Biomedical subjects

I Krumholtz

Publications and source records attributed to I Krumholtz.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Results from a pediatric vision screening and its ability to predict academic performance.

BACKGROUND: Children attending three New York City public schools were screened in 1998-1999. These three schools were previously screened in 1996-1997. This allowed comparison of referral rates between the two years. In addition, we were able to follow individual children who attended the schools between these two years. Finally, using results of the citywide achievement test scores, we were able to correlate the specific vision screening tests with academic performance. METHODS: Results from each of the years were analyzed to determine if any trend existed in referral frequency and screening procedures failed. Referral criteria were failure on one or more of the screening battery tests. In addition, the children's vision screening performance was compared with their reading achievement test scores. Vision screening results of children in both the top 25% and bottom 25% of the class were evaluated and academic improvement based on optometric intervention was also monitored. RESULTS: Twenty-nine percent (29%) of children screened in 1996-1997 were referred. This matched the 25% referral rate found in 1998-1999. The screenings in 1998-1999 yielded a higher referral rate (35%) in functional vision tests as opposed to visual acuity screening procedures than the screening in 1996-1997 (30%). The King Devick Eye Movement Test and the hyperopia assessment screening showed significant correlation with citywide achievement test scores. Both these tests were significant for predicting those students in the lower 25% of the class for all grades in both years of the screenings. CONCLUSIONS: Early detection and remediation increased the potential for more effective learning in a small sample size of 25 children. Further studies involving larger sample sizes are indicated.

Child↗

PubMed1999

Efficacy of treatment modalities in refractive amblyopia.

BACKGROUND: The pediatric clinic of the State College of Optometry/University Optometric Center develops a yearly quality management plan to monitor patient care. One of the areas retrospectively reviewed for all outcomes is refractive amblyopia. METHODS: A retrospective review of records was performed on patients diagnosed with refractive amblyopia. With the use of a prescribed protocol, each patient's progress was tracked for a period of 6 months. Major emphasis was placed on outcome as related to treatment modality. Treatment alternatives were optical correction alone, optical correction in conjunction with patching, and optical correction and patching with vision therapy. RESULTS: Improvement criteria included a 2-line increase in visual acuity on the Snellen chart and an increase of 20 seconds of arc of stereopsis, as measured by the Wirt circles. The groups that patched with correction and those that received vision therapy had similar visual acuity improvement's; however, the latter group had a significantly greater improvement in stereopsis. Both groups performed significantly better in both categories when compared to the group receiving optical correction alone. CONCLUSIONS: Though patching alone may be sufficient for improvement of visual acuity, binocular performance is significantly better when vision therapy is included in the treatment regimen.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

A yearly summary of quality assessment and improvement in the optometric pediatric clinics of the SUNY College of Optometry.

BACKGROUND: Each clinic within the University Optometric Center (UOC) of the State University of New York (SUNY) College of Optometry develops a Quality Management (QM) Plan for each calendar year. The vehicle for implementation is a Quality Assessment and Improvement (QA&I) committee. The clinical adherence to the objectives are reviewed each year. The following article is a review of the QA&I reports of the Pediatric Vision Clinics within the College for the year 1996. METHODS: Clinical records were concurrently and retrospectively reviewed for completeness and appropriateness of care. One hundred percent of the records were concurrently reviewed, and 10% of each doctors' total records were retrospectively reviewed. In addition, records with specific diagnoses--chosen as clinical indicators--were reviewed for a specified period of time. RESULTS: Patient satisfaction exceeded predetermined threshold values. On general review, the clinical faculty performed at a 95% efficiency level. The pediatric population yielded only minimal major pathologies. In our strabismic sample, patients with esotropia exceeded those with exotropia (61% vs. 39%). Strabismic amblyopes were more prevalent than refractive amblyopes (80% vs. 20%). Preschool vision therapy appeared to be successful in most cases. CONCLUSION: Quality assessment and improvement is an ongoing process that can provide an overview of case management and type. The process serves to monitor quality of care, provide a modality for improvement, enhance outcomes, and guide future QM plans.

Academic Medical Centers↗

PubMed1995

Results of a vision screening program: an initial study.

BACKGROUND: More than 100 children between the ages of 5 and 13 years (grades K through 6) were screened with the New York State Optometric Association vision screening battery. METHODS: A comparison between regular and special education referral rates was performed. Two groups of tests were established: acuity testing and functional testing. A comparison of the failure rates of these two groups was also analyzed. RESULTS: This study revealed that although the referral rate between the two populations showed no statistical difference, the particular "group" of tests failed differed significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Although no conclusions can be drawn from these numbers as the sample was not varied enough, further screenings in different geographical and socioeconomic areas need to be performed to determine the validity of this trend.

Adolescent↗