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9/2/2010
21st-Century Drug Discovery Tools to Fight Cancer, Blindness to be Discussed at UB Symposium
BUFFALO, N.Y. —Twenty-first-century pharmaceutical breakthroughs require 21st-century drug discovery tools, such as computational or in silico molecular design and high-throughput screening of effective, new compounds. That’s the theme of a University at Buffalo symposium to be held Sept. 11 on “Twenty-first Century Bioscience: In Silico Methods and High-Throughput Screening,” which will feature a variety of cutting-edge advances in the field developed by researchers in Western New York and throughout the US. Full Story
9/1/2010
New Data Will Help Predict Vision Loss in Glaucoma
Eye M.D.s are intent on finding better ways to diagnose and treat glaucoma, a complex, potentially blinding disease. September’s Ophthalmology journal includes new data from the Rootterdam Study that will help doctors better predict visual field loss (VFL) in glaucoma patients. Johannes R. Vingerling, MD, PhD, Erasmus Medical Center, The Netherlands, and his colleagues followed 6,630 participants for ten years. The patients had optic nerve damage but no VFL when they joined the study. Ophthalmology is the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Full Story
8/31/2010
Academy to issue new guidelines for hydroxychloroquine retinopathy screening
Updated guidelines for managing patients on hydroxychloroquine therapy will emphasize the careful monitoring with imaging of patients on therapy longer than 5 years. Full Story
8/30/2010
Essilor Int’l Sees Revenues Rise 15.8 Percent in First Half
With acquisitions fueling revenue growth as well as stronger sales in core lens and Rx products and services, Essilor International [ISIN: FR0000121667] reported total revenues rose 15.8 percent to €1,926.8 million in first-half 2010. Excluding FGXI and Signet, revenue growth stood at 10 percent. Full Story
8/27/2010
Biosynthetic Corneas Show Promise in Transplants
Swedish scientists report that they’ve successfully implanted “biosynthetic” corneas in 10 patients, potentially paving the way for more accessible treatment for those with cornea-related vision problems. Full Story
8/26/2010
14th Annual EastWest Eye Conference Set for Cleveland Oct. 7-10
Plans are set for the 14th annual EastWest Eye Conference to be held here Oct. 7–10. For the first time, the exhibit hall will be in the historic Public Hall Auditorium of the Cleveland Convention Center with nearly 100 vendors participating. The conference is sponsored by the Ohio Optometric Association (OOA) with all profits from the Conference going toward advancing the profession of optometry, according to organizers. Full Story
8/25/2010
Too Few Infants Get Comprehensive Eye Assessments; One in 10 Have Undetected Vision Problems
One in 10 infants in the U.S. have undetected vision problems, ranging from crossed eyes to cancer. While most parents know eye and vision problems can be detected in children before they’re a year old, only 19 percent of those who participated in the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) annual Eye-Q® survey report taking their infant for a comprehensive eye assessment. Thirty-three percent of parents wait until their child is between one and two years of age, while 26 percent wait until their child is five years of age or older. Full Story
8/24/2010
EyeCare America Promotes Healthy Eyes During September’s Save Your Sight Month
EyeCare America, a national non-profit organization that provides eye exams and eye health information to medically underserved communities is exposing five common eye care myths in honor of September’s Save Your Sight Month. Full Story
8/23/2010
August is National Children’s Vision & Learning Month
The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) is marking August as National Children’s Vision & Learning Month, the 15th year of the initiative which helps educate parents and educators about the critical link between vision and learning. Full Story
8/20/2010
Tony McClellan Named President Of The American Academy Of Ophthalmology’s Foundation Advisory Board
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (Academy) announced the appointment of Tony McClellan as president of its Foundation Advisory Board (FAB). Full Story
8/19/2010
Has Laser Photolysis the Potential to Postpone the Need for Cataract Surgery?
It turns out that laser photolysis with a femtosecond laser is being evaluated to photobleach human lenses and thus postpone the need for cataract surgery. Full Story
8/18/2010
Doctor: 3D Won’t Damage Gamers’ Eyesight
Despite current fears that 3D gaming will make us go blind, that’s probably not going to happen. Full Story
8/17/2010
Sunbed lovers are ‘risking their eyesight’
People who use sunbeds without protecting their eyes could damage their sight, experts are warning. Full Story
8/16/2010
Avatar Producer Tapped as Keynote Speaker for The Vision Council’s 2011 Executive Summit
Jon Landau, co-producer of the 3D blockbuster Avatar, will serve as the keynote speaker for the Vision Council’s 2011 Executive Summit, according to an announcement from the organization. The Summit is scheduled to be held Jan. 26 to 28, 2011 at the Ritz Carlton in South Beach, Fla. Full Story
8/14/2010
Epilepsy drug valproic acid could help in retinitis pigmentosa, study finds
A small preliminary study has found that valproic acid, a drug already used to treat epileptic seizures, migraines and bipolar disorder, may halt or even reverse the loss of vision produced by retinitis pigmentosa, researchers said Thursday. A team from the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worchester is now organizing a clinical trial to confirm its observations. Full Story
8/13/2010
How Well Will You Adapt to the Future Eye Care Business Environment?
