A Possible Reciprocal Relationship Between Myopia and Dry Eye Disease in Japanese Teenagers.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between dry eye disease (DED) and myopia in Japanese teenagers. Methods: This clinic-based, retrospective, cross-sectional study assessed DED condition in 10- to 19-year-old teenagers presenting at Japanese eye clinics. They included 106 high myopic patients (HM; mean age, 16.4 ± 2.2 years), 494 mild myopic patients (15.0 ± 2.6 years) and 82 non-myopic teenagers (NM; 13.8 ± 2.6 years). Subjective refraction and anisometropia were measured. Myopia grade was classified as HM (≤ -6.00 D), MM (> -6.00 D, < -0.50 D), or NM (≥ -0.5 D). The presence of DED-related symptoms including dryness, irritation, pain, fatigue, blurring and photophobia were assessed through a questionnaire. Tear film break-up time (BUT) and fluorescein corneal staining were investigated. Comparison among three groups and regression analysis of myopic error and other variables were conducted. Results: Anisometropia and astigmatic error were greatest in the HM group compared with the other groups (p < 0.001). The HM group reported less photophobia (p < 0.001) and less pain (p = 0.039) compared with the NM group. Regression analysis revealed that myopic error was correlated with astigmatic error (ß = -0.231, p <0.001), anisometropia (ß = -0.191, p <0.001), short BUT (ß = -0.086, p = 0.028) and the presence of diagnosed DED (ß = -0.112, p = 0.003). Dryness (ß = -0.127 p = 0.004), photophobia (ß = 0.117, p = 0.002) and pain (ß = 0.084, p = 0.034) correlated with myopic error. Conclusion: This study associated clinical findings of DED in HM teenagers. The present results suggest DED might be associated with myopia, possibly in a reciprocal relationship.

Effect of Eyelid Hygiene on Functional Visual Acuity After Cataract Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of eyelid hygiene after cataract surgery on eyelid and ocular surface findings, subjective symptoms and visual function, including functional visual acuity (FVA) and higher order aberration, in a randomized controlled study. Methods: Fifty patients who underwent cataract surgery at a single institution were involved. Twenty-five patients were instructed to wipe their eyelids twice a day from one to four weeks postoperatively, whereas the other 25 patients did not perform any eyelid hygiene. Optical measurement, FVA, meibomian glands, the grade of meibum, lid margin findings, fluorescein corneal staining findings, dry eye-related subjective symptoms and surgical satisfaction were assessed both preoperatively and one month postoperatively. Results: In the eyelid hygiene group, the visual maintenance ratio of FVA improved significantly (p = 0.048) and the higher order aberration of the 4th + 6th order deteriorated less (p = 0.027) compared with the control group. Multiple regression analyses showed that the change in visual maintenance ratio was associated with surgical satisfaction (p = 0.003), change in corneal staining score (p = 0.007), history of eye diseases (p = 0.029) and eyelid hygiene (p = 0.048). Conclusions: Eyelid hygiene after cataract surgery may be effective for visual function measured with an FVA test.

Accuracy of new intraocular lens power calculation formula for short and long eyes using segmental refractive indices.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of a new intraocular lens power calculation formula using segmental refractive index-based axial length (AL). SETTING: Chukyo Eye Clinic, Nagoya, Japan. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. METHODS: This study included patients undergoing preoperative examination for cataract surgery with the new Barrett True AL (BTAL) and Emmetropia Verifying Optical (EVO) formulas using segmental refractive index, and conventional Barrett Universal II (BU II) formula using equivalent refractive index. The predicted refractive error of each formula was compared with the postoperative subjective spherical equivalent. RESULTS: The mean prediction error (MPE) in the short AL group (≤ 22 mm; 44 eyes) was 0.32 ± 0.40 D for BU II, 0.22 ± 0.37 D for BTAL, and 0.10 ± 0.37 D for EVO (P < 0.0001). MPE in the long AL group (≥ 26 mm; 92 eyes) was 0.01 ± 0.32 D for BU II, 0.04 ± 0.32 D for BTAL, and 0.09 ± 0.32 D for EVO (P < 0.0001). In patients with an AL ≥ 28 mm, BU II showed a myopic trend in 57.1% of cases, while BTAL and EVO showed a hyperopic trend in 71.4%. The MPE for patients with an AL ≥ 28 mm was -0.16 ± 0.34 D for BU II, 0.18 ± 0.33 D for BTAL, and 0.16 ± 0.32 D for EVO (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The new EVO and BTAL formulas showed higher accuracy than BU II in short eyes, whereas there was no difference in long eyes.

