Gene Therapy Offers Hope Against Inherited Blindness Aug 14, 2009
Injection under retina may allow increased light sensitivity, research suggests ... Proper functioning of this gene is required for the production of a retina-specific form of vitamin A that's required for light-sensitive photoreceptor cells to function ... In the study, researchers injected healthy copies of the RPE65 gene under the retina in the eyes of the participants, who'd been legally blind since birth. (MEDLINEplus)
Vision improvement after gene therapy maintained at 1 year for inherited retinal blindness Aug 13, 2009
Slow visual gains and new use of the treated retina emerge at 1 year ... Without this RPE65 protein, light-sensitive photoreceptor cells are starved of a retina-specific form of vitamin A and cannot function, blocking vision ... To correct this genetic defect, researchers targeted retinal regions with impaired, but intact, photoreceptors and injected healthy copies of the RPE65 gene under the retina. (EurekAlert!)
Study Identifies Risk Factors For Transformation Of Eye Growths Into Melanoma Aug 13, 2009
12, 2009) Eight factors may predict whether a choroidal nevus a benign, flat, pigmented growth inside the eye and beneath the retina may develop into melanoma, according to a report in the August issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals ... The factors that predicted growth into melanoma included five previously identified factors: tumor thickness greater than 2 millimeters, fluid beneath the retina, symptoms such as decreased vision or flashes and floaters, orange... (Science Daily)
Blind Tualatin man's vision restored to doctor's amazement Aug 11, 2009
Monday afternoon, two retina specialists with Kaiser Permanente examined his eyes ... "I don't see any anatomical changes in the retina or the back of the eye to account for the improvement he's experiencing," Cirino said, adding, it's really hard to say if this is something permanent or something that's going to reverse back to what it was previously. (KGW Northwest NewsChannel 8, OR)
Comeback trail continues for ‘Zo’ Aug 6, 2009
Butler, a former Chattanooga City High School football player, appeared headed for a high perch in the world of heavyweight boxers but he incurred a detached retina while sparring. Butler was undefeated after his first 27 pro bouts with only one draw marring a perfect record. (Columbia Daily Herald, TN)
Deaf to sign via video handsets Aug 6, 2009
This lets the peripheral vision pick up the gross movements of arms and hands while the fovea, the part of the retina capable of picking out detail, concentrates on the smaller facial actions. The system developed by the team can work across networks that only had 10-20 kilobits per second of bandwidth available, said Prof Ladner. (Yahoo News -- Disabilities and the Disabled)
Video game-like test helps detect vision loss early Aug 5, 2009
Macular degeneration steals away sight in the middle of the vision field due to damage of the retina ... That's what really you want to diagnose as quickly as possible because that's, the retina specialist can then fix that if you catch it early enough. (WWLTV.com, LA)
Scientists Program Blood Stem Cells To Become Vision Cells Aug 4, 2009
3, 2009) University of Florida researchers were able to program bone marrow stem cells to repair damaged retinas in mice, suggesting a potential treatment for one of the most common causes of vision loss in older people ... The success in repairing a damaged layer of retinal cells in mice implies that blood stem cells taken from bone marrow can be programmed to restore a variety of cells and tissues, including ones involved in cardiovascular disorders such as atherosclerosis and coronary artery... (Science Daily)
Humans 2.0: Replacing the mind and body Aug 4, 2009
A camera built into a pair of glasses sends signals to a tiny chip implanted in the back of the retina an artificial retina stimulating nerves that lead to the vision center of the brain. Still, visual prostheses are overwhelmingly used to copycat the look of an eye, not its function. (MSNBC -- Technology)
Experimental Treatment Halts Hypoxic-ischemic Brain Injury In Newborns, Study Suggests Aug 2, 2009
16, 2009) Looking at the retina in the eyes of patients with cerebral malaria has provided scientists with a vital insight into why malaria infection in the brain is so deadly. Researchers in Malawi have shown. (Science Daily)
Genetic Link To Age-related Cataracts Uncovered Aug 1, 2009
The lens of the eye is normally clear, allowing the transmission of focused light onto the retina. Cataracts occur when proteins in the lens become damaged and clump together causing the lens to become cloudy and obscure vision. (Science Daily)
Adult Brain Can Change Within Seconds Jul 30, 2009
