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.
Meta-Analysis Confirms Epi-off CXL Effective at Curbing Ectasia Progression
The number of patients experiencing significant refractive worsening was reduced nearly fourfold. This was consistently seen over mean follow-up of 2.4 years, but long-term durability still needs to be established.
June 28, 2024
Scope Bill Passed in D.C. Excludes Optometry
The right of ODs to prescribe controlled substances and manage glaucoma without MD oversight was removed from the legislation during amendments, in part due to inadequate telehealth guidelines. Now, just two scope bills remain this year in Ohio and NJ.
June 28, 2024
Ocular Biomarker Potentially Distinguishes Rheumatoid Diseases from MS
The differentiating factor found in a recent study was decreased vessel density in the foveal region of the superficial capillary plexus on OCT-A.
June 28, 2024
Higher Myopia Correlates to Greater Hyperopic Peripheral Defocus in the Context of Anisometropia
Study suggests that peripheral refraction within the temporal and inferior regions influences axial elongation.
June 27, 2024
FTC Votes Unanimously to Require Rx Release Confirmation
The long-anticipated update was announced today. It goes into effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, which is expected “soon.”
June 27, 2024
Landolt C Testing Reveals Lower Pursuit Gains for Those with AMD
This impairment likely further compromises their dynamic VA and thus ability to view moving targets.
June 27, 2024
Study Identifies Most Effective Antibiotics for Acute Bacterial Dacryocystitis
In cases caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus species, vancomycin, clindamycin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and cefalexin worked best.
June 26, 2024
Consider Age and Kmax Asymmetry for Keratoconus
These variables may help predict progression risk, researchers say.
June 26, 2024
AI Models Use OCT to Estimate Visual Status, Possibly Reducing Need for Perimetry
A deep learning model trained on retinal thickness maps and ONH scans could accurately predict functional performance in glaucoma patients, study finds.
June 25, 2024
Multi-Therapy Option Best for Patients with High Untreated IOP
However, a recent Swedish study of newly detected early or moderate untreated open-angle glaucoma still found no evidence that this approach should be used routinely in all patients.
June 25, 2024
HZO Recurrence Common, More Episodes Increase Vision Loss Risk
Close monitoring is needed to prevent this course, especially for those with factors identified with repeated outbreaks, study finds.
June 25, 2024
Study Shows Good AL Slowing from Ortho-K Lenses—When It Works
Subjects demonstrated 0.24mm average reduction compared to controls. However, one quarter of kids still experienced high rates of progression and one third had only modest benefit.
June 24, 2024
Age Negatively Correlated with Retinal Volume
A new study on healthy eyes also observed regional differences in thickness within the macula and periphery.
June 24, 2024
Shift in Glaucoma Surgeries to MIGS is Changing the Baseline Features of Candidates
A retrospective analysis by one group found patients were younger and had less severe disease and lower pre-op IOP.
June 24, 2024
MS Patients Exhibit GCC, RNFL Thinning and Reduced Peripapillary Vessel Density
These could serve as useful prognostic biomarkers for the course of the disease, researchers say.
June 21, 2024
Study Explores Reasons for Ortho-K Discontinuation
A small study found notable levels of dropout at six months, owing to visual complications and regimen frustrations.
June 21, 2024
Ophthalmic Artery Thrombolysis for CRAO Outperforms Traditional Treatments
The time-sensitive procedure produced significantly better VA outcomes than hospitalized observation, IOP-lowering meds, vasodilation, ophthalmic massage and oxygenation.
June 21, 2024
Intracameral Antibiotic Use Doesn’t Raise Risk of Post-Cataract Endophthalmitis
Meta-analysis revealed incidence was comparable when using 1% povidone iodine disinfection with selective antibiotic prophylaxis vs. routine antibiotic prophylaxis.
June 21, 2024
Standing Test Reveals Impaired Hemodynamic Effects in AMD
The result of the first 20 seconds could be associated with the pathophysiology of the disease's progression.
June 20, 2024
Blood Pressure Medication May Increase POAG Risk
The relationship remains complex. Experts say balancing treatment needs for both conditions is key.
June 20, 2024
OCT-A Shown to Aid Delineation of Lid Margin Vascularity
This noninvasive method could help characterize inflammation in MGD patients.
June 19, 2024
Study Characterizes Ocular Trauma Presentations, Value of Ancillary Imaging
A single-site review found 62% of cases presented with open globe injuries. B-scan ultrasound was most useful when direct examination was not possible.
June 19, 2024
Controlling Hypertension Could Help Delay DR
A small study found that high blood pressure plays a large role in driving retinal arteriolar wall thickening in preclinical diabetic retinopathy.
June 19, 2024
In US, Laser Now Preferred Over Drops for POAG Among Younger Practitioners
A new survey highlighted that, for the first time, SLT was selected by ophthalmologists relatively new in practice and those with a higher glaucoma patient base. ODs were not surveyed.
June 18, 2024
Study Documents Increased DR Prevalence in Young Patients and Minorities
People aged 20 to 39 and those in Hispanic or Black ethnic/racial groups were most acutely affected, supporting the need for DR screening in young adults.