Symptomatic Presbyopia may Develop Earlier in Patients With Glaucoma-A Cross-Sectional Retrospective Cohort Study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore risk factors for symptomatic presbyopia, defined as near add power ≥1.50 diopters, in patients with glaucoma. Methods: Treated glaucoma (n = 56), untreated glaucoma (n = 21), and control individuals (n = 376), aged 40 to 55 years at first visit, were enrolled in the study, and near add power, retinal thickness, and visual field were examined. The association between near add power and ocular parameters and the odds ratios (ORs) for symptomatic presbyopia were investigated. Survival analysis for symptomatic presbyopia was conducted. Results: Age, astigmatic power, mean deviation, and ganglion cell complex thickness were associated with near add power. The OR for symptomatic presbyopia was significant for age (OR = 1.51), astigmatism (OR = 1.01), mean deviation (OR = 0.72), ganglion cell complex thickness (OR = 0.98), treated and untreated glaucoma (OR = 2.09), and use of glaucoma eye drops (OR = 3.33). Survival analysis showed that the treated glaucoma group reached the near add power endpoint of ≥1.50 D (symptomatic presbyopia) significantly earlier than the other two groups, and there was no difference between the control and untreated glaucoma groups. Conclusions: Glaucoma patients treated with eye drops may start near correction earlier. Translational Relevance: Symptomatic presbyopia may develop earlier in patients with glaucoma, and our findings could further contribute to better management and understanding of presbyopia with glaucoma.

Seasonality of Tear Meniscus Volume and Dry Eye-Related Symptoms - A Cross-Sectional Retrospective Cohort Study.

Purpose: We aimed to determine the seasonal variation in the tear meniscus level on strip meniscometry and its association with ocular parameters and symptoms. In Japan, there are four distinct seasons characterized by marked differences in temperature and humidity, which may contribute to an observed seasonality of ocular surface symptoms. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in two Japanese clinics and recruited first-visit patients for 3 years. Tear strip meniscometry, tear break-up time (BUT), Schirmer test, and corneal staining were examined, and major ocular symptoms (dryness, irritation, pain, fatigue, blurred vision, and photophobia) were determined through interviews. Results: The 1196 participants had a mean age of 58.9±15.2 years; 37.1% were of male sex. Strip meniscometry values and BUT revealed significant seasonality with one-way analysis of variance. The mean strip meniscometry value (mm) was 2.15±2.59 in spring (p=0.025 vs winter), 2.37±2.79 in summer (p<0.001), 2.38±2.80 in fall (p<0.001), and 1.64±2.29 in winter. Regression analysis indicated that strip meniscometry levels were correlated with BUT (p<0.001), Schirmer test values (p<0.001), corneal staining scores (p=0.022), and presence of dryness (p<0.001). Conclusion: Strip meniscometry values exhibited distinct seasonality, being lowest in winter when the ambient condition is dry and cool, and were correlated with BUT, Schirmer test values, corneal staining scores, and the presence of subjective dryness.

Clinical Results and Factors Affecting Visual Function in Eyes Implanted with an Enhanced Monofocal Intraocular Lens.

