PONE-D-23-05932Impairments in visual low- and high-level visual function associated with agrochemical usePLOS ONE

Dear Dr. Jiménez Barbosa,

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Reviewers' comments:

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Comments to the Author

1. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

The manuscript must describe a technically sound piece of scientific research with data that supports the conclusions. Experiments must have been conducted rigorously, with appropriate controls, replication, and sample sizes. The conclusions must be drawn appropriately based on the data presented.

Reviewer #1: Partly

Reviewer #2: Yes

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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3. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available?

The PLOS Data policy requires authors to make all data underlying the findings described in their manuscript fully available without restriction, with rare exception (please refer to the Data Availability Statement in the manuscript PDF file). The data should be provided as part of the manuscript or its supporting information, or deposited to a public repository. For example, in addition to summary statistics, the data points behind means, medians and variance measures should be available. If there are restrictions on publicly sharing data—e.g. participant privacy or use of data from a third party—those must be specified.

Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes

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4. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English?

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: No

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5. Review Comments to the Author

Please use the space provided to explain your answers to the questions above. You may also include additional comments for the author, including concerns about dual publication, research ethics, or publication ethics. (Please upload your review as an attachment if it exceeds 20,000 characters)

Reviewer #1: Comments

1. Title- The article is not only about the visual function of the participants but it is also assessing the neurotoxic symptoms so this should be captured in the topic to be something like ‘ Impairment of visual and neurologic functions associated with agrochemical use’

2. The presence of Substance P in the tear film actually shows that there is an ocular surface inflammation going on but this only could not specifically be a measure of ocular surface damage because the amount of it’s presence in individuals could be affected by other factors. A better measure of the ocular surface damage should be done using Slip lamp biomicroscope of the cornea in which epithelial defect can be identified or any other defect on any layer of the cornea OR you do an Anterior Segment Optical coherence tomography Or any other imaging modality to assess the ocular surface.

3. This study assessing the effect of organic solvents on ocular surface of workers should be a prospective cohort study and not a cross sectional study. Although controls were used but all these tests (visual and neurologic) were not done for the participants before stating the work on the agricultural farm. So how are you sure your findings were developed due to the exposure of the agrochemicals? Some might have had a mild premorbid ocular condition that does not warrant any complaints before so using verbal complaints are not enough. Subjective self assessment of the ocular status is not enough because it can be different in different individuals.

4. Are the two groups sex and age matched? Because some of the tests especially the contract sensitivity test varies with age. So if there is marked age difference then the comparision will be faulty.

5. The findings on the visual acuity was not reported at all in this article…. Is it similar in the two groups? Because poor visual acuity will definitely after colour vision and contrast sensitivity. And Visual acuity is the main measure of visual function, all other test are secondary. Was it affected at all in this study?

6. Who did the direct ophthalmoscopy and who interpreted the images from the digital retinograph system? These assessments need to be reviewed by an ophthalmologist before you can say that the findings are essentially normal. Because any of them might have Retinal dystrophy that is not yet symptomatic and such is better identified by an ophthalmologist.

7. Did the author provided spectacles for all those who have refractive errors free of charge? Or are they all on insurance that can ensure they get their spectacles without paying out of pocket because ‘cost’ can be barrier to uptake of spectacle use.

8. The authors did not mention the procedure and who took the biological samples(Blood and tears) Was necessary precaution taken while taking the samples to ensure samples where not contaminated because these can affect the results gotten.

9. How was the modified Q16 neurotoxic symptoms questionnaire administered? Is it self administered or interview administered? This is important to ensure that all the participant had a good understanding of the questions asked because the participants have different educational levels.

10. The authors did not mention the percentages of the workers that usually uses or don’t use their protective clothings while using these chemicals. This is very important because it directly determine the percentages of the workers directly exposed to these chemicals.

Reviewer #2: The topic needs to be re-framed to indicate that it is a controlled study eg the title may read: "IMPAIRMENTS IN HIGH AND LOW VISUAL FUNCTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH EXPOSURE TO AGROCHEMICALS: A CONTROL STUDY ". Suggestion has been included in the review. Some grammatical constructions also need to be readjusted appropriately.

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes: Susannah Temitope Adepoju

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Attachments

Attachment

Submitted filename: paper comparing the effect of a wide range of agrochemicals on visual functions.docx

Impairment of visual and neurologic functions associated with agrochemical use

PONE-D-23-05932R1

Dear Dr. Barbosa,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

Within one week, you’ll receive an e-mail detailing the required amendments. When these have been addressed, you’ll receive a formal acceptance letter and your manuscript will be scheduled for publication.

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Kind regards,

Samuel Adelani Babarinde, PhD

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

1. If the authors have adequately addressed your comments raised in a previous round of review and you feel that this manuscript is now acceptable for publication, you may indicate that here to bypass the “Comments to the Author” section, enter your conflict of interest statement in the “Confidential to Editor” section, and submit your "Accept" recommendation.

Reviewer #1: All comments have been addressed

Reviewer #2: All comments have been addressed

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2. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

The manuscript must describe a technically sound piece of scientific research with data that supports the conclusions. Experiments must have been conducted rigorously, with appropriate controls, replication, and sample sizes. The conclusions must be drawn appropriately based on the data presented.

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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3. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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4. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available?

The PLOS Data policy requires authors to make all data underlying the findings described in their manuscript fully available without restriction, with rare exception (please refer to the Data Availability Statement in the manuscript PDF file). The data should be provided as part of the manuscript or its supporting information, or deposited to a public repository. For example, in addition to summary statistics, the data points behind means, medians and variance measures should be available. If there are restrictions on publicly sharing data—e.g. participant privacy or use of data from a third party—those must be specified.

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English?

PLOS ONE does not copyedit accepted manuscripts, so the language in submitted articles must be clear, correct, and unambiguous. Any typographical or grammatical errors should be corrected at revision, so please note any specific errors here.

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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6. Review Comments to the Author

Please use the space provided to explain your answers to the questions above. You may also include additional comments for the author, including concerns about dual publication, research ethics, or publication ethics. (Please upload your review as an attachment if it exceeds 20,000 characters)

Reviewer #1: The authors had made the necessary corrections and i am satisfied with their responses. Comments are satisfactory

Reviewer #2: (No Response)

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7. PLOS authors have the option to publish the peer review history of their article (what does this mean?). If published, this will include your full peer review and any attached files.

If you choose “no”, your identity will remain anonymous but your review may still be made public.

Do you want your identity to be public for this peer review? For information about this choice, including consent withdrawal, please see our Privacy Policy.

Reviewer #1: Yes:

Reviewer #2: Yes: