By Staff
Tuesday, October 31, 2023 4:14 PM
Myopia development and progression are multifactorial, with a complex interaction between genetic (non-modifiable) and environmental (modifiable) risk factors influencing myopigenesis. Most children, especially those living in an urban environment, live in a myopigenic environment (high near work, low time outdoors). They are almost continuously exposed to myopia-inducing stimuli. Many children and adolescents have developed unhealthy lifestyles, which affect their visual and overall health. Therefore, at a minimum, lifestyle advice and visual health guidance should be provided to all pre-myopic and myopic children.
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By Staff
Tuesday, January 10, 2023 5:18 PM
As we look forward to 2023, it may be difficult to predict the mindset of eyewear consumers. According to a recent article in
Forbes, How Will Consumer Behavior Change In 2023?, “2023 will be a jumble of mixed signals, reflecting a unique environment characterized by opposing forces: exuberance as the pandemic wanes, tempered by caution in the face of economic turbulence. In a nutshell, don’t expect consumers to be shy about spending in 2023. But expect them to be far pickier—seeking out fewer, richer experiences that blend the digital fluidity of the pandemic with the familiarity and intimacy of the times that came before.”
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By Staff
Thursday, December 1, 2022 11:16 AM
Telehealth usage stabilizing around 10 percent indicates that providers have found real value in the modality and are actively choosing to utilize it more than before the pandemic.
By Staff
Friday, November 11, 2022 11:17 AM
Most primary care practices are incredibly busy, in part due to pent-up demand due to COVID. Even though continuity of care is important, if the patient hasn’t been in and we don’t know if they’re going to come in, it’s hard to leave space for them.
By Staff
Monday, September 19, 2022 3:29 PM
Shuttered offices and international pandemic guidelines curtailed in-person patient care in 2020 but also led to demonstrations of sheer tenacity. Despite the challenges, loss and unsteadiness that COVID-19 brought into all of our lives, we would be remiss not to reflect on the opportunities, invention and hopefully lasting patient care innovation that transpired from the events of the last several years. Between social distancing, periods of mandated quarantine and general caution to remain at home, many patients found great utility in virtual communications with practitioners, and doctors were relieved to keep in touch with their patients’ needs.
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By Staff
Monday, August 15, 2022 4:45 PM
All summer long, the Global Myopia Awareness Coalition (GMAC) has been joining forces with children’s optometrist Dr. Nathan Bonilla-Warford in a myopia awareness campaign known as a Screen Staycation. Did you know that just 76 extra minutes outside a day can reduce the risk of myopia by 50 percent? That’s why Dr. Nate and GMAC are encouraging families to spend more time outdoors this summer and take a Screen Staycation—a challenge to go 24 hours without any screens. To help families get started with their outdoor activities, GMAC has been offering Screen Staycation kits which include, a Frisbee, a kite, and of course, sunglasses.
VMAIL Weekend caught up with Dr. Nate to talk about how the campaign is going and what’s on the horizon for families dealing with myopia.
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By Staff
Monday, July 11, 2022 4:37 PM
For many of us, technology has become more of a necessity than a luxury, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic began. While our various electronic devices do help connect us and has allowed many people to work remotely, excessive screen time can also lead to problems like eye strain. Because of this, MyVision.org was curious to see if the pandemic has led to more eye issues over the last two years. The organization surveyed more than 1,000 people who wear glasses and/or contacts to get feedback on their eye health and eye habits throughout the past few years. Based on the survey results, it turns out that many people are having vision problems, but are putting off going to the eye doctor.
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By Staff
Friday, July 8, 2022 1:00 PM
Masks help lower the spread of disease, but a recently published paper pointed out that the “constant circulation of air around the wearer’s eye by a mask can enhance the chance of infections leading to endophthalmitis.” This was confirmed in the retrospective study. The multicenter study examined the incidence and causative pathogens of these endophthalmitis cases. Patients who had undergone vitrectomy pre-COVID and during the one-year mandated mask-wearing period during the COVID-19 pandemic were included. The researchers reported a significantly lower incidence of endophthalmitis pre-COVID compared with the mask period. Of the pre-COVID infections, 22 percent were culture positive, all of the Staphylococcus family.
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By Staff
Friday, July 23, 2021 12:15 AM
HEBRON, Ky.—
VMAIL recently reported in the International News section on the release of Zeiss DuraVision AntiVirus Platinum UV. However, the product is only available in certain markets.
Zeiss Vision Care U.S. issued the following clarification: “Zeiss DuraVision AntiVirus Platinum UV, an anti-reflective coating with antibacterial and antiviral properties, is now available on Zeiss plastic lenses in several countries. The product is being reviewed for further release by local, country specific, regulatory agencies and is not yet available in North America.”
By Staff
Tuesday, July 20, 2021 12:27 AM
CHICAGO—
Prevent Blindness held the 10th annual
Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health National Summit as a virtual event on July 14 and 15, 2021. This year’s Summit included a variety of presentations and discussions related to the theme, "Our Changing Vision” with more than 1,000 registered attendees. In addition to a wide variety of presentations and moderated discussions, the Summit provided attendees with the opportunity to visit virtual booths of event sponsors, as well as chat and network with fellow attendees and presenters.
By Staff
Monday, June 28, 2021 12:15 AM
NEW YORK—An interview examining telehealth’s expanding role in vision care with Wally Lovejoy, an independent health care consultant, specializing in eyecare and optical retailing, and Julian Roberts, executive director of the
National Association of Vision Care Plans (NAVCP), kicked off the second component of a three-part session of VirtualEYZE! as part of the June 23 VM Leadership Summit.
By Staff
Thursday, June 24, 2021 6:03 PM
The new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on masking for fully vaccinated people may be confusing. Masking is still recommended, even for fully vaccinated people, while in healthcare settings. Does that mean all patients should continue wearing masks in your office? Or does that mean patients should be mandated to wear masks while receiving pretesting and their exam with the doctor, but not while in the reception area and optical?
Review of Optometric Business and
Women In Optometry collaborated on a poll. Here is what we learned about how you are approaching masking in your offices, along with guidance on doing it so the practice and patients are kept happy while being protected.
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By Staff
Monday, June 21, 2021 12:30 AM
NEW YORK—With just two days to go before the opening session of the
2021 Vision Monday Leadership Summit, event organizers said that
late registrations are still being accepted. The one-time-only session,
VirtualEYZE!, will explore how virtual health is expanding eyecare’s boundaries. It will be held
Wednesday, June 23, from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET. Virtual eyecare, in the form of comprehensive eye exams performed remotely with the direct involvement of an optometrist, is rapidly gaining favor with both patients and practitioners.