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.
At Two Years, Trabeculectomy Less Cost-Effective for OAG
While both surgical and medical treatments are viable for newly diagnosed advanced cases, the financial burden with the former option doesn’t necessarily compensate for its greater effect.
August 9, 2022
Heavy Smartphone Use Causes Accommodation Spasm
Long hours spent on devices significantly increases the likelihood of this state.
August 9, 2022
Survey Says ODs Will Prefer Using AI as Second Opinion
Clinicians reported believing that the future technology will aid in detecting retinal disease but not in determining an initial diagnosis.
August 9, 2022
Microvasculature Dropout Linked to Higher Risk of Conversion to NTG
Deep laminar vessel density was also associated with disease progression.
August 8, 2022
Post-op Visual Outcomes Dependent on RRD Repair Times
Macula-off cases should be operated on within three days, while macula-on procedures are most effective within the first 24 hours.
August 8, 2022
Stem Cells Help Reveal GA’s Genetic Markers
The molecular signatures could potentially be used for treatment screenings using patient-derived RPE cells.
August 8, 2022
Anti-VEGF Unlikely to Affect Glaucoma Progression in Wet AMD Eyes
These patients did receive more glaucoma treatment, but any effect may be due to more frequent clinic visits and monitoring.
August 5, 2022
More OCT Scans Needed to Accurately Diagnose Worsening Glaucoma
The study authors recommend using a clustered measurement approach with multiple scans per visit.
August 5, 2022
Racial, Geographic Disparities for Keratoplasties for Fuchs’ Determined
An analysis of Medicare beneficiaries revealed that non-Caucasian beneficiaries were more likely to receive PK.
August 5, 2022
Heavier Workload, Later Bedtime Associated with Myopia in Students
Breaks during near work and more time outdoors were protective factors in rural and urban areas, respectively.
August 4, 2022
Traditional Cycloplegic Refraction Remains Most Precise
Though some non-cycloplegic approaches may be useful in certain patients, the gold standard approach still produces the best results overall.
August 4, 2022
Type of Homonymous Visual Field Loss Not a Predictor of Driver Safety in Stroke Patients
Simulated driving tests could be useful when assessing an individual’s driving ability.
August 4, 2022
New Glaucoma Calculator Aids in Predicting Its Development
This minimally invasive, low-cost tool could help guide earlier diagnosis for better visual outcomes.
August 3, 2022
Retinal Vasculature May Affect AMD Progression
A lower arteriole-to-venule ratio was found to be associated with increased disease severity.
August 3, 2022
Preservatives, Compounds in IOP-lowering Drops May Contribute to DED
In many cases, switching to a non-preserved formula seems to help glaucoma patients maintain tear film stability.
August 3, 2022
Fetal Head Circumference Growth Associated with RNFL Thickness
After 20 years of follow-up, this factor was a better predictor than both weight and head circumference at birth.
August 2, 2022
Even Small Financial Incentives Influence Prescribing Habits
Reported receipt of any non-research support from pharmaceutical manufacturers, regardless of amount, was associated with an almost doubled probability of a prostaglandin drug Rx.
August 2, 2022
Genetics Research Uncovers Links Between Myopia and POAG Risk
This may inform targeted screening strategies for high-risk individuals.
August 2, 2022
Dilation Reveals New Indicators of Anterior Chamber Changes
Swept-source OCT was used to measure lens vault as well as chamber width and volume in primary angle closure suspects.
August 1, 2022
Dark Adaptation Could Play Key Role in Evaluating AMD Interventions
Study findings also revealed a sequence of visual function impairments between normal aging and this condition.
August 1, 2022
Short Patient Screening Tool Assesses Refractive Surgery Outcomes
The newly developed Vision Correction Questionnaire was found to be a reliable guide to postoperative emotional well-being.
August 1, 2022
High Salt Intake May Increase Early AMD Risk
Study done in China also finds that, surprisingly, eating meat decreased the chances of disease development.
July 29, 2022
Study Finds Altered Retinal Vessel Features in Dry AMD Patients Who Smoke
A negative correlation between pack-year history and parafoveal vessel density of the deep capillary plexus was also observed.
July 29, 2022
OCT-A, PERG Findings Can Help Identify NTG Progressors
Microvasculature dropout, central scotoma and retinal dysfunction may be risk factors for progression among these patients.
July 29, 2022
Flomax Still Tops List of IFIS Risk Factors
An updated review notes that other influencers include male gender and history of hypertension.