June 18, 2024
Beta-zone Parapapillary Morphology Plays Crucial Role in Predicting Glaucoma Progression
Longer radial extent and larger angular extent were key parameters identified by researchers.
June 18, 2024
Surgery for Adult-Onset Comitant Esotropia Highly Successful Regardless of Approach, Pattern
A recent case series found that the average patient was female, in their mid-thirties, myopic and had moderate esodeviations.
June 17, 2024
Sleep Quality and Eye Health Correlation Well Documented Among Visually Impaired
Despite this, various gaps in research occlude understanding of the bidirectional relationship between ocular conditions and somnolence.
June 17, 2024
Backward Light Scatter Most Influential on Visual Function in Fuchs’
Development of confluent guttae and higher-order aberrations seemed to affect acuity the most, study finds. AS-OCT didn’t seem to help with assessment.
June 14, 2024
Type 2 Diabetes Drug May Reduce RVO Risk
Compared with DPP-4i, patients taking SGLT-2i had a significantly lower incidence of retinal vein occlusion, particularly branch RVO.
June 14, 2024
Self-Reported Visual ‘Difficulty’ Doesn’t Equal Visual ‘Impairment’
The discrepancy between subjective and objective measures is influenced by patient-level factors, with several groups prone to under/over-reporting their status, study says.
June 14, 2024
Physical Activities May Reduce Myopia in Children
Study shows higher levels of exertion were associated with a decreased risk of refractive error.
June 13, 2024
Maintain Eye Health to Support the Brain
More evidence suggests that visual function may be tied to cognitive decline.
June 13, 2024
Compound Posterior Staphyloma in High Myopes Should Be Considered More Advanced
Choroidal and scleral thicknesses were more decreased in this form and patients had a worse visual prognosis compared with the simple form.
June 13, 2024
Combined OCT, Tomography Detects Keratoconus in Adolescents Better
Epithelial remodeling may precede changes to anterior corneal surface topography, and identification could enable earlier diagnosis, study finds.
June 12, 2024
Chronic Pain Conditions May Share Pathway with Dry Eye
A large meta-analysis found the ocular surface disease was positively linked with more severe symptoms in these patients than in controls.
June 12, 2024
Study Links Systemic Factors to Retinal Microvascular Alterations in Diabetes
Higher fasting blood glucose levels were significantly associated with decreased perfusion and vascular density on OCT-A; to a lesser extent, so were older age, longer axial length and elevated heart rate.
June 12, 2024
About Half of Acute Anterior Uveitis Cases Will Develop Recurrence
Patients with viral disease have the highest risk of ipsilateral recurrence and lowest risk of contralateral recurrence.
June 11, 2024
PDR Patients Treated with PRP vs. Anti-VEGF at Higher Risk for Complications
Researchers also found a correlation with progression to pars plana vitrectomy.
June 11, 2024
OCT-A Finds Inter-Eye Differences in DR Patients
Significant changes to the superficial capillary plexus and FAZ circularity were found independent of disease stage.
June 11, 2024
Infuse Contact Lenses Now Available for Astigmatism
The toric option features the same moisturizing formula inspired by DEWS II findings as the multifocal and spherical.
June 10, 2024
Melatonin Shown to Decrease Risk of AMD Development and Progression
Researchers acknowledged that lifestyle changes may have also contributed, but nevertheless speculated that the drug may reduce oxidative stress and subsequent VEGF overexpression.
June 10, 2024
Research Suggests TNF Inhibitors Reduce Incidence of Diabetic Retinopathy
Findings support the role of these agents in patients with concomitant diabetes and rheumatic disease.
June 10, 2024
Emergency Eyecare Most Often for Painful but Non–Vision Threatening Conditions
In 42% of outpatient visits and 67% of ED visits, eye pain was the primary reason for seeking care.
June 10, 2024
Corneal Volume of Central 3mm May be Valuable in Detecting Keratoconus
Progressive thinning of this area was an indication used for diagnosing and classifying type and severity of the condition.
June 7, 2024
Obese Individuals Develop Fuchs’ Dystrophy Sooner
Study also shows that smoking and diabetes are risk factors for the development of more severe stages of the condition.
June 7, 2024
New Study Uncovers Predictive Biomarker for Hydroxychloroquine Retinal Toxicity
Researchers observed higher reductions in RPE, ELM and EZ reflectivity among parafovea and perifovea regions in patients receiving this treatment.
June 7, 2024
Physical, Psychosocial Challenges in Children Associated With Vision Problems
Reduced general health status, hearing loss, difficulty communicating, challenges in learning and trouble making friends were the biggest factors.
June 6, 2024
Adults with Visual Impairment at Elevated Risk for Cardiovascular Disease
Chronic stress brought on by vision problems may be a causative factor, researchers suggest, as the association was seen even adults younger than 65 and those with steady jobs.
June 6, 2024
Ocular Surface Enteroviruses Identified for the First Time in Positive PCR Tests
Though rare, this emerging pathogen can manifest as unilateral conjunctivitis and keratitis and is predominantly self-limiting.
June 5, 2024
