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Boston, MA May 2, 2017 New England College of Optometry and PlatformQ Health to host three live, online sessions in May and July, covering new insights into age-related macular degeneration and geographic atrophy. Optometrist, ophthalmologist, and retina specialists can interact with leading medical faculty and earn COPE-accredited continuing education (CE).

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic disease and the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the elderly of industrialized countries. The advanced form of dry AMD is geographic atrophy (GA) or atrophic AMD, a progressive, irreversible and blinding disease for which effective treatment remains a significant unmet medical need.

Optometrists play a crucial role in the ongoing eye care of patients with AMD and GA, from screening to combining imaging or functional data with a careful patient history to determining the need for subsequent care. They readily assess recognized risk factors with advanced AMD and provide disease management in the early stages, as well as prompt referral and follow up after treatment.

However, as a practical consideration for delivering eye care, the historic methodology of optometric practice may not keep pace with population aging, which leads to a corresponding increase in the prevalence of several macular diseases,and there are proportionally fewer eye care providers to care for older patients.

To help close this gap, New England College of Optometry (NECO) and PlatformQ Health are partnering to launch a free online Continuing Edseries on ClinicalSeriesLive, one of PlatformQ Healths virtual learning channels. PlatformQ Health is honored to partner with NECO on this innovative series for optometry health care professionals, says Robert Rosenbloom, CEO of PlatformQ Health. We look forward to helping bring much needed attention to the most prevalent cause of blindness inour aging population.

Clinicians can engage live with two top optometry faculty:

Age related macular degeneration is the leading cause of visual loss in older adults. Thus far, diagnosis and treatment have been limited to the wet or exudative form of this disease.New emerging insights in the dry or non-exudative form have added a significant understanding to the mechanisms of this disease, says Rishi P. Singh, MD. This online series will educate those on the front line optometrist, ophthalmologist, and retina specialists on screening, diagnosis, as well as future treatments which might be available."

This program intends to improve awareness, knowledge, and competency of optometrists about AMD and GA. The three-part series will cover screening, how to interpret results, underlying pathophysiology, the importance of referral to specialists, the crucial role of follow up, monitoring of therapeutic response in patients receiving treatment, and more. All three programs will be available on- demand following the live broadcasts.

Details on the series:

New Insights into Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Geographic Atrophy

Session I - Geographic Atrophy: Causes and Consequences Thursday, May 18, 2017 from 3:00-4:00 PM ET

Session II - The Referral to the Ophthalmologist and Treatment Options for Patients with Geographic Atrophy Thursday, May 18, 2017 from 4:00-5:00 PM ET

Session III - Focus on the Patient: Empowering Communication for Improved Outcomes Wednesday, July 12, 2017 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET

Learn more and register today.

About New England College of Optometry

New England College of Optometry, NECO,is an independent graduate college of optometry that educates students for careers in eye care delivery, research, and education. For over 120 years, New England College of Optometry has been educating optometrists and leaders in the field. Originally founded in 1894 as the Klein School of Optics, NECO prepares the next generation of eye care providers, educators, leaders, and innovators through a rigorous curriculum and extensive clinical experiences. http://www.neco.edu

Media Contact:Ingrid Hoogendoorn, Director of Communications phone:617-587-5722 email:hoogendoorni@neco.edu

About PlatformQ Health PlatformQ Health is the leading provider of live online medical education events, with 15 websites dedicated to different therapeutic areas. Their unique education platform allows physicians and other healthcare professionals to connect online from any computer, learn about the latest treatments options, and engage in real-time Q&A with top faculty. http://www.platformqhealth.com

Media Contact:Megan Cater phone:617-938-6031

See the article here:
Online Continuing Education Series Tackles Leading Cause of ... - New England College of Optometry (press release) (blog)

Brooklyn Berry has seen and done many things in her three seasons on the West Forsyth girls soccer team.

Berry, however, is limited in what she can see. The Titans talented junior forward has been blind in her left eye since eighth grade.

I tore half my retina, but the half that I tore is the half that we dont use. So I never knew it, Berry said. One day I couldnt see anything. I started losing vision, so I went to the doctor, and they told me that I had torn the half that I didnt use. And they told me it had been torn for months or years.

They told me that couldnt tell how long or what caused it because it had been so long.

Despite playing a majority of the time on the right side of the field, the lack of vision has not slowed her down.

She broke one of Alison Prices records on Tuesday and is on pace to break another. Berry broke the single-season school record of 43 goals, which was held by Price, a rising senior at Louisville, on Tuesday at Reynolds. She scored three times and now has 44 for the season.

Berry, who has verbally committed to UNC Wilmington, now has 104 career goals, 10 short of tying Prices all-time record of 114 at West Forsyth.

The cause of the injury to Berrys eye was never figured out.

Ive had so many concussions, so they told me it could really be anything, Berry said. And they told me it was just a matter of time until the rest of it (retina) fell off. So I had to get retina surgery.

The doctors inserted a new lens, but it didnt take.

I had surgery, and I had to wear an eye patch. I could only sleep on my left side. There were a bunch of things I was supposed to do. The lens shifted after, like, two days, and I went blind again, Berry said.

