disease.A cross-sectional study was performed in a working age population. Several systemic cardiovascular parameters were analyzed and PROCAM- and SCORE-risk estimates were calculated. A quantitative ophthalmological examination including digital fundus imaging has taken place. Central retinal arterial/venous equivalents (CRAE/CRVE) and arterio-venous ratio (AVR) were analyzed using valid…

Eye Pain and Dry Eye in Patients with Fibromyalgia.

Objectives The aim of this study was to examine visual function and eye symptoms in fibromyalgia patients, with a particular focus on dry eye syndrome and eye pain. Methods A tertiary care center-based cross-sectional study was carried out in chronic musculoskeletal pain patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Chronic musculoskeletal pain patients without fibromyalgia were enrolled as a comparison group. Self-reported eye pain was investigated with the McGill pain questionnaire and the numeric rating scale. In addition, we assessed corrected visual acuity, vision-related quality of life, and self-reported dry eye syndrome. Results A total of 90 musculoskeletal pain patients were included, wit…

Bleb grading by photographs versus bleb grading by slit‐lamp examination

Purpose Using a bleb-grading system clinically facilitates long-term follow-up of patients with previous glaucoma surgery. Clinical evaluation of these patients can be challenging for untrained ophthalmologists. Morphological bleb configuration might influence planning of follow-up visits in glaucoma patients due to different and individual prognosis after trabeculectomy. In this study, we compared the MaBAGS (Mainz Bleb Appearance Grading System), a classification system for filtering blebs with other classification systems (MBGS/Moorfields Bleb Grading System, IBAGS/Indiana Bleb Appearance Grading Scale) in reference to usability and reliability and compare it to grading by bleb photograp…

Topical Voriconazole as Supplemental Treatment for Acanthamoeba Keratitis

Purpose Voriconazole was shown to inhibit ergosterol synthesis in various acanthamoeba species. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of treatment with supplemental topical voriconazole in patients with acanthamoeba keratitis (AK). Methods All patients who had been treated for AK with voriconazole 1% drops in conjunction with topical first-line antiacanthamoeba therapy composed of polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) 0.02% and propamidine isethionate 0.1% (Brolene) between November 2014 and August 2017 at the Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Mainz, were included. The main outcomes were treatment failure and recurrence rate. Secondary outcomes wer…

Birthweight and its association with retinal vessel equivalents – Results from the population‐based German Gutenberg Health Study

Algorithms for the Automated Analysis of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Biomarkers on Optical Coherence Tomography: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE To assess the quality of optical coherence tomography (OCT) grading algorithms for retinal biomarkers of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS Following a systematic review of the literature data on detection and quantification of AMD retinal biomarkers by available algorithms were extracted and descriptively synthesized. Algorithm quality was assessed using a modified version of the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 checklist with a focus on accuracy against established reference standards and risk of bias. RESULTS Thirty five studies reporting computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) tools for qualitative analysis or algorithms for quantitative analysis were iden…

Effects of Superficial Keratectomy in Peripheral Hypertrophic Subepithelial Corneal Opacification on Front and Back Corneal Astigmatism

To evaluate changes of anterior and posterior corneal astigmatism after superficial keratectomy in peripheral hypertrophic subepithelial corneal opacification (PHSCO). Patients with PHSCO, who had ...

Optical coherence tomography-based retinal vessel analysis for the evaluation of hypertensive vasculopathy

Purpose Evaluation of retinal vessels in cardiovascular disease traditionally relies upon funduscopy, but more recently digital photo analysis has expanded the spectrum. As spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) allows an in-vivo assessment of retinal tissue and its vessels on a histological scale, our study aimed at using this tool for the analysis of the retinal vasculature. Methods Circumferential peripapillary OCT scans (3DOCT-2000; Topcon Inc., Tokyo, Japan), with centration on the optic nerve head, were taken from 20 eyes (20 participants) with normal blood pressure and 20 eyes (20 participants) with arterial hypertension above 120 mmHg (mean blood pressure). The diameter …

Association of Low Birth Weight With Altered Corneal Geometry and Axial Length in Adulthood in the German Gutenberg Health Study

IMPORTANCE: Low birth weight is associated with altered ocular organ development in childhood, including the morphology of the eye. However, no population-based data exist about this association in adulthood. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether low birth weight has a long-term association with anterior segment anatomy and axial length in adulthood. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The Gutenberg Health Study is a population-based, observational cohort study in Germany. All participants underwent ocular biometry. Among the participants with follow-up and self-reported birth weight available, associations were assessed between low birth weight and anterior segment anatomy and axial length using m…

Comparison of DMEK and DSAEK in Eyes With Endothelial Decompensation After Previous Penetrating Keratoplasty.

