Articles related to VISION/OCULAR HEALTH

Except in cases when you are concerned about or have confirmed a diagnosis of DME, patients with moderate NPDR do not need to be sent to a retina specialist. Patients with moderate NPDR should also be examined every six to eight months since they run a 12% to 27% risk of developing PDR within a year. Finally, patients with severe NPDR are at a significant risk of disease progression and irreversible vision loss, have a 52% chance of acquiring PDR within a year, and are almost certainly dealing with neuropathy elsewhere.

After taking part in this educational activity, participants should be better equipped to recommend retina experts for immediate examination and preventative therapy for patients with suspected moderate to severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and investigate new information for stopping the progression and vision-threatening side effects of DR.

Iyuzeh (latanoprost ophthalmic solution), which will be offered to eyecare professionals in the US in the second half of 2023, is made without any of the preservatives often included in topical ocular treatments, such as benzalkonium chloride (BAK). Iyuzeh has consistently lowered IOP and been shown to be tolerable in numerous trials in the US and Europe. In randomized, controlled clinical studies, Iyuzeh reduced IOP by 3–8 mmHg against 4–8 mmHg by Xalatan (latanoprost ophthalmic solution) at 0.005%, which is preserved with BAK, in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension and mean baseline IOP of 19–24 mmHg.

According to the most recent Physician’s Desk Reference, 22 of the top 100 best-selling systemic drugs in the United States have been linked to dry eye. Furthermore, eight of the nine systemic drugs secreted into the tear film have been linked to induce dry eye, including common OTC medications aspirin and ibuprofen. This article will review and provide common examples of many of the medications on this list by class, as well as discuss the mechanism of causation and offer management and treatment approaches.

During pregnancy and the postpartum period, the body is subjected to abnormal stress, raising the possibility of eye and vision-related conditions and complications. Refractive changes, central serous chorioretinopathy, Purtscher-like retinopathy, diabetes, hypertension, and immunologic diseases are examples of eye and vision-related conditions and complications. Although diabetic retinopathy that develops during pregnancy usually resolves on its own after delivery, women are still at risk of progression for up to a year after delivery.

The AOA’s Research & Information Committee (RIC) conducted the survey this past summer, with findings published in the AOA Health Policy Institute brief: 93% of doctors who provide myopia management work in cities, with 71% working independently. Before beginning myopia management protocols, 73% believe an annual progression of 0.5 to 0.75 diopters is required. The most important risk factor for myopia management was determined to be refractive error. Soft (contact) lenses approved by the FDA were the preferred treatment method. 33% of myopia management candidates postpone treatment; 80% of these patients postpone treatment due to financial constraints.