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New retinal imaging scanner may one day revolutionize eye care

SFU engineering science professor Marinko Sarunic has developed a high resolution retinal imaging scanner that will one day revolutionize eye care, helping ophthalmologists diagnose eye diseases before vision loss occurs.

21 Dec 2017

FDA approves new gene therapy targeting rare form of inherited vision loss

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Luxturna (voretigene neparvovec-rzyl), a new gene therapy, to treat children and adult patients with an inherited form of vision loss that may result in blindness.

19 Dec 2017

Moderate exercise reduces progression of Marfan syndrome symptoms in mice

Regular physical activity is a common therapy for people with cardiovascular problems, but not recommended to those with Marfan syndrome, a rare disease of the connective tissue, but mainly affecting the cardiovascular system.

18 Dec 2017

Optical illusion called “curvature blindness” – The science behind it

An optical illusion is usually a trick to the eyes into seeing something that is not there. The brain here perceives something that is actually not there and interprets it.

17 Dec 2017

A daily cup of hot tea may lower glaucoma risk

According to a small study published online yesterday in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, drinking at least one cup of hot tea daily may be associated with a considerably lower risk of contracting glaucoma, a serious eye condition.

15 Dec 2017

Younger persons newly-diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have poorer health than older patients

The common view of type 2 diabetes as an old person's disease is becoming seriously outdated in step with the increasing number of persons under the age of 45 who develop the disease.

13 Dec 2017

First short-acting ‘follow-on’ insulin receives FDA approval to treat diabetes

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Admelog (insulin lispro injection), a short-acting insulin indicated to improve control in blood sugar levels in adults and pediatric patients aged 3 years and older with type 1 diabetes mellitus and adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

12 Dec 2017

3D mini brains put researchers on a fast track to repair the nervous system

The Houston Methodist Research Institute is making mini brains from human stem cells that put researchers on a fast track to repair the nervous system after injury or disease of the brain and spinal cord.

8 Dec 2017

Scientists create low-cost, rapid test to detect iron and vitamin A deficiencies

Cornell University engineers and nutritionists have created a swift solution for a challenging global health problem: a low-cost, rapid test to detect iron and vitamin A deficiencies at the point of care.

5 Dec 2017

Improving Healthcare in the Community through Eye Examinations

Paul Morris is the Director of Professional Advancement for Specsavers Opticians in the UK and Ireland. The role involves furthering clinical scope, professional services, standards, training and forming future strategy for the group. He previously held the role of Director of Optometry Advancement.

From Specsavers 1 Dec 2017

Study uses NHS data to estimate incidence of brain injury in babies

New research has estimated that each year five babies in every 1,000 born in England suffer a condition or sign linked to brain injury.

28 Nov 2017

Researchers discover critical trigger for leading form of vision loss

In a major step forward in the battle against macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss among the elderly, researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have discovered a critical trigger for the damaging inflammation that ultimately robs millions of their sight.

27 Nov 2017

Scientists unveil pathology underlying optic nerve hypoplasia in children

Scientists at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute (VTCRI) have revealed the pathology of cells and structures stricken by optic nerve hypoplasia, a leading cause of childhood blindness in developed nations.

16 Nov 2017

Common ingredient in laundry detergents may help build bioartificial pancreas to cure type 1 diabetes

Two oxygen-producing compounds – including one that boosts performance in some laundry detergents – might one day play a key role in helping scientists successfully build a bioartificial pancreas in the lab to cure type 1 diabetes.

16 Nov 2017

Study finds huge decline in risk for AMD in Baby Boom and later generations

The risk of developing age-related macular degeneration is much less in the Baby Boom (1946-1964) and later generations than in earlier generations, for unclear reasons.

16 Nov 2017

Foods made with biofortified corn flour and eggs retain vitamin A after cooking

Fortified and biofortified foods are at the forefront of efforts to combat vitamin A deficiency worldwide. But little is known about what influence processing may have on the retention of vitamin A precursors in these foods.

16 Nov 2017

SUNY Downstate professor receives two awards to support research on vision-threatening diseases

Brahim Chaqour, PhD, professor of cell biology and ophthalmology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, has received two awards to support research into treatment of currently incurable vision-threatening diseases. The new awards, totaling $2,008,973, are from the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health.

14 Nov 2017