PURPOSE Posterior lamellar keratoplasty is increasingly applied in patients with endothelial decompensation after penetrating keratoplasty (PK). The aim of this study was to compare the results of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) after PK. METHODS In this retrospective study, clinical data of 30 patients who received DMEK (n = 19) or DSAEK (n = 11) for endothelial decompensation after PK were evaluated. All lamellar keratoplasties were performed at the Department of Ophthalmology at University Hospital Mainz, Germany. Primary end point included best-corrected visual acuity, and secondary end points included e…

Association of ocular, cardiovascular, morphometric and lifestyle parameters with retinal nerve fibre layer thickness.

BACKGROUND Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease, leading to thinning of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL). The exact influence of ocular, cardiovascular, morphometric, lifestyle and cognitive factors on RNFL thickness (RNFLT) is unknown and was analysed in a subgroup of the Gutenberg Health Study (GHS). METHODS Global peripapillary RNFLT was measured in 3224 eyes of 1973 subjects (49% female) using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). The association of age, sex, ocular, cardiovascular, morphometric, lifestyle and cognitive factors on RNFLT was analysed using Pearson correlation coefficient and fitting a linear mixed model. RESULTS In the univariable analysis highest…

Semi-automated retinal vessel analysis in nonmydriatic fundus photography.

Purpose Funduscopic assessment of the retinal vessels may be used to assess the health status of microcirculation and as a component in the evaluation of cardiovascular risk factors. Typically, the evaluation is restricted to morphological appreciation without strict quantification. Our purpose was to develop and validate a software tool for semi-automated quantitative analysis of retinal vasculature in nonmydriatic fundus photography. Methods matlab software was used to develop a semi-automated image recognition and analysis tool for the determination of the arterial–venous (A/V) ratio in the central vessel equivalent on 45° digital fundus photographs. Validity and reproducibility of the r…

Evaluation der augenärztlichen Versorgung ehemaliger früh- und reifgeborener Kinder im Alter von 4 bis 10 Jahren in Deutschland – Ergebnisse der Wiesbaden Prematurity Study (WPS)

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Ziele der vorliegenden Untersuchung waren die Evaluation ophthalmologischer Nachsorgeuntersuchungen ehemaliger früh- und reifgeborener Kinder im Alter von 4 bis 10 Jahren und der Vergleich mit den deutschen Leitlinien. Methodik In der prospektiven Wiesbaden Prematurity Study (WPS) wurden 503 Kinder, davon 239 Frühgeborene (FG) mit Gestationsalter (GA) ≤ 32 Wochen und 264 Reifgeborene (RG) mit GA ≥ 37 Wochen (Kontrollgruppe) im Alter von 4 bis 10 Jahren inklusive Refraktionsmessung und orthoptischem Status untersucht. Anisometropie war definiert als Refraktionsunterschied von ≥ 1 dpt sphärischem Äquivalent. Die Eltern wurden zusätzlich gefragt, ob nach der Entlass…

Comparison of subconjunctival microinvasive glaucoma surgery and trabeculectomy

Purpose To assess surgical success and the post-operative development of intraocular pressure between XEN45® gelstent, Preserflo® MicroShunt and trabeculectomy with mitomycin C. Methods Data from 105 eyes from 105 patients of matched cases with refractory open-angle glaucoma, who underwent surgery between January 2019, and August 2020, were evaluated. Patients underwent either stand-alone XEN gelstent insertion with Mitomycin C, stand-alone Preserflo with Mitomycin C or trabeculectomy with Mitomycin C. The primary outcome was the proportion of complete surgical success at 6 months post-operatively (i.e. intraocular pressure between 5mmHg and 18mmHg, no revision surgery, no loss of light per…

