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September 2021

Latest Innovations and Future Directions in Optometry

From myopia control to IOLs, new technologies keep coming down the pike.

Jaclyn Garlich, OD, FAAO

Roya Habibi, OD, FAAO, FSLS

Jacob Lang, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO

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At A Glance

• New multifocal contact lens and spectacle technologies are additions to the more traditional methods available to address the worldwide growth in the prevalence of myopia.
• New topical drops, both prescription and over the counter, add to the optometric therapeutic arsenal.
• A recently approved systemic drug may change management patterns for thyroid eye disease.

We are seeing an exponential surge in new trends, technologies, and treatments in optometry and hope to inspire some further research by giving you a high-level introduction to some of the up-and-comers in eye care.

MYOPIA CONTROL

Myopia is an age-old topic, but what is new is the growing prevalence of myopia worldwide. In 2000, the prevalence of myopia in the world population was estimated to be 22.9%, and that figure is projected to rise to 49.8% by 2050. 1 There are multiple theories as to the cause of this growth, including increasing screen time and decreasing time spent outdoors among young people. Luckily, our evidenced-based and validated treatment options for myopia control are also steadily increasing.

Soft Contact Lenses

In 2020, the FDA approved MiSight 1 day (CooperVision) lenses (Figure 1), making them the first daily disposable soft contact lenses labeled for slowing the progression of myopia. Clinical studies found that MiSight 1 day lenses provided a 59% reduction in myopia progression in comparison with a single-vision 1-day lens, as measured by spherical equivalent, and a 52% reduction in mean axial elongation. 2

Click to view larger

Figure 1. The ActivControl technology in MiSight 1 day lenses uses an optic zone concentric ring design with alternating vision correction zones and treatment zones. Two zones are vision correction zones with the label power of the contact lens, and the alternating two zones are treatment zones with 2.00 D of defocus to slow the progression of myopia. (Image courtesy of CooperVision.)

Gas Permeable Contact Lenses

Orthokeratology (ortho-k) has been used at least since the 1960s in the management of myopia. The first rigid gas permeable lens for ortho-k, Paragon CRT (CooperVision Specialty EyeCare), received FDA approval in 2002, 3 and products and options have continued to grow since then. In May of this year, Johnson & Johnson Vision announced FDA approval of its Acuvue Abiliti Overnight Therapeutic Lenses for the management of myopia. 4 That same month, CooperVision announced that its Procornea DreamLite night lenses for ortho-k had received the CE Mark from European regulators for slowing the progression of myopia in children and young adults. 5 CooperVision also announced this year that it has begun offering 5-mm customization of the back optic zone diameter for increased efficacy for its Paragon CRT and CRT Dual-Axis lenses in myopia management strategies. 6

Many doctors have been prescribing atropine off-label for myopia control. Vyluma, a newly formed subsidiary of Nevakar, announced in May that the phase 3 CHAMP trial of its pharmaceutical atropine eye drop NVK002 is in late stages in the United States and Europe. 7 The drop has the potential to be an FDA-approved pharmacologic method for myopia control, the company suggested.

Spectacle Correction

Glasses don’t work for myopia control, right? Perhaps it’s time to think again.

Essilor announced in May that it has been granted breakthrough device designation by the FDA for its Stellest spectacle lens to correct and slow the progression of myopia. 8 Data from a pivotal clinical trial presented at this year’s Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology meeting demonstrated that, at 2 years follow-up, Essilor’s highly aspheric lenslet target (HALT) technology, worn at least 12 hours per day, slowed myopia progression by 67% in comparison with single-vision lens wear. After 1 year in the ongoing 3-year trial, eye growth in children wearing the Stellest lenses was similar to or slower than that in nonmyopic children, according to Essilor. 9

Also in May, researchers at Hoya and the Centre for Myopia Research in Hong Kong published follow-up data on the company’s MiyoSmart spectacle lenses with patented defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) technology, showing that wearing the DIMS lens slowed the progression of myopia by 52% and axial length growth by 62% at 2 years in comparison with single-vision lens wear. 10

CONTACT LENSES

In addition to the contact lenses for myopia control discussed above, a number of new conventional contact lens models have come to the market recently.

The silicone hydrogel material of the daily disposable Bausch + Lomb Infuse lens (Bausch + Lomb; Figure 2) is infused with a proprietary combination of ingredients designed to promote comfort, inspired by the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society’s DEWS II report, according to the company. 11 The infused ingredients include osmoprotectants and electrolytes to help maintain ocular surface homeostasis and moisturizers to help retain hydration and maintain tear proteins in a healthy state, the company states.

Figure 2. The Bausch + Lomb Infuse contact lens, a silicone hydrogel daily disposable, helps to address contact lens dryness, according to the company. (Image courtesy of Bausch + Lomb.)

Alcon added cylinder correction to its Precision1 one-day contact lenses for its toric Precision1 for Astigmatism line (Alcon). The lens settles in less than 60 seconds within 3° of ideal orientation and has a 99% first-fit success rate, according to the company. 12

Johnson & Johnson Vision introduced an upgrade to its Acuvue Oasys Multifocal Lens , now including a Pupil Optimized Design. The new design optimizes parameters for patient age and refraction, according to the company, improving performance and comfort. 13

We also now have a large selection of options for our astigmatic presbyopic patients, with Biofinity toric and Biofinity XR toric lenses (CooperVision) 14 and Bausch + Lomb Ultra Multifocal for Astigmatism lenses. 15

There are several innovations in the development pipeline aiming to use contact lens technology as a platform to achieve goals such as monitoring IOP, 16 displaying augmented reality, 17 and fostering corneal wound healing. 18

The high-concept contact lens technology that may be closest to reaching the US market is an antiallergy drug-eluting lens being developed by Johnson & Johnson Vision. Acuvue Theravision with Ketotifen (Figure 3)releases an H1 histamine receptor antagonist to reduce itching due to allergies and improve lens comfort. The device has received regulatory approval in Japan and Canada. 19

Figure 3. Acuvue Theravision with Ketotifen is a medication-releasing contact lens for patients in Japan and Canada who need vision correction and itchy eye relief. (Image courtesy of Johnson & Johnson Vision.)

We are lucky to be in a profession where there is continual innovation to allow us to better treat our patients. Let’s look at a few new eye drops—in addition to the myopia control drops discussed above—that have expanded our arsenal in the past 2 years.

In June, Santen received FDA approval for its formulation of cyclosporine 0.1% ophthalmic emulsion (Verkazia) for the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in children and adults. 20 The formulation’s oil-in-water cationic emulsion provides improved ocular bioavailability of cyclosporine, according to the company. It works by inhibiting T-cell activation, which controls allergic response and inflammation. The drops can be used over a sustained period of time, which means that steroids can be reduced. Recommended dosage is four times daily, and the product is approved for use in children as young as 4 years.

The FDA approved loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension 0.25% ( Eysuvis , Kala Pharmaceuticals) for the short-term treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease in October 2020. 21 It became the first ocular corticosteroid approved specifically for the treatment of dry eye disease and the first approved specifically for short-term (up to 2 weeks) treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. The drop, dosed four times daily, uses the company’s proprietary mucus-penetrating particle drug delivery technology (Ampplify) to enhance bioavailability of the active ingredient at the target site, according to Kala.

Also approved last year was oxymetazoline HCl ophthalmic solution 0.1% ( Upneeq , RVL Pharmaceuticals), indicated for patients with acquired blepharoptosis who do not want to pursue surgical repair. 22 In two phase 3 trials, patients who received the drug once daily experienced statistically significant improvement in visual field compared to a placebo group (Figure 4). The drop is the only FDA-approved medical treatment for ptosis.

Figure 4. Examples of positive results after a first dose of oxymetazoline for blepharoptosis. (Image courtesy of RVL Pharmaceuticals.)

Itching for more over-the-counter (OTC) allergy drops? Alcon’s suite of products containing olopatadine is now available OTC: Pataday Once Daily Relief Extra Strength (formerly Pazeo), Pataday Once Daily Relief (formerly Pataday), and Pataday Twice Daily Relief (formerly Patanol). 23 Further expanding the shelf, in September 2020 the FDA approved ketotifen fumarate ophthalmic solution 0.035% antihistamine ( Alaway Preservative Free , Bausch + Lomb), which became the first OTC preservative-free eye drop formulation approved to relieve symptoms of allergy. 24

Reproxalap ophthalmic solution 0.25% (Aldeyra Therapeutics) is a RASP inhibitor, which could be the next category of antiinflammatory medications in eye care. 25-27 It targets early, upstream proinflammatory signaling cascades and is showing promise in several ocular conditions such as dry eye, allergic conjunctivitis, and uveitis.

