3 Topic Commentaries

Can Anti-Inflammatories Slow Myopia?

Can Anti-Inflammatories Slow Myopia?

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  Jody Summers, PhD

  Cell Biology

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  University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

  We discovered that children without underlying illnesses became myopic at about 10 years old, while those with JIA who were taking anti-inflammatory drugs didn’t become myopic until about 17 years old.

  Source
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  R. Michael Siatkowski, MD, MBA

  Ophthalmology

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  University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

  The more severe a person’s myopia becomes, the greater the risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts or an early-onset type of macular degeneration. Our findings were encouraging because, if we can delay the onset of myopia and decrease the overall amount of myopia, we may be able to prevent its most serious complications.

  Source
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  Jody Summers, PhD

  Cell Biology

  •

  University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

  The prevalence of myopia is increasing and is predicted to affect half of the world’s population by 2050. With that increase, there is a greater likelihood that myopia will occur in people at a younger age. In some cases, myopia increases the risk of other serious eye conditions like retinal detachment, glaucoma and macular degeneration. Our study suggests that if we could target IL-6, it may be a means of controlling eyesight.

  Source