7.4 million Ghanaians may go blind if... Oct 10, 2008
Currently, there are about 220,000 Ghanaians blinded through various other causes such as trachoma, onchocerciasis (river blindness) childhood blindness, refractive errors and low vision ... Dr Debrah who is also the National Coordinator of the Prevention Blindness programme, said cataract refractive errors which were treatable, formed 50 per cent of all cases of blindness in the country with trachoma accounting for 15 per cent. While these causes were preventable he said glaucoma, diabetic... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Ghana, a leader in glaucoma cases - GHS Oct 10, 2008
Glaucoma contributed 15 to 20 per cent; oncho and trachoma also contributing 5 per cent each; childhood blindness 5-10 per cent refractive errors and low vision five per cent and others 10-15 per cent.. Dr. Debrah attributed the causes of blindness in the country to dirty environment, consumption of dirty water and non-treatment of eye diseases in their early stages, adding that, all eye diseases were treatable with the exception of absolute glaucoma. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Trusted LASIK Surgeons Welcomes Leading LASIK Eye Surgery Expert, Inventor David Huang, M.D., Los Angeles, to Its Unique Lasik Directory Service Sep 12, 2008
We are able to treat a wide range of refractive errors, including myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), presbyopia, astigmatism and keratoconus. The Doheny Laser Vision Center offers access to outstanding doctors who are faculty members of the University of Southern California. (Yahoo News -- Press Releases)
English Health-care System Failing To Provide Basic Care, Shows Major Survey Aug 17, 2008
12, 2008) About half of US adults age 20 and older have refractive errors, or eye problems that result in less than 20/20 vision, according to a report in the August issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, one of. (Aug. (Science Daily)
Myopia slowed by outdoors Aug 13, 2008
Accurate measurement of refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism) was conducted using an international standard regime of eye drops, similar to that adopted in recent WHO sponsored studies. Dr Kathryn Rose of the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, said: "Our results show that the protective effect of time spent outdoors persists even if a child is doing a lot of near work such as reading and studying. "Television watching and using computers appears to have little... (ScienceAlert)
Refractive Errors Affect Vision For Half Of American Adults Aug 13, 2008
12, 2008) About half of U.S. adults age 20 and older have refractive errors, or eye problems that result in less than 20/20 vision, according to a report in the August issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. See also. (Science Daily)
Refractive Errors Significantly Affect Adults In United States Aug 13, 2008
These refractive errors account for nearly 80% of vision impairment in residents older than 12 in the United States ... When analyzing ethnicity, Mexican-Americans were less likely to have refractive errors than non-Hispanic whites or non-Hispanic blacks. (Medical News Today)
Myopia in children Aug 4, 2008
Technology may be good a thing but it might not portend well for our childrens eyesight (The Star Online, Malaysia)
One million Nigerians blind, says govt survey Jul 28, 2008
He said the survey used the latest ophthalmic equipment and methods, including automated measurement of refractive errors, screening for visual field defects and digital imaging of the back of the eye ... More than half (57 per cent) of them could have their vision improved by a simple pair of glasses (refractive errors) while another quarter would not have a problem with their sight if they had a cataract operation. (Guardian News, Nigeria)
LASIK surgery: Say goodbye to your glasses Jun 18, 2008
LASIK, the acronym for "laser in-situ keratomileusis", is a type of refractive surgery that has become the most popular procedure performed today for correcting refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Its success is largely attributed to its safety, efficacy, rapid visual recovery and minimal discomfort to patients. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Features)
Strong Evidence For A Genetic Marker For Nearsightedness Jun 4, 2008
3, 2008) Research by Gu Zhu, M.D., and colleagues supports the theory that the refractive errors known as nearsightedness and farsightedness are primarily inherited. The group also identified the probable location---on the long arm of chromosome 5---of genes that help determine axial length, a key factor in these refractive errors. (Science Daily)
