StemCell Therapy

Inherited retinal diseases marketis expected to gain market growth in the forecast period of 2020 to 2027. Data Bridge Market Research analyses the market to account to an annual growth rate of 4.40% in the above-mentioned forecast period.

Based on type, inherited retinal diseases market is segmented into leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), retinitis pigmentosa, choroideremia, stargardts disease, and achromatopsia.

Inherited retinal diseases market has also been segmented based on treatment type such as gene therapy treatment, and symptomatic treatment.On the basis of distribution channel, the inherited retinal diseases market is segmented into hospital pharmacies, and retail pharmacies.

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Global Inherited Retinal Diseases Market Drivers:

he growing awareness amongst the physicians and patients regarding the benefits associated with the usage of inherited retinal diseases has been directly impacting the growth of inherited retinal diseases market.

The swelling prevalence of the acquired retinal disorders is foreseen to push the growth of inherited retinal diseases treatment market. Expanding knowledge and treatment-seeking flow is anticipated to feed the germination of the inherited retinal diseases therapy business. Emphasizing knowledge of the inherited retinal disease surgery options and analysis of the condition is moreover awaited to magnify the growth of the inherited retinal disease surgery market.

The production businesses in the inherited retinal diseases market is moreover concentrating on the gene mutation-specific way for developing innovative outputs which is anticipated to accelerate the growth of inherited retinal diseases market. Numerous companies are contracting in collaborations, businesses to perform clinical experiments to promote acquired retinal disorder medication alternatives more efficiently. These certain mentioned factors are expected to drive the market growth in the forecasted period of 2020 to 2027.

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Table of Contents:

1 Introduction

2 Research Methodologies

3 Executive Summary

4 Premium Insights

5 Market Overview

6 Industry Trends

7 Compliance in Inherited Retinal Diseases Market

8 Inherited Retinal Diseases Market, By Service

9 Inherited Retinal Diseases Market, By Deployment Type

10 Inherited Retinal Diseases Market, By Organization Size

11 Inherited Retinal Diseases Market Analyses, By Vertical

12 Geographic Analyses

13 Competitive Landscapes

14 Detailed Company Profiles

15 Related Reports

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An absolute way to forecast what future holds is to comprehend the trend today!Data Bridge set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Data bridge is an aftermath of sheer wisdom and experience which was formulated and framed in the year 2015 in Pune. We ponder into the heterogeneous markets in accord with our clients needs and scoop out the best possible solutions and detailed information about the market trends. Data Bridge delve into the markets across Asia, North America, South America, Africa to name few.Data Bridge adepts in creating satisfied clients who reckon upon our services and rely on our hard work with certitude. We are content with our glorious 99.9 % client satisfying rate.

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Global Inherited Retinal Diseases Market Is Growing In Huge Demand In 2020 ||Invitae Corporation., The Choroideremia Research Foundation Inc, American...

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According to a new market report published by Persistence Market Research Global Market Study on Ophthalmic Devices: Asia to Witness Highest Growth by 2020, the global ophthalmic devices market was valued at USD 29,171.5 million in 2014 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2014 to 2020, to reach an estimated value of USD 42,685.1 million in 2020.

Globally, the ophthalmic devices market is witnessing significant growth due to increasing prevalence of eye disorders, such as diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. In addition, growing global aging population, increasing government initiatives towards healthcare infrastructure in developing countries, and increasing incidence of lifestyle-associated diseases are also driving the growth of the market.

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Some of the major players in the global ophthalmic devices market:

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However, lack of awareness among people about eye disorders, poor primary healthcare infrastructure, and lack of insurance in developing countries hamper growth of the global ophthalmic devices market. In addition, eye diseases in children are also increasing due to the general lack of awareness.

The global ophthalmic devices market is anticipated to grow from an estimated USD 29,171.5 million in 2014 to USD 42,685.1 million in 2020 at a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period.

Age-related eye diseases, such as glaucoma, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration, are the leading causes of visual impairment and blindness in North America. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, approximately 22 million Americans aged 40 and above were affected by cataract and 2.3 million Americans were affected by glaucoma in 2011.

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In Europe, increasing prevalence of chronic eye diseases among the rising aging population is becoming a challenge for the European healthcare system. In France, the number of age-related macular degeneration cases was 0.3 million in 2000 and it is anticipated to increase by 0.5 million in 2020.

However, glaucoma, cataract, and diabetic retinopathy are the major causes of blindness in Asia. Cataract can be held responsible for 50% to 80% of all cases of blindness in Southeast Asia. The prevalence of age-related macular degeneration is also increasing in Asia due to increase in life expectancy and rising incidence of diabetes among the younger population. As per the Centre for Eye Research Australia, prevalence of diabetic retinopathy among people ranged between 17% and 22% in India and 43.1% in rural China in 2012.

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Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.

To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.

Our client success stories feature a range of clients from Fortune 500 companies to fast-growing startups. PMRs collaborative environment is committed to building industry-specific solutions by transforming data from multiple streams into a strategic asset.

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The Ophthalmic Devices Market To Revive The Growth Indices, Reach US$ 42.68 Bn - Eurowire

Dennis Kigen has a flock of 148 birds of mixed ages in his farm in Kiserian. He got the stock to start his farm from this home village early last year. Last week, he started observing dark pimples on the unfeathered parts of the body of the eight-week-oldchicks and yellow lesions in the mouth and blindness among the growers which are about 4 months old. He has never had his flock vaccinated. He was worried about this condition and called me.

I visited the farm last weekend. From the vaccination history and the presenting clinical signs it was clear that his flock had developed Fowl pox.

Lets discuss this peculiar disease.

Fowl pox is a disease that occurs worldwide. All species of birds are affected. All ages are affected as well.

It is caused by Avian pox viruses which are single, linear double stranded DNA viruses. The virus comes from the same family as the viruses that cause sheep, goat and cow pox.

The effects of the disease;

Its incubation is from 4-10 days. There are two forms of the disease- cutaneous dry and diphtheritic or wet. Both may present in the same flock. The dry form is manifest as pimples or scabs on the skin (mainly on unfeathered parts of the body). The diphtheritic form shows cankers or yellow lesions in the mouth, esophagus or trachea. Other symptoms include blindness, feed refusal, lowered egg production, facial swelling.

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How does this disease spread?

The disease is transmitted through mosquito bites and mechanical transmission of virus to injured skin or eye are common routes of viral spread. Wild birds are a reservoir for the viruses.

What are the presenting clinical signs?

Incubation period is from 4-10 days. They are two forms of the disease; the cutaneous or dry and the diphtheritic or wet. Both may be present in the same flock or animals.

The dry form shows as a pimple or scab on skin mainly comb, wattles, eyelids and other unfeathered portions of the body.

The wet-mucous form shows diphtheritic, cankers or yellow lesions in mouth, esophagus or trachea. Eye involvement (blindness), off feed, lower egg production, facial swelling and an increase in culls can be seen.

The disease has a high morbidity rate and a low mortality rate. This means that it spreads to many birds in the farm but very few die if any.

What are the postmortem lesions?

Cankers or false membranes in mouth (wet) are seen as slightly elevated white opaque nodules. Nodules increase in size and coalesce to yellow, cheesy, and necrotic membranes.

Grey or black papular eruptions on unfeathered portions of skin (dry). Head, face, and feet are most commonly affected, but may spread to feathered portions of the body.

How to treat & control Fowl pox?

Being a viral disease, it has no specific treatment.

However, at the advice of the attending Vet, antibiotics may be administered to counter secondary infections. The withdrawal period for eggs and meat must be observed. Administration of multivitamins help to restore immunity and hasten recovery.

What are the preventive measures?

Vaccinate chicks when they are 8 10 weeks by wing web puncture method. The vaccination regime against all the other poultry diseases as well as deworming should be strictly adhered to.

After administration, vaccines take at least 2 weeks to take good protective effect. Do not use antibiotics and other drugs such as dewormers together with vaccines. They may interfere with the protective effects of the vaccine.

By adopting proper vaccination regimes, youll save your farm from losses accruing due to loss of production, Vet fees for treatment, culling and massive deaths.

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How to prevent Fowl pox from affecting your flock of birds - The Standard

In a paper published today in the journal Cell, scientists describe unexpected, undesirable outcomes after editing genes in human embryos with CRISPR, a genomic editing system.

