Eye Health News and Research

Latest Eye Health News and Research

High levels of microscopic, soot-like particles are increasing the risk of premature death

High levels of microscopic, soot-like particles are increasing the risk of premature death for millions of people, including those with heart or lung disease, according to the American Lung Association State of the Air: 2004 report released today.

29 Apr 2004

People with uncontrolled epilepsy have low levels of a certain fatty acid

Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial to the proper development and function of cell membranes in the brain. But one particular fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is found at abnormally low levels in patients with uncontrolled epilepsy, according to researchers at Emory University in Atlanta, GA.

28 Apr 2004

Researchers have discovered the cause of one form of retinitis pigmentosa, a type of genetically inherited blindness

Saint Louis University researchers have discovered the cause of one form of retinitis pigmentosa, a type of genetically inherited blindness.

28 Apr 2004

Helix BioMedix announces positive results of comparative product anti-wrinkle study

Helix BioMedix today announced that it has completed a 12-week consumer product test comparing the company's anti-wrinkle peptide, HB168 with Renova(R), a currently marketed FDA approved product.

27 Apr 2004

How big should your child be?

Each time you take your child to an annual checkup, most likely the first thing the doctor or nurse does is record your child's current height and weight. The two numbers are then plotted on separate gender-specific graphs to indicate what percentile your child falls into.

27 Apr 2004

UK moves towards controversial 'biometric' passports

In a move which is surely to cause controversy Home Secretary David Blunkett has published a draft Bill on a national ID card scheme.

26 Apr 2004

Medical students are seeking to uncover a silent killer, glaucoma

Like private eyes, a group of medical students at the College of Medicine are seeking to uncover a silent killer attacking unsuspecting citizens of Tucson: glaucoma.

26 Apr 2004

Diets like Atkins could help prevent Alzheimer's, cancer, diabetes and Parkinson's disease

Though diets like Atkins and South Beach are the current rage, an emerging eating philosophy may do more than temporarily take off pounds: It could help treat disease.

26 Apr 2004

US airport screening in question after health and screening issues

Security screeners at Miami International Airport have become ill for the fourth time in a single month.

25 Apr 2004

Discovery shows how single genetic mutation can cause complex disorders

Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS), characterized by obesity, learning disabilities and eye and kidney problems, is caused by genetic mutations in the BBS family of genes. Now, researchers who've long studied the condition have discovered that genetic mutations in one of those genes, called BBS4, lead to cell death by disrupting the cells' internal "highway" system.

25 Apr 2004

WHO calls for Sudan humanitarian assistance

Intensified and urgent action is needed in the Greater Darfur Region of western Sudan to address one of the most severe humanitarian emergencies today. Given the current situation, the humanitarian crisis will last several months.

23 Apr 2004

Improving eye care with telemedicine

Computer scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have teamed up with a group of medical professionals to advance the use of telemedicine.

23 Apr 2004

First Chinese case of case of SARS since January 2004

On April 22, 2004, the Chinese Ministry of Health reported a possible case of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in a 20-year-old woman who works as a nurse in a hospital in Beijing. If confirmed, this will be the first case of SARS since January 2004, when Chinese health authorities confirmed SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection in three persons in Guangdong Province.

23 Apr 2004

Lansche family endows distinguished chair in ophthalmology

A $2 million gift from the Lansche family and Tatiana A. Lansche will establish the Dr. Richard and Tatiana Lansche Distinguished Chair in Ophthalmology at the Shiley Eye Center of the University of California, San Diego, officials announced today.

22 Apr 2004

Possible new SARS case in Beijing, China

22 Apr 2004

Statement on patient safety principles for office-based surgery

Over the past few years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of invasive procedures being performed in the office setting. Recognizing that many states still haven't issued patient safety guidelines in this area, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) sponsored a resolution, which was passed at the American Medical Association's (AMA's) December 2002 Interim Meeting of its House of Delegates.

22 Apr 2004

FDA approval for drug to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals has received an approvable letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the use of CONCERTA® (methylphenidate HCl) CII Extended-release Tablets in adolescents with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and to expand labeling to include a 72 mg dosing regimen.

22 Apr 2004