Importance: Because of the high prevalence of myopia in Taiwan, understanding the risk factors for its development and progression is important to public health. Background: This study investigated the risk factors for myopia and their influence on the progression of myopia in schoolchildren in Taiwan. Design: Patients’ clinical records were obtained retrospectively from ophthalmologists. Questionnaires were given to collect demographic information, family background, hours spent on daily activities, myopia progression, and treatment methods. Participants: From a regional medical hospital in northern Taiwan, 522 schoolchildren with myopia participated in the study. Written informed consent was obtained from participants of legal age or the parents or legal guardians of younger children. Methods: Multivariable regression analyses were performed. Myopia measured in cycloplegic spherical equivalent (SE) was analysed, controlling for patients’ family and demographic information as well as their daily activity behaviours. Main Outcome Results: Children with high myopic parents were more myopic. Earlier onset age of myopia was associated with a higher level of myopia and greater annual myopic progression. Children reporting longer time usage of electronic devices had greater progression of myopia. Boys tended to be more myopic than girls. Lower levels of myopia were associated with more outdoor activities, and better vision care knowledge in children and parents. Conclusions and Relevance: In addition to genetics, education and environment can influence the development of myopia. Health policies for schoolchildren should promote protective activities and vision care knowledge at a young age, to protect the eyesight of schoolchildren.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most commonly isolated Gram-negative pathogen causing sight-threatening microbial keratitis (MK). Contact lens wear is the most significant risk factor associated with pseudomonal MK. Understanding the pathogenesis of MK due to P. aeruginosa and its interactions with contact lenses is crucial in preventing these often rapidly progressive and highly antibiotic-resistant infections. Bacterial virulence factor Type III secretion system (T3SS) has significant interplays between contact lens material, antibiotic sensitivity, disinfectant selectivity, and bacterial cell invasion. Depending on the T3SS exotoxins produced, P. aeruginosa strains are divided into cytotoxic or invasive strains. Cytotoxic strains are relatively resistant to commercial disinfectants, while invasive strains are more antibiotic resistant. Therefore, contact lens wearers are more predisposed to cytotoxic P. aeruginosa infections, and patients with trauma or previous surgery are more prone to infection by invasive strains. Previous studies with mutant P. aeruginosa strains unable to produce T3SS exotoxins were more susceptible to disinfectants and less able to adhere to soft contact lenses, indicating an essential role of T3SS in bacterial virulence. Invasion of P. aeruginosa intracellularly was found to be associated with control of scaffold protein IQ-domain GTPase-activating protein 1 (IQGAP1) and human corneal epithelial cell tight junctions. Knockdown of IQGAP1 strengthened tight junctions that prevented intracellular survival of invasive P. aeruginosa strains and enhanced corneal epithelial cell survival. These novel findings of the vital role of T3SS in the pathogenesis of pseudomonal MKs will provide new guidelines in both prevention and treatment of this common eye-blinding infection.

Introduction This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of a novel extended-depth-of-focus (EDOF) soft contact lens for myopia control in children. Methods A prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, contralateral-eye comparison clinical trial was conducted in 72 children (40 male and 32 female) aged 9 to 14 years, with each eye randomly selected to wear either an experimental EDOF contact lens or a single-vision control lens at least 8 h per day, 5 days a week, for 52 weeks. Each contact lens was worn and then replaced daily. Measurements including best-corrected visual acuity, spherical equivalent refractive error (SER), axial length (AXL), and keratometry were performed at weeks 1, 4, and 13, and every 13 weeks thereafter for 52 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the change in SER, measured using cycloplegic auto-refraction. The secondary outcome measure was the change in AXL. Results At week 52, the mean change in SER was significantly lower with the experimental lens (−0.70 ± 0.49 D) than with the control lens (−0.88 ± 0.51 D; P < .001). The mean AXL elongation was significantly lower with the experimental lens (0.34 ± 0.19 mm) than with the control lens (0.38 ± 0.19 mm; P < .001). The EDOF lens reduced AXL and myopia progression by 10.5% and 20.5%, respectively. The change in SER, but no AXL, was significantly associated with EDOF lens wear in adjusted multivariate regression analysis. Reported adverse events did not differ significantly between the two lens types. Conclusions The results of this 1-year clinical trial demonstrate that the experimental EDOF soft contact lens slows myopia progression and reduces AXL elongation in children compared with a single-vision contact lens. (This study was retrospectively registered with ClinicalTrials.gov; identifier: NCT04238897; date of registration: January 23, 2020.)

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 1% topical bevacizumab (10 mg/mL) on newly formed corneal neovascularization (NV) after penetrating keratoplasty (PK). Methods: This is a retrospective case series reporting three eyes (three patients) of with newly formed corneal NV after corneal transplantation. All eyes had pre-existing corneal NVs and were high risk corneal graft rejection cases. One percent topical bevacizumab was started immediately after corneal NV formation post-PK. Topical bevacizumab was kept at twice weekly throughout the follow-up period. Results: Regression of corneal NV without donor graft invasion was noted in all three patients (100%). Duration of topical bevacizumab use was 13 to 36 months. All three corneal grafts (100%) remained clear and no signs of graft rejection were noted for the period of observation. There were no associated systemic or ocular adverse effects. Conclusion: Long-term use of topical 1% bevacizumab may be a safe and efficient treatment for corneal NVs and prevention of graft rejections after corneal transplantation.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematologic malignancy resulting from the uncontrolled proliferation of neoplastic plasma cells and the excessive production of monoclonal immunoglobulins, both of which may lead to hyperviscosity retinopathy. Here, we present a 56-year-old male who had progressive painless loss of vision for 1 month. Ophthalmic examination revealed hyperviscosity retinopathy with bilateral central retinal vein occlusion-like appearance. Hematologic assessment revealed immunoglobulin A MM. Although the patient was treated with chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation soon after referral, he did not survive due to the aggressive course of the disease. We highlight the importance of the ophthalmic presentation of MM. Early recognition and referral to an oncologist can lead to timely diagnosis and appropriate management.