Page 22 - Nov- Dec 2024

EYE-TRACKING BIOMARKERS known for improving mental
health and physical well-being, as
FOR EARLY AUTISM DIAGNOSIS an alternative intervention.
The trial involved 283
A study by researchers from Indiana University and Purdue participants aged 18–45 who
University is exploring how eye-tracking biomarkers could were randomly assigned to two
improve autism diagnosis in primary care settings. Published groups. One group performed
in JAMA Network Open, the research addresses the growing laughter exercises, which
challenge of delayed autism diagnoses, with nearly 3% of U.S. included vocalising phrases such
children affected and evaluation wait times often exceeding as “Hee hee hee” and “Hah hah
a year. The study evaluated 146 children, aged 14-48 months, hah” using a facial recognition
in Indiana’s Early Autism Evaluation Hub system. Using app to ensure consistency. The
specialised eye-tracking technology, the researchers measured other group applied 0.1% sodium
social and non-social attention and pupil size while the hyaluronic acid eye drops four
children watched videos. These biomarkers, which reflect brain times daily. Both treatments
function and behaviour, were able to differentiate children with lasted eight weeks, with changes
autism from those with other neurodevelopmental disabilities. in eye discomfort and other
indicators measured over 12
The model demonstrated strong diagnostic potential, weeks.
achieving 91% sensitivity and 87% specificity when combined
with a clinician’s diagnosis. Dr. Rebecca McNally Keehn, Results showed comparable
the study’s senior author, emphasised the urgency of the improvements in the Ocular
issue, noting, "Children and their families are waiting too Surface Disease Index (OSDI)
long for evaluations, missing critical opportunities for early scores for both groups, with
intervention." This study represents a significant step in laughter therapy demonstrating
bridging the gap between research and clinical practice, significant benefits for tear film
providing primary care clinicians with a reliable tool for more stability and meibomian gland
timely and accurate autism diagnosis. function. Mental health scores
also improved for participants in
The team plans to further validate their findings using the laughter group. Importantly,
artificial intelligence and conduct larger clinical trials to assess no adverse effects were reported
the model’s real-world effectiveness. This approach highlights in either group.
the potential of multi-method diagnostic tools to improve early The researchers highlight the
autism detection and reduce delays in care, ultimately offering environmental friendliness, safety,
better access to critical early interventions.
and low cost of laughter exercises,
positioning them as a viable first-
line, home-based treatment for
LAUGHTER EXERCISE - DED, particularly for patients with
mild symptoms. While the study
EYE DROPS FOR DRY EYES has limitations, such as the lack of

a double-blinded design, it opens
doors for further exploration
A clinical trial conducted in China and published in The British into the broader applications of
Medical Journal, reveals that laughter exercises could match the laughter therapy in eye care.
effectiveness of eye drops in alleviating dry eye disease (DED)
This study underscores
symptoms. The findings suggest laughter therapy as a promising the potential of integrating
and cost-effective initial treatment for this common condition.
innovative, non-pharmacological
Dry eye disease affects approximately 360 million people globally, approaches into mainstream
causing discomfort, redness, and irritation. While artificial tears treatments for chronic conditions
are the standard treatment, this study explored laughter exercises, like DED.

16 | THE INDIAN OPTICIAN | NOV-DEC 2024 OPTOMETRY NEWS