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NEI Research News

Thanks to the work of NEI scientists and grantees, we’re constantly learning new information about the causes and treatment of vision disorders. Get the latest updates about their work — along with other news about NEI.

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7 items

Research provides insight into how multifocal contacts help fight myopia

Have you noticed that more children than ever are wearing glasses? Global research indicates 35% of children are affected by myopia, needing glasses to see clearly at a distance. If the trend continues, the number is expected to rise to 40% by 2050.
A myopic eye grows too long from front to back. Light gets focused in front of the retina. Single-vision contact lenses focus distance vision on the retina, but peripheral light is focused behind the retina. Multifocal contact lenses focus distance vision on the retina and peripheral light in front of the retina, signaling the eye to slow growth.Multifocal contact lenses are concentric circles consisting of an add power treatment zone in the outer rings that focuses peripheral rays in front of the retina.

Contact lenses used to slow nearsightedness in youth have a lasting effect

In a follow up study, researchers found that children who wore special contact lenses to slow progression of myopia maintained the treatment benefit even after they stopped wearing the contacts as older teens.
Eye receiving eye drop

OHSU researchers discover link between proteins in tears, pain after eye surgery

Researchers have discovered a connection between levels of specific proteins in patients’ tears and persistent pain months after surgery such as LASIK.
Conference - ARVO 2024

Global perspectives on childhood myopia: addressing the rising epidemic

Scientists from around the world gathered recently in Seattle, Washington, at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) to address the global increase in myopia (nearsightedness).
Alexandra Benavente-Pérez

SUNY Optometry receives NIH grant to study the link between myopia and glaucoma

SUNY College of Optometry’s Dr. Alexandra Benavente-Pérez was awarded a grant that will explore the unknown nature of the relationship between myopia (nearsightedness) and glaucoma by focusing on their effect on the ganglion cell complex.
illustration showing axial elongation of the eye from myopia

Very low-dose atropine eye drops no better than placebo for slowing myopia progression

Use of low-dose atropine eyedrops (concentration 0.01%) was no better than placebo at slowing myopia (nearsightedness) progression and elongation of the eye among children treated for two years

Reading and visual health

Researchers at the State University of New York help explain how reading might contribute to myopia.

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