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Purpose: This study aims to investigate the disposal practices of optical materials in Portuguese Optical Centers. Methods: This study, conducted in the Portuguese Optical Centers across 18 districts and 308 municipalities, divided the country into 4 regions for analysis. Utilizing Google Forms®, a survey targeting Optical Center managers and related professionals was disseminated via email from February to May 2023, comprising 30 questions across 6 sections, including optical and contact lenses, maintenance solutions, eyeglass frames, and recycling participation. Data analysis employed IBM SPSS® Statistics v.27, using non-parametric tests for variable distribution. Ethical standards and privacy policies were strictly observed throughout the research process. Results: Findings indicated that there were significant differences in the final treatment of organic and mineral lenses. Organic lenses were placed in the yellow recycling bin (22.2%), while mineral lenses were placed in the green recycling bin (37.9%). In the case of contact lenses, regardless of the type (RGP, scleral lenses, conventional hydrogels, and silicone hydrogel lenses), the majority (>50%) were disposed of in general trash. Regarding eyeglass frames, there were no significant differences between mass and metal frames, mostly being discard in general waste (~30.0%). Conclusion: Approximately half of the surveyed Portuguese Optical Centers were not actively involved in recycling. This represents a missed opportunity for optometrists to play a role in enhancing recycling rates through patient education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, due to the increase in traffic accidents, research has emphasized the importance of vision in driving. This research aims to study the relationships between publications and their corresponding authors and identify the different research areas on vision and safe driving that have awakened interest in researchers. Web of Science was the database utilized for searching publications from the first paper published (1957) to December 2021, selecting the keywords: driv*, safety, and vision. The publications' analysis was made using the CitNetExplorer, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace software. A total of 3,777 publications and 3,887 citation networks were found. In 2019, there was a total of 391 publications and 15 citation networks. The most cited publication was "Older Drivers and Cataract: Driving Habits and Crash Risk" published by Owsley et al. in 1999, with 76 as citation index. By the clustering function, five groups were found that cover the main research areas in this field: ocular movements, detection systems, road safety, and age. The citation network offers both, a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the main articles. Being a multidisciplinary field of study, current research emphasizes the importance of eye movements while driving, the visual impairment in elderly drivers, and the new video-based detection systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent decades, myopia has turned into a public health issue across the world. Between 1993 and 2016, the percentage of myopes increased from 10.4% to 34.2%. This study aims to analyze the myopia prevalence in Spanish children from five to seven years old over the last five years and to predict the rate of myopia in Spain by 2030. Methods: The sample consisted of children aged between 5 and 7, who underwent an optometric examination consisting of the measurement of visual acuity (VA) and determination of objective and subjective refraction. The cut-off points to define refractive error are established by the spherical equivalent (SE) value: hyperopia for an SE over or equal to +0.50 D; myopia for an SE under or equal to −0.50 D; and emmetropia when the SE is between −0.50 D and +0.50 D. Results: The myopia rate in Spanish children aged between five and seven was 19%. Myopia prevalence progressively increased as children grew up (p ≤ 0.001). It is estimated that, in the year 2030, the rate of myopia will be 30.2% [CI: 25.3–35.0], of which 81.9% [CI: 78.3–85.3] will have low myopia, 10.0% [CI: 7.2–12.8] moderate myopia, and 7.3% [CI: 4.9–9.7] high myopia. Conclusions: Nineteen percent of Spanish children between five and seven are myopes. In 2030, is expected that 30.2% of Spanish children between 5 and 7 years of age will be myopes. These estimations will support eye care professionals in recommending that children spend more time outdoors to prevent the onset of myopia and the use of methods to control myopia to avoid reaching these figures of high myopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To review the rebound effect after cessation of different myopia control treatments. Methods: A systematic review that included full‐length randomised controlled studies (RCTs), as well as post‐hoc analyses of RCTs reporting new findings on myopia control treatments rebound effect in two databases, PubMed and Web of Science, was performed according to the PRISMA statement. The search period was between 15 June 2023 and 30 June 2023. