Grupo: Laboratorio de Ciencias de la Visión y Aplicaciones

Influence of Cannabidiol Use on Visual Function and Optical Quality: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2025-10-20T11:07:32Z

Influence of Cannabidiol Use on Visual Function and Optical Quality: A Randomized Controlled Trial Martino, Francesco; Ortiz Peregrina, Sonia; Casares López, Miriam; Granados Delgado, Pilar; Castro Torres, José Juan; González Anera, María Del Rosario Purpose: To study the influence of different concentrations of vaporized cannabidiol (CBD; 0%, 15%, and 30%) on visual function and optical quality. Methods: A randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled, experimental study was conducted. A total of 30 participants with a mean age of 26.0 ± 6.3 years completed the study. Placebo (0 mg of CBD), 15% (16 mg of CBD), and 30% (32 mg of CBD) concentrations of CBD were employed. Visual function was evaluated through various tests, including pupil size, static and dynamic visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, dot motion detection, visual disturbance index (VDI), and stereoacuity. Optical quality was assessed by log(s), modulation transfer function (MTF) cutoff, objective scattering index (OSI), and Strehl ratio. Self-perceived visual effects were also recorded. Results: There was no significant impairment of static and dynamic visual acuity. Contrast sensitivity was unaffected by CBD use. Mean dotmotion detection showed no differences among the three concentrations. In optical quality, none of the parameters worsened under CBD use. No changes were observed for the VDI. In addition, no deterioration was observed for stereoacuity at distance or near. No changes in pupil size were found after CBD consumption. Conclusions: This non-psychotropic CBD did not appear to adversely affect vision and seems to be a safe substance in the short term at the concentrations assessed. Translational Relevance: The use of this cannabinoidwould not be dangerous for tasks that rely heavily on vision. This study could be useful and helpful for evidence-based decision-making for public health policy on its use.

The influence of peripheral vision on driving performance in patients implanted with an inverted meniscus intraocular lens

2025-03-21T12:27:19Z

The influence of peripheral vision on driving performance in patients implanted with an inverted meniscus intraocular lens Casares López, Miriam; Ortiz Peregrina, Sonia; Castro Torres, José Juan; González Anera, María Del Rosario; Robles García, Consuelo; Hervella, Lucía; Alcon, Encarna; Marín, José María; Artal Soriano, Pablo The purpose was to analyze and compare the influence of peripheral vision on driving while performing secondary visual-manual tasks in patients implanted with two types of intraocular lenses (IOLs): a standard monofocal IOL and a new inverted meniscus intraocular lens (ArtIOL). This study included 17 participants implanted binocularly with a standard monofocal IOL (control group) and 15 participants implanted binocularly with the ArtIOL. Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were tested at 40 deg of eccentricity. Driving performance was assessed using a driving simulator. At some points of the route, participants were asked to perform a secondary task while driving. Among other driving variables, self-regulation of driving speed and was analyzed, and the overall driving performance score (ODPS) was calculated. The ArtIOL’s group had better peripheral contrast sensitivity (p = 0.003); however, no differences were observed in peripheral visual acuity. Regarding driving performance, no significant differences were observed in the ODPS between the two groups. In the general route, participants implanted with ArtIOLs drove faster, particularly in the mountain road (p = 0.002). The ArtIOL’s group self-regulated more for speed, particularly when the characteristics of the road were less complex (p = 0.037). An association was found between better contrast sensitivity and more positive values of the speed adaptation (rho = 0.342; p = 0.006). Thus, participants implanted with the ArtIOLs did not show a significant improvement in driving performance, but had a better contrast in the periphery that contributed to an increased self-confidence while driving.

Alcohol Effects on Drivers' Speed Management: The Influence of Visual Performance and Road Complexity

