Articles tagged with Ophthalmology
Four young researchers under 45 received the 2009 ARVO-AFER/Merck Innovative Ophthalmology Research Award for their groundbreaking research on glaucoma and back-of-the-eye diseases. The award recognizes outstanding investigative work that could lead to meaningful improvements in patients' lives.
A large study found that glitazone diabetes drugs increase the risk of diabetic macular edema by 60%, a condition that can lead to progressive visual loss. The study's results suggest that ophthalmologists should consider the role of glitazones when treating patients with DME.
Researchers developed a test to detect early evidence of amblyopia in infants with hemangiomas of eyelids, which can lead to permanent reductions in vision. The 'sweep visual evoked potential vernier acuity' test identified abnormal brainwave responses in the eyes affected by hemangiomas.
The school has received a record-breaking $1 million grant, including three individual awards totaling up to $925,000. The grants will support research into age-related macular degeneration, rhodopsin structure and function, and the pathogenesis of cataract and diabetic retinopathy.
A new surgical implant called Retisert has been successfully tested at the University of Iowa to treat sympathetic ophthalmia, a rare eye condition that can lead to complete vision loss. The implant provides slow-release immunosuppression to the affected eye, reducing or eliminating the need for systemic medications.
A study found that nearly 1 in 5 children with sensorineural hearing loss also have ocular disorders. Genetic testing showed that GJB2 mutations are associated with hearing loss but not additional anomalies. Early diagnosis and treatment of eye problems can benefit these patients.
A study in the American Journal of Ophthalmology reports that paintball injuries can result in rupture of the eyeball, detached retina, and even enucleation. Eye protection can prevent nearly all injuries, with over 97% of cases avoided by proper use.
A study estimates that over 1 billion individuals worldwide had presbyopia in 2005, with the condition expected to increase to 1.8 billion by 2050. Most people affected live in developing countries, highlighting a need for accessible corrective glasses and vision care systems.
A vision screening law in Florida has been linked to lower death rates from car crashes among drivers aged 80 and older. The study found that the law, which required drivers over 80 to pass a vision test before renewing their license, resulted in a 17% decrease in fatality rates among this age group.
The ARVO Foundation and Merck are offering prestigious global ophthalmic research awards to young scientists aged 45 and under. The awards aim to encourage innovative research in critical areas of ophthalmology. A total of $70,000 in grants will be awarded annually for two categories: glaucoma and back-of-the-eye diseases.
A survey of 124 eye patients found that 76.6% identified as Christian, with 69.4% reporting prayer is very important to their sense of well-being. The study suggests acknowledging patients' spiritual beliefs can enhance the healing process and establish trust between patients and physicians.
A new study published in the Journal of Vision found that fixing a driver's gaze on specific targets along a curve results in smoother and more stable steering. Researchers believe this technique could inform the development of next-generation in-car driving assistance systems.
A new study offers hope for adults with untreated amblyopia, finding that the brain regions responsible for vision can adapt in adulthood. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) therapy has been shown to improve contrast sensitivity in patients' amblyopic eyes for at least 30 minutes.
A new experimental technique has yielded improved vision in patients with retinal degeneration, with seven of ten patients showing significant visual gains. The procedure involves transplanting fetal retinal cells along with their attached retinal pigment epithelium to replace damaged photoreceptor cells.
Patients with hemianopia benefit from prism glasses that expand their visual field, improving obstacle avoidance and daily mobility. A new study has shown significant benefits for patients wearing these glasses, with 47% reporting them as 'very helpful' after 12 months.
The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) will participate in a study with the US FDA to examine the impact of LASIK on patients' daily lives. The study aims to identify ways to enhance patient care, improve screening and counseling, and better understand quality of life.
A landmark study shows that corneas from older donors (up to 75 years old) are as successful for transplants after five years as those from younger donors. This finding allows for the expansion of the donor pool, addressing a shortage in the Dallas area.
Researchers found that people's brains interpret visual stimulation based on assumptions about their environment. In a study examining how the brain and eye work together, participants were shown a jumping target that appeared in different locations within concentric circles.
The latest advances in genetics and genomics hold great potential for improving prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of a wide range of diseases. Recent research has shed light on the genetic causes of conditions such as vitiligo, autoinflammatory diseases, and multiple sclerosis.
A study analyzed eyes of 2520 individuals, finding larger drusen and abnormal blood vessel growth more common in whites. Whites were also more likely to develop advanced AMD and geographic atrophy, with black individuals showing potential protection against AMD.