Some people, the lens just doesnt take. Your body just rejects it. My body just didnt take it right.

Coach Scott Bilton knew of Berrys blindness before she came to West Forsyth.

Its just been such a driving force for her, Bilton said. Shes compensated for that with the way that shell position her body so that shes able to see everything she needs to and things of that nature.

Adjusting to being able to see in just one eye has been difficult.

The first season, I had to play on the left side. Its been three or four years, so its still kind of hard, Berry said. I sometimes run into people and I dont really notice it. Ill be running and therell be somebody on my left side, and I cant really tell.

A lot of people on my team, they forget. Ive definitely gotten used to it a lot better than I used to.

Berry is not immune to injuries breaking her elbow her freshman year, pulling both hamstrings last season, and she is currently playing with a stress fracture in her foot.

In his 10th season coaching the Titans, Bilton has never seen anything like this.

Its definitely different, I guess, Bilton said. And its, obviously, something thats shocking to do what shes able to do. Shes had broken bones, just a bunch of stuff. Shes just found a way to be successful.

The Titans just clinched their seventh straight Central Piedmont 4-A conference championship and have won eight of the last 10. Before the Reynolds game, they were 18-1-1 and 10-0 with just a 4-1 loss to Cornelius Hough on April 21.

Berry has been there for the past three championships, scoring 27 goals her freshman season and 33 last season.

If the Titans make a deep run in the NCHSAA Class 4-A tournament, which starts next week, she could threaten Prices school scoring record this season. The team reached the state semifinals last season, losing 1-0 to Charlotte Providence.

The all-time state record, according to the NCHSAA, is 217 set bet Carolyn Lindsay of Hope Mills South View from 2000-03. It is possible for Berry to reach the top 15 on the list next season. Elizabeth Spencer, who played at Wilson Fike from 1996-99, has 152 goals.

The Forsyth County record set by Leigh Murray, who played at East Forsyth 1986-89, is 169 goals.

Berry said she hasnt spoken to Price about the record.

Shes a competitor, first and foremost, Bilton said of Berry. And competitors, when they set a goal, thats something that they want to go for.

Read the original post:
Field of vision: Despite blindness in left eye, West Forsyth's Brooklyn ... - Winston-Salem Journal

To the Editor:

About 400 years ago, in 1609, Henry Hudson explored the Hudson River.

Though long ago, his trip is still of great local interest:

The source of the Hudson is smack in the middle of the 21st Congressional District. A year later, he set about to find the Northwest Passage.

His search was sponsored by financial interests that could have benefited immensely from its discovery (think Suez Canal, Panama Canal) because it shortened the commercial trade routes between Europe and China. He didnt find it, because it didnt exist - at the time.

Observations show that ice coverage of the arctic has systematically decreased during the last half century.

Political blindness in the U.S. refuses to acknowledge this trend. At the same time, political pragmatism has prepared Russia to take advantage of this trend. Russia has a far larger fleet of icebreakers than the U.S. and has just launched the largest nuclear-powered icebreaker of all, the Arctika, on June 16, 2016.

While American politicians are debating the reality of global warming, the Russians are set to profit from it. They have opened up the long-sought Northwest Passage and are preparing to benefit from it twice over: from the trade it will enable and from the mineral resources that are now accessible under the Arctic Sea.

Our political blindness is redirecting a large source of income from the U.S. Treasury to the treasuries of other countries.

Robert Gilmore

Tupper Lake

Originally posted here:
Political blindness is nothing new - Sun Community News

14:46 Tuesday 02 May 2017

A determined dad has overcome his blindness to become an acclaimed chess player once again.

In fact Graham Pennington is so good that he is one of only four British people now selected to compete in the International Braille Chess Association Championships in Macedonia next month.

Former plasterer Graham started playing chess at just 12 years old after his brother Stephen taught him all the moves.

It was relatively easy to learn at this time because Graham was fully sighted and he used to play in the chess club in the Tamar pub, on Wigan Road, then began playing competitively around the age of 20.

But in 2006, when in his early 50s Graham lost his sight due to the diabetes he had been battling for years.

Facing these life-changing circumstances the father of one thought his chess-playing days were over and announced that he was giving up the game he loved so much.

But it was only after two of his good friends who recognized his skill and knew how much he loved chess encouraged him to continue playing that he took up his favourite interest again.

The now 61-year-old of Parkedge Close, has a Braille chess board where the black squares are raised and one set of pieces have raised dots on the top to help him identify them from his opponents pieces.

He has a speaking clock so he can time his moves and he uses an abacus to keep track of the number of moves made.

Graham has previously played for Lancashire and is now a member of the Atherton Chess Club and plays with sighted people here and in the Warrington League.

The Atherton Club were winners of the league this season and now Graham is getting ready for his trip to the Balkans with wife Kathleen next month.

He said: When I lost my sight I thought that was it for playing chess, but my friends persuaded me otherwise and I am so glad that they did because I love it.

I feel my way around the board and then visualise where I can next place a piece and I reckon now I am up to the standard I was before I lost my vision. Its a battle of wits more than anything else.

I do play sighted competitors and have claimed my share of scalps and I am so proud to be representing the Braille Chess Association.