Streamlining operating expenses and enacting a disaster plan can help keep your practice flexible enough to adjust to an unstable economy. Full Story
8/11/2010
Medical Practices Prepare to Weather Regulatory Challenges
As a plethora of federal initiatives aimed at rooting out Medicare overpayment and fraud begin to take hold across medicine, ophthalmologists may soon find themselves burdened by more administrative functions. Fully Story
8/10/2010
Study Identifies Factors Associated with Rate of Visual Field Change in Patients with Glaucoma
Patients with glaucoma appear to have more rapid visual field change if they are older or if they have abnormal levels of anticardiolipin antibody (an antibody directed against a certain protein in the body), according to a report posted online today that will appear in the October print issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Reducing intraocular pressure—the pressure within the eyeball—modestly in these patients appears to ameliorate the rate at which they experience declines in visual field. Full Story
8/9/2010
Prevent Blindness America Launches Campaign to Raise Funds for Back-to-School Vision Screenings
Just in time for the back-to-school season, Prevent Blindness America (PBA) is stepping up its efforts to ensure children have healthy vision in the classroom through its Star Pupils Healthy Eyes for Healthy Futures, a PBA program that focuses on finding the one-in-four school-age children with vision impairments that in many cases go unnoticed and untreated, leading to possible learning issues. Full Story
8/6/2010
Excess Weight May Protect Women From Type of Glaucoma: But don’t gain weight to protect your eyes, experts say
While maintaining a healthy weight is linked to a lowered risk of heart disease and diabetes, being overweight may actually protect some women from a form of glaucoma, Harvard researchers say. Full Story
8/5/2010
AOA Plans ‘School Readiness Summit’ for April 2011 to Focus on Children’s Vision
The American Optometric Association ( AOA), with support from Hoya Vision Care, will host a national conference called the “School Readiness Summit–Focus on Vision” here on April 11 to 12, 2011, the organization said. The goal of the summit is to “to ensure all children in the country enter school with vision adequate to meet the demands of the academic environment.” Full Story
8/4/2010
Too Much Fun in the Sun can Cause Eye Damage
The danger for all eye damage from the sun is significantly greater in the summertime. In summer, people are closer to the sun, and its light is more intense, like when people visit the equator. Full Story
8/3/2010
HEALTHY EATING IS EASY ON THE EYES
Women who ate a healthy dose of fruits and vegetables had a 37 percent lower risk of cataracts than those who did not eat healthily according to a study in the journal Archives of Ophthalmology. Full Story
8/2/2010
PBA Designates August as Cataract Awareness Month, Joins with U.S. EPA in Environmental Awareness Campaign
Prevent Blindness America (PBA) has designated August as Cataract Awareness Month in an effort to educate the public on the disease. In addition, PBA has joined with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in its “Sunwise” campaign, an environmental and health education program that teaches children and their caregivers how to protect themselves—and their vision—from overexposure to the sun. Full Story
7/31/2010
Special Computer Mouse Developed to Help People with Poor Vision
A special computer mouse has been developed here in Korea to help those with severely poor vision read better. Full Story
7/30/2010
Contact Lenses a Top Cause of Kids’ Injuries
They’re tiny, translucent and for kids, they’re a pain in the eye.
Contact lenses are the most common cause of medical-device associated injuries among children over the age of 11, according to research published this week in Pediatrics. Full Story
7/29/2010
Latest Consumer Barometer Shows Total U.S. Vision Care Revenues Dipped 3 Percent, Exams Up 1.2 Percent for 12ME June 2010
The total U.S. vision care market’s revenues dipped 3 percent for the 12 months ending June 2010 to $31.7 billion compared to $32.7 billion in the prior year 12-month period, according to the newly-released Q2 Consumer Barometer. Full Story
7/28/2010
Ophthalmology Practices Select NextGen Healthcare to Meet Emerging Technology Needs
NextGen Healthcare Information Systems, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Quality Systems, Inc. and leading provider of healthcare information systems and connectivity solutions, today announced it has executed an agreement with EyeHealth Northwest to deploy NextGen® Ambulatory EHR (Electronic Health Record) and NextGen® Practice Management across its 11 offices, 11 optical shops and two surgery centers in Oregon. Full Story
7/26/2010
Pro Golfer Greg Norman and Aspex Eyewear Group to Launch Greg Norman Eyewear
Aspex Eyewear Group has signed a licensing agreement with professional golfer and entrepreneur Greg Norman, through his company, Great White Shark Enterprises, to develop a line of Greg Norman eyewear. Full Story
7/23/2010
Ophthalmology meet begins in Salalah
The two-day International Ophthalmology Conference kicked off yesterday in Salalah College of Technology under the auspices of Dr Mohammed bin Saif Al-Hosni, MoH’s undersecretary. Full Story
7/21/2010Optos reports dip in sales
Optos, a retinal-imaging technology firm, reported lower than expected sales for its third quarter after a fall in the number of installed eye-testing devices. Full Story
7/20/2010
Fish eaters show lower risk of age-related eye disease
Older adults who eat fatty fish at least once a week may have a lower risk of serious vision loss from age-related macular degeneration, a new study suggests. Full Story
7/19/2010
NAVCP User Survey Indicates Consumers with Stand-Alone Vision Plans Get More Eye Exams
Last week, the National Association of Vision Care Plans (NAVCP) released more details about its first benefits-utilization survey, conducted with imput from 10 major managed-vision companies. The survey, previewed at the NAVCP’s annual conference in late April, indicates that consumers who belong to stand-alone vision care plans are twice as likely to get an annual comprehensive eye exam as those whose vision coverage is “bundled” with their major medical plan. Full Story
7/19/2010
3D a cutting edge for surgeons
In a scene that showcases how some surgery of the future might be performed — and certainly taught — a high-definition TV screen in a University of Michigan operating room shows larger-than-life 3D images of Wendy Sarna’s brain. Full Story
7/16/2010
Kids’ Vision Tests Don’t Catch Common Eye Problems
Eye tests commonly used in schools and pediatricians’ offices don’t do a good job of finding vision errors like farsightedness and astigmatism in school-aged kids, even though they’re great at catching nearsightedness. Full Story
7/15/2010
2010 US Ophthalmologists’ Assessment Of Eye Care Medication Brands – New Market Report Published
2010 U.S. Ophthalmologists’ Assessment of Eye Care Medication Brands provides a snapshot of opportunities, trends, and estimates in the market. In this research, expert analysts thoroughly examine the following: patient compliance with eye care medication instructions, factors impacting prescriptions for eye care medications, and preferences for eye disease medications including glaucoma medications. Full Story
7/14/2010
The Back Of The Eye: Vitreoretinal Surgical Teams Treat Disorders of the Retina.
