Allergy

Blepharitis

COVID-19

Cataract

Comanagement

Comprehensive Eye Exams

Conjunctivitis

Contact Lenses

Cornea

Diabetic Eye Disease

Dry Eye

Geographic Atrophy

Glasses

Glaucoma

LASIK

Lens Technology

Lid and Lash

Myopia

Nutrition

Ocular Surface Disease

Optic Relief

Patient Care

Pediatrics

Presbyopia

Ptosis

Refractive Surgery

Retina

Technology

Therapeutic Cataract & Refractive

News

All News

Practice Management

Media

All Videos

Expert Interviews

Podcasts

Medical World News

Viewpoints

Insights

Case Based Roundtable Series

Case Studies

Case of the Quarter

Practice Ownership

Rapid Readout

What’s Your WhEYE?

Conferences

Conference Coverage

Conference Listing

Conference Recaps

Blog

Publications

Digital Edition

Supplements And Featured Publications

iTech

Partners

Resources

Job Board

Subscribe

Articles

CLI Visionaries will be discussing these initial findings during Vision Expo West in the “Shifting Focus: How the Next Generation Sees Contact Lens Wear and Eye Care” panel. 

CLI report underscores unmet potential in Gen Z contact lens wearers

The study compared visual, refractive, and patient-reported outcomes following implantation of enVista Envy and the enVista monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) in cataract surgery patients.

Study assessing Bausch + Lomb's enVista Envy IOLs meets all primary end points

The lens will be available to order on September 17 in the US.

HOYA launches VisuPro lenses for younger presbyopes

The lesion area growth was reduced by more than 50% in its first human clinical trial of K8.

Inflammasome inhibitor found to reduce GA lesion area growth in clinical study

Optometry Times delivers clinical news, practice insights, and research updates by optometrists for optometrists to advance care and patient outcomes.

Advertise

About Us

Editorial

Contact Us

Terms & Conditions

Privacy

Do not sell my Information

Optometry Times – Clinical News & Expert Optometrist Insights

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Spotlight

Clinical

Myopia- Management

1rem

Authors

Offer patients independence and improve quality of life by incorporating low vision services

What’s new in low vision rehabilitation

HOYA Vision Care has announced the launch of VisuPro All Day and VisuPro Flex advanced focus eyeglass lenses for those with early signs of presbyopia.

 The lens will be available to order on September 17 in the US, according to a news release.

HOYA plans to launch the lens in Canada later this year.

"Current eyewear often overlooks the unique needs of younger individuals facing early presbyopia," said Samy Lauriette, vice president of strategic marketing for HOYA, in the release. "Early intervention is essential to maintain visual clarity and comfort. VisuPro represents a new standard in personalized vision care, offering proactive support and innovative lens technology."

The VisuPro lenses are designed to support young presbyopes aged 36 to 44 years, utilizing Focus Max Optimization and Bincoular Harmonization Technology (BHT) in order to provide clear vision throughout the day. Focus Max Optimization works to provide additional vision support at a close distance to aid in near-distance activities and digital usage. Additionally, the lenses help reduce eye strain or visual fatigue when working on digital devices. HOYA research has found that 53% of existing spectacle wearers and 60% of non-spectacle wearers aged 46 to 44 years report increasing difficulty seeing clearly at near distances and when using digital devices. For BHT, the technology considers the prescription for the right and left eyes to “calculate and harmonize” the prescription in the lens to allow for improved focusing, stability, and enhanced depth of vision, the release stated.

Other findings from HOYA research found that single vision lenses often become insufficient for spectacle wearers in the targeted age group, with many patients showing hesitancy to adopt progressive lenses due to concerns with adaptation or their perceived age inappropriateness. Emmetropes, contact lens users, and patients who also require near-vision support after refractive surgery may also fail to meet the needs of non-spectacle wearers.

"The launch of VisuPro exemplifies our commitment to delivering exceptional value and innovation to eye care professionals," said Eduardo Martins, president of HOYA Vision Care, North America, in the release. "VisuPro is more than a lens; it's a testament to our dedication to enhancing clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction."