Disturbed Glucose Metabolism and Left Ventricular Geometry in the General Population

Background: This study sought to investigate the prevalence and clinical outcome of left ventricular (LV) geometry in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the impact of glucose metabolism on the incidence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Methods: 15,010 subjects (35–74 years) of the population-based Gutenberg Health Study were categorized into euglycemia, prediabetes, and T2DM according to clinical and metabolic (HbA1c) information. Clinical outcome was assessed via structured follow-up. Results: The study comprised 12,121 individuals with euglycemia (81.6%), 1415 with prediabetes (9.5%), and 1316 with T2DM (8.9%). Prevalence of LVH increased from euglycemia (10.2%) ove…

The relationship of ocular geometry with refractive error in normal and low birth weight adults

Purpose Low birth weight (BW) individuals have an increased risk for myopic refractive error. However, it is unclear which ocular geometric alterations lead to an increase in myopic refractive error. This study aims to evaluate the impact of ocular biometry in interaction with BW on refractive error. Methods Participants of the prospective, observational, population-based Gutenberg Health Study (GHS) with self-reported BW aged 40–80 years and objective refraction and optical biometry were included. Linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate associations between spherical equivalent with corneal power, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness and axial length and its interaction wit…

Curvature of iris profile in spectral domain optical coherence tomography and dependency to refraction, age and pupil size - the MIPH Eye&Health Study

Purpose Optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the anterior segment allows quantitative analysis of the geometry of the iris. We performed spectral domain OCT examinations in healthy emmetropic, hyperopic and myopic subjects to investigate iris curvature and its associations. Methods In a cross-sectional study, out of 4617 eyes (2309 subjects) those with refractive errors of +3 dioptres were identified by objective refraction. The iris was examined using the anterior segment mode of a spectral domain 3D OCT-2000 (Topcon Inc., Japan) in the temporal meridian, and OCT scans were investigated with respect to presence and amount of convex and concave iris configuration. Ninety-three eyes of 50 s…

Prevalence of corneal arcus and associated factors in a German population-Results from the Gutenberg Health Study.

Purpose We aimed to determine the prevalence of corneal arcus and to identify associated factors in the general population of Germany. Methods The Gutenberg Health Study (GHS) is a population-based cohort study in Germany, which includes an ophthalmological assessment. Refraction, distance-corrected visual acuity, non-contact tonometry and anterior segment imaging were performed for the five-year follow-up examination. Anterior segment photographs were graded for the presence of corneal arcus. Prevalence estimates were computed, and multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to determine associated factors for corneal arcus including sex, age, spherical equivalent, central corn…

Association of low birth weight with myopic refractive error and lower visual acuity in adulthood: results from the population-based Gutenberg Health Study (GHS).

PurposeLow birth weight (BW) is linked to impaired organ development in childhood, including altered ocular morphological and functional development. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether low BW has long-term effects on visual acuity and refraction in adulthood.MethodsThe Gutenberg Health Study is a population-based, observational cohort study in Germany, including 15 010 participants aged between 35 and 74 years. These participants were divided into three different BW groups (low: <2500 g; normal: between 2500 and 4000 g; and high: >4000 g). Best-corrected visual acuity and objective refraction were examined. We used multivariable linear regression models with adjustment for …

Epidemiologic Analysis of Asteroid Hyalosis and Associations: The Gutenberg Health Study

Visual Impairment Is Associated With Depressive Symptoms—Results From the Nationwide German DEGS1 Study

Introduction: Visual impairment is associated with a variety of co-morbidities including physical and mental health in industrial countries. Our aim is to examine associations between self-reported impairment and depressive symptoms in the German population. Methods: The point prevalence of self-reported visual impairment in Germany was computed using data from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for adults from 2008 to 2011 (N=7.783, 50.5% female, age range 18-79 years). Visual impairment was surveyed by two questions, one for seeing faces at a distance of 4 meters and one for reading newspapers. Depressive symptoms were evaluated with the PHQ-9 questionnaire and two-week pr…

Distribution of Anterior Chamber Angle Width and Correlation With Age, Refraction, and Anterior Chamber Depth—The Gutenberg Health Study

PURPOSE Scheimpflug imaging allows quantitative analysis of the width of the anterior chamber angle. We report the population-based distribution of the anterior chamber angle width using this noncontact imaging technique and investigate associated factors. METHODS A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out in Germany. A comprehensive ophthalmologic examination including refraction, biometry, and Scheimpflug imaging was performed. Automated measurement of the anterior chamber angle was performed in each anterior chamber quadrant. Exclusion criteria were previous ocular surgery or inadequate image quality. Association analyses were carried out to determine independently associat…

Birth weight and its association with optic nerve head morphology - results from the population-based German Gutenberg Health Study.

