Fighting Myopia with Intermittent Nearwork Breaks: 20 Seconds Every 20 Minutes Might Not Be Enough Time

Myopia management algorithm. Annexe to the article titled Update and guidance on management of myopia. European Society of Ophthalmology in cooperation with International Myopia Institute

Myopia is becoming increasingly common in young generations all over the world, and it is predicted to become the most common cause of blindness and visual impairment in later life in the near future. Because myopia can cause serious complications and vision loss, it is critical to create and prescribe effective myopia treatment solutions that can help prevent or delay the onset and progression of myopia. The scientific understanding of myopia's causes, genetic background, environmental conditions, and various management techniques, including therapies to prevent or postpone its development and slow its progression, is rapidly expanding. However, some significant information gaps exist on this subject, making it difficult to develop an effective intervention plan. As with the creation of this present algorithm, a compromise is to work on best practices and reach consensus among a wide number of specialists. The quick rise in information regarding myopia management may be difficult for the busy eye care provider, but it necessitates a continuing need to evaluate new research and implement it into daily practice. To assist eye care providers in developing these strategies, an algorithm has been proposed that covers all aspects of myopia mitigation and management. The algorithm aims to provide practical assistance in choosing and developing an effective myopia management strategy tailored to the individual child. It incorporates the latest research findings and covers a wide range of modalities, from primary, secondary, and tertiary myopia prevention to interventions that reduce the progression of myopia.

Algorithmic and sensor-based research on Chinese children's and adolescents' screen use behavior and light environment

Background

Myopia poses a global health concern and is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. The incidence of myopia tends to increase during infectious outbreaks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined the screen-time behaviors among Chinese children and adolescents and investigated the efficacy of artificial intelligence (AI)-based alerts in modifying screen-time practices.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis was performed using data from 6,716 children and adolescents with AI-enhanced tablets that monitored and recorded their behavior and environmental light during screen time.

Results

The median daily screen time of all participants was 58.82 min. Among all age groups, elementary-school students had the longest median daily screen time, which was 87.25 min and exceeded 4 h per week. Children younger than 2 years engaged with tablets for a median of 41.84 min per day. Learning accounted for 54.88% of participants' screen time, and 51.03% (3,390/6,643) of the participants used tablets for 1 h at an average distance <50 cm. The distance and posture alarms were triggered 807,355 and 509,199 times, respectively. In the study, 70.65% of the participants used the tablet under an illuminance of <300 lux during the day and 61.11% under an illuminance of <100 lux at night. The ambient light of 85.19% of the participants exceeded 4,000 K color temperature during night. Most incorrect viewing habits (65.49% in viewing distance; 86.48% in viewing posture) were rectified swiftly following AI notifications (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Young children are increasingly using digital screens, with school-age children and adolescents showing longer screen time than preschoolers. The study highlighted inadequate lighting conditions during screen use. AI alerts proved effective in prompting users to correct their screen-related behavior promptly.

Talkin' 'bout my(opia) generation: The impact of Optometry and Vision Science

VIRTUAL ISSUE EDITORIAL

This editorial fronts the first virtual issue for Optometry & Vision Science. Virtual issues are a collection of papers from previously published issues of the journal that are brought together in a single, online publication. They highlight the important contribution the journal has made in supporting myopia research. All the papers referenced and previously published in Optometry & Vision Science will be made free access for 1-month. The collection can be accessed here: https://journals.lww.com/optvissci/pages/collectiondetails.aspx?TopicalCollectionId=16.

Immediate Effects of Vergence Exercises Using Automatic Dual Rotational Risley Prisms on Accommodative Lag and Facility

INTRODUCTION

This study evaluated novel automatic dual rotational Risley prisms (ADRRPs) as a vergence exercise tool for patients with myopia to improve accommodative lag and accommodative facility.

METHODS

Participants with myopia aged 20-24 years were recruited. After vergence exercises with prisms (treatment group) or plano lenses (control group) using ADRRPs for 10 min, measurements were taken using an open-field autorefractor (Grand Seiko WAM-5500) at viewing distances of 0.4 m and 6.0 m. We measured accommodative facility using a ± 2.00 D accommodative flipper.

RESULTS

A total of 56 participants (treatment group, 39; control group, 17) performed vergence exercises using ADRRPs. Participants in the treatment group showed improvements in accommodative lag at a 0.4 m viewing distance, with measurements of 0.57 D (right eye; OD) and 0.53 D (left eye; OS) and 0.21 D (OD) and 0.27 D (OS) before and after the exercises, respectively (p < 0.001). Over-refractions using an open-field autorefractor with spherical equivalent contact lenses at a 6.0 m viewing distance were - 0.01 ± 0.30 D (OD) and 0.03 ± 0.34 D (OS) and 0.15 ± 0.32 D (OD) and 0.19 ± 0.28 D (OS) before and after the exercises, respectively (difference + 0.16 D; p < 0.001). Accommodative facility values before and after exercises were 14.88 ± 3.36 and 15.59 ± 3.60 cpm, respectively (p < 0.01). No significant differences in accommodative lag, relaxation, and accommodative facility before and after exercise were observed in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Using ADRRPs in vergence exercises can improve accommodative lag, accommodative facility, and accommodative relaxation in adults with myopia. Further research to evaluate persistent and long-term effects is needed.