Yogi Berra’s language may have been fractured, but he understood the importance of vision. About 85 percent of sensory input comes through the eyes, and any loss of vision greatly reduces a person’s quality of life. Full Story
7/13/2010
Some people will fudge the truth to become ophthalmologists
How honest are aspiring ophthalmologists? It’s not a question many people would think to ask. But that didn’t stop Dr. Michael Wiggins, of the Jones Eye Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He was curious about the veracity of applications sent to his institute by medical students who were interested in completing their ophthalmology residencies in Little Rock. Full Story
7/12/2010
Alcon acquires LenSx
Alcon continues its efforts to be a major player in all steps of the cataract procedures. Alcon is to acquire LenSx Lasers, Inc. for $361.5 million in cash plus maximum contingent payments of $382.5 million based on future revenue targets being achieved and exceeded. Full Story
7/9/2010
Sight and Synchronicity: Blindness averted for Armenian “premies”, due to good timing and good medicine
Five Armenian babies who might have been blind in a matter of weeks, now have chance at a normal life due to the humanity of some foreign doctors, the dedication of local ones, and to benefactors who may never know the life-changing impact of their benevolence. Full Story
7/8/2010
Sanofi-Aventis’ Potential Acquisition Targets
Rumours have emerged that French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi-Aventis is in the early stages of planning a reported $20 billion acquisition with the potential target thought to be US-based. Full Story
7/8/2010
Lady Gaga-Inspired Lens Fad Draws Warning From Eye Docs
Cosmetic contact lenses that give wearers an exaggerated “doe-eyed” look are “an emerging and potentially dangerous trend among teenagers and young adults,” the American Academy of Ophthalmology warned in a statement released Tuesday. Full Story
7/7/2010
Could this NETRA Android app kill the optician business?
Researchers at MIT’s media lab have come up with a prototype Android app which lets users check their own eyesight by viewing their mobile phone screen through a special plastic lens device. Full Story
7/6/2010
VisionCare Announces FDA Approval for First-Ever Implantable Telescope for End-Stage Macular Degeneration
VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies, Inc., a developer of advanced visual prosthetic devices, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the company’s Implantable Miniature Telescope (by Dr. Isaac Lipshitz) to improve vision in patients with end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD). VisionCare’s first-of-kind telescope implant is integral to a new patient care program, CentraSight, for treating patients with end-stage macular degeneration – the most advanced form of AMD in the U.S. and the leading cause of blindness in older Americans. Full Story
7/4/2010
New Inspire CEO shakes up leadership
Inspire Pharmaceuticals’ new CEO, Adrian Adams, is putting his stamp on the company’s top management team. Full Story
7/2/2010
Tear osmolarity may function as a biomarker of dry eye severity
Clinical testing of an osmolarity screening device designed for in-office use showed strong correlation with a diagnosis of dry eye based upon composite clinical signs and symptoms of dry eye disease, particularly in mild to moderate disease. Full Story
7/1/2010
Study Finds New Key to Corneal Transplant Success
Though corneal transplant surgery is already one of medicine’s most successful procedures, researchers are always looking at ways to improve the corneal transplant. Researchers have found a new treatment approach that could improve success rates even more. Full Story
6/30/2010
Some Blind Patients Regain Sight via Stem Cells
Italian researchers reported last week that dozens of people blinded or suffering from severe eye damage have had their sight restored to near normal with transplants of their own stem cells. Full Story
6/29/2010
Blind student regains sight at Ekiti festival of surgery
What could be described as “a medical miracle” has been performed by doctors at the Ophthalmology Centre of the University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti where a blind student of the University of Ado-Ekiti (UNAD), had her sight restored after undergoing a surgery. Full Story
6/28/2010
Presentation of Preclinical Data for NicOx’s Ophthalmology Candidate NCX 434
NicOx S.A. announced today that the new preclinical results for NCX 434 were presented at the Retina International World Congress in Stresa, Italy. It was shown to reduce retinal damage due to ischemia (restriction of blood flow) and reperfusion (return of blood supply following ischemia) in a preclinical model. Full Story
6/24/2010
Stem Cell Cornea Fix: Better Vision May Be In Your Own Eyes
More than 1.2 million Americans suffer cornea damage from injuries and more than 40,000 people a year undergo cornea transplants to repair otherwise irreversible eyesight damage, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Full Story
6/22/2010
Quick Study: Healthful eating may keep cataracts at bay
THE QUESTION Might the foods people eat affect whether they develop cataracts? THIS STUDY analyzed data on 1,808 women 50 to 79 years old who had not had cataracts. In a four- to seven-year span, 736 developed a cataract. Full Story
6/21/2010
AAO remains focused on relief efforts in Haiti
The American Academy of Ophthalmology has received more than $500,000 in in-kind donations for ongoing relief efforts in Haiti. Full Story
6/18/2010
Healthy diet ‘can lower cataract risk’
Following a healthy diet can help women lower the risk of developing cataracts in later life, new research has suggested. Full Story
6/16/2010
Rand Paul’s Dissident Ophthalmology Group Still Certifying Doctors
It seems that Kentucky Republican Senate candidate Rand Paul’s rogue ophthalmology certification outfit, the National Board of Ophthalmology, is still recertifying doctors even though the group has virtually no public footprint. Full Story
6/15/2010
Potential Exists to Modify Some AMD Risk
Early manifestations of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may involve modifiable risk factors, including smoking and HDL cholesterol, data from a prospective cohort study suggest. Full Story
6/14/2010
Local Eye Site and Jobson’s ECP Business Services Collaborate to Form Online Recruiting Solution
