Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci
Invest Ophthalmol Vis SciMay 2017Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Impact of the Ability to Divide Attention on Reading Performance in Glaucoma.

Visual FieldDiagnosis & Screening

Summary

Decreased ability to divide attention, indicated by lower BTA scores, is associated with slower reading speeds in glaucoma with reduced CS and VF defects.

Abstract

PURPOSE

To determine if the ability to divide attention affects the relationship between glaucoma-related vision loss and reading speed.

METHODS

Better eye mean deviation (MD), contrast sensitivity (CS), and better-eye distance visual acuity (VA) were measured in 28 participants with glaucoma and 21 controls. Reading speeds were assessed using MNRead, IRest, and sustained silent reading tests (words per minute, wpm). The ability to divide attention was measured using the Brief Test of Attention (BTA; scored 0-10). Multivariable linear regression models were used to determine the relationship between visual factors and reading speeds. Effect modification by BTA score (low

BTA

0.1 for all).

CONCLUSIONS

Decreased ability to divide attention, indicated by lower BTA scores, is associated with slower reading speeds in glaucoma with reduced CS and VF defects.

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Discussion

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