The News Feed
Timely reports on clinical research, legislative updates and product launches, from the editors of Review of Optometry and RCCL. Stories post each weekday morning.
Study Links Digestive Health to AMD
Dysbiosis—adverse changes to the microorganisms of the GI tract—may trigger inflammatory processes that extend to the eye, researchers suggest.
September 22, 2023
Ophthalmology Workforce Expected to Decline 12% by 2035
The already understaffed profession would become the second lowest in terms of workforce adequacy among 38 surgical specialties.
September 22, 2023
Study Finds Modestly Higher Uveitis Recurrence Rates After COVID-19 Vaccine
Those with no prior history of the inflammatory condition were not affected. Relevant risk factors for new relapses included female sex and rheumatic autoimmune disease.
September 22, 2023
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Improves VA in RAO Patients
This unconventional method was found safe and effective when administered twice daily until revascularization of the central retinal artery.
September 21, 2023
Antibiotic Use Frequency and Duration Linked to AMD Diagnosis
Exposure to aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones was associated with new-onset cases. Could the gut microbiota play a role in disease pathogenesis?
September 21, 2023
An Antihypertensive Medication May Increase Glaucoma Risk
The association with calcium channel blockers appears to be structural and independent of IOP.
September 21, 2023
OCT-A Modification Reveals Retinal Capillaries in FAZ
Extending the time between scans allows the slower blood flow in this region to be imaged, which could potentially help distinguish diseased eyes earlier.
September 20, 2023
Study Evaluates Repeatability of Stereoacuity Tests
In orthoptic investigation, newer options like one called Asteroid may yield less variability from case to case.
September 20, 2023
Myopia Projected to Cause 27% to 43% of Visual Impairment in US in 2050
The impact is not restricted to high myopes, who made up only half of predicted cases. Researchers suggest more aggressive intervention is needed to abate the disease’s imminent public health burden.
September 20, 2023
UV Radiation Linked with Early AMD Onset
However, the researchers were unable to document a dose response based on lifetime exposure.
September 19, 2023
Higher Education Linked to Increased Retinal Complications of High Myopia
A large study found a dose-response relationship between the two variables, especially in men.
September 19, 2023
AMD Genetic Profile Predictive of Early GA Enlargement
ARMS2/HTRA1 is an important risk factor for identifying eyes likely to experience fast lesion progression.
September 19, 2023
Atopy Could Lead to Keratoconus in Children with High Myopia
New study further links eye rubbing with the ectatic disease, manifested here as a response to longstanding systemic allergy.
September 18, 2023
Long-term Outcomes Sustainable After Bilateral DMEK for FED
Study shows within the first five years, the same complication may rarely occur in the contralateral eye.
September 18, 2023
Academy of Ophthalmology Report Supports First-line SLT
A systematic review of level I-II data confirmed the procedure’s clinical safety and efficacy.
September 18, 2023
Report Aims to Simplify Optometric Approach to Diabetic Eye Disease
A task force organized by LKC Technologies shares recommendations on early detection, risk assessment, referral cues and patient education goals.
September 15, 2023
Glaucoma Progression Better Recognized by Newer VF Index
Called targeted mean total deviation, the metric could better detect changes in early to moderate forms of the condition through heightened sensitivity and faster rate of change over other indices.
September 15, 2023
Visual Field Loss Associated With Higher Odds of Frailty
Due to the potential consequences for such individuals, experts suggest more frequent routine eye exams for patients who are vulnerable.
September 15, 2023
Choroidal Assessment Helps Stratify Complication Risk in High Myopia
Researchers found that a baseline thickness cutoff of 40μm was significantly associated with the presence of myopic maculopathies.
September 15, 2023
Study: Housing Instability Can Impact Vision Impairment
Among other observations, COVID restrictions were also found to impact how fast children progressed visually.
September 14, 2023
Endophthalmitis Incidence 50% Higher in Glaucoma vs. Cataract Surgeries
Diagnosis also occurred several days later in the first group.
September 14, 2023
Real-world Results of Gene Therapy Show Its Merits in Hereditary Vision Loss
Subretinal injection of voretigene neparvovec achieved stable median BCVA and mean retinal thickness, and improvements in low-level luminance VA up to 32 months, but new chorioretinal atrophy appeared in 50% of treated eyes.
September 14, 2023
Study Finds OCT Biomarker to Signal Exudative Conversion in PCV
Increased RPE protrusion height in polyps may be a reliable and intuitive predictor, findings suggest.
September 13, 2023
Ethnicity, Eye Color May Impact Atropine Efficacy
Among other observations, COVID restrictions were also found to impact how fast children progressed visually.
September 13, 2023
Vitreous Detachment Can Be CRVO Prognostic Biomarker
Eyes with the two conditions on presentation had significantly lower macular thickness and lower one-year injection burden.
