Eye News and Research

Latest Eye News and Research

QLT's Phase II olopatadine punctal plug delivery system trial demonstrates safety in allergic conjunctivitis patients

QLT Inc. today announced results from a Phase II proof-of-concept clinical trial for the olopatadine punctal plug delivery system (O‑PPDS).

9 Feb 2011

New study shows eggs are 14% lower in cholesterol

According to new nutrition data from the United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service, eggs are lower in cholesterol than previously thought.

8 Feb 2011

New insight into AMD related blindness

more than 50 million worldwideA new study in the journal Nature has reported the pathology of blindness caused by age-related macular degeneration or AMD. This condition affects more than 50 million worldwide and is incurable. The researchers report that when an enzyme known as DICER1 stops functioning AMD starts to develop.

8 Feb 2011

Researchers discover molecular mechanism implicated in geographic atrophy

A team of researchers, led by University of Kentucky ophthalmologist Dr. Jayakrishna Ambati, has discovered a molecular mechanism implicated in geographic atrophy, the major cause of untreatable blindness in the industrialized world.

6 Feb 2011

Transitions Optical unveils golf video tips to raise awareness about healthy vision, sports performance

Transitions Optical, today announced it will unveil the first of a year-long series of golf video tips from PGA TOUR players and professional trainers as part of its "Improve Your Vision, Improve Your Game Video Series."

5 Feb 2011

Vascular birthmarks can cause concern for parents: Dermatologists

Vascular birthmarks, which occur in nearly 10 percent of all infants at birth or within the first few weeks of life, can cause concern for parents particularly if they are large or in a cosmetically important area. The decision to treat a birthmark is one that parents should make with a dermatologist, who can determine the type of birthmark and whether or not it poses any potential risks in the future.

5 Feb 2011

CDC: One quarter of all ED visits during winter are due to snowboarding, sledding accidents

Broken bones due to snowboarding and sledding top the list of common causes for visits to the Emergency Department during the winter months. According to the Centers for Disease Control one quarter of all ED visits are attributed to snowboarding accidents,, and half of all cases were broken bones and sprains.

5 Feb 2011

CVVS scientist receives top UK award for ground-breaking research on vascular stem cells, eye disease

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.

5 Feb 2011

Proper skin care, cosmetics can improve skin of acne and rosacea patients

Patients with acne and rosacea are often confused about selecting appropriate skin care products, cosmeceuticals and cosmetics to add into their daily routine. While they want to continue to see results with the treatment regimen from their dermatologist, they also want to be comfortable using products that address other skin issues, such as wrinkles or that protect their skin, such as sunscreens.

5 Feb 2011

Tips for women to ensure a healthy heart and a healthy vacation

Henrico County based Mondial Assistance, the largest travel insurance provider in the world, and the American Heart Association's (AHA) Mid-Atlantic chapter are teaming up for the 2011 Go Red for Women campaign and as part of the effort are offering these tips for women to ensure a healthy heart and a healthy vacation in 2011. Mondial Assistance is a "Healthy Lifestyle" Partner for this year's campaign.

5 Feb 2011

Doctors of Optometry troubled by disregard for vision and eye health needs of children

The American Optometric Association, the voice of America's family eye doctors, today warned that if a set of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations are adopted as policy, significant harm will be caused to the ongoing efforts of eye doctors nationwide to reverse the high rates of preventable vision loss in children across America, from the first year of life through age 5.

5 Feb 2011

Recent releases in Global Health

"Africa should be one of the leading regions in shaping global food security policies and feeding the future instead of others shaping it for Africa. Developing practical, integrative and more small-scale solutions for agricultural inputs and outputs, farming, and for managing both land and water resources, will help Africa provide for future generations on the Continent and elsewhere," Robin Renee Sanders, the U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, writes in a Huffington Post blog post.

5 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