Purpose: To compare the clinical results achieved with the enhanced monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) with those of the monofocal IOL and investigate factors affecting the distance, intermediate, and near vision. Patients and Methods: Patients were included who underwent bilateral consecutive cataract surgeries using the same IOLs with follow-up to 1 month postoperatively. Refractions, monocular UDVA and CDVA, and binocular distance-corrected functional visual acuity at 5 meters (BDCFVA), at 66 centimeters (BDCIFVA) and at 40 centimeters (DCNVA) were assessed. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess the factors affecting binocular BDCFVA, BDCIFVA, and BDCNFVA. Subjective symptoms were assessed using the Near Activity Visual Questionnaire (NAVQ) and visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: Sixty patients (120 eyes) implanted with the Tecnis Eyhance IOL (30 patients, 60 eyes) or the Tecnis monofocal IOL (30 patients, 60 eyes) were included. The Tecnis Eyhance IOL provided significantly better binocular BDCIFVA than the Tecnis monofocal IOL in patients under 70 years of age. Multiple regression analysis showed that age was the only factor affecting distance and intermediate visual function in eyes with the Tecnis Eyhance IOL; gender, pupillary diameter, axial length, and average keratometry were not significant. There were no significant differences in subjective symptoms. Conclusion: The comprehensive cohort analysis did not confirm the advantage on the intermediate vision of the Tecnis Eyhance IOL. Younger age may be an important factor to benefit from the unique optical characteristics of this IOL.

Association of eye strain with dry eye and retinal thickness.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this cohort study was to investigate the association between the prevalence of abnormal ocular examination results and the common visual symptoms of eye strain, blurred vision and photophobia. METHODS: Consecutive first-visit outpatients with best-corrected visual acuity better than 20/30 in both eyes were enrolled and those with a history of intra-ocular lens implantation and glaucoma were excluded. Dry eye-related examinations and retinal thickness measurement were conducted. The odds ratio (OR) was calculated with logistic regression analyses of ocular data in relation to the presence of visual symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 6078 patients (3920 women, mean age 49.0 ± 20.4 years) were analyzed. The prevalence of each symptom was 31.8% for eye strain, 22.5% for blurred vision and 16.0% for photophobia. A significant risk factor for eye strain was short tear break-up time (TBUT) (OR 1.88), superficial punctate keratitis (SPK) (OR 1.44), and thickness of ganglion cell complex (GCC) (OR 1.30). Risk factors for blurred vision were short TBUT (OR 1.85), SPK (OR 1.24) and GCC (OR 0.59). Risk factors for photophobia were short TBUT (OR 1.77) and SPK (OR 1.32). Schirmer test value, peripapillary nerve fiber layer thickness and full macular thickness were not associated with the tested symptoms. CONCLUSION: The current study successfully identified female gender, short TBUT, and SPK as significant risk factors for eye strain, blurred vision, and photophobia with considerable ORs.

Breakfast Skipping is associated with More Deleterious Lifestyle Behaviors among Japanese Men: The TRF-Japan Study Using the Original "Taberhythm" Smartphone Application.

Background: Time-restricted eating has been increasingly recognized as a promising option to reduce food intake and combat obesity. Especially in Asian countries such as Japan, because of the wide variety of food choices available, a dietary approach that emphasizes meal timing can be more practical and easier to implement and adhere to, compared with approaches that focus on specific dietary content, such as low-fat or low-carbohydrate diets. Objectives: We aimed to identify eating patterns among Japanese men and women using a smartphone application (app) called "Taberhythm." In addition, we sought to evaluate the relationship of breakfast eating habits with lifestyle behaviors and body mass index, and determine whether sex differences were present. Methods: A total of 3369 smartphone users were eligible to participate in this observational study. Users recorded 1 mo of lifestyle logs using the app; 254 participants (178 women, 38 ± 12 y old, body mass index 23.3 ± 4.9 kg/m2) had sufficient records to calculate daily fasting duration and sleep duration, and were eligible for the analyses. Results: Fasting duration was ∼12.6 h and was longer in women than men, among participants who never skipped breakfast. Breakfast skipping was associated with longer screen time, and more frequent snacking, only in men. Men with irregular breakfast eating patterns had a longer duration of fasting after awakening that was associated with obesity. Conclusions: We investigated eating patterns among Japanese people using a smartphone app and revealed that skipping breakfast was more deleterious in men than in women.