The study, the most detailed analysis to date of CRISPR in human embryos, shows that applying gene editing technologyto repair a blindness-causing gene early in the development of a human embryo often eliminates an entire chromosome or a large section of it.

"Our study shows that CRISPR/Cas9 is not yet ready for clinical use to correct mutations at this stage of human development, says the studys senior author Dieter Egli, assistant professor of developmental cell biology in the Department of Pediatrics at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.

The genome editing system called CRISPR/Cas9 has revolutionized molecular biology in recent years, and its discoverers were honored with this year's Nobel Prize in chemistry. The system allows scientists to make precise changes in the genomes of cultured cells, living tissues, and animal embryos.

The first use of CRISPR in human embryos was reported in 2015. Then in 2018, He Jiankui claimed to have performed the procedure in a pair of twin embryos, eliciting a firestorm of condemnation from scientists and government officials worldwide.

In the new paper, Egli and his colleagues tested CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing's effects on early-stage human embryos carrying a mutation in a gene called EYS (eyes shut homolog), which causes hereditary blindness.

We know from previous studies in differentiated human cells and in mice that a break in the DNA results in mostly two outcomes: precise repair or small local changes. At the EYS gene, these changes can yield a functional gene, though it is not a perfect repair, says Michael Zuccaro, a research scientist at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and co-lead author of the paper.

When Zuccaro, Egli, and their colleagues looked at the entire genomes of the modified embryos in this study, they identified another outcome. We learned that in human embryonic cells, a single break in the DNA can result in a third outcomethe loss of an entire chromosome or sometimes a large segment of that chromosome, and this loss of the chromosome is very frequent, says Zuccaro.

In 2017, a study reported the successful correction of a heart disease-causing mutation in normal human embryos using CRISPR. Comprehensive data from the new study offer a different interpretation of these results: Instead of being corrected, the chromosome carrying the mutation may have been lost altogether.

"If our results had been known two years ago, I doubt that anyone would have gone ahead with an attempt to use CRISPR to edit a gene in a human embryo in the clinic," Egli says.Our hope is that these cautionary findings should discourage premature clinical application of this important technologybut can also guide responsible research to achieve its ultimate safe and effective use.

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Study Identifies Pitfall for Correcting Mutations in Human Embryos with CRISPR - Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Monday, 2 November 2020, 10:20 amPress Release: Macular Degeneration New Zealand

49% of New Zealanders do not know anything aboutmacular degeneration which puts them at risk of missingkey signs in their own eye health

Thecondition is the most common cause of blindness but someforms are treatable if caught intime

Today marks the start of MacularDegeneration Awareness Week 2-9 November which aims toeducate New Zealanders about the simple steps they can taketo protect their vision

Its a conditionthat affects 1 in 7 New Zealanders aged 50+, rising to aquarter of those aged over 80, yet awareness of maculardegeneration is low, with almost half (49%) revealing theydo not know anything about the condition.

This is aproblem as early detection and treatment can reduceavoidable vision loss for the 1,500,000 New Zealanders atrisk.

The macula is the central part of the retina atthe back of the eye. The retina processes vision, andmacular degeneration causes progressive macula damage,leading to issues such as a loss of reading, recognisingfaces, and being able to drive. There are two types ofmacular degeneration, dry and wet. Dry macular degenerationresults in gradual loss of central vision. Wet maculardegeneration is characterised by a sudden loss of visioncaused by abnormal blood vessels growing under the retina.Immediate medical treatment of wet macular degeneration isessential for saving sight.

During awareness week acampaign by the charity to highlight what New Zealandersrisk losing if they dont take their eye health seriously,will feature on billboards across Auckland, Hamilton,Wellington and Christchurch. The posters show beautifulviews of New Zealand, obscured by a dark blur to show whatthe same vista might look like to someone suffering frommacular degeneration.

Phillippa Pitcher, GeneralManager at Macular Degeneration NZ says, Sadly maculardegeneration is not uncommon and the risks increase as weage. It is important that all New Zealanders aged 40+ gettheir eyes checked regularly but also crucially know thesigns to look out for so they can monitor their own eyehealth and get any abnormalities checked out quickly. Wehope that by raising awareness of the condition and thesigns to look out for we avoid future cases of needlessvision loss. Early detection and prompt treatment savessight.

Key signs to look out for when monitoringyour own eye health include;

Asimple test, available via the MDNZ website and youroptometrist, can lead to early diagnosis and treatment ofmacular degeneration, the most common cause ofblindness.

Visit http://www.mdnz.org.nz to findout more about macular degeneration including tips forstaying healthy and signs to look out for as well as eventstaking place during Macular Degeneration Awareness Week 2020 2-9 November.

Case studies are available onrequest.

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Raising Awareness For Macular Degeneration, The Condition That Affects 1 In 7 Aged 50+ - Scoop.co.nz

By Christa Poggemiller| The Hawk Eye

Its hard to believe eight months have passed since we first starting hearing about COVID-19 and at least seven months since the first lockdowns.

Probably like a good majority of our neighbors, we have all grown tired of being cooped up, tired of having to worry about where you can safely go, or just plain worried about contracting COVID.

Over the past few months, I have written several articles to highlight what we can do to stay safe and prevent further COVID-19 community spread. I am not going to focus this article on COVID-19 anymore than to remind everyone, it is normal to have COVID fatigue and not feel motivated to follow the health strategies or even consider not following the recommendations when you are contacted by local health departments.

But the most important thing we can do for ourselves, our families and neighbors is to follow those isolation recommendations. Close contacts (those within six feet for a duration of 15-minutes) to a positive COVID case can become symptomatic and COVID positive literally at any time during their 14-day isolation. Once this person is positive, anyone they came in contact with during the 48-hours prior to having symptoms or a positive test will need to quarantine, and those people also could develop the virus, which means now they have exposed more families and people in the community.

Our current community 14-day rolling percentage has gone up significantly over the past few weeks. I am encouraging everyone to do their part to bring those numbers back down by following isolation recommendations and continuing to follow the guidelines: social distance, good handwashing and stay home when your sick.

Together, we will get through this.

During COVID-19, some of the other important health promotion activities or your routine health visits may gotten missed. Things like annual check-ups, childrens immunizations or flu shots may have gotten postponed and still havent been done. Now may be a good time to reach out to your health care provider or local health department and get those caught up. Maintaining good health, managing chronic diseases and early diagnosis is especially important to overall wellness.

Of those chronic diseases, diabetes is one that affected about 34.2 million Americans, or about 10.5% of the population, in 2018. According to American Diabetes Association, each year about 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes, and another 7.3 million people go undiagnosed.

November is raising awareness about diabetes month. So, what is diabetes? Diabetes is a disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. If you have diabetes, your body either doesnt make enough insulin or cant use the insulin it makes as well as it should. When there isnt enough insulin or cells stop responding to insulin, too much blood sugar stays in your bloodstream, which can cause serious health problems over time.

Ninety-five percent of people with diabetes have Type 2. Common symptoms of Type 2 diabetes can include: excessive thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, fatigue and unexpected weight loss. Its untreated Type 2 diabetes can lead to blindness, heart attack, kidney failure, stroke or loss of toes, feet or legs.

What can you do about it?

You dont have to make big changes to prevent or delay diabetes.

Before beginning any exercise or weight-loss program consult your healthcare provider. For more information visit: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/

Christa Poggemiller is director of Des Moines County Public Health.

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In the Public Health: Don't let pandemic fatigue get the better of you - Burlington Hawk Eye

There are numerous eye-infections caused by various viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi that can invade the human body, and also have the potential of attacking the surface or interior of the eye. Eye infections can be the inflammation of the Conjunctiva (Conjunctivitis), eyelid (blepharitis), the cornea (keratitis), the liquid inside the eye (vitritis), the retina and the blood vessels that feed it (chorioretinitis), optic nerve (neuroretinitis) and others. The most commonly seen eye infection is conjunctivitis, caused by adenovirus, other cause of conjunctivitis is bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus which is common in children. Symptoms of eye infections may include redness, itching, swelling, photosentivity, tears, swollen eyelid & involuntary blinking discharge, pain, or problems with vision. Whereas many eye infections have potential to cause significant damage to retina, formation of scars and ulcers in the cornea ultimately damaging the vision of an individual temporarily or permanently. Treatment depends on the cause of the infection and may include compresses, eye drops, creams, or oral antibiotics therapy. Eye infections treatment market includes the medicines used in treating eye infections. Eye infection can be treated by analyzing the cause of infecting agent and treating the cause as per required. For example bacterial infections are treated through antibiotics eye drop or ointments. Fungal infection as against is resolved on their own or by prescribing anti-fungal eye drops.