SYSTEMIC DRUG

In January 2020, teprotumumab-trbw ( Tepezza , Horizon Therapeutics) became the first drug FDA-approved for the treatment of thyroid eye disease (TED). 28 Teprotumumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody and a targeted inhibitor of the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor. In a phase 3 clinical trial, teprotumumab was shown to improve proptosis, diplopia, and quality of life in patients with TED. 29 This finding puts to rest the watch-and-wait mentality traditionally applied to patients with TED.

There may also be applications for this new drug in patients with long-standing, chronic TED. 30 This is an excellent example of a situation in which optometry must have an open mind to incorporate new therapeutics. It is crucial that we stay ever-vigilant to detecting ocular conditions early in the disease state, knowing that we are in many cases the gate-keepers and primary care physicians of eye care.

PRESBYOPIA DROPS … SOON?

The race for an FDA approval of a topical presbyopia treatment is on, and Allergan appears to be in the lead. The company in February submitted a new drug application to the FDA for its investigational eye drop, AGN-190584, for the treatment of presbyopia, and the FDA is expected to act on the application by the end of this year. 31 The drop is an optimized formulation of pilocarpine 1.25% delivered in a proprietary vehicle. It is administered once daily, and the proposed mechanism of action is through contraction of the iris sphincter muscle to enhance depth of focus and improve near and intermediate visual acuity while maintaining some pupillary response to light. AGN-190584 also contracts the ciliary muscle to facilitate accommodation, according to the company.

But Allergan is not alone. Many companies are in hot pursuit of their own presbyopia treatment drops. Others rising to the challenge include: Eyenovia, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Ocuphire Pharma, Orasis Pharmaceuticals, OSRX Pharmaceuticals, Lenz Therapeutics (formerly Presbyopia Therapies), and Visus Therapeutics. For a recent review, see “ Answering the Call of Presbyopic Patients ” by Selina R. McGee, OD, FAAO, and Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, from the January/February 2021 issue of Modern Optometry .

Cataract surgery is increasingly becoming an opportunity to enhance patients’ vision and treat other ocular pathologies. Multifocal IOL technologies continue to evolve and improve with new options to match the visual demands of patients. The biggest trend seems to be toward lenses that provide improvement at intermediate distances but not enough power for clear vision at the typical near working distance. By giving up the hard near focus of more traditional multifocal IOLs, it appears that these extended range of vision lenses can avoid some of the glare and halos occasionally experienced with full-range multifocal options.

The Acrysof IQ Vivity (Alcon; Figure 5), introduced in January and described by the company not as a multifocal but rather as a “nondiffractive extended depth of focus IOL,” is an example of this type of lens option. In clinical trials of the lens, 94% of patients reported having good or very good vision at distance, and 92% reported having good or very good vision at arm’s length. Starbursts, halos, and glare were comparable to those experienced with a monofocal lens. 32

Figure 5. The AcrySof IQ Vivity IOL uses Alcon’s proprietary non-diffractive X-Wave technology to stretch and shift light without splitting it. (Image courtesy of Alcon.)

A novel implantable technology that may indicate the shape of things to come is the R-TASC smart active IOL (Swiss Advanced Vision; Figure 6). If this development program comes to fruition, it could produce the world’s first active electronic IOL implant. The company’s aim is to develop a smart, real-time autofocus, solar-powered, multifocal IOL. The autofocus system would detect the distance of objects and trigger the transfer of liquid in or out of the lens optic, modifying the power of the IOL. The company’s website gives no indication of the phase of development. 33

Figure 6. The high-concept R-TASC IOL would be equipped with an autofocus system that detects the distance of objects. (Image courtesy of Swiss Advanced Vision.)

A PROFESSION RIPE WITH INNOVATION

With the products discussed here and additional releases sure to come in the near future, we have many new treatments and technologies to offer our patients, and we can look forward to more. Look for information in upcoming issues of Modern Optometry to help you embrace this bright future.

• 1. Holden BA, Fricke TR, Wilson DA, et al. Global prevalence of myopia and high myopia and temporal trends from 2000 through 2050. Ophthalmology . 2016;123(5):1036-1042.
• 2. Our products. MiSight 1 day. CooperVision. coopervision.com/practitioner/our-products/misight-1-day/misight-1-day. Accessed August 4, 2021.
• 3. Premarket Approval. Paragon CRT. Food and Drug Administration. June 13, 2002. www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpma/pma.cfm?id=P870024S043. Accessed August 5, 2021.
• 4. Johnson & Johnson Vision announces FDA approval of Acuvue Abiliti Overnight Therapeutic Lenses for myopia management. Eyewire News. May 12, 2021. eyewire.news/articles/johnson-johnson-vision-announces-fda-approval-of-acuvue-abiliti-overnight-therapeutic-lenses-for-myopia-management/. Accessed August 5, 2021.
• 5. CooperVision DreamLite® Ortho-K lenses gain European approval for slowing progression of myopia [press release]. CooperVision Specialty EyeCare. May 25, 2021. coopervision.com/our-company/news-center/press-release/coopervision-dreamlite-ortho-k-lenses-gain-european-approval. Accessed August 5, 2021.
• 6. CooperVision Specialty EyeCare announces 5 mm BOZD customization for Paragon CRT® and CRT Dual Axis® Lenses [press release]. CooperVision Specialty EyeCare. January 19, 2021. coopervision.com/our-company/news-center/press-release/coopervision-specialty-eyecare-announces-5-mm-bozd. Accessed August 5, 2021.
• 7. Vyluma Inc. launches with robust ophthalmic portfolio, leading with a pharmaceutical treatment in phase III for myopia [press release]. Vyluma. May 25, 2021. vyluma.com/press_release/vyluma-inc-launches-with-robust-ophthalmic-portfolio-leading-with-a-pharmaceutical-treatment-in-phase-iii-for-myopia/. Accessed August 5, 2021.
• 8. Essilor receives FDA “breakthrough device” designation for Essilor Stellest, its new generation of spectacle lens solutions in the fight against myopia [press release]. Essilor. May 17, 2021. www.essilor.com/en/medias/press-releases/essilor-receives-fda-breakthrough-device-designation-for-essilor-stellest-its-new-generation-of-spectacle-lens-solutions-in-the-fight-against-myopia/. Accessed August 5, 2021.
• 9. New results on Essilor Stellest lens to be presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO 2021) [press release]. Essilor. April 4, 2021. www.essilor.com/en/medias/press-releases/new-results-on-essilor-stellest-lens-to-be-presented-at-the-annual-meeting-of-the-association-for-research-in-vision-and-ophthalmology-arvo-2021/. Accessed August 5, 2021.
• 10. Lam CSY, Tang WC, Tse DY, et al. Defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses slow myopia progression: a 2-year randomised clinical trial. Br J Ophthalmol . 2020;104(3):363-368.
• 11. Bausch + Lomb Infuse. www.bauschinfuse.com/ecp/. Accessed August 5, 2021.
• 12. MyAlcon Professionals. Precision1 for Astigmatism. professional.myalcon.com/contact-lenses/daily/precision-astigmatism/. Accessed August 5, 2021.
• 13. Acuvue Oasys Multifocal With Pupil Optimized Design. Johnson & Johnson Vision. www.jnjvisionpro.com/products/acuvue-oasys-multifocal#product_information. Accessed August 5, 2021.
• 14. Biofinity toric and Biofinity XR toric. CooperVision. coopervision.com/practitioner/our-products/biofinity-family/biofinity-toric-biofinity-xr-toric. Accessed August 5, 2021.
• 15. Bausch + Lomb Ultra contact lenses. Bausch + Lomb. www.expectultracomfort.com/ecp/lens-parameters. Accessed August 5, 2021.
• 16. Smart contact lenses have potential to monitor, treat glaucoma. Cleveland Clinic. Consult QD. September 9, 2020. consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/smart-contact-lenses-have-potential-to-monitor-treat-glaucoma/. Accessed August 5, 2021.
• 17. AR contact lens wins CES’ Last Gadget Standing competition. Las Vegas Review-Journal. January 12, 2021. www.reviewjournal.com/business/conventions/ces/ar-contact-lens-wins-ces-last-gadget-standing-competition-2251189/. Accessed August 5, 2021.
• 18. UNH researchers create a hydrogel contact lens to treat serious eye disease. University of New Hampshire Newsroom. March 12, 2019. www.unh.edu/unhtoday/news/release/2019/03/12/unh-researchers-create-hydrogel-contact-lens-treat-serious-eye-disease. Accessed August 5, 2021.
• 19. Johnson & Johnson Vision receives approval in Canada for first drug-releasing contact lens for vision correction and allergic eye itch. Eyewire News. April 27, 2021. eyewire.news/articles/johnson-johnson-vision-receives-approval-in-canada-for-first-drug-releasing-contact-lens-for-vision-correction-and-allergic-eye-itch/. Accessed August 5, 2021.
• 20. Santen receives FDA approval for Verkazia (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion) 0.1% for the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis in children and adults [press release]. Santen. June 24, 2021. www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210624005365/en/Santen-Receives-FDA-Approval-for-Verkazia%E2%84%A2-Cyclosporine-Ophthalmic-Emulsion-0.1-for-the-Treatment-of-Vernal-Keratoconjunctivitis-in-Children-and-Adults. Accessed August 5, 2021.
• 21. Kala Pharmaceuticals receives FDA approval of dry eye disease treatment Eysuvis. Eyewire News. October 20, 2020. eyewire.news/articles/kala-pharmaceuticals-announces-fda-approval-of-dry-eye-disease-treatment-eysuvis/#:~:text=The%20FDA%20on%20Tuesday%20approved,symptoms%20of%20dry%20eye%20disease. Accessed August 5, 2021.
• 22. Osmotica Pharmaceuticals plc receives FDA approval for Upneeq (oxymetazoline hydrochloride ophthalmic solution), 0.1% for acquired blepharoptosis (droopy eyelid) in adults [press release]. Osmotica Pharmaceuticals. July 9, 2020. ir.osmotica.com/news-releases/news-release-details/osmotica-pharmaceuticals-plc-receives-fda-approval-upneeqtm. Accessed August 5, 2021.
• 23. Pataday Once Daily Relief Extra Strength. Now available without a prescription. MyAlconProfessionals. https://professional.myalcon.com/eye-care/ocular-allergies/pataday/. Accessed August 5, 2021.
• 24. FDA approves Bausch + Lomb Alaway Preservative Free OTC drops. Eyewire News. September 25, 2020. eyewire.news/articles/fda-approves-bausch-lomb-alaway-preservative-free-ophthalmic-solution/. Accessed August 5, 2021.
• 25. Mandell KJ, Clark D, Chu DS, Foster CS, Sheppard J, Brady TC. Randomized phase 2 trial of reproxalap, a novel reactive aldehyde species inhibitor, in patients with noninfectious naterior uveitis: model for corticosteroid replacement. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther . 2020;36(10):732-739.
• 26. Clark D, Cavanagh B, Shields AL, Karpecki P, Sheppard J, Brady TC. Clinically relevant activity of the novel RASP inhibitor reproxalap in allergic conjunctivitis: the phase 3 ALLEVIATE trial. Am J Ophthalmol . 2021;230:60-67.
• 27. Clark D, Tauber J, Shepard J, Brady TC. Early onset and broad activity of reproxalap in a randomized, double-masked, vehicle-controlled phase 2b trial in dry eye disease. Am J Ophthalmol . 2021;226:22-31.
• 28. FDA approves first treatment for thyroid eye disease [press release]. Food and Drug Administration. January 21, 2020. www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-treatment-thyroid-eye-disease. Accessed August 5, 2021.
• 29. Douglas RS, Kahaly GJ, Patel A, et al. Teprotumumab for the treatment of active thyroid eye disease. N Engl J Med . 2020;382(4):341-352.
• 30. Ozzello DJ, Kikkawa DO, Korn BS. Early experience with teprotumumab for chronic thyroid eye disease. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep . 2020;19:100744. Published 2020 May 15.
• 31. Allergan, an AbbVie Company, submits new drug application for investigational AGN-190584 for the treatment of presbyopia [press release]. Allergan. February 25, 2021. news.abbvie.com/news/press-releases/allergan-an-abbvie-company-submits-new-drug-application-for-investigational-agn-190584-for-treatment-presbyopia.htm. Accessed August 5, 2021.
• 32. Alcon announces launch of AcrySof IQ Vivity, the first and only non-diffractive extended depth of focus intraocular lens in the U.S [press release]. Alcon. January 7, 2021. www.alcon.com/media-release/alcon-announces-launch-acrysof-iq-vivity-first-and-only-non-diffractive-extended. Accessed August 9, 2021.
• 33. R-TASC Smart Active Intraocular Lens for Cataract Surgery. Swiss Advanced Vision Intraocular Lens. sav-iol.com/r-tasc/. Accessed August 9, 2021.