NEW YORK—A new partnership that will provide eyecare-related organizations online recruiting and professional development has been signed by Jobson Medical Information’s ECP Business Services Division and Local Eye Site. Via the new agreement, effective June 14, 2010, Local Eye Site’s recruitment information and career search will appear exclusively on Jobson Optical Group websites, debuting initially on SightNation and appearing over the coming months on Vision Monday, 20/20, Review of Optometry, Review of Optometric Business and Review of Ophthalmology websites. Full Story
6/11/2010
Ophthalmology’s greatest lessons from the Great Recession
Is the Great Recession over? Raw economic growth trends seem to say yes. Stubbornly high unemployment and slumping consumer confidence say, “Not so much, not yet.” Full Story
6/10/2010
Intravitreal implant reduces DME effects in vitrectomized eyes
In a phase 3b study, a dexamethasone intravitreal implant improved central retinal thickness and vision in previously vitrectomized eyes of patients with diabetic macular edema, according to a poster presented here. Full Story
6/9/2010
Schoolgirl’s life saved by optician who spotted rare brain condition that could have blinded her within days
A schoolgirl’s life was saved after a routine eye test revealed a potentially deadly condition. Samantha Meehan, 16, went to her opticians after suffering from severe headaches which doctors had put down to the stress of studying for her GCSEs. An eye test revealed she had a potentially deadly brain condition which would have left her blind within days. Full Story
6/8/2010
Eye Test May Diagnose Multiple Sclerosis
No single test can by used, by itself, to diagnose multiple sclerosis. Now researchers have discovered a quick eye test that has the potential to diagnose multiple sclerosis in its very early stages and also monitor the effectiveness of therapy. Full Story
6/7/2010
Women Get Inadequate Eye Care
Women have higher rates of vision loss than men. The Centers for Disease Control has published a report that women at risk often do not get eye health care that could preserve their vision. The main reasons for this, according to their data, are cost factors and inadequate information. Full Story
6/4/2010
Health Risk: Could 3-D TV’s cause lasting eye problems?
As 3-D television and video games are quickly gaining popularity and a place in many consumers homes, some are becoming concerned that the new technology could be creating headaches, eye strain and other health problems, as reported by USA Today. Full Story
6/2/2010
Online Resources for Human Resources (in eye care)
Of all the challenges of a small business none may be more daunting than keeping current with all the legislation related to employee relations. Fortunately, there are a number of resources online to assist you with understanding the complexities of your labor issues: Full Story
6/1/2010
Diabetic eye disease may be curbed with help of computer programs
Computerized systems may be able to detect early eye problems related to diabetes, according to a University of Iowa analysis. Full Story
5/30/2010
Statement From the American Academy of Ophthalmology Regarding “Vodka Eyeballing”
A dangerous drinking game called “vodka eyeballing” is attracting public attention on YouTube. Full Story
5/30/2010
Smoking Can Cause Uveitis of the Eye – Latest Research Finding in Ophthalmology
Smoking causes age-related macular degeneration, cataract and thyroid eye disease. Now, researchers at the University of California report that smoking can cause uveitis of the eye too. Results of their findings is published in the March 2010 issue of Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. This article tries to gain further insight on this topic. Full Story
5/28/2010
Micro-device allows ab interno reduction of IOP
Preliminary results with the CyPass micro-device for glaucoma management show stable pressure reduction, according to one presenter here. Full Story
5/26/2010
Resistance to antibiotics is a growing concern for ophthalmology
The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is increasing worldwide, and several strategies should be implemented to delay or prevent this from occurring among ocular isolates, according to a presenter here. Full Story
5/24/2010
Femtosecond laser cataract surgery shows encouraging results
Preliminary results of femtosecond laser cataract surgery are promising, according to a presenter here. There are currently three femtosecond laser systems by three companies — LenSx, LensAR and OptiMedica — that have been developed to perform cataract surgery. “A new addition to LenSx is the [optical coherence tomography] that helps visualize the capsule. Patients undergo an image-guided laser procedure prior to completion of the manual steps of the procedure,” Karl G. Stonecipher, MD, said at the annual joint meeting of Ocular Surgery News and the Italian Society of Ophthalmology. Full Story
5/21/2010
A Protein Links Alzheimer’s, Down Syndrome. Amyloid-beta accumulates in eyes of Down-affected patients, spurring cataracts, study finds
Researchers say a kind of protein that clogs the brain in Alzheimer’s disease also accumulates in the eyes of Down syndrome patients and causes cataracts. The finding is leading the researchers to develop an eye test for early signs of Alzheimer’s in both disorders. Full Story
5/18/2010
LEVEL Study Published in British Journal of Ophthalmology Evaluates Macugen as Maintenance Treatment for Patients With Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Eyetech Inc. announced today that the British Journal of Ophthalmology (BJO) published online results from the LEVEL study evaluating Macugen™ (pegaptanib sodium) as a maintenance therapy in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Full Story
5/17/2010
The Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Museum of Vision Announces New Oral History Series
The Museum of Vision is proud to announce the publication of a new oral history series recorded in partnership with the Academy Seniors Committee of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and StoryCorps, a national project of Sound Portraits Productions. In conjunction with the Academy’s October 2009 Joint Meeting with the Pan American Association of Ophthalmology held in San Francisco, 12 prominent Eye M.D.s were selected to participate in this oral history project, recording a total of six conversations, each lasting approximately 90 minutes. The first two conversations to be published are between Drs. Stanley Truhlsen and Melvin Rubin, and Drs. H. Dunbar Hoskins, Jr. and Alice McPherson. Full Story
