This study, published in Eye & ENT Research, compared LASIK surgery and contact lenses for myopia correction through a systematic review and meta-analysis of four studies with 2,141 participants. The key findings show that LASIK users report much higher satisfaction (88% vs. 54%) and have fewer complications (6.7%–9.5% vs. 19.9%) than contact lens wearers. However, LASIK causes more acute dry eye after surgery, while contact lenses lead to more chronic dry eye over time. Quality of life results were unclear due to differences in how studies measured it.

Analysis of 115 NASA photographs from 13 astronauts, published in Eye & ENT Research, showed that spaceflight consistently elevates the lower eyelid, reducing MRD2 (margin reflex distance 2) by a mean of 1.0 mm (p < 0.001). All astronauts exhibited this “reverse ptosis,” with 62% showing a clinically significant change (≥ 1 mm). The effect appears to occur rapidly and persist throughout missions, likely driven by cephalad fluid shift and elastic recoil of facial tissues. The study was retrospective and limited by image quality and lack of symptom data; future research with standardized imaging is needed to explore mechanisms and potential impacts on ocular health during long-duration spaceflight.

Inherited retinal disorders (IRDs) lead to vision loss and, in many cases, to complete blindness in those affected. Professor Uwe Wolfrum of the Institute of Molecular Physiology at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) is a leading researcher on a specific form of these disorders: the human Usher syndrome. In recognition of his scientific achievements in ophthalmology and vision research, Professor Wolfrum was recently honored by the renowned Institute of Ophthalmology at University College London (UCL).

Using in vivo mouse models and primary in vitro alveolar epithelial cell cultures, researchers found influenza A virus (H1N1) preferentially infects alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells in the early stage of lung alveolar infection. Compared to alveolar type 1 (AT1) cells, AT2 cells exhibit significantly delayed production of type I/III interferons, interferon-stimulated genes and chemokines, which drives elevated viral replication and higher infection susceptibility.