In addition to ageing demographics and higher incidence of vision disorders, key factors underpinning demand for ophthalmic instrumentation include development of innovative technologies and procedures, especially in vision correction surgery, growing recognition of laser surgery, and the trend towards permanent visual correction. [More]

ORBIS Canada, a non-profit global development organization dedicated to saving sight worldwide, is launching a series of holiday cards available for purchase this season. Proceeds of these cards will be used to build ORBIS Kids Sight treatment centres in the developing world. [More]

As many as 10 million people around the world suffer from cataracts. Thomas Kohnen of the Goethe University in Frankfurt and his coauthors discuss cataract surgery with the implantation of an artificial lens in the current issue of Deutsches -rzteblatt International (Dtsch Arztebl Int 2009; 106[43]: 695). [More]

How can the gift of a goat this holiday season transform the life of a child in Africa? [More]

A new laser therapy that can potentially remove cataracts from people's eyes more efficiently and with greater precision was presented on October 24, 2009 at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) annual meeting. [More]

With the current outbreak of influenza-like illnesses, many people are trying to boost their immune systems with supplements. Ginseng is often a key ingredient, but its therapeutic use may extend far beyond that. Researchers are now investigating whether ginseng can help relieve health problems ranging from diabetes to depression to erectile dysfunction. [More]

Twenty surgical organizations, led by the American College of Surgeons, sent a letter to the U.S. Senate today stating they are prepared to oppose the Senate's health care reform bill because it will threaten patient access and harm quality. [More]

This month's Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (Academy) reports on a national study that finds cataract surgery is likely to benefit patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) at all stages of the disease, on a clinical trial showing that the steroid triamcinolone may be effective in advanced diabetic macular edema (DME) patients when standard treatment fails, and on the public's use of two Academy-sponsored online eye health forums. [More]

Allergan, Inc. today announced operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. Allergan also announced that its Board of Directors has declared a third quarter dividend of $0.05 per share, payable on November 30, 2009 to stockholders of record on November 9, 2009. [More]

A Denver ophthalmologist recently became the first in Colorado to implant a special type of lens during cataract surgery, raising the bar for patient care in the state while increasing the quality of life for his patients. [More]

A first-time finding of intraocular pressure increases in patients with no personal or family history of glaucoma following anti-VEGF treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and a report on a simple, low-cost method that could revolutionize vision screening and treatment in developing countries, are highlights of today's Scientific Program of the 2009 Joint Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology (PAAO). [More]

Results of an important new study show that implantation of blue light-filtering intraocular lens (IOLs) at the time of cataract surgery increases a nutritional component of the eye, which may afford protection against the development and/or progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). [More]

STAAR Surgical Company (Nasdaq: STAA), a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of minimally invasive ophthalmic products today reported that the Collamer Accommodating Study Team (CAST) formed by the company in late 2008 has provided very promising initial patient vision assessments from the first phase of the project. [More]

Escalon Medical Corp. today announced its Sonomed, Inc. subsidiary's introduction of the new PacScan(TM) Plus, an A-Scan with optional pachymeter. [More]

Ellex Medical Lasers Limited, a global leader in the design and manufacture of ophthalmic laser and ultrasound systems, today announced that it will introduce the latest version of the Eye Cubed(TM) diagnostic ultrasound system at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), October 24 - 27, 2009 in San Francisco. [More]