General Vision and Eye News
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London Hospital Reports Two Successful "Bionic Eye" Implants
LONDON, April 2008 London surgeons at Moorfields Eye Hospital have successfully implanted devices that stimulate rudimentary sight within the inner back of the eye (retina) in two people blinded by an inherited eye disease, retinitis pigmentosa.
The devices, known as Argus II technology (Second Sight), include cameras and processing units that transmit signals wirelessly. The signals travel to electronic receivers and an electrode panel, which are implanted in the eye and attached to the retina where vision processing occurs.
Camera transmissions and electronic stimulation of the retina result in detection of basic light and shapes for people who otherwise are severely blind.
Second Sight, which developed the Argus II device, is based near Los Angeles.
Early Surgery for Strabismus May Help Infants Develop Motor Skills
DALLAS, April 2008 Study results indicate that it's important for eyes to work normally together (binocular vision) so that infants can develop skills such as crawling and grasping, according to researchers at the Retina Foundation of Southwest Texas.
In the study, infants who underwent corrective surgery for misaligned eyes (strabismus) were found to "catch up" on development of motor skills that otherwise had been delayed.
Surgeries conducted to strengthen eye muscles were for a form of strabismus known as infantile esotropia, which can hamper development of depth perception. Researchers say these results may underscore the importance of early surgery for infants who have strabismus.
Study results were published in the April issue of Journal of AAPOS (American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus).
Gene Therapy May Work for Inherited Eye Diseases
NAPLES, Italy, April 2008 Until recently, the idea of replacing faulty genes causing inherited eye diseases such as Stargardt's with "good" genes was not considered feasible because of the large size of the genes involved.
But researchers in Naples, Italy now say they have developed a vector, a way of delivering even large-sized genes into the eye through modification of a specific adeno-associated virus. The modified virus can carry information from good genes that then is transferred into the eye's affected cells, causing them to function normally.
Experiments using mouse eyes were conducted by Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine in Naples, Italy.
Prevent Blindness America Seeks Personal Experience Stories
CHICAGO, April 2008 If you have a personal story to tell about sacrifices made by you or a family member due to poor eye health, you might be eligible for a Prevent Blindness America contest that offers complimentary plane tickets as prizes.
Those interested in entering the "See America" contest can visit the Prevent Blindness America web site or call 1-800-331-2020 for rules and details. The grand prize includes four complimentary plane tickets to U.S. destinations of the winner's choice. The first runner-up will receive two complimentary plane tickets.
Contest participants also must describe where they would like to travel and why. The contest began April 14 and ends July 31.
Prevent Blindness America officials say the contest, conducted in cooperation with the Orbitz.com travel web site, was created to help increase public awareness of the importance of eye health and good vision.
Early Vision Screening Improves Outcomes for Children With Amblyopia
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, April 2008 A study has found that therapies aimed at strengthening the weaker eye in amblyopia are more effective when vision screenings detect the problem in children before they reach age 2. Treatments are not as effective when amblyopia is first found in children between ages 2 to 4.
Archives of Ophthalmology in its April issue reported findings of an Alaska Blind Child Discovery organization's evaluation of vision screenings conducted among 21,367 Alaskan children between 1996 and 2006. In those screenings, 94 children tested positive for amblyopia before age 4 and received a minimum of two years of treatment.
The evaluation revealed that the 36 children screened before age 2 had better vision outcomes following treatment than the 58 children screened between ages 2 and 4.
Do You Wear Glasses? You Aren't a Geek!
MELBOURNE, Australia, April 2008 Australian researchers say they have "busted" a myth that implies myopic people who wear eyeglasses are introverted nerds.
In a four-year study, investigators at the University of Melbourne's Centre for Eye Research teamed up with psychologists to evaluate 633 twins and 278 family members for traits such as openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness and neuroticism.
Results indicate that myopic people are no more likely to be introverted than anyone else. But they are slightly more likely to be agreeable.
