Vagner Rogério dos Santos

Validation of a new fiber electrode prototype for clinical electroretinography

PURPOSE To validate a new fiber electrode prototype for clinical electroretinography (ERG). METHODS A recently developed prototype of a disposable reference-coupled fiber electrode (patent pending Brazilian Institute of Industrial Property # PI0602186-7), including one fiber for corneal signals and a second fiber acting as reference was tested in a group of 20 healthy volunteers (17-31 years; mean 22.7 +/- 4.5; 8 males). Standard electroretinography rod and cone responses were recorded from a fully dilated pupil simultaneously in both eyes with a reference-coupled fiber electrode prototype in one randomly assigned eye and a DTL electrode in the other eye after 30 min of dark-adaptation. After presenting dark- and light-adapted stimuli, each response was analyzed for a- and b-wave amplitude and implicit time. The VERIS 5.1.9 system was used for electroretinography data acquisition and analysis. Electroretinography outcomes were analyzed by Mann-Whitney test. Slit-lamp examination was performed in both eyes right after electroretinography session to evaluate possible adverse effects. RESULTS Responses recorded with reference-coupled fiber electrode prototypes were comparable to commercially available DTL fiber electrodes. On a qualitative analysis, reference-coupled fiber electrodes provided recordings with less amount of noise. On average, scotopic electroretinography amplitude and b-wave implicit time recorded using DTL were, respectively, 287.6 microV and 36.3 ms with similar findings for the reference-coupled fiber electrode prototype (287.9 microV and 36.3 ms). Under photopic conditions DTL mean amplitude and implicit time were, respectively 108.9 microV and 24.5 ms with similar results for the reference-coupled fiber electrodes prototypes (116.4 microV and 24.5 ms). No corneal abrasions or any other significant adverse effects were found after electroretinography recording with both electrodes. CONCLUSIONS The reference-coupled fiber electrode prototype provided stable and safe recordings of corneal electroretinograms compared to the commercially availabe DTL electrode in healthy human subjects. The prototype is a feasible alternative instrument for clinical electroretinography recording to assess retinal function, however further analysis is recommended to validate its clinical usefulness in patients with retinal disorders.

Low cost assistive technology to support educational activities for adolescents with cerebral palsy

Abstract Introduction: The concept of assistive technology covers several areas of action; one of them is communication with the elaboration of accessible solutions to overcome daily difficulties. It contributes to the resumption of functional abilities, expanding and facilitating inclusion and independent living. Objective: To analyze the usability of a low cost prototype device to support educational activities of adolescents with cerebral palsy. Methods: A descriptive observational study. The evaluation of a prototype device was made through a validated questionnaire, Quest Version 2.0, on the level of the user’s satisfaction with an assistive technology, composed of 12 evaluation items. The questionnaire was filled out by the educator based on the observation of four wheelchair-bound participants diagnosed with cerebral palsy according to the international classification of diseases and health-related problems, ICD-10, who attend a coexistence and teaching institution in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Results: The device developed was considered an assistive technology, which provided an experience with a positive level of satisfaction for the participants. Conclusion: The tested prototype contributes to communication and interaction allowing adolescents with cerebral palsy to participate in educational activities. Implications for Rehabilitation The device assists the individual in the educational activities and can positively influence their development, observe the individual number 5, who has an important limitation in coordination and fine movements, placing the role of the task in the vertical position offers a new perspective to perform the task, this stimulates him to try to perform the work, so the challenge was adjusted to the demands of each individual which can contribute to its neuromotor development, the amplitude of the distal movements and the manual ability, since it must look for alternatives to complete the task requested.

