COVID Linked to Rise in Myopia in China

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COVID Linked to Rise in Myopia in China

According to ophthalmologists in Hong Kong, myopia incidence rates have risen by 2.5 times, and the speed of eyesight deterioration has doubled since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, a 2-year study involving 474 nonmyopic children in Hong Kong between 4 and 9 years of age found that low-concentration atropine eye drops applied once every night in both eyes could reduce the risk of myopia development by 46.4%, with the incidence rate dropping from 53% to 28.4%.

Professor Clement Tham Chee-yung of Chinese University’s ophthalmology department stated that, “The Covid-19 pandemic has triggered a myopia boom in schoolchildren due to school closure and social-distancing measures.” He added that, “Strategies to prevent myopia onset and to reduce its progression have become paramount.” (Read more.)

My Two Cents

I am fascinated by this study, although the results don’t surprise me at all. It will be interesting to see how the research and results play out in the coming years.

CAN YOU RELATE

As some of you may be aware, I recently licensed one of my companies, the Dry Eye Drink, to Bruder Healthcare. One of the stipulations of the agreement is that I help out at their booth during major meetings. So, I had my first taste of working a booth in an exhibit hall during SECO, and I tell you what—it is an exhausting job! You’re typically on your feet for hours without rest chatting up anyone and everyone who stops by. Now I see why there are always plenty of water bottles and snacks sitting around those booths! Although working the floor is both mentally and physically demanding, it is also a wonderful experience. It was so great catching up with many friends and colleagues who happened to walk by on the exhibit hall floor.

Now that I have experienced the other side of the booth, I would impress upon you all the next time you’re wandering through the exhibit hall of a conference to be cordial with the folks behind the booths you pass. Not only are they spending a large amount of their budget on exhibition space to get in front of you as members of the eye care community, but they’re also doing it to support our profession. Also, maybe offer them some water if they look thirsty—they probably need it!

OUTSIDE THE LANE

Brace Yourself for an Extended Allergy Season

Have you noticed your patients complaining of their allergy symptoms earlier this year? If so, you’re not alone! Down here in Louisiana, I’ve had more patients experiencing allergic conjunctivitis than usual at this point in the year.

According to a CNN article, there are record pollen counts all over the country early this year. In Washington DC, for example, the first “high” tree pollen count appeared in February. At 487 grains per every cubic meter of air, it was the highest count on record so early in the season, according to Susan Kosisky, a chief microbiologist at the US Army Centralized Allergan Extract Lab.

In Atlanta, the pollen count climbed to “extremely high” on March 6th, which is the earliest it has done so in more than 30 years of record-keeping, according to the Atlanta Allergy and Asthma physician’s practice. By the next day, the tree pollen count had doubled yet again.

Why is this happening? Pollen has exploded from plants much earlier than normal this year after an exceptionally warm February in the South and the East. This is in addition to an allergy season that lasts longer and starts earlier due to global warming. (Read more.)

My Two Cents

Get ready to recommend all of your favorite topical antihistamine drops, and don’t be afraid to refer those tough cases to your local allergist!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Good fortune is what happens when opportunity meets with planning.”

—Thomas Edison