Losing Sleep Over Glaucoma

When glaucoma is undetected and untreated, it can lead to blindness from the progressive loss of retinal cells. A new study in BMJ Open suggests it also leads to sleep problems. Researchers found an association between the eye disease and sleep issues like snoring, daytime sleepiness, insomnia or sleeping too long or too little.

The study was observational, so no cause-and-effect could be determined, but the researchers suggest an underlying explanation could relate increased internal eye pressure when lying down. More research is needed.

Body of Knowledge

Beginning around age 40, it’s estimated you lose 1% of your strength every year, with the rate accelerating the older you get. A recent study found that grip strength was a better indicator of life expectancy than blood pressure.

But do not fret. Being active throughout your life slows the loss of strength, which, along with muscle mass, can actually be improved well into one’s 90s.

Get Me That, Stat!

It’s well known that many physicians take money from drug and medical device makers, sometimes raising concerns about conflicts of interest. A new survey puts numbers to the practice, reporting that 36% of advanced practice clinicians (specialists) accepted payments from the industry compared to 35% of general practice doctors, reports JAMA.

How that translates into dollars: about $1.9 billion distributed to roughly 2 million doctors in 2021.

Stories for the Waiting Room

Scientists at the Food and Drug Administration are proposing to make COVID-19 vaccinations a regular, once-a-year shot. And just like the annual flu shot, the vaccination formula would be updated to match current strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

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