In terms of lens offerings, the All Day lens offers versatile vision correction in all distances and is designed for existing spectacle lens wearers or spectacle wearers who wear glasses throughout the day. For Flex, support is given for near vision tasks while also addressing vision correction at other distances. Those who use their spectacle lenses primarily for near-distance activities, patients who were emmetropes, and contact lens wearers and patients after refractive surgeries are the best candidates for this lens, according to HOYA.

HOYA Vision Care announces the launch of VisuPro advanced focus lenses for emerging presbyopes. News release. HOYA Vision Care. September 15, 2025. Accessed September 15, 2025. 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hoya-vision-care-announces-the-launch-of-visupro-advanced-focus-lenses-for-emerging-presbyopes-302554488.html

VisuPro. HOYA Vision Care. Accessed September 15, 2025. 

https://www.hoyavision.com/vision-products/advanced-focus-lenses/hoya-visupro/

Inflammasome Therapeutics’ first inflammasome inhibitor Kamuvudine, K8, was recently found to have reduced geographic atrophy (GA) lesion area growth by more than 50% in its first human clinical trial.

 K8 is one of many Kamuvudines that the company is developing for ophthalmic and neurological conditions, according to a news release.

The multicenter, 30-patient, 6-month, safety and dose-escalation trial was split into 3 cohorts with patients with bilateral GA receiving low, medium, or high dose implants at baseline and 3 months in 1 dye, with untreated eyes serving as controls.

 The reduced GA lesion area growth findings were taken from the initial cohort of patients, which was a single-center, open-label, 26-week study that worked to evaluate the safety and treatment efficacy of K8 in patients with GA due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Up to 5 subjects were slated to receive study medication via intravitreal injections, with 7 scheduled visits. Those visits occurred at screening with baseline (injection), safety visit 2 days after injection, week 4, week 13 (injection), safety visit 2 days after injection, week 17, and week 26.

Examinations in the study look for continuous changes in visual acuity, change in area of GA lesion in diagnostic imaging, response measured by multifocal electroretinogram, change in reading speed, and change in microperimetry response.

“Patients receiving the 3-month, low-dose implant showed an average 53% reduction in lesion growth compared to untreated eyes at 3 months after a single injection,” said Paul Ashton, PhD, CEO and cofounder of Inflammasome Therapeutics, in the release. “The trial is relatively small (10 treated eyes in the first cohort) and was not designed to show statistical significance, so achieving such a large effect with a 

 value of .03 (mixed effect model) is extremely encouraging. Vision trends were also positive: eyes receiving the K8 implant had essentially stable vision.”

Ashton also stated in the release that best corrected visual acuity increased an average of 1.4 ETDRS letters in K8-treated eyes, whereas untreated eyes continued to deteriorate. Specifically, untreated eyes lost an average of 1.9 ETDRS letters.

 “GA is a slowly progressive disease and, over time, we would expect vision in untreated eyes to continue to deteriorate,” Ashton said in the release.

“GA affects approximately 1 million people in the US and more than 8 million worldwide,” said Jayakrishna Ambati, MD, cofounder of Inflammasome Therapeutics, in the release. “We are encouraged by both the increased magnitude and duration of the effect seen so far with the K8 implant.”

Now the mid-dose cohort has completed enrollment in the study.

 “That group will be followed by a high-dose cohort, which is currently enrolling,” Ashton said in the release.

Inflammasome activation may also be a key element in other neuroinflammatory and ocular diseases, including Alzheimer disease, ALS, Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis, and diabetic macular edema, according to the news release. Inflammasome Therapeutics’ Kamuvudines are derivatives of a class of anti-HIV drugs, NRTIs, but are designed to be safer for treatment, the company stated.

“GA is a multifactorial disease in which many inflammatory toxic factors, such as various forms of complement, amyloid beta, retrotransposons, and oxidative stress, are upregulated in the diseased eye, which causes upregulation of the inflammasome pathway and atrophy of cells in the macula. Over time, the area of atrophy grows and can lead to vision loss,” said Ambati in the release. “We believe the impressive result seen in this clinical trial and in numerous preclinical studies is due to the unique mechanism of K8, which inhibits activation of multiple inflammasomes and thereby blocks the effects of numerous inflammatory toxins, including complement.”

