The age of uncertainty continues.
2022 began with hopes of a continuing post-Cold War peace dashed by yet another megalomaniac over-flexing underwhelming muscles. At home, we were introduced to new concepts such as warm banks (which some of my patients have reported as ‘lifesavers’) and GPs ‘prescribing money’ to help people with essential services. Perhaps most memorable was the oddly short tenure of a Sheriff of Nottingham PM, so bent on preventing wealth redistribution that she employed a Health Secretary who had previously voted against banning smoking in cars containing children and whose plan to improve health services amounted to shouting: ‘Improve health services!’
Closer to home, ECPs have had to adapt their knowledge base evermore quickly. The effectiveness of myopia management continues apace; enough to convert the most sceptical, despite some specialist lens manufacturers still proving reluctant to release trial data (you know who you are). The evidence for the benefits of omega-3 supplementation in alleviating dry eye symptoms is growing, contrary to the oft-cited findings of the 2018 DREAM study. And, when I recently suggested the 20-20-20 rule most ECPs quote to computer users to avoid dry eye symptoms was not based on published evidence, some readers questioned this. Thankfully, a new study about to be published in Optometry & Vision Science1 concludes that ‘results do not support the proposal of using 20-second scheduled breaks as a therapeutic intervention for digital eye strain.’
The best news of 2022, in my humble view, was the report that a new drug, lecanemab, might finally be able to slow down Alzheimer’s disease progression, so answering those who asked: ‘What is the point of early detection?’
So, as I retire to consider the moral issues raised by Kenny Rogers in Coward of the County, may I wish you a peaceful and evidence-based festive season and an optimistic, optometric New Year.
- Do you have an idea for a clinical feature? Email the clinical editor bill.harvey@markallengroup.com.
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References
- https://journals.lww.com/optvissci/Abstract/9900/ - 20_20_20_Rule_Are_These_Numbers_Justified_. 62.aspx