There will be representatives from probably 20 other countries in Macedonia and I am so looking forward to the trip.

I am so glad that I didnt give up my main hobby and I guess it shows what you can do in the face of adversity if you put your mind to it.

See the original post:
Chess ace's comeback in the face of blindness - Wigan Today

May 2, 2017By Joel Hans

Researchers are using AI and other deep learning methods to create an algorithm thats capable of detecting DR with an accuracy rate of 94 percent

When we talk about artificial intelligence here at RTInsights, we typically cover topics like recommendation engines, such as selling houses on Trulia, or implementing some kind of predictive analysis to make CRM or marketing more effective.

But artificial intelligence can be used for actually improving the lives of ordinary peopleaccording to a new study conducted by researchers from the Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University, AI could soon be used to fight vision loss due to a complication that stems from diabetes.

Diabetic retinopathy(DR)affects the blood vessels at the back of the eye while a patient has diabetes, and its known to cause preventable blindness. The researchers are using AI and other deep learning methods to create an algorithm thats capable of detecting DR with an accuracy rate of 94 percent. That number applies to all the disease stagesmild to severeso its not only beneficial to those who are dealing with severe vision issues due to DR. Those in the earliest stages, when treatment can be successful at preventing vision loss, could then seek out the right specialist to mitigate any further damage.

Theodore Leng, M.D., the lead author of the report, says that this algorithm is actually quite accessibleit can be run on an ordinary personal computer, or even a smartphone, with a current average-grade processor. In order to develop the algorithm, the team used a training network of 75,000 images from patients across a range of ethnicities, to ensure the algorithm was universal. These images were then used to differentiate between a healthy patient and those with any stage of the disease.

Why use AI for the detection of DR? Diabetes affects in every 11 adults worldwide, and 45 percent of those will have some level of DR in their lifetime. Simply put, thats a lot of people, and DR is currently diagnosed by first examining the eye and then evaluating color photographs. Its a time-consuming process, even for specialists. According to Dr. Leng, doctors in areas with fewer resources are disproportionate affected, and have the most to gain from any boost in diagnostic ability.

According to Dr. Leng, fewer than half of diabetic patients are aware about how DR might be affecting them. If the algorithm could be used to detect even a portion of those patients, it could make significant inroads in helping stop preventative blindness around the world. Pilot trials will hopefully be started in the near future, followed by approval from the FDA.

Dr. Leng says, If properly implemented on a worldwide basis, this algorithm has the potential to reduce the workload on doctors and increase the efficiency of limited healthcare resources. We hope that this technology will have the greatest impact in parts of the world where ophthalmologists are in short supply.

Weve seen this trend before, with overworked radiologists who could benefit from an algorithm capable of making their work more manageable and accurate. Its not about outsourcing or replacing a doctors expertise on diagnosis, but rather giving them more tools to work from.

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have also recently been hard at work on an algorithm that can detect breast cancer with 92 percent accuracy. When paired with a trained human pathologist, the accuracy of detection rose to 99.5 percentan impressive figure that will likely save lives when rolled out widely.

Aside from analysis of diagnostic imagery, AI is being used in hospitals, along with IoT and other connectivity technology, to help seal up communication gaps and ensure that every doctor on a particular patents team is fully up-to-date on the latest progress. Even the devices used in day-to-day hospital workflows are being upgraded with networking capabilities and smart design. The AdhereTech pill bottle detects when the bottle is open, transmits information to the patients doctor, and reminds patients to take the medication. The company claims a 20 percent boost in medication adherence.

Thats a big number, but even small percentages make a big impact when it comes to peoples health. If Dr. Lengs new algorithm only improves DR detection by a single percentage point, that could still affect millions of people. And when it comes to ending preventable blindness, every correct diagnosis counts.

Here is the original post:
The Next Challenge for AI: Fighting Blindness - RTInsights (press release) (blog)

It was a normal day for John Sabec on June 16, 2011, when he fell asleep at his home in Pueblo, Colorado.

But his life was anything but normal when he awoke the next morning.

And it hasnt been ever since.

That night almost six years ago he lost his vision from diabetic retinopathy. He woke up with no vision in his left eye and large gray spots blocking his vision in his right eye.

The retina in my left eye exploded, he said. A surgeon was able to reattach the retina in his right eye, but he has very limited vision, which he compares to looking through a toilet paper roll.

Sabec sank into a depression and withdrew from life for several years. But hes managed to turn his life around.

Hes now attending Helena College working on an associate degree and is a work study employee for the colleges Disability Resource Office.

What happened to him gives him a unique view into the challenges students with disabilities face.

I work with anybody with a recognized disability, he said, whether it be physical, learning or emotional. More than 100 students are registered with the Helena College office and have a documented disability.

I can empathize with a lot of people, Sabec said. I know what its like to have something taken away from you. Ive been in the same boat.

Sabec's service dog Benjamin lays at his feet recently.

As far as assistance for his own disability, the college puts his books on PDFs that he can enlarge on his home computer till the lettering is big enough for him to read. Or the computer can turn it into an audio recording he can listen to.

Accompanying him in his work and studies is his service dog, a black lab named Benjamin.

