Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Ophthalmology for June 2017. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Poll Finds Seniors Struggling With Drug Costs Don’t Seek Help
FRIDAY, June 30, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Many older Americans who have difficulty paying for their medications don’t seek help in finding more economical options, according to the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging.
Health of the Nation Presented in 40th Annual CDC Report
THURSDAY, June 29, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The health of the United States is summarized in the 40th annual report published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Doctors Urged to Take Care With Electronic Communications
THURSDAY, June 29, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Care should be taken when conveying electronic messages to patients, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
FDA Seeks to Increase Number of Generic Drugs on Market
WEDNESDAY, June 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — New measures to increase the number of generic prescription drugs available to Americans have been taken by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Crowded Living Conditions May Up Myopia Risk in Children
TUESDAY, June 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For children, axial length and refractive error are associated with high population density and small home size, according to a study published online June 22 in Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics.
CDC: Zika Can Be Found in Placental, Fetal Tissue at Birth
FRIDAY, June 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Testing placental and fetal tissue after a child is born can confirm or rule out Zika infection, according to research published in the June 23 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
1991-2014 Saw Minimal Change in Health Spending Per State
THURSDAY, June 22, 2017 (HealthDay News) — From 1991 to 2014 there was minimal change in health spending by state, according to a study published online June 14 in Health Affairs.
Nearly 60 Percent With Conjunctivitis Fill Antibiotic Rx
THURSDAY, June 22, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Antibiotic prescriptions are filled by nearly 60 percent of patients newly diagnosed with acute conjunctivitis, according to a study published online June 14 in Ophthalmology.
CDC: Number of U.S. Counties With Zika-Carrying Mosquitoes Up
WEDNESDAY, June 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Mosquitoes that can spread Zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses are in more counties in the southern United States than previously thought, according to a study published online June 19 in the Journal of Medical Entomology.
Health Insurers Recruiting Former Pharma Reps to Cut Costs
FRIDAY, June 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Health insurers are recruiting former pharmaceutical company representatives to educate doctors and help save money on prescription medications, according to a report published June 8 in Kaiser Health News.
AMA Endeavors to Increase Transparency of Rx Pricing
THURSDAY, June 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) is calling for more transparency in drug pricing amid rising costs that are putting some lifesaving medications out of reach for patients and communities.
Novel Retinal Lesion Seen in Some Ebola Survivors
THURSDAY, June 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A small percentage of Ebola virus disease (EVD) survivors have a novel retinal lesion, according to research published in the July issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Sleep Apnea Linked to Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetes
WEDNESDAY, June 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy (STDR) and with progression to pre-/proliferative DR, according to a study published online June 8 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Retinal Ganglion Cell + Inner Plexiform Layer Loss Affects QoL
TUESDAY, June 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, structural macular retinal ganglion cell plus inner plexiform layer (RGC+IPL) loss is associated with vision-related quality of life, according to a study published online June 8 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Medical Students Lacking Proficiency in BP Measurements
MONDAY, June 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Medical students frequently do not achieve mastery of the skills necessary for accurate measurement of blood pressure (BP), according to a study published online April 28 in the Journal of Clinical Hypertension.
Reduced Corneal Nerve Fiber Density in Patients With HIV
MONDAY, June 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Patients with HIV and HIV-associated sensory neuropathy (HIV-SN) have reduced corneal nerve fiber density, which can be identified using in vivo corneal confocal microscopy (IVCCM), according to a study published online June 8 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
New Bill With Tort Reforms Will Protect Iowa Physicians
FRIDAY, June 9, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A new bill with tort reforms to protect Iowa physicians will take effect July 1, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
CDC: ~5 Percent of Pregnancies With Zika Result in Birth Defects
FRIDAY, June 9, 2017 (HealthDay News) — About one in 20 women in the U.S. territories who were infected with Zika during pregnancy had babies with possible Zika-associated birth defects, according to research published in the June 8 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
U.S. Leads in Income-Based Health Care Inequalities
THURSDAY, June 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The United States has larger income-related differences in perceptions of health and health care than other middle- and high-income countries, according to a report published in the June issue of Health Affairs.
Health System Sees Success With E-Visits Via Patient Portal
WEDNESDAY, June 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Patient portals can successfully offer access to physicians without office visits, according to a report published online May 30 by the American Medical Association.
Abnormal Chest Radiograph in Active Uveitis Often Sarcoidosis
WEDNESDAY, June 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Most patients with active uveitis of unknown origin with abnormal chest radiographs have findings consistent with sarcoidosis, according to a study published in the June 1 issue of the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
CDC: High-Deductible Health Plan Use Rising Among Employers
WEDNESDAY, June 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — High-deductible health plans are becoming more common among U.S. adults with employer-sponsored health insurance coverage, according to a report issued June 6 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
Marking Can Improve Accuracy of Eyelid Chalazia Curettage
MONDAY, June 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A new marking method can improve the accuracy of incision and curettage of eyelid chalazia, according to a letter to the editor published online May 26 in Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology.
Cool Water Works As Well As Hot for Ridding Hands of Germs
FRIDAY, June 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For effective hand hygiene, water temperature matters less than time, according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of Food Protection.
Copyright © 2017 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