Owner, Envision Optometry, Boston Editor and Founder, 20/20 Glance Member, Modern Optometry Editorial Advisory Board [email protected]; Instagram: @2020glance, @envisionboston Financial disclosure: Speaker/Advisor (Allergan, Dompe, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Orasis Pharmaceuticals, Tarsus, Zeiss)

Associate Optometrist, Eye Associates Northwest, Seattle [email protected]; Instagram: @rnhabibi Financial disclosure: None

Lead Optometrist, Associated Eye Care, Stillwater, Minnesota Member, Modern Optometry Editorial Advisory Board [email protected]; Instagram: @seeoneteachone Financial disclosure: Speaker/Advisor (Allergan, Avellino, Horizon Therapeutics, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Orasis Pharmaceuticals, Scope Eyecare, Sun Pharma, AOS)

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609-716-7777

Vision is one of our most valuable senses. At UC Berkeley’s Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science, world-renowned faculty are exploring a rich array of research questions relating to how we see and why vision fails. The answers have the potential to change lives. Please use the buttons below to explore research degree programs and opportunities at Berkeley Optometry & Vision Science.

Vision Science Program

Investigators in Vision Science conduct human and animal research and modeling, yielding cutting-edge discoveries and applications in disciplines that include molecular genetics, clinical care, adaptive optics, neurobiology, cell biology, infectious disease, bioengineering, perception, and public health.

Clinical Research Center

Our goals are to explore new models and strategies for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of ocular anomalies by conducting patient-based clinical studies/trials, as well as translational research. We also provide training for young professionals who are interested in, or want to pursue careers in, clinical research. We welcome undergraduates, optometry students, and post-doctoral fellows to become involved with our research team. The availability of these positions is dependent on our active projects.

Research Opportunities for OD Students

We offer current OD students a summer research training program funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI), as well as an option to graduate with honors for students who choose to submit a research dissertation or a scholarly case report.

Research Opportunities for Undergraduate Students

URAP The Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (URAP) pairs faculty who need research assistance with undergraduates eager to engage in advanced research. New research projects are listed each term. Academic credit is available.

ViSUR The Vision Science Summer Undergraduate Research (ViSUR) Program is an 8-week in-person program that allows undergraduate students to work in a lab with a faculty advisor on a research project. Each student will receive a stipend of $5,000. Click the button below to learn more.

Global optometrist top 200 research ranking

Affiliations.

• 1 School of Optometry and Vision Science, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia.
• 2 Eurolens Research, Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
• 3 Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE), School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada.
• 4 Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR), Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
• 5 Department of Materials, Imperial College London, London, UK.
• 6 School of Optometry, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA.
• PMID: 33689668
• DOI: 10.1080/08164622.2021.1878863

Clinical relevance : Clinical optometric practice is underpinned by a rigorous research base, the primary evidence for which is publications in refereed scientific journals. Leading optometrists who publish this work should be identified and celebrated. Background : This work aims to derive publication metrics of the leading optometric researchers worldwide. Methods : An extensive global search was conducted to discover leading optometric researchers; 480 names were identified. A custom-designed bibliographic search tool was developed to interrogate the Scopus database (Elsevier) and extract publication metrics using the unique Scopus Author Identifier number for each optometrist. On 13 January 2021, the full list was reduced to 200 optometrists (the 'Top 200') ranked by h-index - the 'Global Optometrist Top 200 Research Ranking'. The output from the custom tool automatically updates every 24 hours and is available at www.optomrankings.com. Results : The Top 200 have h-indices ranging from 20 to 67 and have published between 28 and 440 papers. Sixty one (30.5%) are women. Konrad Pesudovs has the highest h-index (67) and citations (51,193). The most prolific author is Robert Hess (442 papers). David Piñero is publishing at the fastest rate (17.6 papers per year). The Top 200 work in 13 nations, of whom 172 (86.0%) work in four nations: USA - 76 (38.0%), Australia - 43 (21.5%), UK - 41 (20.5%) and Canada - 16 (8.0%). Of the 72 institutions represented, the University of California, Berkeley, USA is home to the most Top 200 optometrists (17) and has the highest combined h-index of Top 200 optometrists (132). Conclusions : The optometric profession is supported by a robust research base, prosecuted by a large international cohort of optometric researchers who publish extensively on a broad range of ophthalmic issues and whose work is highly cited. The 200 most impactful optometrists in the world are identified.

Keywords: Citations; global optometrist research ranking; h-index; publication metrics.

• Bibliometrics
• Databases, Factual
• Optometrists*

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Research topics and potential supervisors

We offer research programs for graduates of optometry and other sciences. Research for a Master of Science by Research (MSc) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) can be undertaken in a diverse range of areas and disciplines including clinical optometry, applied research and basic research.  

