Repeated low-level red light (RLRL) therapy is showing impressive results for myopia control in children, with a two-year randomized controlled trial showing highly impressive results for slowing and even reversing axial elongation. While reported as safe, a new case report suggests otherwise. Read more about this red hot topic here.
We talk to Dr May Zhang and Jeff Brown, leaders at HOYA Vision Care, about the importance of outdoor time and sun protection when it comes to managing children with myopia progression and how we can incorporate this into our clinical practice.
This study examined rates of corneal infiltrative (or inflammatory) events, including microbial keratitis, in nine studies. Most study data was for children fitted at 12 years of age or younger and most wore daily disposables. Taking in data for almost 3,000 children and over 6,000 patient-years of wear, rates were found to be low, adding to the body of evidence that children appear to be safer soft contact lens wearers than adults.
We asked renowned myopia scientist and educator Professor Mark Bullimore about his paper on this topic, which clearly outlines that the benefits outweigh the risks with myopia control. Learn about why this analysis was explored, an overview of the paper and the take-home message for clinical practice, especially for childhood contact lens wear.
This study found the risk of microbial keratitis for children fitted with contact lenses for myopia control was less than the risk of visual impairment from myopia progression to over 3D or axial lengths exceeding 26mm. If worn throughout childhood, the extra benefits of myopia control contact lenses outweigh the risks of infection, especially if the lenses are daily disposable.
This review investigated 18 years of practice data for the predictability, efficacy and safety of long-term ortho-k wear. The results showed that for at least one year’s wear, there was good efficacy and predictability of target refraction. Although corneal staining was common, serious adverse effects were found to be rare, particularly for children.
This study found that healthy children may report mild to moderate symptoms of ocular discomfort from prolonged use of digital screens, even if no clinical signs are present. This may be a precursor to future ocular surface disorders.
Digital eye strain is becoming more common in children and teenagers. The symptoms of asthenopia can be due to dry eye, binocular vision dysfunction and glare sensitivity – learn more about each of these, as well as guidelines to manage the risks.
Children nowadays frequently engage in screen time. Read this case to find out how excessive screen time can impact meibomian gland health.
This hospital-based study of high myopes aged 12 to 47 years found that myopia-related retinal pathologies were common, especially with more than 8D of myopia, greater than 26.5mm axial length and longer durations of myopia. Age and family history were not associated with retinal pathology – highlighting the need for close retinal health monitoring in high myopes of all ages.