Free eye screening for Pramso residents Mar 29, 2008
She said it also served as an avenue to sensitize the public on common eye diseases as cataract, allergy, glaucoma, refractive errors, cornea ulcer among others. Rev Owusu-Frimpong said out of the 70 people screened, five were referred to the Hospital while the remaining were given anti-biotics. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Weak eyes, strong eyes Dec 19, 2007
"The progression of refractive errors, whether myopia (nearsightedness) in a teenager or loss of reading vision in a middle-aged individual (presbyopia), occurs at its own tempo and quite independent of any glasses that happen to be worn in front of the eyes," D'Amico said. "This is a very common misconception, and also the cause of unnecessary suffering." Correctly prescribed lenses are safer, D'Amico pointed out. (International Herald Tribune -- Health)
For your eyes only Oct 14, 2007
And for another 150 million people who are visually impaired due to uncorrected refractive errors. Whats more, without proper intervention, the number of people who are blind is likely to increase to 75 million by 2020, as per the World Health organisation (WHO). (Economic Times)
Right to Sight World Sight Day Oct 11, 2007
Refractive errors account for about 5 million blind people ... Vision 2020 is involved in providing low cost options to correct refractive errors especially in underprivileged areas. (MedIndia)
Robert Chappell, President, World Council of Optometry Oct 7, 2007
Refractive errors, mainly presbyopia, contact lenses, low vision aids and vision therapies and supporting role in glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy are some of the areas where the role of optometrists can be crucial. Increased use of computers and excessive TV viewing are posing serious and new threats in the form of computer vision syndrome. (India Times)
A Global Coalition of Good Sep 8, 2007
"We examined 4,600 people and documented their visual status, refractive errors and any pathology or disease," he wrote. "We gave spectacles to all who needed glasses and gave away 500 pairs of reading glasses. My retinal partner and I performed 159 cataract surgeries. All of the patients were seen one week postoperatively. There were no infections or serious complications.". (Time.com)
Bausch & Lomb Launches the Stellaris(TM) Vision Enhancement System in Europe at ESCRS 2007 Sep 7, 2007
" In addition to the Stellaris system, Bausch & Lomb is showcasing new advancements in refractive surgery during ESCRS 2007, including: Zyoptix ACE Advanced Control Eyetracking technology. Zyoptix ACE is designed to further improve the accuracy and predictability of refractive surgery outcomes by dynamically compensating for intraoperative cyclotorsion (eye rotation). Zyoptix XP Epi Separator. This forthcoming epithelial separation technology for the Zyoptix XP microkeratome platform will... (BusinessWire)
Local Lions Club goes on health mission to Belize Aug 31, 2007
The World Health Organization estimates that 153 million people have uncorrected refractive errors in their vision. It is estimated that Lions clubs collect more than 20 million pairs each year, one of their more popular activities. (Carlisle Sentinel, PA)
Workers' Vision Woes Cost Employers Billions Jun 28, 2007
The report found that an estimated 11 million Americans have uncorrected vision problems such as refractive errors (near- or far-sightedness), glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. "I see patients everyday with vision problems that could impact their work performance if not corrected," said ophthalmologist Dr. Elaine G. Hathaway in a prepared statement. (MEDLINEplus)
Eyesight organization ramps up call for action May 8, 2007
There are an additional 150 million people with uncorrected refractive errors (more commonly known as near-sightedness, far-sightedness and astigmatism). Most of these people - many of them children -live in the poorest areas of the world and have nothing in the way of a social safety net. (Canada Newswire)
The Evolution of LASIK Opens Door for Patients With Vision Problems Jan 23, 2007
Lasik and the second-most popular procedure - PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy - are designed to correct three refractive errors: nearsightedness; farsightedness; and astigmatism, a visual distortion that causes blurred vision. KATHERINE FREY/THE WASHINGTON POST After having elective LASIK surgery in both eyes, Alice Corbett no longer needs glasses for distance, though she still uses them for reading. (The Ledger)