Eye Doctor Warns Against Using Urine as Eye Drops
STOCKHOLM, March 2008 In some parts of the world, folk remedies call for using urine as eye drops to ward off eye diseases.
But one eye doctor from Durban, South Africa said at a recent conference that this practice has led to serious eye infections caused by adult gonococcal conjunctivitis, related to a sexually transmitted disease (gonorrhea).
Carina Slazus, MD, said she has seen cases where scarring of the eye's clear surface (cornea) has caused people to go blind. Slazus said it's important for eye doctors in areas of the world where urine-based eye drops are common to educate local healers about the potentially devastating effects of gonococcal conjunctivitis.
Comments made by Slazus at the annual meeting of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons were published in the March issue of EuroTimes Magazine.
Daily Computer Use Causes Vision Side Effects
ST. LOUIS, March 2008 Daily computer use consistently causes side effects such as dry eye, eye strain and light sensitivity, according to survey results announced by the American Optometric Association (AOA).
The AOA's 2007 Eye-Q survey and related marketing research show that 82 percent of Americans frequently use a computer or handheld device such as a PDA. Almost half spend three or more hours daily with such devices.
The AOA says most computer users (78 percent) fail to correctly position computer monitors below eye level, which can lead to various computer vision syndrome (CVS) problems and side effects such as neck and/or backache and fatigue.
Eye strain was a common complaint, with 41 percent of respondents reporting problems.
Most Americans Overlook Risks of Eye Disease
BETHESDA, Md., March 2008 While most Americans rank going blind as one of the worst possible health problems, respondents in a major survey revealed that they knew very little about serious eye diseases that could rob them of sight.
A survey of 3,000 adults sponsored by the National Eye Institute (NEI) and Lions Club International Foundation found that:
- Only 8 percent knew that glaucoma has no early warning signs before vision is lost, which is why regular eye exams are important.
- Only 11 percent knew that diabetic retinopathy also has no early warning signs, although 51 percent were aware that diabetes can cause eye problems.
- Just 16 percent had heard of the term "low vision," which applies to people whose poor vision cannot be improved through conventional means such as glasses and contact lenses.
Of ethnic groups identified in the survey, Hispanics were the least informed, with 41 percent saying they had not seen or heard any eye health information within the previous year.
"Good eyesight is important to our quality of life, and it is essential for adults to have accurate information to help them make informed decisions about their eye health needs," said NEI director Paul A. Sieving, MD, PhD. "These survey results will help us identify specific ways in which we can close the gap in knowledge about eye diseases and address the disparities that exist."
"Lazy Eye" Treatments May Benefit Adults
BEIJING, March 2008 Chinese researchers say they have evidence contradicting the common notion that adults cannot benefit from "lazy eye" (amblyopia) treatments such as eye patching.
Laboratory tests at a Beijing hospital that were designed to strengthen the weaker or "lazy" eye in amblyopia resulted in successful treatments for most of 30 subjects, all 20 years old.
Study results were published March 3 in the PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) Early Edition.
"Lazy eye" often is identified in young children who have a weaker eye that fails to "connect" properly to the brain to establish a fully developed vision system. A common remedy involves patching the stronger eye so that the weaker eye is strengthened or learns to see more clearly.
But eye doctors commonly have thought that these types of treatments cannot work for adults or for children older than 8 because vision systems were already set and could not be altered or "rewired."
Vision Correction Improves Developmental Skills of Young Children
Eyeglasses can significantly improve visual-motor coordination of young children with poor vision.
SAN DIEGO, February 2008 Young children with poor vision can significantly improve developmental testing scores when their vision is corrected with prescription eyeglasses.
This is according to a study published in the February issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.
Skills such as visual-motor coordination among young children (ages 3-5) improved with appropriate vision correction, said Shiley Eye Center Director Stuart I. Brown, who also is chair of ophthalmology.
"This underscores the value of our county-wide program for screening and treating eye abnormalities in young children to ensure they have every opportunity to do well as they mature," Brown said.