Blind spots occur because the retina has no photoreceptors where the optic nerve exits the eye, so the visual cortex receives no stimulation from that point. We do not perceive our blind spots because the left eye sees what is in the right eye s blind area, and vice versa. (Science Daily)
OXiGENE Reports Second Quarter 2009 Financial Results; Company Continues to Achieve Pipeline Progress With Strengthened Cash Position Jul 30, 2009
The increase in loss is driven primarily by a higher level of clinical development activities, including the continued enrollment of the FACT (fosbretabulin in anaplastic cancer of the thyroid) pivotal registration study, the FALCON (fosbretabulin in advanced lung oncology) study, and the initiation of the FAVOR (fosbretabulin against vasculopathy of the retina/choroid) study, as well as the management of other ongoing clinical trials and drug development activities ... Current therapies active... (Primezone Releases)
Security on the (Eye)Ball: Hands-Free Iris Biometrics to Keep Bad Guys at Bay Jul 29, 2009
This system will include a camera that can capture a highly detailed digital image of a person's (the pigmented muscle surrounding the pupil responsible for controlling the amount of light reaching the retina), computers that store the image in a database, and software that can compare the irises of persons seeking access against that database. If there is a match, the person may be granted access to the facility. (Scientific American)
Patent win gives Mass. Eye and Ear windfall Jul 29, 2009
The drug makes abnormal blood vessels in the eye sensitive to photodynamic therapy, a treatment using laser light to destroy those abnormal vessels while sparing the retina. Macular degeneration damages the center of a person s visual field, making it the leading cause of vision loss in people over 50 in the developed world. (Boston Globe)
German researchers find there is more to bats' vision than meets the eye Jul 28, 2009
Daylight photoreceptors and UV sensitivity in the retinas of nocturnal bats ... Mammalian retinas have rod photoreceptors for night vision and cone photoreceptors for daylight and colour vision ... The eyes of microchiropteran bats are small and their retinas are dominated by rods. (EurekAlert!)
Diet High In Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Help Prevent A Leading Cause Of Blindness Among Elderly Jul 26, 2009
The related report by Tuo et al, "A high omega-3 fatty acid diet reduces retinal lesions in a murine model of macular degeneration," appears in the August 2009 issue of the American Journal of Pathology ... Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), loss of vision in the center of the visual field (macula) due to retinal damage, is one of the leading causes of legal blindness among the elderly ... Tuo et al suggest that "a diet enriched in EPA and DHA can ameliorate the progression of retinal... (Science Daily)
Laser cures retinopathy in infants Jul 26, 2009
NEW DELHI: Popular as designer treatment for correcting eye disorders, Laser rays now promise a cure for infants suffering from retinopathy -- a non-inflammatory damage to the retina of the eye ... With the help of Laser rays, doctors can now remove or clear the eye of unnecessary blood vessels that may lead to retinal detachment. (India Times, India)
Weekend News » Jul 22, 2009
Better Eyesight Possible With Telescope Implant It has been confirmed that a very small glass telescope, roughly the size of a pea, has been implanted in the eyes of people suffering from heavily damaged retinas and as a result has been successful in improving their ability to read, see faces and watch television ... Once implanted, the mini-telescope magnifies images on the retina so that they fall on healthy cells outside the damaged area. (IGN Gear)
Bishop Museum has safety tips on viewing solar eclipse Jul 22, 2009
The retina of your eye cannot feel pain, so you will not notice damage being done to your vision until it is too late ... Too much infrared light will act like an infrared heat lamp and can "cook" the retina of your inner eye quickly. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Partial solar eclipse Tuesday (1027) Jul 21, 2009
While tissues in the eye can deliver a substantial part of the sun s ultraviolet radiation to the light-sensitive retina, prolonged exposure to intense visible light can cause eclipse blindness, or retinal burns, according to NASA.. There are, however, many safe and inexpensive methods for safely viewing a partial solar eclipse. (Lihue Garden Island, HA)
Brain's center for perceiving 3-D motion is identified Jul 21, 2009
Simultaneously, an object speeding directly toward the eyes will move across the left eye's retina from right to left and the right eye's retina from left to right ... "It's seeing a change in position over time, and it's seeing opposite motions falling on the two retinas.". (EurekAlert!)