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Eye Infections Treatment Market: Drivers & Restraints

Eye infections treatment market is growing, this is attributed to aging population, rising prevalence of ophthalmic diseases, increasing company investments for launching new product forms, health conscious population, free eye check-up camps funded by the government in the different regions. Secondly rising awareness regarding various eye infections and rising prevalence of blindness amongst the geriatric population driving the growth of eye infection treatment market. However stringent government regulations in various drugs development procedures and the side effects associated with various antibiotics would impede the adoption of eye infection pharmaceutical treatment, thereby, hamper the market growth.

Eye Infections Treatment Market: Segmentation

This market is segmented on the basis of product type, distribution channel and drug class

Segmentation based on product type

Segmentation based on distribution channel

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Eye Infections Treatment Market: Overview

There are different OTC as well as prescription based drugs available in the market to treat eye infection including artificial tear drops, ointments, eye wash, hyper osmotic, scrub, decongestants, and antihistamines, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral. Some of the important and widely used drugs in ocular infections include Fluoroquinolones, Aminoglycosides, Macrolides and Others.

Eye Infections TreatmentMarket: Region-wise Outlook

Globally, the eye infections treatment market is expected to witness healthy growth in the near future due to increasing awareness about eye care, global aging population and the rise in per capita expenditure on healthcare in the developing nations. North America region dominate the eye infection treatment followed by Europe owing to technological advancement and more number of market players in these regions. Asia-Pacific market is expected to register fastest growth owing to the rise in geriatric population and also the rise in prevalence of blindness in geriatric population.

Eye Infections Treatment Market: Key Players

Some of the key market players in global Point of care test market are Allergan Inc., Alcon Laboratories Inc., Johnson & Johnson Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., Novartis, Santen Pharmaceuticals, Valeant Pharmaceuticals Inc., Bayer, GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi-Aventis and Bausch & Lomb, Inc.,

The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to categories such as market segments, geographies, types, technology and applications.

The report covers exhaustive analysis on:

Regional analysis includes

The report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, inputs from industry experts and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macro-economic indicators and governing factors along with market attractiveness as per segments. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and geographies.

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Sales of Eye Infections Treatment to Decelerate in 2020 as COVID-19 Pandemic Takes its Toll on Global Market - PRnews Leader

By FELICITY DARVILLE

As October comes to an end, I wanted to recognise a group that deserves just as much attention as other NGOs celebrating important causes this month.

The Bahamas Alliance for the Blind and Visually Impaired (BABVI) recognises October as Blindness Awareness Month. This year, BABVI celebrates 30 years in existence and 23 years as a legal entity for the blind in The Bahamas.

The fact that members of the alliance are blind or visually impaired have not stopped them from being active this month despite the restrictions of the pandemic.

In fact, members have been more active on social media than ever before. This was in keeping with this years theme: Our Vision Still Strong; Pandemic or Not!

BABVI president Ken Rolle said the organisation launched an aggressive campaign via social media platforms centred on eye care tips, breaking barriers in blindness, and living with blindness.

There were also media house interviews, talk show appearances and presentations to civic organisations via Zoom. Since Ken has been president, he has brought a lot of young people to the alliance and they, in turn, have been using their social media platforms to promote their cause.

They celebrated World Sight Day on Thursday, October 8, and International White Cane Day on October 15, pushing the message to friends, family members and followers to get their eyes tested and be conscious of the needs of blind and visually impaired people like them.

The month of celebrations culminated last night with the Vision 2020 Virtual Summit which featured presentations from BABVI members along with representatives from the Caribbean Council for the Blind; Disability Affairs Division; Department of Social Services; The Eye Care Services Department of Public Health and The Erin H Gilmour School for the Blind.

The Alliance remains the trailblazers in the country sensitising the general public on the importance of eye protection, sight preservation and blindness prevention, Ken said.

Additionally, the organisation is still focused on its mission and goals as outlined in the Constitution, employing members to remain vocal, advocating for the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of the blind in the Bahamian society.

This years Blindness Awareness Month highlights included three BABVI members: Jermaine Clarke, Rickia Pratt and Akemi Kenaz Thompson.

Jermaine Clarke is a husband and father of three. He has been blind for over 25 years. Despite this challenge, Jermaine is independent and is a daily provider for his family. He has been employed at the Salvation Armys mop factory for years now.

But thats not all Jermaine is a lumberjack. He is skilled at what he does and because of it, members of his community know who to call after a hurricane to help with clean up, or just to cut down overgrown trees in their yard.

For people without any disabilities, holding down two jobs is quite a feat. But being a lumberjack and a factory worker only scratches the surface of what this talented man can do. Jermaine also has skills in plumbing as well as auto mechanics.

So, his community members, family and friends call on him for all sorts of odd jobs. When he isnt getting his hands dirty and earning money, Jermaine turns to something he loves music.

His passion for music has blossomed into another career. Jermaine is a DJ who specialises in events like birthdays and weddings.

Challenge me to do something and I will find a way to do it, he said.

Anything to feed my family.

Ken called his BABVI colleague a great supporter of all of the organisations initiatives, and a true model of a man who is blind.

The spotlight is also on Rickia Pratt for Blindness Awareness month. Rickia has been visually impaired all her life. She attended the Salvation Army School for the Blind, where she graduated with 6 BJCs and 6 BGCSEs.

At the age of ten, Rickia developed a love for foreign languages. That love blossomed as she pursued tertiary education. She attended Eastern Washington University and successfully pursued a degree in foreign languages.

When Rickia returned home, her skills were put to good use. She made history by being the only person with disability to be accepted into the Ministry of Tourisms Foreign Language Cadet Programme in 2008. She was afforded the opportunity to attend a summer-abroad programme in Costa Rica, one of many places she has travelled to perfect the Spanish language.

Rickia is a seasoned liturgical dancer. She has been dancing from she was eight years old. Today, Rickia is an activist for local people with disabilities. Her personal motto is: All things are possible with hard work and determination.

The youngest to be highlighted this month is Akemi Kenaz Thompson. She is one of the bright stars at the Erin H Gilmour School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Now in her late teens, Akemi was diagnosed at birth with a condition called Hydrocephalus, which is a build-up of fluid within the cavities of the brain. Treatment was administered; however, by sixth grade, Akemis condition took a turn for the worse, leaving her with chronic visual impairment, mostly in her right eye.

Despite this, Akemi still continues to thrive and blossom, obtaining four BJCs due to her hard work and dedication to her studies.

She is now attending classes at RM Bailey Senior High School on a quest to obtain her BGCSEs, with a focus on English Language. Akemi has learned to navigate independently with low vision using the white cane, an essential tool for blind and visually impaired people all around the world.

A white cane primarily allows its user to scan their surroundings for obstacles or orientation marks. As an onlooker, it is important to take notice when you see the white cane, so that you can identify the user as blind or visually impaired and take appropriate care. This becomes very important when you are a motorist and someone is using the white cane and crossing the street, for example. For BABVI, white cane also symbolises self-reliance and accomplishment.

Akemi has a love for reading, traveling and experiencing new cultures. One day, she hopes to be a college graduate and she aspires to become an author. She is confident she can achieve her goals because of her strong support system her parents and three brothers.

Congratulations goes out to the Alliance as it celebrates another milestone in the organisations life, Ken said in an address to his members.

Remain resilient, press on towards your goals, persevere in these unprecedented times despite the emergency orders. As our theme suggests let your vision remain strong, pandemic or not!

For donations to help the causes of the blind and visually impaired, or for general information, BABVI can be contacted through the Disability Affairs Division, telephone 325-2252 or email babvi.101@gmail.com.