Fatty Acids in Eye Drops Help Relieve Dry Eyes
BOSTON, February 2008 Researchers say alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) found in fatty acids can be formulated as an eye drop to help relieve dry eye syndrome.
Different formulations of eye drops using fatty acids were applied in mouse eyes during studies by scientists at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI) and Schepens Eye Research Institute. Study results were published in the February issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.
"Using topical formulations of fatty acids to treat dry eye would allow for more flexibility for treatment, including lessening side effects that patients can experience from oral intake of fatty acids," said Harvard Medical School Professor Reza Dana, MD, who also is cornea service director for MEEI.
During experiments, researchers found that topical applications of ALA reversed symptoms as well as inflammatory changes associated with dry eye.
Blue-Eyed People Have Common Ancestor
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, January 2008 All blue-eyed people have a common ancestor who acquired a genetic mutation 6,000 to 10,000 years ago, according to University of Copenhagen researchers.
"Originally, we all had brown eyes," said Hans Eiberg, associate professor from the Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology. "But a genetic mutation affecting the OCA2 gene in our chromosomes resulted in the creation of a 'switch,' which literally turned off the ability to produce brown eyes."
Eiberg said other variations in eye color, from brown to green, can be explained by varying amounts of a pigment coloring the iris, known as melanin. But the blue-eyed color is associated specifically with the genetic "switch" that limits production of melanin in the eye.
New Type of Cell Phone "Reads" to the Blind
BALTIMORE, January 2008 Newly developed technology enables a pocket-sized, portable device to photograph printed materials, which then are read aloud via cell phone for the benefit of the blind or learning disabled.
The tiny text-to-speech reading device was developed by K-NFB Reading Technology Inc., a company formed from research and development efforts of the National Federation of the Blind and Kurzweil Technologies, Inc.
The new technology is combined with the Nokia N82 mobile phone to provide a complete unit.
"The knfbReader Mobile will allow the blind unprecedented access to the printed word, affording a level of flexibility and capability never before available," said National Federation of the Blind president Dr. Marc Maurer. "No other device in the history of technology has provided such portability and quick access to print materials."
While this is ordinary corn, researchers have developed a high-vitamin form that might offset vitamin-A deficiencies in developing countries.
High-Vitamin Corn Could Help Prevent Eye Disease
CHICAGO, January 2008 A specially developed, high-vitamin corn could help offset vitamin A deficiencies and associated blindness in developing countries, according to researchers at University of Illinois, where the corn was cultivated.
The specialty corn could have significant impact in areas such as sub-Saharan Africa, where up to 30 percent of young children are vitamin A deficient, said officials from research funding agencies including the U.S. Department of Agriculture and National Science Foundation.
Scientists cultivated the corn by identifying genetic markers of precursors necessary for formation of vitamin A, a method described in the Jan. 18 edition of Science.
New Technology Helps Eye Doctors Monitor Progression of Macular Degeneration
MINNEAPOLIS, January 2008 A new technology called preferential hyperacuity perimetry (PHP) now helps eye doctors monitor possible progression of intermediate or "dry" macular degeneration so that proper treatment, if needed, can begin at an appropriate time.
Most cases of "dry" macular degeneration never progress to advanced forms that can cause blindness. But monitoring is needed to make sure treatment is started soon enough, if age related macular degeneration reaches an advanced or "wet" form.
Treatments do not exist for early or "dry" forms of macular degeneration. But early intervention with treatments for advanced forms of the eye disease can help stop or possibly reverse damage caused to the inner back of the eye (retina), where vision processing occurs.
This is why effective monitoring offered by the new PHP technology is important, according to company officials from Notal Vision that developed the Foresee PHP (marketed by MSS in the United States).
Reports indicate the Foresee PHP can detect early formation of scotomas or blind spots in the visual field, which can be markers of advancing macular degeneration.
Company Withdraws Eyelash Lengthening Product
SAN JOSE, Calif., January 2008 Jan Marini Skin Research will no longer market its Age Intervention Eyelash lengthening product that contains a glaucoma medication, according to reports by The Wall Street Journal and other news outlets.