If you’re interested in pursuing higher degree research with the School of Optometry & Vision Science, then you will need to find a supervisor. SOVS has an excellent range of expertise across seven research groups. Among these are affiliated institutes; the Brien Holden Vision Institute and the Centre for Eye Health. 

Our primary research areas are in anterior segment and contact lenses, posterior segment in health and disease, optics and applied vision, vision science and public health optometry. Take some time to review the research areas and identify who you would like to have as a supervisor. Once you have selected a supervisor, check our admission requirements and submit an expression of interest.

Expression of interest form

Finding a supervisor

• To learn more about the process of finding a supervisor, please visit the  UNSW Graduate Research page . Information on UNSW admissions can also be found here.
• Take time to review our  Research Groups
• Applying as an  International Student?   See why UNSW is Australia’s global university.
• Don’t forget to check out our  available scholarships .

Research topics

View our research topics below:

Contact lens related infection: epidemiology, microbiology and microbial pathogenesis, resistance to antimicrobials:

Associate Professor Nicole Carnt

Professor Lisa Keay

• Dr Jerome Ozkan

Scientia Professor Fiona Stapleton

Dr Ajay Vijay

Professor Mark Willcox

Dr Muhammad Yasir

• Dr Rajesh Kuppusamy  

Dr Parthasarathi Kalaiselvan

Dry eye: contact lens wear, innervation and symptoms, sex hormones:

Associate Professor Blanka Golebiowski

Professor Isabelle Jalbert

Associate Professor Maria Markoulli

Dr Simin Masoudi

Environmental effects on the ocular surface: climate, bushfire smoke, digital devices, smartphones: 

Myopia control incl. orthokeratology:.

• Dr Pauline Kang
• Dr Vinod Maseedupally  
• Emeritus Professor Helen Swarbrick

Dr Kathleen Watt

Ocular surface disease: allergy, biomarkers, diabetes, keratoconus, obesity and nutrition:

Associate Professor Michele Madigan

Ocular therapeutics and drug delivery:

  Dr Jackie Tan-Showyin

  Professor Mark Willcox

Dr Rajesh Kuppusamy

Tear film biochemistry, ocular homeostasis and pathology 

Blue light blocking lenses, effects on visual and non-visual systems:.

Associate Professor Sieu Khuu

Emeritus Professor Stephen Dain

Dr Maitreyee Roy  

Functionalised nanoparticles as contrast agents for bio-imaging:

  Dr Maitreyee Roy

Optical coherence microscopy for ultrahigh-resolution 3D imaging:

Dr Maitreyee Roy

Professor Mark  Willcox

Binocular Vision

Development and maturation of the visual system, amblyopia, colour vision, digital devices (smartphones and computers), eye strain and dry eye:, low vision, visual rehabilitation, accident prevention – multisensory experience of self-motion.

Associate Professor Juno Kim  

Surface and Material Perception:

  Associate Professor Juno Kim

Visual electrophysiology, visual psychophysics, detection of brain abnormalities:

Visual processing:, access to eye care by asylum seeker and refugee communities in australia:.

Dr Kathleen  Watt

Ageing and road safety:

  Professor Lisa Keay

Dr Sharon Oberstein

Cost-effectiveness of cataract surgery:

Dr Jessie Huang-Lung

Cost-effectiveness of low vision services:

Epidemiology of eye injuries:, falls risk and low vision:, innovative models of eyecare delivery:.

  Professor Isabelle Jalbert

Mental health and low vision:

Quality of eye care, evidence-based practice, health systems research:, school vision screening:, use of alternative and complementary medicines:, barriers and enablers influencing eye care for older people receiving home care and residential aged care services:.

  Dr Sheela Kumaran

Quality of life item banks for age-related macular degeneration:

Professor Konrad Pseudovs

Macular disease social impact study;

Dr Sheela Kumaran

Quality of life impacts of non-strabismic, binocular vision, accommodation, and visual tracking disorders in children:

Amblyopia and strabismus-specific quality of life item banks for adults;, keratoconus-specific quality of life item banks:, ocular surface disease-specific quality of life item banks:, keratitis-specific quality of life item banks:.

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• Graduate Education and Research

Graduate education can lead to satisfying careers in academia and research, as well as in industry, the military, government and private practice. Scroll down to see current topics of research at schools and colleges of optometry, descriptions of research classifications, funding opportunities, and information on the translational science spectrum.

List of Graduate Programs

List of graduate programs at optometry schools and colleges

Graduate Programs & Enrollment Figures

More detailed descriptions of graduate programs and enrollment figures

Careers in Optometric Research

Watch a video to learn more about careers in optometric research

Research Topics

NIH/NEI (T35) National Research Service Award, Short-Term Institutional Research Training Grants: The goal of this training program is to support short-term research training for students in health professional schools during the summer, or for predoctoral and/or postdoctoral training in focused, often emerging scientific areas: researchtraining.nih.gov/programs/training-grants/T35

Research Types

Reference: https://ncats.nih.gov

Funding Your Graduate Training

Optometry Students      Grad Students           Faculty            

Other funding resources can be found at ARVO’s funding guide: https://www.arvo.org/journals-and-publications/arvo-funding-guide/

Training Pathways

The full spectrum of biomedical research ranges from basic laboratory discoveries to clinical applications and public health policy. Eye and vision research programs at schools and colleges of optometry span the entire range of translational research possibilities—from the fundamental basis and mechanisms of vision, to eye diseases, their diagnosis and treatment, and the impact of public health policies on our communities.

NIH Graphic: https://ncats.nih.gov/translation/spectrum#translational-science-spectrum

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Leading vision research in seven areas

From dry eye to traumatic brain injury, our research solves vision problems that plague the nation and the world. Our research faculty are leaders in their respective fields, and they regularly publish articles and present their work at national and international conferences.

Explore our research areas

Anterior segment disorders and dry eye.

Injuries, allergies, inflammation, dry eye, corneal disorders, cataracts, and presbyopia can affect the eye’s ability to focus.  Our researchers are discovering new ways to detect, diagnose, and correct anterior segment disorders, both with and without contact lenses. 

Glaucoma and visual function

Our researchers are developing new methods to improve the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, a disease that affects 70 million people worldwide and is most severe in the elderly and in underserved populations.

Retinal disease

Our faculty are internationally known for their contributions to the science of retinal function and disease, retinal imaging technology, color vision, and visual processing. Their developments in preventing vision loss and blindness have the potential to save the vision of millions of people worldwide.

Clinical optics and myopia

Through cutting-edge clinical optics research, our faculty are improving the vision and clinical care of patients at our own clinics and around the world. We often work closely with the leading members of the contact lens and vision care industry to develop novel, improved optical designs and safer, more efficient contact lenses.

Low vision and mobility

Loss of peripheral vision, low vision, balance problems, and contrast sensitivity all affect a patient’s daily quality of life. Through research, we’re advancing visual rehabilitation methods for patients who are elderly, visually impaired, or blind.

Pediatric vision

Our research leads to earlier detection of pediatric eye problems, such as amblyopia (or “lazy eye”), and easier treatments for children and their parents. We are also working toward understanding and preventing permanent vision loss in children.

Traumatic brain injury

The eyes are a window into concussions and other traumatic brain injuries, and our researchers are focused on diagnosing and managing those injuries before they cause significant damage.

Collaborative research labs

In addition to our individual successes in faculty research, we foster a collaborative research environment to accomplish the broadest scope of research with optimized research success and productivity.

For example, the Clinical Optics Research Lab (CORL) —dedicated to improving the vision and clinical care of patients through cutting-edge research—is a result of the efforts of several IU School of Optometry faculty members.

Our research helps the world see more clearly.

School of optometry resources and social media channels.

Research Topics & Ideas: Healthcare

100+ Healthcare Research Topic Ideas To Fast-Track Your Project

Finding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation, thesis or research project. If you’ve landed on this post, chances are you’re looking for a healthcare-related research topic , but aren’t sure where to start. Here, we’ll explore a variety of healthcare-related research ideas and topic thought-starters across a range of healthcare fields, including allopathic and alternative medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, optometry, pharmacology and public health.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas within the healthcare domain. This is the starting point, but to develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. In it, we cover the process of writing a dissertation or thesis from start to end. Be sure to also sign up for our free webinar that explores how to find a high-quality research topic.