John schedules appointments, proctors tests and creates and maintains student files, said Kristine Fife, the Helena College disability resource coordinator.

The office provides a wide range of accommodations for students with disabilities ranging from physical to cognitive to psychiatric.

Anyone with documented needs can receive resources, Fife said.

John has overcome a lot with different health issues, she said. Hes shown an incredible amount of perseverance despite barriers, she said.

His own disability heightens his ability to be empathetic and assist students with disabilities.

At the time he lost his vision, I went into depression and thought my life was over, he said. I isolated myself. I wasted 2 1/2 to 3 years of my life.

I worked in law enforcement most of my adult life and was driving a paratransit bus.

He jokes that he went from driving the short bus to riding it.

June 16, 2011, was the last day he ever drove -- although it took him years, he admits, to give up the idea of being a licensed driver. Driving was a big deal to me.

Sabec wound up moving to Hardin in 2012 to be near his children, and through their help he learned of the National Federation of the Blind.

Once he began working with that organization, he discovered life doesnt end if you lose your eyesight.

In 2014 he found his way to Helena and now feels right at home.

I just like the Helena area, he said. It has big city amenities with a small town feel.

He started at Helena College in fall of 2015 and plans on graduating in fall 2017, and he wants to go on to earn a four-year degree at a Montana campus to become a disabilities advocate.

Hes been earning a 3.7 grade point average and is on the deans list.

This office has been amazing, he said. Kris has been amazing. Shes one of my reasons for success.

Everyone here is professional and caring, he said. Ive had a teacher who has gone above and beyond a teacher and is a real good friend.

Its awesome -- like a family. Everyone wants to see everyone succeed here. I just think if youre looking to further your education or become a success in life, Helena College is a great place to start.

Its given me confidence to be productive in life and to socialize again.

What hes learned from life, Sabec said, is he needs to keep striving to move forward. Whats difficult today is a speed bump. Theres smooth sailing for a while and then another speed bump.

Continue reading here:
Sudden blindness opened Helena man's eyes to a new life - Helena Independent Record

A woman who feigned blindness to receive veterans benefits has been sentenced to serve nine months in prison and repay hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Veronica Dale Hahn, 60, was sentenced Friday in the Panama City federal court. She pleaded guilty during her jury trial on charges of defrauding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairsfor years in order to receive about $400,000 in benefits. Hahn now will have to repay that amount after serving nine months in federal prison.

The U.S. Attorneys Office reported Hahn lied from November 2001 to February 2016 about being rendered blind in both eyes, which she claimed to be directly connected to her service in the military.

However, within a year of receiving her disability benefits for loss of vision, she obtained drivers licenses in New Mexico, Alabama and Florida with no vision restrictions, after passing vision exams in each state with at least 20/40 vision. During this time, Hahn also was observed driving her personal automobile on numerous occasions. Further, she worked full time as a case manager and transition counselor at several state correctional facilities, all of which required normal eyesight to perform her duties.

In the course of Hahns jury trial in January, several government witnesses took the stand before she abruptly decided to enter a guilty plea to the charges on the second day of trial.

Instead of providing benefits and assistance to worthy veterans who are justifiably in need, significant resources from the Department of Veterans Affairs were diverted to uncover an extensive and persistent fraud by Ms. Hahn, who repeatedly gave dishonest information and collected hundreds of thousands of dollars to which she was not entitled, said U.S. Attorney Christopher P. Canova. This case sends the message that you cannot make false disability claims and just walk away from such a crime.

2017 The News Herald (Panama City, Fla.). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Read the original here:
Woman Sentenced To Prison For Feigning Blindness To Defraud The VA - Task & Purpose

The Indian Express

Project to prevent blindness in premature infants launched The Indian Express Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is one of the leading causes of blindness in premature infants in India. The Public Health Foundation of India, in association with the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, UK, is spearheading the project to address ...

Original post:
Project to prevent blindness in premature infants launched - The Indian Express

Florida woman admits faking blindness to get veterans benefits WNCN PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) A 60-year-old Florida woman was sentenced to nine months in prison and ordered to pay nearly $400,000 dollars in restitution after she pleaded guilty to faking blindness in order to receive veterans benefits. Federal ... and more »

Read more from the original source:
Florida woman admits faking blindness to get veterans benefits - WNCN

Written by Abantika Ghosh | New Delhi | Updated: April 29, 2017 8:36 am Treatment is given in the medical college or the teaching hospital. (Representational image)

The governments move to bar Public Health Foundation of India from accepting foreign funding has put a question mark on two blindness prevention programmes that PHFI was implementing in partnership with the Ministry of Health and state health departments.

The four-year programmes for diabetic retinopathy (blindness caused by diabetes) and retinopathy of prematurity (blindness in premature babies because of overexposure to oxygen inside incubators) were supported by the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust of UK through a 7 million grant, of which 4.3 million has been paid. But the rest cannot be processed because of the restrictions on PHFI.

Speaking to The Indian Express, chief executive of the trust, Dr Astrid Bonfield, said: It was very impressive to see that the programme has been integrated into the national governmets health system because unless that was done, there was no point really. It (the support) will continue for the next two years. I would not like to talk about Indian government business but at the moment, clearly, there are no payments being made (to PHFI).