Sex differences in the relationship between axial length and dry eye in elderly patients.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the association between myopia and dry eye (DE)-related ocular parameters. Methods: We recruited a total of 460 patients (mean age, 73.6 years; 40.2% men) and performed DE-related, axial length (AL) and retinal examinations. Statistical analysis revealed a significant sex difference in AL, strip meniscometry value, corneal staining score, corneal endothelial cell density, ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness, and full macular thickness. AL was strongly age- and sex-dependent, so subsequent analyses were stratified by sex. Results: Among DE-related parameters, strip meniscometry value (ß = -0.167, p = 0.033) and corneal endothelial cell density (ß = -0.139, p = 0.023) were correlated with AL in women but not in men. Regarding retinal parameters, GCC thickness and full macular thickness were correlated with AL in women but not in men. Conclusion: The current results suggest a relationship between tear production and AL in elderly women and support the hypothesis that there may be a common upstream factor including the parasympathetic nervous system in the association between tear production and AL or DE and myopia.

The ocular symptoms and signs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: The aim of this cohort study was to describe the change in ocular surface signs and symptoms before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to associate changes with potential pandemic-related events. METHODS: First-visit patients from 2019 to 2021 were examined for corneal staining, lacrimal function and refraction. We assessed the presence of seven common ocular symptoms. Patients with glaucoma and macular disease were excluded. Dry eye (DE) was diagnosed according to the criteria of the Asia Dry Eye Society. RESULTS: The mean age of 3,907 participants was 59.6±18.6y and 63.8% were female. Mean age and the prevalence of diagnosed DE and shortened tear break-up time decreased from 2019 to 2021. The prevalence of eye fatigue, blurring and photophobia decreased in 2020. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of diagnosed DE did not increase among first-visit patients during the pandemic compared with 2019, despite many survey results suggesting that DE may have worsened due to frequent masking, increased screen time, mental stress, and depression under quarantine and social infection control. It might be considered however, that many elderly DE patients might have refrained from consulting an ophthalmologist and possibly delayed treatment of DE during the pandemic.

Starting Time of Presbyopic Eyeglasses Wear and Lifestyle.

Purpose: Presbyopia is a serious burden in the aged population, however, the factors affecting its progression have not been fully determined. The aim of this study was to explore the association between the time of starting to wear presbyopic eyeglasses and lifestyle, in participants aged from 40 to 59 years. Methods: We selected the sample to be representative of sex and age for the age group 40 to 59 years. Participants completed a web-based survey on presbyopia-related questions, symptomatic dry eye, sleep habits, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, subjective happiness scale (SHS), and other lifestyle-related questions including marital status, income, screen time, sun exposure, family history of myopia, and the frequency of regular visits to medical services. Results: We found 529 participants (26.5%) used near correction, with a mean age for first near correction of 47.8±4.8 years. An earlier commencement of near correction correlated with hyperopia (P = 0.013), late wake-up time (P = 0.010), a poor subjective sleep quality score (P = 0.019), and a low annual income score (P = 0.025), after adjusting for age and sex. Stratification by income demonstrated the low-income group exhibited more dry eye, later wake-up time, longer sleep latency, longer sleep duration, worse sleep efficacy, lower SHS score, and a higher prevalence of living alone compared with the high-income group. The usage of corrective devices did not differ between the two groups. Conclusions: The current study suggests a healthy sleep habit may delay the need for near correction, in addition to myopia. Shift work and circadian rhythm disruption might exacerbate presbyopia progression.

Tear Strip Meniscometry and Its Clinical Application: Analysis of More Than 2000 Cases.

