Reading

The WHO is modeling its new Training in Assistive Products program after VisionSpring’s global methodology to help health care workers in underserved countries identify presbyopia and distribute reading glasses to those in need.

Associations between cognitive ability in childhood and cognitive state in older age are moderated by how active and enriching one’s lifestyle remains through the middle years, according to a study published in Neurology.

Reading from printed books benefits children more than reading from a tablet, a study published in Pediatrics found.

Published results showed current oncological musculoskeletal-related patient education materials are written significantly above the reading level recommended by the NIH and AMA.

One concern shared with me by eye surgeons is what would happen to surgical volume if referral sources are pulled away. That threat may still be far off in the distance, depending on M&A activity and consolidation in optometry (see my blog “Big money enters eye care” for details). But reading an article in The New York Times brought another potential disruptor to light: U.S. citizens traveling abroad for surgery. Now before you dismiss this since you have known for years that some people will travel (eg, to Canada or Mexico for LASIK, ironically able to get more advanced technology than what the FDA has allowed here), pay attention to the main thrust of this article.

by Agustin L. Gonzalez, OD, FAAO, ABCMO

ST. LOUIS – Researchers found that students had significantly faster reading rates and total reading time on the same passage on paper compared to an iPad, according to a study presented here at Optometry’s Meeting.

And just like that, we have two. Two non-preserved cyclosporine A drops for dry eye disease, that is. Last week Sun announced that its version received premarket approval from the FDA about 2 weeks after word snuck out that Mylan got the go-ahead to launch its generic version of Restasis. In the blink of an eye, we have gone from the mano-a-mano battle between Restasis (Allergan) and Xiidra (Shire/Takeda) into a DED treatment Thunderdome.