Inflammasome Therapeutics’ K8 implant cuts lesion growth by more than 50% in geographic atrophy after 3 months. News release. Businesswire. September 11, 2025. Accessed September 12, 2025. 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250911932452/en/Inflammasome-Therapeutics-K8-Implant-Cuts-Lesion-Growth-by-more-than-50-in-Geographic-Atrophy-after-Three-Months-in-Multi-Center-Trial

University of Kentucky. Evaluation of Kamuvudine-8 in subjects with geographic atrophy (K8 for GA). NCT06164587. Last updated August 7, 2025. 

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06164587?locStr=United%20States&country=United%20States

 has solidified itself as one of the fastest-developing and highly prevalent specialties in eye care. From nuanced approaches to headway being made in clinical and technological developments, the dry eye space is unveiling more about symptoms, patient education, and more. Dry eye specialists Celeste Ferreira, OD; Sabrina Gaan, OD; Chandler Mann, OD; and Nishi Mehdiratta, OD, sat down with 

to discuss how they approach dry eye in their practices.

Q: What is your general philosophy regarding dry eye management? Are you more proactive or reactive?

I’m fiercely proactive when it comes to dry eye. Waiting until symptoms spiral out of control just delays healing and puts patients through unnecessary discomfort. I believe dry eye is often a sign of deeper dysfunction, such as inflammation, lid mechanics, and systemic health issues. My goal is to catch those signs early. Prevention and early intervention lead to better long-term outcomes and, frankly, happier patients.

 I am very proactive when it comes to managing dry eye. Waiting too long can lead to meibomian gland loss, increased inflammation and rosacea, and reduced corneal sensitivity, to name a few examples. Treating early is not only important, but it’s also easier for the patient. For those with mild dry eye, it often means fewer visits, less maintenance, and, ultimately, patients are happier and are less miserable.

 My philosophy centers on a proactive approach to dry eye management, emphasizing early detection and prevention to improve long-term patient outcomes and quality of life. Rather than waiting for symptoms to become severe, I screen every patient during routine exams—regardless of complaints—using tools like tear breakup time assessments and meibomian gland evaluations. This allows us to address underlying issues like meibomian gland dysfunction before they escalate, reducing the need for reactive interventions down the line. In my experience, proactive care not only halts progression but also builds stronger patient relationships, as it shows we’re invested in their overall ocular health.

 I used to take a more conservative approach to dry eye, but now I tell all my patients that I prefer to be proactive rather than reactive, because treating the condition after inflammation has worsened is markedly tougher to combat. This message really resonates with them, as most don’t want to let a health issue go untreated and worsen.

Q: How do you personalize treatment plans for patients?

Every patient’s dry eye story is different, and so is their care plan. We dive deep into lifestyle factors, hormone changes, skin care routines, systemic conditions, and even stress levels. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all solution. A patient with ocular rosacea receives a very different approach than someone dealing with only ocular surface disease. My toolbox includes everything from my first-line treatment of intense pulsed light [IPL] and lift technology to amniotic membranes and radiofrequency. I treat based on root cause, not just surface symptoms.

 It starts with identifying what the problem is. Is it their meibomian glands? Is it related to gut health? Is it their floppy eyelids? Or is it a combination of factors, which is often the case? Every patient is different and requires a different approach.

 Personalization is key in dry eye care because no 2 patients are alike—their symptoms, underlying causes, lifestyles, and responses to therapy all vary. I start with a comprehensive evaluation, including questionnaires like the Ocular Surface Disease Index [OSDI], osmolarity testing, and imaging of the glands and tear film. From there, I classify the dry eye as evaporative, aqueous-deficient, or mixed, and factor in elements like age, medications, screen time, or environmental exposures. For instance, a contact lens wearer with evaporative dry eye might get a plan focused on lid hygiene, omega-3 supplements, and in-office IPL therapy, while those with lid laxity could benefit from dynamic muscle stimulation to improve blink mechanics. On the contrary, someone with autoimmune-related aqueous deficiency could prioritize anti-inflammatory drops and punctal plugs. Follow-ups are scheduled to adjust based on progress, ensuring the plan evolves with the patient for optimal adherence and relief.

Dry eye is never one-size-fits-all. I assess each patient's symptoms and clinical signs independently and then walk them through a game plan with me, outlining what I think are our next best steps. It may be a combination of in-office and at-home treatments, but I always take a solid amount of time to thoroughly discuss my clinical findings and what I intend to do to remedy their symptoms in the best possible way.