Overview: Healthcare Research Topics

• Allopathic medicine
• Alternative /complementary medicine
• Veterinary medicine
• Physical therapy/ rehab
• Optometry and ophthalmology
• Pharmacy and pharmacology
• Public health
• Examples of healthcare-related dissertations

Allopathic (Conventional) Medicine

• The effectiveness of telemedicine in remote elderly patient care
• The impact of stress on the immune system of cancer patients
• The effects of a plant-based diet on chronic diseases such as diabetes
• The use of AI in early cancer diagnosis and treatment
• The role of the gut microbiome in mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety
• The efficacy of mindfulness meditation in reducing chronic pain: A systematic review
• The benefits and drawbacks of electronic health records in a developing country
• The effects of environmental pollution on breast milk quality
• The use of personalized medicine in treating genetic disorders
• The impact of social determinants of health on chronic diseases in Asia
• The role of high-intensity interval training in improving cardiovascular health
• The efficacy of using probiotics for gut health in pregnant women
• The impact of poor sleep on the treatment of chronic illnesses
• The role of inflammation in the development of chronic diseases such as lupus
• The effectiveness of physiotherapy in pain control post-surgery

Topics & Ideas: Alternative Medicine

• The benefits of herbal medicine in treating young asthma patients
• The use of acupuncture in treating infertility in women over 40 years of age
• The effectiveness of homoeopathy in treating mental health disorders: A systematic review
• The role of aromatherapy in reducing stress and anxiety post-surgery
• The impact of mindfulness meditation on reducing high blood pressure
• The use of chiropractic therapy in treating back pain of pregnant women
• The efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine such as Shun-Qi-Tong-Xie (SQTX) in treating digestive disorders in China
• The impact of yoga on physical and mental health in adolescents
• The benefits of hydrotherapy in treating musculoskeletal disorders such as tendinitis
• The role of Reiki in promoting healing and relaxation post birth
• The effectiveness of naturopathy in treating skin conditions such as eczema
• The use of deep tissue massage therapy in reducing chronic pain in amputees
• The impact of tai chi on the treatment of anxiety and depression
• The benefits of reflexology in treating stress, anxiety and chronic fatigue
• The role of acupuncture in the prophylactic management of headaches and migraines

Topics & Ideas: Dentistry

• The impact of sugar consumption on the oral health of infants
• The use of digital dentistry in improving patient care: A systematic review
• The efficacy of orthodontic treatments in correcting bite problems in adults
• The role of dental hygiene in preventing gum disease in patients with dental bridges
• The impact of smoking on oral health and tobacco cessation support from UK dentists
• The benefits of dental implants in restoring missing teeth in adolescents
• The use of lasers in dental procedures such as root canals
• The efficacy of root canal treatment using high-frequency electric pulses in saving infected teeth
• The role of fluoride in promoting remineralization and slowing down demineralization
• The impact of stress-induced reflux on oral health
• The benefits of dental crowns in restoring damaged teeth in elderly patients
• The use of sedation dentistry in managing dental anxiety in children
• The efficacy of teeth whitening treatments in improving dental aesthetics in patients with braces
• The role of orthodontic appliances in improving well-being
• The impact of periodontal disease on overall health and chronic illnesses

Tops & Ideas: Veterinary Medicine

• The impact of nutrition on broiler chicken production
• The role of vaccines in disease prevention in horses
• The importance of parasite control in animal health in piggeries
• The impact of animal behaviour on welfare in the dairy industry
• The effects of environmental pollution on the health of cattle
• The role of veterinary technology such as MRI in animal care
• The importance of pain management in post-surgery health outcomes
• The impact of genetics on animal health and disease in layer chickens
• The effectiveness of alternative therapies in veterinary medicine: A systematic review
• The role of veterinary medicine in public health: A case study of the COVID-19 pandemic
• The impact of climate change on animal health and infectious diseases in animals
• The importance of animal welfare in veterinary medicine and sustainable agriculture
• The effects of the human-animal bond on canine health
• The role of veterinary medicine in conservation efforts: A case study of Rhinoceros poaching in Africa
• The impact of veterinary research of new vaccines on animal health

Topics & Ideas: Physical Therapy/Rehab

• The efficacy of aquatic therapy in improving joint mobility and strength in polio patients
• The impact of telerehabilitation on patient outcomes in Germany
• The effect of kinesiotaping on reducing knee pain and improving function in individuals with chronic pain
• A comparison of manual therapy and yoga exercise therapy in the management of low back pain
• The use of wearable technology in physical rehabilitation and the impact on patient adherence to a rehabilitation plan
• The impact of mindfulness-based interventions in physical therapy in adolescents
• The effects of resistance training on individuals with Parkinson’s disease
• The role of hydrotherapy in the management of fibromyalgia
• The impact of cognitive-behavioural therapy in physical rehabilitation for individuals with chronic pain
• The use of virtual reality in physical rehabilitation of sports injuries
• The effects of electrical stimulation on muscle function and strength in athletes
• The role of physical therapy in the management of stroke recovery: A systematic review
• The impact of pilates on mental health in individuals with depression
• The use of thermal modalities in physical therapy and its effectiveness in reducing pain and inflammation
• The effect of strength training on balance and gait in elderly patients

Topics & Ideas: Optometry & Opthalmology

• The impact of screen time on the vision and ocular health of children under the age of 5
• The effects of blue light exposure from digital devices on ocular health
• The role of dietary interventions, such as the intake of whole grains, in the management of age-related macular degeneration
• The use of telemedicine in optometry and ophthalmology in the UK
• The impact of myopia control interventions on African American children’s vision
• The use of contact lenses in the management of dry eye syndrome: different treatment options
• The effects of visual rehabilitation in individuals with traumatic brain injury
• The role of low vision rehabilitation in individuals with age-related vision loss: challenges and solutions
• The impact of environmental air pollution on ocular health
• The effectiveness of orthokeratology in myopia control compared to contact lenses
• The role of dietary supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, in ocular health
• The effects of ultraviolet radiation exposure from tanning beds on ocular health
• The impact of computer vision syndrome on long-term visual function
• The use of novel diagnostic tools in optometry and ophthalmology in developing countries
• The effects of virtual reality on visual perception and ocular health: an examination of dry eye syndrome and neurologic symptoms

Topics & Ideas: Pharmacy & Pharmacology

• The impact of medication adherence on patient outcomes in cystic fibrosis
• The use of personalized medicine in the management of chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease
• The effects of pharmacogenomics on drug response and toxicity in cancer patients
• The role of pharmacists in the management of chronic pain in primary care
• The impact of drug-drug interactions on patient mental health outcomes
• The use of telepharmacy in healthcare: Present status and future potential
• The effects of herbal and dietary supplements on drug efficacy and toxicity
• The role of pharmacists in the management of type 1 diabetes
• The impact of medication errors on patient outcomes and satisfaction
• The use of technology in medication management in the USA
• The effects of smoking on drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics: A case study of clozapine
• Leveraging the role of pharmacists in preventing and managing opioid use disorder
• The impact of the opioid epidemic on public health in a developing country
• The use of biosimilars in the management of the skin condition psoriasis
• The effects of the Affordable Care Act on medication utilization and patient outcomes in African Americans

Topics & Ideas: Public Health

• The impact of the built environment and urbanisation on physical activity and obesity
• The effects of food insecurity on health outcomes in Zimbabwe
• The role of community-based participatory research in addressing health disparities
• The impact of social determinants of health, such as racism, on population health
• The effects of heat waves on public health
• The role of telehealth in addressing healthcare access and equity in South America
• The impact of gun violence on public health in South Africa
• The effects of chlorofluorocarbons air pollution on respiratory health
• The role of public health interventions in reducing health disparities in the USA
• The impact of the United States Affordable Care Act on access to healthcare and health outcomes
• The effects of water insecurity on health outcomes in the Middle East
• The role of community health workers in addressing healthcare access and equity in low-income countries
• The impact of mass incarceration on public health and behavioural health of a community
• The effects of floods on public health and healthcare systems
• The role of social media in public health communication and behaviour change in adolescents

Examples: Healthcare Dissertation & Theses

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a healthcare-related research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various healthcare-related degree programs to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• Improving Follow-Up Care for Homeless Populations in North County San Diego (Sanchez, 2021)
• On the Incentives of Medicare’s Hospital Reimbursement and an Examination of Exchangeability (Elzinga, 2016)
• Managing the healthcare crisis: the career narratives of nurses (Krueger, 2021)
• Methods for preventing central line-associated bloodstream infection in pediatric haematology-oncology patients: A systematic literature review (Balkan, 2020)
• Farms in Healthcare: Enhancing Knowledge, Sharing, and Collaboration (Garramone, 2019)
• When machine learning meets healthcare: towards knowledge incorporation in multimodal healthcare analytics (Yuan, 2020)
• Integrated behavioural healthcare: The future of rural mental health (Fox, 2019)
• Healthcare service use patterns among autistic adults: A systematic review with narrative synthesis (Gilmore, 2021)
• Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Combatting Burnout and Compassionate Fatigue among Mental Health Caregivers (Lundquist, 2022)
• Transgender and gender-diverse people’s perceptions of gender-inclusive healthcare access and associated hope for the future (Wille, 2021)
• Efficient Neural Network Synthesis and Its Application in Smart Healthcare (Hassantabar, 2022)
• The Experience of Female Veterans and Health-Seeking Behaviors (Switzer, 2022)
• Machine learning applications towards risk prediction and cost forecasting in healthcare (Singh, 2022)
• Does Variation in the Nursing Home Inspection Process Explain Disparity in Regulatory Outcomes? (Fox, 2020)

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. This is an important thing to keep in mind as you develop your own research topic. That is to say, to create a top-notch research topic, you must be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

Need more help?