Birth Weight and Diabetic Retinopathy: Results From the Population-Based Gutenberg Health Study (GHS).

Purpose: This study investigates the relationship between diabetic retinopathy (DR) and birth weight (BW) in diabetic subjects sampled from the general population. Methods: The Gutenberg Health Study (GHS) is a population-based, observational cohort study in participants aged from 35 to 74 years. Criteria for diabetes diagnosis were HbA1c ≥6.5% at study entry, a doctor-diagnosis of diabetes, or diabetes medication. The presence of DR was determined by evaluating fundus photographs. BW was assessed by self-reports. GHS participants were divided into three different BW groups (low: <2500 g; normal: 2500–4000 g; high:>4000 g). Logistic regression analysis was conducted as uni- and multiv…

Retinal Imaging through Phakic Iris-Claw IOL.

AbstractBackground: Phakic anterior chamber iris-fixated IOL (PIOL) are established for the correction of high myopia. These patients require attention to macular pathologies. This study was to evaluate the quality of imaging through the PIOLs. Methods: 54 eyes of 31 myopic and hyperopic patients with Verisyse®, Verisyse toric®, and Veriflex® phakic iris-fixated IOL were included. Mean preoperative refraction was −11.0 D and +5.7 D, respectively; mean follow-up time was 7.4 years (5–11 years). A matched control group was formed without PIOL implantation. OCT scans were performed and evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. Results: In 52 eyes of 31 patients (96%), a 3D-OCT image and fund…

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography of Optic Disc in Eyes With Primary Open-angle Glaucoma and Normal-tension Glaucoma.

PURPOSE To examine vessel density (VD) properties of the optic nerve head in eyes with ocular hypertension (OHT), high-tension glaucoma (HTG), and normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) and to evaluate associations on structural parameters of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL). METHODS Three groups of patients with OHT (n=15), HTG (n=36), and NTG (n=22), and a healthy control group (n=23) were included in this study. Peripapillary VD and optic disc flow area were measured using optical coherence tomography angiography, and peripapillary RNFL (pRNFL) thickness was determined. Global and sectoral analysis of optic nerve head vasculature and pRNFL thickness were measured. RESULTS Glaucomatous eyes had lo…

Corneal Aberrations in Former Preterm Infants: Results From The Wiesbaden Prematurity Study

Purpose To compare corneal aberrations in former preterm infants to that of full-term infants. Methods A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out measuring the corneal shape with Scheimpflug imaging in former preterm infants of gestational age (GA) ≤32 weeks and full-term infants with GA ≥37 weeks now being aged between 4 to 10 years. The main outcome measures were corneal aberrations including astigmatism (Zernike: Z2-2; Z22), coma (Z3-1; Z31), trefoil (Z3-3; Z33), spherical aberration (Z40) and root-mean square of higher-order aberrations (RMS HOA). Multivariable analysis was performed to assess independent associations of gestational age groups and of retinopathy of prematurity …

Characteristics and pathologies of the vitreo‐macular interface—results from the Gutenberg Health Study

Purpose We aimed to determine the prevalence of characteristics and pathologies of the vitreo-macular interface within the general population. Methods The Gutenberg Health Study is a population-based study in Germany, including an ophthalmological examination with refraction, biometry and optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging. Characteristics of the vitreo-macular interface were graded on volume scans including visibility of an epiretinal membrane, full-thickness macular hole, lamellar hole and pseudohole. Overall and age-specific prevalences including 95% confidence intervals [95%-CI] were calculated. Association analyses were conducted to determine systemic and ocular factors that ar…

