The Eye-Mail® News Brief is a highly informative e-news brief that delivers the most relevant content to the inboxes of the Academy members once a month. The Eye-Mail® News Brief includes articles on optometry, vision technology, trends in eye care, and even more.
DISCLAIMER
The Academy does not specifically endorse the studies contained within this brief. Rather, we serve as a conduit for sharing information on new/interesting topics that our membership might wish to explore further.
Dry Eye Symptoms Associated with Depression
In a cross sectional study of women with dry eyes, researchers found that those who asserted that their eyes felt dry, gritty, burning, or light sensitive, as well as those who reported fluctuations in vision, were more likely to also have symptoms of depression.
Is Conservative Therapy for Chalazia Effective?
In a multicenter randomized clinical trial, researchers found that topical antibiotics and steroid medications provide no additional effectiveness when compared with warm compresses alone in the management of chalazia.
Long Term Use of Glaucoma Meds Reduces Meibomian Gland Function
In a cross-sectional case–control study, 30 eyes of 30 healthy participants and 85 eyes of 85 patients with glaucoma were analyzed to evaluate meibomian gland function. Compared with healthy participants, patients with glaucoma had significantly worse mebium quality, lower MG secretion, thinner lipid layer thickness, and lower SPEED scores.
Bacterial Conjunctivitis in Children
In a retrospective review medical records for a large cohort of children diagnosed and treated for conjunctivitis, researchers found that only 10% of cases were diagnosed as having a bacterial etiology, yet 62% were treated with antibiotics. Pediatricians were more likely to treat with antibiotics than were ophthalmologists.
Repeat Cultures Are Needed in Treatment of Severe Fungal Keratitis
In a secondary analysis of the Mycotic Ulcer Treatment Trial II data, researchers found that when repeat cultures of appropriately treated corneas were positive 6 days after beginning treatment, there was a significantly increased risk of corneal perforation or the need for therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty.
Big Data from Social Media Reveals Seasonal Trends of Conjunctivitis
Researchers who used machine-coded social media posts to track seasonal trends in conjunctivitis noted that peaks in social media postings correlated with times of occurrence of seasonal infectious and allergic conjunctivitis clinical cases.
Evaluating Eyelid Cleaning Methods for Blepharitis
In a small prospective, randomized, double-masked, paired-eye trial, researchers compared TheraTears SteriLid eyelid cleanser and diluted baby shampoo to clean lids with blepharitis. Both methods showed clinical improvement in the blepharitis, but the lid cleanser was more effective for improving tear lipid layer, inferior lid wiper epitheliopathy, and cylindrical collarettes.
Low Dose Aspirin May Be a Treatment for Dry Eye
In a small case based study, researchers found that the use of low-dose aspirin increased tear break up time, decreased tear osmolarity, and reduced symptoms of dry eye.
Meta-Analysis of Sleep Outcomes in Patients with Dry Eye Disease
In a meta-analysis of 17 articles and 2 conference abstracts, researchers found that people with dry eye disease had increased prevalence, incidence, and severity of sleep disorders compared to people without dry eye disease.