Dr Bonfield is on her first review tour of India since the grant was approved.

Ironically, one of the reasons why PHFI was selected, she says, was because of its excellent links with the government; the grant was approved during the previous UPA regime.

With an estimated 69.2 million diabetes patients in India, ballpark estimates suggest that if the proportion of diabetics whose sight is threatened remains constant, an additional 10 million would be added by 2035.

As more premature babies survive in middle income countries like India, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) remains a condition about which awareness levels are low. A 2015 study published in the journal Indian Paediatrics found incidence in premature babies to be as high as 44 per cent.

Sources say work on the two programmes are in suspended animation not just because fresh funds cannot come in but also due to the curbs placed on PHFI by the Ministry of Home Affairs from accepting foreign contribution with retrospective effect for alleged violation of norms. There is no clarity on whether funds that have already come in can be spent, they said.

The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust was set up in 2011 at the Commonwealth heads of government meeting as a five-year charitable programme. The target in India was to integrate eyecare for people living with diabetes and newborns. India was the only country where ROP was taken up while the project to prevent blindness due to diabetes (DR) was taken up in 13 countries.

The DR project is currently under implementation across ten states spearheaded by a task force set up by the health ministry in 2014 and headed by deputy commissioner in the ministry, Dr Damodar Bachani. Its first meeting was held in July that year. It has representation from both government and non-government sectors. The district level models are pilots that are expected to be scaled up across states.

Following the national ROP summit in October 2013, a national task force headed by a joint secretary was constituted by the health ministry. Using the government of India database, 10 states, where sick newborn care units (SNCUs) had been functioning for at least two years, were identified for the programme.

The ROP prevention model includes a cluster of one medical college or teaching hospital and three-five district hospitals. Screening for retinopathy happens in SNCUs of these hospitals on a fixed day in a week. Treatment is given in the medical college or the teaching hospital.

For all the latest India News, download Indian Express App now

See the original post here:
Govt ban puts question mark over blindness prevention programme - The Indian Express

Common Dreams

'State of the Swamp' Spotlights Trump Team's Ethical Blindness Common Dreams 'This president's first hundred days have seen no progress in 'draining the swamp;' instead, they have been the most corrupt in our national history.' (Image: Common Cause). President Trump marks his 100th day in office on Saturday, a milestone he ...

Read the original here:
'State of the Swamp' Spotlights Trump Team's Ethical Blindness - Common Dreams

Artificial intelligence shows potential to fight blindness Science Daily Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a condition that damages the blood vessels at the back of the eye, potentially causing blindness. "What we showed is that an artificial intelligence-based grading algorithm can be used to identify, with high reliability ... and more »

Original post:
Artificial intelligence shows potential to fight blindness - Science Daily

Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. The disease causes the inner surface of eyelids to become rough, potentially ending up in visual impairment. On average, trachoma affects 1.9 million people around the world. It mainly harms people living in poor areas.

On Monday, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that after more than ten years of effort, Mexico managed to eliminate trachoma.

This was achieved through the Trachoma Prevention and Control program promoted by the Ministryof Health inChiapas, Mexico, since 2004, as well as the "Trachoma Brigades" to promote hygiene and provide information and antibiotics to those affected in vulnerable areas of the state.

Thanks to these efforts, it was possible to reduce the number of cases from 1,794 in 2004 to0 in 2016.

(Source: GIPHY)

With this monumental achievement, Mexico becomes the first country in the Americas and the third in the world (after Oman and Morocco) to receive WHO validation for eliminating trachoma.

Read More ->The World's First Malaria Vaccine Is Here, And Africa Gets It First

Read the original post:
Mexico Eliminates The Infectious Disease That Is The Leading ... - Konbini

Thursday April 27 2017

Glaucoma develops slowly over many years

"It might be possible to treat the main cause of permanent blindness before people notice any loss of vision," BBC News report.

A proof of concept study of early testing for glaucoma the most common cause of sight loss had promising results.

In glaucoma, the light-sensitive cells of the retinal nerve die, usually because of increased pressure in the eye. The damage to the nerve, which is irreversible, causes progressive loss of vision. Because people with glaucoma often don't have symptoms in the early stages of the disease, a lot of damage may be done before it is picked up. Diagnosing glaucoma early would allow earlier treatment to relieve pressure in the eye, and may prevent sight loss.

The new technique involves injecting people with a fluorescent dye (thankfully into the bloodstream, not the eye), and taking images of the eye. Dying retinal nerve cells show up as white spots on the image.

Researchers compared images from eight people with early glaucoma and eight healthy people, and showed that white spots were more than twice as common in people with glaucoma. They also seemed more common in people whose glaucoma got worse quickly over time.

However, the technique needs to be tested in large-scale studies to confirm the result as well as find out more about any safety issues.

The study reinforces the importance of having regular eye tests as these can oftenpick up glaucomabefore it becomes a significant problem. You should have an eye test at least every two years.

The study was carried out by researchers from Western Eye Hospital, Imperial College and University College London and was funded by the Wellcome Trust. The study was published in thepeer-reviewed journal Brain on anopen-access basis so it is free to read online.

