Vision Loss News and Research

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Iowa researchers discover new inherited retinal disease

University of Iowa researchers have found the existence of a new, rare inherited retinal disease. Now the search is on to find the genetic cause, which investigators hope will increase understanding of more common retinal diseases.

14 Dec 2009

ThromboGenics initiates Phase II trial of microplasmin for wet AMD

ThromboGenics NV, a biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative medicines for eye disease, vascular disease and cancer, announces today that it has started a Phase II trial of microplasmin for the treatment of exudative (wet) Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

11 Dec 2009

Stem cell therapy can be used for LSCD, reports newly published research

Newly published research, by investigators, at the North East England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI) in the journal Stem Cells reported the first successful treatment of eight patients with "Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency" (LSCD) using the patients' own stem cells without the need of suppressing their immunity.

11 Dec 2009

Novartis presents 6-month results from its EVEREST study for PCV

QLT Inc. welcomed the 6-month results from the Novartis-sponsored EVEREST study which were presented during a scientific review today by Novartis in Basel, Switzerland.

9 Dec 2009

New findings may help restore vision in patients with corneal injury

Winston Whei-Yang Kao, PhD, professor of ophthalmology, along with other researchers in UC's ophthalmology department found that transplanting human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells into mouse models that lack the protein lumican restored the transparency of cloudy and thin corneas.

9 Dec 2009

Stem cell treatment: A new hope for Multiple Sclerosis

RNL Bio Co., Ltd, (www.rnl.co.kr) a leading biopharmaceutical company specialized in adult stem cell therapeutics announced today that a 46-year-old female, Kang Sook Park's Multiple Sclerosis improved tremendously after receiving stem cell treatment. Park was suffering from MS (Multiple Sclerosis), an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

6 Dec 2009

Research study shows usage of stem cell-based therapies for treating age-related macular degeneration

An international team of scientists has rescued visual function in laboratory rats with eye disease by using cells similar to stem cells. The research shows the potential for stem cell-based therapies to treat age-related macular degeneration in humans.

4 Dec 2009

Macular Health eye vitamin supplement improves visual acuity

Adults are more likely to lose their vision than be diagnosed with cancer. For adults 65 and over, the odds of losing vision are one in three, whereas the odds of a man developing prostate cancer are one in six and odds of a woman developing breast cancer are one in nine. Vision loss threatens the overall health of aging adults by increasing the risk of injuries, depression and inability to complete daily tasks.

3 Dec 2009

Pycnogenol can improve microcirculation, retinal edema and visual acuity, reveals study

According to the National Institute of Health, 40 percent to 45 percent of Americans diagnosed with diabetes already have some stage of diabetic retinopathy.

2 Dec 2009

New study indicates pine bark may reduce progressing advanced stages of diabetic retinopathy

According to the National Institute of Health, 40 percent to 45 percent of Americans diagnosed with diabetes already have some stage of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy, damage to the retina caused by leaky blood vessels, is a major cause of blindness in people with diabetes and is one of the most feared diabetic complications. In

2 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

Wnt signaling pathway plays a role in diabetic retinopathy

A group led by Dr. Jian-xing Ma at The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK has demonstrated that the Wnt signaling pathway plays a role in diabetic retinopathy.

26 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

Acucela to present data on its ACU-4429 visual cycle modulator for dry AMD

Acucela, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing new treatments for blinding eye diseases, announced today that data for the company’s novel visual cycle modulator, ACU-4429, a potential oral treatment for dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD), will be featured at the 8th International Symposium on Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics (ISOPT) being held in Rome, Italy from December 3 to 6, 2009.

23 Nov 2009

UCLA study: Structural changes in brain may help offset vision loss and strengthen other senses

Visually impaired people appear to be fearless, navigating busy sidewalks and crosswalks, safely finding their way using nothing more than a cane as a guide. The reason they can do this, researchers suggest, is that in at least some circumstances, blindness can heighten other senses, helping individuals adapt.

19 Nov 2009

AMD: A leading cause of blindness among smokers

MD Alliance International strongly urges all smokers to participate in the Great American Smokeout on November 19 to save their eyes and protect their vision from the debilitating effects of macular degeneration.

18 Nov 2009

Diabetic retinopathy on the rise; dilated eye exam can help prevent vision loss

The incidence of diabetes continues to increase, particularly among adolescents and young adults. The CDC projects the number of diabetic retinopathy cases will double by 2050. On World Diabetes Day, November 14, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (Academy), through its EyeSmart™ campaign, is reminding the public that an annual dilated eye exam can help prevent vision loss in people with diabetes.

13 Nov 2009

NMO patients are misdiagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, says Mayo Clinic neurologist

Thousands of Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) patients are potentially being misdiagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), according to Mayo Clinic Neurologist Sean Pittock, M.D., largely due to lack of awareness of NMO within the medical community.

12 Nov 2009

Pediatrician recommends red reflex vision test for all newborns

With the number of premature births and medically fragile infants now increasing in the U.S., a basic eye exam, including a red reflex test, should be given to all children shortly after birth, reports Angela Buffenn, M.D., M.P.H., Director of the Orbit and Eye Movement Institute at The Vision Center of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

7 Nov 2009

CNIB's Site Check program certifies Wellness Checkpoint health risk assessment software

InfoTech Inc. has successfully completed the certification requirements under CNIB's Site Check program to make Wellness Checkpoint(R) Version 10.1 health risk assessment software service compliant with internationally recognized accessibility guidelines.

6 Nov 2009