One drug’s startling ability to restore retinal health in the eyes of diabetic mice has researchers wanting to learn more about how it works and whether it might do the same for people.
Author: ScienceDaily
Gene identified for spread of deadly melanoma
Researchers have identified a gene linked to the spread of melanoma of the eye. Although more research is needed, the researchers say the discovery is an important step in understanding why some tumors spread and others don’t. Metastasis is the most co…
Damage to prefrontal cortex compensated by intact areas; ‘Phantom’ images stored in flexible network throughout brain
The ability to store phantom images in our brain in order to make visual comparisons is impaired by damage to the prefrontal cortex, but intact regions of the PFC pick up the slack in less than a second. Damage to the basal ganglia, however, causes mor…
Multifocal contact lenses may reduce vision for night driving
A new study suggests that older adults who wear multifocal contact lenses to correct problems with near vision, a very common condition that increases with age, may have greater difficulty driving at night than their counterparts who wear glasses. Age-…
New retinal implant enables blind people to see shapes and objects
Researchers in Germany have developed a retinal implant that has allowed three blind people to see shapes and objects within days of the implant being installed. One blind person was even able to identify and find objects placed on a table in front of …
‘Gold standard’ tool cuts needless serious eye problem referrals
A tool, widely regarded as the “gold standard,” but often deemed to be too expensive, cuts needless referrals for suspected glaucoma, preliminary research indicates.
Blind people perceive touch faster than those with sight
People who are blind from birth are able to detect tactile information faster than people with normal vision, according to a new study.
Unexpected findings of lead exposure may lead to treating blindness
Some unexpected effects of lead exposure that may one day help prevent and reverse blindness have been uncovered. A new study suggests that lead, or a new drug that acts like lead, could transform human embryonic retinal stem cells into neurons that wo…
New vision correction options for baby boomers
Researchers have reported results of clinical research on new presbyopia treatments now available in Europe, and possibly available soon in the United States.
Cataract surgery saves lives, dollars by reducing auto crashes, research finds
Cataract surgery not only improves vision and quality of life for older people, but is also apparently a way to reduce the number of car crashes, according to new research.
Anorexia nervosa may cause potentially serious eye damage, study suggests
The eating disorder anorexia nervosa may cause potentially serious eye damage, a new study suggests.
Push and pull get eyes to work together
Researchers appear to have found a better way to correct sensory eye dominance, a condition in which an imbalance between the eyes compromises fine depth perception. The key is a push-pull training method in which the weak eye is made to work while vis…
iPhone images: Good enough for medical use?
Like the rest of society, medicine increasingly relies on digital systems and mobile devices to manage work flow and enhance communications. Eye M.D.s (ophthalmologists) routinely evaluate internet-transmitted images of patients’ eyes as part of diagno…
Seeking Genetics-Specific Treatments for Age-Related Macular Degeneration
In the past decade ophthalmologists gained a powerful tool to control vision-damaging “wet” age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD): anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) medications. Anti-VEGF drugs halt or even reverse damage in many…
Proven Arthritis Drug Shows Promise versus Dry AMD
While ophthalmologists can turn to several medications for patients with vision-threatening “wet” age-related macular degeneration (AMD), there are no effective treatments for advanced “dry” AMD, the more common form. Researchers report on a phase-two …
How the deaf have super vision: Cat study points to brain reorganization
Deaf or blind people often report enhanced abilities in their remaining senses, but up until now, no one has explained how that could be. Researchers have now discovered there is a causal link between enhanced visual abilities and reorganization of the…
Certain new therapies for age-related eye disease do not appear to increase heart risks
Newer treatments for age-related macular degeneration — including an intravitreous (into the eye) injection of a chemotherapy drug and use of a related compound approved for use against the eye disease — do not appear to be associated with an increas…
Treatment of retinal conditions appears to have changed significantly in previous decade
The number of Medicare recipients undergoing treatment for retinal conditions nearly doubled between 1997 and 2007, with significant shifts in the types of procedures most commonly performed, according to a new report.
People blind from birth use visual brain area to improve other senses: Can hear and feel with greater acuity
People who have been blind from birth make use of the visual parts of their brain to refine their sensation of sound and touch, according to an international team of researchers.
Blind inventors develop free software to enable the blind to use computers
Inventors have developed free, open-source software to enable blind people to use computers. For many blind people, computers are inaccessible. It can cost upwards of $1000 to purchase “screen reader” software, but two blind computer programmers have s…