BBC News, ITV News and The Daily Telegraph all covered the story. Their reports were mostly accurate and balanced, although none made clear the amount of research that still needs to be done before the new test can be put into use.

This was an open label,phase one clinical trial designed to establish proof of concept. Trials of medicines and tests go through three phases to ensure they are safe and effective.

The study was the first done in humans, so researchers wanted to know if it worked, if it caused any adverse effects, and what effect different doses of the dye had. They will now need to dophase 2and phase 3 trialson much bigger groups of patients to confirm their initial results.

Researchers recruited eight healthy adults without eye disease and eight adults being treated for early glaucoma at the hospital, with no other eye disease. People had an injection of the fluorescent dye (one of four different doses) then had their eye scanned by an infrared laser ophthalmoscope. The researchers assessed the images and compared those from healthy people and people with glaucoma.

Everyone was given a full eye examination when they were recruited, on the day of the test, and 30 days later. They were monitored for adverse events from the injection for six hours, with a phone call 24 hours later.

Researchers also looked to see what happened to the people with glaucoma during their future clinical follow-up visits, for up to 16 months. They then looked to see if the test results predicted how their glaucoma progressed.

Participants with glaucoma had on average more than twice as many white spots showing dying nerve cells as people with healthy eyes (2.37-fold increase, 95%confidence interval 1.4 to 4.03).

People with glaucoma whose disease got worse over the following months also had more white spots than those whose disease stayed the same. Among people without eye disease, older people had more white spots.

Glaucoma is more common among people aged over 75.

No-one had major side effects linked to the injection (one person found it painful and one person had a bruise afterwards).

The researchers stress their results need to be confirmed by bigger trials, saying: "Like any new technology," it will "need robust testing if it is to be successfully validated."

However, they say, it might be possible to use the test "as a method of detection and monitoring of patients" with glaucoma. They say they have shown that the technique may be useful for identifying nerve degeneration.

They further theorise that it might one day be used for other diseases, including the eye disease macular degeneration, optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve) and "Alzheimers-related disease."

Glaucoma is responsible for about 10 in 100 people registered blind in the UK. About 2 in 100 people over 40 in the UK have glaucoma, and around 10 in 100 of those aged over 75. Because there is no cure, but early treatment can often help slow or prevent damage, early diagnosis is important.

Regular eye tests may pick up glaucoma, but often there's no sign of the disease until people have already begun to lose vision. That's why this test is interesting. If it can be shown to work well and safely, it could be a quick and efficient way to diagnose glaucoma before people have started to lose their sight. However, there's more work to do before we get to that stage.

The initial trial results in 16 people need to be repeated among bigger groups, to be sure the results hold true. The researchers need to establish the best dose of the fluorescent dye. Importantly, they need to establish what number of white dots is normal, and what number suggests early glaucoma. This research only shows that people with glaucoma had more white dots, not what would be a good cut-off point for early diagnosis.

Everyone should have a routine eye test at least every two years. This may include a test for high pressure in the eye, as well as a sight test.

If a close relative has glaucoma, mention it to the optician to be sure they carry out appropriate checks. Some types of glaucoma can run in families, so if you do have a family history, more frequent tests may be recommended.

Read more from the original source:
New glaucoma test could save millions from blindness - NHS Choices

THEY JUST didnt listen. So said one gymnast allegedly molested by Larry Nassar, a former USA Gymnastics doctor at the center of a sexual abuse scandal. Dr. Nassar also worked at Michigan State University where multiple female athletes complained to officials about his so-called treatment, only to have the school shamelessly and shamefully ignore them.

USA Gymnastics has borne the brunt of the blame for Dr. Nassars alleged exploits. But, as reporting by The Posts Will Hobson and the Lansing State Journal reveals, Michigan State shares responsibility for letting an alleged abuser reportedly carry on a decades-long criminal career. When athletes there told coaches and administrators that Dr. Nassar had massaged their buttocks and inserted his fingers, without gloves, into their vaginas, the officials told them they were misinterpreting the work of a medical superstar. A university Title IX investigation in 2014 cleared Dr. Nassar of wrongdoing.

Dr. Nassar worked with aspiring Olympians across the country, and a nationwide network of coaches and officials apparently let their athletes down again and again. But that bigger story should not obscure the appalling series of events that played out on Michigan States campus, for which the school has no excuse. Authorities say Dr. Nassar was brazen in his abuse, to the point where, as FBI agents discovered during their investigation, he allegedly recorded video of himself groping underage girls in a pool.

Michigan State is undergoing internal reviews to figure out what went so terribly wrong on its watch. Thats important, but equally important are structural reforms at Michigan State and colleges across the country to hold abusers accountable and prevent abuse from occurring in the first place. Michigan States shortcomings underscore the importance of the Education Departments recent efforts to more carefully enforce Title IX, which governs how schools address sexual violence. Troublingly, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos would not commit to continuing those efforts in her confirmation hearing.