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to analyse the quality of the selected studies. Results: A total of 11 studies were included in this systematic review. Unifying the rebound effects of all myopia control treatments, the mean rebound effect for axial length (AL) and spherical equivalent refraction (SER) were 0.10 ± 0.07 mm [−0.02 to 0.22] and −0.27 ± 0.2 D [−0.71 to −0.03] after 10.2 ± 7.4 months of washout, respectively. In addition, spectacles with highly aspherical lenslets or defocus incorporated multiple segments technology, soft multifocal contact lenses and orthokeratology showed lower rebound effects compared with atropine and low‐level light therapy, with a mean rebound effect for AL and SER of 0.04 ± 0.04 mm [0 to 0.08] and −0.13 ± 0.07 D [−0.05 to −0.2], respectively. Conclusions: It appears that the different treatments for myopia control produce a rebound effect after their cessation. Specifically, optical treatments seem to produce less rebound effect than pharmacological or light therapies. However, more studies are required to confirm these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Different designs of ophthalmic lenses have been studied to control the progression of myopia in children. This study aims to evaluate the short-term efficacy of a new design of ophthalmic lens with asymmetric myopic peripheral defocus (MPDL) on myopia progression in children compared to a control group wearing a single-vision lens (SVL). Methods: Children aged 5 to 12 with myopia up to −0.50 D, astigmatism and anisometropia under 1.50 D, and corrected visual acuity over 20/20 were randomized to either the study group (MPDL) or control group (SVL). The myopia progression was evaluated by measuring axial length (AL) growth (IOL Master; Zeiss) over a period of one year. Results: Ninety-two subjects were recruited. Forty-six children were randomly assigned to the control group, and 46 to the study group. In total, 83 children completed the clinical trial, with a mean age of 10.81 [9.53–11.92] years, among which 59.04% were female. After one year of treatment, there was less AL elongation in the study group compared to the control group (0.16 ± 0.16 mm vs. 0.24 ± 0.16 mm, p = 0.034). Conclusions: The MPDL significantly reduced the absolute growth of AL by 39% (p = 0.014) and relative growth of AL by 37.3% (p = 0.012) after 12 months in comparison to the control group in a Spanish population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the research project was to extensively review the efficacy and safety of a trehalose tear-substitute treatment in cases of dry eye disease (DED). A systematic review that included only full-length randomized controlled studies (RCTs) reporting the effects of trehalose tear-substitute treatment in three databases, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, was performed according to the PRISMA statement. The search period included papers published before 8 August 2023. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used to analyze the quality of the studies selected. A total of 10 RCTs were included in this systematic review. Trehalose tear-substitute treatments achieved a higher improvement than did control group interventions in all reported variables. The mean differences between both groups were in favor of trehalose, and were as follows: ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire score of −8.5 ± 7 points, tear film breakup time (TBUT) of 1.9 ± 1 s, tear film thickness (TFT) of 0.25 ± 0.1 μm, tear meniscus height (TMH) of 0.02 ± 0.02 mm, Schirmer test (ST) of 0.8 ± 1.4 mm, corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) of −0.7 ± 0.1 points and visual acuity (VA) of 0.3 ± 2.1 letters. No adverse events after trehalose tear-substitute treatments were reported. Trehalose tear substitutes are a safe and effective treatment for DED. Therefore, trehalose tear substitutes should be recommended for patients with dry eye disease. In addition, there is specific evidence to support its use in the preoperative cataract surgery period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between publications and authors. In turn, the different areas of research on the ocular complications of myopia are also identified, and the most cited publication by citation networks is determined. Methods: The search for publications is carried out in the Web of Science database using the term "myopia OR nearsightedness AND retin* OR degenerat* OR detachment OR patholog* OR glaucoma OR cataract OR machulopathy OR "choroidal neovascularization" for the period between 1978 and December 2022. Publication analysis was performed using the Citation Network Explorer, VOSviewer and CiteSpace software. Results: A total of 9357 publications and 78,400 citation networks were found across the network, with 2021 being the year with the highest number of publications, 712. The most cited publication was "Myopia", published in The Lancet journal in 2012 by Morgan et al. with a citation index of 1006. By using the clustering function, seven groups covering the different research areas in this field were found: axial growth of the eye; myopic maculopathy; ocular complications in patients with myopia after a surgery; glaucoma; retinal detachment; cataracts and retinopathy of prematurity. Conclusions: The citation network offers a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the main papers on ocular complications of myopia. The research on this field is multidisciplinary; however, the main topic studied is the axial growth of the eye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Proper vision is absolutely critical to children's academic performance, as vision problems can drastically affect learning ability. Currently, the existing literature in this field is somewhat inconsistent and carries several controversies about the influence of vision on academic performance. In this study, citation networks were utilized in order to analyze the relationship between publications and authors, the most-cited publication, and the different research areas. Additionally, the most commonly utilized publication sources along with the most common research areas were also pinpointed. Methods: The aforementioned search was executed in the Web of Science database, with a time range beginning in 1941 and ending in 2022. In order to scrutinize the publications, VOSviewer, CiteSpace software, and the Citation Network Explorer were utilized for analysis about the most-cited publication and the different research areas. Results: Overall, 1342 papers were found in all fields along with 2187 citation networks. Moreover, 2020 was the year with the most publications, including 127 publications and 4 citation networks. Bull et al., published in 2008, was the most-cited work, reaching a citation index of 975. The clustering function managed to identity four groups with the most engaging research topics from researchers: motor visual skills, visual