Ophthalmology News and Research

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Ophthalmology is the specialized field of medicine that focuses on the health of the eye. It includes the anatomy, physiology and diseases that may affect the eye. Historically, the science of ophthalmology encompassed all aspects of visual function, both in health and in illness. Additionally, ophthalmology also includes animal eyes as ocular function and optic diseases are similar among humans and animals.

Study: People with cataract-related vision loss who undergo cataract surgery live longer

People with cataract-related vision loss who have had cataract surgery to improve their sight are living longer than those with visual impairment who chose not to have the procedure, according to an Australian cohort study published this month in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. After comparing the two groups, the researchers found a 40 percent lower long-term mortality risk in those who had the surgery.

5 Sep 2013

Wavefront optics-from the observatory to your optometrist's office

Techniques developed by astronomers seeking a clear view of objects in space are coming closer to home, as eye care professionals apply the concept of wavefront optics to understanding-and correcting-subtle visual abnormalities of the human eye, according to a special article in the September issue of Optometry and Vision Science, official journal of the American Academy of Optometry.

27 Aug 2013

Loyola's Advanced Procedure Education Classroom offered first ASSET course on August 17

Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine's Advanced Procedure Education Classroom offered its first Advanced Surgical Skills for Exposure in Trauma course on Saturday, August 17 at the Maywood campus.

26 Aug 2013

AMD associated with impaired lysosomal autophagy, study finds

A new study published in the prestigious PLoS One journal changes our understanding of the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration. The researchers found that degenerative changes and loss of vision are caused by impaired function of the lysosomal clean-up mechanism, or autophagy, in the fundus of the eye.

22 Aug 2013

HIV prevention program at UCLA may reduce unprotected sex among bisexual black men

A culturally tailored HIV prevention program developed and tested by investigators at UCLA and the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science has been shown to significantly reduce unprotected sex among bisexual black men.

22 Aug 2013

New drug-delivery strategy for central vision loss

Johns Hopkins biomedical engineers have teamed up with clinicians to create a new drug-delivery strategy for a type of central vision loss caused by blood vessel growth at the back of the eye, where such growth should not occur.

20 Aug 2013

Study shows complement activation plays an important role in inherited macular degeneration

In a study published on line this week in the journal Human Molecular Genetics, Drs. Donita Garland, Rosario Fernandez-Godino, and Eric Pierce of the Ocular Genomics Institute at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, along with their colleagues, reported the unexpected finding that in mice genetically engineered to have an inherited form of macular degeneration, turning off the animals' complement system, a part of the immune system, prevented the disease.

20 Aug 2013

International experts on vision and driving coming to metro Detroit

Autonomous cars, driver distraction, and traffic signals for color-blind drivers are just some of the many topics to be discussed at a meeting of international experts on vision and driving, coming to metro Detroit.

16 Aug 2013

Training to caregivers can enhance lives of children born with HIV

Children born with HIV can live longer and richer lives if their caregivers receive training in ways to enhance the children's development, according to research led by Michigan State University.

16 Aug 2013

Oraya Therapy Stereotactic Radiotherapy for treatment of wet AMDs now available at Optegra

Oraya Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that the Oraya Therapy Stereotactic Radiotherapy for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is now available at Optegra Manchester Eye Hospital, becoming the second facility in the UK to provide the therapy.

14 Aug 2013

Research findings offer clues to the origin of retinal disorders later in life

Scientists are developing a clearer picture of how visual systems develop in mammals. The findings offer important clues to the origin of retinal disorders later in life.

9 Aug 2013

Prevalence for major eye disease is higher in people with common sleep disorder

Researchers in Taiwan have discovered that people with sleep apnea are far more likely to develop glaucoma compared to those without the sleep condition. The results of this study, which is the first to calculate the risk of the disease among people with the sleep disorder following diagnosis, is published in this month's edition of Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

8 Aug 2013

Study opens door to possible treatments for variety of mitochondrial diseases

By borrowing a tool from bacteria that infect plants, scientists have developed a new approach to eliminate mutated DNA inside mitochondria-the energy factories within cells. Doctors might someday use the approach to treat a variety of mitochondrial diseases, including the degenerative eye disease Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. The research, published online today in Nature Medicine, was funded by the National Eye Institute, a part of the National Institutes of Health.

5 Aug 2013

Omeros submits OMS302 NDA to FDA for patients undergoing ILR surgery

Omeros Corporation announced that the company recently submitted a New Drug Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval of OMS302 for use in patients undergoing intraocular lens replacement surgery.

1 Aug 2013

Researchers identify novel approach to enhance tissue repair and organ regeneration

Because most human tissues do not regenerate spontaneously, advances in tissue repair and organ regeneration could benefit many patients with a wide variety of medical conditions.

1 Aug 2013

Vanderbilt offers first FDA-approved bionic eye for treatment of retinitis pigmentosa

Vanderbilt University Medical Center has been chosen as one of 12 sites in the United States to offer the first FDA-approved bionic eye for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

30 Jul 2013

Researcher discovers potential explanation for shizophrenia symptoms

By observing the eye movements of schizophrenia patients while playing a simple video game, a University of British Columbia researcher has discovered a potential explanation for some of their symptoms, including difficulty with everyday tasks.

29 Jul 2013

Study: Daily dietary supplementation with blend of omega fatty acids improves severe dry eye

Study findings published online, ahead of print, in Cornea show that daily dietary supplementation with a unique combination of omega fatty acids (GLA, EPA and DHA) for six months is effective in improving ocular irritation symptoms and halting the progression of inflammation that characterizes moderate to severe dry eye.

25 Jul 2013

Novaliq receives CE mark approval for EyeSol technology

Novaliq GmbH, a drug delivery company with a focus on the topical application of ophthalmic technologies for poorly soluble drugs, today announced the successful CE mark approval for the first topical eye lubricant based on Novaliq's proprietary technology EyeSol.

23 Jul 2013

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet light can damage the eyes, says ophthalmologist

When it comes to damaging sun rays, skin protection is a top priority for many. But there is another area that needs to be brought into focus - the eyes.