If you’re still feeling a bit unsure about how to find a research topic for your healthcare dissertation or thesis, check out Topic Kickstarter service below.

You Might Also Like:

15 Comments

I need topics that will match the Msc program am running in healthcare research please

Hello Mabel,

I can help you with a good topic, kindly provide your email let’s have a good discussion on this.

Can you provide some research topics and ideas on Immunology?

Thank you to create new knowledge on research problem verse research topic

Help on problem statement on teen pregnancy

This post might be useful: https://gradcoach.com/research-problem-statement/

can you provide me with a research topic on healthcare related topics to a qqi level 5 student

Please can someone help me with research topics in public health ?

Hello I have requirement of Health related latest research issue/topics for my social media speeches. If possible pls share health issues , diagnosis, treatment.

I would like a topic thought around first-line support for Gender-Based Violence for survivors or one related to prevention of Gender-Based Violence

Please can I be helped with a master’s research topic in either chemical pathology or hematology or immunology? thanks

Can u please provide me with a research topic on occupational health and safety at the health sector

Good day kindly help provide me with Ph.D. Public health topics on Reproductive and Maternal Health, interventional studies on Health Education

may you assist me with a good easy healthcare administration study topic

May you assist me in finding a research topic on nutrition,physical activity and obesity. On the impact on children

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• Print Friendly

List of Optometric Research Topics

Samantha hazard.

Optometric research may require you to focus on a topic, or to look at the whole picture. Since optometry is such a broad science, the choice of a singular topic may be more difficult than meets the eye. You may have to observe optometry as a whole before you can use your acute sense of perception to see what you really wish to research. Observe and choose from the many great topics around you.

Explore this article

• Vision Impairment and Chronic Disease
• Behavioral Optometry
• Optometric Medication
• Correlation Between Myopia (or Hyperopia) and Astigmatism

1 Vision Impairment and Chronic Disease

Some chronic diseases, such as multiple sclerosis or diabetes, can cause vision loss. While "vision impairment" may be defined as the partial or total loss of vision, chronic disease is a disease that is long-lasting or recurrent. Since both vision impairment and chronic disease may be lifelong impairments, it may be interesting to research either the correlation between one or some chronic diseases and vision loss, the long-term effects of the conjunction, or how treating one may help or impair the other.

2 Behavioral Optometry

Behavioral optometry is a line of optometry that believes in a holistic approach to vision and studies how the eyes and the brain interact to create and train vision, hold "mental pictures," and perceive the world around us. A study in 1945 at Johns Hopkins University deemed the practice of behavioral optometry "was of no value for the treatment of myopia (nearsightedness)." Since this study, however, researchers, optometrists and psychologists have begun to study and practice the use of behavioral optometry with children with ADD and ADHD, to help them narrow their focus and keep their eyes from wandering. This is a strong research topic because there is a lot of information on the spectrum of whether or not behavioral optometry actually works.

3 Optometric Medication

This topic may sound self-explanatory since you can research myriad optometric medications and their uses. However, the topic offers a chance to read and research deeper. Ocular medications may only treat one symptom, like IOP (intraocular pressure), but leave out treatments of other serious problems such as OHT (ocular hypertension). What are scientists and optometrists doing to treat a whole problem (in this case, glaucoma)? Is one symptom more easily treated or more important to be treated than another? Medication in general, just as optomology, is a multi-vectored science and both offer a great research topic.

4 Correlation Between Myopia (or Hyperopia) and Astigmatism

Have you noticed that myopia or hyperopia often occur in conjunction with astigmatism? While myopia and hyperopia are both refractive errors in the eye, and astigmatism is caused by an abnormal corneal curvature, both have to do with the stress on the eye and the ocular muscles surrounding it. This makes a great research topic not only because these conditions affect large populations, but also because researching these correlations offers several topics, including the origin and/or treatment of the conditions.

• 1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
• 2 MedicineNet; Visionary Optometry; Mark Moran; November 2001

About the Author

Samantha Hazard has written professionally since 1998. Her published works can be found in "The High School Writer" literary magazine, "The Manitou Messenger" and "The Woodmen Edition" newspapers, iTunes, and Vimeo. Hazard has a Bachelor of Arts in English, media, and film from St. Olaf College.

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Unlocking opportunities: Why you should attend Optometry's Meeting® 2024

Whether it’s the continuing education (CE), networking and career opportunities, advocating for optometry or simply experiencing the stunning location, the 127th Annual AOA Congress & 56th Annual AOSA Conference: Optometry’s Meeting® promises to have it all ( and more )!

Join more than 4,000 fellow doctors, students, paraoptometric and industry professionals at the premiere event of the year in the Music City, Nashville, Tennessee, June 19-22.

Optometry’s Meeting is for the professional, by the professional , and you told us why in a 2023 survey. Learn the top three reasons your colleagues call this year’s Optometry’s Meeting a must-attend event!

REGISTRATION

CONFERENCE PREVIEW

1: Continuing education opportunities abound at Optometry’s Meeting.

In the ever-evolving field of optometry, ensuring you stay up to date on the latest trends, industry insights and research is critical. Attendees stated they chose Optometry’s Meeting for the four days of comprehensive and diverse educational opportunities to meet the needs of doctors, students, paraoptometric professionals and office staff.

Highlights for this year’s educational opportunities include:

• More than 250 hours of industry-renowned CE, with more than 187 professional development courses, clinical lectures and hands-on workshops
• A lineup of more than 150 top-notch speakers, presenters, experts and thought leaders
• Courses that cut across a wide range of modalities, from advancements in diagnostic technologies to the latest treatments
• CE credits and credentials, including AOA CE hours, CPC and COPE credits, as well as 22 CEE/TQ courses

Take advantage of the numerous CE, professional development courses and workshops this year to earn valuable CE credits while gaining insights that can be directly applied to your practice.

2: Location, location, location … Music City hosts this year’s Optometry’s Meeting!

Are you ready to get amped for Optometry’s Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee ? We hope so, because Nashville is ready to welcome optometry’s stars in this exhilarating city—filled with incredible music, delicious food, museums and memorable attractions.

More than 49% of attendees stated they chose Optometry’s Meeting for the ability to convene in a new, exciting location each year.

Check out the schedule of events to stay on top of the ticketed evening events at Optometry’s Meeting.

3: Networking and career opportunities at Optometry’s Meeting

Around 38% of attendees stated they chose Optometry’s Meeting for the ability to collaborate and connect with colleagues, leading experts, exhibitors and other industry experts. There are a plethora of networking and career opportunities—ranging from industry symposia, receptions, leadership events, the Paraoptometric Idea Exchange, the AOA+ Career Fair and AOA+ Residency Summit , as well as the ever-popular Eye Care Square exhibit hall.

Get ready to build long-lasting relationships with fellow optometrists, optometric support staff, practice managers, paraoptometric professionals and fellow students from around the country and experience everything Nashville has to offer!

Optometry's Meeting® 2024 registration

Visit the Optometry's Meeting registration page below to find more information about attending our profession's premier annual event, June 19-22, in Nashville, Tennessee. Register now to receive advanced registration pricing, discounted off on-site fees, and find other ways you can save with information on member pricing, travel grants and more.

Interested in optometric clinical, scientific research?

Tap into the latest clinical conversations and case studies without ever leaving your practice: the 2024 ePoster Session is coming to AOA EyeLearn. How you can join.

Candidates announce 2024 election bids for AOA Board of Trustees

Eight doctors of optometry are vying for positions on the AOA Board of Trustees. Delegates representing AOA’s affiliate associations will cast their votes for trustees and officers at Optometry’s Meeting®, June 19-22, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Seeing the eclipse, and the AOA, everywhere

Ahead of this year’s total solar eclipse, the AOA and doctors of optometry jumped in early and often to educate the public about eye safety.

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The Journal of Optometry (J Optom) is the scientific double blind peer-reviewed publication of the Spanish General Council of Optometry ( www.cgcoo.es ). Audience of J Optom includes optometrists, ophthalmologists and visual scientists, other professionals and researchers with interests in vision and the eye as well as undergraduate and post-graduate students in those fields. The J Optom welcomes the submission of original manuscripts, reviews, case reports and scientific letters describing clinical and experimental research in all fields related with the eye and vision. Journal of Optometry is an open access journal that publishes articles in English.