July 28, 2022
Black Glaucoma Patients Experience Earlier, and Worse, Vision Loss
A machine learning approach categorized field loss patterns indicative of the disease by race and ethnicity.
July 28, 2022
Study Identifies Connection Between the Genetic Risk of AMD and Drusen
Further research is needed to better understand this link and its implications for clinical practice.
July 28, 2022
Patient Personality Plays Role in Presbyopic Correction Outcomes
Women and men differed in their surgery selection process and post-op satisfaction.
July 27, 2022
One-time Gene Therapy Injection for DR Shows Promise
The interim phase II results found that almost half of the patients achieved at least a two-step improvement in severity at six months.
July 27, 2022
Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium Maculopathy May Begin in the Choroid
Patients with large cumulative doses are at greater risk for retinal complications.
July 27, 2022
Tear Film, Ocular Surface Changes Common After Keratoplasty
Findings include increased fluorescein staining, decreased tear film breakup time, decreased corneal subbasal nerve plexus density and reduced corneal sensitivity.
July 26, 2022
Gene Expression Profiling May Underestimate Uveal Melanoma Outcomes
Study questions use of predicted metastasis-free survival to calculate efficacy in adjuvant therapy trials.
July 26, 2022
Study Identifies Optimal Treatment for Large Submacular Hemorrhage
Better final outcomes were seen after vitrectomy or pneumatic displacement.
July 26, 2022
Environmental Allergens May Help Guide VKC Treatment
Dust mite and pollen allergies were frequently observed in these patients.
July 25, 2022
GP Lens Wear Alters Corneal Metrics in Keratoconus Patients
This change was especially evident in eyes with more severe disease. Patients may need to discontinue use before CXL evaluation.
July 25, 2022
Metformin Could Potentially Lower AMD Risk
Another kind of diabetes drug, sulfonylureas, may have a similar protective effect.
July 25, 2022
Retinal Neurodegeneration, Choroidal Thinning Progress in Diabetes
Rates were significantly faster in incident DR.
July 22, 2022
Dark Adaptation Useful in Identifying AMD Stage
However, the measure couldn’t adequately distinguish early disease from controls.
July 22, 2022
Thinner Grafts Induce Less Hyperopic Shift
Ultra-thin DSAEK and DMEK resulted in comparable outcomes.
July 22, 2022
Choriocapillaris Flow Deficit Can Predict DR Progression
Circulatory alterations here and in retinal layers can also track DME development.
July 21, 2022
California Scope Bill Advances Through Senate
The legislation would permit ODs to perform three laser surgeries, remove lid lesions, give injections and do corneal crosslinking. Backers say rigorous training requirements might mollify detractors.
July 21, 2022
Disparities Identified in Endophthalmitis Cases at Urban vs. Rural Facilities
City-dwellers had longer hospital stays but lower mortality rates, and were more likely to undergo vitrectomy.
July 21, 2022
Ocular EMS Guidelines Lack Standardization
Management discrepancies exist among statewide protocols.
July 20, 2022
Study Identifies Risk Factors for Chalazia-induced Astigmatism
Location, size and number of masses matter. Researchers recommended prompt treatment to avoid affecting visual acuity.
July 20, 2022
Low Vitamin C Intake Associated With Choroidal, Retinal Thinning
This finding suggests a potential correlation between the deficiency and diseases of both ocular structures.
July 20, 2022
Study: Two-thirds of Patients Have Skin Reactions to Topical Ophthalmic Meds
Active ingredients, especially aminoglycoside antibiotics, were the main cause.
July 19, 2022
Study Reports Carrot-shaped OCT Finding in Vitamin A-deficient Eyes
While this novel abnormality doesn’t occur in all cases, it may serve as a robust imaging feature in identifying affected patients.
July 19, 2022
Starting DME Therapy with Eylea or Avastin Yields Similar Outcomes
A new study suggests that step therapy beginning with off-label bevicizumab, which significantly reduces cost, likely has no deleterious impact on treatment efficacy.
July 19, 2022
Preclinical Dry Eye More Common Than We Think
It’s important to perform the necessary testing and imaging in patients presenting for their annual exam.
July 18, 2022
Low Birth Weight Associated with HOAs in Adulthood
The prevalence of spherical aberrations was also higher, suggesting corneal shape may change over the years in these patients.
July 18, 2022
