Reading Room
The reading room includes articles and videos of potential interest to consumers and medical professionals. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the NC Medical Board, its members, and staff. Note: Some links may require registration or subscription.
Reading Room Entries from September 2026
What are eye exercises, and can they improve vision?
Medical News Today
September 29, 2026
Many people believe that eye exercises, like the 20-20-20 rule, figure 8 exercise, and focus change exercise, can help improve vision or treat certain eye conditions. However, research into the topic is limited. Eye exercises may be helpful for managing symptoms of conditions like digital eye strain, myopia, strabismus, and amblyopia. However, these exercises are not likely to be beneficial for cataracts, retinopathy, or glaucoma. Vision therapy may be more appropriate for people with eye conditions who want to improve their visual skills and processing.
Mysterious stomach rash had unusual source
MedPage Today
September 14, 2026
When a child presented to the emergency department with a brown, lace-like rash on his abdomen, it took a few weeks before physicians pinpointed the likely source. Initially, they thought it might be bruising from some kind of traumatic injury. However, blood tests and abdominal imaging were clear, and he was sent home. Yet the patient returned after 2 weeks with progression of the rash and increasing tenderness. This time, they considered a diagnosis of erythema ab igne (EAI), a reticulated, erythematous rash caused by repeated exposure to low-grade heat, below the level that would cause thermal burns, reported Mara Znagoveanu, MBChB, and Edward Artley, MBChB, both of the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust in England, in BMJ Case Reports.