I have been told it is virtually impossible to stop a determined sexual predator and pedophile, that they will go to incomprehensible lengths to keep what they do in the shadows, Michigan State President Lou Anna Simon said at a meeting of trustees this month. But Dr. Nassar was not in the shadows. He and his behavior were on full display, for years, waiting for administrators to take action. They chose not to listen, and they chose not to see.

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A college's willful blindness to a sexual assault scandal - The ... - Washington Post

Many people know about the damage that ultraviolet (UV) rays can have on the skin, from sunburns to skin cancers. But many may not know about the damage it may cause to the eyes. That is why the Ohio Affiliate of Prevent Blindness has declared May as UV (ultraviolet) Awareness Month. The goal is to help educate the public on the dangers of UV and steps to take to protect vision today and in the future.

UV damage to the eyes can be immediate, including a condition called ultraviolet keratitis. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this occurs from exposure to ultraviolet rays that can temporarily damage the cornea (the clear portion of the eye in front of the pupil) and the conjunctiva, a layer of cells covering the inside of the eyelid and the whites of the eye. Symptoms, such as eye pain, tears, blurred vision, light sensitivity and seeing halos, may last from 6 to 24 hours, but they usually disappear within 48 hours.

However, some UV damage may be cumulative, leading to cataract or macular degeneration later in life. People who work or play in the sun for long periods of time are at the greatest risk. Parents should make sure that children are wearing the proper sun protection at all times when outdoors.

When purchasing sunglasses, Prevent Blindness also recommends buying sunglasses that:

Sunglasses should be worn in conjunction with a brimmed hat. Wrap-around sunglasses are best as they protect not only the eyes but the delicate skin around the eyes as well.

The best way to protect your eyes, and your familys eyes from UV, is to talk with an eyecare professional. By discussing your unique needs, he or she can provide guidance on the best ways to protect your eyes today and help ensure healthy vision for years to come, said Sherry Williams, President &CEO of Prevent Blindness, Ohio Affiliate.

For more information on the dangers of UV exposure and how to choose the best UV protection, please visit the Prevent Blindness dedicated Web page at http://www.preventblindness.org/protect-your-eyes-sun or Prevent Blindness, Ohio Affiliate at call (800) 301-2020.

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Protecting eyes from ultraviolet rays can prevent blindness - Portsmouth Daily Times

A new eye test could prevent glaucoma, the biggest cause of irreversible blindness, by spotting symptoms before loss of sight begins.

Researchers at University College London (UCL) have developed an eye exam that could detect individual nerve cell death at the back of the eye a decade before symptoms present themselves.

Glaucoma affects 16 million people worldwide, many of whom have lost a third of their vision before they start treatment. The disease causes changes to the pressure inside the eye which kills the retinas nerve cells.

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Early detection would allow doctors to start treatment before the patient begins to go blind. The new test uses a fluorescent dye that sticks to cells that are about to die. White fluorescent dots on the retina would reveal whether the patient has early-onset glaucoma.

Eye with acute angle-closure glaucoma, a sudden elevation in intra-ocular pressure that occurs when the iris blocks the eye's drainage channel. Jonathan-Trobe-Wikicommons

The test could also diagnose early-onset degenerative neurological conditions, such as Parkinsons, Alzheimers and multiple sclerosis.

The exam is still in its first trial phase and has so far only been tested on 16 people, but the initial results are promising, according to the study published in the medical journal Brain.

For the first time, we have been able to show individual cell death and detect the earliest signs of glaucoma. While we cannot cure the disease, our test means treatment can start before symptoms begin, lead researcher Professor Francesca Cordeiro of the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology said in a release published alongside the study.

Bethan Hughes, a spokesperson for the medical charity Wellcome Trust which funded the research, said: This innovation has the potential to transform lives for those who suffer loss of sight through glaucoma, and offers hope of a breakthrough in early diagnosis of other neurodegenerative diseases.

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New Eye Test Could Spot Glaucoma and Prevent Blindness in Millions - Newsweek

Peek Retina smartphone adapter launches

27 Apr 2017 by John White, Laurence Derbyshire

It has been a long and very challenging road to get to this point. Although there is much to celebrate, this is only the beginning of the journey. So explained Dr Andrew Bastawrous, co-founder and CEO of Peek, at the launch of Peek Retina at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (20 April).

The device is the latest solution created by Peek, a social impact enterprise that works to give healthcare providers the tools and knowledge needed to deliver high quality, sustainable care.

The smartphone camera adapter is used for retinal imaging, which has been designed to help increase access to care by enabling more eye examinations to be carried out.

Described by the company as intuitive and easy to use, the tool enables the examination of the optic nerve and macula.

In a statement, Peek said: In a perfect world, retinal imaging would be standard practice at the point of initial examination, but it is not normal practice because retinal images are hard to capture using traditional equipment. We believe Peek Retina can make a significant impact on avoidable blindness by removing barriers to access and enabling new examinations to be performed, but we are calling on users and supporters to give as much feedback as possible so it can be made even better.

Peek Retina clips over the camera on any smartphone, enabling users to capture an image of the back of the retina and share it easily without the need for a desktop retinal camera.

The eye needs to be dilated to enable examination, with Peek highlighting that different countries have different rules governing the use of dilation drops. Once the eye is dilated, images of the retina can be captured without requiring a high skill level, although specialist skills and knowledge are needed to interpret the images, the company notes.