Tiny Telescopes Help the Blind See Again Jul 21, 2009
It seems the new vision takes some getting used to, although none of the 200 patients who tested this over the past five years reported any falling down or injury, said Dr. Henry Hudson, a retina specialist in Tuscon. And while the devices won't allow patients to view faraway stars (not that powerful), they will allow them to see partial faces where there was once a gaping hole in their vision. (Newsmax)
Milliken hopes to encourage youth eye checkups Jul 17, 2009
On the show s July 29 episode, Milliken will be shown discussing a young patient who lost vision in one eye because a roundworm had taken up near child s retina ... If he had gone to an optometrist (first), we would have very easily known this was a reaction to a little worm in his retina, Milliken said. (Scituate Mariner, MA)
Kerr: Amaré must play before deal Jul 15, 2009
Kerr met with agent Charles Grantham and briefly with Stoudemire before his surgery Friday that drained fluid caused by a detached retina. "We need to see him play," Kerr said. (AZCentral -- Sports)
Loss of sight Jul 15, 2009
The optic nerve receives light from the retina and transmits impulses to the brain that we perceive as vision. Glaucoma is a condition of progressive visual loss which can lead to blindness as a result of the optic nerve damage. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Suns want to see healthy Stoudemire Jul 15, 2009
The All-Star forward missed the rest of the season after a Feb. 20 operation to repair a partially detached retina, and last week he underwent another procedure as part of the recovery process. "I think everything looks great, but before you make that kind of a financial commitment, or any commitment in this league, you have to know that your player is fine and ready to go," Suns general manager Steve Kerr said on Tuesday. (MSNBC -- Sports)
New Suns deal depends on Stoudemire's health Jul 15, 2009
The All-Star forward missed the rest of the season after a Feb. 20 operation to repair a partially detached retina, and last week he underwent another procedure as part of the recovery process. Stoudemire. (ESPN -- Basketball)
No comments posted. Jul 13, 2009
If untreated, uveitis can lead to serious complications including retinal damage, glaucoma, cataracts and even permanent loss of vision ... Investigating ocular inflammation at the molecular level, he also hopes one day to prevent irreversible retina damage caused by uveitis through the administration of small protein molecules called crystallins. (Los Angeles Downtown News, CA)
Kerr's talk pleases Amaré Jul 12, 2009
After Friday's outpatient surgery to remove fluid from under the retina that detached last season, Stoudemire is confined to lying face down for all but two hours of the day. He has a Bible, a phone and a laptop computer nearby as his survival kit. (AZCentral -- Sports)
Sources: Suns continue Nash extension talks Jul 11, 2009
The Suns later announced that it was a minor outpatient procedure stemming from his Feb. 20 surgery to repair a detached retina in his right eye and that Stoudemire will be able to resume workouts in 10 days. "It was a routine drainage of a small amount of residual fluid that was simply the next step," team ophthalmologist Jay Schwartz said in a statement. (ESPN -- Basketball News)
Trials for 'bionic' eye implants Jul 11, 2009
Patients who tested less-advanced versions of the retinal implant were able to see light, shapes and movement ... 1: Camera on glasses views image 2: Signals are sent to hand-held device 3: Processed information is sent back to glasses and wirelessly transmitted to receiver under surface of eye 4: Receiver sends information to electrodes in retinal implant 5: Electrodes stimulate retina to send information to brain ... Retinal implants are able to partially restore the vision of people with... (Yahoo News -- Disabilities and the Disabled)
Suns' Stoudemire has routine procedure on eye Jul 11, 2009
The Suns said Friday the procedure was part of the recovery process from a Feb. 20 operation to repair a partially detached retina. Team ophthalmologist Dr. Jay Schwartz said in a statement that a small amount of residual fluid was removed and called the surgery "routine.". (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- NBA)
Improve Nearsightedness While Sleeping Jul 10, 2009
Nearsightedness, also called myopia, is caused by improper focus of light rays on the retina. Eyeglasses or regular contact lenses can be worn to correct the focus, or the cornea itself can be reshaped for proper focus by Lasik surgery. (Newsmax)
Retinal Detachment Jul 10, 2009