Q: Are there any buzzwords you’ve heard patients use lately that drive you to look closer at the ocular surface for dryness?

Absolutely. If I hear words like “vision fluctuations,” “irritation first thing in the morning,” “tired eyes,” “watery eyes,” or even “my eyes feel heavy,” that’s a full stop for me. Even if they don’t mention “dryness” explicitly, I know to dig deeper. Lately, patients are also describing symptoms like “glare when driving at night” or “contacts not feeling right,” which are often overlooked signs of early ocular surface dysfunction.

 Buzzwords I listen for include vision fluctuations; burning, scratchy, or watery eyes; redness, and comments like “I have to blink harder to see.”

 Absolutely—patients often use casual terms that hint at dry eye without realizing it, prompting me to dive deeper into ocular surface exams. Lately, I’ve heard a lot of “screen fatigue” or “tired eyes” from those glued to devices all day, which often signals evaporative dry eye from reduced blink rates. Other buzzwords like “gritty” or “scratchy” sensations, “blurry vision that comes and goes,” or “burning when driving or outside” are red flags for me to check tear film stability and gland function. With the rise in digital device use post pandemic, patients discussing visual fluctuations and tired eyes have become common triggers for proactive screening, as they frequently uncover subclinical dryness that patients dismiss as normal.

Screen time is always the most common. Patients are aware that screen time can contribute to dry eye. So, while they may not yet be symptomatic, they mention their excessive screen time usage in order to be proactive about what they can do to maintain the health of their ocular surface.

Q: How do you approach patient education for dry eye disease?

Education is everything. Patients need to understand that dry eye is a chronic, often progressive condition, not just an occasional nuisance fixed by drops, which is often the misconception. I use meibography images, diagnostic testing and reports, and analogies that make the condition relatable and understandable. I also explain how treatments work 

 the body, not just on the surface. We always want to be proactive and not reactive with dry eye disease. We don’t want to wait for the symptoms to surface, because then the issue is going to be far more challenging to contain. Once they get the “why,” they’re empowered to commit to long-term care, and that’s where real transformation happens and real trust is built.

 I spend a few minutes speaking directly with each patient and provide them with a handout they can take home. I explain their specific problem and what needs to be done to fix it—even if it’s not what they’d prefer—and make it clear that if they don’t do it, the situation will worsen.

 Patient education is foundational to successful dry eye management—I aim to empower patients with clear, actionable knowledge so they become active partners in their care. I start by explaining the disease in simple terms: it’s often a chronic imbalance in tear production or evaporation, influenced by factors like age, hormones, or environment. Using visuals like gland imaging or tear film diagrams helps demystify it. We discuss lifestyle tweaks—such as the 20-20-20 rule for screen breaks, humidifiers, and nutrition—alongside treatments like drops or in-office procedures. I provide printed or digital resources for home reference and schedule follow-ups to reinforce adherence. The goal is ongoing dialogue; I frame it as a manageable condition, not a cure-all, to set realistic expectations and boost [adherence].

Quality time is vital for dry eye patients, many of whom are used to being dismissed and told just to use artificial tears. My initial consultation with a new dry eye patient typically lasts about 45 minutes to an hour. I gather an in-depth patient history, which makes them feel seen and understood. Then, I walk them through all of my clinical findings step by step and map out how I intend to treat each finding I have uncovered.

Q: How does dry eye care fit within the broader scope of your practice?

Dry eye care is the foundation of how I practice medical optometry. It is truly my passion and my purpose. With the incredible technology I have in office, we can expand into aesthetic and facial wellness too. It’s connected to everything: vision quality, contact lens success, surgical outcomes, and even self-confidence. As we've expanded into ocular aesthetics, I’ve seen firsthand how addressing inflammation, lid health, and skin barrier function improves both comfort and appearance. We don’t just treat eyes, we elevate how people 

 I talk about dry eye with at least half of my patients. Most people have some symptom or sign worth discussing. Sometimes all they need is to make a minor adjustment to their life, and they truly appreciate the advice—that’s why they come to you. Telling someone to blink more when they’re on screens is one of the most impactful tips I give, and it creates such loyalty. That little piece of advice, which costs nothing, makes them feel like the trip was worth it because no one has ever told them that before.