The Prevalence of Visual Impairment in the Adult Population

Background The distribution of visual impairment is an indicator of the health status of the population and for the frequency of diseases of the eye. Methods The Gutenberg Health Study (GHS) is a population-based cohort study in Germany concerning adults aged 35 to 74. 15 010 subjects from the Mainz-Bingen region underwent general medical and ophthalmological examination, with measurement of the distance-corrected visual acuity in each eye separately. As per the World Health Organization criteria, visual impairment was defined as an acuity below 0.3 in the better eye, and blindness as an acuity below 0.05. All patients who were found to be visually impaired or blind underwent further indivi…

Physical Activity, Incidence, and Progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Multicohort Study.

Contains fulltext : 249581.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of physical activity (PA) on the incidence or progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the general population. DESIGN: Meta-analysis of longitudinal cohort studies. METHODS: We included 14,630 adults with no or early AMD at baseline from 7 population-based studies and examined associations of PA with AMD incidence and progression using multistate models (MSM) per study and subsequent random effects meta-analysis. Age effects were assessed using meta-regression. The main outcome measure was the hazard ratio (HR) for incident early or progression to late AMD. RESULTS: At ba…

Additional file 3 of Genome-wide association meta-analysis for early age-related macular degeneration highlights novel loci and insights for advanced disease

Additional file 3: Supplementary Figures.

Associations of cardiovascular risk factors and retinal vessel dimensions at present and their evolution over time in a healthy working population.

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate whether an association between retinal vessel diameters with blood pressure and other risk factors exists in a healthy working population and whether current risk factors can be used as predictors for retinal vessel changes over time. Methods Retinal photographs and medical data were obtained during a voluntary work health check in 2010 and 2013. The central retinal arterial equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) were assessed using a semi-automated software. Linear regression analysis was carried out to determine associations with systemic parameters and cardiovascular risk factors. Results A total of 1685 participan…

Anaesthetic protocol for paediatric glaucoma examinations: the prospective EyeBIS Study protocol

IntroductionNeonates and young infants with diagnosed or highly suspected glaucoma require an examination under anaesthesia to achieve accurate intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements, since crying or squinting of the eyes may increase IOP and lead to falsely high values. IOP considerably depends on perioperative variables such as haemodynamic factors, anaesthetics, depth of anaesthesia and airway management. The aim of this paper is to report the design and baseline characteristics of EyeBIS, which is a study to develop a standardised anaesthetic protocol for the measurement of IOP under anaesthesia in childhood glaucoma, by investigating the link between the magnitude of IOP and depth of …

Schirmer test results: are they associated with topical or systemic medication?

To test whether Schirmer test (ST) results are associated with topical or systemic medication and to evaluate the distribution of tear fluid quantity in a 3-min and 5-min ST.The Gutenberg Health Study is a population-based, prospective, observational cohort study in Germany. ST was assessed in a sub-cohort of 1,999 participants. ST was performed under topical anesthesia for 5 min (ST-5) or of 3 min (ST-3). Anthropometric factors, systemic diseases, use of systemic and eye medications were recorded. We used multivariable quantile regression analysis to assess the influence on ST measurements.The length of wetting of the Schirmer strips for ST-5 was 23.2 ± 9.31 mm for right and 22.9 ± 9.0 mm …

Genome-wide association meta-analysis for early age-related macular degeneration highlights novel loci and insights for advanced disease

Abstract Background Advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness. While around half of the genetic contribution to advanced AMD has been uncovered, little is known about the genetic architecture of early AMD. Methods To identify genetic factors for early AMD, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis (14,034 cases, 91,214 controls, 11 sources of data including the International AMD Genomics Consortium, IAMDGC, and UK Biobank, UKBB). We ascertained early AMD via color fundus photographs by manual grading for 10 sources and via an automated machine learning approach for > 170,000 photographs from UKBB. We searched for early AMD loc…

Five-year change in refractive error and its risk factors: results from the Gutenberg Health Study.