2025-04-04T11:38:42Z

Alcohol Effects on Drivers' Speed Management: The Influence of Visual Performance and Road Complexity Casares López, Miriam; Castro Torres, José Juan; Ortiz Peregrina, Sonia; Martino, Francesco; Granados Delgado, Pilar; Jiménez del Barco Jaldo, Luis Miguel Objective: The aim of this work is to assess how drivers adapt their driving speed as a self-regulation mechanism when driving under the influence of alcohol, and the influence of alcohol consumption, visual performance, road complexity, and personal traits. Method: Thirty-one volunteers took part in the study. All of them underwent three experimental sessions: baseline (no alcohol), Alcohol 1 (low–moderate dose), and Alcohol 2 (moderate–high dose). Vision was tested using contrast sensitivity and retinal straylight. Driving performance was assessed using a driving simulator. The difference between the driving speed and the speed limit was calculated in 10 road scenarios of different complexity. Results: Drivers adapted their driving speed less (i.e., drove faster) in the Alcohol 1 condition compared with Alcohol 2 (p = .007). This indicates that participants felt more confident under the influence of a low–moderate dose of alcohol. Participants with better contrast sensitivity drove faster (p = .021). The complexity of the road and other factors such as driving experience, sex, or driving under the influence of alcohol frequency also influenced speed choice. Conclusions: Drivers under the influence of a low–moderate dose of alcohol seem to be less aware of the risk. Contrast sensitivity is a good predictor of the speed choice when driving under the influence of alcohol. A better understanding of drivers' behavior under the influence of substance use may be useful to adjust and improve traffic laws and driving regulations.

The Role of Visual Performance in Fine Motor Skills

2024-10-23T12:35:04Z

The Role of Visual Performance in Fine Motor Skills Granados Delgado, Pilar; Casares López, Miriam; Martino, Francesco; González Anera, María Del Rosario; Castro Torres, José Juan The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between fine motor skills (FMSs) and visual performance. Thirty young participants with normal binocular vision performed five fine motor tasks: Purdue, Grooved, and O’Connor pegboards, a needle threading task, and a water pouring task, which were characterised by the time taken to complete the task, the number of pegs inserted, the error made in pouring the water, and the volume spilled. To evaluate visual performance, near visual acuity, near contrast sensitivity (CS), and disability glare were assessed. Fine motor skills and visual performance were assessed under monocular and binocular viewing conditions. An overall visual performance score (OVPS) and an overall fine motor skills score (OFMSS) were calculated. All visual functions measured binocularly were better than in monocular conditions, and all FMSs tasks were performed worse monocularly than binocularly (p < 0.001), except for the error made in the water pouring task (p = 0.024). There was a positive correlation between OVPS and OFMSS (rho = 0.329; p = 0.010). The regression model showed that the OFMSS can be predicted by age and CS at 21.3%. Individuals with normal binocular vision and better near visual function exhibit superior fine motor abilities. CS stands out as the visual function that has the greatest bearing on the performance of FMSs Grant PID2020-115184RB-I00 was funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and A-FQM-532-UGR20 was funded by FEDER/Junta de Andalucía-Consejería de Transformación Económica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades.

Assessing the influence of cannabis and alcohol use on different visual functions: a comparative study

2024-09-09T07:15:52Z

Assessing the influence of cannabis and alcohol use on different visual functions: a comparative study Casares López, Miriam; Ortiz Peregrina, Sonia; Castro Torres, José Juan; Ortiz Herrera, Carolina; Martino, Francesco; Jiménez Cuesta, José Ramón This study aimed to assess and compare the influence of alcohol intake and cannabis smoking on different visual functions. A total of 64 young and healthy volunteers took part in the study. All undertook several randomised experimental sessions in which different visual functions, namely distance stereopsis, retinal straylight, visual discrimination capacity, and contrast sensitivity, were tested. Cannabis smokers (N=30) took a baseline session and a session after smoking a cannabis cigarette, whereas alcohol users (N=34) underwent a baseline session, a session after a low alcohol intake (Alcohol 1), and a session after a moderate to high alcohol intake (Alcohol 2). All visual functions were impaired by cannabis and alcohol use, particularly for the Cannabis and Alcohol 2 groups. The deterioration of all visual variables was higher for the Alcohol 2 than for the Alcohol 1 and Cannabis groups, except for retinal straylight, the deterioration of which was equal for the Cannabis group, and distant stereopsis, which was more impaired for the Cannabis group. The Alcohol 2 group experienced the most impairing conditions, although very similar to the cannabis group, and that factors other than the experimental conditions, such as sex and age, also influenced these visual changes. Alcohol and cannabis use clearly impair vision. The deterioration caused by cannabis is similar to, but slightly lower than, that produced by a moderate to high alcohol intake, with the experimental conditions, sex and age all having an impact on the variability of visual deterioration