 Dry eye care is integral to my practice—it’s not a niche service but a core component that intersects with nearly every aspect of optometry, from routine exams to specialty contact lenses and presurgical evaluations. With dry eye affecting up to 40% of patients (I have found it, anecdotally, to be significantly higher), addressing it enhances overall outcomes, like better vision stability or reduced complications in other ocular disease management. Tools like Lumenis OptiLIGHT for inflammation/MGD and OptiLIFT for lid laxity allow me to manage complex cases in house, strengthening my role as a primary eye care provider. Dedicated dry eye clinics also build patient loyalty and referrals, while collaboration with ophthalmologists ensures comprehensive care for severe cases. This focus underscores my commitment to preventive, patient-centered optometry.

Dry eye is our niche—it is the backbone of our practice's revenue. It brings me so much joy to see these patients' quality of life improve dramatically.

Q: Are there any devices or in-office treatments you’ve adopted recently that have changed your approach to care?

Yes. The [dynamic muscle stimulation, or] DMSt feature on our Lumenis platform has been a game changer. It’s allowed us to get even more targeted with results that pair beautifully with IPL, especially for patients with sensitive skin or mild rosacea. We’ve also seen incredible results combining IPL with radiofrequency and microneedling for those who want aesthetic rejuvenation 

 dry eye relief. It’s that dual-purpose care that has elevated the entire patient experience.

 I have a slit lamp camera with video and meibography capabilities, as well as Lumenis’ OptiLIGHT, OptiPLUS, and I have recently added OptiLIFT. I now check every dry eye patient for lower lid laxity by gently pulling on the lids, which informs my decision-making and allows me to create a stronger treatment plan for each patient. Addressing eyelid laxity has been a real benefit for those dry eye patients who were improving but still dealing with lingering issues.

 Incorporating advanced diagnostics and treatments like Lumenis OptiLIGHT and OptiLIFT has refined my approach to dry eye. OptiLIGHT, which uses intense pulsed light to target meibomian gland dysfunction, has improved tear quality and reduced symptoms in patients with evaporative dry eye, often within a few sessions. Similarly, OptiLIFT’s Dynamic Muscle Stimulation technology addresses lid laxity, enhancing blink completeness and tear film stability, which is critical for patients with incomplete blinking. These tools complement traditional therapies like warm compresses and drops, allowing me to offer more targeted, efficient care and manage moderate-to-severe cases without immediate referrals, ultimately improving patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes.

 Our workhorse has always been OptiLIGHT. [IPL] is the focal point of our office in terms of dry eye treatments. We recently brought in OptiLIFT, which has really changed the scope of how I can treat my dry eye patients, especially for those struggling with lower lid laxity and impaired blinking.

Q: Are there any emerging technologies or innovations that you’re particularly excited about?

I’m really excited about the growing intersection between eye care and aesthetics. Devices like triLift are giving us tools to treat both structure and function; improving circulation, collagen, and skin health while also addressing periocular inflammation. I’m also keeping a close eye on AI-powered diagnostics and more technology that can bridge the gap of ocular and facial wellness. Anything that helps us get more precise, more personalized, and more preventive for our patients, I’m here for it.

 I’m excited to hear more success stories from combining treatments. I’m working on developing which combo packages to implement that will best serve my patients. OptiLIFT is still relatively new, and I’m in the process of gathering before-and-after photos and patient testimonials. I believe that by combining OptiLIGHT’s intense pulsed light therapy and OptiLIFT’s dynamic muscle stimulation technology for most dry eye patients, I can achieve even better outcomes.

 I’m particularly excited about advancements in AI-driven diagnostics and novel drug deliveries for dry eye, which promise more precise, patient-specific care in 2025 and beyond. AI tools for analyzing tear film and gland images could streamline screenings, predicting progression before symptoms worsen. On the treatment side, new agents like reproxalap—a reactive aldehyde species inhibitor—for acute and chronic relief, and the continued advancement of devices for evaporative dry eye, are game-changers. Gene therapies and immunoglobulin-based drops from pooled donors also show potential for addressing root causes. These innovations align with my proactive philosophy, potentially reducing reliance on frequent drops and enhancing outcomes for tough cases, and in turn, bettering our patients’ lives.