Company officials said the decision was based on conflicts with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and with Allergan, which has sued the cosmetics company and others for violation of its glaucoma drug patents.
The Wall Street Journal says Allergan also reportedly is developing its own eyelash lengthening product containing a glaucoma drug, Lumigan, which has the side effect of causing eyelash growth.
In November, the FDA seized about $2 million in Age Intervention Eyelash products because of potentially harmful consequences of using a glaucoma drug for cosmetic purposes, including less effective eye pressure control for those who have the eye disease.
Congress Considers Funding for Children's Eye Exams
WASHINGTON, December 2007 The U.S. House of Representatives in late 2007 granted final approval and funding for the Vision Care for Kids Act, which would designate $65 million to help pay for eye exams and appropriate follow-up care for uninsured children.
The bill, backed by major optometry and ophthalmology organizations, also encourages public education programs and partnerships with non-profit organizations.
The bill in late 2007 was sent to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
Vision Correction Eases Depression Symptoms of Nursing Home Residents
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., December 2007 Depression in nursing home residents can be reduced significantly when refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and presbyopia are corrected, according to study findings published in the November issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.
The report said nursing home residents are up to 15 times more likely to have uncorrected vision errors, compared with older people of similar ages who live in the community outside institutions. But when nursing home residents received appropriate vision correction such as eyeglasses, their quality of life improved and symptoms of depression declined.
"This study implies that there are significant, short-term quality-of-life and psychological benefits to providing the most basic of eye care services," said University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers.
[Read about tips for coping with vision loss.]
Eye Exams Now Required for Children Entering Illinois Public Schools
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., December 2007 Mandatory eye exams for children will begin Jan. 1 in Illinois, which is the third state along with Kentucky and Missouri to adopt the requirement for entering public schools.
Before a child entering public school for the first time in Illinois can be officially admitted, proof that an eye exam has been conducted must be submitted.
Eye doctors recommend eye exams for children entering school to help detect common conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, amblyopia and strabismus, which when undetected can greatly impact a child's academic performance.
"Requiring complete eye examinations for kids entering kindergarten or first grade will provide the opportunity for eye problems to be diagnosed and treated earlier," said Illinois state Sen. Deanna Demuzio, D-Carlinville, who sponsored the legislation.
Read more about mandatory eye exams for children.
FDA Warns Public About Age Intervention Eyelash Product
ROCKVILLE, Md., November 2007 U.S. marshals have seized about $2 million worth of Age Intervention Eyelash products containing a glaucoma medication that, when used improperly, could lead to damage of the eye's optic nerve and blindness.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials ordered the seizure of Age Intervention Eyelash products after learning that the product, marketed as a way to increase eyelash growth, contains bimatoprost. Bimatoprost is a glaucoma eye drop used to help control internal (intraocular) eye pressure; it also has the potential side effect of causing eyelash growth.
An FDA announcement says people who already take glaucoma medications and who use the Age Intervention Eyelash product may experience less effective control of eye pressure, leading to eye damage.
Side effects from use of the cosmetic product containing bimatoprost also can include eye inflammation (uveitis) and macular edema or swelling of the back inner lining of the eye (retina) where vision processing occurs.
Many Drivers Report Night Vision Problems
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., November 2007 A recent nationwide survey reveals that about 32 percent of drivers report significant problems with seeing in darker conditions all or most of the time.
Kelton Research conducted the survey for Road & Travel Magazine and Acuvue Brand Contact Lenses, with findings that include:
- 26 percent of drivers have difficulty seeing highway signs and exits
- 20 percent struggle to see turns in the road
- 23 percent said driving confidence is low in darker conditions
- 22 percent have more problems judging distances
- 20 percent have significant problems seeing pedestrians and animals
Most survey participants said they thought proper vision correction would help them with their night driving. But many had never talked to an eye doctor about concerns and options.
[Read more about how drivers can cope with night vision problems.]
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