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FACE TO FACE: Shining a light on those living with blindness - Bahamas Tribune

There are many different types of retinal diseases, but almost all of them lead to damage of the retinal and vision loss. The retinal is a thin layer of tissue on the inside back wall of your eye, which contains millions of light-sensitive cells and nerve cells that receive and send visual information to the brain through the optic nerve. This is what enables you to see. If there are any problems with the retina, available treatment options will stop the progress of the disease and preserve and restore vision. But this is not always successful. Also Read - Working from home? You may be at risk of developing computer vision syndrome

Now researchers have uncovered a potential new strategy for treating eye diseases that affect millions of people around the world, often resulting in blindness. Many serious eye diseases including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and related disorders of the retina feature abnormal overgrowth of new retinal blood vessel branches, which can lead to progressive loss of vision. Its a phenomenon called neovascularization. Also Read - 5 everyday bad habits that are hurting your eyes

For the past decade and a half, eye doctors have been treating these conditions with drugs that block a protein, VEGF, thats responsible for spurring new vessel growth. Such drugs have improved the treatment of these conditions, but dont always work well and have potential safety issues. The current study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, showed that a new approach that doesnt target VEGF directly is highly effective in mice and has broader benefits than a standard VEGF-blocking treatment. Also Read - Dont rub your itchy eyes: Try these effective home remedies instead

Researchers from Scripps Research Institute in the US were thrilled to see how well this worked in the animal model. There really is a need for another way to treat patients who do not respond well to anti-VEGF treatments, they say. For the findings, the research team conducted tests in a mouse model of retinal hypoxia and neovascularization, using a fragment of CITED2 that contains its functional, hypoxic-response-blocking elements. They showed that when a solution of the CITED2 fragment was injected into the eye, it lowered the activity of genes that are normally switched on by HIF-1a in retinal cells, and significantly reduced neovascularization. Moreover, it did so while preserving, or allowing to re-grow, the healthy capillaries in the retina that would otherwise have been destroyed researchers call it vaso-obliteration in this model of retinal disease.

In the same mouse model, the researchers tested a drug called aflibercept, a standard anti-VEGF treatment. It helped reduce neovascularization but did not prevent the destruction of retinal capillaries. However, reducing the dose of aflibercept and combining it with the CITED2 fragment yielded better results than either alone, strongly reducing neovascularization while preserving and restoring retinal capillaries. CITED2s ability to combine these two benefits appears to represent a key advance, the researchers concluded. The researchers now hope to develop the CITED2-based treatment further, with the ultimate goal of testing it in human clinical trials.

(With inputs from IANS)

Published : October 28, 2020 10:31 pm | Updated:October 29, 2020 9:28 am

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Retinal diseases often lead to blindness, but a new treatment shows promise - TheHealthSite

Glaucoma is an eye condition that can cause damage to the optic nerve. This nerve is essential for your eye health. If it becomes damaged, it can cause permanent vision loss and, in some cases, it may even lead to blindness.

Glaucoma is typically caused by high pressure inside your eyes. However, diabetes can also be a risk factor for glaucoma.

In this article, well take a closer look at the link between diabetes and glaucoma, and the steps you can take to help protect your eye health.

Your eyes continuously produce a clear fluid known as the aqueous humor that fills the inside of your eye. New fluid constantly replaces the older fluid, which leaves your eye through a meshwork drainage field and channels.

If something obstructs this drainage mechanism, the natural pressure inside your eye known as your intraocular pressure (IOP) can increase. If your IOP increases too much, it can damage the fibers of your optic nerve.

As damage to this nerve progresses, you may begin losing sight in your eye, especially in your peripheral vision.

There are two primary types of glaucoma: open-angle and closed-angle.

According to a 2017 study, diabetes may raise your risk of open-angle glaucoma by approximately 36 percent. Closed-angle glaucoma does not seem to have a known connection with diabetes.

Diabetic retinopathy, which is a complication of diabetes and the most common form of diabetic eye disease, can increase your risk of glaucoma.

Diabetic retinopathy usually affects people who have had diabetes for a long time. The risk of this condition increases with:

With diabetic retinopathy, changes in your glucose levels can cause the blood vessels in your retina to weaken and become damaged. This can eventually lead to glaucoma.

The leading theory is that when the blood vessels in your retina become damaged, it can cause abnormal blood vessels to grow in your eye, known as neurovascular glaucoma. These blood vessels can block your eyes natural drainage system. When this happens, it can cause your eye pressure to increase, which can lead to glaucoma.

Another theory as to how diabetic retinopathy increases the risk of glaucoma points to high blood sugar as the direct cause. According to this theory, high blood sugar can cause an increase in a specific glycoprotein, called fibronectin, to form in your eye. Having more fibronectin in your eye may block your eyes natural drainage system, which can lead to glaucoma.

Glaucoma typically doesnt have any symptoms, especially in the early stages. Because glaucoma causes gradual changes in your vision, you might not notice any symptoms until its more advanced. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to severe vision loss or blindness.

If you do have symptoms of glaucoma, the symptoms will vary depending on the type of glaucoma and how advanced the disease is.

Symptoms may include:

This type of glaucoma is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment. Symptoms may include:

Symptoms may include:

Because glaucoma often doesnt have symptoms in the early stages, its important to get regular eye exams. This is especially important if you have any risk factors, including diabetes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people with diabetes should get a dilated eye exam every year. Having your eyes dilated can help your eye doctor to more easily check for optic nerve damage or other issues.

During your eye exam, your doctor will also measure the pressure in your eyes. Depending on your risk, you might need other tests, such as checking for areas of vision loss, measuring the thickness of your cornea, and looking at the angle at which your eye drains fluid.

If you receive a glaucoma diagnosis, prescription eye drops are usually the first treatment option.

If the eye drops dont help reduce the pressure buildup in your eye, your doctor may suggest medication or surgery.

Surgery options for glaucoma include:

Depending on your diabetes management and other risk factors, you may be at a higher risk of developing other eye issues, too.

Short-term spikes in your blood sugar, which can happen when youre changing your treatment, can cause swelling or high fluid levels in your eye. This can cause temporary blurry vision. This will likely go away once your blood sugar stabilizes.

Long-term elevated blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in your eye and lead to conditions, such as:

If you have diabetes, its very important to protect your eye health, as well as your general health. To lower your risk of glaucoma and other eye issues with diabetes, be sure to:

Diabetes can increase your risk of several eye diseases, including glaucoma.

Diabetic retinopathy, which is a complication of diabetes, can result in damage to the blood vessels in your retina. This can cause abnormal blood vessels to grow in your eye, which can block your eyes natural drainage system and eventually lead to glaucoma.

Because glaucoma often has no symptoms, especially in the early stages, its important to get annual eye exams if you have diabetes.

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Glaucoma and Diabetes: Is There a Connection? - Healthline

A new Christchurch art exhibition will give people with blindness or low vision the chance to experience the work with a number of pieces that you can 'touch' and 'feel'.

The Touching Sight exhibition showcases new work by three contemporary Christchurch artists.

"Each of the artists who've contributed to Touching Sight work in different mediums, and we've brought them together for a playful exhibition that celebrates different ways of making and seeing art," said art gallery curator Melanie Oliver.

Being unable to see doesn't need to be a barrier to appreciating visual art, the exhibition includes some works that people can touch and feel.

Photographer Conor Clarke (Ngi Tahu) has worked with participants from the blind and low vision community to make a series of large, touchable photographs that represent landscapes described as they remember them.

Emma Fitts has made brightly coloured, voluminous sculptural textiles, inspired by the form, colour and composition of twentieth-century paintings.

Oliver Perkins's paintings are the result of restless experimentation in the studio.

These works challenge our contemporary understanding of abstraction and how it can represent or reflect our experience.

"We have a reference room at the heart of Touching Sight that includes audio descriptions of each work. They don't describe things in the way a sighted person would, but in a way that would let someone with low vision understand and appreciate them.

"We've tried to talk about things like colour for someone who may never have actually seen one before how do you do that? We've brought in the other senses as much as we can, things like texture and feeling," Oliver said.

"And the title of the exhibition also comes into play, because some of the artworks have been specially crafted so that visitors can touch them and experience art in a way that people don't often get to."

Touching Sight runs from October 31 2020 to February 21 2021 at Christchurch Art Gallery.

There will also be an artist floortalk, where visitors can join the three artists and curator Melanie Oliver for a conversation about their projects.

Touching Sight is one of several exhibitions in the Gallery's All Art All Summer season, designed to make everyone feel welcome this summer.