Purpose: To evaluate the association of strip meniscometry tear meniscus volume measurement with signs and symptoms related to dry eye. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 2234 consecutive outpatients and used dry eye symptomatology and related ocular surface examinations, including the Schirmer test, fluorescein tear film break-up time (BUT), corneal fluorescein vital staining and strip meniscometry. The strip meniscometry cut-off was estimated using a receiver operating characteristic analysis. The subjective symptoms consisted of six binarized items: dryness, fatigue, photophobia, pain, irritation, and blurring. The clinical signs were also binarized by the cut-off in each test. The presence of all signs and symptoms were then analyzed using Hayashi's quantification theory type III analysis. Results: The mean age of the participants was 59.3 ± 17.3 years. The mean values for Schirmer test, BUT, corneal fluorescein staining, and strip meniscometry were 13.6 ± 9.6 mm, 3.1 ± 2.1 seconds, 0.40 ± 0.66, and 2.4 ± 2.7 mm, respectively. The Schirmer test was negatively correlated with age (r = -0.152; P < 0.01), whereas the BUT and strip meniscometry were not. All pairs of Schirmer test, BUT, and strip meniscometry had significant correlations, but the greatest correlation was found between BUT-strip meniscometry (r = 0.238; P < 0.01). An strip meniscometry cut-off length of 2.5 mm (area under the curve = 0.618) was calculated. Hayashi's analysis found high similarity among the presence of signs by strip meniscometry, BUT. and corneal fluorescein staining, and three nonvisual symptoms (pain, irritation, and dryness) had a distinct similarity. Conclusions: Strip meniscometry results using the cut-off of 2.5 mm could be a useful clinical indicator for the initial screening of dry eye. Translational Relevance: This large-scale case-control study further confirmed tear strip meniscometry with the new cut-off is a useful tear function examination for dry eye; it is a 5-second noninvasive procedure and associated with clinical symptoms and corneal parameters.

Decrease of tear break-up time at Japanese eye clinics during five consecutive years.

The aim of this retrospective chart review study was to evaluate the 5-year trend of ocular surface examination results in participants who visited the eye clinic from 2015 to 2019, underwent corneal and lacrimal examinations, refraction, and intra-ocular pressure measurements, and reported six dry eye-related symptoms. A total of 1468 patients were analyzed. Tear break-up time (BUT) decreased continuously for five consecutive years: 4.76 ± 1.84 s in 2015, 4.57 ± 1.70 s in 2016 (p = 0.999, vs 2015), 4.35 ± 2.06 s in 2017 (p = 0.662), 3.83 ± 2.18 s in 2018 (p < 0.001), and 3.63 ± 2.10 s in 2019 (p < 0.001). The decrease of BUT was more prominent in women than men (p < 0.001) and the correlation coefficient between calendar year and BUT was greater in women than men (p = 0.002). Schirmer test value, strip tear meniscometry value, and corneal staining score did not exhibit significant changes. Prevalence of blurring, photophobia, and pain increased toward 2019 among symptoms surveyed (eye fatigue, blurring, photophobia, dryness, irritation, and pain) and regression analysis indicated blurring (p < 0.001), photophobia (p < 0.001), and pain (p < 0.001) were correlated with BUT. In conclusion, BUT decreased continuously for five consecutive years from 2015 to 2019 and was associated with dry-eye related symptoms.

Short Tear Breakup Time Could Exacerbate the Progression of Presbyopia in Women.

PURPOSE: The contributory factors and symptoms for presbyopia progression have not been fully determined. The purpose of the study was to compare presbyopia progression in subjects with short and normal tear breakup time and to explore the severity of common ocular symptoms associated with presbyopia progression. METHOD: We conducted a clinic-based, retrospective, cross-sectional study. Inclusion criteria were bilateral phakic patients aged 40-69 years with best-corrected distance visual acuity better than 20/30, and exclusion criteria were the use of glaucoma eye drops, any disease affecting vision, or history of ocular surgery. We measured the binocular near add power and compared the results using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Association between near add power and ocular symptoms was explored. RESULTS: There were 1411 participants (mean age of 50.1 years). There were no significant differences in age, intraocular pressure, spherical equivalent, astigmatism, or anisometropia between the sexes. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that women with short tear breakup time reached the endpoint (near add power of +3.00 D) significantly earlier than those with normal tear breakup time (P = 0.043; Cox-Mantel test). Eye fatigue was most severe in the group with an add power of 1.25-2.00 D. Near add power was correlated with hyperopia, astigmatic errors, and anisometropia. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests an exacerbation of presbyopia progression in women with short tear breakup time. Eye fatigue was most severe in those with an add power of 1.25-2.00 D.

