Weekly Optometry Reading List – Week ending 18 Aug 2026
18 August 2026
This week’s curated reading
1. Standardized Lacrimal Sac Massage vs Probing for Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction in Infants: A Noninferiority Randomized Trial
JAMA ophthalmology
Suggested CPD: 0.25 hrs (8 min read)
This randomized trial demonstrates that standardized lacrimal sac massage is noninferior to surgical probing for the treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in infants. The findings support prioritizing conservative management as the first-line approach to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures.
Key Learnings: Lacrimal sac massage is as effective as probing for primary CNLDO management. • Conservative management should be the standard initial treatment.
Practice Relevance: Provides high-level evidence to support conservative management, reducing the need for early surgical referrals in primary care optometry.
2. IOP Stress Testing Identifies Glaucoma Eyes at Risk of Fast Progression Despite Controlled Office Pressure
American journal of ophthalmology
Suggested CPD: 0.25 hrs (7 min read)
This study evaluates the utility of IOP stress testing in identifying patients who exhibit fast visual field progression despite having ‘controlled’ intraocular pressure during standard office hours. It highlights the limitations of single-point office measurements in high-risk glaucoma patients.
Key Learnings: Office-hour IOP measurements may mask significant pressure fluctuations. • Stress testing can identify patients at risk of progression who require more aggressive management.
Practice Relevance: Encourages clinicians to look beyond standard office IOP readings when managing patients with unexplained glaucoma progression.
3. Incidence and Risk Factors for Progression of Pachychoroid Subtype
JAMA ophthalmology
Suggested CPD: 0.25 hrs (7 min read)
This study investigates the progression patterns within the pachychoroid spectrum, identifying key risk factors for conversion to neovascular disease. Understanding these biomarkers is essential for the timely monitoring of patients with pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy.
Key Learnings: Specific OCT biomarkers predict progression in pachychoroid eyes. • Early identification of these markers allows for more targeted surveillance.
Practice Relevance: Helps optometrists refine monitoring intervals for patients with pachychoroid features, improving the detection of neovascular conversion.
4. Assessment of Ellipsoid Zone Integrity and Other Quantitative OCT Biomarkers for Intermediate AMD Progression to Atrophy
Ophthalmology
Suggested CPD: 0.25 hrs (8 min read)
This research evaluates quantitative OCT biomarkers, specifically ellipsoid zone integrity, to predict the progression of intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to geographic atrophy. These metrics provide a more objective way to assess patient risk.
Key Learnings: Ellipsoid zone disruption is a strong predictor of AMD progression. • Quantitative OCT metrics improve prognostic accuracy over qualitative assessment.
Practice Relevance: Provides actionable OCT-based criteria for stratifying the risk of progression in intermediate AMD patients.
5. A systematic review and narrative synthesis of functional neuroimaging studies for chronic ocular surface pain
Survey of ophthalmology
Suggested CPD: 0.25 hrs (12 min read)
This systematic review synthesizes current neuroimaging evidence regarding chronic ocular surface pain (COSP), highlighting the central nervous system’s role in persistent symptoms. It bridges the gap between peripheral ocular surface disease and central pain processing.
Key Learnings: COSP involves complex central nervous system changes. • Neuroimaging provides insights into why some patients remain symptomatic despite ocular surface improvement.
Practice Relevance: Offers a deeper understanding of refractory dry eye cases, aiding in patient education and management expectations.
6. Temporal Patterns of Posterior Segment Imaging Findings and Laboratory Correlates in Ocular Syphilis
American journal of ophthalmology
Suggested CPD: 0.25 hrs (9 min read)
This study characterizes the imaging findings associated with ocular syphilis, providing a guide for clinicians to recognize the condition’s varied presentations. It emphasizes the importance of correlating imaging with systemic laboratory findings.
Key Learnings: Ocular syphilis presents with distinct posterior segment imaging patterns. • Multimodal imaging is critical for early diagnosis of this ‘great masquerader’.
Practice Relevance: Increases clinical suspicion for syphilis in patients presenting with unexplained posterior segment inflammation.
7. A Comparison of Machine Learning and Human Graders for Glaucoma Diagnosis from Fundus Images for Population Screening
Ophthalmology
Suggested CPD: 0.25 hrs (8 min read)
This study compares the diagnostic accuracy of machine learning algorithms against human graders for glaucoma detection in population screening. It explores the potential for AI to enhance the efficiency and reliability of large-scale screening programs.
Key Learnings: AI models show high sensitivity for glaucoma detection in screening contexts. • Human-AI collaboration may optimize diagnostic workflows.
Practice Relevance: Provides context for the evolving role of AI in clinical practice and population health screening.
8. Long-term Outcomes of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty on Intraocular Pressure Control and Visual Field Progression
American journal of ophthalmology
Suggested CPD: 0.25 hrs (7 min read)
This study reports on the long-term efficacy of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) in controlling IOP and slowing visual field progression. It reinforces SLT as a durable, primary, or adjunctive therapy for glaucoma management.
Key Learnings: SLT provides sustained IOP reduction over the long term. • Effective SLT treatment is associated with reduced rates of visual field progression.
Practice Relevance: Supports the use of SLT as a robust therapeutic option for glaucoma patients in clinical practice.
9. Risk of Pediatric Eye Disease in Children with Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Disorders in the United States
Ophthalmology
Suggested CPD: 0.25 hrs (6 min read)
This study identifies a significantly higher risk of ocular disease in children with neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders. It underscores the need for proactive and accessible eye care for this vulnerable patient population.
Key Learnings: Children with NDDs have a higher prevalence of refractive errors and ocular pathology. • Routine screening is essential for this demographic.
Practice Relevance: Highlights the importance of comprehensive eye examinations for children with neurodevelopmental conditions, often requiring tailored testing approaches.
10. Factors associated with delays in the diagnosis of childhood onset uveitis: findings from a nation-wide cohort study
American journal of ophthalmology
Suggested CPD: 0.25 hrs (8 min read)
This cohort study investigates the reasons behind diagnostic delays in childhood-onset uveitis. It identifies key barriers to timely care, emphasizing the need for increased awareness among primary care providers.
Key Learnings: Diagnostic delays in pediatric uveitis are common and often linked to symptom misinterpretation. • Early referral is critical to preventing long-term visual morbidity.
Practice Relevance: Encourages optometrists to maintain a high index of suspicion for uveitis in children presenting with red or symptomatic eyes.
This digest was prepared with AI assistance. Always verify the original source before relying on clinical information or recording CPD.