Articles tagged with Eye Diseases
A study found that at least 25% of Eco-Challenge participants developed leptospirosis after returning home. The CDC reports that swimming in the river was the only independently significant risk factor for infection. Travelers should investigate location risks to minimize infectious disease exposure.
A new molecular diagnostics laboratory at Virginia Tech aims to investigate the genetic foundations of disease in horses and its implications for humans. The lab will focus on four major projects, including studying environmental toxins, COPD, osteoarthritis, and diabetes-related complications.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have shed light on the process of hereditary retinal degeneration, revealing that the death of rod cells ultimately leads to the demise of cone cells. This chain of events is an elegant demonstration of how the body compensates when one of its functions is compromised.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have discovered a gene responsible for hereditary benign intraepithelial dyskeratosis (HBID), a rare eye disease primarily among the Haliwa-Saponi tribe. The gene causes a 'founder's effect,' leading to abnormal growths on mucosal linings, affecting vision and bloodshot eyes.
Scientists have characterized gene mutations in families affected by pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), a rare disorder that can lead to progressive loss of vision, gastrointestinal bleeding, and cardiovascular disease. The study provides the basis for DNA-based carrier detection and prenatal testing.
Researchers have successfully transplanted neuronal stem cells into a diseased rat retina, which integrated into the eye and extended into the optic nerve. This breakthrough could lead to the development of a new therapy to restore vision in millions of people affected by retinal damage.
Researchers found that mutations in the ABCR gene cause a wide range of eye problems, including Stargardt disease and retinitis pigmentosa. The study suggests that a single therapy designed to replace ABCR activity could alleviate or prevent retinal degeneration.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a new mouse model that mimics symptoms of myotonic dystrophy, allowing for potential treatments to be tested. The mice provide insight into the disease-causing role of mRNA and its impact on muscle fibers.
Scientists at University of Illinois have developed a new PCR-based detection method for soybean fungus, detecting even minute traces of the disease-causing strain in soil and plant tissues. The method shows high sensitivity and accuracy, allowing for precise identification of the pathogen and its implications on crop yields.
Researchers report a case where cluster headache symptoms appeared without head pain, suggesting primary symptoms. The study follows a 22-year-old man who experienced nasal stuffiness and pupil contraction in his left eye daily for weeks, without pain.
Researchers at University of Toronto have identified a common principle underlying brain cell death in neurodegenerative disorders. They propose a 'one-hit' model, where cells die after a single catastrophic event, rather than gradual damage over time.
A new model for neuronal cell death in inherited neurodegenerative diseases proposes that mutant genes increase the risk of sudden programmed cell death. Researchers aim to target factors leading to increased neuronal death risk by identifying critical reactions, which could lead to effective treatments.
UC Davis researchers have successfully restored vision in 10 of 14 patients suffering from severe corneal damage, using a new technique to grow replacement cornea tissue in a laboratory dish. The treatment showed significant improvement in visual acuity, enabling patients to regain their independence.
A study by researchers at Johns Hopkins and two other academic medical centers found that large fluctuations in eye pressure during the day or over consecutive days are associated with greater risk of vision loss. Glaucoma patients who experienced low fluctuations in pressure had a lower risk of further vision loss compared to those wi...
Researchers have restored vision in a mouse model of Leber congenital amaurosis, a severe retinal degenerative disease. The treatment, which involves orally administering a chemical compound derived from vitamin A, has shown promising results in restoring visual function.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed an optical system that gives people unprecedented eyesight, improving even those with 20/20 vision. The technology, using adaptive optics, detects subtle visual distortions and corrects them for improved low-light conditions.
Researchers suggest using ultrasound and audible sound waves to measure eye fluid pressure. This could enable glaucoma patients to monitor changes in pressure, taking medication accordingly.
A Cornell University study reveals that a naturally occurring disease can regulate a wildlife population, with house finches experiencing a dramatic drop in numbers after an epidemic began. The research provides insight into the dynamics of other host/disease systems and has implications for understanding diseases like AIDS.