5/14/2010
New tool may spot eye diseases early
A new tool may enable people to diagnoses eye disease early, often before symptoms have even developed, according to experts. Specialists at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School in Boston showed that they have created a noninvasive tool that detects signs of disease at early molecular stages before symptoms can be seen using traditional methods. Full Story
5/13/2010
Refractive surgery steadily increasing in Europe
The future of European ophthalmology will witness an increase in the volume of refractive surgery, according to a specialist here. “Looking at the distribution of refractive errors, we can see that there is only a very small group of emmetropic people. About half of the European population are hyperopic, and 25%, more than 100 million now, are myopic, 64% of which is mild, 32% moderate and 4% high,” Thomas Kohnen, MD, said at the meeting of the French Society of Ophthalmology. Full Story
5/12/2010
Femtosecond laser is future of cataract surgery, ophthalmologist says
Within 5 years, cataract surgery may be all femtosecond, a surgeon said here. “We are in the early days of this new technology. One case of femtosecond-assisted cataract surgery has been performed by Stephen Slade in the U.S., and a few cases have been performed in Mexico and Hungary. In Bordeaux, France, we are experimenting a new laser, but we are still in the preclinical stages,” Joseph Colin, MD, said in an interview with Ocular Surgery News during the meeting of the French Society of Ophthalmology. Full story
5/11/2010
Surgical lens might not be best treatment for congenital cataracts
Surgically implanting lenses in the eyes of infants born with cataracts might increase the rate of surgical complications, said a Baylor College of Medicine eye specialist who took part in a study comparing the use of a contact lens with surgically placing a plastic lens in the baby’s eye after removing the cataract. She advised caution in considering the placement of an intraocular lens in infants. Full Story
5/10/2010
Gene therapy `may cure day blindness`
A unique type of gene therapy may help to cure a form of eye disease suffered by thousands of people across the globe, according to a new study. Full Story
5/7/2010
Medicare physician payment cut delayed until June 1
Congress again has delayed a 21% Medicare physician payment cut, this time until June 1. “Repeated delays and continued uncertainty, combined with the fact that Medicare payments, even without the 21% cut, have not kept up with the cost of providing care to seniors, demonstrates the need for a permanent solution to this annual problem,” said J. James Rohack, MD, president, American Medical Association (AMA), in a prepared statement. Full Story
5/6/2010
Caffeine ‘effective in preventing cataract formation’
Caffeine may provide the lens protection against damage that could lead to the formation of cataracts, according to a new study. Full Story
5/5/2010
Use of unprescribed eyelash growth treatment, Latisse, may be risky
Health experts report that individuals who use the eyelash growth treatment, Latisse, without a prescription or doctor’s supervision, may be putting themselves at risk for a variety of eye conditions. It has been learned that users have been obtaining Latisse at health clubs and online without a prescription. Full Story
5/4/2010
Bioengineering breakthroughs drive drug delivery technologies
Innovations in bioengineering continuously spur the development of new drug delivery and reconstructive methods, a prominent researcher said here. Advances may lead to regeneration of virtually any tissue in the human body, Robert S. Langer, PhD, said during the keynote lecture at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology meeting. Full Story
5/3/2010
Visual cortex training may improve vision after refractive surgery
A visual cortex training program given to patients after LASIK or premium IOL surgery has resulted in an improvement in vision in preliminary studies, according to a speaker here. Full Story
5/2/2010
Age-related macular degeneration risk on the rise
A new study has reported on the increasing rates of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) among Asians. The study has been published in the May issue of Ophthalmology , the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Full Story
4/28/2010
Drug-laser combination proves effective for diabetic blindness
For the first time in a quarter of a century, researchers have identified a new treatment for diabetic macular edema, a potentially blinding disorder that affects about 1 million Americans, researchers said Tuesday. Full Story
4/27/2010
UCSF opens eye clinic tailored to children
When Crewe Hutson was a toddler and ill with a rare and potentially fatal form of eye cancer, he’d have to climb on a chair at UCSF and prop himself up on his knees to get his head high enough for the adult-sized ophthalmology equipment that would treat him. Full Story
4/26/2010
Doctors: 3D TV Can Make You Sick; Ugly Sick
Samsung and LG recently issued quiet advisories that watching 3D TV at home can cause some people to get sick. The statements have been met with a mixture of amusement and alarm by journalists and pundits. However, CNN reports that medical doctors say the issue is serious, particularly for viewers who have sensitive stomachs such as children and pregnant women. Full Story
4/22/2010
In Utero Methadone Exposure Linked to Vision Problems
Infants born to women who misused drugs and were prescribed methadone during pregnancy are at risk for a range of vision problems, and those with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) severe enough to receive pharmaceutical treatment may especially be at risk for developing nystagmus, according to a report published online April 21 in the British Journal of Ophthalmology. Full Story
4/21/2010
New Consumer Information Now Available on American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeSmart™ Web Site
Is pink eye really contagious? Am I sitting too close to my computer screen? When should my child get their first vision screening? The answers to these and many other common questions are now available on the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s (Academy) EyeSmart™ Web site, the Web source for credible, evidence based information that patients can trust. An extended range of patient information is also now available in Spanish. Full Story