The season will launch officially on 5 December 2020.

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New Christchurch Art Gallery exhibition aims to include those with blindness or low vision - New Zealand Herald

Newswise Mass Eye and Ear is proud to announce the successful conclusion of its historic campaign, Bold Science. Life-Changing Cures. which raised $252M from philanthropy to advance research to treat and cure diseases of vision, hearing, and the head and neck.

The campaign was led by co-chair Wyc Grousbeck, Boston Celtics CEO and Lead Owner and former Chairman of Mass Eye and Ear. Grousbeck was elected Chairman of the Foundation and Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear in 2010, and stepped down from the position earlier this year. He will continue to serve as a trustee and contribute to advancing Mass Eye and Ears mission, with a lasting legacy that includes two endowed chairs and a gene therapy research center he and his family established.

The campaigns finale culminated in a virtual celebration as part of the hospitals annual Sense-ation! Gala on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at 7:30 PM EST. This years gala was held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and was hosted by longtime Mass Eye and Ear friends, Billy Costa, (Co-Host of KISS 108s Matty in the Morning and NESNs Dining Playbook) and founding gala chair Joey McIntrye (New Kids on the Block).

[Watch the entire 11th Annual Sense-ation Gala!]

Bold Science. Life-Changing Cures. Ends with Enduring Legacy

The Bold Science. Life-Changing Cures. campaign was launched with the goal of expediting cures for blindness, deafness and diseases of the head and neck by investing in three key areas: people, programs and places (our facilities). Through this campaign, the generosity of donors and organizations infused significant financial resources into Mass Eye and Ears cutting-edge research programs, and supported the facilities needed by the leading physicians and scientists in Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery to conduct their world-class work.

The campaign resulted in a powerful and far-reaching impact on research at Mass Eye and Ear by faculty, including:

Additionally, new Research Centers were launched in gene therapy, tinnitus, and head and neck cancer and two world-class surgical training laboratories were built.

The campaign also will leave a lasting legacy of fourteen endowed Chairs for leading physicians and scientists that will remain for generations. The endowment of a Chair provides financial support for researchers, allowing them to focus on their efforts to develop treatments and cures.

Wyc Grousbeck Honored for Dedication to Mass Eye and Ear During 10 years as Chairman

Grousbeck, who served as Board Chairman at Mass Eye and Ear for the past decade, was honored at this years Sense-ation! Gala for his many contributions. During his tenure, he led the organization through remarkable growth, both clinically and as a world-renowned research center. Mass Eye and Ear surgical volume doubled and the number of clinical locations grew from 9 to 21 throughout the region. Grousbecks leadership played critical roles in two highly successful mergers: Schepens Eye Research Institute joining Mass Eye and Ear in 2012 and Mass Eye and Ear joining Mass General Brigham (formerly Partners HealthCare) in 2018. He also initiated and served as co-chair of the Bold Science. Life-Changing Cures. campaign.

Wycs leadership during the campaign has been nothing short of magnificent; he has showed us anything is possible, said John Fernandez, President of Mass Eye and Ear. When we first reached our $100M goal in the campaign, Wyc called on us to double that amount by 2020. With Wycs guidance, we were able to exceed that ambitious goal by more than $50M by the campaigns end.

Grousbeck first became involved with Mass Eye and Ear because his family has been touched by blindness, and since then, they have been devoted to research and educational initiatives relating to blindness and other vision-related conditions for many years.

Grousbeck and his familys philanthropic support established the Grousbeck Center for Gene Therapy at Mass Eye and Ear as well as the Grousbeck Family Chair in Gene Therapy, held by Luk H. Vandenberghe, PhD. Additionally, Wyc and his wife, Emilia Fazzalari, funded the Fazzalari-Grousbeck Chair in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery held by Tessa Hadlock, MD. Most recently, they seeded Dr. Vandenberghes work to develop an experimental and novel genetic vaccine for COVID-19.

Grousbeck was a driving force around establishing the first Sense-ation Gala 11 years ago, which brought celebrities, musicians, philanthropists, and scientists together to help raise funds for Mass Eye and Ear research and patient care. The gala to date has raised more than $12M for the Mass Eye and Ear Curing Kids Fund.

About Mass Eye and Ear

Massachusetts Eye and Ear, founded in 1824, is an international center for treatment and research and a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. A member ofMass General Brigham, Mass Eye and Ear specializes in ophthalmology (eye care) and otolaryngologyhead and neck surgery (ear, nose and throat care). Mass Eye and Ear clinicians provide care ranging from the routine to the very complex. Also home to the world's largest community of hearing and vision researchers, Mass Eye and Ear scientists are driven by a mission to discover the basic biology underlying conditions affecting the eyes, ears, nose, throat, head and neck and to develop new treatments and cures. In the 20202021 Best Hospitals Survey,U.S. News & World Reportranked Mass Eye and Ear #4 in the nation for eye care and #6 for ear, nose and throat care.For more information about life-changing care and research at Mass Eye and Ear, visit our blog,Focus, and follow us onInstagram,TwitterandFacebook.

Originally posted here:
Mass Eye and Ear Capital Campaign Concludes with $252 Million Raised to Advance Research and Patient Care - Newswise

By Carmen Heredia Rodriguez, Kaiser Health News

Norma Crosby remembers when she relied on blind faith to cast her vote.

The 64-year-old Texan was born virtually without sight, a side effect of her mother catching rubella while pregnant with her. Friends and relatives stood beside her and filled out her ballot at polling precincts for more than half of her voting life. Then, accessible voting machines rolled out around the year 2000, enabling her to vote in person on her own.

Now, the COVID-19 pandemic makes going to the polls a risky proposition for Crosby. She also has a condition called sarcoidosis that requires her to take immunosuppressant drugs, she said. However, the state does not have a mail-in voting system that accommodates Crosbys visual impairment.

It communicates to me that Im not valued as much as other citizens, said Crosby, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Texas, that Im a second-class citizen.

A projected 7 million Americans who are eligible to vote in the presidential election live with visual impairments, according to researchers from Rutgers university. For those, like Crosby, who also deal with illnesses that place them at a higher risk of falling seriously ill with COVID-19, voting this year will be especially difficult.

The pandemic exposed glaring holes in absentee and mail-in voting systems around the nation. In some jurisdictions, voters who have whats known as print disabilities conditions that make it difficult to process printed content, such as blindness, low vision or learning or physical disabilities could not cast a ballot remotely without asking for help, thereby compromising their privacy.

Outcry and lawsuits from disability advocates prompted at least 11 states to update their mail-in and absentee ballot systems in an attempt to accommodate these voters. Some changes enable voters to use text-reading software with their ballots and submit them online through a secure portal.

However, some states have been slow to address these needs. In Iowa, voters cannot vote confidentially using the mail-in system because the state requires the use of paper ballots. Texas residents like Crosby must find someone to fill out their ballot and mail it in or take it to the sole drop box in the county all during a pandemic that has required people to physically distance themselves to stay safe.

We should not have to choose, said Chris Danielsen, director of public relations for the National Federation of the Blind, between endangering our health and going to the polls in person, or not voting at all.

Several federal laws affirm the right of all people, regardless of disability, to vote in an accessible manner. The Americans with Disabilities Act, passed in 1990, requires state and local governments to make the voting process user-friendly to voters of various abilities. This includes providing accessible parking spaces and placing voting machines where people using wheelchairs have enough space to move and at a height reachable by all.

In 2002, Congress passed the Help America Vote Act. The law built on the previous legislation by requiring every polling place to have at least one voting machine available during federal elections that accommodates a range of disabilities. These gadgets vary in features by manufacturer, but they can include touch screens, buttons labeled in Braille and audio capabilities. Voters using them must have the same privacy and independence enjoyed by people who dont have such challenges.

However, states largely retained the power to decide how to comply with these federal mandates, said Lisa Schur, co-director of the Program for Disability Research at Rutgers. The result, she said, is an uneven patchwork that voters with disabilities must navigate.

With COVID-19 creating a reason to avoid in-person voting, some states, such as Texas, still failed to take steps to make it possible for a voter with visual or print impairments to fill out a mail-in ballot without assistance. The state government is also embroiled in a lawsuit regarding its decision to limit ballot drop-off boxes to one per county.

