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First Edition: February 17, 2010

Today's headlines reflect more chatter about President Obama's upcoming health summit, as well as talk about budget deficits, the COBRA extension and party gridlock.

17 Feb 2010

Visionworks launches optical retail center in Cranberry Commons Mall

Today Cranberry residents will see the grand opening of the first Visionworks® location in western PA. Visionworks is a full-service optical retail center that features several thousand private label and designer frames along with contact lenses at value prices.

6 Feb 2010

Regular physical activity prevents chronic illness: Surgeon General urged to make outdoor time a health priority

National Wildlife Federation (NWF), more than 200 health, conservation, youth, and other organizations, and 16,300 Americans are urging the new surgeon general to make time outdoors a health priority for children.

4 Feb 2010

Low Vision of Michigan introduces new device for RP patients

To commemorate Low Vision Awareness Month this February, Dr. Sheldon Smith, optometrist at Low Vision of Michigan, P.C., is offering free evaluations to patients diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a leading cause of low vision, in hopes that they might be candidates for a brand-new device designed to enhance or restore sight.

4 Feb 2010

Congressional leader stresses the importance of annual dilated eye exam for diabetes patients

In recognition of Black History Month, House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn is urging African Americans with diabetes to get an annual diabetic eye exam during February.

1 Feb 2010

Clinton rebuffs criticism of U.S. aid to Haiti, pledges redoubling of efforts to help quake survivors

"Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Tuesday she resents criticism of the U.S. effort to help stricken Haiti and pledged to redouble efforts to help survivors of the Jan. 12 earthquake," the Associated Press/CBSNews.com reports. "I deeply resent those who attack our country, the generosity of our people and the leadership of our president in trying to respond to historically disastrous conditions after the earthquake," she said.

27 Jan 2010

Davis Vision's "Order Online to Win" promotion awarded to Dr. Candice Macri

Dr. Candice Macri, a Pittsburgh-area optometrist, has won Davis Vision's "Order Online to Win" promotion. On Wednesday, Jan. 20, Davis Vision representatives will visit Dr. Macri's office in New Castle, Pa. to present her prize, a trip to Miami for the Big Game on Sunday, Feb. 7.

20 Jan 2010

NIH awards IU School of Optometry $2.35M for glaucoma research

An Indiana University School of Optometry researcher's ongoing work to improve testing for and treatment of one of the world's leading causes of blindness will advance with support from a $2.35 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.

18 Jan 2010

Families should include eye exam as a healthy resolution for New Year

With the start of the New Year, many people are focused on living healthier, more active lifestyles through exercise, proper diet and nutrition, and regular visits to healthcare professionals. One aspect of overall health and wellness that's often overlooked is eye health. It's important for families to include an eye exam as a healthy resolution for the New Year.

12 Jan 2010

Erectile dysfunction linked to RLS in older men

A study in the Jan. 1 issue of the journal Sleep shows that erectile dysfunction was more common in older men with restless leg syndrome (RLS) than in those without RLS, and the magnitude of this association increased with a higher frequency of RLS symptoms.

3 Jan 2010

Costs of health overhaul may be felt before benefits accrue

The Associated Press reports: "The costs of health care reform being pushed through Congress by Democrats will be felt long before the benefits. Proposed taxes and fees on upper-income earners, insurers, even tanning parlors, take effect quickly.

23 Dec 2009

Contact lens can produce near-normal vision in infants and children

Infants as young as one-month-old are prescribed contact lenses at pediatric eye surgery centers so their visual system will develop correctly. Infants may be fitted for contacts if they have had cataract surgery, need extremely high-strength prescription glasses, or have very different prescriptions for the two eyes.

22 Dec 2009

Subitizing vision therapy for improving math skills

"The incidence of individuals with a mathematics learning disability is between 6-7% of the population." Since there are more than 300 million individuals in the United States, up to 21 million men, women, and children may be affected by this disorder. Sidney Groffman OD, MA, FCOVD, Professor Emeritus at SUNY College of Optometry, author of the article published in the December 2009 issue of Optometry & Vision Development, also says, "This is unfortunate because math skills are of prime importance in everyday life enabling us to understand number concepts and do calculations. Math ability is essential for many occupations and professions."

19 Dec 2009

Aston University researchers receive stimulus funds to study fundamental processes of human vision

A team of researchers led by Professor Mark Georgeson and Dr Timothy Meese at Aston University in Birmingham, UK have been awarded over £1 million pounds worth of funding from the BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council) and the EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) to investigate some of the fundamental processes involved in human vision.

8 Dec 2009

UGR scientists provide early diagnosis of eye disorders through optical technique

Researchers from the University of Granada have provided an early diagnosis of certain ocular diseases that are very common today, such as age-related macular degeneration and keratitis, by applying an existing optical technique that, nevertheless, had never before been used for this purpose.

26 Nov 2009

Gestion Univalor, Cognitive Sensing to commercialize Prof. Jocelyn Faubert's four products

Cutting-edge technologies are about to enter the marketplace, thanks to a new partnership between Gestion Univalor, Limited Partnership (Univalor) and Cognitive Sensing Inc. (CSI), a privately owned technology company based in Montreal.

25 Nov 2009

UGR researchers provide early diagnosis of ARMD and keratitis

Researchers from the UGR have provided an early diagnosis of certain ocular diseases that are very common today, such as age-related macular degeneration and keratitis, by applying an existing optical technique that, nevertheless, had never before been used for this purpose.

25 Nov 2009

Silicone Hydrogel contact lens outperfoms in Malaysian market, premium price not a deterrent

Retail sales of contact lenses within the West Coast of Malaysia grew steadily in the first half of 2009 with total consumption peaking in June, driven by improving consumer sentiment and aggressive promotions from major Contact Lens manufacturers. Positive sales data showing a growth of 14% from January 2009 ending August further cemented the view of an economic recovery that is being led by consumers spending.

16 Nov 2009

Carl Zeiss Meditec releases new software advances for the ATLAS® Corneal Topography System

New software advances for the ATLAS® Corneal Topography System were released today by Carl Zeiss Meditec during the American Academy of Optometry meeting in Orlando, Florida. Review Software and MasterFit II™ Contact Lens Software for the ATLAS corneal topography system are designed to make clinical data and images more accessible for eye care providers, while facilitating improved eye care diagnosis and treatment solutions for patients.

13 Nov 2009

Bausch & Lomb's Lo-Torque- lens design delivers better rotational recovery

Bausch & Lomb today announced that the company's Lo-Torque- lens design demonstrates significantly better rotational recovery, which can lead to more consistent vision, compared with Acuvue's accelerated stabilization design. These findings from two clinical studies were presented at Academy 2009, the American Academy of Optometry annual meeting in Orlando, Fla.