Scientists query FDA about updating requirements for drug approval, citing limitations of current endpoints and methods. Researchers suggest alternative endpoints using new ophthalmic technologies like optical coherence tomography.
A study of 196 high myopic eyes found LASIK to be a safe and effective procedure in the long term. The results showed that 40% of patients avoided wearing glasses after surgery, while only 5% lost more than 2 lines of vision.
The collaboration between ophthalmology and facial plastic surgery has led to fresh approaches in clinical problems, exemplified by well-designed clinical studies. Articles in this issue of Archives of Ophthalmology showcase new technology and precise measurements during eyelid surgery.
Papers published in this issue highlight the value of multidisciplinary collaboration, revealing treatments that spare patients' eyes during cancer treatment and develop new techniques to increase orbital volume. These advancements demonstrate enormous opportunities for knowledge advancement through specialty collaboration.
A study found that surgical confusions in eye surgery are rare but can be serious, with the majority of cases involving incorrect lens implants. The Universal Protocol can prevent most confusions, suggesting a rate of 69 errors per 1 million eye operations.
A computer-based method to evaluate the eye's ability to distinguish object details and shape in patients with AMD could provide a more accurate way to assess the effectiveness of eye surgery or vision rehabilitation interventions. The test might help detect early detection of AMD and estimate patient potential visual acuity.
A study published in Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision Science found that visual field loss is the primary component increasing the risk of falls in older adults. Mobility training may help reduce this risk by improving postural stability and mobility.
A study found that physicians trained to perform cataract surgery in rural China showed improved vision for over 85% of patients, with nearly 96% achieving good visual outcomes. However, only 35% of patients accepted glasses prescriptions and 48% opted for surgery on their second eye due to cost concerns.
A recent study published in Journal of Vision found that humans may not be more sensitive to biological motion compared to non-biological motion. The research, led by Dr. Eric Hiris, tested the effectiveness of masks and target sizes to determine detection performance, and concluded that humans do not exhibit enhanced sensitivity.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a new eye-staining technique using Lissamine green to detect early stages of dry eye syndrome. The test reveals staining patterns that indicate the severity and progression of the condition, allowing for earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment options.
Research found that glaucoma patients with fluctuating eye pressure have worse visual fields after three months and 13 years, highlighting the importance of reducing long-term IOP fluctuations. The study suggests that 'IOP modulation' rather than reduction is a more effective treatment approach for stabilizing vision.
Researchers warn of a rare but serious complication associated with eye tests in infants. Apraclonidine eyedrops used to diagnose Horner syndrome can lead to severe lethargy lasting up to 10 hours, requiring hospital admission and oxygen administration.
A study by researchers at UIC found a strong association between the use of contact lens solution AMO Complete MoisturePlus and Acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare severe eye infection. The study suggests that the solution's ability to kill Acanthamoeba is compromised, increasing the risk of infection.
The Dyson Foundation has awarded $5 million to support the development of a state-of-the-art eye care facility at Weill Cornell Medical College. The new floor is expected to open in spring 2008 and will provide advanced treatment options for patients, honoring Dr. Jackson Coleman's legacy.
Subconjunctival insulin delivery has been shown to treat degenerative and inflammatory responses in diabetic rat retinas. Low-dose periocular insulin delivery may also be a potential treatment for early diabetic retinopathy, according to researchers.
A recent study has found that children with amblyopia, also known as 'lazy eye,' exhibit poorer fine motor skills and lower perception of social acceptance. The research, led by Ann Louise Webber, used standardized tests to measure the children's motor skills and self-esteem. The results indicate that treating a child's eye condition m...
A recent study found that visually impaired individuals in Australia experience significant economic burdens due to the need for special equipment and personal care services. The study revealed median expenditures exceeding $12 million over 12 months, highlighting the importance of addressing these costs.
David F. Weeks receives the ARVO Kupfer Award for his contributions to eye research and leadership at Research to Prevent Blindness. The award recognizes his efforts to increase funding for the National Eye Institute, which has provided significant support for vision research over nearly 50 years.
A new study from the University of Illinois Chicago found that LASIK surgery is safe and effective for patients aged 40-69 years old, with reliable predictability of correction. The study also highlighted challenges faced by older adults, including difficulty with near vision after LASIK due to presbyopia.