Harris County, where Houston is located, covers more than 1,700 square miles and is home to 4.7 million people. The distance becomes an added hardship for voters who opted to vote remotely and would prefer to drop off their ballot to make sure it is counted.

The state declined to comment due to the pending litigation.

Iowa also has fallen short in making systemic changes to improve access, according to disability advocates. Like Texas, the state provides only paper ballots for voters wishing to vote absentee.

Scott Van Gorp, president of the National Federation of the Blind in Iowa, said he initially felt resigned to his lack of privacy when he started voting. He was born three months early, leaving him with little more than light perception for sight. As a college student in the 1990s, Van Gorp rallied his friends to help him cast his vote.

I kept thinking, Thats not a secret ballot. Why?

In a written statement, a spokesperson for the Iowa secretary of state said it has made efforts to even the field by creating a large-print voter registration form and how-to videos on using accessible voting machines at polling locations. It cannot unilaterally make a change to improve accessibility without legislative approval, he added.

Election officials in several other states, though, including the battlegrounds of Nevada, Pennsylvania and Michigan, adopted changes this year to their mail-in ballot systems to accommodate people with visual disabilities.

In Maine, voters with impairments can request, fill out and submit their votes electronically through a new online platform. The ballots are compatible with various types of screen-reader software and will be counted through the same system used for absentee and overseas military voters.

This option became available in early October after the state was notified of confidentiality issues with paper ballots and sued by disability advocates.

Kristen Muszynski, a spokesperson for Maines secretary of state office, said some of the plaintiffs named in the lawsuit helped test the system. Litigation is now on hold, she said, and she is hopeful the new voting option will help resolve some of the issues.

Were hopeful that the word is starting to get out, Muszynski said.

A few jurisdictions around the nation offer Braille ballots. However, said Douglas Kruse, co-director of the Program for Disability Research at Rutgers, voters may still need someone to help them fill one out and submit it. These ballots would also need to be counted separately, compromising the voters privacy.

One of the few states that have not needed to make drastic changes to accommodate voters with disabilities during the pandemic is Oregon, where mail-in ballots have been the primary form of voting for years.

Voters with disabilities can access and fill out ballots electronically using assistive technology like screen readers and sip-and-puff systems through which a person with limited mobility controls the device using their breath and a straw to vote. Then, the ballots must be mailed in.

Sean Carlson, 42, president of the Portland Central Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind, said he has never encountered issues while voting in his home state. He and his colleagues are focused on bringing awareness to the importance of having a say in our democracy, he said.

It should not be that if someone has a disability that they should be locked out of that process.

For now, Norma Crosby, who lives outside Houston, plans to vote in person, and she will need to bring a sighted friend to make sure she maintains social distance. After all, she cant see whether other people are wearing masks.

Kaiser Health News (KHN) is a national health policy news service. It is an editorially independent program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.

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Election Ballots Aren't Accessible to People With Low Vision - The Mighty

There are cases for re-electing President Trump that make sense in their own terms. If your top priorities are tax cuts, immigration restriction, or conservative judges, for example, Trump has proven a remarkably reliable vehicle for achieving those ends. Other cases reflect a willful blindness to reality. Far from draining the swamp, for example, Trump has turned himself into the capital's premier swamp-dweller.

But most voters in the middle care about practical results, and from health care to infrastructure to trade, Trump's efforts have been largely feckless and incompetent. Even discounting the glaring failure of his response to COVID-19, an area where plenty of peer countries have not exactly covered themselves with glory, the administration has a very thin record of accomplishment to run on.

There's one area, though, where Trump can argue he has genuinely distinguished himself from prior administrations, Democratic and Republican, in a way that should matter deeply to the American people. Trump ran in both the primaries and the general election as the man who would keep America out of unnecessary wars and who would end the ones we were in. He hasn't ended any of our wars yet, but Trump is in fact the first president since Jimmy Carter not to have sent American troops into a new conflict.

So it's at least worth hearing out the idea: Is Trump the peace candidate?

The claim, made most prominently by Modern Age editor and The Week contributor Daniel McCarthy, rests on three arguments. First, as noted, Trump did not involve America in any new conflicts. For a normal nation, this would not be an extraordinary accomplishment but for America, it might be. Military intervention has long-since become a way of life in American foreign policy. Even Barack Obama, who was elected on a promise not to get involved in "stupid wars," was convinced to intervene in Libya, with catastrophic results, and it was only at the last moment that he pulled back from a comparable effort in Syria. By contrast, Trump, while he appointed super-hawks like Mike Pompeo and John Bolton to be his advisors, declined to be talked into war with Iran. Shouldn't he get credit for that?

Second, while Trump is the last person anyone would call diplomatic, he has been a promiscuous globe-trotter in search of peace deals. He long advocated a rapprochement with Russia, initiated personal diplomacy with North Korea for the first time at the presidential level, and, most notably, facilitated peace agreements between Israel and three Arab states the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Sudan with the potential for more to come. If this is not the record of a peace-maker, what is it?

The third argument is the most important, because it speaks to overall philosophy, not generally considered this president's strong point. But if Trump has a theory of the world, it is that you should make deals that benefit yourself. Applied to foreign policy, this suggests the goal of American foreign policy should not be to improve other countries or to advance some values we hold dear, but to get the best possible deals for America. So if, for example, we can woo North Korea away from confrontation (and out of a pro-Chinese alignment) by soft-pedaling concerns about human rights or missile development, why not do it?

Is that peace? If so, Trump has a case. But I don't think it's peace.

For one thing, while it's true that Trump did not start a war with Iran, he did take a high-risk gamble in assassinating terrorist mastermind General Qassem Soleimani, and the fact that the gamble has so far paid off doesn't invalidate how risky it was at the time, nor the fact that, in that instance, he did listen to his extremely hawkish advisors. Moreover, Trump pulled out of the nuclear deal that was one of Obama's notable accomplishments, which has, predictably, led Iran to move further toward nuclear potential while shredding any American diplomatic leverage. While Trump has not started any new wars, one of his first acts was to dramatically escalate America's involvement in Saudi Arabia's near-genocidal war in Yemen, a war so unpopular that he had to veto a bi-partisan war-powers resolution to keep fighting. Meanwhile, from North Korea to China to Venezuela, Trump has been as promiscuous with his threats as he has been with his praise of foreign dictators. If he has rarely backed those threats up with military action, that is not a sign of a dove but of a paper tiger.

As for diplomacy, while Trump has claimed to want better relations with Russia, it's hard to discern any actual improvement there. Instead, America has torn up arms agreements with Russia in the hopes of adding China to them, a gambit which failed, leaving the future of New Start in serious question. The same can be said about North Korea, where Trump's bold diplomatic opening has led nowhere. Chalk these failures up to conflict between Trump and his subordinates, or to Russian and North Korean determination to pursue their own interests, or what have you regardless, a stated eagerness for better relations is not the same thing as achieving them, and the achievement is what's lacking.

The only area where Trump can legitimately point to peacemaking is between Israel and some of its erstwhile adversaries. But it's important to understand what underwrites this peace. In the case of the Gulf States, it was mutual fear of Iran stoked by Obama's nuclear deal that led to a behind-the-scenes working relationship with Israel. And what made it possible to bring that relationship into the open is the weakness of the Palestinian position, and their consequent inability to shape events in the Arab world. Trump surely revealed that weakness by moving the American embassy to Jerusalem, so the world could see that nothing much happened in consequence. If he contributed beyond this, it was by being prepared to ask less than most American presidents would of either party, and to offer more. How is that "America First?"

Which leads me to my largest objection to the characterization of Trump as the peace candidate. It's not just that Trump hasn't actually reduced America's military commitments, or ended any of our ongoing conflicts, or improved American relations with any other powers. It's not just that his idea of a good deal is one that benefits America's defense contractors while leaving us more beholden to allies who can offer us little in exchange for our support. It's that the conception of peace implied by this characterization is too thin to deserve the term. Peace is not merely the absence of current conflict. It is the establishment of relations with other powers on a basis that makes conflict less likely over the long term.

