Home Confinement Induces Myopic Shift in Children

 From Review of Optometry:

Spending less time outdoors and more time looking at screens during prolonged school closures brought on by the pandemic, school-aged children are at risk of experiencing a substantial myopic shift due to the home confinement resulting from COVID-19, according to a new study published in JAMA Ophthahlmology.

“Younger (aged six to eight years) children’s refractive status may be more sensitive to environmental changes than older children, given that they are in an important period for the development of myopia,” the researchers wrote in their paper.

The researchers noted a substantial shift in myopia prevalence in the 2020 screenings compared with preceding years for younger children (Table 1). These differences were minimal in children aged nine to 13 years.

Diabetes Drug Protects Against AMD

Reported in Review of Optometry:

Researchers recently studied the use of metformin for AMD and deemed it a potential preventive therapy for the disease. 

Researchers found that metformin use was associated with a reduced odds of developing AMD and that this association was dose-dependent. Low to moderate doses of metformin had the greatest benefit. 

The researchers concluded that metformin may reduce the odds of AMD development, with low to moderate doses having the largest effect. They cautioned, however, that metformin doesn’t appear to be protective in patients with diabetes and coexisting DR. 

Alcohol Consumption Reduces Need for Cataract Surgery

Reported in Review of Optometry:

People who partake in low-to-moderate alcohol consumption, specifically red wine, may be at a lower risk of needing cataract surgery, a new study suggests.

Compared with those who abstained from alcohol, drinkers were less likely to undergo cataract surgery. Among alcohol consumers, greater alcohol consumption was associated with a reduced risk of cataract surgery.

High-dose Sex Steroids Improve Tear Parameters

 This news reported in Review of Optometry. 

Researchers recently observed that the use of estradiol during menopause could improve dry eye symptoms in patients.Tear break up time and Schirmer's testing were significantly higher with ovulation induction.

The study authors wrote in their paper. “In our study, high levels of estrogen in the reproductive age group exerted positive effects on tear parameters.”