Researchers found cases of MRSA infectious keratitis following refractive surgery in patients with no known exposure to healthcare facilities. Colonization of MRSA is common, especially among those exposed to healthcare settings.
Dr. Jayakrishna Ambati's research on macular degeneration has led to a breakthrough discovery that may help patients fight the condition. With a $750,000 grant, Ambati will develop a phase 1 clinical trial to test new therapies for age-related macular degeneration.
A study published in Journal of Vision found that people can accurately extract information from silhouetted face profiles about their front-view counterparts. The results showed a high classification accuracy for gender and age traits, with male silhouettes identified as male 83.3% of the time.
A study found that Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) significantly impacts daily activities such as reading, computer work, professional work, and watching TV. DES affects an estimated 4.8 million people in the US, with women more likely to be affected than men.
Researchers from top universities explore how crowding impacts visual recognition, finding that everyday surroundings are often crowded and unrecognizable. The study sheds light on the challenges of seeing in cluttered environments, highlighting the limitations of human vision.
The study assessed molecular testing's utility in caring for patients with genetic retinal diseases. Molecular testing confirmed a clinical diagnosis of hereditary disorders in 133 out of 266 diagnostic tests, while also identifying carrier status and ruling out familial mutations in asymptomatic individuals.
A new study found that 61% of chronic hepatitis C patients treated with Interferon developed asymptomatic retinopathy, including retinal hemorrhage and cotton-wool spots. The condition was associated with increased blood velocity and endothelial dysfunction, highlighting the importance of monitoring patients during treatment.
A study comparing LASIK and LASEK found no clinically significant differences between the two procedures. Both procedures were deemed safe, effective, and predictable for treating low to moderate myopia.
Testing preterm children's eyes at 2.5 years of age may help identify those who will develop vision problems by age 10. The study found that refractive errors, including astigmatism and anisometropia, were more common in preterm children than full-term children.
Researchers at Penn School of Medicine found that low-intensity laser treatment is ineffective in preventing complications of AMD or vision loss. Daily supplements of vitamins and minerals remain the only established way to decrease the risk of vision loss for people with large drusen.
A new survey found that Pakistani women are 30% more likely to be blind than men, with the highest incidence of blindness in regions like Punjab and Balochistan. The study also reveals lower utilization of eye care services as a contributing factor to this disparity.
Researchers created a new random-dot stereotest using a 3D display and infrared oculography to objectively assess stereopsis in children over three years old. The test's accuracy was found to be 95 percent, allowing for the study of stereovision development under natural conditions.
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 investigates nutrient-based factors influencing AMD progression. Dr. Yu-Guang He hopes the study will resolve the potential benefit of supplements for AMD, which affects nearly 7 million Americans.
A study by OHSU eye doctor William Mathers found a higher risk of suffering vision loss from contact lenses compared to laser vision correction surgery. This contradicts traditional assumptions that contact lenses are safer than laser surgery, highlighting the importance of proper care and cleaning.
Researchers gathered at the ARVO/Pfizer Ophthalmics Research Institute conference to discuss the current understanding of aqueous outflow pathways. The study aims to identify key unanswered research questions and explore new ideas for controlling high eye pressure in glaucoma patients.
A recent study published in Journal of Vision found that judging facial similarity in children can accurately estimate the probability that two children are close genetic relatives. Researchers used participants' ratings to transform into estimates of genetic relatedness.
Preterm infants with smaller occipital brain volumes are more likely to experience impaired visual function in early childhood. Thirty-five percent of the study infants had abnormal oculomotor control, including impaired saccades and binocular eye alignment, at two years of age.
Researchers have developed a device that combines a tiny camera, computer, and transparent display on glasses to improve the visual abilities of people with tunnel vision. The study shows significant improvements in object detection and reduced search time for patients.
Dr. Ambati, a University of Kentucky researcher, has received the prestigious 2006 Lew R. Wasserman Award for his work on age-related macular degeneration. The award comes with a $55,000 grant to support his research and will be used to hire additional staff.
A survey by ARVO found that the major factor limiting the use of human eye tissue is a lack of availability meeting stringent criteria. Researchers are exploring ways to manage the shortage, including working closely with eye banks and clarifying experimental needs.
Lloyd P. Aiello, MD, PhD, and Ashim K. Mitra, PhD, have been selected to receive the 2007 ARVO/Pfizer Ophthalmics Translational Research Award for their outstanding achievements in ophthalmology research.