memory, the influence of vision on the different learning styles, and abnormal development of the visual system. Conclusions: In the end, the topic with the greatest interest was the influence of visual motor skills on academic performance. Ideally, this paper will assist fellow researchers in quickly noting which topics are of greatest interest and how research in this area has evolved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The objective of this study is to determine the presence of ocular symptoms in soft-contact-lens wearers that change according to refractive status. To do so, the CLDEQ-8 questionnaire was administered during the months of January to March 2022. Significant differences have been found based on the symptoms present with contact lenses and the degree of myopia. The intensity of visual disturbances was higher in the participants with medium myopia compared to those with low and high myopia. In conclusion, contact-lens users with hyperopia showed a higher rate of ocular dryness than those with myopia. In turn, wearing daily-replacement lenses could be one of the reasons for the lesser presence of ocular dryness when compared to monthly-replacement lenses. Background: Determine whether the presence of ocular symptoms in soft-contact-lens wearers changes depending on the refractive status. Methods: During the months of January to March 2022, the CLDEQ-8 questionnaire was administered to soft-contact-lens wearers. The statistical analysis was carried out using the SPSS 27.0 computer program (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: A total of 251 subjects participated in the study, with a higher percentage of myopes than hyperopes (82.1% versus 16.7%; p < 0.001). Out of all total participants, 21.5% suffered from dry-eye symptoms. It was noted that hyperopes presented a higher rate of dry-eye symptoms (p = 0.041). At the same time, the spherical equivalent was more positive in the participants with dry-eye symptoms (p = 0.014). Significant differences were found based on the symptoms present with contact lenses and the degree of myopia. The intensity of visual disturbances was higher in the participants with medium myopia (median [IQR]: 1/5 [2]) compared to those with low (median [IQR]: 0/5 [2]) and high myopia (median [IQR]: 0/5 [1]) (p = 0.009). Conclusions: Contact-lens wearers with hyperopia showed a higher rate of ocular dryness than those with myopia. In turn, wearing daily-replacement lenses could be one of the reasons for the lesser presence of ocular dryness compared to monthly-replacement lenses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: For many years it has been studied how eye movements influence reading and learning ability. The objective of this study is to determine the relationships between the different publications and authors. As well as to identify the different areas of research ocular movement.; Methods: Web of Science was the database for the search of publications for the period 1900 to May 2021, using the terms: "Eye movement" AND "Academic achiev*". The analysis of the publication was performed using the CitNetExplorer, VOSviewer and CiteSpace software.; Results: 4391 publications and 11033 citation networks were found. The year with the most publications is 2018, a total of 318 publications and 10 citation networks. The most cited publication was "Saccade target selection and object recognition: evidence for a common attentional mechanism." published by Deubel et al. in 1999, with a citation index of 214. Using the Clustering function, nine groups were found that cover the main research areas in this field: neurological, age, perceptual attention, visual disturbances, sports, driving, sleep, vision therapy and academic performance.; Conclusion: Even being a multidisciplinary field of study, the topic with the most publications to date is the visual search procedure at the neurological level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between vision and academic performance has been discussed for a long time, with special emphasis on visual factors associated with learning problems. The objective of this pilot study is to obtain an initial idea about the evolution and the impact of refractive errors on school-aged children. A visual examination was performed on 252 children between the ages of 6 and 11 years, which consisted of objective refraction, subjective refraction, and accommodative and binocular tests. No significant differences were observed regarding the refractive state when taking academic performance into account (p > 0.05). However, it was determined that academic performance was better among children with a negative spherical equivalent. Studies with a larger sample size must be conducted to verify the results that were attained in this present pilot study, and these must likewise look at possible ways in which strategies can be implemented in schools to reduce myopia progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: The main objective of this study was to use citation networks to analyze the relationship between different publications on the impact of cytokines at an ocular level and their authors. Furthermore, the different research areas will be identified, and the most cited publications determined. Methods: A search was performed in the Web of Science (WoS) database using the following keywords: "cytokine", "inflammatory", and "eye disease" for the period from 1990 to October 2021. The Citation Network Explorer and the CiteSpace software were then used to analyze the different publications. Results: 3127 publications with 8955 citations generated on the web were found. The largest number of publications on this topic emerged in 2018 and the authors with the largest number of publications addressing this area of research were Peizeng Yang (1.4%), Aize Kijlstra (1.3%), and Stephen C. Pflugfelder (1.2%). Conclusions: the citation network has provided a comprehensive and objective analysis of the main studies on the influence of cytokines in ocular inflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: According to the World Report on Vision published by WHO, 123.7 million people around the world have vision impairment due to uncorrected refractive errors. Vision impairment affects many aspects of our lives, and it is related to low academic performance; (2) Methods: A prospective and multicenter study has been carried out in 1400 optical centers in Spain. A visual screening was carried out by optometrists on children aged between 6 and 12; (3) Results: 6673 children of primary school have been checked. The multivariate analysis reveals that 5.2% of the poor academic performance is related to vision. Poor academic performance was independent and significantly affected by sex, age, near vision, hyperopia, binocular dysfunctions, and bad ocular motility; (4) Conclusions: Vision plays a key role in optimum academic performance; consequently, the early detection of refractive errors and other visual problems is essential to improve the academic performance of schoolchildren. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The main objective of this study was to use citation networks to analyze the relationship between different publications on the impact of COVID-19 at an ocular level and their authors. Furthermore, the different research areas will be identified, and the most cited publication will be determined. Materials and Methods: The publications were searched within the Web of Science database, using "ocular", "SARS-CoV-2", "ophthalmology", "eyesight", and "COVID-19" as keywords for the period between January 2020 and January 2021. The Citation Network Explorer and the CiteSpace software were used to analyze the different publications. Results: A total of 389 publications with 890 citations generated on the web were found. It must be highlighted that July was the month with the largest number of publications. The most cited ones were "Characteristics of Ocular Findings of Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Hubei Province, China" by Wu et al., which was published in May 2020. Three groups covering the different research areas in this field were found using the clustering functions: ocular manifestations, teleophthalmology, and personal protective equipment. Conclusions: The citation network has shown a comprehensive and objective analysis of the main studies on the impact of COVID-19 in ocular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To aim of the study was describe the growth of publications on genetic myopia and understand the current research landscape through the analysis of citation networks, as well as determining the different research areas and the most cited publications. Methods: The Web of Science database was used to perform the publication search, looking for the terms "genetic*" AND "myopia" within the period between 2009 and October 2020. The CitNetExplorer and CiteSpace software were then used to conduct the publication analysis. To obtain the graphics, the VOSviewer software was used. Results: A total of 721 publications were found with 2999 citations generated within the network. The year 2019 was singled out as a "key year", taking into account the number of publications that emerged in that year and given that in 2019, 200 loci associated with refractive errors and myopia were found, which is considered to be great progress. The most widely cited publication was "Genome-wide meta-analyses of multiancestry cohorts identify multiple new susceptibility loci for refractive error and myopia", an article by Verhoeven et al., which was published in 2013. By using the clustering function, we were able to establish three groups that encompassed the different research areas within this field: heritability rate of myopia and its possible association with environmental factors, retinal syndromes associated with myopia and the genetic factors that control and influence axial growth of the eye. Conclusions: The citation network offers a comprehensive and objective analysis of the main papers that address genetic myopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many epidemiological and experimental studies have established that myopia is caused by a complex interaction between common genetic and environmental factors. The objective of this study was to describe and compare the allelic and genotypic frequencies of the rs524952 (GJD2), rs8000973 (ZIC2), rs1881492 (CHRNG), rs1656404 (PRSS56), rs235770 (BMP2), and rs7744813 (KCNQ5) SNPs (single-nucleotide polymorphism) between responder and nonresponder patients who had undergone a two-year treatment with lenses for myopia control. Method: Twenty-eight participants from the MiSight Assessment Study Spain (MASS), who had received treatment for myopia control for two years with MiSight contact lenses, were examined. The criteria for better/worse treatment response was the change in the axial length (< / ≥ 0.22 mm two years after the treatment). The clinical procedure consisted of the extraction of a saliva sample, and the participants also underwent an optometric examination. Genetic data were analyzed using SNPStats software (Catalan Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain), and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v.25 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Demographic variables were analyzed using the Student's t-test. Results: The T allele, the one with the lowest frequency, of the "rs235770" SNP was associated with a better treatment response [AL/CR (axial length/corneal radius): OR = 3.37; CI = 1.079–10.886; SE (spherical equivalent): OR = 1.26; CI: = 0.519–57.169; p = 0.019). By performing haplotype analysis, significant differences were found between the rs235770...rs1881492 and rs235770–rs1656404 polymorphisms. The latter presented a strong linkage disequilibrium with each other (r2 ≥ 0.54). Conclusion: The result of lens therapies for myopia control could vary depending on genetic variants. Studies with a larger sample are needed to confirm the results presented in this pilot study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]