In the following retrospective, longitudinal cohort analysis, researchers sought to determine whether 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) affect the risk of developing open-angle (OAG) in persons with hyperlipidemia.

They included in their study individuals aged ≥60 years with hyperlipidemia enrolled in a national United States managed care network between 2001 and 2009. They performed Multivariable Cox regression analyses to assess the relationship between statin use and the development of OAG (from no prior OAG diagnosis), progression from a prior diagnosis of glaucoma suspect to a diagnosis of OAG, and need for medical or operative interventions for OAG. The researchers also adjusted regression models for sociodemographic factors and medical and ocular comorbidities. Main outcome measures were hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Of the 524,109 individuals with hyperlipidemia, 316,182 (60%) had ≥1 outpatient prescription for statins, the researchers noted. They found that the hazard of developing OAG decreased 0.3% (adjusted HR, 0.997; 95% CI 0.994–0.999) for every additional month of statin consumption. They also reported that individuals with hyperlipidemia who took statins continuously for 2 years had an 8% (adjusted HR, 0.922; 95% CI, 0.870–0.976) decreased OAG risk relative to those who received no statin therapy. Additionally the study researchers observed that the hazard of progressing from a diagnosis of glaucoma suspect to OAG decreased 0.4% (adjusted HR, 0.996; 95% CI, 0.993–0.999) for every 2 years and had a 9% (adjusted HR, 0.907; 95% CI, 0.846–0.973) decreased risk of progressing from glaucoma suspect to OAG relative to those who received no statin therapy. The hazard of requiring medical treatment for OAG decreased 0.4% (adjusted HR, 0.996; 95% CI, 0.993–0.998) for every additional month of statin exposure. The researchers noted no differences in need for glaucoma surgery among those with OAG who were and were not taking stains (adjusted HR, 1.002; 95% CI, 0.994–1.010).

Statin use was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of OAG among persons with hyperlipidemia. Given the mounting evidence of statin protection against OAG including both basic science and observational clinical studies, an interventional prospective study might provide additional insights into the role of statins in the prevention of early OAG.

To measure the correlation between subjective symptom score, conventional clinical tests, and Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) of lower tear meniscus parameters in patients with dry eye disease, 18 patients with dry eye disease requiring medical therapy and/or punctal occlusion were recruited for this prospective, nonrandomized, observational case series.

Severity of symptoms of dry eye disease was assessed using the Indiana University Dry Eye Questionnaire 2002. Clinical assessments were completed using slit lamp biomicroscopy, rose Bengal dye staining, fluorescein tear breakup time (TBUT), and a 5-minute Schirmer test with topical anesthesia. The lower tear meniscus was imaged using and FD-OCT system with 5-µm axial resolution and measured manually by a masked grader using computer calipers. Finally, correlation was assessed using Spearman correlation coefficient (ρ).

It was reported that the mean (±SD) scaled symptom score was 58 ± 21, with a range of 0 to 100. Vital staining test averaged 1.7 ± 3.4, TBUT averaged 4.4 ± 1.8 seconds, and Schirmer tests averaged 10.2 ± 8.1 mm. As determined by OCT, the meniscus height was 228 ± 153 µm, depth was 127 ± 79 µm, and cross-sectional area was 0.018 ± 0.021 mm². It was also noted that OCT meniscus area was negatively correlated with the symptom questionnaire score (p<0.01) and positively correlated with Schirmer test results (p<0.01). Moreover, there was no significant correlation between symptom score and rose bengal staining, TBUT, or Schirmer test results (p>0.01).

To conclude, lower tear meniscus measurement with FD-OCT is an objective noninvasive test that correlates well with symptoms of dry eye disease and the Schirmer test.

The authors of the following retrospective, single-center, interventional, non-comparative case series aimed to characterize rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in more than 22,000 eyes following laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for the correction of myopia ≤ –10.00 D, its characteristics, and its frequency at 10 years of follow-up.

They included 22,296 myopic eyes that underwent surgical correction of myopia ≤ –10.00 D. LASIK for the correction of myopia was performed in all eyes and patients were followed for 10 years after LASIK. The study authors reviewed the clinical charts of patients that developed RRD after LASIK.

They reported that 11,594 (52%) eyes returned for follow-up after LASIK at 10 years and that 22 eyes (19 patients) developed a RRD after LASIK at 10 years. The study authors noted that RRDs occurred between 1 month and 10 years (mean: 31.6 ± 39.3 months) after LASIK. They also found that eyes that developed an RRD had from –1.50 to –9.75 D of myopia (mean: –4.81 ± 2.2 D) before LASIK. Furthermore, the frequency of RRD after LASIK determined in this study was 0.05% (11/22,296) at 1 year, 0.15% (18/11,371) at 5 years, and 0.19% (22/11,594) at 10 years.

In conclusion, RRD after LASIK for the correction of myopia ≤ –10.00 D is infrequent and the risk of RRD after LASIK is very low if you screen patients, and do prophylactic treatment as performed in this study. RRD, if managed promptly, will result in good vision. The study authors recommend that patients scheduled for refractive surgery undergo a very thorough dilated indirect funduscopy with scleral depression and treatment of any retinal lesion predisposing to the development of an RRD before LASIK surgery should be performed.