Background/AimsTo examine the 5-year change in refractive error in phakic eyes and its risk factors in the general population.MethodsThe Gutenberg Health Study (GHS) is a population-based cohort study including 15 010 participants from Germany aged 35–74 years at baseline examination (2007–2012). After 5 years, a follow-up examination was carried out (83% participation). 5-year change of spherical equivalent (SE) was computed as difference between follow-up and baseline objective refraction. Linear and logistic regression analysis were conducted analysing potential risk factors. Only phakic eyes at follow-up examination were included.ResultsRight eyes of 10 175 subjects were included. An ag…

Additional file 2 of Genome-wide association meta-analysis for early age-related macular degeneration highlights novel loci and insights for advanced disease

Additional file 2: Supplementary Note.

Incidence of retinal artery occlusion in Germany

Incidence of Retinal Detachment in Germany: Results from the Gutenberg Health Study

<b><i>Purpose:</i></b> To investigate the incidence of retinal detachment in the German population and to assess potential risk factors. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The Gutenberg Health Study is a population-based cohort study in Mainz, Germany, including subjects (<i>n</i> = 15,010) with an age range from 35 to 74 years at baseline examination. Study participants underwent a comprehensive ophthalmological examination including distant-corrected visual acuity, refraction and slit-lamp examination at baseline examination. A computer-assisted telephone interview was conducted after 2.5 and 5 years, and health events were recorded. The 5-y…

How to Predict the Suitability for Corneal Donorship?

Background: In Germany, more than one-third of donor corneas harvested are not suitable for transplantation. We evaluated the factors associated with the usability of donor corneas. Method: Data from 2032 consecutive donor corneas harvested at the Rhineland-Palatinate Eye Bank in Mainz, Germany, were retrospectively analyzed. Factors of interest were age, sex, lens status, cause of death, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), death-to-explantation-interval (DEI), and the influence of these factors on the proportion of discarded donor corneas. Factors associated with endothelial cell density (ECD) were analyzed in a linear regression mixed model. Results: Higher donor age, male gender, pseudo…

No Benefit of a Pediatric Screening in Discovering Reduced Visual Acuity in Children: Experiences from a Cross-Sectional Study in Germany

Background: The newly introduced German pediatric screening examination at the end of the third year of life (U7a) incorporates visual function testing in particular

Prevalence and Time Trends in Myopia Among Children and Adolescents.

Background Myopia (near-sightedness) is increasing worldwide, especially in Asia. The aim of this study was to describe trends in the prevalence of myopia in Germany. Methods We analyzed data from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS; baseline survey 2003-2006, N = 17 640; wave 2, 2014-2017, N = 15 023). The presence of myopia was determined from a parent questionnaire and validated by the use of a visual aid. The population prevalence of myopia was calculated. Based on the KiGGS wave 2 data, potential risk factors for myopia were identified by means of logistic regression. Results The prevalence of myopia at the age of 0-17 years in Germany…

Protein expression profiling suggests relevance of noncanonical pathways in isolated pulmonary embolism

Abstract Patients with isolated pulmonary embolism (PE) have a distinct clinical profile from those with deep vein thrombosis (DVT)-associated PE, with more pulmonary conditions and atherosclerosis. These findings suggest a distinct molecular pathophysiology and the potential involvement of alternative pathways in isolated PE. To test this hypothesis, data from 532 individuals from the Genotyping and Molecular Phenotyping of Venous ThromboEmbolism Project, a multicenter prospective cohort study with extensive biobanking, were analyzed. Targeted, high-throughput proteomics, machine learning, and bioinformatic methods were applied to contrast the acute-phase plasma proteomes of isolated PE pa…

Association of Birth Weight with Central and Peripheral Corneal Thickness in Adulthood-Results from the Population-Based German Gutenberg Health Study.

Low birth weight (BW) is associated with altered ocular geometry such as a steeper corneal shape in adulthood. However, it is unclear whether low birth weight affects corneal thickness development in the center or periphery in adulthood which may contribute to ocular disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate corneal thickness in former low birth weight individuals in adulthood. Methods: The German Gutenberg Health Study is a prospective, population-based study in which every participant (age range 40–80 years) was measured with Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam HR, Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany). BW was collected by self-reports. The relationship between birth weight and…

Prevalence of myopic maculopathy in the German population: results from the Gutenberg health study.