The proper functioning of the retina is important for good vision. The retina is the thin layer of tissue located on the back of the eyeball, which contains millions of light-sensitive cells called photoreceptors ... These retinal cells converts light into signals and transmit them to the brain through the optic nerve. (Suite101.com)
Sight-Saving Hope for Aging Eyes Jul 9, 2009
AMD, which is one of the most prevalent causes of blindness, is brought on by degeneration of an area about 5mm in diameter at the center of the retina ... The new laser technique is non-invasive, and works by revitalizing or energizing cells in a thin layer at the back of the eye behind the retina called Bruchs membrane ... The cells in this membrane provide the light-sensitive retina with nutrients, and also remove waste products. (Newsmax)
Tips will help you stay safe this summer Jul 9, 2009
Excessive ultraviolet exposure also can damage eyes the cornea, the lens and even the retina. How to avoid: Wear sunscreen as directed with an SPF of at least 15 to 30. (Winona Daily News, MN)
Tech Helps Curb Infant Blindness Jul 9, 2009
The tool provides high-resolution images of the retina that are transmitted electronically to Packard's central reading station where a specialist reviews the picture ... The ability to screen infants from a distance is an important development, said Dr. Antonio Capone, director of vitreoretinal fellowship training at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan ... To treat ROP doctors use laser or freezing techniques to destroy the periphery of the retina and halt the growth of abnormal... (Yahoo News -- Children's Health)
'Nature' And 'Nurture' Variables Early Predictors Of Age-related Macular Degeneration Jul 8, 2009
Macular degeneration, a condition that occurs in the retina and most affects an individuals' ability to drive and read, is being better diagnosed by. . (Science Daily)
Eye problem forces Karlsson out of British Open Jul 8, 2009
The 39-year-old, ranked 15th in the world and a nine-time winner on the European Tour, is suffering from a blister behind the retina and has not played since the European Open in May. The British Open runs from July 16-19. (ESPN -- Golf)
Lutein: An Essential Nutrient for E... Jul 7, 2009
Macular degeneration - the deterioration of the macula (a small yellowish central area of the retina - the membrane covering the back wall of the eyeball) - is the leading cause of blindness in persons over 60 years of age around the world ... Lutein (and its isomer - zeaxanthin) absorbs and filters blue light which is damaging to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) ... The Retinal Epithelium Pigment is the cell layer that nourishes the retinal cells. (Suite101.com)
Laser 'cure' for blindness tested Jul 7, 2009
Page last updated at 09:07 GMT, Monday, 6 July 2009 10:07 UK. A ground-breaking laser treatment could prevent millions of older people from going blind, experts believe. (BBC News -- Health)
American Dream deferred for some Atlantans Jul 4, 2009
A month later, his retina separated. He couldn t read for six weeks or drive for 12. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Business)
Natural Compound Stops Retinopathy, Study Suggests Jul 4, 2009
It is caused by changes in blood vessels of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye ... In other people, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina ... 18, 2008) Based on projected increases in the prevalence of diabetes, the number of people with diabetes-related retinal disease, with glaucoma and with cataracts is estimated to increase significantly by. (Science Daily)
Eye Damage In People With Type 1 Diabetes Significantly Slowed Jul 4, 2009
Renal and Retinal Effects of Enalapril and Losartan in Type 1 Diabetes ... 3, 2008) Many people who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes develop retinopathy, a serious disorder that damages the eye's retina, the area of the back of the eye where images are focused and relayed to the. (Science Daily)
Nadel struggling to work with one eye Jul 3, 2009
He is still recovering from not one but two surgeries to repair a detached retina in his right eye ... On Thursday morning, having broadcast 3,176 consecutive Rangers games, he was undergoing laser surgery to repair a detached retina. (MLB.com -- Texas Rangers)
Field sobriety test leaves man confused about his feelings Jul 1, 2009
He tells me to stand with my hands at my side and, with my eyes only, follow the tip of his uncapped black Papermate left and right, right and left until following it any further threatened to tear a retina. Up and down and my eye is drawn to the glow emanating from Denny s and a woman in a white shirt who had no idea her 10 p.m. Grand Slam breakfast would come with free entertainment. (Sierra Vista Herald, AZ)
