The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) recognizes outstanding researchers with its annual awards. Joseph R. Robinson receives the Distinguished Pharmaceutical Scientist Award for his work on controlled drug delivery and ocular drug disposition, while Charles Russell Middaugh wins the Research Achievement Award in ...
A Johns Hopkins-led study of over 600 patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) found that photodynamic therapy reduced vision loss risk by 67%, compared to 39% for those receiving a placebo. The treatment targets abnormal blood vessels and scar tissue, offering hope for slowing disease progression in selected patients.
A study of infants with dense cataracts found that visual stimulation, not brain development, is responsible for the five-fold visual improvement within six months of birth. Babies' vision improved rapidly after cataract removal and contact lens fitting, with some developing 20/20 vision.
A new device measures macular pigment to study its correlation with macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness. The portable device uses LEDs and takes about 10 minutes to measure a patient's macular pigment levels.
Researchers found aggressive cancer cells generate their own vascular networks, potentially changing how cancers are treated. The discovery may lead to new non-invasive imaging tests and targeted therapies.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have identified a potential new approach to treating glaucoma by inhibiting an enzyme that produces excessive nitric oxide, leading to cell damage. The study found that rats with elevated eye pressure lost less than 10% of their retinal ganglion cells when treated with the inhibitor.
Researchers found that oxygen supplementation can significantly reduce the effects of retinal detachment by protecting photoreceptor cells and limiting cell abnormality. This breakthrough suggests that ophthalmologists may want to consider providing oxygen therapy to patients diagnosed with retinal detachment while awaiting surgery.
Scientists have identified a drug that completely stops the growth of abnormal blood vessels on or beneath the retinas of laboratory mice, potentially preventing vision loss. The drug, PKC 412, has shown promising results in halting abnormal vessel growth by up to 100%, with no apparent adverse effects on normal blood vessels.
Researchers developed the Ocutech autofocus telescope, which enables people with macular degeneration to see clearly for the first time. The device has been praised for its comfort and convenience, allowing users to see blackboards, read signs, and watch birds without manual focus.
Children who slept with a night light on before age 2 are at significantly higher risk of developing myopia, with 34% affected compared to 10% who slept in darkness. Eliminating nighttime lighting exposure during early childhood may affect the development of this common form of refractive error.
A new mathematical model suggests that annual antibiotic treatments will not be enough to eradicate trachoma in areas with high incidence rates. The model predicts that these areas, which account for only 10% of total affected regions, will experience a higher rate of blindness due to reinfection.
The Merck Manual has been extensively revised to reflect ever-increasing medical knowledge, with new additions on topics like drug therapy for the elderly and chronic fatigue syndrome. The Centennial Edition is now nearly 3,000 pages, divided into 23 thumb-indexed sections, making it a vital necessity for today's clinicians.
Researchers at the University of Rochester discovered that Alzheimer's patients suffer from motion blindness, a condition where they struggle to interpret visual cues, leading to disorientation. This can be a significant factor in their daily lives, including driving and navigating familiar environments. The study's findings may lead t...
Researchers link Fas and FasL interaction to immune-privilege in the eye, affecting age-related macular degeneration. Deficiency of Fas or FasL leads to increased growth of new retinal vessels.
A new retinal birefringence scanner can measure eye fixation independent of head position, allowing doctors to diagnose amblyopia in young children. The device has the potential to revolutionize communication and daily living for people with disabilities.
Researchers at Emory University Health Sciences Center discovered that the visual experience of one eye influences the growth and quality of vision in the fellow eye. The study found that environmental factors play a significant role in eye development, suggesting a potential cure for myopia and related eye problems.
Researchers at Columbia University synthesized a derivative of vitamin A that accumulates with age in human eyes and may contribute to macular degeneration. The new synthesis allows for large-scale production of the compound, enabling further experiments to pinpoint its relationship with age-related changes in the retina.
Duke University chemists have developed novel liquid polymers that can be solidified by laser light to seal transplanted insulin-producing cells inside a selectively permeable capsule. The microcapsules reduce excessive blood sugar levels in experimental diabetic rats for up to eight days.
Researchers have designed a new genetic weapon called ribozymes to treat inherited human blindness by slowing the progression of retinitis pigmentosa. The treatment targets the autosomal-dominant form of the disease and has shown significant protection of eye cells in lab rats.
Researchers have successfully used gene therapy to slow down neurodegeneration in an animal model, offering hope for treatments of autosomal dominant disorders. The approach involves using ribozymes to destroy faulty messenger RNA, potentially treating conditions like Huntington's disease and ALS.