AimsTo determine the prevalence of myopic maculopathy in the general population in Germany and to analyse potential associations with ocular and systemic factors.DesignThe Gutenberg Health Study is a population-based study, including 15 010 participants aged 35–74 years.MethodsMyopic maculopathy was graded in phakic eyes with spherical equivalent ≤−6 D by assessing fundus photographs according to a recent international photographic classification system (META-PM). 801 eyes of 519 participants (mean age 51.0±0.77 years) met the conditions and had gradable fundus photographs. Age-specific prevalence estimates were computed. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess associa…

Association of Birth Weight With Foveolar Thickness in Adulthood: Results From a Population-Based Study

Purpose Low birth weight (BW) is associated with alterations of foveal shape development in childhood—leading to an increased retinal thickness of the fovea. The aim of the present study was to assess whether BW has a long-term effect on foveal retinal thickness (RT) and is still present in adulthood. Methods In the German population-based Gutenberg Health Study (GHS), participants were examined with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. The association between self-reported BW and RT in the foveolar and perifoveal locations was assessed. Multivariable linear regression analyses with adjustment for potential confounders and grading of foveal hypoplasia were performed. Results Overal…

Prävalenz und Risikofaktoren der Kurzsichtigkeit bei Kindern und Jugendlichen in Deutschland – Ergebnisse der KiGGS-Studie

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Ziel dieser Studie ist die Bestimmung der Prävalenz von Kurzsichtigkeit (Myopie) bei Kindern und Jugendlichen in Deutschland und die Evaluation damit assoziierter Risikofaktoren. Methodik Die Prävalenz von Myopie in Deutschland wurde durch die „Studie zur Gesundheit von Kindern und Jugendlichen in Deutschland“ (KiGGS Basiserhebung 2003–2006) erhoben (N=17,640, 49% Mädchen). Das Vorliegen einer Myopie und die Verwendung einer Sehhilfe wurden durch einen Elternfragebogen erfasst. Potentielle Risikofaktoren wurden mittels kausalem Diagramm identifiziert und mit multiplen logistischen Regressionsmodellen untersucht. Ergebnisse Die Prävalenz von Myopie in Deutschland …

The Impact on Vision of Aspheric to Spherical Monofocal Intraocular Lenses in Cataract Surgery

Purpose To provide a summary of the impact on vision of an aspheric intraocular lens (IOL) compared with a spherical IOL in cataract surgery. Design Systematic review with meta-analysis. Participants Patients from published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of cataract surgery with aspheric compared with spherical monofocal IOL implantation. Methods We systematically searched the peer-reviewed literature in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, BIOSIS, and the Cochrane Library according to the Cochrane Collaboration method to identify relevant RCTs. The inclusion criteria were RCTs on cataract surgery comparing the use of aspheric versus spherical IOL implantation that assessed visual acuity, …

Peripheral corneal thickness and associated factors - results from the population-based German Gutenberg Health Study.

PURPOSE Changes in peripheral corneal thickness are described in various corneal diseases such as corneal ectasia. However, few data exist describing the increase in corneal thickness from central to peripheral and reporting the normal distribution of corneal thickness in rings around the corneal centre. The aim of this study was to report these cornea characteristics and investigate associated factors in a population-based setting. METHODS The Gutenberg Health Study is a prospective, population-based study examining participants in a 5-year follow-up (age range 40-80 years) using Scheimpflug imaging. Corneal thickness was assessed in each participant at the apex, as well as in the corneal …

Retinal vessel analysis and heart rate variability

Heart rate variability (HRV) is used to index the vegetative nervous system and is linked with cardiovascular and nervous diseases [1]. Funduscopic assessment of the retinal vasculature can be utilized to evaluate the health status of microcirculation and to assess the predisposition of major vascular diseases [2]. The purpose of this study was, for the first time, to examine the influence of HRV on microcirculation as an early marker of cardiovascular alteration. The study population was comprised of apparently healthy employees of a high-tech company in Germany. The participants spanned the entire age of the work force (18–65 years) and all levels of socioeconomic status. A total of 292 s…

Prevalence of pterygium and identification of associated factors in a German population - results from the Gutenberg Health Study.

Additional file 1 of Genome-wide association meta-analysis for early age-related macular degeneration highlights novel loci and insights for advanced disease

Additional file 1: Supplementary Tables.