A study found that faucet handles and phone receivers are high-risk areas for transferring bacteria and viruses to hands and faces. This could lead to diseases like diarrhea and infection if proper hygiene is not practiced. The researchers also highlighted the potential for household items like sponges and telephones to spread infections.
Molecular geneticists have characterized gene mutations in families with pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), a rare inherited disorder that can lead to blindness, early heart attacks, and cardiovascular disease. The study provides the basis for DNA-based carrier detection, prenatal testing, and improved diagnosis of the condition.
A study presented at the American Academy of Neurology's annual meeting found that sudden falls among the elderly can be related to an overlooked inner ear disorder. Successful treatments are often available once the correct diagnosis is made, with excellent surgical success rates in older individuals.
Researchers at Schepens Eye Research Institute have found that the HMG I-C gene causes tumors called lipomas in fat tissue, which can become malignant. The study suggests targeting this molecule could be useful for treating obesity and lipoma-related cancers.
The FDA has approved Visudyne therapy for the treatment of wet form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness among people over 50. The therapy involves a two-step procedure that can be performed in a doctor's office, causing closure of abnormal blood vessels and potentially restoring central vision.
Glaucoma is now understood as a neurodegenerative disease affecting the entire visual system, including brain cells. Researchers found that forty percent of nerve cells in both eye and brain are destroyed by the disease.
A new cost analysis at Duke University Medical Center found that comprehensive heart failure teams can reduce healthcare costs by over one-third. By shifting care to outpatient visits, these teams improve the effective use of medications, particularly newer agents, leading to a 37% decrease in total treatment costs.
Patients with macular degeneration experienced improved moods and increased use of visual aids after completing a six-week behavioral self-management program. The program also boosted confidence in daily functioning and reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Researchers suggest that a significant majority of people with type 2 diabetes derive little additional benefit from annual eye screening. Instead, every other year or even every third year screening is nearly as beneficial and more cost-effective. This finding could lead to a shift in recommendations for optimal screening intervals.
Researchers have discovered a naturally occurring animal model of subretinal neovascularization, a component of age-related macular degeneration in humans. The Bst mouse develops abnormal blood vessel growth beneath the retina, similar to human ARMD, providing insights into disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
A recent study found that nearly one-third of patients with suspected stroke symptoms were not properly diagnosed or treated by their primary care physicians. The researchers emphasize the need for urgent evaluation and prevention measures to reduce stroke risk, as these early symptoms can predict future events.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins and CIBA Vision Corp. have identified a natural chemical substance responsible for blinding blood vessel growth in patients with diabetic retinopathy. The study found that blocking this substance can completely stop abnormal vessel growth, offering new potential treatments for the condition.
Researchers found that controlled amounts of supplemental oxygen do not worsen retinopathy of prematurity in premature infants. However, the study suggests that it may help prevent the disease's progression to severe stages, potentially reducing the need for invasive surgery and long-term side effects.
AIDS patients with CMV in their blood are at increased risk of death, a new study suggests. The study found that 90% of UNC's AIDS patients have CMV exposure, and those with detectable virus levels had an 11-fold increased risk of death.
Researchers successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of a new oral form of ganciclovir to treat CMV retinitis, a blinding disorder that affects AIDS patients. The experimental valganciclovir offers a simpler treatment option with fewer pills needed per day.
Researchers have discovered the cause of enhanced S-cone syndrome (ESCS), a disorder that affects sensitivity to blue light and development of night blindness. Mutations in the photoreceptor gene NR2E3 were found in 94% of DNA samples from ESCS-affected individuals.
Harvard Medical School scientists identify protein p25 as a possible trigger for Alzheimer's disease by turning brain enzyme cdk5 into a menace. The study supports one of two major hypotheses explaining the complex condition, offering a new handle on underlying molecular pathways.
