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October 2026: News you can use
What’s New in Eye Health: Four Developments Worth Knowing About
Eye care research moves quickly. Here are four recent developments, and what they mean for you and your family.
Your Eyes May Offer Clues About Your Whole-Body Health
A growing field called Oculomics studies what images of the eye can reveal about health elsewhere in the body. Researchers are investigating whether retinal images can offer clues to chronic kidney disease, coronary artery calcification, liver disease, Alzheimer’s disease and anemia. The retina is the one place where we can see blood vessels and nerve tissue directly, without surgery. theweek
This research is still young. Much of the evidence comes from retrospective datasets, and a retinal photo can’t replace a kidney test, CT scan or angiogram. Still, it’s a good reminder that a comprehensive eye exam is more than a glasses check. It can be an early look at your overall health. If it’s been a while since your last dilated or retinal exam, Tigard Eyecare can help. theweek
Light Therapy for Dry Macular Degeneration: A Promising Step
Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common form of the disease, and treatment options have been limited. A newer approach, photobiomodulation, uses specific wavelengths of light to support retinal cells.
In the 24-month LIGHTSITE III trial, treated patients gained about six letters of vision on average, and progression to geographic atrophy was 6.8% versus 24.0% in the sham group. The trial enrolled 148 eyes from 100 people, and later-stage wet AMD occurred in both groups, in more treated eyes than sham eyes (7 versus 2). The researchers also noted that the sham treatment delivered a low dose of light itself. scholars.duke.edu +2
So this is promising, but it isn’t a cure, and it isn’t right for everyone. If you have AMD or a family history of it, regular monitoring remains the foundation of care. Ask us here at Tigard Eyecare whether this option fits your situation.
AI Eye Screening Is Growing, but a Human Provider Still Matters
Artificial intelligence is increasingly used to screen for diabetic retinopathy, often in primary care offices. The technology is useful, and the research shows both its promise and its limits.
A Danish study of 183 adults with type 2 diabetes found AI-assisted screening was strong at ruling out disease but also produced substantial false positives. When patients had a second screening at an ophthalmology clinic, it uncovered additional findings that would have gone undetected in a primary care setup. Meanwhile, a Johns Hopkins study of 3,745 patients found AI screening was associated with more at-risk African-American patients reaching eye care, though the study was retrospective and exploratory. primary care ai assisted diabetic retinopathy screening shows promise +3
Here’s what that means for you. A computer’s result is a starting point, not a diagnosis. An eye care provider should review the images and your health history, and decide whether you need secondary care. That review protects you from both unnecessary referrals and missed problems. If you have diabetes, an AI screening doesn’t replace a comprehensive exam with a doctor who knows your eyes. Schedule yours with us at Tigard Eyecare.
Screen Time and Your Child’s Eyes
Kids are spending more time on screens than ever, and their eyes notice. A review of studies from 2017 to 2025 linked heavy screen use in children to headaches, eye strain and myopia, with eye fatigue and redness especially common above five hours a day. Heavy screen use can also reduce blink rate, which may contribute to dry eye discomfort. ophthalmologytimesabc30
Children rarely say “my vision is blurry.” Instead, watch for frequent headaches, squinting, eye rubbing, sitting very close to screens or the board, or trouble keeping up at school. Simple habits help: regular screen breaks, good lighting, and plenty of time outdoors.
The most reliable step is a comprehensive eye exam. Many vision problems, including nearsightedness that is getting worse, are easiest to manage when caught early. Book your child’s exam at Tigard Eyecare today: (503) 639-8632.