September 13, 2023
Are One-week Post-op Exams Still Necessary for Cataract Patients?
A recent study says yes, finding that omitting this visit would result in missed complications in 4.5% to 16% of cases.
September 12, 2023
Neuro, Cardiac Assessments Warranted in Young Patients With Transient Monocular Vision Loss
Study finds that three out of 20 patients had abnormal findings associated with their condition.
September 12, 2023
Accelerated CXL Gets Good Marks While Reducing Procedure Time
This still-investigational approach showed significant functional and tomographical improvement 4.5 years after treatment.
September 12, 2023
Subretinal Drusenoid Deposits May be Hereditary
Although relatives of patients may also be at risk of development, the strongest predictor of changes in a recent study was older age.
September 11, 2023
Choroidal Biomarker Mechanism Differs in POAG, PACG
EDI-OCT yields insights on vascular capacity showing that the two forms of glaucoma induce differing effects on blood vessels.
September 11, 2023
Late Recurrence of Retinal Detachment is Rare, Associated with Worse Visual Outcomes
Study finds this condition is characterized by small anterior breaks and, in some cases, can be difficult to visualize.
September 11, 2023
OCT-A Finds Retinal Microvasculature Loss within Two Years in Parkinson’s Patients
There may be even more in those with greater disease severity.
September 8, 2023
Study Highlights Causes of Visual Impairment Among Patients with Highly Myopic Eyes
Myopic macular degeneration identified as a primary cause, and optic neuropathy was also a significant factor.
September 8, 2023
Study Finds Increased Risk of Stroke, Heart Attack, Death After RVO
Authors of recent study suggest doctors should be aware of elevated risk of these vascular events in patients with RVO.
September 8, 2023
UWF Imaging Shows High Specificity, Moderate Sensitivity in Detecting Retinal Tears and Holes
Researchers suggest it can assist with clinical evaluation, but 360° scleral depressed exam should remain the “gold standard.”
September 7, 2023
Normal-tension Glaucoma Risk Factors May Differ in the ONH
Detection sensitivity may be greater inferiorly.
September 7, 2023
Dual Use of Cigarettes, E-cigs Associated with Worse Ocular Symptoms
A survey found that frequency and severity were lower among those who only used one modality and highest in those who used both. However, the study didn’t account for confounding lifestyle factors like digital device use.
September 7, 2023
Objective Pupillometry Determines Ideal Testing Light
To observe potential pupillary defects, higher intensities masked detection ability.
September 6, 2023
Elevated IOP Affects Optic Disc Vascular Perfusion
OCT-A allowed researchers to consider this region was more impacted than the macular region.
September 6, 2023
Ocular Pain Linked to Mental Health
Patients’ experience of complex syndromes involving corneal nerves may be exacerbated by trauma and depression.
September 6, 2023
Large Area, Fast Growth Risk Factors for MNV Exudative Progression in AMD
Studies show OCT-A helps detect and characterize lesions, which may aid earlier diagnosis and monitoring.
September 5, 2023
Dopamingeric Therapy Ineffective Aid to Amblyopia
Using levodopa and carbidopa in conjunction with the traditional patch, visual improvement was minimal and transient in a recent literature review.
September 5, 2023
Advancing Age Reduces Corneal Nerve Metrics, Alters Cell Morphology
Researchers advise that these effects should be considered when evaluating patients with neuropathy in this part of the eye.
September 5, 2023
PACD Eyes Post-LPI Experience Anterior Chamber Changes
Continuous monitoring of these patients with AS-OCT should be considered mandatory.
September 1, 2023
Corneal Sensitivity Impaired in PDR Eyes, Not Reversed With Anti-VEGF Therapy
Assessment should be a standard screening test, as it may identify patients at risk for additional complications, such as diabetic keratopathy.
September 1, 2023
Optic Neuritis May Follow Fibromyalgia Diagnosis
Younger women and older men are at increased risk and should be monitored closely.
September 1, 2023
Low-intensity Red Light Shows Favorable Results in Myopia
Three different power levels all demonstrated efficacy; nevertheless, the treatment’s long-term safety and the possibility of any potential rebound effects remain to be explored.
August 31, 2023
Vascular Outer Retinal Changes Seen in MS Patients
The autoimmune-mediated condition of the central nervous system can cause diffuse effects in the posterior segment visible on OCT-A.
August 31, 2023
Academy of Ophthalmology Gives Qualified Support for Thermal Pulsation for MGD, Dry Eye
Nine of 11 studies in a new literature review reported that the treatment’s clinical benefit was superior to conventional methods, but industry involvement should give pause.
August 31, 2023
Stroke Prevention Needed in Herpes Zoster Patients
The first month following a positive HZO diagnosis is crucial.
August 30, 2023