From vision to citizenship: types of tables to assess reading in special education

The importance of reading hability has already been greatly shown throughout time and has been studied and understood through scientific research. In the case of people with low vision, reading can be the guarantee of access to education and, consequently, to citizenship. Therefore, allowing good reading ability has become the object of study of several researchers. The challenge of ensuring good reading is even greater for people with low vision, and often optical and technological aids are needed to make reading possible and fluid. Several tables, such as MNRead, Radner, Bailey-Lovie, among others, have been used to evaluate reading ability, minimum letter size for fluent reading, and maximum reading speed in words or characters per minute. These tables have been developed and calibrated according to international standards, becoming standardized and suitable for the acquisition of data that can be used in reproducible scientific research anywhere in the world. The tables have versions in several languages, and the only table standardized and translated into Brazilian Portuguese currently available is MNRead-P. We discuss here the different tables, the importance of their calibration, and their practical use. The measurements obtained with the reading tables are of great importance for planning the treatment and follow-up of individuals with low vision, since the comparisons are made from an individual parameter, between the individual’s measurements, at different moments, indicating improvement or worse reading quality. The literacy of visually impaired individuals is part of the full exercise of their citizenship. Education is the lens through which the person is seen and sees society. Educating people with disabilities is in itself a form of inclusion. Therefore, assisting low vision sufferers may be a differential in their development, allowing adequate composition of the individual’s identity core.

Variation in the volume of lubricating eyedrops available in the brazilian market

Objetivo: Avaliar a variacao intra e interexaminadores do volume de gotas dispensados de frascos de colirios lubrificantes disponiveis no mercado. Metodos: Foram estudados cinco frascos de colirios lubrificantes e dezenove voluntarios participaram deste estudo. A massa media de gotas de 20µl dos colirios foi obtida utilizando micropipeta e balanca de precisao e como padrao para comparacao com a massa das gotas obtidas pelos voluntarios. Cinco gotas de cada frasco foram pesadas individualmente com o tubo de colirio perpendicular a balanca, usando o primeiro e segundo dedos da mao direita, de forma que a pressao fosse aplicada somente no meio do frasco. Os experimentos foram realizados em uma sala climatizada a temperatura ambiente (21±1°C). Resultados: Todos os frascos de colirios apresentaram variacao estatisticamente significante das massas das gotas obtidas pelos examinadores quando comparadas com a massa media padrao de 0,0182±0,0014g, com excecao da comparacao entre os dados do colirio A com o colirio D, que nao apresentou variacao estatisticamente significante. Conclusao: O presente estudo demonstra a ausencia de uniformidade das gotas dispensadas pelos frascos de colirios disponiveis no mercado e a sua inadequacao a real necessidade, uma vez que as gotas dispensadas sao maiores do que o indicado. Esse fato torna-se um problema quando se trata de periodo de tratamento prolongado, especialmente com colirios dispendiosos como os indicados para a terapeutica do glaucoma. Nesse sentido, a padronizacao das gotas de colirios se faz necessaria.

Avaliação de Sistema de Leitura Portátil (SLP) para baixa visão desenvolvido no Brasil

PURPOSE: The proposal of this study is to test and to validate as the effectiveness and efficiency in a series of cases the prototype of a national equipment of magnification to reading. METHODS: A recently developed of equipment of magnification (patent pending Brazilian Institutte of Industrial Property # 020050145260) was tested in a group of 30 patients (age range 9 to 80 years, 17 males). A portable apparatus was developed with a system of capture of images coupled with a 5,6 inch monitor, providing an increase of 15 X. The effectiveness of the visual acuity and the reading efficiency were analyzed after the use of the proposed prototype. RESULTS: Six patients (20%) presented AV 8M, 12 patients (40%) presented AV 6,0M, 7 patients (23.3%) presented AV 5M, 5 patients (16.7%) presented 4M. The average of visual acuity before the utilization of SPR measured by LHNV-1 logMAR chart was 5,75M. After the use of LHNV-1 logMAR chart, 100% (one hundred percent) of the patients reached the efficacy of AV J1. CONCLUSION: The prototype of SPR is an alternative resource in the social inclusion process of low vision patients with different levels of visual residue. It demonstrates psychological incentive, allows comfort, mobility and independence to those who need a more extended lecture and more distance of work.