4/20/2010
Certain adult strabismus cases have good outlook for regaining stereopsis
Adult strabismus subjects with binocular vision or a predisposition for stereopsis in childhood had binocular function improvement after adult strabismus surgery, a retrospective chart review found. Full Story
4/19/2010
Green tea prevents eye disease
NaturalNews) Recent research out of Hong Kong is indicating that certain substances found in green tea work to penetrate eye tissue and prevent eye disease. Catechins, a type of antioxidant, are one such substance that researchers say helps to prevent ocular degeneration and oxidative stress. Full Story
4/16/2010
Hazards: Metal Shavings From Swings a Danger to Children With Autism
Children with autism are often calmed by riding on a swing; some do it for hours every day. But doctors are warning of a serious hazard that can occur when wear and tear causes small metal fragments to peel from the suspension apparatus and fall into children’s eyes. Full Story
4/14/2010
Acquired Glaucoma Predominates in Children
Acquired forms of glaucoma account for almost two thirds of cases involving children, according to findings from the first reported epidemiologic study of pediatric glaucoma in the United States. Full Story
4/13/2010
Corneal Transplant Not Hurt by Long Preservation Time
The chance that a corneal transplant will fail is not affected by the age of the donor, the length of time that the transplanted cornea was preserved or the method of preservation, according to a new study. Full Story
4/12/2010
Iridex acquires ophthalmology assets from RetinaLabs
Iridex Corporation, a developer of medical systems and delivery devices, has acquired ophthalmology assets from RetinaLabs, a privately held company and a developer of retinal instrumentation based in Atlanta, Georgia. Full Story
4/8/2010
90 percent of children with intermittent exotropia will become nearsighted by 20 years of age
Intermittent exotropia, a condition in which the eyes turn outward while looking at an object, occurs in about 1% of American children and is less common than esotropia, where the eyes turn inward. In an article published in the March 2010 issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology, researchers from the Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN, followed 135 patients with intermittent exotropia over a 20-year period and found that slightly more than 90% of these children became nearsighted by the time they reached their 20s. Full Story
4/2/2010
Prostaglandin treatment for early glaucoma in clinical practice maintains cost, slows progression
The first prospective study of prostaglandin treatment in clinical practice for open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension found that at 4 years, costs did not increase, while mean IOP was reduced and remained steady. Full Story
4/1/2010
Sleep apnea may relate to eye disorders
If you have shallow breathing or pauses in breaths while you sleep, that’s a clear sign of sleep apnea. This chronic condition often leaves people feeling sleepy during the day and can increase risk for high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity, and diabetes, according to the National Institutes of Health.
A new study in the journal Ophthalmology links the most common form of sleep apnea – called obstructive sleep apnea – to an eye disorder called floppy eyelid syndrome. In this condition, a patient has elastic upper lids that are easily folded up. This condition is hard to diagnose, and is most often seen in obese patients. Full Story
3/31/2010
My job: A focus on life-altering medicine
An interview with Jennifer Kinsella, an Ophthalmic Technician in New Zealand. Full Story
3/25/2010
New Contact Lenses Could Improve Glaucoma Treatment
A team of researchers has created special contact lenses for glaucoma patients that come loaded with vitamin E, using a design that could essentially lengthen the amount of time a medication bathes an afflicted eye. Full Story
3/22/2010
SurModics licenses ophthalmology technology to ForSight Labs
SurModics, Inc, a leading provider of drug delivery and surface modification technologies to the healthcare industry, announced has entered into an agreement with ForSight Labs, LLC to license certain non-core ophthalmology technology. The technology licensed in this agreement does not include the Company’s I-vation drug delivery technology. While the license agreement contains an up-front license fee, milestone payments and royalties, specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Full Story
3/20/2010
Trial of human retinal implants quite successful
German company Retinal Implant on Wednesday unveiled preliminary, yet quite promising, results from a four-year study of 11 patients who underwent retinal-implant surgery after losing their sight due to retinitis pigmentosa. Full Story
3/19/2010
Bill would delay 21% Medicare physician payment cut until April 30
The House passed legislation by a voice vote on Wednesday that would delay a planned 21% cut in Medicare physician payments until April 30. The bill moves to the Senate for further consideration. Full Story
3/18/2010
Online resource to help ophthalmologists qualify for Medicare bonus payments
Ophthalmologists will soon have a Web-based resource to report quality measures and qualify for bonus payments in the Medicare Physician Quality Reporting Initiative, the American Academy of Ophthalmology announced. Full Story
3/17/2010
Earliest Glaucoma Sings Tend to Occur in Brain, Scientists Reveal
Scientists have insisted that blindness, which is a direct result of glaucoma, tends to begin with an injury which occurs in the brain, and not in the eye. Full Story
3/16/2010
West Virginia law could expand optometrist scope of practice, bar laser surgery
The West Virginia State Legislature passed a bill Saturday night that could expand the scope of optometric practice in that state. Provisions allowing optometrists to perform laser surgery were eliminated from the measure. Full Story
3/15/2010
Eye cancer research becomes a collaborative pursuit
Research on ocular cancer has expanded in recent years to involve well-designed, multi-centre collaborative studies that help continue the advancement of knowledge in the field, according to an editorial in the March issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Full Story
