SPOTLIGHT -
March 25th 2023
A look back on what happened in optometry during the week of March 20-March 24.
March 24th 2023
Self-reported survey data “showed that a majority reported reductions in visual recognition and navigation abilities,” the researchers reported.
February 16th 2023
The eye care community is moving toward a more disruption-resistant system of care, from wearable tech to VEGF-eluting implants.
December 30th 2022
As 2022 comes to a close, check out some of the hottest and most-liked stories from the year!
September 8th 2022
The jury is still out on whether wearing glasses is associated with a decreased risk of COVID-19 infections.
Accessible at-home COVID-19 tests are designed with visually impaired, blind individuals in mind
These new testing kits permit more equitable access to coronavirus testing.
COVID-19 vaccination can contribute to corneal allograft rejection
Japanese researchers conducted a systematic review that identified clinical features and host factors associated with corneal allograft rejection after COVID-19 vaccination.
Study: Hearing, visually impaired adults less likely to be vaccinated for COVID-19
A recent study shows US adults with hearing and visual impairments have lower rates of vaccination for the coronavirus.
Contact lens regimen crucial in removing coronavirus traces
A new study has found that having a contact lens regimen makes a difference when removing coronavirus particles, as well as the type of lens care solution that is used.
COVID-19: ocular symptoms studied in symptomatic patients
Researchers in Poland investigated the presence and duration of ocular symptoms of patients with symptomatic COVID-19 infections.
COVID-19: Increased incidence of RVOs post-diagnosis
Researchers report that the incidence of retinal vein occlusions increased in the 6 months following COVID-19 diagnosis.
Study: Effect of lockdowns on outcomes of retinal diseases treated with anti-VEGF therapy
Researchers found that patients with nAMD lost vision as a result of the lockdown and reduced number of treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Higher risk of dry eye disease linked to post-COVID-19 patients
Fully recovered COVID-19 patients have a higher prevalence for developing dry eye disease, researchers report.
At-home vision testing by patients compares favorably to in-office evaluations during the COVID-19 pandemic
At-home visual acuity tests compare favorably within 1 line of vision to VA measurements performed during a standard office visit.
Decreased retinal vascular density associated with moderate/severe COVID-19 pneumonia
Vascular density might be a biomarker for microvascular abnormalities following COVID-19
Corneal sensitivity unaffected by COVID-19 in the acute phase
Acute infection did not impact the ability to obtain reliable test results
6 daily habits destroying your eyes
These habits wreak havoc on your vision
COVID-19 associated with a purtscher-like retinopathy
OCT showed inner retinal hyperreflectivity, diffuse retinal thickening with intraretinal fluid, and a serous macular detachment.
Chronic bilateral dacryoadenitis related to COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2 may target lacrimal gland tissue and manifest as chronic inflammation
COVID-19 associated with maternal deaths/morbidity
Complementary approach to control development of symptomatic COVID-19
Glaucoma drugs and drug delivery: Arising from the pandemic
The future is sustained-release injectables
Full vaccination status superior to no/partial vaccination status for COVID-19
Israel: 4th COVID-19 shot shows major benefits for patients over 60
Israeli researchers find a second booster shot was especially effective in individuals over 60 years of age, and “made them three times more resistant to serious illness."
COVID-19 rapid testing linked to low rate of false positive results
Canadian researchers have found that rapid antigen tests to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus are associated with a very low rate of false positive results.
A faster path to more rapid COVID-19 diagnosis
Diagnosing COVID-19 just got faster with a test that claims to provide rapid virus detection markedly faster than reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing.
IgG antibodies persistent in COVID-19 patients on hemodialysis
Investigators report that maintenance hemodialysis does not seem to impact the effectiveness of vaccines against the COVID-19 virus in most study patients.
COVID-19: new omicron BA.2 variant signals caution
The WHO alerted the public to a new version of Omicron, BA. 2, following its predecessor, Omicron BA.1.
Pupillary size variations in cases of active and resolved COVID-19
Significant differences were found in the pupillary diameters between when the virus was active and 3 months later, Turkish investigators report.
Pfizer and BioNTech launch omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine trial
Manufacturing of the omicron-specific vaccine has already begun.
Conflicting evidence on Vitamin D efficacy in COVID-19 cases
Saudi Arabian investigators have determined that Vitamin D levels are not protective against the severity or the outcomes of COVID-19 infections.
Genetics linked to COVID-19-related loss of smell, taste
Genetics researchers reported identifying a genetic link to the biologic mechanisms responsible for COVID-19-related loss of smell or taste.
Eye bank samples show low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2
Signs of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in human ocular tissues samples post-mortem were found to be low in samples considered suitable for corneal recovery and transplantation.
Corneal transplant rejection following COVID-19 vaccination
Acute corneal endothelial rejection is a possibility soon after either the first or second dose of the COVID-19 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine (Moderna), according new research.
Study: myocarditis/myopericarditis linked to COVID-19 vaccinations
Danish researchers report a significantly increased association between the mRNA-1273 vaccination (Moderna) and development of myocarditis or myopericarditis.