Eye News and Research

Latest Eye News and Research

Macular degeneration drug may cause increased IOP

Two major drug trials conclude there was little risk from a drug aimed at age-related macular degeneration. Yet a Mayo Clinic ophthalmologist began to note something concerning in some of her patients: an increase in pressure inside the eye. It led to a retrospective study and findings that will be presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology in Orlando.

24 Oct 2011

More exposure to natural light may reduce rates of nearsightedness

A new analysis of recent eye health studies shows that more time spent outdoors is related to reduced rates of nearsightedness, also known as myopia, in children and adolescents. Myopia is much more common today in the United States and many other countries than it was in the 1970s. In parts of Asia, more than 80 percent of the population is nearsighted.

24 Oct 2011

Zeaxanthin reduces risk for AMD

St. Louis-based ZeaVision, LLC announced that three recent groundbreaking studies demonstrate that Zeaxanthin (zee-uh-zan-thin), the predominate protective pigment in the back of the eye, reduces the risk for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and benefits the treatment of advanced AMD, a condition that destroys central vision and affects millions of Americans.

24 Oct 2011

Collagen crosslinking for keratoconus may receive FDA approval in 2012

Patients in the United States who have the cornea-damaging disease keratoconus may soon be able to benefit from a new treatment that is already proving effective in Europe and other parts of the world.

24 Oct 2011

HMS, EPFL to collaborate on 6 pioneering neuroengineering projects

Two of the world's leading universities are joining forces to combine neuroscience and engineering in order to alleviate human suffering caused by such neurological disabilities as paralysis and deafness. Scientists, engineers, and clinicians at Harvard Medical School (HMS) and Ecole Polytechnique F-d-rale de Lausanne (EPFL) will collaborate on six pioneering neuroengineering projects made possible thanks to a $3.6 million grant from the Bertarelli Foundation.

24 Oct 2011

U-M researchers to study new approach in halting downward spiral of diabetes

University of Michigan Health System researchers will use a $3.5 million federal grant to study a new approach in halting the downward spiral of diabetes.

24 Oct 2011

Mesoblast cleared to begin first phase 2 clinical trial for wet AMD

Regenerative medicine company Mesoblast Limited (ASX: MSB) today announced that it has received regulatory clearance from the Singapore Health Sciences Authority (HSA) to commence the first Phase 2 trial of its proprietary allogeneic (off-the-shelf) adult stem cell therapy for patients with proliferation of leaky blood vessels in the eyes – neovascular (“wet”) Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

24 Oct 2011

Mesoblast receives Singapore HSA regulatory clearance to begin wet AMD Phase 2 trial

Regenerative medicine company Mesoblast Limited today announced that it has received regulatory clearance from the Singapore Health Sciences Authority (HSA) to commence the first Phase 2 trial of its proprietary allogeneic (off-the-shelf) adult stem cell therapy for patients with proliferation of leaky blood vessels in the eyes – neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration.

24 Oct 2011

Journal of the American Dietetic Association publishes new eye-tracking study

Nutrition Facts labels have been used for decades on many food products. Are these labels read in detail by consumers when making purchases? Do people read only certain portions of the labels? According to a new study published in the November issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, consumers' self-reported viewing of Nutrition Facts label components was higher than objectively measured viewing using an eye-tracking device.

24 Oct 2011

Playing video games may treat amblyopia in children

A new study conducted in an eye clinic in India found that correction of amblyopia, also called "lazy eye," can be achieved in many older children, if they stick to a regimen that includes playing video games along with standard amblyopia treatment.

24 Oct 2011

Carl Zeiss Meditec to showcase new clinical and productivity tools at AAO annual meeting

Carl Zeiss Meditec will showcase new clinical and productivity tools across the glaucoma, retina, cataract and refractive workplaces during this week's American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting in Orlando at booth #821.

24 Oct 2011

Femtosecond laser cataract surgery safe and effective than standard procedure

Two new studies add to the growing body of evidence that a new approach to cataract surgery may be safer and more efficient than today's standard procedure. The new approach, using a special femtosecond laser, is FDA-approved, but not yet widely available in the United States. It's one of the hottest topics this week at the 115th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

24 Oct 2011

Eighth Circuit hears health law arguments

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments Thursday regarding whether a health law legal challenge brought by two Missouri residents should be revived.

22 Oct 2011

Writer's description of facial vividness linked to mirror neuron system

Celebrated writers such as Charles Dickens and George Eliot described characters' faces vividly without going into detail about their features, according to a research group led at the University of Strathclyde.

22 Oct 2011

Children's Hospital Los Angeles offers Halloween safety tips

Each year at Halloween, innocent children are placed in danger. Accidents occur, sometimes as a result of strangers, but often through the carelessness of parents. Robert Adler, M.D., vice chairman of Pediatrics at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, wants your family to stay safe this Halloween. Read his handy tips below, share them with friends and keep them close to keep your kids safe. Thank you for staying safe this Halloween.

21 Oct 2011

Aromatherapy may have elevated levels of harmful indoor air pollutants

Spas that offer massage therapy using fragrant essential oils, called aromatherapy, may have elevated levels of potentially harmful indoor air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ultrafine particles, according to an article in Environmental Engineering Science, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc..

21 Oct 2011

Researchers identify facial characteristics of children with autism

The face and brain develop in coordination, with each influencing the other, beginning in the embryo and continuing through adolescence. Now, University of Missouri researchers have found distinct differences between the facial characteristics of children with autism compared to those of typically developing children.

21 Oct 2011

Embryonic stem cell therapy patents knocked back in Europe

The European Union's highest court ruled Tuesday that scientists cannot patent stem cell techniques that use human embryos for research, a decision some scientists said could threaten major medical advances if it prevents biotech companies from turning a profit.

20 Oct 2011

CWRU to lead Cornea Preservation Time Study

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine will lead a national study determining if corneas transplanted up to two weeks after donor death work as well as corneas transplanted up to one week after donor death. The National Eye Institute has awarded a $12.3 million grant to support the work.

20 Oct 2011

Aggressive Behaviour Risk Assessment Tool can reduce violence in clinical settings

Using a specially designed risk assessment tool within 24 hours of admission was an effective way of identifying which hospital patients in medical and surgical units would become violent. Researchers studied more than 2,000 patients admitted to an acute care hospital over a five-month period. As well as identify the traits that were most likely to lead to violence, they found that a disproportionate number of elderly patients and males became violent.

20 Oct 2011