3/13/2010
Study uncovers cost-effective alternative to eye drops for those at risk for developing glaucoma
Most people at risk for developing glaucoma due to high eye pressure do not need treatment, according to a large, multi-center study, in which the UC Davis Health System Eye Center played a central role. The results of the 15-year Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS) were presented at the annual meeting of the American Glaucoma Society in Florida last weekend and published in Archives of Ophthalmology this week. Full Story
3/12/2010
Thiazolidinediones Not Linked to Diabetic Macular Edema
In patients with type 2 diabetes, thiazolidinedione exposure is not associated with an increased risk of diabetic macular edema. In addition, an intravitreous dexamethasone drug delivery system shows promise in the treatment of persistent diabetic macular edema, according to research published in the March issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology. Full Story
3/9/2010
Optometry bill continues to stir debate
The second Senate bill to prompt a public hearing in the House in the last three days is SB230. It would allow optometrists to do limited laser surgery. Full Story
3/8/2010
Leading Experts Spotlight “A Day in the Life With Glaucoma” to Demonstrate the Growing Impact of Glaucoma on Society
During World Glaucoma Week (March 7-13), leading glaucoma experts are joining forces to increase awareness of the consequences of diminished vision as a result of glaucoma and its impact on the daily lives of patients. Full Story
3/7/2010
LC Industries donates $12 million to Duke Eye Center
A Durham-based nonprofit that employs blind and visually impaired people to manufacture and sell mattresses, military supplies and other products has donated $12 million to help build a new Duke Eye Center. Full Story
3/7/2010
The 7 habits of Highly Effective People in Ophthalmology and Optometry
3/4/2010
HRT, Alcohol Consumption Increases Postmenopausal Women’s Cataract Risk
Intriguing findings on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and cataract risk are reported in the March issue of the journal Ophthalmology.
An 8-year prospective study of more than 30,000 postmenopausal Swedish women found that those who were using or had used HRT had significantly higher rates of cataract removal, compared with women who had never used HRT. Alcohol consumption seemed to increase HRT’s harmful effect. Full Story
3/3/2010
University of Louisville ophthalmology department gets $100,000 grant
The University of Louisville’s Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences has been awarded a $100,000 grant from Research to Prevent Blindness, a New York City-based nonprofit that supports research aimed at preventing, treating or eliminating diseases that threaten vision. Full Story
3/2/2010
Successful cataract surgery in pseudoexfoliation eyes hinges on planning, technique
Frequent examination, careful planning and proper surgical technique are critical to safe, successful cataract surgery in pseudoexfoliation eyes. Reay H. Brown, MD, offered pearls for performing cataract surgery in noncompromised pseudoexfoliation eyes at the joint meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology. Full Story
2/28/2010
$132 million tower boosts capacity for University of Michigan’s Kellogg Eye Center by 50%
It’s a visual the University of Michigan’s eye doctors have been waiting years to see. Their new facility – a $132 million, 8-story, 230,000-square-foot research and clinical structure on Wall Street in Ann Arbor – will welcome patients Monday. Full Story
2/26/2010
Optegra launches AMD home test technology
A new home-testing kit to diagnose AMD has been launched by Optegra Eyecare, enabling men and women in the UK to identify their own personal risk factor of contracting AMD. Full Story
2/24/2010
Academy Provides Membership To Haitian Ophthalmologists To Help Rebuild Eye Care
In light of the recent tragedy in Haiti, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (Academy) has granted complimentary membership for 2010 and 2011 for all Haitian ophthalmologists. Full Story
2/22/2010
The Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Museum of Vision Celebrates 30 Years of Preserving Ophthalmic Heritage
Founded in 1980, the Museum of Vision, an educational program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (FAAO) has worked to preserve and promote ophthalmic heritage. In honor of its 30th anniversary, the award-winning museum has launched a new web site, www.museumofvision.org. Full Story
2/21/2010
Green Tea May Ward Off Eye Disease
Substances found in green tea work their way into the tissues of the eye and could protect against common eye diseases like glaucoma, researchers say. Full Story
2/19/2010
Alcon’s independent directors fight back Novartis control
Novartis plans to assume complete control over Alcon Laboratories Inc. in a two-step process that some analysts and some members of Alcon’s board of directors are challenging for its fairness under Swiss and US merger laws. The deal, announced on January 4th, begins with Novartis exercising its option to purchase Nestle’s 52% share of Alcon for $28 billion, giving Novartis 77% majority ownership of the largest eye-care company in the United States. Full Story
2/18/2010
VEGF Trap-Eye Shows Positive Results in a Phase 2 Study in Patients With Diabetic Macular Edema
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: REGN) and Bayer HealthCare AG today announced that VEGF Trap-Eye showed positive results in a Phase 2 study in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). The primary endpoint of the study, a statistically significant improvement in visual acuity over 24 weeks compared to the standard of care in DME, macular laser therapy, was met. Visual acuity improvement was measured by the mean number of letters gained over the initial 24 weeks of the study. Full Story
2/16/2010
Telemedicine System Expected to Relieve Shortage of Eye Doctors
Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the University of Yamanashi and the Information Technology Center of the University of Tokyo conducted a field test of an ophthalmology telemedicine system developed by the University of Yamanashi. Full Story
2/15/2010
Your practice manager: controlling too much?
