Optometry News and Research

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New contact lenses can cure nearsightedness, slow progression rates in children

Nearsightedness, or myopia, affects more than 40 percent of people in the U.S. and up to 90 percent of children in some parts of Asia. The problem begins in childhood and often progresses with age.

3 Oct 2012

Care Harbor to provide free medical, dental and vision services in L.A.

Today marked the start of the largest free healthcare clinic in the United States, organized by Care Harbor. In collaboration with L.A. Care Health Plan and Dignity Health, Care Harbor will provide free medical, dental and vision services to those in need beginning today through September 30.

28 Sep 2012

STAAR Surgical to participate in 88th Congress of the Society of Spanish Ophthalmologists

STAAR Surgical Company, a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of minimally invasive ophthalmic products, today announced that it will be participating in the 88th Congress of the Society of Spanish Ophthalmologists being held in Barcelona from September 26 to 29.

26 Sep 2012

Small fragments of keratin protein in the eye play a key role in warding off pathogens

When it comes to germ-busting power, the eyes have it, according to a discovery by University of California, Berkeley, researchers that could lead to new, inexpensive antimicrobial drugs.

25 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

Rigid gas-permeable lenses correct vision after ocular trauma

Fitting a rigid gas-permeable contact lens into the eyes of patients treated surgically for ocular trauma can improve their visual acuity and are well tolerated, report researchers from China.

7 Sep 2012

Statins and diabetes both increase cataract risk

Patients using cholesterol-lowering statin drugs may be at increased risk of developing age-related cataracts, according to a study - "Age-related Cataract Is Associated with Type 2 Diabetes and Statin Use", in the August issue of Optometry and Vision Science, official journal of the American Academy of Optometry.

8 Aug 2012

State roundup: Texas Medicaid fraud probes use controversial tool

When it comes to finding cost savings in the state's unwieldy Medicaid program, the Health and Human Services Commission's Office of Inspector General gets high marks. … But OIG's dollar-recovery strategy -- which includes an increased reliance on a rule that allows investigators to freeze financing for any health provider accused of overbilling -- has enraged doctors, dentists and other providers who treat Medicaid patients.

21 Jul 2012

Axial length may affect macular disease evaluation

Korean researchers report that thinner macular retinal thickness, lower macular volume, and greater foveal thickness are associated with longer axial length in young individuals with myopic eyes.

13 Jul 2012

SUNY Downstate receives PCORI award to develop mobile phone apps for stroke patients

SUNY Downstate Medical Center has received an award to develop mobile phone applications for stroke patients and their caregivers. Steven R. Levine, MD, professor of neurology and emergency medicine and vice chair of neurology at SUNY Downstate, is scientific principal investigator on the $500,000 award, which is from the federally funded Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute.

10 Jul 2012

Watching 3D movies can lead to visual and motion sickness

Watching 3D movies can "immerse" you in the experience—but can also lead to visual symptoms and even motion sickness, reports a study - "Stereoscopic Viewing and Reported Perceived Immersion and Symptoms", in the July issue of Optometry and Vision Science, official journal of the American Academy of Optometry.

2 Jul 2012

Parents not totally responsible for child’s eyesight

Research from Guangzhou, China shows that a high proportion of children with myopia do not have highly myopic parents, indicating that environmental as well as genetic factors contribute to the development of the eye condition.

15 Jun 2012

UHCO alumnus donate $5 million to University of Houston

University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO) alumnus Dr. Doug Barnes and his wife, Molly, have made a $5 million pledge to the University of Houston. The gift will be submitted for state matching funds through the Texas Research Incentive Program.

14 Jun 2012

Study investigates optical treatments to slow myopia progression in children

Research by an optometrist at the University of Houston (UH) supports the continued investigation of optical treatments that attempt to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children.

6 Jun 2012

Acne pills can cause eye infections

Millions of teenagers suffer from acne, and they deal with the embarrassing skin blemishes by taking popular prescription medications such as Accutane or Roaccutane. Now, however, research from Tel Aviv University shows that these pills can also cause eye infections such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) or sties.

24 May 2012

Cellular-level images of the living eye

The same technology used by astronomers to obtain clear views of distant stars is now being used by optometrists to perform incredibly detailed examinations of the living eye.

8 May 2012

Eye test to detect heart disease early

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have developed the test which scans blood vessels in the retina at the back of the eyes. They are now launching a study involving more than 1,000 patients to see if the test is reliable.

11 Apr 2012

Recycled glasses costs twice as much as ready-made glasses

You might feel good sending your old reading glasses to a developing country. But a recent international study, led by the International Centre for Eyecare Education (ICEE), a collaborating partner in the Vision CRC, in Sydney, suggests it is far better to give $10 for an eye examination and a new pair of glasses if you want to help someone in desperate need, and it is far better for building capacity in these communities.

5 Apr 2012

UFOV test predicts driving problems related to distraction in older adults

Older drivers rated at high crash risk on a computerized vision test are more likely to have driving problems related to distractions in the car, reports a study in the April issue of Optometry and Vision Science, official journal of the American Academy of Optometry. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health.

3 Apr 2012

OAA, AOA form SUN alliance

The American Optometric Association (AOA) and the Opticians Association of America (OAA), with sponsorship from Luxottica and The Vision Council, have formed a SUN alliance designed to empower practices and businesses with the training and information needed to educate and prescribe appropriate sun protection for every patient.

26 Mar 2012