Presbyopia developed earlier during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: The aim of this cohort study was to evaluate the development and progression of presbyopia and the status of dry eye-related symptoms from 2017 to 2020, to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Near add power at 30 cm was measured in 339 participants aged between 40 and 55 from 2017 to 2021 at Japanese eye clinics. Regression analysis of near add power and age was analyzed to compare 2017 with later years up to the pandemic. The prevalence of dry eye-related signs and six common symptoms were compared. RESULTS: The number and mean age (y) of participants were 183 (48.6±4.1) in 2017, 46 (51.3±7.5) in 2019, and 110 (49.2±3.7) in 2020-21, respectively. The mean progression rate of near add power (D/y) was 0.13 for 2017, 0.09 for 2019 (P = 0.028, vs 2017), and 0.08 for 2020-21 (P<0.001, vs 2017). The slope (rate of presbyopia progression) became flatter from 2017 to 2021 and the estimated near add power at the age of 40 increased from 2017 to 2020-2021, implicating presbyopia developed earlier and worsened during the study period. The 2017 values were comparable with previous studies described in 1922 and 2019. The standardized correlation coefficient between age and near add power was 0.816 for 2017, 0.671 for 2019 (P = 0.084, vs 2017), and 0.572 for 2020-21 (P<0.001, vs 2017). Multiple regression analysis revealed age and COVID-19 pandemic were significantly correlated with near add power. The prevalence of dryness irritation, and pain was greater in 2020-21 than in 2017 with no difference in the prevalence of eye fatigue, blurring, and photophobia. There was no difference in the prevalence of short tear break-up time and positive corneal staining among 2017, 2019 and 2020-21. CONCLUSION: Estimated presbyopia developed earlier and progressed slower from 2017 to 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic. Stress and rapid digitalization related to strict infection control and quarantine might be contributing factors.

Determination of the Standard Visual Criterion for Diagnosing and Treating Presbyopia According to Subjective Patient Symptoms.

Presbyopia treatments using various modalities have been developed recently; however, no standard criteria exist for the diagnosis and treatment endpoint. This study assessed the relationship between the near visual acuity (NVA) and the subjective symptoms of phakic presbyopia and determined the numerical NVA threshold to diagnose phakic presbyopia and evaluate the effectiveness of presbyopia treatment. The binocular distance, NVA with habitual correction, and monocular conventional VA were measured. Patients were asked about their awareness of presbyopia and difficulty performing near tasks. This prospective observational study included 70 patients (mean age, 56 years; range, 32-77). Most patients became aware of presbyopia in their late forties, although some had difficulty with vision-related near tasks before becoming aware of presbyopia. Eighty three percent of patients (20/24) experienced difficulty with near vision-related tasks even with excellent NVA at 40 cm with habitual correction of 0.0 logMAR (20/20 in Snellen VA). In conclusion, the current study showed that patients became aware of presbyopia in their late forties, although some had difficulty with near vision-related tasks before becoming aware of presbyopia. Further investigation should include the proposal of appropriate diagnostic criteria for presbyopia and better management for patients with presbyopia.

Short-Term Efficacy and Safety of Cataract Surgery Combined with Iris-Fixated Phakic Intraocular Lens Explantation: A Multicentre Study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term efficacy and safety of cataract surgery for patients with iris-fixated phakic intraocular lenses (pIOLs). This study included 96 eyes of 91 patients. The changes in the logMAR uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), subjective spherical equivalent (SE), astigmatism, and endothelial cell density (ECD) were collected retrospectively. The intraoperative and postoperative complications also were investigated to assess the surgical safety. The preoperative UCVA and BCVA improved significantly at month 1 postoperatively, respectively (p < 0.001 for both comparisons). The efficacy and safety index at month 1 postoperatively were 1.02 ± 0.56 and 1.31 ± 0.64, respectively. The SE at month 1 postoperatively was significantly (p < 0.001) higher compared to preoperatively, whereas the subjective astigmatism did not differ significantly (p = 0.078). The ECD significantly decreased at month 1 (p < 0.001). The most common postoperative complication was intraocular pressure elevation exceeding 25 mmHg in 10.4% of eyes, which was controlled with medications in all cases until month 1 postoperatively. No intraoperative complications developed. Cataract surgeries for patients with iris-fixated pIOLs were performed safely with good visual outcomes.