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The Impact Factor measures the average number of citations received in a particular year by papers published in the journal during the two preceding years. © Clarivate Analytics, Journal Citation Reports 2022

CiteScore measures average citations received per document published.

SRJ is a prestige metric based on the idea that not all citations are the same. SJR uses a similar algorithm as the Google page rank; it provides a quantitative and qualitative measure of the journal's impact.

SNIP measures contextual citation impact by wighting citations based on the total number of citations in a subject field.

In the last years, the number of optometrists publishing research works in journals with high impact factor has increased significantly. However, this increase in the quantity of researchers in Optometry has not been accompanied by a growing number of scientific journals on Optometry. There is still the habit of sending scientific optometric manuscripts to high-factor Ophthalmology journals with the aim of obtaining a better recognition of the efforts performed by the researchers and achieving a more significant spreading of the scientific content. This facilitates the consolidation of a great amount of Ophthalmology journals, a growing number of journals in the field and subsequently a stagnation or even reduction of the impact factor of the limited number of scientific journals in Optometry 1 , 2 . Optometry researchers need recognized journals where reporting the outcomes of their investigations. This is one of the aims of Journal of Optometry , the scientific peer-reviewed publication of the Spanish General Council of Optometrists.

Several European journals on vision and Ophthalmology are currently available. Each year they published a lot of articles that show the results of Optometric investigations, such as the developments of new tests for measuring visual acuity or contrast sensitivity, the validation of several diagnostic devices that are mainly used by optometrists, epidemiologic studies about refractive errors, the characterization of ocular aberrations in different types of populations, changes in binocular vision after some refractive surgery treatments, or the analysis of the outcomes with specific types of contact lenses. All this research is the result of our knowledge, with or without the input of other scientific areas. Therefore, it seems more coherent to fit all this scientific content in Optometry journals. The problem arises when attempting to find an Optometry journal in Europe with impact factor. American and Australian institutions are the most productive centers of optometric research and receive the highest average number of citations/year 3 . Furthermore, the highest impact factor of Optometry journals corresponds to two journals from United States of America (USA) and New Zealand, respectively ( Optometry and Vision Science / Clinical and Experimental Optometry ) 4 . We are working hard from the Journal of Optometry in the attempt of developing a high quality journal on Optometry that may be a reference of the European Optometry. However, to achieve this aim raw material is needed, researches in Optometry.

The research is a challenge and a chance to show everyone the scientific potential of optometrists. It allows us to improve our clinical procedures and protocols, to implement functional therapies, to expand our knowledge. Research is the future of our profession; it will lead us to an even higher recognition and to a better professional position; it will lead us to a more optimized clinical practice. Research is the result of the power of our knowledge and also a source for new inspiration and advances. If we do our own research we are by definition the leaders in all of those efforts, from the bench to the chair side. Therefore, the development of Optometry research is a critical factor for the future of our profession. The support from governments and universities for Optometry research is crucial in the same manner that the research in other sciences is supported 5 , 6 . Furthermore, we need our platform for reporting our research, more journals with impact factor in Optometry.

Optometrist researchers should contribute to Optometry journals in order to make them greater, to increase the impact factor of the current available journals, and to develop our profession. One excellent opportunity for this contribution to Optometry research and to show our great potential is the next Special Issue of Journal of Optometry (July-September 2012). This issue entitled “New technologies and diagnostic tools in Optometry” will provide an overview of recent researches about the development, validity, and clinical applicability evaluation of new technologies in the context of our profession. International leading scientists in the Optometry field will participate as Topical Editor (Sitiris Plainis, Greece) and Guest Editors (Alejandro Cerviño, Spain, and Hema Radhakrishnan, UK) in this important issue. Submission deadline for this issue is 31st March 2012.

There are still thousands of questions without answer in Optometry that represents our future and the advance of vision care. The luxury of getting to answer those questions makes for a great job and ultimately a great profession of Optometry.

The Optometry lives in its own research.

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Good vibrations: New tech may lead to smaller, more powerful wireless devices

What if your earbuds could do everything your smartphone can do already, except better? What sounds a bit like science fiction may actually not be so far off. A new class of synthetic materials could herald the next revolution of wireless technologies, enabling devices to be smaller, require less signal strength and use less power.

The key to these advances lies in what experts call phononics, which is similar to photonics. Both take advantage of similar physical laws and offer new ways to advance technology. While photonics takes advantage of photons -- or light -- phononics does the same with phonons, which are the physical particles that transmit mechanical vibrations through a material, akin to sound, but at frequencies much too high to hear.

In a paper published in Nature Materials , researchers at the University of Arizona Wyant College of Optical Sciences and Sandia National Laboratories report clearing a major milestone toward real-world applications based on phononics. By combining highly specialized semiconductor materials and piezoelectric materials not typically used together, the researchers were able to generate giant nonlinear interactions between phonons. Together with previous innovations demonstrating amplifiers for phonons using the same materials, this opens up the possibility of making wireless devices such as smartphones or other data transmitters smaller, more efficient and more powerful.

"Most people would probably be surprised to hear that there are something like 30 filters inside their cell phone whose sole job it is to transform radio waves into sound waves and back," said the study's senior author, Matt Eichenfield, who holds a joint appointment at the UArizona College of Optical Sciences and Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Part of what are known as front-end processors, these piezoelectric filters, made on special microchips, are necessary to convert sound and electronic waves multiple times each time a smartphone receives or sends data, he said. Because these can't be made out of the same materials, such as silicon, as the other critically important chips in the front-end processor, the physical size of your device is much bigger than it needs to be, and along the way, there are losses from going back and forth between radio waves and sound waves that add up and degrade the performance, Eichenfield said.

"Normally, phonons behave in a completely linear fashion, meaning they don't interact with each other," he said. "It's a bit like shining one laser pointer beam through another; they just go through each other."

Nonlinear phononics refers to what happens in special materials when the phonons can and do interact with each other, Eichenfield said. In the paper, the researchers demonstrated what he calls "giant phononic nonlinearities." The synthetic materials produced by the research team caused the phonons to interact with each other much more strongly than in any conventional material.

"In the laser pointer analogy, this would be like changing the frequency of the photons in the first laser pointer when you turn on the second," he said. "As a result, you'd see the beam from the first one changing color."

With the new phononics materials, the researchers demonstrated that one beam of phonons can, in fact, change the frequency of another beam. What's more, they showed that phonons can be manipulated in ways that could only be realized with transistor-based electronics -- until now.

The group has been working toward the goal of making all of the components needed for radio frequency signal processors using acoustic wave technologies instead of transistor-based electronics on a single chip, in a way that's compatible with standard microprocessor manufacturing, and the latest publication proves that it can be done. Previously, the researchers succeeded in making acoustic components including amplifiers, switches and others. With the acoustic mixers described in the latest publication, they have added the last piece of the puzzle.

"Now, you can point to every component in a diagram of a radiofrequency front-end processor and say, 'Yeah, I can make all of these on one chip with acoustic waves,'" Eichenfield said. "We're ready to move on to making the whole shebang in the acoustic domain."

Having all the components needed to make a radio frequency front end on a single chip could shrink devices such as cell phones and other wireless communication gadgets by as much as a factor of a 100, according to Eichenfield.

The team accomplished its proof of principle by combining highly specialized materials into microelectronics-sized devices through which they sent acoustic waves. Specifically, they took a silicon wafer with a thin layer of lithium niobate -- a synthetic material used extensively in piezoelectronic devices and cell phones -- and added an ultra-thin layer (fewer than 100 atoms thick) of a semiconductor containing indium gallium arsenide.

"When we combined these materials in just the right way, we were able to experimentally access a new regime of phononic nonlinearity," said Sandia engineer Lisa Hackett, the lead author on the paper. "This means we have a path forward to inventing high-performance tech for sending and receiving radio waves that's smaller than has ever been possible."

In this setup, acoustic waves moving through the system behave in nonlinear ways when they travel through the materials. This effect can be used to change frequencies and encode information. A staple of photonics, nonlinear effects have long been used to make things like invisible laser light into visible laser pointers, but taking advantage of nonlinear effects in phononics has been hindered by limitations in technology and materials. For example, while lithium niobate is one of the most nonlinear phononic materials known, its usefulness for technical applications is hindered by the fact that those nonlinearities are very weak when used on its own.

By adding the indium-gallium arsenide semiconductor, Eichenfield's group created an environment in which the acoustic waves traveling through the material influence the distribution of electrical charges in the indium gallium arsenide semiconductor film, causing the acoustic waves to mix in specific ways that can be controlled, opening up the system to various applications.