Millwood primed to be in for finale Jul 1, 2009
Rangers broadcaster Eric Nadel is expected back at work on Wednesday after missing two games for more surgery on the retina in his right eye. Rangers outfielder Marlon Byrd is serving as the honorary chairman for this year's Baseball Equipment Drive. (MLB.com -- Texas Rangers)
Rangers prepare for AL West showdown Jun 29, 2009
Tidbits Rangers broadcaster Eric Nadel will miss Monday's game against the Angels because of a second surgery on his right eye to reinforce the retina attachment. He may miss Tuesday's game as well. (MLB.com -- Texas Rangers)
Melanopsin And Sleep Modulation: A Bright Future For Light Therapy? Jun 27, 2009
Firstly, visual information is mainly relayed by the retina cells known as rods and cones. Secondly, non visual information from light intensity is detected in the eye and transmitted to the brain, notably by melanopsin. (Science Daily)
OXiGENE Initiates Phase 2 Trial of ZYBRESTAT for Ophthalmology Jun 25, 2009
" Clinicians and other medical professionals who would like more information about this study may contact OXiGENE at 650-635-7000. About PCV The choroid is the vascular layer at the back of the eye that lies between the retina and the sclera. In patients with PCV, dense clusters of polyp-like vascular structures, or polypoids, can be observed on the choroid with ICG angiography. Studies suggest that these polypoids may exist in up to one-third of wet AMD patients. The vascular phenotype of these... (Primezone Releases)
ThromboGenics' Microplasmin Phase III Program Progressing According to Schedule Jun 25, 2009
Focal vitreomacular adhesion is a condition in which the vitreous gel, in the center of the eye, has an abnormally strong adhesion to the retina at the back of the eye. These adhesions can cause vessel and retinal distortion which results in deterioration in the patient's vision ... Microplasmin is also being evaluated in Phase II clinical development for additional vitreoretinal indications and as a potential therapy for stroke. (PR Newswire)
Migraines With Aura In Midlife Associated With Increased Prevalence Of Brain Lesions In Older Age Jun 25, 2009
(May 15, 2007) Middle-aged men and women with a history of migraine and other headaches are more likely to have retinopathy, damage to the retina of the eye which can lead to severe vision problems or blindness. . (Science Daily)
With disabilities no obstacle, school salutes its inspiration Jun 23, 2009
Henderson - who has retinitis pigmentosa, a gradual deterioration of the retina - started losing his peripheral vision when he was 12. He is now blind, although sometimes able to see shapes and bright colors. (Boston Globe)
Millions of Diabetics May Have Sleep Apnea Jun 20, 2009
But many patients with diabetes fail to have their annual eye exam and thorough check of their retina. In retrospect, I think my sister had sleep apnea for years before she was diagnosed and, finally, treated. (ABC News)
Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Protect Against Progression Of Age-related Macular Degeneration Jun 20, 2009
"Data from the present study also shows the supplements and omega-3 fatty acids collaborate with low-dietary glycemic index (dGI) diets against progression to advanced AMD," says corresponding author Chung-Jung Chiu, DDS, PhD, a scientist in the LNVR and an assistant professor at TUSM. "Our previous research suggests a low-GI diet may prevent AMD from progressing to the advanced stage. We hypothesize that the rapid rise of blood glucose initiated by high-GI foods results in cellular damage that... (Science Daily)
Carrots help boost vision Jun 19, 2009
AMD is an incurable eye disease which causes blurring of central vision because of its effects on the macula, the central part of the retina. To reach the conclusion, Professor Usha Chakravarthy, from the Queen's University Centre of Vision and Vascular Science, looked at nutritional supplements for patients with AMD and found they helped sharpen vision. (India Times, India)
New supplement may help slow sight loss in elderly Jun 19, 2009
AMD is an incurable eye disease which causes blurring of central vision because of its effects on the macula, the central part of the retina. Over 400 people across Ireland took part in clinical trials investigating whether carotenoids, rich antioxidants which are found in fruit and vegetables, could prevent progression to the more serious late AMD.. (EurekAlert!)
