INTERESTING EYE NEWS & CLINICAL PEARLS

According to this report , the FDA has approved the Essilor Stellest lens, the first spectacle lens in the US designed to slow myopia progression in children. Already used internationally, Stellest lenses use over 1,000 tiny lenslets arranged in concentric rings to create peripheral defocus, interrupting signals that drive eye elongation. A two-year clinical trial showed a 71% reduction in myopia progression and a 53% decrease in axial length growth compared with standard single-vision lenses, with no serious adverse effects. The lens is indicated for children aged 6–12 and must be worn at least 12 hours daily. Availability in the US is expected within weeks.

 A new study suggests that topical NSAID eye drops can speed up recovery from acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR), a condition that usually clears on its own in 3–6 months but sometimes causes lasting damage. Researchers compared patients treated with NSAIDs to those simply observed. Those using NSAIDs recovered in weeks instead of months, with COX-2 selective drugs (like bromfenac or nepafenac) working better than ketorolac. All patients regained about 20/20 vision, but early NSAID use may lower risks of long-term complications and reduce the need for costly treatments. The authors recommend considering NSAIDs as a safe, accessible option to shorten disease duration and improve patient quality of life.

A recent study found that some systemic medications may contribute to eyelid conditions like blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), and chalazion. Using FDA adverse event reports (2003–2024), researchers noted higher rates of MGD in patients taking finasteride, chalazia with bortezomib, and all three conditions with dupilumab. Other drugs, such as isotretinoin and certain cancer therapies, were mainly linked to blepharitis. Most patients affected were middle-aged women, with many cases reported in North America. The authors stress that while these drugs are important for treating serious illnesses, eye side effects should not be ignored. Clinicians should watch for symptoms, educate patients on eyelid hygiene, and include medication history when diagnosing lid inflammation, even if stopping the medication isn’t an option.

 A large U.S. study of over 18,000 adults with diabetes found that those prescribed metformin , a common diabetes drug, were 67% less likely to develop primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) compared to those not using it. The study used up to 20 years of data from the NIH All of Us program, which includes diverse populations, making the results especially meaningful for groups at higher glaucoma risk, such as African-American and Latino communities. While lowering eye pressure is the main treatment for glaucoma, it doesn’t always prevent disease, so new options are being explored. Metformin may have protective effects on the eye, though the exact biological reason is still unknown. Researchers noted differences in risk factors like age, gender, income, and other diabetes medications, but even after adjusting for these, metformin remained strongly linked to lower glaucoma risk. The study was observational, so it can’t prove cause and effect, and it lacked detailed data on dosage, ...

  A new study suggests that omega-3 fatty acids, especially when present at higher blood levels, may lower the risk of developing primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in people with a strong genetic predisposition. Using UK Biobank data, researchers found that higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids were linked to a 39% lower risk of glaucoma in high-risk individuals, though results for a specific omega-3 (DHA) were only borderline significant. The study had limits, including missing data on another key omega-3 (EPA), not accounting for race/ethnicity, relying only on baseline measurements, and possibly missing undiagnosed cases. Overall, the findings hint that omega-3s could help protect against glaucoma in genetically high-risk patients, but more research is needed before recommending supplements.

  A new study suggests that people taking certain antidepressants—SSRIs, SNRIs, or TCAs—may have a lower risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and progressing from the dry to the wet form of the disease. The analysis, based on millions of patients over nearly 20 years, found that antidepressant use was linked with protection against both types of AMD. Researchers believe the benefit may come from reduced inflammation, lower oxidative stress, and protective effects on nerve and retinal cells. Each class of antidepressant may help in different ways: SSRIs affect serotonin pathways that influence retinal health, SNRIs act on both serotonin and norepinephrine, and TCAs reduce inflammatory molecules tied to AMD damage. While the findings are promising, the authors caution that more research is needed to confirm how these medications provide protection. At this point, the results should not change how antidepressants are prescribed but may open new directions for AM...