That is an idea that strikes me as entirely beyond President Trump's comprehension, convinced as he is that life is a constant zero-sum struggle for dominance. Of course, that's one way to characterize international relations as well perhaps the most realistic one in our fallen world. But it's one that declares "peace" an impossibility, the only hope being either global hegemony, or a dynamic balancing between different powers punctuated by conflict. If the former is no longer realistic (and I agree it's not), then America needs more than ever a shrewd, knowledgeable statesman at the helm, capable of discerning where our true interests lie and maneuvering to advance them as peacefully and cooperatively as possible. A statesman who will only threaten when necessary, but whose threats are always taken seriously.

If that sounds like Trump to you, then I've got a heck of a deal on a swamp to sell you.

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Is Trump the candidate of peace? - The Week Magazine

(PRESS RELEASE) BOSOTON A medication frequently used to treat diabetic macular edema, which is the most common cause of blindness in people with diabetes, is less effective when used to treat the condition in Black patients, new study results show. Led by researchers at Boston Medical Center, the study demonstrated that Black patients were significantly less likely than white patients to show short-term visual improvement after both a single injection and a series of three injections with the drug bevacizumab (Avastin), the most common treatment in the U.S. for diabetic macular edema. Published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology, the results underscore the need to increase diversity in participation in clinical trials for the treatment of diabetic macular edema in order to develop treatments that are effective for all patients.

This is the first study looking at race as a factor in the treatment of diabetic macular edema, a condition that results from fluid build-up around the macula, producing blurry and distorted vision. Diabetic macular edema is caused by diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes that is the leading cause of blindness among working-age adults in the U.S. Of the approximately 7.7 million Americans who have diabetic retinopathy, it is estimated that 775,000 of those individuals also have diabetic macular edema, which is the leading cause of vision loss for those with diabetes.

The three medications that are most commonly used to treat diabetic macular edema aflibercept, bevacizumab, and ranibizumab were initially developed to treat age related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the number one cause of blindness in older patients and a condition that primarily affects white individuals. After these medications were found to be effective for AMD, they were then studied for the treatment of diabetic eye disease, which disproportionately affects Black patients.

The results from our study show a gap in treatment for Black individuals with diabetic macular edema, despite the fact that they are more heavily impacted by this disease, said Manju Subramanian, MD, an ophthalmologic surgeon at Boston Medical Center and the studys senior and corresponding author. When clinical research trials dont include enough diversity, it will not provide comprehensive data about the efficacy across different racial and ethnic groups, which as we can see, results in disparities in care.

For this study, the researchers focused on bevacizumab (Avastin), given that it is a first-line treatment for diabetic macular edema. They used data from electronic medical records of patients treated for the condition at Boston Medical Center 314 received one injection of the medication, and 151 received the series of three injections of the same medication. After the first injection, 26.71 percent of Black patients compared to 39.39 percent of Hispanic and 50 percent of White patients experienced improved visual acuity. For those who received three injections, 33.82 percent of Black patients compared to 54.76 percent of Hispanic patients and 58.54 percent of white patients experienced improvements in their visual acuity.

According to the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, African American and Black adults are 60 percent more likely to have been diagnosed with diabetes than white, non-Hispanic adults. Evidence points to a variety of factors that play a role in the increased diabetes incidence in Black Americans, including biological risk factors, lower access to health care, and socioeconomic status.

Black individuals represent 13.4 percent of the US population but carry at least twice the prevalence of diabetic macular edema compared to white individuals, and should be represented in future research accordingly, said Subramanian, also an associate professor of ophthalmology at Boston University School of Medicine.

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Common Treatment for Diabetic Macular Edema Not Effective in Black Individuals - InvisionMag

Newswise CHICAGO (October 29, 2020) Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among working-age adults, yet most Americans over 40 dont know its symptoms or the risk factors for this common sight-threatening condition, according to a survey commissioned by the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS).

The condition affects nearly 8 million Americans, and that number is expected to double by 2050, but adults over 40 lack fundamental knowledge about diabetic retinopathy that could help save their sight. In fact, the survey found fewer than half of those polled (47%) knew that blurry central vision can be a symptom of diabetic retinopathy and only 37% identified seeing spots or floaters as a known symptom.

While most know that having Type 1, Type 2, or gestational diabetes puts patients at risk of diabetic retinopathy, other risk factors fly under the publics radar. Of those polled, nearly two-thirds (64%) did not know that elevated cholesterol increases the risk of diabetic retinopathy, and nearly half (48%) did not identify high blood pressure as a contributing risk factor.

During Novembers Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month, Americas retina specialists urge the public to protect their vision by learning the facts about diabetic retinopathy and adopting healthy habits to preserve healthy sight.

Diabetic retinopathy is a preventable cause of blindness, so early identification and treatment is critical, said ASRS president Carl C. Awh, MD. All health care providers who care for diabetic patients should emphasize the importance of controlling known risk factors and the need for regular dilated retina examinations to identify diabetic retinopathy at an early stage. Many patients with sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy have excellent vision and no symptoms, which is the ideal time for a retina specialist to begin treatment. Diabetic patients with vision loss or symptoms should be evaluated more urgently.

Erik Elliott knows all too well how diabetic retinopathy can steal sight. The 39-year-old father of three was diagnosed with diabetes at age two. Over the years, he made his vision a priority, seeing a retina specialist for regular dilated retina exams since he was a teen. Even still, poor control of his blood sugar over time led to symptoms such as floaters and resulted in severe bleeding in his eye called a vitreous hemorrhage.

He lost significant vision in his right eye and had difficulty reading, driving, and working. He also couldnt help coach his sons baseball team as he struggled with his sight.

Thankfully, Erik contacted his retina specialist immediately when the symptoms occurred, and his vision was restored through surgery and ongoing management of his condition. For Erik, losing vision, even temporarily, has reinforced how critical it is to manage his diabetes and care for his sight to avoid future vision loss.

The ASRS encourages the public to take the following steps to safeguard their sight:

Know the risk factors Anyone who has diabetesincluding Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetesis at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Additional factors that can increase the risk include:

Know the symptoms Many people have diabetic retinopathy for a long time without symptoms. By the time symptoms occur, substantial damage may have occurred. Symptoms may include:

Protect your vision through prevention Retina specialists encourage those at risk for diabetic retinopathy to actively manage their health and protect their vision by:

Advances in early detection and treatment of diabetic eye disease made possible by retina specialists can preserve sight and virtually eliminate vision loss, said ASRS Foundation President Timothy G. Murray, MD, MBA. If you have diabetes and experience issues with your sight, partner with a retina specialist for expert care that can prevent, treat or reverse damage to the retina from diabetes.

For more information about diabetic retinopathy, visit asrs.org/DiabeticRetinopathy, and tune into ASRSs Retina Health for Life podcast for new episodes on the condition at asrs.org/RetinaPodcast. To find your retina specialist, visit asrs.org/FindYourRetinaSpecialist.

The ASRS survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,000 nationally representative U.S. adults ages 40 and older, between July 20 and July 27, 2020, using an email invitation and an online survey.The data was weighted to ensure an accurate representation of adults ages 40 and older.

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About ASRS

The American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS)is the largest retinal organization in the world, representing more than 3,000 members in all 50 states, theDistrict of Columbia,Puerto Rico, and 63 countries. Retina specialists are board-certified ophthalmologists who have completed fellowship training in the medical and surgical treatment of retinal diseases. The mission of the ASRS is to provide a collegial and open forum for education, to advance the understanding and treatment of vitreoretinal diseases, and to enhance the ability of its members to provide the highest quality of patient care. Learn more atASRS.org. Like ASRS on Facebook, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and follow us on Twitter for the latest retina health information.

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Americans in the Dark on Diabetic Retinopathy Symptoms, Risks, Survey Finds - Newswise

Being colour blind in the context of race, or anywhere else, is not something I would choose.

Colour vision deficiency to give it its medical name means that people find it hard to tell the difference between certain colours. In its most common red-green form, this means that oranges, yellows, browns, reds and greens appear duller than they would to someone with normal vision; red is easily confused with black, purple becomes hard to distinguish.

Think about what that means for peoples experiences of life. Simple activities throw up challenges: picking out which clothes to wear, telling the difference between a ripe or unripe tomato, knowing whether meat is cooked through, identifying traffic light colours and making sense of devices with red/green/orange LED displays.

Think about school for children with colour blindness (often undiagnosed in the early years) where colours are used for learning; or encouraging a child to eat green vegetables when they all look brown. In more severe cases, certain career choices becoming a pilot, electrician or train driver, for example are harder, too.