Other projects from Peek include Peek Acuity, an app that test vision, which has been used in over 100 countries since it was released last year. Non-health experts can use the app, and it can also be used in smaller spaces than traditional alphabet-based eye chart testing, which, Peek explains, means that more people can be reached and tested.

An element within Peek Acuity, PeekSim, has been created to show what a person with a vision problem really sees compared with normal vision just after they have had their vision tested.

By teaming-up with schools and communities in Kenya, Botswana and India, more than 100,000 children have had their eyes tested with Peek using the Peek School Screening programme and followed up for treatment or glasses where needed, and Peek is carrying out research to improve and expand these programmes.

Peek began as a result of Dr Bastawrouss experiences of transporting eye equipment to rural communities in Kenya to gather eye health data for his PhD at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

At the launch event the ophthalmologist and assistant professor in International Eye Health at the London school, Dr Bastawrous, said: We are extremely grateful to everyone who has supported us and helped us take ideas from research to reality and we will continue to learn and develop the tools and knowledge which healthcare providers and systems need to help those with avoidable sight loss.

While large numbers of people remain unable to see or access eye care, our job remains unfinished.

Peek Retina is available via the website and costs 216 (including VAT) plus delivery charge. The Peek Acuity and Peek Acuity Pro apps can be downloaded for free via the Google Play store.

To support Peek, visit the JustGiving pageor contact enquiries@peekvision.org

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New tool to combat avoidable blindness - AOP

PRESS RELEASE Trachoma has been eliminated as a public health problem in Mexico, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced today.

Mexico becomes the first country in the Americas and the third in the world after Oman and Morocco to receive validation from WHO for having eliminated this disease.

Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. It is transmitted by contact with bacteria in the eye and nasal discharges of infected persons, especially young children. It affects poor, isolated populations in 41 countries around the world. In the Americas, trachoma is still endemic in Brazil, Guatemala, and Colombia.

Mexico has managed to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem, said WHO Director-General Margaret Chan in a letter to the Mexican Government congratulating the country on the achievement. WHOs conclusion is based on the data presented in the country record and on the recommendation of the review group of independent experts which visited the country last November, she added.

This is a historic moment for public health in Mexico and the Americas, said Carissa F. Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), WHO regional office for the Americas. Eliminating a disease is not achieved every day, she said, acknowledging the decades-long efforts of Mexican authorities, health workers and communities to improve their health and quality of life, and end this disease of poverty.

In Mexico, the disease has been endemic in 246 communities in five municipalities in the state of Chiapas, affecting a total of 146,207 people. Actions to combat trachoma were strengthened in 2004 with the creation of the Trachoma Prevention and Control Program of the Ministry of Health of Chiapas and the strengthening of the WHO SAFE strategy.

This strategy consists of a comprehensive package of interventions including surgery for advanced disease, antibiotics to clear C. trachomatis infection, facial cleanliness and environmental improvement to reduce transmission.

The Trachoma Brigades, a group of doctors, nurses and specially trained technical personnel to combat trachoma, worked locally to reduce the number of cases from 1,794 in 2004 to zero cases in 2016, according to data from the Chiapas Trachoma Prevention and Control Program.

Using this approach, the country met the international criteria for elimination of trachoma as a public health problem, which are: Prevalence of less than 5 percent in children aged 1 to 9, and less than one case oftrachomatous trichiasis (inverted eyelashes) per 1,000 inhabitants.

In 2012, there were only 36 cases of infection among children from 1 to 9 years of age (less than 5%) and less than 1 case of trachomatous trichiasis per 1,000 inhabitants. These numbers met the international criteria for elimination of trachoma as a public health problem.

The Secretary of Health of Mexico, Jose Narro, said he was excited at the achievement of elimination. The accomplishment, he said, was due to A long history of hard work and efforts by many persons, over the course of generations.

To maintain elimination and prevent a resurgence of the disease, PAHO / WHO recommends continuous monitoring of trachoma and delivery of care to affected patients.

To date, five other countries (China, Gambia, Ghana, Iran and Myanmar) have reported on the achievement of elimination targets. Most countries with trachoma are using the SAFE strategy to eliminate the disease by 2020. In 2015, more than 185,000 people with trichiasis received corrective surgery worldwide, and 56 million were treated with antibiotics for trachoma.

This elimination in Mexico adds to another important achievement reached by the country in 2015, when it received the verification of the elimination of onchocerciasis from WHO. Onchocerciasis is a parasitic disease that can also cause blindness and disability and, like trachoma, mainly affects people living in poverty.

This article was posted in its entirety as received by stlucianewsonline.com. This media house does not correct any spelling or grammatical error within press releases and commentaries. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of stlucianewsonline.com, its sponsors or advertisers.

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INTERNATIONAL: Mexico eliminates leading cause of blindness - St. Lucia News Online (press release)

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How Orbis is Bringing the World Together to Fight Blindness | 3BL ... 3BL Media (press release) Imagine the world around you in darkness. For millions of people this darkness is a reality. Blindness takes away so much more than vision. It can impede your ... and more »

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