"The effective nonlinearity you can generate with these materials is hundreds or even thousands of times larger than was possible before, which is crazy," Eichenfield said. "If you could do the same for nonlinear optics, you would revolutionize the field."

With physical size being one of the fundamental limitations of current, state-of-the-art radiofrequency processing hardware, the new technology could open the door to electronic devices that are even more capable than their current counterparts, according to the authors. Communication devices that take virtually no space, have better signal coverage and longer battery life, are on the horizon.

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Story Source:

Materials provided by University of Arizona . Original written by Daniel Stolte. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference :

• Lisa Hackett, Matthew Koppa, Brandon Smith, Michael Miller, Steven Santillan, Scott Weatherred, Shawn Arterburn, Thomas A. Friedmann, Nils Otterstrom, Matt Eichenfield. Giant electron-mediated phononic nonlinearity in semiconductor–piezoelectric heterostructures . Nature Materials , 2024; DOI: 10.1038/s41563-024-01882-4

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As Biden and Trump seek reelection, who are the oldest – and youngest – current world leaders?

Joe Biden, at 81, is the oldest American president , a distinction he’s held since entering office at age 78. As Biden runs for reelection in 2024, he is the ninth oldest national leader in the world, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of sitting leaders in 187 United Nations member states.

Former President Donald Trump, who is running for the White House again this year, is younger than Biden. But at 77, Trump also falls among the 20 oldest world leaders when compared with those currently in power.

With current U.S. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump both running for reelection to the country’s highest office, Pew Research Center examined the ages of current national leaders to place the ages of Biden and Trump into a global context.

This analysis examines the ages of the current heads of government in 187 countries that are member states of the United Nations, relying on government biographies and regional news articles. It reflects the ages of national leaders – and in a few instances, acting or interim leaders – as of May 1, 2024. It excludes six UN member states for which an exact birth date of the leader could not be found: Afghanistan, Haiti, Iraq, Mali, Niger and Somalia. For each of these countries, we reached out to embassy officials in the United States but did not receive further information.

This analysis focuses mostly on heads of government as defined by a country’s political system or constitution. In some cases, we determined the national leader based on which executive has the power to appoint/dismiss the nominal head of government. In San Marino, where there are two captains regent who share power, we included data for Alessandro Rossi, as he assumed the position most recently.

This analysis also draws on Freedom House country rankings to determine whether countries are free, partly free or not free. These rankings are based on two numerical scores assigned to each country for its political rights and civil liberties.

The median age of each country’s overall population is a 2024 projection from the UN’s World Population Prospects 2022 report . The projections are based on “all available sources of data on population size and levels of fertility, mortality and international migration.”

American voters are skeptical about both candidates’ fitness for the job, according to a recent Center survey . Only about four-in-ten U.S. registered voters are extremely or very confident that Trump has the mental fitness to be president (38%), while a similar share are confident in his physical fitness (36%). Even fewer express this degree of confidence in Biden’s mental (21%) and physical (15%) fitness for the role.

Below are five key facts about the ages of current national leaders.

National leaders range in age from their mid-30s to 91. The youngest leader is Burkina Faso’s Ibrahim Traoré, who is 36. He only slightly edges out two fellow 36-year-olds, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa and Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić. Only two other world leaders are in their 30s: Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris and Chilean President Gabriel Boric.

The oldest national leader is President Paul Biya of Cameroon, who was born in 1933 and took office more than 40 years ago. Biya is the only current national leader in his 90s.

The median age of current national leaders is 62, as of May 1, 2024. The largest share of global leaders today (34%) are in their 60s. Roughly a quarter (22%) are in their 50s; 19% are in their 70s; and 16% are in their 40s. Biden is among the 5% of leaders who are in their 80s.

Countries that are less free tend to have older leaders. In countries that Freedom House classifies as “not free,” the median age of the national leader is 68. That compares with 62 in countries that are classified as “partly free” and 60 in countries classified as “free.”

The United States is one of only three countries that are classified as free and have a leader age 80 or older; the other two are Ghana and Namibia. In Ghana, President Nana Akufo-Addo recently turned 80 in office. And in Namibia, 82-year-old Nangolo Mbumba took over as president earlier this year following the previous leader’s death in office at age 82.

The median age for women leaders and men leaders is the same. Among men who are world leaders, 3% are in their 30s, while no women leaders are in this age group. Yet, of the 14 women leaders currently in power, 29% are in their 40s, compared with 14% of leaders who are men.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark is the youngest female leader at 46, followed closely by fellow 46-year-old Kaja Kallas , the prime minister of Estonia. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh is the oldest female leader at 76.

In most countries, the leader is significantly older than the median member of the population. For example, the median American is 38, according to UN population projections for 2024, while Biden is more than twice as old. In fact, the only countries that have a leader who is younger than the median resident of the country are Montenegro, Ireland and Italy. Andorran Prime Minister Xavier Espot Zamora, at 44, is the same age as the median Andorran resident. 

In general, countries that Freedom House classifies as free are more likely than those classified as partly free or not free to have leaders who are closer in age to the median resident of the country.

Note: This is an update of a post originally published on March 24, 2023.

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Laura Silver is an associate director focusing on global attitudes at Pew Research Center .

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EDITORIAL article

This article is part of the research topic.

Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Polycystic Kidney Disease: From the Smallest Bricks to the Big Scenario

Editorial on the Research Topic: "Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Polycystic Kidney Disease: From the Smallest Bricks to the Big Scenario". Provisionally Accepted

• 1 University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy
• 2 Yale University, United States

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

PKD progression can be exacerbated by the presence of renal innate immune cells [11]. This interesting aspect is examined in the review by Agborbesong et al., focusing on epigenetic regulation, inflammation, and cell death as molecular mechanisms underlying ADPKD. It draws attention to the intricate interplay that drives cyst formation and disease progression, involving PKD gene alterations, epigenetic changes, inflammatory responses, and different forms of cell death. The inflammasome system responds to stimuli such as cellular damage by activating Caspase-1, and producing essential mediators of the inflammatory pathway, including IL-1β and IL-18 [11]. In the original research article by Swenson-Fields et al., the authors demonstrate that Caspase-1 knockout markedly reduced the onset of PKD in female mice, indicating sex-specific immunological responses, showing for the first time that the activated Caspase-1/inflammasome promotes cyst expansion and disease progression in PKD, particularly in females. Currently, there is no cure for PKD other than renal transplantation [12]. Tolvaptan is the only drug approved by FDA proven to slow eGFR decline in ADPKD patients at the risk of rapid disease progression. Widespread use of tolvaptan is limited by the substantial aquaretic effects that it produces and by the potential for liver toxicity [13]. Recent advances in understanding the pathophysiology of PKD have led to new approaches to treatment via targeting different signaling pathways [13]. The original research article by Hallows et al. investigates the potential therapeutic effects of bempedoic acid (BA), an ATP citrate-lyase (ACLY) inhibitor. The authors demonstrate that BA inhibited cyst growth and improved mitochondrial function in vitro, and reduced disease severity in vivo, suggesting BA as a promising therapy for PKD, having beneficial effects alone and associated with tolvaptan. The review article by Zhou & Torres explores the emerging therapies for ADPKD with a focus on cAMP signaling. It discusses the role of cAMP and PKA signaling in ADPKD pathogenesis and the potential of targeting downstream pathways beyond cAMP production for therapeutic interventions. Over the past years, several in vitro and animal studies have shown that metabolic reprogramming might be a general feature of PKD [14]. Glucose metabolism is defective in ADPKD, with cystic cells reprogrammed to favor aerobic glycolysis. In addition to glucose, altered amino acid metabolism, reduced fatty acid oxidation, and dysregulated lipid metabolism have also been identified as key features of PKD [14]. In the mini-review by Bacaj & Pokai, the authors discuss metabolism-based approaches for ADPKD treatment, highlighting the role of metabolic reprogramming in cyst growth, specifically upregulated mTOR and c-Myc pathways, and the potential for targeting these pathways as therapeutic approaches. Obesity and overweight are very common in ADPKD patients and represent independent risk factors for the disease advancement. In this regard, Iliuta et al. examine the shared pathobiology between ADPKD and obesity, emphasizing the role of reduced AMPK activity and increased mTOR signaling. The pharmacological activation of AMPK is discussed as a promising approach to treat both ADPKD and obesity-related kidney disease. In conclusion, the present Research Topic provides an overview of the ongoing efforts to unravel the complex interaction of molecular signaling pathways associated with PKD progression, exploring innovative therapeutic approaches to improve patient outcomes.

Keywords: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADKPD), Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD), Polycystins, Primary Cilium, CKD - chronic kidney disease

Received: 07 May 2024; Accepted: 08 May 2024.

Copyright: © 2024 Di Mise, Caplan and Valenti. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) . The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

* Correspondence: PhD. Annarita Di Mise, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy

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