February 2019 Briefing – Ophthalmology

Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Ophthalmology for February 2019. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.

Glaucoma Burden Increasing Globally but Not Equally

TUESDAY, Feb. 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The health burden of glaucoma increased globally in the past 25 years and is distributed unequally, according to a study published online Feb. 20 in Acta Ophthalmologica.

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2014 to 2017 Saw Improvement in Burnout for U.S. Physicians

MONDAY, Feb. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — From 2014 to 2017, there was an improvement in burnout and satisfaction with work-life integration among U.S. physicians, according to a study published online Feb. 22 in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

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Preoperative Phone Visits for Cataract Patients Safe, Efficient

MONDAY, Feb. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Phone visits can safely substitute for a standard, in-person history and physical (H&P) in patients undergoing cataract surgery, according to a study published online Feb. 7 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

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National Health Spending Set to Increase 5.5 Percent Annually

FRIDAY, Feb. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — National health spending is projected to increase at an annual rate of 5.5. percent from 2018 to 2027, with fundamental economic and demographic factors the main drivers, according to a report published online Feb. 20 in Health Affairs.

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Most Patients Do Not Disclose Complementary Medicine Use

FRIDAY, Feb. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Just one-third of users of biologically based complementary medicine (CM) disclose their use to traditional health care providers, according to a review published online Feb. 7 in Scientific Reports.

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Vertical Integration Has Little Impact on Quality Measures

THURSDAY, Feb. 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Vertical integration between hospitals and physicians has little impact on quality measures, while increased hospital market concentration is strongly associated with reduced quality in measures of patient satisfaction, according to a study published online Feb. 9 in Medical Care Research and Review.

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New Kaiser Permanente Medical School Plans to Waive Tuition

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A new medical school to be opened by California-based health system Kaiser Permanente will waive tuition for all students in its first five graduating classes.

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Deep Learning-Enhanced Device Detects Diabetic Retinopathy

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A deep learning-enhanced device can accurately detect diabetic retinopathy (DR), according to a study published online Feb. 14 in Diabetes Care.