 OptiLIFT, hands down. I have been nothing short of amazed by this device, which utilizes DMSt and radiofrequency [RF] technologies. Never before have we had the ability to alleviate morning dry eye symptoms due to lagophthalmos or end-of-day dryness from incomplete blinking. This technology is truly poised to be the next big thing in the dry eye stratosphere—we’ve never had anything like it before.

Dry eye specialists weigh in on what role dry eye plays in their practices.

Keeping up with dry eye: Approaches to treatment plans, patient education, and clinical developments

Recently reported results showed that longer-term use of atropine to treat myopia in schoolchildren was associated with a higher risk of development of ocular complications. The study, led by first author Yao-Lin Liu, MD, noted that this risk may be confounded by myopia severity and warrants further investigation. Liu is associated with the Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, and the Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, both in Taipei, Taiwan.

The investigators published their findings in 

Because of the increasing prevalence of myopia, investigators worldwide are searching for ways to control the vision-threatening epidemic.

Liu and colleagues commented, “Slowing myopia progression by just 1 diopter might reduce the likelihood of developing myopic maculopathy by 40%,

 underscoring the potential importance of preventive strategies.

 Atropine has been shown to reduce the risk of myopic progression in some studies but not others."

In addition, the drug’s long-term safety is uncertain without studies with relatively long durations of follow-up, and a gap remains between clinical trials and practice.

The researchers conducted a retrospective, population-based cohort study using longitudinal data from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database (2000-2021). They collected data on the prescription of atropine.

The study included children aged 8 to 15 years with newly diagnosed myopia; the study also included matched children without myopia in the period between 2001 and 2015.

The goal was to determine the ocular risks associated with atropine prescription in clinical practice for myopia control in Taiwanese children. The children were categorized by the cumulative duration and dose of the drug.

The main outcomes were the diagnoses of cataracts, primary open-angle glaucoma, and maculopathy during the observation period. The incidence rates of ocular complications after a minimum 5-year follow-up period were reported.

This large study included 1,213,846 Taiwanese children (mean ± standard deviation) age at myopia diagnosis, 10.4 ± 1.9 years; 633,440 [52.2%] female). Of them, 606,923 children had myopia, and 406,383 (67.0%) were prescribed atropine.

“The incidence of ocular complications (cataracts, glaucoma, and maculopathy) was higher in the myopia group (1.54/10,000 person-years) compared with the nonmyopia group (0.96/10,000 person-years; adjusted HR [aHR], 1.49; 95% CI, 1.36-1.64),” they reported.

A comparison of the incidence of ocular complications between children with myopia who were treated with atropine and those who were not showed no difference between the users and nonusers (both 1.54/10,000 person-year; aHR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.93-1.18).

The investigators did see an increased risk of development of ocular complications in children who used atropine for longer than 3 years (aHR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.17-1.94). However, they pointed out, this trend was not present in children with high myopia (aHR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.56-2.19). No increased risk was found among children with the highest quartile of cumulative atropine dose (aHR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.89-1.25).

Liu and colleagues concluded, “This study found that longer-term atropine prescription for myopia control was associated with an increased risk of ocular complications among school-aged children; however, this risk may be confounded primarily by myopia severity and warrants further investigation. Notably, this study did not find an association of cumulative doses of atropine with an increased incidence of ocular complications. The risk of ocular complications from myopia may exceed that associated with long-term atropine use. These findings support monitoring of children receiving atropine for myopia treatment if these results are confirmed by future studies that address the limitations of this investigation.”

Liu Y-L, Tsai J-T, Chiu K-Y, et al. Ocular risks of topical atropine prescriptions among Taiwanese children. 

 2025; published online September 11. doi: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2025.3090

Bullimore MA, Brennan NA. Myopia control: why each diopter matters. 

Bullimore MA, Ritchey ER, Shah S, Leveziel N, Bourne RRA, Flitcroft DI. The risks and benefits of myopia control. 

Shih YF, Chen CH, Chou AC, Ho TC, Lin LLK, Hung PT. Effects of different concentrations of atropine on controlling myopia in myopic children. 

Chua WH, Balakrishnan V, Chan YH, et al. Atropine for the treatment of childhood myopia. 

