When we ran our myopia special issue at the end of April, I referred to the two-year results from the Chinese trial looking at the effect of the Essilor Stellest lens on the progression of myopia. These were to be announced at ARVO after we went to press. Just in case they were missed, the team from Wenzhou Medical University confirmed that, not only did those children wearing the highly aspheric (Essilor) lenses full time show a 67% reduction in myopia progression and a 60% slowing of axial length elongation, the results were nearly twice as effective as those found with what they called the ‘slightly aspheric’ lenses. Now, what might they be?
Bolstered by some positive reader feedback for the myopia issue and with the current stream of new research in this area, I am pleased to say we will likely be running a second ‘myopia special’ towards the end of the year. Also, look out for a themed issue planned for the end of July that will focus on the eye care of the younger adolescent patient base; a group all too easily overlooked.
One of the areas I hope to include here is the increase in software and apps able to help practitioners. Compliance is a big challenge when instigating treatment with younger patients, for example orthoptic and amblyopia exercises, and some of the tablet display-based programs are proving to be very effective. I also notice this week a new paper, in Clinical Optometry, describing a new method of screening for colour defects using a game run on the Nintendo 3DS that has impressive sensitivity.
I do not want readers thinking it is just in low vision that new software is worth ECPs trying out. That said, my old mate Andy Millington recently got in touch about our low vision tech series and added the important point that electronic kit is very helpful for the elderly with poor dexterity. Time to get rid of our stereotypes of the old.