obsolete visual alteration

Obsolescence in Visual Alterations

Visual alterations refer to changes or impairments in one's ability to see normally. Over time, certain types of visual alterations may become obsolete due to advancements in medical technology and treatments.

• Dry eyes: This condition, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is characterized by a lack of tears or an imbalance in the tear composition. While still a common issue, it has been largely managed with artificial tears and other treatments [13].
• Blurred vision: This can be caused by various factors such as refractive errors, cataracts, or age-related macular degeneration. With the advent of corrective lenses, surgical procedures like LASIK, and medications for AMD, blurred vision is no longer a permanent condition for many people.
• Cloudy vision: Similar to blurred vision, cloudy vision can be caused by various factors such as cataracts, AMD, or other eye conditions. Modern treatments have significantly improved outcomes for individuals with these conditions.

These visual alterations were once considered more severe and irreversible due to limited treatment options. However, advancements in medical technology and our understanding of the human body have led to more effective management and even reversal of some of these conditions [14].

References:

• [13] Alterations in the tear film can cause abnormal visual perceptions.
• [14] Vision impairment is associated with shorter longevity and lower quality of life.

Visual Alteration Symptoms

Visual alteration, also known as conversion disorder or functional neurological symptom disorder, can manifest in various ways. Some common signs and symptoms include:

• Distorted vision: Patients may experience distorted or altered vision, such as seeing colors or sizes incorrectly [2].
• Blurred vision: Blurry or double vision can be a symptom of visual alteration [3].
• Visual disturbances: Visual disturbances, including seeing wavy lines or blurred colors, are common in patients with visual alteration [5].
• One-sided area of distorted or absent vision: Patients may experience a one-sided area of distorted or absent vision that affects both eyes but on the same side [15].

Other Symptoms

In addition to visual symptoms, patients with visual alteration may also experience other symptoms, such as:

• Headaches: One-sided headaches may follow visual symptoms in some cases [5].
• Dizziness and nausea: Patients may experience dizziness and nausea, which can be related to the visual symptoms [8].

Importance of Medical Examination

It's essential for patients experiencing any of these symptoms to undergo a medical examination by an eye doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. Even if vision returns to normal, it's crucial to investigate the cause of the symptoms to ensure overall health and well-being.

References:

[2] Aug 28, 2023 — Your vision is distorted or strange, such as colors or sizes being wrong, or it appears as if you are looking through water, heat waves, or ...

[3] Easy, tired eyes, headaches, blurry or worse double vision, migraine aura, dizziness, nausea etc, all symptoms of “Computer Vision Syndrome” or ...

[5] by S Raviskanthan · 2022 · Cited by 17 — The symptom / deficit causes significant distress / impairment of function. Further define as with / without psychological stressor. Illness Anxiety Disorder.

[15] Usually patients experience a one-sided area of distorted or absent vision which affects both eyes but on the same side. Visual symptoms in migraine do not usually last more than an hour. Patients may see wavy lines or blurred colours; one-sided headache may follow the visual symptoms. See the separate leaflet called Migraine for more details ...

Based on the provided context, it appears that there are several diagnostic tests that were once used to assess visual alterations but have since become outdated or replaced by more modern and accurate methods.

• Amsler grid testing: This test has been in use since 1945 and can detect functional disturbances in the central and paracentral region of the retina. However, its accuracy and reliability may be limited compared to newer diagnostic tools (1).
• Standard Automated Perimetry (SAP): While SAP is still widely used today, it has been shown that Virtual Reality Perimetry (VRP) produces comparable results with high correlations to SAP testing when diagnosing and managing glaucoma (3). This suggests that VRP may be a more effective and efficient alternative.
• FrACT: FrACT is a semi-automatic visual test battery available as a free computer program. It employs psychometric methods combined with anti-aliasing and dithering techniques to assess visual function. However, its effectiveness and accuracy compared to other diagnostic tools are not well established (6).
• Confrontation visual field testing: This test is still used today to diagnose disturbances in visual acuity. While it may require an ophthalmologist to make a definitive diagnosis, non-ophthalmologists can often determine the correct diagnosis with proper diagnostic thinking and confrontation visual field testing (13).

It's worth noting that the development of new technologies and diagnostic tools has led to the obsolescence of some older tests. For example, the use of wearable, mobile headsets like Radius XR offers a more accurate and efficient way to diagnose and manage glaucoma compared to older methods (2). Similarly, the use of metrics such as monitoring the use of obsolete tests and inappropriate test utilization can help identify areas for improvement in diagnostic practices (8).

In summary, while some diagnostic tests for visual alterations have become outdated or replaced by more modern methods, others continue to be used today with varying degrees of effectiveness and accuracy.

References:

(1) 1. Feb 15, 2022 — Dr. Seng: In use since 1945, Amsler grid testing can detect functional disturbances in the central and paracentral region. (3) Sep 15, 2023 — Numerous studies have shown VRP produces comparable results with high correlations to SAP testing when diagnosing and managing glaucoma (2) May 28, 2024 — Radius XR, which offers a wearable, mobile headset and a diagnostic platform that combines accuracy, efficiency, portability, and patient comfort. (6) “FrACT” is a semi-automatic visual test battery available as a free computer program. It employs psychometric methods combined with anti-aliasing and dithering ... (13) Their diagnosis is contingent upon the results of confrontation visual field testing. Clinical Significance While it may ultimately require an ophthalmologist to make a definite diagnosis for a patient with a disturbance in visual acuity, the nonophthalmologist can often determine the correct diagnosis with proper diagnostic thinking and ...

Based on the provided context, it appears that there are several drug treatments that have been used to manage various forms of visual alterations, some of which