A Johns Hopkins study found that UV-B exposure from sunlight increases the risk of cortical cataracts in people of all ages and backgrounds. The researchers calculated a 10% increase in risk for every 0.01 'Maryland sun years' of exposure.
Researchers at Oregon Health Sciences University have identified a genetic cause for age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in the US. A large family study revealed a specific gene location on chromosome 1q25-q31, offering hope for future treatments and preventative measures.
Researchers have found that acyclovir significantly reduces the number of recurrences of ocular herpes disease, a condition affecting 400,000 Americans each year. The study identified patients who would benefit most from long-term acyclovir treatment and showed the drug has few side effects.
Researchers discovered a plant-like metabolic pathway essential for survival of certain parasites, including those causing malaria, toxoplasmosis, and cryptosporidiosis. The finding provides new targets for anti-parasitic medications, including the possibility of medicines related to herbicides.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have identified a protein that causes progressive retinal degeneration and functional blindness in children with Usher syndrome. Understanding the function of this protein may lead to new treatments for people with Usher syndrome and other types of retinal degeneration.
Researchers have created transgenic mice that can see over a range of about 360 nanometers, more than humans or old world primates. The mice will be used to investigate scientific questions related to the nervous system's adaptability and how neurons connect to new information.
University of Iowa researchers have shed light on the mysteries of metastasis by studying uveal melanoma, a potentially blinding and fatal form of cancer. They found that abnormal proteins respond to hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor, attracting blood vessels and causing cancer cells to spread.
Research suggests that REM sleep plays a crucial role in protecting the cornea from suffocation by circulating aqueous humor. This theory challenges the conventional view of REM as a dream-processing mechanism, proposing a new purpose for this stage of sleep.
A genetic map of dogs was constructed using 150 microsatellite markers, revealing the organization of genes and traits on the canine genome. The study has significant implications for understanding human diseases such as cancer, epilepsy, and bleeding disorders.
Researchers at Penn State are establishing a unique center for the development of ultrasonic transducer/array technology, improving diagnosis for medical conditions like cardiovascular disease and birth defects. The center will focus on developing high-frequency devices and using new materials to create better clinical images.
IntraLase Corporation will develop ultrafast ophthalmic lasers for refractive and other surgical procedures, enhancing eye care with precise technology. The company combines U-M intellectual property with Escalon Medical's patents to bring innovative laser solutions to the medical field.
Researchers found that combining ganciclovir eye implants with oral ganciclovir reduces the risk of new CMV disease, Kaposi's sarcoma, and extraocular complications in AIDS patients. The study also showed a delay in median survival time among those receiving combined therapy.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed an oral vaccine that may prevent rejection of corneal transplants. The vaccine involves feeding processed corneal cells from donor corneas to recipients over time, training their immune system to accept donated corneas without the need for powerful immunosuppressive drugs.
Researchers discovered a growth hormone antagonist that reduces eye disease by 33-44% in mice. The findings suggest the use of this antagonist or a drug inhibiting growth hormone release may help prevent retinal neovascularization and treat related eye diseases.
A new laser technique called photodynamic therapy appears to prevent further vision loss in people with the wet form of age-related macular degeneration. The treatment uses a red laser light to activate a toxic form of oxygen that stops abnormal blood vessel growth, potentially confining scar tissue and preventing vision loss.
Researchers have discovered a key role for the TIGR protein in non-hereditary forms of glaucoma, which may lead to novel diagnostic tools and treatments. The study found that exposure to steroid drugs or oxidative stress increased TIGR protein production, contributing to elevated intraocular pressure.
A groundbreaking study has identified a gene responsible for primary congenital glaucoma, a condition affecting 1 in 2,000 to 1 in 10,000 births. The discovery holds promise for early diagnosis and treatment, potentially preventing blindness, with the potential to be applied to adult-onset primary open angle glaucoma.
Researchers have found that cidofovir, a new antiviral drug, can slow the progression of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, a common cause of vision loss and blindness in AIDS patients. The study showed that both low and high doses of the drug were effective, allowing for less frequent treatment compared to traditional options.
The Ocutech VES AutoFocus Telescope is the world's first self-focusing telescopic glasses for the visually impaired, developed by Dr. Henry Greene and his team. The device can help several million people in the US alone, providing improved vision and recognition of faces and objects.
Scientists have developed a new vaccine that uses an anti-idiotype antibody to stimulate the immune system and prevent Chlamydia trachomatis infections, which affect 700 million people worldwide. The vaccine was effective in animal experiments and may be available for humans with further development.