UPMC eye center studies 'seeing' Jun 19, 2009
" The center was formally renamed the Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration of UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh during yesterday's gathering at the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, when it was announced that Mr. Fox made a $3 million donation to the center, and UPMC matched the grant. The Fox Center is a joint program of the UPMC Eye Center and the McGowan Institute, in the Pittsburgh Technology Center off Second Avenue in Hazelwood. A Pennsylvania native, Pitt alumnus and... (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Breakthrough In Early Detection And Prevention Of Age-related Macular Degeneration Jun 17, 2009
The discovery -- made in mouse models and cultured human cells -- may also enable physicians to catch the disease in its earliest stages, before blood vessels have fully infiltrated and destroyed the central portion of the eye s retina -- an area known as the macula -- to cause vision loss ... An exciting implication of this study was that the CCR3 protein could be detected in early abnormal blood vessel growth, giving us the opportunity to prevent structural damage to the retina and preserve... (Science Daily)
5 things you should know about summer eye safety Jun 17, 2009
While unprotected UV exposure over short periods of time has been shown to only cause temporary eye irritation, small amounts of UV exposure to eyes over many years may increase chances of developing a cataract and may cause damage to the retina, which is usually irreversible. 2. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
More of this story Jun 16, 2009
The OCT machine is "the gold standard of retinal scanners," said Dr. Stanchfield ... It allows for early detection of diseases and can be used to monitor the damage done by glaucoma and other retinal diseases ... When the OCT takes a picture, it collects an image of the retina, which is the back of the eye. (Cut Bank Pioneer Press - Golden Triangle, MT)
Omega-3-Fatty Acids May Slow Macular Disease Jun 16, 2009
Age-related macular degeneration is an eye disorder that affects the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision, and is primarily seen in patients older than 60 years. The findings are based on an analysis of data from 2924 subjects who were enrolled in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) and were randomly assigned to receive one of four dietary supplement groups: placebo, antioxidants, zinc, or antioxidants plus zinc. (MEDLINEplus)
Herb feud spiced up by death threats Jun 16, 2009
Iridology, made popular in the United States in the 1950s by Dr. Bernard Jensen, centers on the iris, which controls the amount of light arriving at the retina and allows a person to see the past, present, and future state of a person's health, according to Creighton University School of Medicine's Web site. "It's not witchcraft like Vinnie says," Bolin said. (Daytona Beach News Journal)
Human Embryonic Stem Cells Could Safely Treat Eye Diseases, Research Suggests Jun 16, 2009
ScienceDaily (June 15, 2009) Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. and its collaborators at OHSU reported today the long-term safety and efficacy of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) produced under manufacturing conditions suitable for human clinical trials ... The research, which appears online ahead of print in the journal Stem Cells, shows long-term functional rescue using hESC-derived cells in both the RCS rat and Elov14 mouse, animal models of retinal... (Science Daily)