A Novel Lid Hygiene Detergent Successfully Eliminated Demodex Mites, a Common Pathogen of Refractory Obstructive Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION: Demodex mites are microscopic arthropods that have been shown to be responsible for chronic blepharitis. Although many reports have demonstrated positive effects of lid hygiene on demodicosis, some have produced conflicting results. We retrospectively evaluated the effect of lid margin cleansing with a novel lid hygiene detergent, Eye Shampoo, in patients with ocular demodicosis. METHODS: Outpatient clinic notes recorded over a 24-month period between June 30, 2016, and June 29, 2018, at Keio University Hospital in Japan were reviewed to identify patients diagnosed with ocular demodicosis who started cleansing their lid margins with Eye Shampoo at least once daily as a lid hygiene therapy. RESULTS: Five patients diagnosed with ocular demodicosis who started cleansing their lid margins using Eye Shampoo for lid hygiene were identified. In four cases, Demodex mites were successfully eliminated, and ocular conditions were ultimately improved with no recurrence. Active Demodex mites were still noted after 3 months of lid hygiene therapy in one case; further observation of this case was not available. There were no adverse effects of Eye Shampoo in any of these cases. CONCLUSION: Lid hygiene therapy using Eye Shampoo successfully eliminated Demodex mites, a common pathogen of refractory obstructive meibomian gland dysfunction.

Sleep and subjective happiness between the ages 40 and 59 in relation to presbyopia and dry eye.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore the status of quality of life between the ages 40-59 in relation to presbyopia and dry eye. METHODS: Near add power and preferred contact lens power were examined in 219 participants at three clinics. 2000 participants completed a web-based survey on presbyopic symptoms, symptomatic dry eye, sleep quality, and subjective happiness. RESULTS: Mean preferred corrected visual acuity was less than 20/20 in women (vs men, P<0.01) who were more often prescribed under-corrected contact lenses, whereas men preferred full correction. According to the annual progression rate of near add power in men (0.1468D/year), the estimated difference in presbyopia progression between men and women was 0.75 years in the right eye, and 1.69 years in the left eye, implying men might suffer presbyopia earlier than women due to higher myopic power of daily use contact lenses. The web-based survey revealed that men reported lower subjective happiness than women (P<0.001) and earlier onset of presbyopic symptoms by 1.1-1.7 years (P<0.05). Men received their first reading glasses 0.8 years earlier than women (P = 0.066). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that awareness of presbyopic symptoms, visual burden, and dry eyes were significantly correlated with poor sleep quality and subjective happiness. CONCLUSION: Presbyopia and dry eye were significantly associated with sleep quality and subjective happiness in middle-adulthood.

Possible favorable lifestyle changes owing to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic among middle-aged Japanese women: An ancillary survey of the TRF-Japan study using the original "Taberhythm" smartphone app.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had a global effect on people's lifestyles. Many people have become physically inactive and developed irregular eating patterns, which leads to unhealthier lifestyles and aggravation of lifestyle-related diseases; these in turn increase the severity of COVID-19. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we developed a smartphone application called "Taberhythm" to investigate eating patterns, physical activity, and subjective feelings of happiness. We aimed to compare lifestyle data before and during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic to objectively assess lifestyle changes during quarantine. A total of 464 smartphone users (346 women, 35 ± 12 years old, body mass index [BMI] 23.4 ± 4.5) participated in Period A (January 7 to April 28, 2019) and 622 smartphone users (533 women, 32 ± 11 years old, BMI 23.3 ± 4.0) participated in Period B (January 6 to April 26, 2020). Compared with Period A, there was a sharp decline in physical activity during Period B (4642 ± 3513 vs. 3814 ± 3529 steps/day, p<0.001), especially during the final 9 weeks in both periods (4907 ± 3908 vs. 3528 ± 3397 steps/day, p<0.001); however, there were large variations in physical activity among participants. We found a surprising trend during Period B toward increased happiness among women aged 30-50 years, the group most affected by stay-at-home policies that led to working from home and school closure. Moreover, daily eating duration declined in this population. Additionally, there was a positive association of happiness with steps per day in Period B (ρ = 0.38, p = 0.02). Despite the many negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, subjective feelings of happiness among middle-aged Japanese women tended to increase, which indicates that some favorable lifestyle changes that could be adopted during quarantine in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.