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Dynamic light scattering technique may help detect people at risk of cataracts and presbyopia

As we age, proteins in the lenses of our eyes start misbehaving: They unfold and congregate in clusters that block, scatter and distort light as it passes through the lens. A cloudy area, or cataract, forms. In a new study, scientists found that throughout our lifetime, levels of a key protein decline, and may be an early warning sign of a developing cataract.

23 Dec 2015

Study identifies genetic factors that play role in AMD

An international study has identified the number of genetic factors known to play a role in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the worldwide leading cause of blindness in the elderly.

23 Dec 2015

New study reveals why some vestibular schwannomas cause hearing loss

A new study at Massachusetts Eye and Ear showed that in some cases of vestibular schwannoma, a sometimes-lethal tumor often associated with neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2), secretions from the tumor contain toxic molecules that damage the inner ear.

23 Dec 2015

Basaglar (insulin glargine injection) approved to improve glycemic control in diabetes patients

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Basaglar (insulin glargine injection), a long-acting human insulin analog to improve glycemic control in adult and pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

17 Dec 2015

Adverse environmental changes present potential health hazards to eyes

Another reason to worry about climate change: Expanding areas of arid land, air pollution, and greater exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation all present potential health hazards to your eyes, according to Sheila West, Ph.D., vice chair for research at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University.

9 Dec 2015

UHCO's Pat Segu earns prestigious distinguished service award in vision care

The University of Houston College of Optometry's Pat Segu, O.D., was honored with a prestigious distinguished service award for the continued high quality of service she has demonstrated in the area of public health eye and vision care.

9 Dec 2015

Johns Hopkins researchers develop method to turn stem cells into retinal ganglion cells

Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a method to efficiently turn human stem cells into retinal ganglion cells, the type of nerve cells located within the retina that transmit visual signals from the eye to the brain. Death and dysfunction of these cells cause vision loss in conditions like glaucoma and multiple sclerosis.

1 Dec 2015

Researchers begin landmark clinical study to restore normal insulin secretion in people with type 1 diabetes

Investigators at Montreal's Lady Davis Institute at the Jewish General Hospital and McGill University Health Centre have announced the start of a landmark clinical study aimed at restoring normal insulin secretion in people with longstanding type 1 diabetes.

26 Nov 2015

Mechatronic engineers create bracelet that makes mobility simpler and safer for blind people

The technological development has international recognition and has sparked interest for industrial production by a manufacturer in the medical sector.

22 Nov 2015

New study reveals better treatment options for proliferative diabetic retinopathy

This National Diabetes Month, there is some good news for people with eye complications from diabetes. Earlier this month, a network of researchers supported by the National Eye Institute (NEI) found that the drug Lucentis (ranibizumab) can be highly effective for treating proliferative diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease that can occur as a complication of diabetes.

20 Nov 2015

Sound deprivation causes irreversible damage to the inner ear

Massachusetts Eye and Ear investigators have shown that sound deprivation in adult mice causes irreversible damage to the inner ear. The findings, published in PLOS ONE, suggest that chronic conductive hearing loss, such as that caused by recurrent ear infections, leads to permanent hearing impairment if it remains untreated.

19 Nov 2015

Dartmouth study reveals the brain's visual pathways

A Dartmouth study reveals how the brain understands motion and still objects to help us navigate our complex visual world.

19 Nov 2015

NSU collaborates with Karolinska Institutet to conduct cell-based biomedical research

Nova Southeastern University is now at the forefront of conducting pioneering cell-based biomedical research with the launch of the new NSU Cell Therapy Institute, an international collaboration with prominent medical research scientists from Sweden's world-renowned Karolinska Institutet (KI).

17 Nov 2015

Researchers find ranibizumab drug as effective alternative to laser therapy for treating diabetic retinopathy

In a randomized clinical trial of more than 300 participants, researchers from Johns Hopkins and elsewhere have found that ranibizumab — a drug most commonly used to treat retinal swelling in people with diabetes — is an effective alternative to laser therapy for treating the most severe, potentially blinding form of diabetic retinal disease. Results of the government-sponsored study also show that the drug therapy carries fewer side effects than the currently used laser treatment.

17 Nov 2015

Augmented microscopy may allow neurosurgeons to clearly distinguish cancerous from healthy tissue

Researchers at the University of Arizona have invented a device that for the first time allows neurosurgeons, who use microscopes extensively while operating, to see blood flowing inside vessels and more clearly distinguish cancerous from healthy tissue under the microscope.

17 Nov 2015

Improved gene therapy treatment shows promise in mice with cystic fibrosis

An improved gene therapy treatment can cure mice with cystic fibrosis (CF). Cell cultures from CF patients, too, respond well to the treatment. Those are the encouraging results of a study presented by the Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy at KU Leuven, Belgium.

17 Nov 2015

Tyrogenex announces results from phase 1 study of orally-administered X-82 in patients with AMD

Tyrogenex, a privately held company focused on the development of targeted therapeutics for cancer and ophthalmology, today announced data from its phase 1 open-label study of orally-administered X-82 in patients for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

15 Nov 2015

Ranibizumab may become reasonable treatment alternative for patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Among patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, treatment with an injection in the eye of the drug ranibizumab resulted in visual acuity that was not worse than panretinal photocoagulation at 2 years, according to a study appearing in JAMA.

15 Nov 2015

Measles vaccination plays key role in reducing child mortality

The number of measles-related deaths has decreased 79% from 546 800 at the beginning of the century to 114 900 in 2014. New data released by WHO for the Measles & Rubella Initiative, estimates that 17.1 million lives have been saved since 2000, largely due to increased vaccination coverage against this highly contagious viral disease.

13 Nov 2015

AAO recognizes outstanding eye physicians and surgeons for innovation in patient care

The American Academy of Ophthalmology will pay tribute to outstanding eye physicians and surgeons who have made significant achievements in various areas of the profession. These range from scientific innovation and humanitarian service to education and advocacy. The honorees will be recognized AAO 2015, the Academy's 119th annual meeting in Las Vegas.

13 Nov 2015

Blindness News and Research

Dynamic light scattering technique may help detect people at risk of cataracts and presbyopia

Study identifies genetic factors that play role in AMD

New study reveals why some vestibular schwannomas cause hearing loss

Basaglar (insulin glargine injection) approved to improve glycemic control in diabetes patients

Adverse environmental changes present potential health hazards to eyes

UHCO's Pat Segu earns prestigious distinguished service award in vision care

Johns Hopkins researchers develop method to turn stem cells into retinal ganglion cells

Researchers begin landmark clinical study to restore normal insulin secretion in people with type 1 diabetes

Mechatronic engineers create bracelet that makes mobility simpler and safer for blind people

New study reveals better treatment options for proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Sound deprivation causes irreversible damage to the inner ear

Dartmouth study reveals the brain's visual pathways

NSU collaborates with Karolinska Institutet to conduct cell-based biomedical research

Researchers find ranibizumab drug as effective alternative to laser therapy for treating diabetic retinopathy

Augmented microscopy may allow neurosurgeons to clearly distinguish cancerous from healthy tissue

Improved gene therapy treatment shows promise in mice with cystic fibrosis

Tyrogenex announces results from phase 1 study of orally-administered X-82 in patients with AMD

Ranibizumab may become reasonable treatment alternative for patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Measles vaccination plays key role in reducing child mortality

AAO recognizes outstanding eye physicians and surgeons for innovation in patient care

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