African Americans with diabetes who receive health education messages are more likely to seek an eye exam, increasing the rates of dilated eye exams. Early detection and treatment can prevent vision loss in people with diabetes, with about 90% preserving their vision.
A long phone call led to a temporary vision loss and difficulty speaking in a French psychiatrist due to an unusually long styloid process. The patient's brain angiogram revealed a tear in the internal carotid artery, a common cause of strokes in young adults.
Researchers found that 70% of Southeastern adults with Lyme-like symptoms were not infected with the standard Borrelia burgdorferi strain. Instead, a genetically variant strain was detected, which may be more responsive to antibiotic therapy and less virulent than traditional Lyme disease.
Researchers found that highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) helped patients with CMV retinitis stop taking standard anti-CMV medications without progression. HAART also partially restored the immune system, allowing it to fight other serious infections.
Yale researchers have developed an improved ELISA test to detect ehrlichiosis, a newly discovered tick-borne disease. The new test is more reliable and efficient than the old one, allowing for better surveillance of the disease in affected areas.
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 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 that atovaquone was 100% effective in keeping volunteers bitten by mosquitoes carrying Plasmodium falciparum from developing the disease. Pairing atovaquone with proguanil, an older malaria-fighting drug, provides protection while avoiding drug resistance.
A team of researchers has identified a single gene that causes familial advanced sleep phase syndrome (FASPS), a rare sleep disorder. The study found that the disorder follows a simple Mendelian inheritance pattern, making it easier to find the responsible gene and potentially leading to new treatments for circadian rhythm disorders.
A new study found that treating entire communities with oral antibiotic azithromycin effectively controls an infection causing widespread eye disease. The treatment reduces the number of infections by up to 90% compared to topical therapy, offering a promising solution for controlling trachoma in endemic areas.
A protein called PEDF has been shown to halt excessive blood vessel growth in the eye, potentially treating diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. Researchers found that increasing PEDF levels could slow vision deterioration and prevent new vessels from overgrowing.
Researchers have identified the molecule transported by Rim protein in photoreceptor cells, a key factor in the development of Stargardt's disease and age-related macular degeneration. By understanding this process, scientists may be able to develop new treatments to slow or prevent the progression of these diseases.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered a natural compound called pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) that offers nearly complete protection against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). PEDF is a potent neurotrophic factor that may significantly protect spinal motor nerves against injury.
A new study at Ohio University found that growth hormone is important in the development of Type I diabetes-induced kidney damage. The researchers induced Type I diabetes in mice and found that those with disrupted growth hormone receptors did not develop diabetic kidney disease.
A five-year ONR-sponsored initiative aims to investigate optical properties of the shallow ocean floor to enhance remote sensing and underwater imaging capabilities. The experiment will aid in mine detection and provide high-resolution maps of coral reef ecosystems, enabling easier disease spotting.
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.
Dr. Stefan-M. Pulst will present five scientific sessions on spinocerebellar ataxia and a new brain tumor-discovery, expanding treatment options for neurodegenerative diseases. His team mapped a new gene SCA10 to chromosome 22, causing loss of gait and limb control.
Scientists have discovered a biochemical connection between presenilin and Notch, a protein controlling crucial aspects of developmental biology. This link may lead to new insights into the causes of Alzheimer's disease.
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.
Scientists used adaptive optics technology, originally developed for spy satellites, to map out the topography of the inner eye and take unprecedented photographs of retinas. The results show a random arrangement of cones, which could help diagnose and treat diseases like blindness.
A recent study examining 19,842 white male twins found that genetic factors do not play a significant role in causing the most common form of Parkinson's disease. Instead, undetermined environmental factors are believed to trigger typical PD, particularly among those diagnosed after age 50.
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.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown light-sensitive pigment in the eye, skin, and brain that regulates mammals' internal clocks. This discovery has significant implications for treating depression and reducing accidents during night work shifts, as it allows for better synchronization with daily cycles.