Eye News and Research

Latest Eye News and Research

Predicting a person's tall stature from DNA is feasible, shows new study

Predicting adult body height from genetic data is helpful in several areas such as pediatric endocrinology and forensic investigations. However, despite large international efforts to catalogue the genes that influence the stature of humans, knowledge on genetic determinants of adult body height is still incomplete. Now DNA-based prediction of taller-than-average body height is feasible, as reported by researchers from the Netherlands and Sweden in an article published in Springer's journal Human Genetics

21 Nov 2013

Study finds high rate of anisometropia in older adults

Follow-up in older adults shows a high rate of anisometropia, or differing levels of visual abnormalities between eyes, reports a study in Optometry and Vision Science, official journal of the American Academy of Optometry. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health.

21 Nov 2013

Ability to learn foreign speech reveals in brain activity

A new study by University of Houston (UH) researchers may lead to dramatic changes in the way language is taught and learned - especially a second language.

21 Nov 2013

WHO continues to coordinate deployment of foreign medical teams in Philippines

More than 10 days after Super Typhoon Haiyan devastated the central Philippines, WHO is continuing to coordinate the deployment of foreign medical teams with an immediate focus on injured and traumatized survivors and an eye towards the people's longer-term health needs.

20 Nov 2013

UT Dallas scientists develop mesh technique to create 3-D images

UT Dallas computer scientists have developed a technique to create 3-D images that finds practical applications of a theory created by a famous mathematician.

20 Nov 2013

Topokine initiates Phase 2 clinical trial of XAF5 Gel for double chin treatment

Topokine Therapeutics has initiated dosing in a Phase 2, randomized controlled clinical trial of XAF5 Gel for reduction of excess submental fat, commonly known as "double chin." XAF5 Gel is a proprietary skin formulation of a compound already known to reduce fat around the human eye. Study participants are applying XAF5 Gel or placebo once a night to skin under the chin.

20 Nov 2013

Intraoperative RLN monitoring prior to thyroid surgery improves surgical outcomes

Intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) monitoring has gained popularity with approximately 53 percent of general surgeons and 65 percent of otolaryngologists using intraoperative nerve monitoring in select or all cases.

19 Nov 2013

Research shows oral contraceptive use over three years could be a risk factor for glaucoma

Research presented today, at the 117th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in New Orleans, has found that women who have taken oral contraceptives for three or more years are twice as likely to suffer from glaucoma, one of the leading causes of blindness which affects nearly 60 million worldwide. The researchers caution gynecologists and ophthalmologists to be aware of the fact that oral contraceptives might play a role in glaucomatous diseases, and inform patients to have their eyes screened for glaucoma if they also have other risk factors.

19 Nov 2013

Findings allay prostatectomy eye pressure concerns

A Japanese study shows that intraocular pressure increases during robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy with the patient in a steep Trendelenburg position, but this is not associated with an increased risk for postoperative complications or changes in visual function.

18 Nov 2013

Disturbed sleep linked to falls in elderly

Sleep disturbances are associated with an increased risk for falls in certain older individuals, a population study suggests.

18 Nov 2013

American Academy of Ophthalmology unveils comprehensive eye disease and condition patient database

The American Academy of Ophthalmology today unveiled the nation's first comprehensive eye disease and condition patient database. The IRIS Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight) made its debut in a presentation to 25,000 attendees during the opening session of the world's largest ophthalmic conference - the 117th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

18 Nov 2013

Study: New device helps people who lost vision due to blinding genetic disease

Research presented today at the 117th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology shows promising data about a device that helps people who have lost their vision due to a blinding genetic disease to recognize common objects.

18 Nov 2013

Residents of major cities with high pollution levels have increased risk of dry eye syndrome

Residents of major cities with high levels of air pollution have an increased risk of dry eye syndrome, according to a study presented at the world's largest ophthalmic conference, the 117th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, in New Orleans.

17 Nov 2013

Cataract surgeries deliver 4,567% financial return on investment to society

Cataract surgeries performed over one year eventually save $123.4 billion over 13 years and delivers a 4,567 percent financial return on investment to society according to the results of a cost-utility study, published online today in the Academy's official journal, Ophthalmology, and will be presented on Nov. 17 at the world's largest ophthalmic conference, the American Academy of Ophthalmology's 117th Annual Meeting, in New Orleans. Researchers say that the results prove that healthcare interventions create substantial economic wealth.

16 Nov 2013

Study shows patients at high-risk of CNV benefit from ForeseeHome device for earlier detection

The results of the Home Monitoring of the Eye (HOME) study, conducted in Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) clinical centers, executed by the EMMES Corporation and sponsored by Notal Vision Ltd. Tel Aviv, Israel, have been accepted for publication in Ophthalmology.

16 Nov 2013

Oraya presents data from INTREPID study of stereotactic radiotherapy for treatment of wet AMD

Oraya® Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that initial three-year safety follow-up data from its INTREPID study of Oraya Therapy™ stereotactic radiotherapy for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were presented for the first time today during the America Academy of Ophthalmology's (AAO) annual meeting in New Orleans.

16 Nov 2013

Lawmakers stake out positions on President's plan, pursue legislative steps

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, signaled his intent to bring a bill by Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., to the floor for a vote. Republican leaders expect the bill, which is viewed by the administration as an effort to undo the health law, to pass easily on a largely party-line vote.

16 Nov 2013

Mass. Eye and Ear's OGSH launches new collaboration to care for people ENT diseases

Rates of death and disability stemming from ear, nose and throat conditions continue to rise in developing countries like Uganda, but despite the need, fewer than 15 operating ear, nose and throat surgeons serve Uganda's 33.4 million and growing population. Only two ENT residency programs exist in this country, but many trainees do not remain in the country after graduation. Mass. Eye and Ear's Office of Global Surgery and Health is launching a new collaboration with Mbarara University Science and Technology School of Medicine and Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital to help address the need for more trained physicians to care for the ENT diseases and conditions of this population and to help encourage those who are ENT trained to stay in the country to care for those who need them.

16 Nov 2013

Researchers identify gene responsible for Warburg Micro syndrome

A collaborative team of researchers led by researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin and the University of Edinburgh has identified a gene responsible for Warburg Micro syndrome, a rare genetic disease characterized by eye, brain and endocrine abnormalities. Patients with Warburg Micro syndrome are severely physically and mentally challenged, unable to learn how to walk or speak and become blind and paralyzed from an early age.

15 Nov 2013

Skeletal problems now added to list of diabetes complications

The list of complications from type 2 diabetes is long: vascular and heart disease, eye problems, nerve damage, kidney disease, hearing problems and Alzheimer's disease. Physicians have long thought of osteoporosis as another outcome. Based on a Mayo Clinic study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, that's confirmed: You can definitely add skeletal problems to that list.

14 Nov 2013