Around three million people mostly men and boys live with some form of colour blindness in Britain. The majority of people are born with it and usually there is no treatment people just have to find ways to adapt to the condition. Colour blindness impacts arguably our most important sense sight. It limits what we see in the colours of nature and the world around us.

So why would we want to be colour blind when it comes to race?

When I hear people claim not to see a persons colour, I question how that can be true. And then I question why someone would make that claim.

It might seem like a progressive, liberal view one that exists a world where weve moved beyond the debate about race, where people just see people. But we dont live in that world I know that from seeing the experiences of my wife and my four mixed-race children growing up.

Instead, claiming to be colour blind shuts down the discussion. It silences people of colour from articulating their experiences and provides a shortcut to avoid a conversation that many people still find uncomfortable.

Far from being a positive, supportive sentiment, it reveals the (conscious or subconscious) prejudices that make people not want to talk about race in the first place. As a consequence, it blocks attempts to build a better understanding of race and ethnicity, which is the first step in tackling the systemic inequalities that persist in our profession and many others like it.

In journalist Reni Eddo-Lodges words: Not seeing race does little to deconstruct racist structures or materially improve the conditions which people of colour are subject to daily.

When you think about it, it really says to a person of colour that its not ok to be different its not ok to take pride in being black. That essentially implies a need for assimilation.

In the context of Black History Month, it must also mean that we cant celebrate the huge amount of black British culture around us. Do we really want to live in a society where we dont appreciate the heritage and influences in the art, music, film, theatre, writing everything that people of colour contribute to Britain because we dont acknowledge different races and ethnicities? Our heritage is surely a hugely important part of all of us.

I know some people dismiss these arguments as another example of political correctness. But look at the anti-racism demonstrations that have spread across the country this year, listen to peoples real experiences and fears and it becomes clear, I hope, that this is not about wokeness or cancel culture. It is about understanding those different experiences and treating people with humanity and respect.

Black History Month is also, of course, about history understanding the story of race in Britain, both in the distant and recent past. Large chunks of this, as historian David Olusoga writes, have been wilfully forgotten. Most of us know about the civil rights movement in America we know about Martin Luther King Jr and Rosa Parks but we dont know about black British history. This creates a sense that we dont have the same problem with racism here and therefore should stop talking about it. But we cant move forwards unless we understand the past.

So while there is no cure for the medical condition that causes people to see the world with less colour, when it comes to race we have a choice. Each of us as individuals can choose to ignore colour to avoid conversations and stifle understanding or we can choose both to see and celebrate our differences. In my experience, it is seeing and listening that drives us to act.

Paul Flanagan is a partner with Allen & Overy and co-chair of the firms Race and Ethnicity network in London.

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Black History Month: Why would we want to be colour blind when it comes to race? - The Lawyer

A THATCHAM woman has launched a campaign with local traders to wrap support around a little girl diagnosed with an ultra-rare condition.

Nicole Gallaugher is asking people to buy a bow for Addy Clarke a unicorn-loving, smiley, laughy girl with Battens Disease.

Addy, aged four, was diagnosed with the incredibly rare genetic disease that causes dementia, immobility, blindness and early death, a month ago.

There is currently no cure for the disease, which affects roughly 100 children in the world, but a procedure may preserve Addys sight, which Great Ormond Street say could be lost before she turns seven.

Addy is Mrs Gallaughers best friends daughter.

Her parents Hayley and Dave Clarke used to live in Thatcham and were church workers for Glendale Church, but now live in Swindon.

Addy now needs enzyme injections every two weeks for the rest of her life, which may only be another four to six years.

Great Ormond Street could offer the treatment to Addy, as well as the nine other families in the UK facing a Battens CLN2 diagnosis.

Mrs Gallaugher has started a campaign called Bows for Battens, trying to raise 80,000 for the treatment that could preserve Addys eyesight.

She said: Eyesight is particularly important because when Addy is not able to communicate in any other way with her parents any more, its still an important method of communication.

Its not just blindness, its blindness in conjunction with other losses.

Hayley has been my best friend since we were little kids. We have kind of done everything together.

Now we are taking a totally new journey.

Mrs Clarke said: The bows are such a powerful visual symbol of love for our little Addy.

It is a thrill to see cars with bows on knowing that as they go on their journey, they are journeying with us.

It means so very much.

Mrs Gallaugher has teamed up with Best Buds Florist in Thatcham Broadway to kickstart the campaign and is asking people to put a bow on their car bumper as a show of support.

She said: The bows are 5 each; a steep price for a bit of ribbon, a small price for a childs eyesight.

Sweet Imagination in the Kingsland Centre, SA Zim and The White Hart in Thatcham High Street and the Ugly Duckling in Newbury are also selling the ribbons.

One hundred have been made and 30 sold so far, raising more than 500.

Owner of Best Buds Amanda Smith said she felt compelled to help as soon as she heard Addys story.

She said: Being a mum and a nana, you just dontwant to think of any child suffering.

Every spare minute Im making bows.

You just have to try and do your best dont you?

Mrs Gallaugher urged people to back the campaign by either buying a bow from Best Buds Florist or messaging her on Facebook, offering to make bows, or, if shops were able to sell bows on their premises, get in touch.

All money raised will be paid into http://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nicole-gallaugher

A separate account to support the family has raised more than 56,000 and donations can be made athttps://uk.gofundme.com/f/support-for-addy-and-her-family

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Thatcham campaign launched for 4-year-old with ultra-rare Batten's Disease - Newbury Weekly News Group

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy prevails as leading cause of blindness across industrialized countries worldwide. Although remarkable advancements have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, several imperative management questions as well as treatment deficiencies continue to persist unanswered. The diabetic pandemic has threatened overwhelming resources and increasing incidences of blindness, which in turn has necessitated the development of actionable programs for diagnosis and treatment of the disease as well as the diseases caused as a consequence of diabetes such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

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A recently composed research report of Transparency Market Research has envisaged the global market for proliferative diabetic retinopathy to register a high single-digit CAGR through the forecast period (2017-2026). Revenues from treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy around the world are poised to reach roughly US$ 1,000 Mn by 2026-end.

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Global Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Market: Emerging Trends, Business Growth Opportunities, Major Driving Factors - The Think Curiouser

By Express News Service

BENGALURU: The economic burden from vision impairment in India for 2020 amounts to Rs 88,900 crore, and 35% of causes of blindness are preventable and early detection can greatly reduce the economic impact, according to the Status of Child Eye Health in India report published by NGO Orbis which works to prevent and treat vision impairment.

The report, released on World Sight Day, also found that between 2019-20, the loss to gross national income due to blindness in adults would be Rs 9,06,200 crore and Rs 3,31,100 crore for children, for 10 and 40 lost working years, respectively. This includes the loss of economically productive years for both the visually impaired and their care-givers.Many of the conditions that affect children are detectable and treatable, said Dr Rishi Raj Borah, country director at Orbis India. The report brings to light 8-10 conditions in children, which, if diagnosed early, can prevent childhood blindness. These include childhood cataract and glaucoma, he said.

Other factors that affect treatment include availability of doctors. Urban areas have one ophthalmologist for 10,000 people but in rural areas it is one for every 2,50,000. Some children have eye problems at birth, while others develop them by the age of 10. Half of them are detectable and treatable, Dr Borah said.

The shortage of paediatric ophthamologists and paediatric optometrists in India apart, the lack of attention to ophthalmological conditions in primary healthcare also has serious implications for early diagnosis. General physicians and nurses at PHCs may not have the knowledge or time to examine a childs eyes. There is a lack of specialists and sufficient staff at PHCs, and in villages. Anganwadi and ASHA workers also arent trained to detect eye problems, said Dr Parikshit Gogate, paediatric ophthalmologist.

The lack of awareness that blindness can be detected early and even treated combined with stigma associated with it also acts as a preventive factor in seeking help. There is a mindset among parents that younger children do not need spectacles and that only older people suffer from blindness, Dr. Gogate added.Another reason is the lack of public health infrastructure such as specialised equipment, screening mechanism and charts to detect and treat cases. There is also a lack of coordination between gynaecologists, paediatricians and ophthalmologists, the report said.

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Blindness to cost India Rs 88k crore in 2020: Report - The New Indian Express