Chia A, Chua WH, Cheung YB, et al. Atropine for the treatment of childhood myopia: safety and efficacy of 0.5%, 0.1%, and 0.01% doses (Atropine for the Treatment of Myopia 2). 

Chia A, Lu QS, Tan D. Five-year clinical trial on Atropine for the Treatment of Myopia 2: myopia control with atropine 0.01% eyedrops. 

Repka MX, Weise KK, Chandler DL, et al; Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group. Low-dose 0.01% atropine eye drops vs placebo for myopia control: a randomized clinical trial. 

Zadnik K, Schulman E, Flitcroft I, et al; CHAMP Trial Group Investigators. Efficacy and safety of 0.01% and 0.02% atropine for the treatment of pediatric myopia progression over 3 years: a randomized clinical trial.

Zhang XJ, Zhang Y, Yip BHK, et al. Five-year clinical trial of the Low-Concentration Atropine for Myopia Progression (LAMP) study: phase 4 report. 

Loughman J, Lingham G, Nkansah EK, Kobia-Acquah E, Flitcroft DI. Efficacy and safety of different atropine regimens for the treatment of myopia in children: three-year results of the MOSAIC randomized clinical trial. 

Long-term atropine use to treat myopia associated with increased risk of ocular complication in schoolchildren in Taiwan

New research from The Vision Council was published in part of a 2-part report that combined a global analysis of pediatric myopia treatment strategies with a survey of US eye care providers.

 The report, Focused inSights 2025: Myopia Management, reported that the majority of providers value proactive screening and adopting myopia management into their practice to combat myopia, according to a news release.

“This dual-format report provides both a global and a local lens on myopia management,” said Alysse Henkel, vice president of Research and inSights at The Vision Council, in the release. “It’s clear from the survey that US eyecare providers take myopia seriously, but they also face challenges in making care affordable and ensuring families understand the importance of treatment. By also including an international analysis of treatment options and regulatory environments, this report offers a comprehensive view of where childhood myopia care stands today, and where it is headed.”

The report also unveiled how treatment options may differ across regions, how regulatory environments shape access, and how US clinicians are approaching diagnosis, management, and patient education. Additionally, a total of 293 optometrists, practice owners, and managers were involved in the survey from June 16 to July 4, 2026, in order to assess how myopia management is implemented in US practices.

In examining regulatory approvals and product availability across the US, Canada, the UK, and the EU, 4 treatment categories were developed in the form of low-dose atropine drops, myopia control spectacle lenses, multifocal or dual-focus daily soft contact lenses, and orthokeratology.

 “The study highlights uneven adoption across markets, recent milestones such as the EU’s approval of Ryjunea atropine drops, and France’s move to fully reimburse myopia control spectacle lenses,” the release stated.

As for the US providers, 91% reported that they recommend myopia screenings at least once a year, with approximately 70% stating that they offer myopia management for children in their practice. In the US, MiSight contact lenses were the most frequently prescribed for myopia management at 81%, with motivations for treatment being slowing the progression of myopia (78%), reducing complication risks (78%), and improving long-term eye health (71%).

Additionally, risk factors identified by eye care providers include excessive screen time (82%), genetics (82%), and limited outdoor activity (77%). Challenges in treatment were cost (86%), parental understanding (56%), and patient adherence (49%).

The Vision Council releases new report on myopia treatment trends. News release. The Vision Council. September 9, 2025. Accessed September 11, 2025. 

https://thevisioncouncil.org/blog/vision-council-releases-new-report-myopia-treatment-trends

A total of 293 optometrists, practice owners, and managers were involved in the survey.

Myopia treatment trends outlined in The Vision Council's recent report

A new study tackled the topic of drusen regression without accompanying atrophy and forwarded the “drusen ooze” hypothesis to explain this phenomenon (ie, that the content of the drusen moves to the subretinal space through defects in the retinal pigment epithelium [RPE]), which may explain 

 reported Jordi Monés, MD, PhD. He is affiliated with the Institut de la Macula, Centro Medico Teknon, and the Barcelona Macula Foundation, both in Barcelona, and the John A Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City.

Researchers conducted this study to determine how often and why spontaneous soft drusen regresses without atrophy in patients who had intermediate or atrophic age-related macular degeneration.

Danielle Piser, OD, FAAO

Articles

Latest Updated Articles