Maternal Lutein and Zeaxanthin Concentrations in Relation to Offspring Visual Acuity at 3 Years of Age: The GUSTO Study.

Lutein and zeaxanthin play important roles in visual functions, but their influence on early visual development is unclear. We related maternal lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations during pregnancy to offspring visual acuity (VA) in 471 mother-child pairs from the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) cohort. Maternal concentrations of plasma lutein and zeaxanthin were determined at delivery.

Case control study of risk factors and ophthalmological outcomes of very low birth weight infants with Type 1 retinopathy of prematurity.

Introduction: We evaluated the risk factors associated with Type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants and compared ophthalmologic outcomes between cases with Type 1 ROP who received treatment and gestational age-matched controls with mild or no ROP not requiring treatment.

Methods: This was a retrospective case-control study of VLBW infants born in National University Hospital, Singapore, from January 2001 to December 2013. 17 cases with Type 1 ROP were each matched for gestational age with controls who had either mild (below Stage 2) or no ROP.

In-utero epigenetic factors are associated with early-onset myopia in young children.

Objectives: To assess whether epigenetic mechanisms affecting gene expression may be involved in the pathogenesis of early-onset myopia, we performed genome-wide DNA methylation analyses of umbilical cord tissues, and assessed any associations between CpG site-specific methylation and the development of the disorder when the children were 3 years old.

Methods: Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of umbilical cord samples from 519 Singaporean infants involved in a prospective birth cohort 'Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes' (GUSTO) was performed using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450K chip microarray. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess any associations between site-specific CpG methylation of umbilical cord tissue at birth and myopia risk in 3 year old children, adjusting for potential confounders.

HOXA9 is a novel myopia risk gene.

Purpose: A recent meta-analysis revealed PAX6 as a risk gene for myopia. There is a link between PAX6 and HOXA9. Furthermore, HOXA9 has been reported to activate TGF-β that is a risk factor for myopia.

Diet and risk of myopia in three-year-old Singapore children: the GUSTO cohort.

Background: To investigate the relationship between dietary intakes at six, nine and 12 months and risk of myopia in three-year-old children in a birth cohort.

Methods: Three hundred and seventeen children from the Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) study were included. Dietary intake at six, nine and 12 months of age was ascertained using either 24-hour recalls or three-day food diaries completed by parents.

Is there a link between passive smoke exposure and early-onset myopia in preschool Asian children?

Purpose: To investigate the association of passive tobacco smoke exposure with early-onset myopia among three-year-old children in Singapore.

Methods: Pregnant mothers who attended their first trimester clinic at two major maternity units were recruited into the GUSTO birth cohort. The current analysis comprised 572 three-year-old children, who underwent cycloplegic autorefraction and axial length (AL) measurements.

Relative Contribution of Risk Factors for Early-Onset Myopia in Young Asian Children.

Purpose: To investigate the associations of near work, outdoor activity, and anthropometric risk factors with early-onset myopia in Singaporean preschool children.

Methods: Pregnant women who attended their first-trimester clinic at two major maternity units were recruited for the GUSTO birth cohort (n = 1236). Cycloplegic autorefraction and axial length (AL) were obtained in 3-year-old children (n = 572).

Cyclic strabismus in adults.

Cyclic strabismus is a rare condition that usually occurs in children and is characterized by alternating intervals of straight and strabismic eyes. In adults with the condition, strabismus surgery often eliminates the cycles. We report a case of adult-onset cyclic esotropia that was converted into a cyclic exotropia.

The accuracy of anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) in localizing extraocular rectus muscles insertions.

Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy of the anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) in measuring the distance from the limbus to the insertion of primary and previously operated rectus muscles in children.

Methods: In this prospective, double masked, observational study the distance of the extraocular muscle insertion from the limbus measured by AS-OCT preoperatively was compared to intraoperative measurement using the surgical calipers. Consecutive patients 4-18 years of age undergoing primary or repeat strabismus surgery on horizontal or vertical rectus muscles between September 2013 and May 2014 were included.

A cluster randomised controlled trial evaluating an incentive-based outdoor physical activity programme to increase outdoor time and prevent myopia in children.

Purpose: To evaluate an incentive-based intervention to increase time spent outdoors among children in a 9-month cluster randomised controlled trial.

Methods: Two hundred and eighty-five children aged 6-12 years of age were randomised to the intervention (n = 147) or control arm (n = 138) in the Family incentive trial (FIT). The FIT intervention comprised of targeted education on myopia and good eye care habits, structured weekend outdoor activities and incentives for children to increase their daily steps via pedometers.

A prospective comparison of chronic primary angle-closure glaucoma versus primary open-angle glaucoma in Singapore.

Introduction: To describe the optic disc, visual field and ocular characteristics of a consecutive cohort of Asian patients with chronic primary angle-closure glaucoma (CPACG), and compare them with those having primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

Methods: In a prospective comparative case series of new patients with POAG or CPACG in Singapore, all patients underwent visual acuity assessment, slit-lamp examination, tonometry, gonioscopy, refraction, Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT) and Humphrey visual field (HVF) assessment.

Results: 98 patients were enrolled (POAG n = 48; CPACG n = 50).

Quantitative assessment of changes in trabeculectomy blebs after laser suture lysis using anterior segment coherence tomography.

Purpose: To quantify changes in bleb morphology after laser suture lysis (LSL) using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).

Patients And Methods: This was a prospective observational case series of patients who underwent trabeculectomy surgery with mitomycin-C and required subsequent LSL. Subjects were assessed before and immediately after LSL, and at 3 months after LSL.