You have a practice manager so you don’t have to deal with paperwork, collections, insurance forms and staffing by yourself. You just want to practice medicine and hand off the rest to someone you trust. That seemed to be working well—until a crisis hit. Full Story
2/12/10
Do E-Readers Cause Eye Strain?
The admonition offered by legions of mothers — “Don’t sit so close to the TV” — isn’t really an option when it comes to e-reading devices. You have to get close to the screen to use it. Amazon.com’s Kindle with a black-and-white E Ink screen.The act of reading is going through a number of radical transitions, but perhaps none is more fundamental than the shift from reading on paper to reading on screens. As consumers decide whether to make this jump and which technology to use, one key question is how reading on a screen affects the eyes. Full Story
2/10/10
Glaucoma Medications May Lower Death Rate, Study Reveals
More than 21,000 Americans participated in a four-year study examining the relationship between glaucoma medications and lower death rates. The study, published in the journal Archives of Ophthalmology, states that all glaucoma medications, regardless of type, appear to increase the survival rate of patients with glaucoma, a progressive eye disease that may lead to vision loss. Full Story
2/6/2010
Drugs May Be Beneficial in Age-Related Macular Degeneration
In patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration, intravitreal bevacizumab or ranibizumab may help stabilize the loss of visual acuity, according to a study in the February issue of Ophthalmology. Full Story
2/4/2010
Patient complains of acute unilateral photopsias and metamorphopsia
A 53-year-old woman presented to her optometrist with complaints of decreased visual acuity, photopsias and metamorphopsia in her left eye for 2 days and was referred to our eye clinic for ophthalmic consultation. Full Story
2/3/2010
Best Ophthalmology Hospitals from US News & World Report
These hospitals had the highest recommendations from specialists in Ophthalmology for challenging cases and procedures. Use the expanded search to locate services related to this specialty at more than 5,000 U.S. hospitals. Full Story
2/2/2010
Ophthalmic Women Leaders (OWL) Names Pamela Gleeson, CFO Of Santen Inc., as 2010 President
Ophthalmic Women Leaders (OWL) has appointed Pamela Gleeson, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Santen Inc., as its 2010 president. Full Story
2/1/2010
Kaiser Study Compares Two AMD Treatments
A Kaiser Permanente Southern California study compared two very similar medications– ranibizumab and bevacizumab–used to treat “wet” AMD and found the two equally effective at halting vision loss. Because many Americans will soon be 65 or older and AMD incidence rises sharply with age, the disease is becoming an urgent concern for the healthcare system. Full Story
1/28/2010
Blind for 20 years, implant partially restores sight
By implanting an experimental electronic eye device, the sight of a woman previously blind from retinal disease was partially restored. The woman is able to see light and make out figures for the first time in 20 years, explained lead researcher Lucian V. Del Priore, MD, PhD, an Attending Surgeon at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and a Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Full Story
1/27/2010
UV-blocking contacts protect against sun damage
UV-blocking contact lenses can reduce or eliminate the effects of the sun’s harmful UV radiation, according to a new study. Full Story
1/26/2010
Bifocals Beat Regular Lenses in Slowing Myopia in Children
Bifocals worked better than single-vision glasses to slow nearsightedness in children whose sight was deteriorating most rapidly, according to a study in the Archives of Ophthalmology. Researchers randomly assigned 153 of these children, ages 8 to 13, to wear either single-vision glasses, standard bifocals or so-called prismatic bifocals for two years. Though the eyesight of children in each group worsened throughout the study, children who wore standard bifocals required one-third less subsequent correction than children who wore single-vision glasses. Children who wore the prismatic bifocals, which permit the wearer to adjust the focus of the near-viewing lens, fared even better, requiring about one-half as much subsequent correction as children who wore single-vision lenses. Though the precise reason why bifocals slow the progress of myopia is unclear, they may work by reducing eyestrain, which contributes to nearsightedness. Full Story
1/24/2010
Possible New Heritable Marker For Retinoblastoma: Findings May Suggest New Targets And Treatments For Childhood Cancer
Retinoblastoma is a pediatric eye cancer initiated by the loss or mutation of both copies of the retinoblastoma gene. Current evidence suggests that additional genetic alterations are required for retinoblastoma to become fully malignant. Full Story
1/22/2010
Alcon Outrage at Novartis’ Bullying
Far from achieving “clarity” in its Alcon takeover by bidding for the minority shareholders’ 23% stake as well as buying up Nestlé’s majority ownership, Novartis has apparently whipped up a storm of anger among Alcon’s independent directors