Blindness News and Research

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FDA panel recommends U.S. approval for Second Sight’s Argus II bionic eye

On Friday September 28th, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Ophthalmic Devices Advisory Panel unanimously voted 19-0 that the probable benefit of the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System outweighs the risks to health, an important step toward the FDA market approval of this product manufactured by Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.

3 Oct 2012

Experimental stem cell treatment improves vision in blind mice

An experimental treatment for blindness, developed from a patient's skin cells, improved the vision of blind mice in a study conducted by Columbia ophthalmologists and stem cell researchers.

3 Oct 2012

Statins may protect against glaucoma

People who take statins to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease are less likely to be diagnosed with the most common form of glaucoma, according to a nationwide study of more than 300,000 patients.

2 Oct 2012

Medistem initiates collaboration with Superview Biotechnology

Medistem Inc announced today the initiation of a collaboration with Superview Biotechnology Co. Ltd, a subsidiary of Yinhuan Holding Co from Yixing, China.

1 Oct 2012

CIB2 genetic mutation responsible for deafness associated with Usher syndrome type 1

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have found a new genetic mutation responsible for deafness and hearing loss associated with Usher syndrome type 1.

1 Oct 2012

Cholesterol precursor suppresses inflammatory response genes, causes atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis - the hardening of arteries that is a primary cause of cardiovascular disease and death - has long been presumed to be the fateful consequence of complicated interactions between overabundant cholesterol and resulting inflammation in the heart and blood vessels.

28 Sep 2012

GW to evaluate effectiveness of glucose-lowering drugs against type 2 diabetes

John Lachin, professor of biostatistics, epidemiology and statistics at the George Washington University, has been awarded a five-year, $134 million grant from the National Institute of Health's National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases to conduct a clinical trial examining the long-term effectiveness of several glucose-lowering medications for treatment of people with type 2 diabetes. The grant sets a record as the largest sum award GW has ever received.

27 Sep 2012

Amakem commences AMA0076 Phase 2a study in glaucoma and ocular hypertension

Amakem NV, a kinase platform company focusing on ophthalmology, today announces that it has initiated a Phase 2a proof of concept study of its novel Rho Kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, AMA0076, in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

27 Sep 2012

Universitat de València to use optical technology to prevent myopia

The Universitat de València will use optical technology in order to prevent myopia, which is considered the most common eye disease in the world. Until now, this technology was only used in astronomy to study images of the Universe.

26 Sep 2012

Dexamethasone use during tonsillectomy not associated with excessive bleeding in children

Tonsillectomy is exceedingly common, with a reported increase in tonsillectomy rates in children younger than 15 years from 287,000 to 530,000 per year over the past decade. Although safe, adenotonsillectomy can result in significant complications, such as aspiration and bleeding. Complications are infrequent, but because tonsillectomy is so common, the absolute number of children experiencing tonsillectomy complications is formidable.

26 Sep 2012

Weill Cornell to purchase innovative equipment to help detect and treat diabetic retinopathy

Weill Cornell Medical College's ophthalmology services for diabetic patients received a boost last month, courtesy of a grant from the New York City Council secured by Councilwoman Jessica Lappin.

21 Sep 2012

Mathematical modeling can help treat several diseases

Mathematical modeling being tested by researchers at the School of Science at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and the IU School of Medicine has the potential to impact the knowledge and treatment of several diseases that continue to challenge scientists across the world.

21 Sep 2012

Research to gauge effectiveness of street-crossing training program in impaired people

An Indiana University assistant professor and low-vision optometrist working to advance pedestrian safety has been awarded more than $1.9 million by the National Institutes of Health to evaluate street-crossing decision-making performance in pedestrians who are elderly, visually impaired or blind.

21 Sep 2012

Small subset of patients with OAG accounts for large proportion of all glaucoma-related charges

A small subset of patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) account for a large proportion of all glaucoma-related charges in the United States, according to new data published by researchers at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center and Washington University, St. Louis.

20 Sep 2012

Diet could avert toxic effects of quinine in patients with malaria

Scientists at The University of Nottingham say adverse side-effects caused by the anti-parasitic drug quinine in the treatment of malaria could be controlled by what we eat.

12 Sep 2012

Book shows how vitamin A deficiency affected millions of people throughout history

Lifting the shadow of death - Intriguing reading for specialists and the interested public alike. This book shows how vitamin A deficiency - before the vitamin was known to scientists - affected millions of people throughout history. It is a story of sailors and soldiers, penniless mothers, orphaned infants, and young children left susceptible to blindness and fatal infections. We also glimpse the fortunate ones who, with ample vitamin A-rich food, escaped this elusive stalker.

12 Sep 2012

Joslin Diabetes Center, Mass. Eye and Ear partner to form clinical and research alliance

Massachusetts Eye and Ear and the Joslin Diabetes Center announced today that they have reached agreement to form a clinical and research alliance, aimed toward providing coordinated high quality care to eye patients throughout greater Boston, especially those with or at-risk for diabetes-related eye disease.

11 Sep 2012

Scientists identify three new genes associated with Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma

Singapore scientists have identified three new genes associated with Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma (PACG), a leading cause of blindness in Chinese people. PACG affects 15 million people worldwide, 80% of whom live in Asia.

5 Sep 2012

Gene therapy approach restores ability to smell in mouse model of congenital anosmia

Scientists funded by the National Institutes of Health have restored the ability to smell in a mouse model of a human genetic disorder that causes congenital anosmia-the inability to smell from birth. The approach uses gene therapy to regrow cilia, cell structures that are essential for olfactory function.

3 Sep 2012

Glaucoma and cell death: an interview with Dr. Vivek Gupta

Glaucoma is normally caused by increased pressure of aqueous humour fluid in the eye. A defining feature of this disease is destruction of a particular type of cells in the retina called retinal ganglion cells and excavation of the optic disc region.

31 Aug 2012

Blindness News and Research

FDA panel recommends U.S. approval for Second Sight’s Argus II bionic eye

Experimental stem cell treatment improves vision in blind mice

Statins may protect against glaucoma

Medistem initiates collaboration with Superview Biotechnology

CIB2 genetic mutation responsible for deafness associated with Usher syndrome type 1

Cholesterol precursor suppresses inflammatory response genes, causes atherosclerosis

GW to evaluate effectiveness of glucose-lowering drugs against type 2 diabetes

Amakem commences AMA0076 Phase 2a study in glaucoma and ocular hypertension

Universitat de València to use optical technology to prevent myopia

Dexamethasone use during tonsillectomy not associated with excessive bleeding in children

Weill Cornell to purchase innovative equipment to help detect and treat diabetic retinopathy

Mathematical modeling can help treat several diseases

Research to gauge effectiveness of street-crossing training program in impaired people

Small subset of patients with OAG accounts for large proportion of all glaucoma-related charges

Diet could avert toxic effects of quinine in patients with malaria

Book shows how vitamin A deficiency affected millions of people throughout history

Joslin Diabetes Center, Mass. Eye and Ear partner to form clinical and research alliance

Scientists identify three new genes associated with Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma

Gene therapy approach restores ability to smell in mouse model of congenital anosmia

Glaucoma and cell death: an interview with Dr. Vivek Gupta

Advancing Neuroscience Research Through Collaboration and Patient-Centered Innovation

The impact of vibration on microscopy

How Omics Technologies Are Transforming Biological Research and Drug Discovery

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