Eye Health News and Research

Latest Eye Health News and Research

Merck reports GAAP net income of $861 million for 2010

Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2010. The company reported non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) earnings per share (EPS) for the fourth quarter of $0.88, which excludes purchase accounting adjustments, restructuring costs and merger-related expenses.

4 Feb 2011

Queen’s scientist awarded Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award

One of Northern Ireland's leading scientists has received a top UK award, to support ground-breaking research into vascular stem cells and eye disease at Queen's University.

4 Feb 2011

Method to comprehensively characterize human embryonic stem cell lines and iPS cell lines

Ever since researchers devised a recipe for turning adult cells into cells that look and act like embryonic stem cells, there has been lingering doubt in the field about just how close to embryonic stem cells each of those cell lines really is at a molecular and functional level. Now, researchers reporting in the February 4th issue of the journal Cell, a Cell Press publication, have developed a systematic way to lay those doubts about quality to rest.

4 Feb 2011

UM researchers find genetic cause of retinitis pigmentosa

Researchers led by geneticists at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine have identified a new gene that causes retinitis pigmentosa, a form of blindness, ending one South Florida family's nearly 20-year search for what caused three of their four children to lose their sight.

4 Feb 2011

Study finds increased prescription drug abuse among teens

Illicit drugs like marijuana, cocaine and heroin have always been a parent's nightmare. But perfectly legal and easily accessible prescription medications are now the recreational drugs of choice for many teenagers, prompting physicians at Johns Hopkins Children's Center to urge pediatricians to screen specifically for their abuse during routine visits.

4 Feb 2011

Alimera reports 36-month results from ILUVIEN Phase 3 FAME study for DME

Alimera Sciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company that specializes in the research, development and commercialization of prescription ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, today reported results through month 36 of the completed FAME™ Study.

4 Feb 2011

Positive top-line results from ILUVIEN Phase 3 trial in patients with DME

pSivida Corp., a leader in developing sustained release, drug delivery products for treatment of back-of-the-eye diseases, including the investigational drug ILUVIEN for the treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema, today announced month 36, top-line readout results for the FAME Study prepared by its licensee, Alimera Sciences.

4 Feb 2011

Proper diagnosis and antibiotic treatment are the best way to prevent Lyme arthritis

Early, correct diagnosis is the best way to prevent the development of Lyme arthritis in individuals with the tick-borne illness, according to a paper published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. In patients who do develop the condition, most cases can be treated successfully with antibiotics, the review found.

3 Feb 2011

Ocular Therapeutix closes $14 million Series D financing round

Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. announced today that it has closed a $14 million Series D round of financing. The round was led by Ascension Health Ventures of St. Louis, Missouri, with continued participation by existing investors including Polaris Ventures, SV Life Sciences and Versant Ventures.

3 Feb 2011

Study: Simple sideline test can accurately detect concussions in athletes

A simple test performed at the sideline of sporting events can accurately detect concussions in athletes, according to study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Current sideline tests can leave a wide amount a brain function untested following concussion.

2 Feb 2011

Harbor BioSciences announces publication of newly discovered anti-inflammatory steroids

Harbor BioSciences, a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, metabolic and inflammatory diseases, today announced publication of newly discovered anti-inflammatory steroids naturally present in humans.

2 Feb 2011

Tonsillectomy linked to obesity later in life: Study

The study involved 795 children from 0 to 18 years who were described as normal to overweight prior to their operations, and they were separated into three separate groups. Group 1 included three studies involving 127 children, whose body mass index (BMI) increased by 5.5 per cent to 8.2 per cent.

2 Feb 2011

Eat more seafood to realize health benefits

The United States Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, released today, name seafood among the handful of foods Americans should eat more of because of its heart and brain benefits.

1 Feb 2011

Free radicals may damage eyes of patients with Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy

Scientists have found that free radicals (unstable molecules that cause the death of cells as the body ages) may also cause the damage in the eyes of patients with Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD), a hereditary disease that is one of the most common reasons for corneal transplants worldwide.

1 Feb 2011

Loyola inaugurates clinic exclusively to treat children with headaches

Fortunately, in most cases the causes of childhood headaches are usually no cause for alarm, Schnitzler said. Children can get headaches from stress, anxiety, inadequate sleep, vision problems, caffeine or food sensitivities. To help pinpoint the cause, Loyola has opened a clinic that's exclusively devoted to treating children with headaches.

31 Jan 2011

Roundup: Florida considering major cuts to mental health programs; Texas patient groups fight back on Medicaid plans; Calif. weighs limiting Medicaid patients' trips to doctors

In the committee rooms and corridors of the state Capitol, lobbyists are looking for clues about which programs will get slashed. On Wednesday, mental-health and substance-abuse programs got more than a clue. In fact, it looked like a bulls-eye (Saunders, 1/27).

28 Jan 2011

EHSI examines business plans and product lines of OceanBASIS

Emerging Healthcare Solutions, Inc. is examining the business plans and product lines of German biotech firm OceanBASIS as part of the company's due diligence towards a potential profit sharing agreement.

28 Jan 2011

ACP details challenges facing the U.S. health care system

"The United States is facing an unprecedented crisis in our health care system," reported J. Fred Ralston Jr., president of the American College of Physicians (ACP), at today's annual State of the Nation's Health Care briefing. "We face a crisis in affordable health insurance coverage. We have more uninsured people than ever before. We still are facing a crisis in access to primary care. Health care costs are increasing at rates that the country-and individual families-can't afford."

28 Jan 2011

Crossed eyes in adults can also be corrected

Since she was a baby, Carleen Trautz's left eye turned outward, rather than looking straight ahead, and it made her life miserable.

28 Jan 2011

Alcon fourth quarter sales raise 5.7% to $1.81 billion in 2010

Alcon, Inc. reported that global sales rose 5.7 percent to $1.81 billion for the fourth quarter of 2010. Revenue from acquisitions added 100 basis points to sales growth in the quarter, while foreign currency fluctuations reduced reported sales growth by 20 basis points.

27 Jan 2011