http://hdl.handle.net/10453/148722 2026-04-12T07:31:05Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/185715 Title: A critique of behavioural vision therapy techniques for children with reading difficulties including dyslexia Authors: Flaherty, M; Crippa, J; Sim, I; Bhate, M; Chow, CCN; Taranath, D; Gole, G Abstract: Specific learning disabilities affect the brain s ability to process verbal and non-verbal information efficiently and accurately. The most common learning disability is reading disability which includes dyslexia. Evidence supports that dyslexia is a language-based disorder. The core deficit of dyslexia is the phonological component of language that interferes with reading development. Therefore early, intense and specific remedial therapy should address the underlying cause of the difficulty. Behavioural optometry is controversial and purports to make children more responsive to education by improving visual conditions conducive for learning with eye exercises, tinted/coloured lenses and movment-based exercises. However, the theoretical basis for behavioural therapies have not been well established. Literature which favours behavioural approaches suffers from serious methodological and interpretive flaws. There is currently insufficient evidence to support behavioural approaches which therefore should not be recommended. 2024-07-02T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/176287 Title: Time outdoors positively associates with academic performance: a school-based study with objective monitoring of outdoor time. Authors: Wang, J; Sankaridurg, P; Naduvilath, T; Li, W; Morgan, IG; Rose, KA; Weng, R; Xu, X; He, X Abstract: BACKGROUND: To explore the relationship between outdoor time and academic performance among school-aged children. METHODS: This study was designed as a cross-sectional study. Data were derived from a school-based prospective children myopia intervention study (STORM). Outdoor time was recorded by self-developed algorithm-validated wristwatches in real-time and calculated as the cumulative average of 10 months. The academic performance was recorded and provided by the participating schools and further standardized. Other information was collected using an online standardized questionnaire. Mixed-effects model and B-Spline method were used to investigate the association between time spent on different types of daily activity, including outdoor activity and academic performance. RESULTS: A total of 3291 children with mean age 9.25 years were included in the final analysis. Overall, outdoor time was associated with academic performance in a non-linear manner; specifically, not exceeding 2.3 h per day, outdoor time was positively associated with academic performance; exceeding 2.3 h per day, this association became non-significant. Likewise, daily sleep duration and out-of-school learning time were associated with academic performance in a non-linear manner, resulting in turning points of 11.3 and 1.4 h per day, respectively. Separate analysis showed that outdoor time and sleep duration but not out-of-school learning time were positively associated with academic performance in Chinese, mathematics and English. CONCLUSION: Outdoor time, sleep duration and out-of-school learning time were associated with academic performance in a non-linear manner. Promotion of outdoor time may not negatively impact on academic performance. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Our study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT02980445). 2023-04-04T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/174772 Title: Meeting the need for post-stroke vision care in Australia: a scoping narrative review of current practice. Authors: Sorbello, S; Rose, K; French, A; Rowe, F; Lau, S Abstract: PURPOSE: Determine current vision care pathways and practices for stroke survivors in Australia and internationally, focusing on identifying reoccurring gaps in these pathways and unmet care needs. METHOD: A scoping narrative review was conducted to identify literature related to post-stroke vision care practices and perspectives of patients and health professionals. RESULTS: A total of 16193 articles were retrieved and 28 deemed eligible for inclusion. Six were Australian, 14 from the UK, four from the USA, and four from within Europe. Post-stroke vision care is largely unstandardized, with substantial inconsistency in the use of vision care protocols, who executes them and at what point in post-stroke care they are utilised. Health professionals and stroke survivors expressed that unmet care needs were primarily a result of lack of education and awareness regarding post-stroke eye problems. Other gaps in care pathways related to the timing of vision assessment, provision of ongoing support, and the integration of eye-care specialists into the stroke team. CONCLUSION: Further research is needed into current Australian post-stroke vision care to accurately assess whether the needs of stroke survivors are being met. Available evidence indicates that in Australia, there is a requirement for well-defined protocols for vision screening, education, management, and referral of stroke survivors.Implications for RehabilitationPost-stroke vision care in Australia is unstandardised, which may cause inequities in vision care provision to Australian stroke survivors in different regions and/or care facilities.Education and training pertaining to stroke-related vision conditions for stroke healthcare professionals and the inclusion of eye-care professionals in stroke care teams is likely to improve gaps in care practice/pathways identified in the current evidence base.Management of stroke-related visual conditions should be inclusive of detailed information provision that is specific to the patients condition(s) and circumstances, as well as ongoing, long-term management strategies/support services to better aid stroke survivor"s reintegration into the community. 2023-05-25T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/170450 Title: Towards a national pre-school vision screening programme Authors: Crippa, J; Flaherty, M; Silveira, S Abstract: The aim of the study is to examine common approaches to pre school vision screening including the current New South Wales model which is known as Statewide Eyesight Preschooler Screening StEPS to determine whether the criteria set by the World Health Organization are fulfilled by StEPS and therefore whether there is sufficient justification to deploy a similar model nationally A literature review was conducted to answer four key questions related to vision screening The authors sought to review i the justification for vision screening of a pre school population ii the principles and best approaches to vision screening such as how where and who should conduct vision screening iii the conditions that are targeted in vision screening and iv the acceptable pass fail vision screening criteria The StEPS vision screening model is an accurate reliable and economical way of screening for reduced vision at a time when neural plasticity allows improvement in vision following intervention It fulfils World Health Organization criteria for a successful screening programme StEPS has very high participation rates compared to other screening methods in Australia due to its unique model whereby screeners utilise early childhood settings to recruit and screen 4 year old children Due consideration should be given to deploying the StEPS vision screening model nationally 2022 The Authors Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health published by John Wiley Sons Australia Ltd on behalf of Paediatrics and Child Health Division The Royal Australasian College of Physicians 2022-06-01T00:00:00Z